Senator Fuschillo, Dot Commissioner & Local Officials Reopen Ocean Parkway

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, recently participated in the grand reopening of the section of the Ocean Parkway which was destroyed during Superstorm Sandy.

     The Ocean Parkway provides access to Jones Beach and many other beaches and recreational areas along Long Island’s south shore. It is also an important access road for Long Island commuters. Superstorm Sandy caused tremendous damage to the Ocean Parkway, including to two miles of the roadway and five miles of protective dunes. Workers rebuilt this section of road and the protective dunes throughout the winter to ensure that the parkway was open well in advance of Memorial Day Weekend so residents and visitors had access to the south shore beaches during the summer.

     “Reopening the Ocean Parkway is another major step forward in Long Island’s ongoing recovery from Superstorm Sandy. Having this vital and widely utilized roadway reopened in time for Memorial Day Weekend will ensure that Long Island’s beautiful south shore beaches and parks can serve the millions of residents and visitors who use them each summer. I thank all the dedicated individuals who worked tirelessly, often in harsh conditions, for all their efforts. This achievement would not be possible without them,” said Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee.

     Senator Fuschillo (third right) is pictured as he cuts the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the grand reopening of the Ocean Parkway. He is joined by (l-r) Long Island Contractors Association Executive Director Marc Herbst, Assemblyman Joe Saladino, New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Assemblyman David McDonough, Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer, and some of the workers and engineers who worked on the project.