State, Suffolk leaders propose widening Sunrise Highway to Exit 59
State and Suffolk County leaders are calling for an expansion of Sunrise Highway, pointing to a section near Exit 53 in Patchogue where the roadway narrows from three lanes to two.
More Stories
Thousands of Long Islanders use Sunrise Highway on their daily commute. Now, there is a new proposal in Albany aimed at easing gridlock created by heavy traffic volumes along the roadway.
State and Suffolk County leaders are calling for an expansion of Sunrise Highway, pointing to a section near Exit 53 in Patchogue where the roadway narrows from three lanes to two.
"If you come here about 4:30 to about 6:30, 7:00, you will find a jam up, as these three lanes slim down to two," Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said.
Officials are proposing extending the third lane in both directions for more than 10 miles, from Exit 53 at Route 112 to Exit 59 at Wading River Road.
State Sen. Dean Murray said population shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to increased traffic in the area.
"COVID, it appears that a lot of folks came from the city and moved out east," Murray said. "With doing that, they brought with them a whole lot of traffic."
Murray says the state has money to be able to complete this project.
"Trust me when I tell you we have a $277 billion budget," he said. "The money's there."
Officials say the proposed expansion could also benefit first responders who rely on Sunrise Highway to reach emergencies.
"Trying to get an ambulance, a fire truck, or any type of emergency services piece of apparatus through that traffic is absolutely horrendous," said Dan Glen, from the North Patchogue Fire Department.
Drivers say they have witnessed those challenges firsthand and believe an additional lane could help.
"I saw the first responders," said Middle Island resident Rob Morris. "They were having a tough time getting down. Everybody had to pull into the shoulder just to get them down the middle lane. So definitely would help."
Other drivers say traffic can become especially difficult during peak travel times.
"At certain times of the day, it gets pretty bad," Patchogue resident Brian Kazaks said.
News 12 reached out to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office for comment, but has not heard back.
