Road Closures Kick Off This Week As Maintenance Commences

RIVERHEAD, NY — Motorists, get ready for daytime road closures and delays that kicked off on Tuesday on New York State Route 25 in both Riverhead and Southold.

Lane closures will take place between Doctors Path and the Orient Point Ferry, Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Variable message signs have been placed in the area to relay detailed closure and detour information, according to the New York State Department of Transportation.

The closures are needed to perform preventative maintenance to the pavement by sealing cracks in the asphalt to extend the life of the road’s surface, the NYSDOT said. The $2.6 million project covers work on 54 miles of East End state roads.

The project is expected to wrap up in the fall of 2019.

Work may be cancelled, postponed, or prolonged due to inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to drive carefully through the work zone, obey any speed restrictions that may be in place, and the instructions of the flag persons for their safety and the safety of the highway work crew, a release from the NYSDOT said.

Recently, the New York State Department of Transportation and New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo's traffic safety committee unveiled a new public service announcement and social media campaign focused on the importance of respecting flagging personnel.

This year’s work zone safety campaign, “Flaggers have families, too,” is designed to remind motorists that flagging personnel are not attempting to disrupt traffic; they are simply doing their jobs and want to get home safely at the end of the day. The PSA can be viewed here.

For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511, click here, or the visit the mobile site here.

"NYSDOT appreciates the patience and cooperation of motorists and the local community while this project is undertaken to help assure the continued protection of all motorists," the release said.

Patch file photo.