With the US Open hitting the Farmingdale area next week, taking place at Bethpage State Park the week of June 10, representatives from local townships, police departments, villages, the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), the US Golf Association (USGA) and other agencies have combined forces to develop a travel management plan for both residents who are attending the event and those who are nervous about the traffic conditions and stresses the week may bring.

With over tens of thousands of patrons expected to attend the event, the plan is aimed at providing efficient parking and travel services for those going to the Open while minimizing the impact of traffic flow across Long Island.

"The best advice for people who are attending the event - including patrons, vendors, volunteers and workers - is to make sure they follow the travel and parking instructions they received and, if possible, take the LIRR to the Farmingdale station," said USGA Director of Operations Steve Worthy. "The best advice for people who are not attending the event is to stay away from the Bethpage area if possible."

Over 200 buses will run continuously from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. from spectator parking areas, which include three parking fields at Jones Beach. There will also be additional LIRR service to the Farmingdale station from Penn Station and Ronkonkoma combined with free bus shuttle service for LIRR ticket holders from the Farmingdale station directly to and from the US Open site; a taxi/limousine drop-off point at Nassau County Fire Service Academy on Winding Road; road closures, tow away zones and/or no parking zones for non-residents on local roads and complete daytime closure of the Bethpage State Parkway during the week.

To ensure maximum security throughout the week, local county and state police departments will provide oversight and control of key roadway intersections and will use strict enforcement and ticketing. All individuals attending the event will be personally searched by security personnel prior to boarding a shuttle bus and/or passing through admission gates. No cellphones, folding chairs or bags larger than a small purse will be allowed on the grounds and no tickets will be available for sale on site. For these reasons, the USGA advises all ticket holders to allow extra time for getting to the park. Spectators who are planning to drive to the event must park in assigned areas, either at Jones Beach or SUNY Farmingdale.

"We want people to enjoy their U.S. Open experience and we are doing everything possible to get spectators from place to place," Worthy said. "The best way to come to the Open will be on the LIRR to the Farmingdale station and we encourage spectators to use this mass transit system."

To help ease local traffic congestion, roadway construction projects will be postponed on streets that are important to US Open access, the DOT will put up nearly 200 roadway information signs to better guide visitors and Long Island motorists, combined with variable message signs to relay changing road and parking conditions. The DOT will also provide extra Highway Emergency Local Patrol (HELP) trucks to aid stranded motorists.

Farmingdale Village residents have been mailed parking permit stickers, allowing only them to park on local streets. Others will be subject to fines and towing, as posted signs will indicate. Parking stickers will also allow village residents to pass through restricted areas. Residents are asked to try to avoid traveling in the north end of the village, as there will be fewer metered parking spaces and a lot of congestion at the Farmingdale station. Any residents who plan to commute on the LIRR are advised to attempt to avoid using the Farmingdale station, unless they can walk or get dropped off and picked up.

Village officials are confident that although the week may cause some inconveniences to local residents, the event will be a huge success. Farmingdale Village Mayor Joseph Trudden, who with other village officials has been in meetings regarding the Open for over two years, said that the number one concern of all parties involved is the safety of residents.

"We just want to make sure that everyone can get in and out safely and the residents are all protected," he said. "Please keep in mind that these restrictions are being put in place in the best interest of public safety. Please do your part by being patient and cooperative."

* All entrances to Bethpage State Park will be closed 24 hours

* Bethpage State Parkway will be closed from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

* Route 135 exits at Powell Avenue and Central Avenue will see some closure

* Round Swamp Road will be closed from Bethpage Road to Winding Road 24 hours

* Quaker Meeting House Road at Merrit Road, Round Swamp Road and Thomas Powell Blvd. and at Puritan Lane

* Winding Road at Spagnoli Road, Nassau County Fire Service Academy and at Horse Stables

* Merrit Road at Hill Road, Holly and at Thomas Powell Blvd.

Melville Road westbound from the SUNY Farmingdale entrance to Powell Place will be accessible only to local residents from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Powell Place, Bethpage Road and Quaker Meeting House Road will be accessible only to local residents from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Only local residents will be permitted to enter Thomas Powell Boulevard, Holly Avenue and Hill Road from Merrit Road. Only local residents will be permitted to enter Puritan Lane from Quaker Meeting House Road. Only local residents will be permitted to enter Thomas Powell Boulevard, Yoakum Street, Lenox Road, Anita Place, Main Street and Barberry Court from Powell Place and Bethpage Road. Only local residents will be permitted to enter Balcom Road from Melville Road.