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Suffolk Notebook: County to Spend $32M on Infrastructure Fixes

County Executive approves projects from bridge repairs to road pavings.

Suffolk County officials will spend more than $32 million to fix ailing bridges and roadways in 2012, County Executive Steve Bellone announced on Friday.

The move, lauded by the Long Island Contractors Association, is expected to create 300 jobs related to construction work on roughly 16 scheduled projects that include fixing bridges, installing conservation systems at county facilities and resurfacing some of the county's cracked and worn roadways.

More specifically the plans include repairing and resurfacing County Road 111/Daniel Roe Highway from Sunrise Highway to the Long Island Expressway; County Road 105/Cross River Drive from Route 24 to Route 25; County Road 46/William Floyd Parkway from Moriches Middle Island Road to Route 25A; County Road 97/Nicolls Road from Furrows Road to Route 27' and County Road 19/Waverly Ave/Patchogue Holbrook Road from Route 27 to Broadway.

As for bridges the plan would complete rehabilitate the Landing Avenue Bridge, Shore Drive Embankment, Brown’s Creek Bridge and Quantuck Creek Bridge and Bulkhead.

Meanwhile emergency bridge repairs would take place at overpasses at Nicolls Road and County Road 16, County Road 99 and Waverly Ave, Sills Road and the Long Island Rail Road, and County Road 111 and East Moriches Road.

Under the $32 million plan the county will also replace traffic lights at 46 intersections, and launch a slate of energy-efficiency and renewable-energy projects at county facilities, which includes changing to energy-efficient lighting and installing solar systems and green heating and cooling systems.

Red Light Cameras to Double
Suffolk plans to install 50 more red light cameras at major intersections, a move that'll double the amount of these often criticized monitoring systems to 100 in the county.

Red light cameras snap photos of drivers who run red lights at intersections, using the license plate information to send traffic violations to the drivers' homes.

However, locals have complained that the varying timing of yellow lights across the county makes this type of monitoring unfair.

According to the Long Island Press, the extra red light cameras could add $6 million in revenue annually to the county's books.

Crash Course
The Suffolk County Police plans to offer a nearly three-hour course for teens on avoiding an automobile crash, demonstrating tactics such as breaking, cornering and accelerating to avoid a dangerous wreck.

The course runs daily from July 9 to 13.

Call 631-852-6109 for more information.

