Senator Fuschillo Participates in Long Island Smart Growth Working Group

            New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) recently participated in a meeting of the Long Island Smart Growth Working Group. 

            Senator Fuschillo discussed New York State’s new complete streets law, which he authored. The law will require all state, county, and local transportation agencies to consider complete streets design principles on all projects which receive both federal and state funding. 

Complete streets design principles are roadway design features that accommodate and facilitate safe travel by pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists of all ages and abilities. These features include sidewalks, paved shoulders suitable for use by bicyclists, bicycle lanes, share the road signage, crosswalks, pedestrian control signalization, bus pull outs, curb cuts, raised crosswalks, ramps and traffic calming  measures designed to allow pedestrian and motor traffic to easily coexist. Complete streets design principles have been proven to reduce fatalities and injuries. 

            The Long Island Smart Growth Working Group was created to plan and implement statewide policies that will affect smart growth on Long Island. The group is organized by Vision Long Island, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, Neighborhood Network, Regional Plan Association, Permanent Citizens Advisory Council to the MTA, Long Island Federation of Labor, Long Island Business Council, Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, AARP, and many others.  

            Senator Fuschillo (standing center) is pictured as he discusses New York State’s new complete streets law with the members of the Long Island Smart Growth Working Group. He is joined by Assemblyman Tom McKevitt (R-East Meadow, standing right). 

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