After years of delay, Nassau County is breaking ground to fix flooding problems on Middle Neck Road.
The drainage project, which will expand stormwater collection capacity to prevent the recurring flooding that has damaged nearby property during heavy rainfalls, has been mired in a lengthy planning process.
The county has begun preliminary work and will begin road construction in October – a long awaited and important development, Village of Great Neck Mayor Ralph Kreitzman said.
“The project is necessary because for years we had flooding at that intersection, and thanks to [Nassau County Legislator] Judi Bosworth’s (D-Great Neck) efforts and assistance six years ago we finally got it elevated in importance,” Kreitzman said. “Unfortunately, after it was approved, it was slowed down because of the county’s financial problems with [the Nassau Interim Finance Authority.]”
“We’re delighted they’re finally moving ahead on this really critical project,” he added.
The construction will affect a half-mile stretch of Middle Neck Road, as well as parts of Berkshire and Piccadilly Roads. The project is targeting a June, 2014 completion date, and will cause some disruptions to traffic, according to Nassau County Department of Public Works spokesman Mike Martino.
The project will use a phased construction schedule to reduce disruptions, according to Martino.
Old Mill Road will be turned into a one-way street with detours for westbound traffic during one part of the project, turning onto Wooleys Lane from Middle Neck Road will be restricted during another phase and there will be some full-time lane reductions.
Digging will also take place on private property, including in the parking lot of the Versailles Court apartment complex, according to Kreitzman.
The village is working with the county and private interests to help mitigate the impact on residents, Kreitzman said. The village, he said, is considering loosening its ban on overnight street parking for Versailles Court residents and Temple Beth-El has volunteered to let apartment car-owners use their parking lot.
The construction will take place two years after its originally planned start date. A 2010 county news release projected the completion of the project by 2011.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano (R-Bethpage) and Bosworth announced this April that the county would move forward with the project.
“This project is vital to the Great Neck Peninsula and it could not have proceeded without the support of County Executive Mangano and his staff along with local elected officials and community leaders,” said Bosworth in an April release. “With the changes in weather patterns it has become more apparent than ever how important it is to address the flooding issues along Middle Neck Road.”
The project is projected to cost about $2 million with the money coming from county capital funds, Martino said.
