Two highway improvement projects in Long Island have been added to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The projects include enhancements at the Oakdale Merge along Sunrise Highway (State Route 27) in Suffolk County and improvements to the interchange of eastbound Southern State Parkway and Meadowbrook State Parkway in Nassau County.
The addition of these projects to the TIP is intended to accelerate their development, which is currently in preliminary design. Inclusion also helps prepare them for future construction phases as part of the state Department of Transportation’s capital plan.
“Both of these projects have huge potential to create jobs, enhance safety and alleviate traffic in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, further positioning Long Island for future growth,” Governor Hochul said. “There is a lot of work left to be done, but this is an important step in the planning process, one that lays a solid foundation for two transformational projects on Long Island.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez stated, “Thanks to the leadership and investment of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State DOT has made extraordinary progress in building back our infrastructure and we are committed to keeping that momentum going well into the future. The Oakdale Merge and the Southern State Parkway-Meadowbrook State Parkway interchange are projects that must get done. By adding these important projects to the TIP we are bringing them a big step closer to reality and to creating easier, less-congested journeys for the hundreds of thousands of Long Island commuters who travel these roadways every day.”
The TIP serves as a planning document updated according to regional priorities. Over $4 billion has been allocated for Long Island under this plan from federal fiscal years 2026-2030. Of this amount, $1.1 billion will go toward NYSDOT construction initiatives within Nassau and Suffolk counties supporting mobility, safety, and economic growth.
The Oakdale Merge refers to a section where multiple highways—including Sunrise Highway’s mainline, service roads, Southern State Parkway, and Montauk Highway—converge at Connetquot River State Park in Islip. This area now sees about 126,000 vehicles daily and has exceeded its capacity.
Similarly, officials note that approximately 200,000 vehicles use the outdated eastbound Southern State Parkway/Meadowbrook interchange each day.
As part of required environmental reviews for both projects, several design alternatives will be evaluated with community engagement planned throughout each stage. The review process for Oakdale Merge is expected at the end of 2025; review for Southern State Parkway/Meadowbrook will likely begin between 2027 or 2028.
Earlier safety improvements at Oakdale Merge were completed in 2020; they included new pavement surfaces, ramp meters, upgraded signage, and improved lane markings.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine commented on local collaboration: “Today’s vote reflects the strong partnership between Governor Hochul, county government, and labor to ensure Suffolk County—and all Long Island—receives its fair share of infrastructure funding. This is important progress, and we look forward to building on it with additional investments in roads, sewers, and mass transit in the years ahead. Long Island deserves a stronger voice in these decisions, and we are grateful that the Governor’s office has listened to and responded to our concerns. I will continue to advocate tirelessly to ensure that Suffolk County secures the necessary resources and guarantees that we receive our fair share. This is not only a priority of my administration—it is a commitment that will guide us well into the future.”
Marc Herbst from the Long Island Contractors’ Association said: “These additions to the Transportation Improvement Plan are key investments in the safety, efficiency, and long-term resiliency of Long Island’s infrastructure and will bring family-sustaining jobs to our communities. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Dominguez for their work to ensure the serious issues at the Oakdale Merge and along the Southern and Meadowbrook State Parkways are addressed, and to County Executive Ed Romaine and our partners in local government for their advocacy for our region’s infrastructure priorities.”
