Agreements have been reached on what will be the future shape of Route 25A as it flows down the hill at Cold Spring Road to Route 108. After long deliberations, the local residents have been listened to, the DOT is pleased with a new plan, and safety and scenic beauty are the winners - the unique characteristics of the road will be maintained. The announcement was made by New York State Transportation Commissioner Joseph H. Boardman on Monday, March 9.

Jean Thatcher, chairperson of Concerned Citizens for 25A said, "The Concerned Citizens for 25A applaud the accord reached with the DOT and the Cold Spring Harbor Project (Cove Road to Route 108). Regional Director Craig Siracusa has crafted a plan that addresses the fundamental issues of this long-standing controversy, the necessity for some local control of the roads that traverse and define a community, and a recognition that safety and the historic, scenic and special character of an area are two sides of the same coin.

"In his perceptive and timely response, Regional Director Siracusa has set a model for future handling of local projects by DOT. Concerned Citizens of 25A thank their 5,000 contributing supporters, elected officials at all levels, Governor Pataki for his involvement, and Senator Marcellino for his assistance in helping to expedite a resolution."

Contract plans are currently being prepared for the project, estimated at $6.7 million. Bids will be received this fall.

"We look forward to receiving DOT's new Environmental Impact Statement," said Jacqueline Binnian, longtime Sounding Committee member and one of the early opponents of the original DOT plan. "The accord that has been reached will, of course, be reduced to a memorandum of understanding by our attorneys at Cahn Wishod and Lamb. This will serve as protection for all parties."

Senator Marcellino summed up the project crediting NYS DOT Regional Director Craig Siracusa with "A devised plan that will provide a safe road without destroying the natural character of the area. Two new traffic signals, one at Cold Spring Road and the other at Bungtown Road, and the shaving of the hill at Laurel Hollow Road were key elements in improving the safety of the road and were the prime concerns of the Village of Laurel Hollow and the Cold Spring Harbor School District. The Cold Spring Harbor Biology Lab will have a safe entrance and exit, and there will be no intrusion into the wetlands."

The settlement came after many years of controversy regarding the project. "The initial proposal was far too large in scale," said Mr. Marcellino. "My position has always been that safety can be improved without drastic alterations to the roadway, and this revision proves that to be true. The Concerned Citizens recognized that certain aspects of the project had to remain in place, and DOT recognized that others could be eliminated. Through this cooperative approach we will have a much safer Route 25A, and everyone involved deserves the credit for making it happen. It has been a pleasure to help bring this settlement about."

Commissioner Boardman credited Governor Pataki's leadership for the approach. "The department is taking steps to protect the environment while we make important safety improvements on Long Island and throughout the state," he said. "In addition to preserving the scenic nature of Route 25A, this agreement is an excellent example of the department seeking and using public input as it develops its projects."

The agreement was reached last Thursday, at a meeting hosted by NYS Senator Carl Marcellino. The meeting was attended by Craig Siracusa, regional director for DOT's Long Island office, Ms. Jean Thatcher, chairperson of Concerned Citizens for 25A; and representatives of the Cold Spring Harbor Biology Lab; The villages of Oyster Bay Cove and Laurel Hollow and the Cold spring Harbor School District. The modifications were approved by everyone in attendance.

"Governor Pataki has directed DOT to work smarter and faster while preserving New York's environment. In addition, the governor's commitment to a more efficient and responsive government means that state agencies need to listen to the concerns of the citizens of the state. This agreement is a perfect illustration of how the department can make important safety improvements while protecting Long Island's scenic beauty," said Commissioner Boardman.

The Route 25A project consists of a series of intersection and roadway safety improvements, drainage improvements and road resurfacing between Cold Spring Road and Route 108.

Subsequent to public hearings held in June 1996, several changes were made in the proposed project to respond to community concerns. There were, however, two elements of the project that remained controversial. The first issue was road widening to create additional west of Route 108. The second concern was for the realignment of the curve on 25A at Moores Hill Road.

"The department's primary goal is improved safety," Mr. Siracusa said. "We agree with the Concerned Citizens of 25A that another goal should be to preserve the natural beauty and historic character of Route 25A. The latest changes made to the project plans respect both goals."

In the latest plan, the proposed second eastbound lane at the Cold Spring Road signal is eliminated. This widening was recommended primarily to increase capacity at this signal, and was not integral to improving roadway safety.

The current project proposes to install a new traffic signal at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory entrance/exit at Bungtown Road. In order to improve the sight distance for vehicles heading east, which must stop at this signal, the plans had called for the flattening of the curve on Route 25A at Moores Hill Road. This realignment required property acquisition, regrading and a minor intrusion into freshwater wetlands.

In the plan announced on Monday, the signal design will be modified. The signal will be set up so that eastbound traffic will not need to stop at Bungtown Road. Motorists will proceed unimpeded in the eastbound travel lane. When vehicles exit the lab on their green phase of the signal, westbound 25A traffic will stop at a red signal and exiting lab traffic will proceed into its own lane to the left of the eastbound 25A travel lane.

"Since eastbound 25A vehicles never have to stop, there will be no need to flatten the curve at Moores Hill Road. It's a win-win situation," Mr. Siracusa said. "The roadway is made safer by the installation of the traffic signal, and no wetland areas are disturbed."

From Bungtown Road to Route 108, two eastbound travel lanes are still part of the proposed plan. A second eastbound travel lane serves two functions. First, as described above, it enables the Bungtown signal to operate without stopping eastbound traffic, and therefore, does not require realigning the Moores Hill Road curve approaching the signal. Second, it allows traffic heading south on Route 108 to proceed in its own lane. About one-half of eastbound 25A traffic is destined for Route 108.

Approximately 12 feet of new road bed is required to establish the second eastbound travel lane. Part of the new pavement will be constructed on the south side of the road and part of the north side. All of the work will be done with the existing highway right-of-way and there will be no encroachment into wetland areas on either side of the roadway.

Senator Marcellino said, "The project now reflects the safety concerns of the school district, local residents, the Villages of Laurel Hollow and Oyster Bay Cove and the Cold Spring Harbor Biology Laboratory while preserving the natural character and the environment of the area. DOT is to be commended for scaling down an overly ambitious plan to one that meets the needs of the community. I am pleased to have been a part of this process and look forward to an improved safer Route 25A in the 5th Senate District."