The Lake Avenue Revitalization Project is nearing completion of the road work, six to seven months ahead of schedule. The final piece of the sewer line and water main, which shoots underneath the railroad tracks, has been tested and completed. Due to the road work moving so far ahead of schedule, an adjustment was made to the work calendar to complete the sidewalks, curbs, and roadwork in-front of the St. James Elementary school to limit interference with the start of the school year.
Highway Teams worked diligently to complete the removal of the road bed and have paved a layer of asphalt from the Railroad tracks to Moriches Road. It is important to note that the asphalt and traffic lines north of the railroad are temporary. Upon completion of the remainder of Lake Avenue, the Highway Department will mill the road, which smooths and levels it out, and they will add a final layer of asphalt from Patricks Way to Moriches Road. This is a necessary step, in order to give adequate time for the material under the road to settle, protecting the new sewer line and water main.
The sidewalks, curbs and new drainage have all been installed from 4th Street to Patricks Way and north of the railroad tracks to Moriches Rd. Laser Industries have begun the final stretch of sidewalk demolition and the construction of concrete walkways and curbs along Lake Avenue from 4th to 1st streets. This process should take approximately 4 weeks to complete.
Highway teams are beginning demolition of the road bed at Woodlawn, going block by block to Railroad Avenue. Each block is expected to take 3-4 business days to complete. All road construction and detours are expected to be wrapped up in mid Fall.
The last and final phase is the streetscape, led by H2M and Traffic Safety director Mitch Crowley. Victorian Ornamental street signage will compliment the decorative crosswalks, stamped concrete and brand new ornate street lighting. The streetscape phase also involves the utility companies removing cluttered old poles, and replacing them with new ones. No road closures are expected for this portion of the project.
In an intergovernmental contract with Suffolk County, the Town of Smithtown has approved the purchase of the old Irish Viking lot on Lake Avenue. Planning to construct a park and municipal parking lot is expected to begin upon the County’s approval of the contract this month. The Town of Smithtown will be coordinating with Celebrate St James on the park design, as financial donors in the construction of the park.