NYSDOT Announces Opening of New Jones Beach Bike-Pedestrian Path on Long Island

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced the opening of a new shared-use path at Jones Beach, a 0.7-miles extension between the Wantagh State Parkway Shared-Use Path and the Jones Beach State Park East Bath House in Wantagh, Nassau County. The $1.3 million project enhances safety for cyclists and pedestrians by providing a vital link between the Wantagh path and the beach.

"Cyclists and pedestrians who travel the Wantagh State Parkway Shared-Use Path each day now have direct access to one of the most beautiful beaches along the East Coast, in time for Memorial Day weekend," Commissioner McDonald said. "Thanks to the leadership of Governor Cuomo, we’re enhancing safety and making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy New York’s natural treasures in Long Island and across the State.

"I am delighted that we were able to restore Jones Beach after damage from Super Storm Sandy, and that even further, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, we have been able to implement improvements such as the opening of the new bike-pedestrian path," NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey said. "The trail will be a valuable addition to our park and the region, as it is an incomparable way to take in the spectacular and diverse beauty of Long Island."

The new Jones Beach access path is substantially complete, linking the 4.3-mile Wantagh State Parkway Shared-Use Path and the Jones Beach State Park Parking Field Six, located to the east of the pedestrian underpass that leads to the Jones Beach East Bath House. The path is 13 feet wide and meets Americans with Disability Act requirements. A new bicycle storage plaza for 100 bicycles is under construction adjacent to the bath house. The project also will include landscaping and the installation of ornamental fencing, informational kiosks and a brick-faced concrete seat wall at the bicycle storage area, all designed to blend with the original architectural features of Jones Beach State Park. This project is being constructed by Intercounty Paving Associates, LLC of Hicksville, Nassau County, under contract with the NYSDOT.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., said, "Many residents from across Long Island run, ride, and walk on the Wantagh Parkway Bike-Pedestrian Path every day.　 This new path extension gives them direct access to Jones Beach, the crown jewel of the state parks' system, for the upcoming summer season. This is a great investment which will make it even easier for individuals to visit one of the best beaches anywhere in the world."

Assemblyman Dave McDonough said, "I applaud the opening of the connection of Wantagh State Parkway path with Jones Beach. I thank the　Department of Transportation for their efforts in completing this project so that now pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy uninterrupted travel all the way to Jones Beach."

Michael Vitti, President of the Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists said, "We want to thank New York State for continuing to create bicycle infrastructure which allows folks to leave their cars at home and get some exercise."

Virtually every state road on Long Island features some accommodation for bicycling, except for high-volume highways and parkways where bicycling is prohibited. One particularly picturesque example is the Montauk Highway/NY Route 27, a 30-mile-long, signed, on-road bike route between Southampton and the Montauk Lighthouse. Another is NY Route 114, a 15 mile signed bike route between the Village of Greenport on Long Island’s North Fork and the Village of East Hampton on the South Fork.

The Long Island Bikeways map and additional information regarding Long Island bike facilities may be obtained at http://www.511ny.org/rideshare/rideshare.aspx?FolderID=149. General information about cycling in New York State is available at http://www.dot.ny.gov/display/programs/bicycle.

Release Date: May 23, 2013
https://www.dot.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2013/2013-05-23?_piref685_15881113_685_15881108_15881108.portlet_edit=1