**Pictured from the eastern side of 17th Street is some of the new bump-out curbing installed at the intersection with Depot Road in Huntington Station.** *Long Islander News photos/Connor Beach*

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

A town-led traffic-calming initiative at a Huntington Station intersection has gotten some negative reviews from locals raising issues with the new bump-out curbing.

After 12 accidents were reported over the past three years at the Depot Road and 17th Street intersection, Huntington Traffic Safety Department redesigned the intersection with traffic-calming measures, according to town spokesman A.J. Carter.

The plan addressed local concerns about cars speeding down 17th Street and across Depot Road to beat yellow lights, Carter added.

Construction kicked off three weeks ago and also included new Depot Road sidewalks with access to a popular 7-Eleven. The work was mostly complete by Friday, Carter said.

On Aug. 27, a post on social media discussing the intersection prompted 65 comments, most of which are complaints.

John Marcinka, of Huntington Station, 58, who made the original post, said Wednesday that the revamped intersection is awkward for drivers to navigate, especially those attempting to pass cars that are turning left onto 17th Street.

“If someone was making a left from Depot Road onto 17th Street, you used to be able to get past them. Now, with the new curbs, the car blocks the entire intersection,” Marcinka said.

Marcinka added that he appreciates how drivers crossing Depot Road via 17th Street are forced to slow down, but questioned the functionality of the revamped intersection.

“It’s going to be very difficult for school buses to make the turns, and you’re going to be zig-zagging across Depot Road as a pedestrian now,” Marcinka said.

However, Carter said Wednesday that the town has heard reports that the construction has made it easier to turn onto Depot Road as traffic has slowed down.

He added that the intersection was redesigned with standard 11-foot lanes and is designed to accommodate all vehicles, including trucks and buses.

Carter said, “Like any change, this one will take people some time to get used to.”