Repair work on Merrick Road in Amityville Village slows traffic
State Department of Transportation has closed a section of Merrick Road in Amityville. This was the scene Friday. Credit: Howard Simmons
Driving along Merrick Road in Amityville Village could lead to traffic headaches this weekend as state Department of Transportation workers address an issue with a culvert that carries Amityville Creek beneath the roadway.
Both directions of the road, State Route 27A , were to be closed "in the vicinity of the culvert" beginning Friday at 6 p.m., according to a state DOT news release.
The culvert, according to the release, was "structurally sound." But crews are reinforcing it and installing "additional piping and stone fill."
Motorists should brace for traffic restrictions this weekend.
According to the release:
- Merrick Road will only be open for local traffic between State Route 110 and Great Neck Road (County Route 47).
- Westbound traffic will be detoured onto northbound Great Neck Road to westbound Dixon Avenue (County Route 2) to southbound State Route 110 for access to Merrick Road.
- Eastbound traffic will be detoured onto northbound State Route 110 to eastbound Dixon Avenue to southbound Great Neck Road for access to Merrick Road.
According to the release, the work was expected to be completed and the road fully reopened "by Tuesday, if not sooner." However, predicted stormy weather this weekend could be a factor.
Earlier Friday, Village Mayor Michael O’Neill said the area in question is Merrick Road between Riverside Avenue and Ocean Avenue, near Amityville High School. At that time, he said, the eastbound lane was closed and the westbound lane was being used for traffic both ways.
He said motorist should steer clear of the area until further notice and advises finding alternate routes.
“With projects like this, unexpected delays and issues arise,” he said.
An earlier news release by the DOT said engineers working in the area, on a road safety project, had noticed an “unusual settlement of the road surface near” the culvert along Merrick Road.
After a closer look, it was decided the culvert needed immediate attention, the release said.
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