A long-awaited project to fix one of Suffolk County’s most notorious corridors is now complete.
Construction on County Route 93—also known as Ocean Avenue and Rosevale Avenue—has wrapped up, with paving and striping finalized earlier this month, according to the Suffolk County Department of Public Works (DPW).
The overhaul targets the hazardous curve between Woodlawn Avenue and Kirk Avenue, a section of road that for decades has plagued Ronkonkoma and Nesconset with high-speed accidents and poor visibility.
What’s Been Done
The project, developed from a 2023 redesign plan approved after extensive public input, includes several significant safety improvements:
- A road diet reducing CR-93 to one lane in each direction along the curve
- A realignment of the Ocean Avenue and Rosevale Avenue intersection to improve sight distance
- New pedestrian crossings with countdown timers at Woodlawn Avenue/Ontario Street, Kirk Avenue/Town Park, Richmond Boulevard, and CR-67/Motor Parkway
- Milled-in rumble strips (SHARDs) along the shoulder to warn drivers who drift from their lane
- Fresh paving from Michigan Avenue to 400 feet south of CR-16
These changes follow road diet simulations conducted in summer 2023. Engineers recorded a nine-mph drop in average speeds and only minor increases in travel time, suggesting the approach could reduce crashes without creating significant delays.
Community Response
Public reaction to the redesign was initially mixed. Many residents welcomed the changes, calling them a long-overdue step toward safety. Others raised concerns about potential congestion, side-street access, and the possibility that speeding drivers will continue to ignore the road design without more vigorous enforcement.
At last year’s public forum, hosted by the Greater Ronkonkoma Civic Association and Suffolk County Legislators Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) and Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), community members debated the plans. Some advocated for roundabouts or speed traps, while others questioned the removal of turn lanes and expressed concerns about rush-hour backups.
However, residents seem to be pleased with the results.
“The initial proposal was panned because the DPW wanted to road diet Ocean/Rosevale starting at Portion Road in the north and near the Long Island Expressway in the south,” Greater Ronkonkoma Civic Association President Sal Napolitano told The Messenger. “But many have been surprised at how well the road diet has worked out.”
Napolitano says that the community hasn’t seen congestion, even with school buses stopped, and that visibility and accessibility have been improved at the entrances and exits of the curve.
“This is a great example of government listening to the community and everyone working collaboratively to achieve a solution to a problem,” said Napolitano.
Monitoring and Flexibility
DPW officials emphasize that the project will not end with construction. The roadway will be closely monitored for crash data, speed reductions, and driver behavior, with metrics collected in partnership with law enforcement and other agencies.
“Any future roadway modifications, if any, would depend on the specific details of the post-road diet crash history,” DPW Commissioner Charlie Bartha told The Messenger.
If post-project data indicates that problems persist, DPW will consider remedial measures. While there is no rigid fallback plan, county engineers note that adjustments—such as striping modifications or lane reconfigurations—can be made quickly if benchmarks are not met.
Looking Ahead
With the main construction complete, sidewalk improvements are scheduled to begin later this year, adding another layer of safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
For residents who have spent decades pressing for change, the CR-93 redesign represents a significant step forward. Whether the improvements will fully solve the dangers of the curve will depend on the months of monitoring ahead—but for now, Suffolk County has delivered on its promise to make one of its most notorious stretches of road safer.
