More Than $7M To Repair, Extend Life Of 5 Suffolk County Bridges: NYSDOT

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Transportation announced Wednesday a $7.3 million investment to restore and extend the service life of five heavily traveled bridges in Suffolk County, a project officials said will improve safety, ride quality, and long-term reliability for Long Island motorists.

Transportation officials said work is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The project includes replacing deteriorated steel bridge joints that allow structures to expand and contract during temperature changes. The joints will be replaced with elastic, armorless materials designed to reduce maintenance needs, improve sustainabilit,y and create a smoother riding surface.

“Investing in strong, reliable infrastructure is investing in the safety and prosperity of all New Yorkers and across Long Island,” said state Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “This project will ensure these critical bridges continue to serve Long Island drivers, cyclists and pedestrians for decades to come.”

The bridges included in the project carry traffic over some of the region’s busiest roadways. They include the State Route 110 northbound and southbound spans over the Long Island Expressway in the Town of Huntington; the Long Island Expressway South Service Road over the Sagtikos State Parkway northbound ramp to Interstate 495 eastbound in the Town of Islip; State Route 454 eastbound over the Northern State Parkway in the Town of Smithtown; and Waverly Avenue over Sunrise Highway in the Town of Brookhaven.

“I commend the NYS DOT and Commissioner Dominguez for this appropriation to ensure that these vital roadways remain safe for our residents and motorists,” Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico said.

Officials said the riding surface on the State Route 454 bridge will be resurfaced with new asphalt, while pavement repairs will be made as needed on the State Route 110 bridge. Once construction is completed, new highly reflective pavement markings will be installed to improve visibility and enhance safety.

“We are thankful for the continued support and partnership that we share with New York State to ensure the safety of our roads,” Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said.

Each bridge spans a major Long Island highway and supports daily commuter traffic. Transportation officials said work will be performed in stages to minimize disruption, with single-lane and multi-lane closures used as necessary and advance notice provided to motorists.

“The Town of Huntington has committed the last four years to focusing on the maintenance and upgrade of key facilities and infrastructure,” Huntington Town Supervisor Edmund Smyth said. “We applaud the NYS DOT for investing in a plan to restore critical infrastructure using improved materials and processes that ensure safety and longevity.”

State Sen. Dean Murray said the investment makes sense from both a fiscal and safety standpoint and spotlighted the Waverly Avenue bridge over Sunrise Highway.

“The work to restore and extend the life of these bridges makes sense from a fiscal and safety standpoint,” Murray said. "I'm particularly happy to see that one of the bridges on the list is the Waverly Avenue bridge over Sunrise Highway, which is in the 3rd Senate district and is a key artery to the Village of Patchogue."

State Sen. Monica Martinez said proactive maintenance is essential to keeping roads safe and smooth.

“This project will keep motorists from hitting bumps in the road on some of Long Island’s busiest overpasses for years to come by replacing aging bridge joints with modern materials that will enhance safety, comfort, and durability.” Martinez said.

Assemblymembers Steve Stern and Keith Brown said the improvements mark a critical investment in public safety and the region’s future, as replacing deteriorating joints will lead to a smoother ride and fewer disruptions.

“Replacing deteriorating joints will mean a smoother ride, fewer disruptions, and a longer service life for the structure,” Brown said.

Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine said improving infrastructure and maintaining roadways remain top priorities.

“Our top priority in Suffolk County is to improve our infrastructure and maintain our roadways to ensure our motorists are safe.” Romaine said. "I thank the state for their partnership to advance our goal while ensuring these bridges remain safe for vehicular travel.”