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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