State Senator Michael Balboni (R- Mineola) announced grants for local pedestrian and bicycle safety improvement projects in our area.

North Hempstead and Port Washington North are among eight Long Island communities slated to receive a share of $2.7 million in state dollars to make their roadways safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. The state Department of Transportation will distribute the funding through its "Local Safe Streets and Traffic Calming Program."

The Town of North Hempstead was awarded $741,000 to reconfigure roadway space on Prospect Avenue, including construction of wider sidewalks and a raised median. The Village of Port Washington North was awarded $280,200 for work on Shore Road, including construction of median islands, a new crosswalk and a bus stop cutout, as well as installation of audible crossing signals, rumble strips and bicycle storage racks.

"Now that nice weather is upon us, it's the perfect time to make our roads safer for bicyclists and pedestrians while still keeping traffic flowing smoothly," Senator Balboni said.

According to Senator Balboni, the state selected each project based on the significance of safety issues it addressed and the quality of the proposed solution, among other things.

Although the Department of Transportation has included pedestrian and bicycle facilities in every state highway capital project since 1995, this program allows the agency to dedicate a portion of federal money exclusively to local governments for pedestrian and bicycle safety on Long Island. Great Neck Plaza was a previous recipient of this grant money for pedestrian crossing enhancements.