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A $2.5 million infrastructure project to upgrade a 1-mile stretch of roadway on Maple Avenue between the Long Island Railroad Station and the Maple Avenue Dock facility in Bay Shore is underway.
A major portion of the project is being funded through a New York State grant that the Town of Islip won 2014.
The project, coined the Bay-Way Corridor Project by the Town of Islip, will consist of road resurfacing, new concrete curbs and sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps featuring detectable warning pads, decorative lighting, and traffic calming measures like road markings, according to a statement released by the Town.
The project is partially funded by a New York State Transportation Enhancement Program (NYS TEP) award received by the Town of Islip of a little more than $1.6 million.
In order to be eligible for funding, the project had to comply with certain requirements according to NYS TEP documentation. One rule for the award required the work to improve the transportation experience by strengthening a multi-modal system, such as sharing the road with pedestrians, bikes and autos.
Bicycle and shared use lanes are included in the renovation whose shape will conform to accessibility requirements and geometric features of the road, according to a statement the Town sent to GreaterBayShore.
Stormwater drainage improvements will also be implemented in the plan.
Work is being done by Ridge-based Laser Industries, a general contractor procured through a lowest qualified bidding process conducted by the Town.
Construction began in March and is expected to be completed by the fall.
In an email to GreaterBayShore, town spokeswoman Caroline Smith said that 80 percent of the cost of the project is reimbursable by the state under the scope of the grant. The remainder is being paid by the Town, including items that are not covered by the original NYS award money.
There was a desire to improve this corridor and the TEP grant application inspired the Town to move forward with the renovation if they won the award.
Smith said that the renovation is important because it “connects two transportation hubs while also serving a busy and revitalized downtown.”
In a statement, Town Councilman John Cochrane Jr. called it a “wonderful opportunity to improve our infrastructure along this corridor-the gateway to Fire Island.”
Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said in the same statement that it was important to enhance the corridor to provide access for people of all abilities and for the future.
“Our waterfronts are one of our most treasured assets,” she said.
