Rep. Steve Israel Presents Suozzi and Legislator Jacobs With Check for $1.6 Million

Woodbury, NY - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi today announced the beginning of safety reconstruction at the intersection of Woodbury Road and Syosset-Woodbury Roads. These roadways will be improved by creating a signalized tee intersection, improving safety by eliminating the current hairpin turn and reducing the grade of the road approaching this intersection.

County Executive Suozzi and Rep. Steve Israel (D-Second District) were joined today by the Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and other government officials to announce the long awaited reconstruction of the intersection of Woodbury and Syosset-Woodbury Roads. The improvements to this intersection are long overdue.

"This intersection is one of the most difficult in Nassau County," said County Executive Suozzi. "We wanted to improve the traffic flow at this intersection to make it safer for the local residents, motorists and pedestrians. "This example of cooperation between State and local government has helped to realize this project, which goes a long way toward correcting these problems."

In 1980, a $12 million bond ordinance was created but the project was never realized. County Executive Suozzi and Legislator Jacobs made completion a priority and now, twenty-five years later, through intergovernmental cooperation, costs have been reduced 60 percent and reconstruction has started.

"These conditions have been going on for too long," Congressman Israel said. "Now, the federal money that I've brought home combined with the resources that County Executive Suozzi and Presiding Officer Jacobs have invested, will make this intersection safer."

The Administration has dedicated $4.5 million for the design and subsequent construction of improvements to the intersection. These improvements will include the re-alignment or straightening of the intersection, adding turning lanes and installing a traffic light. $1.6 million of the total cost of this project is reimbursable through federal funds secured by Congressman Steve Israel through the House-passed Transportation Equity Act. Congressman Israel secured a total of $3.4 million in federal funding through this Act for Nassau County. The remainder of that money - $1.8 million - will be used to fund a road project on Jackson Avenue in Syosset, slated to begin in 2007.

"Drivers who use this road are familiar with this awkward intersection," Legislator Jacobs said. "For those who wish to travel north on Woodbury Road, the left turn is one with limited sight distance. There is no easy way to go through this intersection," she added. "I also commend Congressman Israel for fighting to secure the federal funds to help improve this intersection."

Construction began Sept 1, 2005. It is expected that this project will be complete during the summer of 2006. Starting on or around December 15, 2005 a detour of this intersection will be implemented so reconstruction can continue safely.