Jackson Ave. Repairs Within 60 Days

Nassau County Legis. Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) fought laryngitis to speak at the Syosset Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday night. But the news she had to share was well worth it.

The deal between Nassau County and the Town of Oyster Bay to get Jackson Avenue renovated should put a shovel in the ground within the next 60 days, Jacobs told a very appreciative gathering.

After years of political ping-pong over the road, the county and Town shook hands on an agreement to evenly split the nearly $6 million cost of the project. The Town will then take control of the road, which is currently under the purview of the county.

When Jacobs went to speak to Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto recently, they shared their frustrations over the project lagging. Between politicians, Chamber members and input from Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset, the road has been an issue for the better part of a decade.

Said Jacobs, "[Venditto] told me, 'The real people out there aren't going to know the difference between county and Town and state. They're just going to know that we fouled this up.'"

Not long after, Jacobs got the call from Chief Deputy County Executive Rob Walker telling her of the deal. She credited Walker, who as a state assemblyman represented Syosset, and County Executive Ed Mangano, who as a county legislator once represented part of Syosset.

"I wasn't talking to people that I had to explain Jackson Avenue to," Jacobs said. "These were people who were part of Jackson Avenue."

Jacobs assured the audience that the road won't close down for any time during the renovation, an important point for businesses along that strip. Some at the meeting asked about what they feel is the next step, dealing with bottlenecking caused by the LIRR tracks.

Jacobs reminded the crowd that "back when the MTA had money," it came into Syosset 30 years ago wanting to raise the tracks, and received pushback. Many LI communities of similar configuration have raised tracks, and Jacobs said the best hope for that now is federal funding at some point in the future.