In keeping with the growing demand for vibrant, mixed-use, walkable downtown centers to revitalize the economic, social and cultural climate of Long Island, State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle announced Monday that he has secured $500,000 in state funding for the Rocky Point Downtown Revitalization Project.
Joined by Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner at a morning news conference, LaValle said, “Downtowns play an important role in our communities. I am pleased to have been able to secure $500,000 for the revitalization of downtown Rocky Point. A vibrant downtown gives the community and region a sense of pride and positive self-image. It also serves as an anchor that holds the community together and provides the stability necessary for economic growth and job creation.”
Additionally, Brookhaven Superintendent of Highways Dan Losquadro has committed $720,000 of 2014 capital budget monies from both the Traffic Safety and Street Lighting divisions to the project.
State and county funding, combined with the Highway Department funds, will allow the town to proceed with several capital construction projects to improve intersection safety and accessibility.
The outdated traffic signal at Broadway and King Road, which no longer meets federal or state design or accessibility standards, will be redesigned. Enhancements for pedestrians will be made, including “Hand/Man” countdown signals, access ramps (ADA compliant), colored crosswalks, curb extensions (bulb outs), emergency vehicle pre-emption, LED’s and video detection.
Safety and access will be improved at the intersection of Broadway and Prince Road, an area with limited sight distance and a strong crash history, by providing curb extensions (pedestrian bulb outs), colored crosswalks, accessible ramps (ADA compliant) and traffic calming devices to reduce speeds and volumes.
At Broadway between Old Route 25A and 150’ north of King Road, east and west sides, King Road and Prince Road 50-350’, plans include implementing traffic calming measures on both sides of the roadway to reduce speeds and volumes, construction of ADA compliant curb cuts and driveway aprons, resurfacing of roadways and construction of a concrete sidewalk system with highly visible crosswalks and shared roadway bike route pavement markings.
LaValle has worked for many months to secure the funding for these projects and to move them forward.
“I want to thank Senator LaValle, who has worked tirelessly to make sure that the state funding would come through, and I also want to thank Dan Losquadro. Because of their efforts, I can assure the Rocky Point residents and business owners that our plan to revitalize the downtown business district will continue to move forward,” Bonner said.
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[Source: Official Press Release]