Senator Flanagan Secures One Million Dollars In Funding for Traffic Safety Improvements On Stony Brook Road

New York State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently joined with Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent Daniel P. Losquadro and Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley  to announce $1 million in state funding for a traffic safety improvement project on Stony Brook Road.  Assemblyman Steve Englebright, who secured $75,000 in grant funding for the project, joined them to announce the project.

“I am proud to have worked with Stony Brook University and the Town of Brookhaven to advance this important project that will improve safety for students and residents alike,” said Senator Flanagan.  “Creating more walkable communities is a move toward the future and I am happy to have contributed to such a worthwhile project.”

“I applaud the ongoing efforts of Superintendent Losquadro and President Stanley to improve safety on Stony Brook Road and am heartened to see this project coming closer to fruition,” said Assemblyman Englebright. “The state funding secured by Senator Flanagan and myself will make a safer road for walkers and bicyclists by providing sidewalks, bicycle lanes, street lighting and a new traffic signal with pedestrian upgrades."

The project, which will stretch along Stony Brook Road from Oxhead Road to Development Drive in the hamlet of Stony Brook, is intended to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as accessibility to multimodal transportation opportunities. In addition, it will reduce the presence of motorized forms of transportation and create a more walkable, united community in the vicinity of Stony Brook University.

Included in this project is the construction of a continuous sidewalk along Stony Brook Road; the extension of existing bicycle lanes and the installation of new left turn lanes at the existing signalized intersections; installation of a new traffic signal at Development Drive; and, pedestrian signal upgrades, ornamental pedestrian-scale lighting, landscaping and ADA-compliant handicap ramps.

“I want to thank Senator Flanagan and Assemblyman Englebright for securing the necessary funding for us to make these critical improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in the Stony Brook area,” said Superintendent Losquadro. “The addition of sidewalks and bicycle lanes will provide an alternative, safe means of transportation for students and residents traveling to and from Stony Brook University. As a graduate of Stony Brook University, I take a lot of personal pride in moving this project forward.” 

“Safer roads are a great way to promote pedestrian traffic around Stony Brook University," said Supervisor Romaine. "This is a perfect example to prove how different levels of government can work together to get things done. I thank Senator Flanagan and Assemblyman Englebright for securing the funding and their commitment to improving the quality of life in Brookhaven town." 

The estimated total cost of this project is $1.6 million. In addition to the $1 million in state funding—which comes from the New York State Dormitory Authority, through its State and Municipal Facilities Capital Program (SAM)—and the $75,000 secured through the NYS Multi-Modal Program, the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department is covering the remaining costs.

 “Stony Brook University educates more than 25,000 students and is Suffolk County’s largest single-site employer so pedestrian and traffic safety is very important to everyone in our community,” said President Stanley. “On behalf of everyone at the University, I would like to express our gratitude to Senator Flanagan, Superintendent Losquadro and Assemblyman Englebright for making this project a reality."