Governor Signs Southampton Road Improvement Bill
State legislation allowing Southampton Town to establish road improvement districts, sponsored by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. of Sag Harbor and Senator Kenneth P. LaValle of Port Jefferson, has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“There are approximately 117 miles of unimproved roadways in the Town of Southampton,” Thiele’s office stated. “Passage on many unimproved roads is becoming more and more difficult by residents because they are in dire need of significant repair. With the increased frequency and intensity of coastal storms hitting the area, potential safety concerns have also arisen because the hazardous conditions of unimproved roads could severely hinder a resident’s access to help during an emergency situation.”
Under the law, which took effect immediately, the town board may designate substandard road zones for improvement. Any road the town paves will be dedicated into the town highway system and maintained as a public highway into the future, according to the assemblyman’s office.
“Once all private substandard roads located with in such district have been dedicated and accepted into the town highway system, the district shall be deemed dissolved and discontinued,” the office stated.