'Five Corners' Intersection To Be Improved

Lake Ronkonkoma, NY— The intersection of Hawkins Avenue, Smith Street and Gatelot Avenue has been known as The Five Corners to Ronkonkoma area residents for years. On January 30th, however, Brookhaven Town officials announced a plan to acquire private property in advance of the improvement plan, designed to reduce congestion and accidents. The new plan will make Gatelot Avenue a cul-de-sac, eliminating one of the corners, and add a traffic light, according to interviews done by Newsday. This new initiative replaces a previous 2011 resolution to construct a traffic roundabout at the intersection.

A representative for Councilman Kevin LaValle told Patch that a public forum will be held the last week of February to discuss the project. A notice to immediate neighbors will be mailed to announce the details of the public meeting.

Patch talked to local residents about their thoughts on the proposed project, some of whom questioned the reported danger of the intersection. Dan Howell, of Ronkonkoma, said "I used to traverse this intersection twice daily as part of my commute. I've never considered it to be an unsafe intersection and I do not recall ever seeing an accident there."

Timothy Murphy, another Ronkonkoma resident, said he felt sentimental about the location, which he says is a landmark of sorts for locals who remember the now-closed Five Corners Deli, even as it proved an obstacle on his local running route.

"Can't count how many times during a run I had to 'frogger' my way through that intersection. I'll definitely miss it."