Matthew Lott June 11, 2012 at 04:17 am
Bishop also was proud to announce, on March 4, 2010, his vote for something called "Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act", and as Bishop's press release stated, "is part of a larger Congressional agenda to create jobs and strengthen our economy. It includes $77.155 billion dollars of investments in surface transportation projects that will help rebuild our crumbling infrastructure."
HIRE was passed in October 2011. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ147/pdf/PLAW-111publ147.pdf It's June 2012. Hmmmm where did this money go to, when Suffolk County Government recieved it's "share" for "infrastructure" ? http://timbishop.house.gov/latest-news/bishop-votes-to-create-hundreds-of-thousands-of-jobs-this-year/ Did Suffolk County even get it's share, way back then or Ever ? Ask the Pols in the picture above. POOF it just probably "disappeared" too !
Goin' Commando June 11, 2012 at 04:21 am
Holy bat guano!
Somebody has an obvious obsession about Congressman Bishop. But, I'm sure that this same poster criticizes other Members of Congress for bringing funding back to their own districts; or does he? I wonder if he is even a constituent of the First District; if not, then he should be also posting about what Congressman King, and Congressman Israel, and Congresswoman McCarthy, each do in terms of bringing back funding to their respective districts.
Matthew Lott June 11, 2012 at 04:22 am
Two words, Dad of Three...
Greece and Spain June 2012. When it happens here...sooner than you will ever be aware of it, and probably confounding Your Understanding of "economics", please tell us how it was "pushing" your wheel barrow of Money, down the road to get your newspaper or pay for your gas.
Dad of Three June 11, 2012 at 04:26 am
There is no valid comparison to either 2012 Greece or Spain (or Ireland, or Portugal, or Italy, for that matter), and the global bond market -- which does a pretty fair job of pricing risk, my friend -- has made that abundantly clear.
Matthew Lott June 11, 2012 at 09:35 am
Goin Commando, really weak, but this typle of non-rebuttal, is classic Democrat "talking points"....don't talk about the issues, just weak personal attacks.
Please show us the results of all of this Obama "Free" money, poured into this district ?
Matthew Lott June 11, 2012 at 09:40 am
"Dad of Three
12:26 am on Monday, June 11, 2012 There is no valid comparison to either 2012 Greece or Spain (or Ireland, or Portugal, or Italy, for that matter), and the global bond market -- which does a pretty fair job of pricing risk, my friend -- has made that abundantly clear." Dad of Three's "economics teacher" is "Turbo Tax" Timothy Geithner. You know him, as the Secretary of the Treasury, though you don't hear from him much these days, have you ? You see, he has been hiding in some "rabbit hole" for years now, and he ain't coming out until after November 8, when it's all over !
Jaguar-Guy June 11, 2012 at 11:15 am
Dad of Three, I was in Spain for 2 weeks, and you know it is a disaster (51% unemployment for 25 and under and 25% overall). They have tried, and failed with their own Stimulus spending - Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal (to name a few). Those goverments spent, and spent their way into the hole they are in, without ever thinking to slow spending and entitlements. Euronews and BBC gives the real news about Europe, and yes, Europe is burning. Every single weekend, all EU leaders are meeting to get Germany and Angie Merkel in a head-lock to support EuroBonds, so Germany will forever be married to their debt (the reason for many divorces). And, French President Hollande was elected on a straight "no more Austerity cuts" platform alone - and won. Great for France to vote in a guy who won't ever dare strip any Entitlements, or push back retirement from 55 to 57 (the real reason they're in their whole to begin with). Simply put, these countries have been spending more than their GDP for years, which is obviously un-sustainable. Now, the US is about 2-3 years away from disaster, like these countries, if we don't slow spending and implement some kind of Entitlement reforms. Someone is going to HAVE to make the hard choice to push Social Security retirement age from 65 to 67, for those about 30 (who will not feel it a bit) and that is a game-changer for our economy. Why is wanting some fiscal responsibility so wrong to so many people when we all see the obvious disasterous results??!!
raydog June 11, 2012 at 11:39 am
I love everything you say.
Matthew Lott June 11, 2012 at 01:32 pm
"Why is wanting some fiscal responsibility so wrong to so many people when we all see the obvious disasterous results??!!'
Your taking Money out of the pockets of all the nice people in the picture above, and their "benefactors"; that's what's wrong ?
American Patriot June 11, 2012 at 09:29 pm
To Mr.Lott, there is nothing wrong with seeking "some fiscal responsibility, " but there is a world of difference between that noble purpose, and your denial of the impact of world economic realities on the American economy.
It is clear that you don't like the current US President, and that is also fine. But you are distorting so many things that I also question how much you actually understand, and how much is simply a regurgitation of Talk Radio from the Radical Right. You are also using mockery, and posturing unproven assertions about other posters, so I don't even consider you a Republican, but a member of the Radical Right of the Republican Party who uses any distorted associations you can throw at the wall, in order to deflect the more rational comments of others. That's a shame, because you do seem to have some noble aspirations. Your approach is not helpful to problem solving for the American Republic.
