Walking tour focuses on Main Street safety

Smithtown business leaders, hoping to improve safety in the town’s Main Street shopping district and attract new stores and customers there, have enlisted the help of Florida’s former state bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.

Dan Burden, who runs the nonprofit Walkable Communities Inc., will take part in a walking tour of Main Street at 2 p.m. Monday, said Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce president Mark Mancini. Burden will recommend road improvements at 5 p.m.

Three pedestrian deaths on Main Street since November 2009 have led the state Department of Transportation to consider revamping the road, state routes 25 and 25A. Local leaders and lawmakers believe the incidents have hurt business.

“This meeting will be crucial to the Main Street corridor and the options we will face as we move forward to revitalizing our community,” Mancini said in an email.

Mancini, an architect, has proposed adding safety features such as a raised center median and turning lanes.

Mancini said Burden’s participation is funded by AARP, which advocates laws supporting “walk-ability” along busy highways. People interested in participating in the tour should call the chamber of commerce, 631-979-8069.