A word of caution to anyone planning a ride on South Country Road in East Patchogue or Bellport in the future. The County paved this entire stretch last year, now the geniuses at the Suffolk County Department of Public Works have decided to install drainage structures after the fact. There were crews saw cutting and jackhammering the new pavement today, which forced me into the traffic lane at six different points. It will get much worse when the dump trucks, backhoes and delivery trucks and trailers begin their work and it will be a good idea to avoid this area on bicycle (especially group rides) until the work is completed. I don't pretend to be a road engineer but wouldn't you think that the time to install these drainage structures would be BEFORE you pave the road and shoulder - certainly much more efficient and less expensive? I have lived in this area all my life and the areas that are designated for these structures are never problematic....I don't know what those geniuses at SCDPW were thinking, but they have given a new meaning to "Reverse Engineering". Once again, the taxpayers (and cyclists) are getting the shaft. It's really a shame after all the years of dodging potholes and uneven pavement, we had a nice stretch to ride - now it will be torn up again and patched and we all know how well these patches hold up to the weather.
Fed up Fred