Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, announced yesterday that progress has been made on State Route 347 corridor project between Gibbs Pond Road and Hallock Road in the towns of Smithtown and Brookhaven.
The $71.4 million project is nearly a third of the way complete, and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYDOT) is exploring ways to accelerate construction phases along the corridor.
According to a news release, the state has invested more than $200 million along the State Route 347 corridor to create new travel lanes, traffic signals, crosswalks and other enhancements to the roadway. Construction is expected to continue through the winter as weather permits.
"We are taking bold steps toward transforming our infrastructure by reimagining what a modern transportation system means for Long Island," Governor Hochul said. "Our investments along the State Route 347 corridor will make commuting safer and more efficient for Long Islanders and visitors alike, and my administration will continue to invest in and accelerate future projects along this corridor to better meet the needs of drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians."
The latest phase of the project started a year ahead of schedule thanks to Governor Hochul's direction in April 2022. Since April, more than 36,000 cubic yards of soil have been excavated for installing new underground utilities and over 11,600 cubic yards of soil have been placed for expanding the roadway and extending the Parks to Ports Greenway shared-use path. Additionally, more than 5,000 linear feet of new water mains and over 4,400 linear feet of storm drainage pipes has been installed, while construction on retaining walls continues to move forward with over 1,200 cubic yards of new concrete and 127,000 pounds of steel rebar already installed.
The current phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
The final product seeks to enhance bus stops with pull off areas and shaded pedestrian shelters, solar powered lighting, and highly visible crosswalks with pedestrian timers. Timing of traffic signals will also be coordinated to reduce congestion. The Parks to Ports Greenway adjacent to the eastbound lanes is also being extended in this two mile portion as part of this phase of construction.
State Route 347 has grown over the decades from a 1950s farm delivery route into a major east-west corridor for Long Island motorists, connecting North Shore communities like Port Jefferson and Stony Brook with more direct access to the state parkway system.
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Source: Governor.NY.Gov
