(ELMONT, N.Y.) - Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D - Lawrence) today announced that the Department of Public Works will embark upon long-demanded traffic safety improvements along Dutch Broadway and Elmont Road.
In response to extensive advocacy by community leaders and Legislator Solages, DPW advised that, during the balance of 2021, new signals will be installed on Dutch Broadway at Diamond Street; Glafil Street, Dutch Broadway at Willow Lane/Lawrence Street; Elmont Road and the Cross Island Parkway ramp, and on Elmont Road at the church driveway, just north of Dutch Broadway. There, a fence will also be installed to encourage pedestrians to cross at the new signal.
Left turn arrows will be added at northbound Elmont Road at Baylis Avenue; southbound Elmont Road at Atherton Avenue; eastbound Dutch Broadway at North Fletcher Avenue; and eastbound and westbound Dutch Broadway at Harriet Street and Tuxedo Drive.
On the eastern portion of Dutch Broadway, two driver feedback devices - which alert speeding drivers to slow down - will be installed east of the Walgreens before Crystal Street and one in the vicinity of Warner Road. A driver feedback device will be added on Corona Avenue in the vicinity of Kelly Court.
Finally, the Town of Hempstead will erect additional speed limit signs and install stop signs for side-street approaches where they are not currently.
“For years, I have joined community leaders in advocating for improvements that will make our roads safer for our families,” Legislator Solages said. “Nassau County has heard these concerns and will soon be completing a million-dollar investment that will make Elmont’s most traveled roads safer for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists alike. This is an important victory for Elmont residents, and I thank County Executive Curran for her assistance in this crucial project.”
These traffic safety improvements are drawn from the Elmont Traffic Safety Evaluation completed in late January 2020. Initial improvements were completed at the end of 2020 in conjunction with the repaving and re-striping of Dutch Broadway between Elmont Road and the Queens county line.
During re-striping, westbound Dutch Broadway, from Ridge Road to the Queens border, went from two lanes to one as part of a “lane diet” aimed at reducing speeding in the area. The change also increased the amount of space available to travel on foot or by bicycle, which is be especially beneficial for students at nearby Elmont Memorial Junior-Senior High School. In addition, the County installed a rectangular rapid flashing beacon at 238th Street and a flashing driver feedback device west of Astor Street.