Two road construction and improvements projects that Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs (16th L.D.) has been championing for years are closer to fruition after significant steps forward, announced Jacobs this past week.

On Monday, September 28, the Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved a resolution, once stalled in committee, to hire a consultant to reconfigure the intersection of Woodbury Road and Syosset-Woodbury Road in Woodbury, a crossing that is perceived as very dangerous because of its strange angle and steep embankment.

One week earlier, Jacobs proudly proclaimed that the Department of Public Works will soon begin its improvement project for the intersection of Piquets Lane and Woodbury Road, considered risky because of the bend in the road.

Monday's news was likely the most gratifying to Jacobs, who was frustrated that the long-standing problem at the Woodbury Road/Syosset-Woodbury Road crossing was suffering another delay because the resolution to fix it sat idle in the Finance Committee. Jacobs credited Public Works Committee Chairman Edward Mangano (17 L.D.) and Majority Leader Bruce Blakeman for bringing it to the voting floor.

"This is the first important step in a series of approvals that will take place to finally see it in reality."

"Drivers who use this road are familiar with this dangerous intersection," Jacobs said. "For those who wish to travel north to Woodbury Road, the left turn is one with severely limited sight distance. No matter in which direction you are traveling, or on which road, there is no safe way to go through this intersection."

Money has already been set aside for this project, and the local community had worked and agreed with the DPW on it as much as 10 years ago, ensuring that the project's size would not be scaled too large.

The DPW has recommended taking out part of the hillside at the intersection and constructing a wall in its place, making the intersection perpendicular, briefly widening Woodbury Road to two lanes, creating a left turn only lane and installing a traffic signal.

Jacobs believes that the community's outcry, including an outpouring of 400 letters, helped push the project along as well. "Everyone was expressing their concern and support," said Jacobs.

"I'm sure the residents and drivers who use this popular road will be relieved to learn that the safety of this intersection will be improved in the future," Jacobs added.

The construction for Piquets Lane and Woodbury Road, said Jacobs, should begin very shortly. The major aspect of these improvements will be the rebanking, and straightening, of the north side of Woodbury Road where it currently curves and intersects with Piquets. Jacobs said that the new configuration will decrease the number of blind spots.

Improvements also slated for this crossing involve the widening and resurfacing of portions of the roadways.