Record investment fuels surge in road repaving projects, but frequent rain dampens progress
The New York State Department of Transportation is undertaking a record number of resurfacing projects across the region this year, backed by a historic investment aimed at improving some of Long Island's busiest roadways.
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If it seems like road crews are everywhere on Long Island - and state officials say that's no coincidence.
The New York State Department of Transportation is undertaking a record number of resurfacing projects across the region this year, backed by a historic investment aimed at improving some of Long Island's busiest roadways.
According to state officials, New York is investing a record $230 million in Long Island repaving projects this year. The funding will support resurfacing approximately 640 lane miles of roadway, including major routes such as Sunrise Highway, the Long Island Expressway, Hempstead Turnpike and Route 110.
"Gov. Kathy Hochul has invested an enormous amount of money, a record amount of funding into resurfacing our roadways," said New York State Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. "We've got about a dozen projects that we're executing right now on Long Island."
The ambitious construction season has not been without challenges.
Transportation officials say a snowy and icy winter left behind more potholes than usual, creating additional repair needs across the region. More recently, persistent rain has affected paving schedules.
"The weather definitely impacts our ability to get out here," Dominguez said. "We don't want to put our workers in harm's way, and we don't want to put our contractors in harm's way. So we need to adjust our schedules accordingly. But the bottom line is we try to make up for it."
Despite the weather-related setbacks, state officials say they remain confident the work will be completed on schedule.
The Department of Transportation expects all of the current Long Island resurfacing projects to be completed by the end of the year.
