Valley Stream officials want traffic study

Valley Stream officials asked Nassau lawmakers Thursday to conduct a traffic study on Merrick Road from Rosedale to Lynbrook, which they say is a dangerous stretch. On Monday, a 61-year-old Bellerose

News 12 Staff

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Feb 26, 2016, 8:36 AM

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Updated 3,120 days ago

Valley Stream officials asked Nassau lawmakers Thursday to conduct a traffic study on Merrick Road from Rosedale to Lynbrook, which they say is a dangerous stretch.

On Monday, a 61-year-old Bellerose man died after a car struck and killed him as he tried to cross. Two years ago, 12-year-old Zachary Rantfle was also killed while walking on the road.

Mayor Edwin Fare says the information gathered in a study would help the village and police increase safety for pedestrians and motorists alike.

County Legislator Bill Gaylor says he supports the idea.

"I think a study would bear that there is a need for traffic control devices in signage, in lights, possibly crossing guards," Gaylor says.

AAA says traffic studies often take more than a year to complete and often point to expensive upgrades. If the cost is too great, police can step up patrols in a problem area.