The New York State Department of Transportation released a request at the beginning of October for proposals for traffic calming and bicycle and pedestrian projects on Long Island. A total of $2.7 million is available for 2004 community projects under DOT’s "Local Safe Streets and Traffic Calming" Program.

Unfortunately, despite pleas in past years to offer a longer application time, DOT is not giving local towns much time to get project ideas together: applications are due by December 19, 2003. Interested parties should contact DOT’s Region 10 Planning Department at 631-952-6108.

The program was created in 1999 in response to pressure from advocates for action on Long Island’s high numbers of pedestrian fatalities. Grants were distributed to 2001, 2002, and 2003.

In past years, towns such as Oyster Bay, Great Neck Plaza and Roslyn Harbor, among other, have received grants for traffic calming projects, all meant to slow cars down and create safer bike and pedestrian conditions. Some of the early generations of projects funded under the DOT program are now in the ground.

Meanwhile, NYMTC and NYS DOT are conducting a "Long Island Non-Motorized Transportation Study." The study’s goal is "a safe, efficient, and comprehensive regional network for pedestrian, bicycle, and other non-motorized modes of travel." For more, or to fill out the study’s survey, go to www.walkbikeli.com. 

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