Bicycle Lane Improvements From Southampton to Montauk Coming

The state is planning bicycle lane improvements on several East End roads, including in the Town of Southampton.

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., I-Sag Harbor, said on Monday that improvements to bicycle routes in his jurisdiction include a 62-mile stretch of Route 27, which is Montauk Highway, from County Road 39 in Southampton to Montauk Point and 28.2 miles of Route 114 from Route 27 in East Hampton to the ferry on North Haven and then through Shelter Island. Both sides of those roads, where there are shoulders, are included in the project. 

Also, a 5.6-mile length of Route 27A from Knoll Road in Hampton Bays to Tuckahoe Road in Shinnecock Hills is included in the project, too.

Improvements range from cleaning pavement surfaces, re-striping, replacing signage, weeding and removing plants and trimming back trees and shrubs that are in the way, inspecting drainage grates, resetting drainage grates and even replacing with bicycle friendly drainage grates.

"I applaud the New York State Department of Transportation for their efforts to ensure safe, reliable, and comfortable transportation for non-motorized travelers using marked bicycle lanes," Thiele said. "By improving and expanding bicycle lanes we are addressing critical connections in our local bicycle network and ensuring the safety of cyclist and motorists alike."

The rest area on the westbound side of Route 27, east of Wainscott Stone Road in Wainsctt will be fixed up, also. Thiele said litter will be removed, signage will be replaced, among other improvements.

Thiele said that according to the New York State Department of Transportation, the projects are in the design phase and will begin in the fall of 2014. 

Other areas where bicycle lanes will be improved upon include a 23.2-mile length of NY Route 24 from I-495 to Old Riverhead Road in Riverhead.

Also apart of the project, areas where public telephones once stood will be cleaned up, as well. Litter and debris will be removed, concrete pads and garbage receptacles will be repaired, and fences will be fixed. Those areas are located on Route 24, known as Flanders Road, and Route 27 west of Shinnecock Canal — between exits 65 and 66 on the east and westbound sides.

All of the projects could take two years to complete, Thiele said.