In a five-year $32.8 billion NYSDOT capital plan, Governor Kathy Hochul has committed $30 million to begin a federally required environmental review process for reconfiguring the Oakdale Merge in Suffolk County.
“The merge can no longer accommodate the approximately 126,000 vehicles that traverse the area daily and reducing recurring delays will mitigate harmful emissions impacting adjacent communities and improve quality of life for Long Island commuters,” an announcement for the state budget said.
Reconfiguring the Oakdale Merge will alleviate congestion where Sunrise Highway (Route 27), Montauk Highway (Route 27A) and other roadways converge. The area has been called a dangerous and often confusing section of Sunrise Highway.
Dubbed ''Malfunction Junction'' by commuters due to the major traffic jams and confusing way Montauk Highway merged into Sunrise Highway the section of roadway has been vexing drivers for decades. While several attempts to clear up the mess have been proposed and work has been done, officials have previously called for a solution.