Last week, a joint announcement was made by State Senator Michael Balboni, State Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell and Williston Park Village Mayor Joseph Connelly that the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has finally agreed to install left turn arrows for northbound and southbound traffic on Willis Avenue at the intersection of Hillside Avenue.

Williston Park Village Mayor Joseph Connelly said, "This action has been a long time coming and represents a victory for the residents of Williston Park including former mayor Thomas Muldoon, who worked tirelessly for this project."

Mayor Connelly continued, "The Williston Park Chamber of Commerce and parishioners of Saint Aidan's Church worked together with the mayor's office in petitioning the state more than a year ago to modify the intersection at Willis Avenue and Hillside Avenue in response to rising concerns over the many traffic accidents and several fatalities that occurred at the intersection."

Based on documentation from the mayor's office and the recommendations of the Nassau County Police, the DOT agreed in October of 1997 to install a left turn lane for westbound Hillside and to rebuild the traffic signals on the pedestrian signals at the intersection. However, they did not see a need for left turn arrows for northbound and southbound traffic on Willis Avenue.

The Williston Park Village board then contacted Senator Balboni and Assemblywoman O'Connell for their assistance in rectifying the dangerous traffic conditions. At a meeting held in March attended by many elected officials, additional information provided to the DOT convinced them of the necessity of left turn arrows on Willis Avenue. Both construction projects are scheduled to be completed by October of 1998.

Assemblywoman O'Connell commented, "The installation of turn arrows on Willis Avenue is the culmination of a coordinated community effort in Williston Park."

State Senator Balboni added, "Despite many hurdles along the way, we persisted and prevailed in the name of safety. Therefore, anyone who travels through that intersection will now benefit from our combined efforts."