Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that construction is beginning on a $27 million project to modify Exit 53 of the Long Island Expressway to provide motorists quicker access to shopping, commerce and recreation on and near Crooked Hill Road. This project will provide a direct link from the Expressway to several shopping areas in Commack, industrial areas in Brentwood, Deer Park, and Hauppauge, the Michael J. Grant campus of Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, Brentwood State Park, and other local residences and businesses, while alleviating congestion on area local roads and the Long Island Expressway Service Roads. Visuals for the project can be viewed here.
"My administration is committed to modernizing our transportation network for more seamless travel across New York State, and reliable connectivity for communities is a key component in our comprehensive approach," Governor Hochul said. "This much-needed improvement along the Long Island Expressway will benefit motorists and help boost Long Island's regional economy as we continue to build a stronger Long Island for the future."
This undertaking marks the latest significant transportation investment for Long Island's state highway system. Late last month, Governor Hochul 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.
As part of the Crooked Hill Road project, two off ramps will be added for direct access to Crooked Hill Road (Suffolk County Route 13) from both the eastbound and westbound L.I.E. A second lane will be added throughout the ramp from the eastbound L.I.E. towards southbound Sagtikos State Parkway, and a third travel lane will be extended for traffic merging onto southbound Sagtikos State Parkway to the G Road bridge with additional improvements at Exit S2.
Start of construction comes after thorough planning, public engagement, and coordination by the New York State Department of Transportation with local officials and the Federal Highway Administration.
Construction will occur mostly in the southwest quadrant of the Exit 53 interchange. Project completion is expected in 2023.
Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Under Governor Hochul's steadfast leadership, there has been an unparalleled investment into New York State's infrastructure and highways. This project will help revamp how Long Islanders travel and reinvigorate the local economy with easier access to a number of nearby destinations."
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, "This project will help make Suffolk roads more accessible for our motorists, whether they are going shopping, heading to work, visiting our beautiful state parks, or attending our Community College. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her continued efforts to invest in our infrastructure, helping to alleviate traffic on our local roads and providing a better quality of life for our residents."
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly throughout the work zone. 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.