Politics & Government

$37K County Grant Will Help Light Up Newtown Lane Crosswalk

Illuminated crosswalk will be the third of its kind in the village.

The county has approved a grant for the construction of a third illuminated crosswalk in East Hampton Village.

The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved legislation to
appropriate funds in connection with the Downtown Revitalization Program, according to Legis. Jay Schneiderman, I-Montauk.

The East Hampton Chamber of Commerce will receive the $37,000 grant for the crosswalk, which will be installed on busy Newtown Lane, about 500 feet north of Main Street, to improve visibility and reduce the risk of vehicle and pedestrian accidents. Newtown Lane, like Main Street, has two lanes of traffic in each direction.

A series of LED lights will be installed in the pavement and wired to a control box with a push button switch on either side of the street. Pedestrians who want to cross the street will press a button to activate the lights, signaling to driver that they are about to cross the street.

There are already two illuminated crosswalks on Main Street, which were installed in 2012 as part of a New York State Department of Transportation project because it is part of a state highway.

“I am delighted that the County is a sponsor on this important public safety
initiative in East Hampton Village. It will provide a safer crossing to residents and
visitors alike,” Schneiderman said.

The Village of East Hampton will provide the other half of the funding. Installation will be done next year during the off-season and will last about one week. The mayor previously said he hopes to have the project completed by spring.

“On behalf of the Village of East Hampton, I want to thank Legislator Jay
Schneiderman and the County Executive for the Downtown Revitalization Grant," Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. said. "This project is an important one in promoting pedestrian safety in the Village’s Business District and the illuminated crosswalks the Village currently has have been a success.

The mayor also thanked the chamber for assisting in the application on behalf of the village. "We are most appreciative of everyone’s efforts to make this happen,” he said.

There has also been some discussion of a crosswalk being created in front of Guild Hall and the East Hampton Library, further west on Main Street.


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