Those looking to drive down Dune Road from Hampton Bays to Quogue without getting their car stuck after a rain storm or full moon and high tide will soon be able to do that.
On Friday morning, Congressman Tim Bishop announced that he is working to secure federal funds through the Superstorm Sandy supplemental bill to raise Dune Road.
Bishop made the announcement as the one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy approaches - that storm flooded Dune Road, washing the dunes across the roadway, which was closed for days after the storm. Residents were unable to access their homes and assess damage until the roadway was deemed safe.
According to Bishop, the federal money would pay 100 percent of the costs associated with raising the road.
"This is an opportunity," said Bishop.
Raising the county-owned, town-managed Dune Road has been discussed for years, according to Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman, who said funding has always been a problem.
Difficulty in finding funding, however, hasn't stopped officials from trying to move the project forward - they already have permits and a construction plan in place, anticipating that at some point, money would become available.
Officials estimate that the project will cost between $8 and $7 million.
During the announcement on Friday at Oaklands in Hampton Bays, those same officials, including Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, Southampton Councilman Chris Nuzzi, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, and Quogue Mayor Peter Sartorius said this is a project that must be completed for not only safety and for protection of the mainland, but for the economy.
The roadway, they said is the gateway to the areas beaches, commercial fishing and restaurants.
"I think we have a good shot at getting this money," said Bishop, who added that a decision should be forthcoming over the next several months.
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