Coming Soon: Sunrise Highway Safety Updates

Exit from Sunrise Mall to Sunrise Highway which is due to undergo design changes as part of a state project for that highway. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall on design changes for Sunrise Highway according to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT). The estimated $6.3-million safety and mobility project, which the DOT said will alleviate traffic snarls and accidents from Louden Avenue in Amityville to Cartwright Boulevard in Massapequa, was first discussed in 1997, while the first set of plans left the drawing board in 2002.

It is anticipated that the changes will improve traffic flow by eliminating conflicting movement, thus preventing accidents. Poorly placed traffic signals and making safer and more convenient entrances and exits for shopping centers along the highway are also planned.

"The bottom line is the safety of travelers," said NYS Senator Charles Fuschillo Jr. "Our analysis shows that this area has a high accident rate."

Fuschillo added once the project is completed, "we will have a safer and more improved Sunrise Highway."

One problem intersection is the entrance and exit for the Sunrise Mall just west of the LIRR trestle. Drivers coming out of that exit onto Sunrise Highway who want to head east or south must cross three lanes of traffic within a short distance to make the turn at Unqua Road.

DOT spokesperson and Public Information Officer Eileen Peters said they believe adding another westbound through traffic lane and extending the left turn storage lane for Unqua Road will alleviate this problem.

"Unqua Road is a big concern to the DOT because there are so many accidents there," said Peters who also said a raised roadway separator will be added to eliminate conflicts.

"By adding this extra auxiliary lane near Park Lane, through traffic would be able to bypass the cars turning left, putting an end to stopped traffic in the middle of Sunrise Highway, and avoiding backups," said Peters

Another traffic issue being addressed concerns the Philips Plaza mall on the south side of Sunrise Highway, which contains, in part, Toys-R-Us and the Burlington Coat Factory. Currently a light at the western entrance to that shopping center causes vehicles to back up along Sunrise Highway. The plan is to eliminate the light there and prohibit vehicles from entering the plaza from the west bound lanes.

The well-traveled thoroughfare will also be repaved and the traffic signals upgraded for safety reasons. For beautification, an appealing stone design on

the median, similar to one installed along Hempstead Turnpike, will be added according to the DOT.

The original plans called for closing the westbound connection of Old Sunrise Highway to Sunrise Highway, but after an outcry from school officials and emergency response teams who use that regularly, it will remain open. Initial plans to turn Carmans Road north of Sunrise Highway into a culde sac were also abandoned after local concerns were raised about that proposal.

"Originally I was concerned about the aggressive design the DOT had, such as elevating the roadway, because it changed the face of our township, in general," said the Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto. "After a great deal of community outreach and the public officials working together, I think we have an intelligent plan that meets all of our safety needs of that area."

The estimated $6.3-million job is due to go out for bid in late July or August, with work starting in the fall. It is estimated that it will take between 12 and 18 months to complete.

In order to ensure as little disruption to traffic flow as possible as the work progresses, plans call for work during off-peak hours. Only one lane will be closed at a time with all lanes open during morning and evening rush hours.