Matthew Lott June 11, 2012 at 09:41 pm
I tell you what, there, American Patriot, howzabout refuting what I have posted ?
Oh, with your silence on what I have posted, you agree then, Thanks ! American Patriot, huh ?
RockyPointDiver June 12, 2012 at 12:15 am
"don't talk about the issues, just weak personal attacks" - talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Matthew/Mike Wilcox is the master of the baseless, off-topic personal attack.
Goin' Commando June 12, 2012 at 02:19 am
Don't you just love this guy Lott?
You are guilty, in his mindset, until proven innocent. Go ahead, waste your time dealing with his smokescreens, all spewing forth so that he does not have to deal with the substance of the remarks of others. How precious!
Dad of Three June 12, 2012 at 02:53 am
Jaguar Guy, it's nice that you were in Spain. I haven't been there for a few years, but have been to other parts of Europe.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that Spain, and Greece, and three or four other European countries are in neck-deep cow manure. You simply need to pay attention to good international journalistic sources, and have a basic understanding of international economics. But, you are doing some wild projections that are no more valid than my saying that because we also use English Law, and because we also speak English, and because we also trade with countries in the EU, and because we share many economic similarities with the UK, that our economic future is very much tied to that of the UK. First, get out of the recession which began with 2007's collapses in the sub-prime mortgage market and was hammered home with the subsequent collapse of the US banking system in 2008. Second, take temporary measures to protect the vast number of Americans who are still suffering from the great recession. Third, when we are stabilized, go back to the lessons of the Clinton Administration and hold down spending while increasing revenues (yes, that means boost taxes to those levels), as recommended by both Simpson-Boles and Domenici-Rivlin, and use increased cash flow from that to pay down the accumulated debt, as we were doing under Clinton. So, you see, we really do agree on some things, just not on making wild assertions.
Jaguar-Guy June 12, 2012 at 10:35 am
BAZINGA !!!! Thanks Matt Lott - good quotes and posts and links. I likey.
Jaguar-Guy June 12, 2012 at 11:03 am
Dad-O-3. I think it is naive to believe that our economy is NOT tied to the EU (not UK as you've written). Our markets open long after all other markets, and when they have a bad day, we have a terrible day. Yesterday, Spain's Banks get a guaranteed 100-125 Billion Euro bailout, and within minutes of the expected rally to follow - the market dropped and then the bottom fell out once investors did the math and saw the rate of 10 year bonds sharply rise to 6.5%. 7% is considered a high risk rate (and completely un-sustainable), so the markets crashed hours after what should have been GREAT news. Then markets shifted focus to Italy, and their higher-yield bond problems and the probability of their coming bailout, and markets lowered even more. Then everyone was thinking - Portugal, Greece and Ireland - and it just tanked. And France, well crud, let's not even get started on those Frenchies who chose to vote in the guy who ran on the "no more austerity cuts" platform - and won. You say "more stimulus", and I do not agree. But I do appreciate all of your comments here. Increase taxes a scooch - not enough to hurt anyone, repatriate all the corporate money off-shore at a lower rate, reign-in government spending and there is your Stimulus - Poof!!
Jaguar-Guy June 12, 2012 at 11:06 am
Besides, what are we really worried about anyway when President Obama said on Friday that "the Private Sector is Just Fine". "What, me worry??"
Jaguar-Guy June 12, 2012 at 11:08 am
Can you say "Bromance" ?
Dad of Three June 12, 2012 at 04:08 pm
For Jaguar-Guy, I never said that the US is not affected by economic events in countries of the European Union, as it is a global economy and each major economy is affected by major events in the other major economies, whether that his in the US, or China, or Japan, or the UK, or the EU.
However, you cannot compare one major economy to another, each of which has a political and economic structure which is often unique or at least sufficiently different as to make simple projections both inappropriate and nothing more than a convenient rhetorical flogging point for one's own political purposes. Frankly, I don't expect the EU to survive intact, and I expect that some of the very unhealthy parts will be hived off to return to their historical national currencies, while the more stable healthier parts will tighten their ties with fiscal and political reforms that will turn the EU into more of a "United States of Europe", and less of a hodgepodge of wildly varying approaches to economic problem-solving. I also expect the UK to be happy they never agreed to the conditions of the Mastricht Treaty, and that the Queen's face will continue to be seen on the British Pound.
paul caplan June 12, 2012 at 04:20 pm
I have never seen so many comments stray from the original article. $32 million represents 1% of the county's $2.8 billion budget. This is what they are supposed to do with the tax dollars. Why so much press for a DPW project? Maybe it tells us that even the smallest projects need to be broadcast to let us know that there is an actual county government at work.
Matthew Lott June 12, 2012 at 04:27 pm
People are upset about this Stupid Spending, for things that 1) County and Towns already have money for, and 2) this Spending, should be repaired, as a matter of normal course by the County and Towns, that they already have money for.
