§ 14-i. Long Island expressway; design and construction. 1. The
commissioner shall prepare an environmental impact statement on the
project to add travel lanes to the Long Island expressway between exits
forty-nine and fifty-seven in accordance with the provisions of article
eight of the environmental conservation law.

2. The commissioner shall prepare an environmental impact statement on
projects to add travel lanes to the Long Island expressway from exits
thirty to sixty-four in accordance with the provisions of article eight
of the environmental conservation law.

3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a
project to add travel lanes to the Long Island expressway between exits
forty-nine and fifty-seven shall, for the purposes of this section, be
deemed to have independent utility and not be deemed part of any
long-range plan and other potential highway improvement projects on Long
Island are not to be deemed likely to be undertaken as a result thereof
or to be dependent thereon.

4. a. The design for the project to add travel lanes to the Long
Island expressway between exits forty-nine and fifty-seven, shall
commence forthwith. Such design shall proceed concurrent with the
environmental review process required by subdivision one of this
section, and may, to the extent necessary, focus on a design alternative
or alternatives. Preparation of a design shall not be a commitment to an
action by the department prior to the completion of the environmental
review process.

b. The department shall not commence construction until the department
has considered the final environmental impact statement and made
findings pursuant to subdivision one of this section.

c. The preparation of a design or designs shall not be deemed to have
prejudiced any decision-making pursuant to article eight of the
environmental conservation law.