Austin Boulevard a focus of county plans

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On June 30, the Nassau County Legislature approved County Executive Laura Curran’s 2021-24 capital improvement plan. Under it, Austin Boulevard is scheduled for traffic and pedestrian improvements and storm and flood resiliency measures.

Curran’s plan will see $8.9 million dedicated to the 1.4-mile stretch of road that runs through Oceanside and Island Park. The hope is that the plan could allay residents’ worries about potholes and flooding.

The plans were scheduled for the spring of 2020 before the pandemic caused a widespread shutdown of the economy. Despite the financial difficulties brought on by the pandemic, Curran said her commitment to the plan never wavered.

“It’s a necessary project for public safety,” Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty said. While the road work will slow traffic, it will also provide newly paved roads for vehicle safety and curb buildouts and improved crosswalks and countdown timers at intersections.

The drainage mitigation part of the project will see increased drain capacity by installing new pipes with a larger diameter than the older ones and running them from in front of DaVinci’s restaurant on Long Beach Road to the California Place canal. Part of that drainage work was completed in May.

The mayor cited the flooding that has occurred by the railroad tracks as one a major infrastructure issue that will be addressed by the new drainage system. In the past, flooding has affected the electrified third rail of the railroad tracks.

“When there’s flooding down here, we’re taking public safety and livelihoods,” McGinty said. The mayor lauded county Deputy Commissioner for Planning Sean Sallie’s work thus far and said he is confident the plan will continue to proceed under his watch.

One of the biggest boons expected to come from the plan is improving property values at a time when the real estate market has been extremely active.

Curran said the plan “not only seeks to improve our infrastructure and resolve critical needs but makes improvements that attract new residents and businesses so we can continue to meet the challenges of retaining our tax base.”

“These projects are a long time coming, and as they come to fruition, it’s good for everybody,” McGinty said. “It’s good for residents, it’s good for people coming to or moving into the village, and it’s good for businesses. Everybody wins in this project.”

“And look at the labor,” the mayor added. “Everybody is working, and there is nothing I find more exciting than seeing everybody working.”

“The 2021-24 capital improvement plan continues my commitment to restoring and improving infrastructure while investing in big picture projects that will improve the county for generations to come,” Curran said.

Construction is estimated to take two years to complete.

The plan totals $1.7 billion for several infrastructure projects throughout the county.