With recent voter passage of the Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act of 2005, I would like to take this opportunity to inform residents of projects in Senate District 6 which are slated to be funded by passage of the Bond Act.

The Bond Act is part of a five-year, $35.9 billion transportation capital program, providing for improvements to roads and bridges, transit systems, the state's freight and passenger rail network, airports, canals and port facilities.

On the list of local projects is resurfacing of State Route 135 Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway. This $15.9 million project, which includes $15.8 million in Bond Act funding, will resurface 4.5 miles of the Route 135 between Merrick Road and Hempstead Turnpike. In addition, the deteriorated steel center median barrier will be replaced with a concrete median barrier to better protect motorists.

In addition, there is an Intelligent Transportation System planned for Wantagh State Parkway. This $11 million project will upgrade the INFORM (Information For Motorists) system along an eight-mile portion of the Wantagh State Parkway from Merrick Road to the Northern State Parkway.

Improvements will include new electronic message signs, closed-circuit television cameras, vehicle detection systems and highway advisory radio frequencies. The system will enable motorists to make educated traveling decisions and help minimize the impact of traffic incidents and congestion.

Meanwhile, the Southern State Parkway/Meadowbrook State Parkway interchange is slated for improvement in the amount of $21.5 million. This half-mile project, upon completion of design, will feature safety and operational flow improvements to be implemented at this highly utilized interchange.

Lastly, a Wantagh State Parkway Ramp Improvements project, costing $2.2 million, will make appropriate operational and safety measures on a series of Wantagh State Parkway interchange ramps. Improvements may occur at the interchange with Old Country Road, Merrick Road, Hempstead Turnpike, the Southern State Parkway and Brush Hollow Road.

For more information on the Bond Act and/or a full list of projects, readers can visit the New York State Department of Transportation online at www.dot.state.ny.us.

Senator Kemp Hannon

Sixth Senate District