For all those wondering what the black tarps hanging in the median on sections of Hempstead Turnpike mean, think back to over three years ago when those representing Levittown on the state level first announced a plan for revitalizing the three-mile stretch of the turnpike that runs through Levittown.

That beautification process, which involves numerous traffic safety improvements, the reconstruction and replacement of the concrete center medians with aesthetically pleasing, decorative and landscaped medians, began recently. The $10 million project is a joint effort between the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), the Town of Hempstead, and individual and business sponsors. The goal of the project is to improve motorist safety and traffic flow and help beautify the 3.6 mile stretch of Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown from Bethpage State Parkway to the Wantagh State Parkway. Among those responsible for this project are state officials, Assemblywoman Kate Murray and Senator Kemp Hannon, the New York State DOT, and Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes who serves as project coordinator for the revitalization project.

In addition to the work on Hempstead Turnpike itself, the project will provide numerous roadside tree plantings undertaken in cooperation with the adjacent property owners, to help beautify this heavily traveled roadway. Damaged sidewalk and curb are going to be replaced and pedestrian signals and crosswalks will be upgraded to enhance pedestrian safety.

A ceremonial groundbreaking for this project was held last October and since that time, the Town of Hempstead began their portion of the project and have replaced some sidewalks, installed decorative lighting and planted trees along the median road. According to Hudes, the town plans to bring trees back to the turnpike, by planting flowering trees along the dividing median, that separates Hempstead Turnpike from the marginal road on the south side of the turnpike. Hudes added that in addition to the south side of the turnpike, the north side will also be planted, which will provide a barrier between the roadway and the parking lots.

It was only within the last month that the DOT's portion of the project, the center median itself began. This portion involves tearing up the concrete median, to make the planting of low lying shrubs and plantings possible. Surrounding the plantings, the median will consist of gray textured concrete, which will have the appearance of gray cobblestone. Once the median is completed, with the exception of the plantings themselves, the DOT will begin work on the road, milling it down at night and re-paving.

Both Hudes and Murray said that the responses they have gotten from the community, as this project has begun, have been very positive, that people are very excited to see that the revitalization is really happening. "People are very happy about seeing green back on the turnpike," said Hudes.

One concern that was expressed was that the tarps impeded drivers' vision at some intersections, but Hudes and Murray, in meeting with the project engineer to discuss this, discovered that there was a very quick timeline for the tarp. The tarp will be picked up and moved as the 1000 feet of the median is completed, so the tarp should be moved every three or four days. Cautionary signs will be placed near any area where there may be a sight problem caused by the tarps. "Small inconveniences are being kept to a minimum," according to Murray.

Both Hudes and Murray expressed pleasure at how quickly the project seems to be progressing. "They are very aggressively attacking the timeline," said Murray. Hudes commented on the experience of the company doing the project, which Murray said contributes to how cleanly and efficiently it seems to be moving along.

Another portion of the project, which would be a joint effort between the Town of Hempstead and local businesses, is a facade program, which is a storefront improvement project, in which businesses that agree to participate will receive matching funds from the town in order to complete the storefront beautification which will compliment the rest of the road improvements. Hudes said that last week he and employees from the town began meeting with landlords from Southberry to Shelter Lanes to discuss the facade work. "The whole area is being done from top to bottom, everything is being done," said Hudes.