Freeport–Roslyn Expressway

The Freeport–Roslyn Expressway (also known as the Freeport–Roslyn Express Highway) was a proposed north–south limited-access highway, that would have run between Freeport and East Hills, in the vicinity of Roslyn, on Long Island, in the State of New York. It was cancelled due to community opposition and associated highway revolts. Instead, the Meadowbrook State Parkway, which had its northern terminus on the Freeport-Merrick border, was extended to Carle Place, where it meets the Northern State Parkway.

Freeport–Roslyn Expressway

Freeport–Roslyn Express Highway
Route information
Length12.5 mi (20.1 km)
HistoryProposed 1951; cancelled 1952
Major junctions
South endFreeport
North endRoslyn
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountiesNassau
Highway system

History

The Freeport–Roslyn Expressway was proposed in 1951, and would have been a "cross-island feeder"—or "leg"—of the Horrace Harding (Long Island) Expressway's extension to Roslyn (and eventually to Riverhead).[1][2][3][4] The highway would have featured a total of 10 lanes, and had an estimated price tag of $40,000,000 (equivalent to $338 million in 2021[5]).[1][2] Though the plans were supported by Freeport's Northeast Civic Association, citing economic benefits, the expressway was quickly met with fierce community opposition, notably by the Freeport–Roslyn Expressway Protest Committee, which successfully garnered tens of thousands of signatures, as well as nearly $20,000 (equivalent to $166,000 in 2021[5]), from people that were against the expressway's construction.[2][6][7] This led to the Freeport–Roslyn Expressway proposal being postponed by Nassau County c. March 1952, and ultimately being cancelled that October. The Meadowbrook State Parkway was extended from Freeport to the Northern State Parkway in Carle Place instead, completed in 1956 reusing the funds for the cancelled expressway. [8][9][10]

Route description

Southern segment: Freeport to Baldwin

The section of the expressway between Freeport and Baldwin would have been located parallel (and adjacent) to Milburn Creek.[7] Its southern terminus would be located at Atlantic Avenue.[7] It would follow the creek and Brookside Avenue, traverse the former Milburn Golf Club, and go along the Baldwin side of Milburn reservoir.[7][11]

In addition to running adjacent to Milburn Creek, this routing would have also straddled the school district boundaries, meaning students would not need to cross to the other side of the expressway to get to and/or from school.[7]

Middle segment

The middle segment would have brought the expressway through the heart of Nassau County, providing access to places such as Hempstead, Garden City, Roosevelt Field, and Mineola.[7][11]

Northern segment

The northern segment would have followed (or paralleled) the alignment of Glen Cove Road, connecting to the Long Island Expressway (its parent route) in East Hills, in the vicinity of Roslyn.[1][11]

See also

References
  1. "Purpose of Freeport–Roslyn Expressway". The Leader. Freeport, New York. January 17, 1952. p. 5. OCLC 781862966. Retrieved September 3, 2020 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  2. Feeney, Regina (May 21, 2018). "Freeport-Roslyn Expressway". Freeport History Encyclopedia. Freeport Memorial Library. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  3. "News from the Field of Travel". The New York Times. September 28, 1958. p. X35. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  4. TIMES, Special to THE NEW YORK (August 14, 1951). "EXPRESSWAY ROUTE ADOPTED IN NASSAU". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  5. Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved January 1, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the Measuring Worth series.
  6. "26 Groups Opposing Route of Expressway, Committee Reports". The Leader. Freeport, New York. February 7, 1952. OCLC 781862966. Retrieved September 4, 2020 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  7. "Expressway Along Milburn Creek". The Leader. Freeport, New York. January 3, 1952. pp. 1, 3. OCLC 781862966 – via Archive.org.
  8. "County Abandons All Plans for Expressway". Newsday. October 22, 1952.
  9. "Nassau Postpones Action on Highway: Work on Freeport–Roslyn Link Put Off for Year—Protests Against Project Mount". The New York Times. March 14, 1952. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  10. "Westchester Road Wins Albany Vote, Nassau Bill Is Pending". The New York Times. March 5, 1952.
  11. Map: Freeport–Roslyn Express Highway (Map). August 17, 1951 – via Nassau County Public Records.
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