State to Increase Traffic Safety Measures at Dangerous Fort Salonga Turn

The New York State Department of Transportation says they are planning on increasing the safety measures at a notorious turn on Fort Salonga Road that has been the spot for multiple serious crashes this year.

A man is in critical condition after his vehicle crashed into a tree near Makamah Road Thursday morning, the same tree another vehicle struck in February, killing two and seriously injuring one.

If motorists don’t follow the curve while traveling westbound on Fort Salonga Road, they will find themselves in the direct path of this particular tree.

A representative from NYSDOT said they conducted a study in April analyzing this turn.

The State provided Patch a letter sent to Frank Konop of the Fort Salonga Association, Inc. summarizing their April 2016 study.

The analysis reviewed the most recent three years of data available by the Department of Motor Vehicles and the police report from the fatal accident in February.

The study showed that all existent signs and movement marking were installed properly, but NYSDOT still plans on making some changes, including:

• Install larger Chevron signs (big yellow arrows that indicate a curve ahead).
• Replace current Chevron signs with larger, more visible sign panels.
• Place several more larger-sized Chevron signs to better guide Route 25A motorists in both directions.
• Relocate the westbound Curve Warning sign closer to the curve.
• Install a 30 mph Advisory speed panel underneath the Curve Warning.
• Install a deer crossing sign west of the intersection to alert motorists of the presence of wildlife in the area.

NYSDOT says they will also review the police report and the circumstances of Thursday’s crash to see if additional measures need to be taken.

Coincidentally, NYSDOT says crews are going Friday afternoon to install larger Chevron signs. The other signs are scheduled to be installed early next week, the State says.

A work order has been issued to remove the tree by the end of August, NYSDOT says. Sevearl trees along Fort Salonga Road in this area are also scheduled to be removed before Labor Day.

“Safety is NYSDOT’s top priority and we continuously strive to provide protections for motorists on Long Island’s state roadways with the hope that drivers will help protect themselves by driving cautiously and heeding the speed limit and other ‘rules of the road,’” the NYSDOT representative said.

Several residents weighed-in on how they think the turn could be improved.

Zoe Berger, a close friend of the victims in the February crash, told Patch, "I believe there should be more guardrails, lighting and possible warning signs for the speed in which people are driving on this turn.”

Another resident told Patch he believes it is time to remove the tree.

While the State is implementing the safety measures, following the rules of the road is the responsibility of the drivers.