$27M Long Island Expressway Project Hopes To Improve Access To Shopping, College, More

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A $27 million construction project will soon begin on the Long Island Expressway.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday changes to Exit 53 will give drivers quicker access to shopping, commerce and recreation near Crooked Hill Road.

The project will also 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.

"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," said Hochul. "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."

In addition, the project will create two off ramps for direct access to Crooked Hill Road (Suffolk County Route 13), for both eastbound and westbound traffic.

A second lane will be also be added throughout the ramp from the expressway heading eastbound towards southbound Sagtikos State Parkway. 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, a press release said.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2023.

The project marks the latest large transportation development planned for Long Island's state highway system.

Late last month, the state announced the completion of pavement resurfacing on the eastbound Long Island Expressway from the Nassau-Suffolk border to State Route 112 — one of the largest resurfacing projects in the state, a news release said.

Westbound repaving on the expressway is now well underway and on schedule to be completed by the end of the year.

To learn more about the Crooked Hill Road project, click here.