Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that pavement resurfacing on the eastbound Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495) from the Nassau-Suffolk border to State Route 112 is now complete, marking a significant milestone in one of the largest resurfacing projects in New York State. Westbound repaving on the Long Island Expressway is now well underway and on schedule be completed by the end of the year.
"Millions of motorists each year rely on Long Island's network of highways to reach their destinations, and completing critical infrastructure projects like this is part of our commitment to help ensure smoother, safer travel," Governor Hochul said. "We are seeing real results from our investments in paving projects here and across New York State, and this important work will continue on roads large and small."
Thursday night marked the final night of pavement work on the eastbound Long Island Expressway, with the conclusion of roadway milling, laying of new asphalt, and the installation of new highly reflective pavement markings and rumble strips. On the westbound Long Island Expressway, similar work began in July and is nearly one-third completed.
With today's announcement, new asphalt now covers more than 300 lane miles of state highways across Long Island following projects that began earlier this year on key sections of the Long Island Expressway, the Southern State Parkway, the Meadowbrook State Parkway, and several other roads. These projects, which were announced this past April and totaled $157 million, are already easing travel and improving mobility for motorists in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
On Long Island's South Shore, pavement renewal along the eastbound Southern State Parkway between the Grand Avenue/Baldwin Road exit in Nassau County and Route 110 in Suffolk County finished on Friday, August 19 and work began this week on the westbound lanes.
Resurfacing in both directions of the Meadowbrook State Parkway was completed before the Memorial Day weekend and the turf shoulder rehabilitation is ongoing between Merrick Road and Ocean Parkway in the Town of Hempstead.
Major work on the Long Island Expressway, Southern State Parkway and Meadowbrook State Parkway is progressing on schedule and will be completed by the end of this year. In fact, more than 60 percent of the Long Island paving work announced by the Governor earlier this year has been completed during the spring and summer months.
Other completed locations include:
- Southern State Parkway between State Route 231 and the Sagtikos State Parkway in Suffolk County;
- State Route 25A between Lawrence Road and State Route 25 in the Town of Smithtown;
- 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;
- 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.
Additionally:
- State Route 111 between Suffolk Avenue and the Long Island Expressway in the Town of Islip is anticipated to be completed in September.
- On State Route 109, sidewalk ramp safety enhancements are currently underway between the Nassau/Suffolk border and State Route 27A in the Town of Babylon with full completion including pavement renewal scheduled by the end of 2023.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Thanks to Governor Hochul's commitment to investing in our transportation infrastructure, we continue to deliver on transformative projects for New Yorkers. Strategic investments like roadway resurfacing help sustain connectivity and quality of life for our communities and are critically important in our mission to create a reliable, sustainable transportation system."
Assemblymember Joseph P. De Stefano said, "Motorists are now enjoying a smooth ride through Suffolk thanks to everyone coming together and getting this job done," said Assemblyman Joe DeStefano. "State roads are integral to our economy and quality of life and I'm happy to see them get the attention they deserve."
Assemblymember Douglas M. Smith said, "They said it couldn't be done, but we did it. I am happy to join with the Governor and my colleagues in state government to commend the high quality work and speed of a job well done. As work is completed eastbound and the westbound side is nearing completion, New Yorkers agree: the Long Island Expressway has never looked better!"
Assemblymember Keith Brown said, "The LIE runs right through the 12th AD, so we greatly appreciate the DOT accelerating the paving project which was desperately needed. The paving looks great!"
Assemblymember Steve Stern said, "The accelerated completion of resurfacing of the eastbound Long Island Expressway is welcome news to Huntington residents and an important step in addressing area infrastructure challenges," Assemblyman Steve Stern said. "Working together, the state Legislature and the Governor's office have made addressing these quality of life issues a top priority. We will continue to focus on repairing our roads and bridges to ensure public safety."
Motorists are urged to plan accordingly and drive responsibly 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.