Motorists should expect lane closures this week on the Long Island Expressway o in the Towns of Huntington, Smithtown, Islip, and Brookhaven in Suffolk County and the Towns of North Hempstead and Oyster Bay in Nassau County.
The following closures are scheduled during the off-peak overnight hours of 9:30 p.m. and 5 a.m.:
· Monday: Two eastbound lanes and the HOV lane between Exit 32 (Little Neck Parkway) and Exit 64 (State Route 112);
· Tuesday: Two westbound lanes and the HOV lane between Exit 64 and Exit 32;
· Wednesday & Thursday: The eastbound right lane will be closed between Exit 48 (Round Swamp Road) and Exit 64. Exit ramps are subject to short term closures while crews work in those areas.
The Long Island Expressway is undergoing pavement marking operations, which is generally performed on a three-year cycle. This is done to ensure adequate lane markings are clearly visible and to modify existing markings to address safety concerns. Completion of work on the LIE is expected in the fall.
Variable message signs will be alerting motorists and carrying additional details with any updates. As with most road projects, work may be cancelled, postponed, or prolonged due to inclement weather.
Motorists are reminded to drive carefully through the work zone, obey any speed restrictions that may be in place, and the instructions of the flag persons for their safety and the safety of the highway work crew.
Recently, the New York State Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee unveiled a new public service announcement and social media campaign focused on the importance of respecting flagging personnel. This year’s work zone safety campaign, “Flaggers have families too,” is designed to remind motorists that flagging personnel are not attempting to disrupt traffic – simply doing their jobs and want to get home safely at the end of each work day. The PSA can be viewed here & here.
For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit www.511NY.org or the mobile site at m.511ny.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.
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