Tri-State, Vision Long Island and AARP have been working together for years in efforts make communities safer, more walkable and a destination for all people regardless of age or ability. This past June we brought traffic safety expert Dan Burden from the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute (WALC) to one of Long Island’s most dangerous roadways, Sunrise Highway, for a series of walking tours through Valley Stream, Baldwin and Freeport. Advocates, elected officials and community members alike joined in the event, providing personal feedback about their experiences trying to navigate the roadway and efforts to revitalize the corridor and their downtowns.
AARP is hosting a follow-up community meeting to discuss the recommendations that WALC has generated based on the assessments and next steps for ensuring that Sunrise Highway is safe for all users. The New York State Department of Transportation is in the process of developing a $3.8 million pedestrian safety plan for this corridor, but unfortunately the agency has not reached out to local communities for input into the plan. This community meeting is an opportunity to organize thoughts and efforts moving forward with the intention of influencing NYSDOT’s planning.
The meeting will be held next Thursday, October 2 at 7 p.m. at the Freeport Public Library. Please RSVP your attendance by visiting http://aarp.cvent.com/sunrise or by calling 1-877-926-8300.
