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Shifting Lanes Are Coming

By
Taylor K. Vecsey

Drivers have smoother roads to look forward to, but they should expect some delays when the state implements lane shifting later this month for its project to repave 15 miles of Montauk Highway between East Hampton and Montauk.

The $13.8 million New York State Department of Transportation project to repair the road between Route 114 in East Hampton and South Etna Avenue in Montauk is already under way, with drainage systems being cleaned and repaired. Resurfacing the distressed pavement with new asphalt and fresh pavement markings will begin the week of Oct. 20.

“To accomplish roadway resurfacing while minimizing the impact on residents, businesses, and motorists,” a release from the state said last week, “wherever possible travel lane shifts on shorter sections of N.Y. Route 27/Montauk Highway will be utilized rather than lane closures, and a single travel lane in each direction will remain open to motorists.”

Off-peak daytime travel lane shifts will be in effect Monday through Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., weather permitting, starting Oct. 20. Work will be done at night at busy intersections and downtown areas.

State officials are hoping to have the worst sections of the highway repaved before winter weather arrives. A 3.5-mile section of Montauk Highway between Methodist Lane in East Hampton Village and Old Montauk Highway in Amagansett had previously been identified as the priority.

State officials are still seeking comment from Amagansett store owners regarding switching from night construction to off-peak daytime work to speed up resurfacing on a 1,500-foot section of the hamlet’s Main Street. The state wants the okay to work during the day Tuesdays through Thursdays only. No on-street parking would be available, but drivers would have access to side streets and off-street parking.

“N.Y.S.D.O.T. realizes day work has a greater impact on businesses than night work, but the temporary inconvenience would be rewarded with a greater portion of newly paved road prior to winter,” the release said. “Without day work, it is likely the 1,500-foot section will wait until spring 2015.” The overall project won’t be completed until sometime that year.

 

 

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