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Business owners and parents press county for mitigation as detour could cost summer traffic
Summary
Local business owners and parents told county engineers the detour could sharply reduce tourist customers and complicate school bus runs; they urged the county to plan targeted mitigation and consult merchants and school officials.
Business owners and parents attending the outreach meeting described potential economic and safety impacts if Montauk Highway traffic is detoured through Hampton Bays.
Toni Norell, who runs Norell Market, asked whether the county will "do something for local small businesses" because sustained access restrictions could imperil livelihoods. Other owners asked whether the county or state will provide funding or temporary supports and pointed to the disproportionate effect on weekend and seasonal trading.
Parents and school stakeholders told the county the detour could worsen already stretched school bus schedules and delay students; they asked the county to coordinate with school district transportation staff and emergency services to protect students and preserve timely access to medical facilities.
County staff said access to businesses within the closure loop will be maintained and that they will coordinate with school and emergency services during design; officials also noted weekly contractor meetings and liquidated damages as tools to keep the project on schedule.
