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Southampton hoping cones will ease traffic

Posted on Wednesday, 3/7 by webmaster  ·  no comments yet

Southampton hoping cones will ease traffic

BY RICK BRAND

March 7, 2007, 9:56 AM EST

Local officials took a new look Tuesday at how to keep intact the highly successful cone program to ease traffic on County Road 39 this spring during the widening of the St. Andrews Road overpass.

Suffolk and Southampton officials, spurred by Legis. Jay Schneiderman (R-Montauk), considered the possibility of making all of CR 39 near the overpass one-way eastbound during the morning rush hour while moving westbound traffic onto several town roads.

County officials last week disclosed that the cone program, slated to begin April 1, would have to be put off until Memorial Day weekend because of overpass construction which will restrict traffic from three lanes to two.

Suffolk Public Works Comissioner Gilbert Anderson declined to discuss specific proposed alternate routes but said the volume of traffic on town roads would total 1,100 to 1,200 cars an hour and town officials must consider whether that is feasible. Supervisor Patrick Heaney could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Anderson also said any plan would need approval from contractor Bicounty Construction Inc. because of a $5,000-a-day penalty clause should work extend beyond the Memorial Day weekend.

“I’m encouraged that everyone is doing their best to make something happen,” said Schneiderman, who said a final decision should come in about a week.