I recently wrote about the intersection at Jericho and Glen Cove Road.
When I start something I finish it one way or another. As I stated, the intersection does not provide the means to go south on Glen Cove Road, period.
Getting onto Jericho is difficult even when possible. I also noticed that there are now small square signs (not official size) about the size of the square dinner plates used in the new Park City Diner.
They indicate that the left turn lane turns left with an arrow and the northbound lanes have arrows pointing straight ahead. No more turning left also from the left northbound lane.
If someone should not see those small signs and a cop is waiting – it is gotcha. The last time I took this exit (from the westbound parkway) I was unable to mooch into the left turn lane. The northbound lane light turned green and I had no choice but to go north on Glen Cove and make a U-turn.
The last time going west I did not take the exit but stayed on the parkway to go to the next exit. When I crossed over Jericho, I checked my odometer. I took the exit north of Hillside Avenue and went south on Glen Cove Road and then right on Jericho west.
Checking my odometer indicated this took me one mile out of my way plus three traffic lights.
Obviously not a good unencumbered solution. I also discovered that any mention of Glen Cove Road south does not exist going westbound on the parkway and as I approached the exit north of Hillside I had seen no sign whatsoever that exit was there.
Had I not known it was there, I would have gone right past it without being able to exit.
I decided to go last Sunday, parking nearby and walked over to observe this intersection. What I noticed first is what a weed patch it is.
At the point where the sidewalk turns south (on the southwest corner) is a pile of tangled guy wire lying on the sidewalk with one end hanging from a pole.
The sidewalk going south is so overgrown it is almost ruined. I stood on this sidewalk awhile observing the activity associated with this intersection.
As is usual for a Sunday afternoon, the traffic was quite heavy. At times there would be as many as thirty vehicles lined up in the left turn lane. With my sense of march tempo, I counted and the left turn arrow was green 15 seconds and then yellow two seconds. The time for the sequence of all the lights is 90 seconds. Those amounts lends credence to my tempo.
For 30 vehicles to turn left on the green arrow, it would be two per second. That would be at the rate of one per each “left, right, left” of march tempo.
There is no way that can happen. About half of those that turn left enter the parkway entrance.
By the time the light to the south at the parkway eastbound exit would turn red and the northbound traffic would cease momentarily, the left turn lane onto Jericho would be full and there would never be an opportunity for those at the westbound exit to get into the left turn lane unless hopping across the northbound lanes like a jackrabbit.
The westbound exit has no lane markings but is wide enough for those wishing to go west on Jericho to move onto the left shoulder to wait which leaves room and the courtesy for those wishing to go north to get by.
Knowing this intersection, they know what they are doing and are all too familiar with this crap!
As far as I can determine, the three mentioned routes are state roads. Following the chain of command, we the people elect our state legislators. They legislate and kick the commissioner of motor vehicles in gear to implement their demands who then instructs the local transportation officials.
I am sure that at least one person we send to Albany monitors our local papers. Do they respond or ignore us?
It is unconscionable that we can’t go south on Glen Cove Road or get into the left turn lane to go west on Jericho unencumbered. The solution is simple: The lanes have to stay as they are. The left turn arrow needs to stay green another five or so seconds. Most of all, there has to be a traffic light at the westbound exit.
It is not plausible to contact local appointed officials directly as was demonstrated in getting the traffic light on Herricks Road for the Mineola High School students. Among other remarks, the official stated that they could walk up to Jericho to cross and walk back. I checked it with my odometer. It is two fifths of a mile out of their way.
Then it was said that it would cost $150,000 to get the light. We all still wonder where all of the money goes in Nassau County.
Our state legislators should also instruct that these local demi-gods don’t spit on the public.
I am not calling what I have done a “study,” which we never find out the to results anyway, that is if they actually did it. I give what I have observed tax-free and at no cost to the people of Nassau County.
Charles Samek
Mineola