All we hear is "We have to raise your Taxes for This or That", and "We Don't Have The Money" ! What do they do with the over One Billion Dollars they got in 2009 ? This new generation of Pols didn't learn anything from their thieving and scheming Ancestors: Just provide the basic services to Tax Payers, Without Whining, and you can Steal as much as you want to "on the side" ! No, all they say, is "We Don't Have The Money", and "We are going to raise your Taxes, or enact "user fees" ! It's approaching a Tipping Point : "Cut Back" on Big Wasteful Spending ! Tax payers don't have Any money to give you !
Mary Beth June 12, 2012 at 04:29 pm
Very well said, American Patriot, and exactly on point. Mr. Lott posts completely distorted and manufactured right wing "facts" and then asks others to dispute his ludicrous assertions. He is clearly a right-wing ideologue who, like others of his ilk, is only interested in attacking our duly-elected president. He is best ignored as I do not believe anyone besides his fellow zealot gives any weight to his postings.
Mary Beth June 12, 2012 at 04:32 pm
Exactly on point, Paul. The same folks who complain about infrastructure spending are the first to scream and yell when they encounter infrastructure problems. We are behind all other industrialized nations in infrastructure spending - including China. These monies are key to economic survival and competitiveness and are imperative to America's survival.
Matthew Lott June 12, 2012 at 04:53 pm
"We are behind all other industrialized nations in infrastructure spending - including China."
I agree with you. We are behind China, in "infrastructure spending". Now all we have to look forward to is The Regime Leader's re-election, so he can approve the use of Slave Labor, like China does, to boost their Fake economy. I think you, Mary Beth, should volunteer to organize this Progressive effort. Perhaps you should organize these slave labor camps, by volunteering to be the First Slave Laborer ? Or perhaps you can choose who goes to the slave labor camps ?
Goin' Commando June 12, 2012 at 06:42 pm
There he goes again; Mr Lott simply mocks others, and distorts what they are saying, just so that he can continue to boost his Church of Ayn Rand philosophy and his extreme right wing agenda.
Mr.Caplan is right; some posters from the radical right have tried to hijack this thread, and they seem to content to have circular arguments about their philosophy and politics, rather than focus upon the realities of the thread. Pity.
Jaguar-Guy June 14, 2012 at 01:01 pm
If you travel, you know ALL EU countries take Euros and Dollars (some take Pounds and Coruna and Forint too, when in UK, Hungary and Czech Republic). Seeing and listening to the news last night and this morning only makes me MORE worried about our economy as I watch the Europe financial crisis become even more unstable. Spain was temporarily saved (with bailout - sound familiar), Italy is next in line to be bailed, then Portugal and Ireland. Greece is already lining up to re-negotiate the terms of their last 2 rounds of bailouts (based on Spain's sweet deal - pay it back when you can, and Greece had to meet multiple Austerity cut goals to get their money). Those countries spent, spent and gave ever increasing Entitlements, and they are sunk. No matter what they do, they will not emerge out of their doomed financial crisis. America is in line to have this happen if changes are not made to the way we do business. Why can't President Obama soften his positions like Clinton did and come slightly to the middle? If so, he would stand an excellent chance of re-election by attracting Independents once again, who have been leaving in droves.
Dad of Three June 14, 2012 at 02:47 pm
Well, it would seem that you and I are not that far apart in our assessments, and even in our aspirations.
I simply do not hold to your prediction of US economic catastrophe based upon some individual European countries current or projected catastrophes. Furthermore, perhaps unlike you, I feel that the global bond market is a much better evaluator of risk than either you, or I, and factors that into bond prices. And, if you contend that you are better than the entire bond market, then you are missing a golden career opportunity. The US, and the UK, and Japan, and China, are all affected by the banking and economic and political crisis in some European countries, but that does not become a straight line predictor for the other countries of the world. As to Clinton/Obama, my evaluation is that Obama wanted to behave, not exactly but largely, as did Clinton, but became frustrated by the "throw-the-baby-out-with-the-bathwater" crowd in Congress. I think that Jeb Bush has correctly identified the dangers created by extremist members of the GOP, and can only hope that the American people -- to the extent that redistricting by States has not created too many "safe" seats for incumbents -- will vote down radical Members of Congress, and restore sanity to the political process.
Matthew Lott June 14, 2012 at 04:03 pm
Here's how you know there is an election coming up in Suffolk County, and they are running Scared, in the Dennison Building !
Fixes to close LIE eastbound lanes at Exit 44S Originally published: June 12, 2012 8:19 PM Updated: June 12, 2012 9:49 PM By SARAH CRICHTON sarah.crichton@newsday.com http://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/traffic/fixes-to-close-lie-eastbound-lanes-at-exit-44s-1.3778477
Dad of Three June 14, 2012 at 04:54 pm
What is the purpose of the 12:03 PM post?
How does it help the dialogue?
Matthew Lott June 14, 2012 at 05:05 pm
Dad of Three, what don't you understand "infrastructure" is ?

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