"Selden Speedway"

By Jill Wagner

Residents in the area call a quarter mile stretch of Middle Country Road in Selden--the Selden Speedway.  They say just last week there were three fender benders; Just last month, a young man killed. 

According to the Suffolk County Police Department there have been more than five fatal crashes in just the past few years.  Here's how it breaks down:

2004-1
2005-3
2006-0
2007-1
2008 (from 1/1 - 8/31) - 1.

Some community leaders say since state DOT added a turning lane and two shoulder lanes more than a decade ago, the road has become a drag strip. 

As one resident told me, when you drive on that street it's like playing Russian roulette with your life.

Now they're asking for a traffic light and some raised medians.

The DOT wasn't available to talk on camera, but here's what they had to say over the phone:

"As far as any of the safety issues the Civic Associations have, we will gladly look into them."

"Usually when we get a request for traffic signals, a traffic group will do an investigation, conduct field reviews and collect data on vehicle and pedestrian data."

"Installing medians is something we'd do as part of a bigger project.  We don't have any major projects going on in Selden right now, but it's something we'll look at in the future." 

"Reconstruction was done on Route 25 in 1990, then it was resurfaced in 1998.   Usually the pavement cycle is 12 to 15 years.  The pavement right now is in good condition so when that cycle comes near, we'll look at it again."

Residents say they don't want to wait that long! 

 

Comments

[Samuel]

What are the cross streets of the stretch? We have no idea where in Selden this place is.