Travis Brennan, LIRR/3TC’s representative said, “It’s important that we disseminate this information and everyone knows what to expect.” We’re certainly not going to make everybody happy. Construction is very difficult. It’s a challenge but in order to progress forward you have to have some struggles and you have to have some headache.”
Unfortunately, it’s a fact that New Hyde Park has already endured the brunt of the LIRR Expansion Project – a project which not only benefits LIRR commuters but largely supports the MTA’s, Gov. Cuomo’s, NYS Senator Anna Kaplan’s, and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s concurrent agenda which is to build transit-oriented housing along the nine miles of the main line, regardless of the opinions of homeowners and taxpayers who reside in main line communities.
If 3TC, New York State, and Nassau County knew about these “headaches and struggles,” then NHP should have been granted a lot more in the way of compensation and mitigation strategies that specifically address a plethora of genuine problems from detour impacts, utility interruptions, noise, vibration, increased traffic, parking overloads, etc.
3TC’s proposed signage and media blitz are woefully inadequate in maintaining our village’s safety and security. In addition, a serious conversation about tax relief to the families and businesses directly impacted by this project must now be put on the table. Although we are reminded that it is our job to “take one for the team,” New Hyde Park residents and business owners assert that it is time for “the team” to recognize the sacrifices our village continues to make for the greater good and to do what it takes to make New Hyde Park the peaceful and vibrant community it was before this mega-project began.
3TC advised NHP village residents (see “3TC addresses concerns with New Hyde Park Road closure“) that it will wrap up this phase of the LIRR Expansion Project at NHP Road and LIRR Station in 7 months. Really? While the lanes for the new NHP Road underpass may be opened in 7 months, that in no way should imply that the project will be finished in New Hyde Park Village in seven months. Why? The new Covert Ave. underpass, the first phase of the project in New Hyde Park, is still experiencing unaddressed negative impacts – four months after Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and NYS Sen. Anna Kaplan lauded its opening in Oct. 2019. Although we were promised that the Covert Ave. crossing elimination would relieve traffic congestion and ameliorate air pollution, traffic gridlock continues to plague this roadway during morning and evening rush hours.
New intersections created by Covert Ave. elimination continue to have dangerous blind spots that remain unaddressed. Covert Ave. is a Nassau County road and it is supposed to be maintained by Nassau County. Sadly, four cars needed a police-assist to make it up and out of the underpass during a recent snow event because this county road was not properly treated prior to the storm. Are these the successes that New Hyde Park residents should anticipate at New Hyde Park Road? If so, we have big problems on the horizon since the NHP Road crossing elimination coupled with the construction of the new LIRR Station are significantly more complicated projects.
Personally, I reached out to NYS Senator Anna Kaplan a month ago regarding a safety concern at the intersection of Covert Ave. and 6th Ave., which will be affected by this latest phase of the project. With the expected increase in volume due to traffic detours, this location becomes especially dangerous for drivers, pedestrians (including our kids walking home from school), trucks, buses, and bicyclists. We need a traffic signal at that location – temporary or permanent. It is interesting to note that the opposite corner (6th Ave. and New Hyde Park Road) has a permanent traffic signal because of the safety issues that resulted in the growing volume in traffic. Why are officials ignoring the same conditions (and perhaps even greater volume) on Covert Ave. due to the New Hyde Park Road detours? Although Senator Kaplan responded with a statement that she would look into the matter, I never received a cogent response to that question. Local residents, especially senior citizens, eagerly await an answer – hopefully before the Feb. 3rd start date of the New Hyde Park Road project.
Let’s face it. Gov. Cuomo has long been a foe of local government. While our state and county taxes continue to increase, our quality of life continues to plummet. Our business community struggles. How much more can one village endure before it begins to fall to its knees? Words are empty. A growing group of engaged homeowners and voting taxpayers has mobilized. We want action. We want mitigation strategies – ALL OF THEM – that address the potential crippling impacts that will, no doubt, affect the future safety, security and viability of our beloved hometown. We will hold all officials accountable for their (lack of) due diligence. New Hyde Park village has more than earned fair consideration for the significant hardship we continue to endure as we take yet another one for the team.
Diane Bentivegna
New Hyde Park
