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West Shore Road Reopens Connecting Oyster Bay To Bayville

BAYVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - It's happy times again in one North Shore community hit hard by superstorm Sandy.

West Shore Road, a critical roadway, has finally reopened, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and other officials cut the ribbon on Monday and Tuesday was the first morning drive for it since Sandy.

West Shore Road Reopens Connecting Oyster Bay To Bayville

The seven-and-a-half month closure of the hurricane-damaged road from Oyster Bay into Bayville was devastating to many businesses.

Finally having it open again is huge, according to Crescent Club manager Matt Silver.

"The impact that it's had to the local business community is quite dramatic and we can't be more thankful and more excited to have it open," Silver told Xirinachs. "It's huge. We're so excited with the restaurant and the catering, all the brides that were worried how people are going to get to their weddings. Now, they can go straight through."

"It couldn't happen at a better time," said restaurateur Mark Fox.

The closure of this critical two-mile stretch of roadway forced some businesses to shut down while others suffered big losses.

Having it back, said one shop owner, restores life to a community that was dying.

"It hit hard. yes it did. Breathe a sigh of relief," she said.

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