A $17.7 million project to restore a six-mile section of the Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495) between Exit 67 (Yaphank Avenue) and Exit 69 (Wading River Road) in Brookhaven, Suffolk County, has been completed. The project began in fall 2023 and focused on replacing deteriorated concrete sections to improve safety and traffic flow on one of Long Island’s major commuter routes.
Governor Kathy Hochul said, “The Long Island Expressway is vital to the flow of people and commerce on Long Island and we are committed to making the necessary investments to ensure that it continues to serve the needs of residents, visitors and commuters for many years to come. These concrete repairs will give motorists a smoother ride along a key stretch of the highway while also making it better able to withstand the impacts of severe weather.”
The restoration involved removing old concrete from the original construction in the late 1960s and early 1970s, installing new high-strength concrete, sealing cracks, restoring shoulders as needed, and adding new reflective pavement markings. These measures are expected to reduce future maintenance needs.
Work was mostly scheduled during off-peak hours or overnight under New York’s Drivers First Initiative, aiming to minimize disruption for travelers.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez stated, “NYSDOT, under the leadership of Governor Hochul, continues to make historic investments in infrastructure that connect communities, improve quality of life and fuel our economy forward. These improvements to the Long Island Expressway will create stronger, more durable road surface and also give motorists a more pleasurable journey as they travel along this vital roadway.”
Senator Charles Schumer noted federal funding support: “Thanks to our Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, the completion of this restoration project on the Long Island Expressway will make this vital corridor safer and improve travel for Long Islanders. I am proud to help deliver these major federal dollars to create good-paying jobs, enhance safety and improve our aging roads to be more resilient, and I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to strengthening our state’s infrastructure.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand added: “The Long Island Expressway is an essential connector for Long Islanders, visitors, and commerce, and I’m proud to have helped deliver the funding to modernize this vital corridor. I’m grateful that this rehabilitation project will make the highway safer and more reliable, and I look forward to continue working alongside Governor Hochul to deliver the federal resources needed to strengthen our infrastructure and improve the commutes of New Yorkers across our state.”
State Senator Dean Murray commented on local feedback: “When the people speak, it’s important that we listen. I thank the Governor and NYS-DOT officials for committing the resources necessary to make these much needed improvements. This particular stretch of the Long Island Expressway has been the subject of many a phone call and many emails to my office. I’m sure that we now have some very happy commuters that travel through that area on a daily basis.”
Assemblymember Jodi Giglio emphasized regional benefits: “I’m grateful that the New York State Department of Transportation has prioritized this much- needed restoration along the Long Island Expressway. These improvements will make a real difference for the thousands of Suffolk County residents who rely on the LIE everyday. By replacing worn-down sections and strengthening this critical roadway, we’re investing in safer commutes, stronger infrastructure, and a better quality of life for families and businesses across Brookhaven, the North Fork and beyond.”
Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine said: “Our roads are in desperate need of attention, and this project is an important example of the improvements that need to be made across Suffolk County. Thank you to NYS and the efforts to continue these efforts. We look forward to many more improvements to our roads, highways and bridges.”
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico remarked: “We appreciated the repair work done to make the Long Island Expressway safer. Investments in our aging transportation infrastructure are necessary to keep our residents safe.”
