HomeMy WebLinkAboutCR 48SOUTHOLD TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION
IT own Hall
P. O. Box 1179
53095 Main Road
Southold, NY J. 1971-0959
Phone (631) 765-1938
Fax (631) 765-3136
September 28, 2007
Mr. William Hillman, P.E.
Chief Engineer
Department of Public Works
County of Suffolk
335 Yaphank Avenue
Yaphank, New York 11980
RE: CR 48, Middle Road
Dear Mr. Hillman:
Thank you for your August 21 letter regarding several issues in relation to CR 48,
Middle Road which was discussed by the Transportation Commission at our
regular monthly meeting on September 24.
With regard to the Soundview Inn and Restaurant, there was great concern with
the safety of patrons crossing the two painted crosswalks given the 50mph
posted limits along this stretch of the road. Commissioner Captain Martin Flatley
is requesting that the Southold police be included in these discussions prior to
any proposed improvements being made. To that end, we are wondering
whether one of your staff could come to our next meeting to review this issue.
The meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 29 at 10:00am at the Town Hall.
Regarding the funding for the two proposed roundabouts on CR48, we welcome
the news that Cox Neck Road study has been sent to Suffolk County Budget
office for consideration through the legislative process.
The Commission regrets, however, your decision not to move ahead with the
Westphalia Avenue roundabout for the stated reasons in your letter. In an effort
to keep this project active, we are enclosing excerpts from the New York State
Department of Transportation Roundabout Design Unit manual on "Current
Design Techniques". As you can see from the attached material, the state
indicates that multi-lane roundabouts should not be looked at unfavorably. It is
our belief that there is sufficient area within the existing County Route 48 right-of-
way to design and safely construct a multi-lane roundabout.
Mr. William Hillman, P.E. CR 48, Middle Road
Page 2
In addition, the North Eastedy comer of this intersection is owned by the Town of
Southold. This area could provide additional room as needed to properly design
such a roundabout. Please remember that the community at large had been
made aware that the new traffic control light at this intersection was to be a
temporary solution for this intersection pending a feasibility study. We would
greatly appreciate the county reviewing their position on this matter and including
this intersection in the forthcoming study.
Finally, the Commission has received Town requests regarding the
possibility/feasibility of having a turn signal installed at the traffic light at
Westphalia which is supported by safety considerations. Could your staff review
this and let us have your comments in due course?
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Neboysha R. Brashich
Chairman
Cc:
Kevin Law, Chief Deputy County Executive/General Counsel
Gilbert Anderson, P. E., Commissioner
Carmine Chiusano, Principal Financial Analyst
Daniel J. Dresch, Jr., Assistant Director of Safety
Supervisor Scott A. Russell
Town Board
Town Police
THOMAS LAGUARIHA, I'.E,
CHIEF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
STEVE LEVY
SUFFOLK COUNTY EXECUTIVE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
GILBERT ANDERSON, P.E.
COMMISSIONER
August 21, 2007
LOUIS CALDERONE
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
Mr. Neboysha R. Brashich, Chairman
Southold Transportation Commission
Town Hall - 53o95 Main Road
Southold, NY xx97x-o959
Re: CR 48, Middle Road
Dear Mr. Brashich:
I am in receipt of your July 30, 2007 letter regarding several issues in relation to CR 48, Middle
Road. With regard to the Soundview Inn and Restaurant, the County will be installing two
painted crosswalks and the associated signage on CR 48 in the vicinity of the Inn and
Restaurant. As the Town is responsible for street lighting on County roadways, the Department
is requesting that the Town of Southhold install additional street lighting in the vicinity of
Soundview. Preliminary plans of the proposed improvements and any correspondence will be
forwarded to you for information purposes.
Additionally, you requested an update regarding the funding for the study of the two proposed
roundabouts on CR 48. The appropriating resolution for funding to initiate the study at Cox
Neck Road was submitted to the Suffolk County Budget office and, at this time, it has not been
laid on the table for consideration. We will keep you advised as this resolution progresses
through the legislative process.
The Department has performed an in-house preliminary review of CR 48 at Westphalia Avenue
to determine the feasibility of a roundabout. The Westphalia Avenue location differs from Cox
Neck Road in that it has two lanes in each direction on CR 48. The two options to address this
issue are as follows:
Construct a two-lane roundabout - The Department has serious concerns with the
installation of a two-lane roundabout. To date, only one-lane roundabouts have been
installed on Long Island, most with great success, however, a few have not operated
as planned. The Department would like to see a two-lane roundabout operate in a
Long Island environment before progressing a study for this option.
Reduction of lanes and construction of one-lane roundabout - This option would
entail reducing CR 48 to one lane in each direction on the east/west approaches to a
one-lane roundabout. As you are aware, CR 48 becomes a two-lane roadway just east
of Cox Neck Road. The Department believes that reducing CR 48 to one lane at
Westphalia Avenue would create negative operational issues.
SUFFOLK COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
335 YAPHANK AVENUE · YAPHANI~ N.Y. 11980 · (631) 852-4010
FAX (631) 852-4150
Mr. Neboysha R. Brashich
Page Two
CR 48, Middle Road
As the preliminary review of the Westphalia Avenue location has not resulted in feasible options,
we will not be progressing a study at this time, however, we will continue to evaluate alternatives
as new data for roundabouts becomes available.
If you have any questions or require additional information concerning this matter, please feel
free to contact either myself or Daniel J. Dresch, Jr., Assistant Director of Traffic Safety at (632)
852-4o8~.
Very truly yours, ~ ~
William Hillman, P.E.
Chief Engineer
WH/td
cc: Kevin Law, Chief Deputy County Executive/General Counsel
Gilbert Anderson, P.E., Commissioner
Carmine Chiusano, Principal Financial Analyst
Daniel J. Dresch, Jr., Assistant Director of Traffic Safety