HomeMy WebLinkAboutRt 25 Bridge Replacement over LIRRThomas F. Oelerich, P.E.
Acting Regional Director
Stat uz .=w
Department of Transportation
State Office Building
250 veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
SUPERVISORS (.,,i:FIC E
Joseph H. Boardman
Commissioner
February 22, 2002
Honorable Joshua Y. Horton
Supervisor, Town of Southold
Town Hall
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
PIN 0042.28, Route 25 Bridge Replacement over LIRR
Town of Southold, Suffolk County
Request for Comments on Relevant Environmental
Issues /
Dear Mr. Horton:
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), in cooperation with the
Federal Highway Administration, is preparing an Environmental Assessment on a proposal to
replace the deteriorating bridge carrying Route 25 over the LIRR in the Town of Southold,
Suffolk County. The proposed project will reconstruct approximately 0.75 miles of the existing
highway between Dolphin Drive at reference marker MM25-0701-1635 and Pipes Neck Road
at reference marker MM25-0704-1642 (see attached Project Location Map (Figure 1). The
reconstructed highway will retain one traffic lane in each direction. Project objectives are to
increase the structural capacity of the bridge and improve sight distance along the project
corridor.
Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) bridge rehabilitation; and (3)
bridge replacement. Incorporated into and studied with the various build alternatives will be
design variations of grade and alignment. Some alignment alternatives under consideration
at this time are to build a replacement bridge along a new alignment on the north side of the
existing structure or to build a new bridge on the existing alignment.
Issues that will be analyzed in depth include the project's effect on freshwater and tidal
wetlands, wildlife habitat, water quality, and cultural and recreational resources, as well as
other social, economic and environmental effects. Particular attention will be focused on
assessing, minimizing and mitigating potential effects on the Hashamomuck Pond ecosystem.
As part of NYSDOT's environmental initiative program, we will also be assessing
opportunities to enhance local environmental conditions beyond standard project mitigation.
Examples of previous environmental initiative actions include stormwater filtering structures,
wetlands restoration, habitat enhancement (e.g., vegetation plantings, nesting
boxes/platforms), streetscape beautification, pedestrian and bicyclist improvements.
As part of the process for identifying the important issues related to the proposed action, we
request your comments on the above issues and any other issues that you can identify as
important. We intend to use your comments to:
- Identify the range of alternatives and impacts and the important issues to be addressed in
the Environmental Assessment.
Identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues which are not important or which
have been covered by prior environmental review.
Identify other environmental review and consultation requirements.
We request your comments by April 1, 2002. If you do not reply by that date, we may not be
able to evaluate your comments at this initial stage of project development. There will be
additional opportunity for comment at later stages in the project design prior to the
Department making a final decision and alternative selection. An Information Center in the
Town of Southold will also be scheduled in 2002/2003 to further discuss this project. If you
have any questions regarding the enclosed, please contact me at (631) 952-6654.
Very truly yours,
Joseph G. Scariza
Regional Design Engineer
Attach.
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2 Miles
Project Location
Figure I