GREENLAWN, NY – April 13, 2026
Residents gathered Monday evening at Harborfields Public Library for a public information meeting hosted by the Town of Huntington and the Greenlawn Civic Association, offering a detailed look at upcoming pedestrian and traffic safety improvements along Broadway.
The project, funded through a $650,000 Suffolk County JumpStart Grant, focuses on enhancing walkability, improving safety, and creating a more cohesive downtown corridor in Greenlawn.
A Focus on Safety and Walkability
Town officials and project engineers emphasized that the initiative is rooted in long-standing community concerns around speeding, pedestrian visibility, and overall traffic flow.
Kevin Smith of the Greenlawn Civic Association pointed to changing community priorities, noting that younger families moving into the area are increasingly looking for walkable downtowns and safer pedestrian access as part of where they choose to live.
What’s Planned for Broadway
The conceptual plans presented at the meeting outlined a series of traffic calming and safety improvements stretching along Broadway.
Among the proposed features:
New, reconfigured, and refreshed crosswalks
Solar-powered rectangular rapid flashing beacons at key pedestrian crossings
Decorative roadway treatments designed to visually narrow lanes and slow traffic
A raised median and gateway feature near The Maples to signal entry into the downtown area
A driver feedback sign that displays vehicle speed in real time
Adjustments to parking and striping to improve sightlines at intersections
Scott Spittal, Director of Transportation and Traffic Safety for the Town of Huntington, explained that many of the design choices are intended to influence driver behavior through visual cues rather than enforcement alone.
“People tend to drive the speed of the roadway geometry that makes them feel comfortable,” he said, noting that narrowing lanes and adding visual elements can naturally encourage slower speeds.
Speeding and Traffic Flow Concerns
Much of the discussion centered around vehicle speeds, particularly for drivers entering Greenlawn from the north.
Officials explained that the transition from residential areas into the more active downtown corridor can lead to inconsistent driving behavior. The planned improvements aim to create a clearer visual shift that signals drivers to slow down.
“There’s not a lot of vehicular friction or pedestrian activity” in the northern sections, Spittal said, which can lead to higher speeds before drivers reach the busier downtown area.
Parking, Visibility, and Community Feedback
Residents raised a number of questions during the meeting, particularly regarding parking restrictions and visibility at intersections.
Several attendees expressed concern about parked vehicles blocking sightlines when turning onto Broadway, while others noted the need to balance safety improvements with maintaining access for local businesses.
Town officials acknowledged the challenge, explaining that parking adjustments are being carefully considered and may continue to evolve as the project moves forward.
“We have to balance pedestrian walkability with the businesses that want customers,” said John McCarron, Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Huntington.
Materials, Flexibility, and Maintenance
Following the meeting, Huntington Matters spoke with Deputy Supervisor McCarron about the materials being used for the project’s decorative roadway elements.
While the brick-patterned areas may appear similar to those used in Huntington Station’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative streetscape project, McCarron explained that the Greenlawn improvements use a different approach due to budget considerations.
He said the project will utilize a painted surface treatment that has been used successfully in other municipalities across New York State. The process involves a solid base coat followed by a second spray application using a stencil to create the patterned design.
McCarron noted that one advantage of this material is its flexibility.
Utility work often requires cutting into roadways, which can damage newly installed crosswalks and surface treatments. With this system, the pattern can be reapplied more easily after any future utility work.
Timeline and Project Delivery
The timeline for the project is tight, with officials noting that work must be completed quickly in order to meet grant requirements and secure reimbursement.
“This project has to be completed in such a timeframe that we seek reimbursement by the end of June,” Spittal said.
Some preliminary work has already begun, including sidewalk upgrades and infrastructure preparation.
McCarron also shared that the Town is able to move quickly because the work is being completed through an existing contractor that already has a standing service agreement with the Town. The Broadway improvements were added to that contract, allowing the project to proceed without the need for a separate bidding process.
Long-Term Planning and Local Collaboration
Speakers emphasized that the project reflects years of planning and collaboration between the Town and the Greenlawn Civic Association, with early discussions around improving Broadway dating back to 2003.
Progress on the corridor was also made possible by a key change in ownership. Broadway was formerly under Suffolk County jurisdiction but was transferred to the Town of Huntington in recent years, allowing local officials to move forward with improvement projects.
“It takes a village,” one speaker said, reflecting on the long-term effort behind the plans now coming to life.
Community Encouraged to Participate
The April 13 meeting marked an opportunity for residents to review the conceptual plans and provide feedback before final implementation.
Town officials and organizers encouraged continued community involvement as the project progresses, noting that public input remains an important part of the process.
Residents can expect to see visible changes along Broadway in the coming months as the project moves from planning into execution.
Photography by Dana E. Richter and June Margolin. Videography by June Margolin.
