Following calls from a number of elected officials, led by Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District), the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) today unveiled a number of changes to Route Senator Flanagan (center) stands with NYSDOT Regional Director Subi Chakraborti as they announce the upcoming roadway improvements that will enhance safety on Route 25 in Smithtown. They are joined by (from right to left) Town of Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, NYSDOT’s Regional Traffic Engineering & Safety Engineer Frank Pearson, Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Smithtown Central School District Superintendent Edward Ehmann and Smithtown High School East Principal Edwin C. Thompson.25 in Smithtown to improve safety on the roadway.
Senator Flanagan (center) stands with NYSDOT Regional Director Subi Chakraborti as they announce the upcoming roadway improvements that will enhance safety on Route 25 in Smithtown. They are joined by (from right to left) Town of Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, NYSDOT’s Regional Traffic Engineering & Safety Engineer Frank Pearson, Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Smithtown Central School District Superintendent Edward Ehmann and Smithtown High School East Principal Edwin C. Thompson.
The NYSDOT improvements are aimed at improving safety on both directions of the state road near the Caleb Smith State Park Preserve.
On behalf of concerned residents, Senator Flanagan along with Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (7th Assembly District), Town of Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio and members of the Smithtown Central School District community called for the NYSDOT to launch a comprehensive safety study of the area.
Following the study of traffic patterns and accident data, NYSDOT has decided to institute some important changes on the roadway.
1 According to NYSDOT, the key to these improvements will be reducing the roadway from two westbound lanes to one between Meadow Road and Old Willets Path and lowering the westbound speed to 45 miles per hour (mph) from the current 55 mph. The NYSDOT is also going to reduce the eastbound speed from its current 55 mph to 50 mph through the area and increase signage along the roadway.
"These changes are aimed at making Route 25 as safe as possible and that is everyone’s goal. The NYSDOT looked at this road, has done an extensive review and have promised that they will continue to monitor the situation and I appreciate their efforts," stated Senator Flanagan. "I also would like to thank the residents who contacted my office for their efforts to enhance the safety of our community."
"Our goal is to install these additional safety measures as quickly as possible to reduce vehicle speeds and help improve the overall operation of this area," NYSDOT Regional Director Subi Chakraborti said. "We truly hope the new lane configuration, enhanced roadway signage and pavement marking changes will encourage drivers to drive at or below the posted speed limit."
"The meeting we had with the regional office was very helpful and this new design I believe will be the answer in reducing speed and enhancing safety," said Assemblyman Fitzpatrick. "Traffic control is a science and I thank Regional Director Chakraborti and his staff for their efforts to increase safety in this area."
"I hope and trust that these measures by the DOT will make this stretch of road safer," added Supervisor Vecchio.
NYSDOT expects to complete the work by September and will continue to monitor the roadway afterward.
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