For Immediate Release:
DATE: February 16, 2024
CONTACT: Councilmember Michael Iasilli
PHONE: (631) 287-5745
On February 15th, the Town Board unanimously passed legislation establishing a Traffic Mitigation and Safety Task Force. Councilmember Iasilli, who had previously advocated for the town to act on the growing traffic crisis, fulfilled a campaign promise establishing a task force to work to enhance the quality of life of commuters and residents.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, traffic in Southampton Town has increased significantly. After a series of calls to address the traffic crisis last summer, the Suffolk County Executive announced a traffic study of County Road 39. At an Express Sessions in October of last year, then-County Executive Bellone and members of the forum took questions form the audience. Iasilli, who had been present, expressed the need for the Town to play a central role in the development of the County’s study.
Many residents face traffic safety issues on a number of roads from Sag Harbor to Flanders. Councilmember Iasilli stated, “This Task Force is meant to collect input from the public, identify problem roads, and assess what can be done to improve traffic and safety in our communities. There are things we are already acting on to improve safety in partnership with Southampton Town Highway Department, Town Police, and Public Safety in Hampton Bays, Southampton, and Remsenburg, such as creating better crosswalks, enhancing driver and pedestrian visibility, and adding speed monitors. Likewise, there are techniques the Town Highway Department is already looking at to mitigate traffic congestion such as the cone program and blinking yellow lights that may be expanded upon.”
The Councilmember also noted, “However, we must take a regional approach, consider housing and added public transportation too. And we must take action this year.”
The legislation charges the Task Force to collect public input, assess solutions and provide recommendations to the Town Board in a Final Report. Serving on the Task Force will be Highway Superintendent Charlie McArdle, County DPW Commissioner Charlie Bartha, Legislator Ann Welker, Town Police Chief James Kiernan, Town Highway Consultant Tom Neely, and representatives of the EMS/Fire Safety and local business communities, among others.
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