Huntington business owner calls for changes to intersection following multiple crashes

Business owners in Huntington are advocating for new road safety measures. They say it’s a matter or protecting their staff and customers.

Tyvek wrap covers part of Brian Corcoran’s business in Huntington on West Hills Road. He says a car drove through the front of the building earlier this month. Corcoran says it’s been a problem for years.

“This is the fourth time this has happened,” Corcoran said. He is a co-owner for Marble and Monuments in Huntington.

Other business owners in the area are echoing the same concern. They say it’s impossible to turn onto West Hills Road from the side streets because it’s hard to see oncoming traffic.

“I mean, we have problems on both sides of the street here,” Corcoran said.

“We’re talking great speeds here, just whipping around this corner to where we’re talking every single day, every single morning, my employees trying to come out of here, we’re taking our lives in our hands,” said Brian Gerkin, who owns Gerkin Plumbing and Heating.

According to Suffolk County police, there were three motor vehicle crashes on West Hills Road and 7th Avenue in Huntington in the past year. The town says the safety issue has been on their radar, and that they did put up curve warning signs and flashing led lights on those warnings.

Business owners in the area, however, argue more needs to be done to protect the people who live and work in the area daily.

“I think in all honesty, the answer to the issue would be putting up a traffic light,” Corcoran said.

“You want to go get a gallon of milk? You take your life in your hands. This is what’s happening all the time. It’s got to stop. Something has to come,” Gerkin said.

Officials told News 12 there have been talks to install a guardrail on the street. Nothing is set in stone right now.