Long Island Welcome Center on the LIE: What You Need to Know

The grand opening of the Long Island Expressway’s 15,200 square-foot Welcome Center in Dix Hills was announced last Thursday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The facility, located off eastbound Exits 51-52, was transformed from a underused parking area to a spacious, LEED-certified visitor’s center with numerous amenities for travelers.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new facility Thursday.

“This new welcome center will play an important role in growing our economy by showcasing many of Long Island’s products and natural beauty to the thousands of travelers on the Long Island Expressway every day,” Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone said in a press release.

An agreement to allow construction on the building was reached this past spring between the Dix Hills community and the New York State Department of Transportation following a series of stakeholders meetings.

Many residents did not approve of the rest stop. Legislator Steve Stern penned a Letter to the Editor regarding his problems with the facility in August 2015.

"Tourism is a critical driver of our economy here on Long Island and it is essential that we continue to make smart investments that showcase our assets and attract residents and visitors alike,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.

Welcome Center amenities:

• Taste NY Market, which puts the spotlight on Long Island farms and encouraging agritourism throughout the region. The market will feature a selection of fresh made breakfast and lunch items, including soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts using Long Island-sourced ingredients. It will feature grab-and-go snacks and specialty local items for sale.
• Community Room, which includes a DMV kiosk and travel features from I LOVE NEW YORK that highlight Long Island’s diverse tourist attractions. The room can also double as a safe refuge for travelers and residents in the event of a storm or a catastrophic event.
• Five I LOVE NEW YORK touchscreen kiosks will provide travelers information and suggested destinations about Long Island’s tourism region.
• Department of Motor Vehicles self-service kiosk at the Welcome Center will be the first kiosk to be permanently located outside of a DMV office. Customers can quickly renew their vehicle registrations, as well as conduct other transactions without having to visit a DMV office.
• Enhanced Security will feature fully operational New York State Police and the Suffolk County Police satellite offices at the welcome center. Each satellite office is 600-square feet, and equipped with multiple desks and LED screens showing footage from security cameras inside and outside the building. These offices allow officers to quickly respond to emergencies on the Long Island Expressway. The center is monitored by staff 24/7 using a video monitoring system. Law enforcement departments will also have direct access and constant communication with the Department of Transportation’s nearby Traffic Management Center.

In response to community concerns, there will be no tractor trailer or bus parking allowed at the Welcome Center. These vehicles will also not be allowed on the service road that supports the facility. However, accommodations for trucks and buses have been provided on the LIE:

• Eastbound—Trucks and buses will be redirected to a recently renovated NYSDOT truck inspection site at Exit 66.
• Westbound— a NYSDOT maintenance facility at Exit 56 was renovated to accommodate trucks. Improved lighting and portable restroom facilities will be provided at both renovated truck and bus locations.

“It’s remarkable to see what can happen when state agencies come together with the community on a project which dramatically improves quality of life,” said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll.

Images via Gov. Cuomo’s website