Illuminated Crosswalk Install To Slow Traffic

Work to install in East Hampton Village will result in lane closures and some delays for the next three weeks starting on Monday.

Daytime eastbound and/or westbound lanes will be closed on Main Street between Huntting Lane and The Circle, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Weather permitting, the State Department of Transportation crews will install lighted crosswalks at Huntting Lane and The Circle, at the . There will also be associated sidewalk ramp improvements for enhanced safety.

DOT Regional Traffic Engineer Frank Pearson said in a letter to Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. in January that he was hopeful the work would be completed before Memorial Day.

The project was estimated to cost the state $125,000. Main Street is part of the state-owned Montauk Highway.

Safety and warning devices will be at either side of the crosswalks. At the push of a button, and as pedestrians cross the street, a light will flash that will warn drivers to slow down and stop. A 9-inch-by-12-inch sign will be placed above the button with instructions for pedestrians on how to use this safety mechanism. The system will run off the existing street light system.

During the temporary lane shifts, a single travel lane for alternating directions may also be in effect during that time. "There will only be brief, intermittent full closures of all travel lanes in either or both directions as required to position construction equipment," the DOT said in a statement on Friday.

"Drivers are strongly urged to use alternate routes or they will experience travel delays," the DOT said. "Motorists who cannot use alternate routes are reminded to drive carefully through the work zone, follow the posted detour signs, and obey the flag person’s directions, for their safety as well as the safety of the highway work crew." Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.