'Significant Increase In Traffic' In Eastern LI Calls For 3rd Lane On Sunrise From Patchogue To Moriches: Pol

PATCHOGUE, NY — A group of leaders, including state and local elected officials from Suffolk County, labor reps, and first responders, on Tuesday called for the expansion of Sunrise
Highway from Patchogue to Moriches to help address growing traffic congestion across eastern Long Island.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought "a significant increase in new residents to Long Island, particularly
Eastern Long Island," which is placing more of a demand on the already strained transportation infrastructure," according to Sen. Dean Murray. As the region continues to grow, commuters, residents, businesses, and emergency
responders are facing increased congestion and longer travel times, he said.

Murray, along with his colleague in the state Assembly, Assemb. Joseph Destefano, is calling on the state to prioritize the expansion of Sunrise Highway, adding a third lane between Exits 53 in Patchogue and Exit 59 in Moriches, and begin the necessary planning and funding process to move the project forward.

Patch has reached out to the Department of Transportation.

Murray says that adding the extra lane will help improve traffic flow, enhance safety, create jobs, and support the continued growth of our communities."

"Investing in our infrastructure is vital to our workforce and our future," said Murray, who is running for re-election in November. "Eastern Long Island has changed dramatically over the past several years, and our infrastructure needs to keep pace with that growth."

"Sunrise Highway is a critical artery for our residents, workers, businesses, and first responders," he added.

Destefano, who is also running for re-election, said that widening the highway "is the kind of infrastructure investment motorists need."

"We pay billions in state and federal taxes, and we should receive our fair share of transportation funding in
return," he said. "Senator Murray and I, along with the community leaders here today, are united in making
the case that this project deserves to be a priority."

"For far too long, we have been forced to take a back seat to New York City’s transportation needs — No more," he said. "Let’s bring our infrastructure dollars home, starting right here with a new lane on one of Long Island’s busiest highways."

County Executive Ed Romaine said he supports the plan, saying the proposal is about "more than easing congestion," and it is "about preparing Eastern Long Island for continued growth while ensuring that infrastructure investments keep pace with the needs of residents."

“Suffolk County needs to improve its infrastructure to increase safety and improve the brutal traffic this area creates," he added.

Legislative Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo, noted that the highway "is one of the most important roadways" in the county, "and residents should not have to accept unnecessary traffic backups and delays as a fact of life."

"This stretch of roadway serves thousands of residents, commuters, and local businesses, and improving its capacity would help keep Suffolk moving," he said. "As our communities continue to grow, our infrastructure needs to keep pace."

"Smart investments in our roads mean less
time sitting in traffic, safer and more reliable travel, and a stronger local economy," he said. "Suffolk County residents deserve infrastructure that meets the needs of today while preparing us for tomorrow. I will continue to advocate for the investments and partnerships necessary to address congestion
and improve the quality of life for the people who live and work here."

Legis. Dominic Thorne, whose district includes the western portion of the roadway, credited Murray for "consistent focus on addressing constituent concerns and putting their needs first."

He said that traffic build-up at the NYU Langone Hospital -Suffolk exit for Hospital Road in East Patchogue "currently delays ambulance access, and the high concentration of
motor vehicles in the area raises additional environmental concerns."

"Residents and patients alike have expressed concerns about carbon emissions and air quality," he said. "They are also worried about their safety along these roads."

Legis. Jim Mazzarella, whose district covers the eastern portion of the proposal, said officials are seeing the impact of growth "firsthand on our major roadways."

"The area of Sunrise Highway near Exit 53, where the highway narrows from three lanes to two, has become a chokepoint resulting in backups and unnecessary delays for motorists," he said. "Expanding Sunrise Highway farther east would provide additional roadway capacity, improve the overall flow of traffic, and help alleviate congestion in this increasingly busy corridor."

"I fully support initiatives that will improve traffic flow and make it easier and safer for residents to get where they need to go," he added.

South Country Ambulance Chief Greg Miglino said the configuration of the current highway "is outdated and not capable of handling the volume of vehicles that use it."

"This lack of capability often leads to backups in the area extending miles at times, often impacting on the safe navigation of emergency vehicles, more specifically
ambulances trying to get the sick and injured to the hospital," he said. "The widening of the roadway would
be a positive step in addressing some of the issues that make the safe navigation of emergency vehicles on Sunrise Highway in this area so dangerous."

Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors’ Association, called the highway "a critical artery for Long Island," but noted that the region's "infrastructure has not kept pace with the growth and changing needs of the communities it serves."

Extending the three-lane portion would be a "commonsense investment," he said.

John Duffy, business manager of the Operating Engineers Local 138, said the "critical investment" will not only improve safety, but reduce congestion, "and create good-paying union jobs for Long Island’s hardworking men and women."