Governor Hochul and Senator Kaplan Announce $157 Million Investment in Pavement Renewal Projects on Long Island

Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Anna Kaplan today announced a $157 million investment for pavement renewal projects taking place on some of the busiest roads on Long Island this spring and summer. The projects will ease travel and improve mobility for motorists in Nassau and Suffolk counties by resurfacing approximately 480 lane miles of state highways, including key sections of the Long Island Expressway, the Southern State Parkway, and the Meadowbrook State Parkway. The projects are part of Governor Hochul's unprecedented commitment to restoring New York's roads and bridges, which includes the Governor's $1 billion Operation Pave Our Potholes Program that was included as part of the historic $32.8 billion, five-year capital plan in the recently-adopted state budget.

State Senator Anna Kaplan said, "This has been one of the worst pothole seasons on Long Island in recent memory, and we need to do whatever it takes to fix our roads the right way. That's why I fought like hell to get more money in our State budget for repaving, and thanks to the partnership and the leadership of Governor Hochul, we got it done, and $157 million of help is now on the way to Long Island to combat this crisis as part of the $1 billion Operation Pave Our Potholes Program. As always, I'm grateful for Governor Hochul's attention to our infrastructure on Long Island, and particularly her focus on repaving our pothole plagued roads."

"Long Island has some of the busiest highways in the United States and the investments we are making today will help ensure smoother travel and fewer hassles for the tens of thousands of commuters who use these vital traffic arteries," Governor Hochul said. "With the adoption of this historic capital plan, we will give communities the infrastructure they need to unleash their full potential, enhancing connectivity, restoring essential roads and bridges, and correcting injustices of the past. I am proud to provide funding for transformative projects like these, which send a strong signal that New York is building back better and stronger than ever before."

Highways being renewed this construction season include a key section of the Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495) in western and central Suffolk County. Crews anticipate renewing 287 lane miles between the Nassau/Suffolk border and State Route 112 (Exit 64). This $80.1 million endeavor includes the three main travel lanes, the High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, shoulders, and 62 on/off ramps. An average of 152,000 vehicles travel in this section daily.

The LIE provides connections to nearly every major highway in the region and is vital to Long Island's economy for commuters, tourists and the flow of goods. In order to reduce the impact on traffic, major work on the Expressway - which will begin later this week - will occur during overnight hours and service roads will be utilized for diverted traffic. Major work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.

The scenic Meadowbrook State Parkway, which is a gateway to Jones Beach, will be restored from Merrick Road southward to Ocean Parkway in the Town of Hempstead. Overnight resurfacing of the 23 lane miles is in progress and expected to be completed by Memorial Day, weather permitting. The remainder of the $5.6 million project, including the restoration of the turf shoulders, is expected to be finished by the end of the year.

A $23.9 million pavement renewal project is also starting on a 63-lane-mile stretch of the Southern State Parkway between Exit 20 (Grand Avenue/Baldwin Road) and State Route 110 at the Nassau/Suffolk border. This project, which is scheduled for substantial completion by the end of 2022, builds on last year's resurfacing project that stretched between the Cross Island Parkway at the Queens/Nassau County border and Exit 20. The Southern State Parkway is among the most heavily traveled roads on Long Island with an average of approximately 200,000 vehicles daily.

Also planned for the Southern State Parkway this year are the restoration of 11 lane miles between State Route 231 and the Sagtikos State Parkway in the Towns of Babylon and Islip; and concrete repairs on 55 entrance and exit ramps in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Additional pavement restoration projects totaling nearly 30 lane miles on several roads will begin this year. Timing at these sites will vary, but will be completed by the end of 2023. They include:

• State Route 114 between Stephen Hands Path and the Shelter Island South Ferry terminal in Village of Sag Harbor, Village of North Haven, and Town of East Hampton;
• State Route 109 between the Nassau/Suffolk border and State Route 27A in the Town of Babylon;
• State Route 25A between Lawrence Road and State Route 25 in the Town of Smithtown;
• State Route 111 between Suffolk Avenue and the LIE in the Town of Islip;
• Sunrise Highway North Service Road between Udall Road and Manor Road in the Town of Islip;
• Sunrise Highway South Service Road between Udall Road and Malts Avenue in the Town of Islip.

Governor Hochul announced the milestone investment for Long Island's roads as construction season begins and more maintenance and work crews will be performing repairs and improvements to ensure roads are safe for motorists. All travelers should be prepared to reduce speeds and to be alert when passing through work zones.