Town Lowers Speed Limit On Austin Boulevard In Island Park

For years, many Island Park residents have been asking for measures to be taken to make Austin Boulevard — the six-lane highway that runs through the heart of the small island community — more safe for pedestrians and drivers. This week, they got their wish when the Town of Hempstead voted to reduce the speed limit on the road from 40 mph to 30.

The measure was proposed by Town Councilman Anthony D'Esposito, who lives in Island Park. As a firefighter in the town, D'Esposito had seen first-hand the effects of speeding on the road when he responed to numerous accidents over the years, some of them fatal.

One of the main concerns of residents is the safety of children. Licoln Orens Middle School is located right off the road, and many children have to cross it on foot to get to and from school every day. It is also one of the main ways in and out of Long Beach.

“I am extremely pleased that the entire Town Board agreed that the speed limit on Austin Boulevard needed to be reduced,” said D’Esposito. “This measure will increase the safety of drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Austin Boulevard has been the site of many accidents, including a half-dozen fatal ones over the last 10 years. The roadway averages more than 100 accidents a year. A woman was critically injured by an SUV as she attempted to cross Austin Boulevard in December. This was following three other pedestrian accidents crossing Austin Boulevard in 2017. In 2016, seven pedestrians were injured crossing the busy thoroughfare.

Though the road is owned by Nassau County, Hempstead Town has jurisdiction over the implementation or modification of the speed limit on the roadway. The Nassau County Department of Public Works and Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford have given their full support to the proposal.

The measure was also supported by Island Park School Superintendent Rosmarie Bovino and School Board President Jack Vobis.

Reducing the speed limit is just the first change that is coming to Austin Boulevard. Last year, the federal government awarded a $5.4 million grant to make safety improvements on Austin Boulevard. These include widening lanes and creating safer pedestrian crossings.

“The safety of our residents is always my top priority and I believe that this measure will literally save lives,” said D’Esposito.

Photo: Patch