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Locals Want Input Into Safety Improvements On Sunrise Highway

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Sunrise Highway in Nassau County is one of the region's deadliest roads for pedestrians.

Residents, business groups and civic leaders have demanded a role in planning safety improvements.

As WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola reported, there were 11 pedestrians killed trying to cross Sunrise Highway from 2009 to 2011.

Locals Want Input Into Safety Improvements On Sunrise Highway

The New York State Department of Transportation is planning safety improvements along the 16-mile highway.

But Newsday reports that so far, there's no plan to include community or civic groups in the process.

The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, Vision Long Island, residents and other organizations have written to the state, asking to be consulted.

Critics said the state's renovation of Hempstead Turnpike included fences to prevent jaywalking, but actually ended up limiting pedestrian access.

Some in the community are hoping to prevent similar issues with the Sunrise Highway upgrades.

The Sunrise Highway project is still in the planning stages, and safety provisions are still being analyzed before any final decisions are made.

The DOT said after safety recommendations are made, the public may get a chance to weigh in.

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