Governor Hochul Announces $157 Million Investment in Pavement Renewal Projects on Long Island

Governor Kathy Hochul 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.

"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.

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Governor Hochul understands the vital role that infrastructure plays in the health of our communities and the strength of our economy. These projects on Long Island and the historic investments we are making all across the state will create a modern transportation network that brings people together, bolsters our sense of community and keeps our economy growing well into the 21st Century."

State Senator Todd Kaminsky said, "Long Islanders deserve well-paved streets and a smooth drive. I was proud to work with my colleagues in the Legislature, and Governor Hochul, to secure record funding of $157 million in this year's state budget to repair nearly 500 miles of roads on Long Island and restore them to first-rate condition. Importantly, the more infrastructure funding we secure from Albany, the less local taxpayers are called upon to shoulder the burden."

State Senator John Brooks said, "Fixing potholes and maintaining the quality of our roads will always be a major issue for Long Islanders. With the amount of traffic we see on Long Island, and with the seasonal effects of weather on the pavement, it is a problem we are constantly trying to overcome. This unprecedented investment into the renewal of our bridges and roads will go a long way towards ensuring the daily commutes of Long Islanders will be as safe and reliable as possible. I thank Governor Hochul for recognizing this as a significant need for Long Island and putting up the funding to take it on."

State Senator James Gaughran said, "Every Long Islander has driven on pothole riddled roads and dealt with the costly car repairs that come from them. That's why I fought so hard for significant funding for road repaving in this year's budget and I thank Governor Hochul for championing this issue."

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."

State Senator Kevin Thomas said, "Rough roads are not only an inconvenience to drivers — they're a burden on all of our wallets. The time to fix our roads, highways, and bridges is now. The projects announced by Governor Hochul will go a long way toward improving safety and quality of life for all residents of Nassau County. I thank the Governor for prioritizing our state's infrastructure, especially on Long Island, where our roads are in desperate need of revitalizing."

Assemblymember Steven Englebright said, "I am delighted that Governor Hochul is committed to improving Long Islands roadways. The Long Island delegation had recently written urging that these projects be completed expeditiously. The driving public deserves safe smooth roads, and with this new influx of funding and projects we all should begin to see improvement in the condition of driving surfaces."

Assemblymember Fred Thiele said, "After years of neglect and decay, our roadways are now at their breaking point, and Long Islanders are fed up with paying for constant and costly vehicle repairs. This long overdue funding will go a long way towards restoring our roads to the condition we deserve and expect. I thank Governor Hochul for acting on the calls of my constituents and partnering to secure this crucial budget priority."

Assemblymember Charles Lavine said, "I am very pleased that the Democratic leadership and Governor Hochul were able to work together to agree on this budget which provides many benefits for Long Islanders. The investment in transportation infrastructure is significant and will provide real improvements for people who simply need to get where they are going without the inconveniences caused by bad and unsafe roads."

Assemblymember Phil Ramos said, "Improving our aging infrastructure helps keep drivers and pedestrians safe, enables cars to stay on the road longer and creates good-paying jobs -- and was a top priority for me in the recently passed budget. The projects announced by Governor Hochul today will help repair major thoroughfares and bridges in our communities, and is part of the unprecedented $32.8 billion capital plan I fought to include in the state spending plan. I look forward to seeing these critical infrastructure projects come to fruition and I'll continue working with state and local leaders to bring Long Island's aging roads and bridges into the 21st century."

Assemblymember Michaelle Solages said, "Potholes and damaged roadways are basic quality of life issues that our state has the power to address. I am proud that New York State has pledged $1 billion to Operation Pave Our Potholes, which will directly go toward 480 miles of pavement renewal on Long Island. This program will lower car maintenance costs for commuters and visitors on Long Island, and make getting to your destination a quicker and less stressful experience."

Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre said, "Long Islanders have long been subjected to undriveable conditions on our main roadways, but thanks to Governor Hochul's leadership, this year's enacted budget is making critical investments in our highway infrastructure here on Long Island and throughout the state. These investments will make life easier for Long Island commuters, truck drivers shipping goods to and from our region, and those using our roadways to get to the many destination spots that Long Island has to offer. I thank Governor Hochul and our leadership in Albany for delivering on this crucial priority for our region."

Assemblymember Steve Stern said, "Infrastructure investments and road repairs are critically important to both our local economy and the safety of our motorists. As Long Islanders know all too well, potholes are a dangerous and costly part of our daily commutes. I am proud to partner with Governor Hochul on these historic improvements to our local roadways, which will go a long way toward preventing damages to our vehicles and easing the stress of our commutes. I thank the Governor for her leadership on this issue and look forward to ensuring that Long Island continues to get its fair share from New York State."

Assemblymember Taylor Darling said, "The $157 million investment in Pavement Renewal Projects in Nassau and Suffolk Counties is great news to our residents. The Meadowbrook, Southern State and the LIE are used by many drivers on their everyday commutes. For years portions of the Meadowbrook and Southern State Parkways in my district and others have been deteriorating causing safety hazards for our drivers. The conditions of these roads have also cost many of our constituents thousands of dollars in unforeseen car repairs-which many of us can not afford. I am elated that Governor Hochul has heard our concerns and made the decision to invest in paving these roads."

Assemblymember Judy Griffin said, "It is absolutely essential for New York State to provide ample funding for local transportation infrastructure projects to maintain, repair, and improve safety for our roadways which is why I advocated for a substantial investment in our Long Island roads in our State Budget. I am grateful that Governor Hochul committed to invest $157 million for essential pavement renewal projects on some of our most traveled roads on Long Island this spring and summer. I know my constituents in AD21 will be pleased since we are well aware of how the high volume of traffic renders the Southern State and Meadowbrook Parkways in constant need of maintenance. I thank Governor Hochul for listening and responding to the needs of Long Islanders. Not only does this investment enhance travel, improve roadway safety, and decrease damages to cars but it supports quality jobs for hardworking men and women on Long Island, which helps revitalize our local economy."

Assemblymember Gina Sillitti said, "Yesterday I drove by a giant pothole with a 50 pound sandbag in it. Thank you Governor Hochul for your commitment to getting this money to where it's desperately needed, our roads. Long Islanders can't wait for these projects to begin!"

Motorists should slow down and safely move over when approaching roadside vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber or green lights, including maintenance and construction vehicles in work zones.

Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver license.

To learn more about what we're doing to keep workers and motorists safe in highway construction zones and New York's Move Over law, visit www.ny.gov/workzonesafety.

For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

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