New York Invests $58 Million in Long Island Road Improvements
Major paving, intersection and airport projects will affect more than 100 lane miles across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
New York is investing $58 million in Long Island road improvements intended to provide smoother pavement, safer intersections and better access for pedestrians. The projects will renew 104 lane miles of state highways, upgrade hundreds of curb ramps and rehabilitate a runway at Republic Airport, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
The work stretches across Nassau and Suffolk counties and includes heavily traveled sections of Routes 24, 25 and 110. Several intersections will also be reconfigured to ease congestion and improve turning movements.
Construction on some projects is expected to finish by the end of 2026. Other work will continue into the summer of 2027.
What the $58 Million Investment Covers
The transportation package is not one large construction project. It is a collection of pavement, traffic-signal, pedestrian and airport improvements at several locations.
The major components include:
- $34.3 million for Routes 24 and 110
- $10.1 million for two projects along Route 25
- $6.9 million for pavement repairs and intersection upgrades
- $6.7 million to rehabilitate a Republic Airport runway
Together, the projects are expected to address aging pavement while making intersections easier and safer to navigate.
“By renewing and upgrading our roadways, intersections and airports, we are laying the foundation to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and support communities across Long Island and the entire Empire State,” Hochul said.
Routes 24 and 110 Will Receive the Largest Share
The largest portion of the investment—$34.3 million—will go toward resurfacing approximately 86 lane miles along State Route 24 and State Route 110.
Route 24 Resurfacing
New York plans to spend $16.7 million to renew 50.6 lane miles of Route 24, also known in different areas as Hempstead Turnpike and Conklin Street.
The work will cover the section between the Meadowbrook State Parkway in the Town of Hempstead and Route 110 in the Town of Babylon.
Route 24 serves residential neighborhoods, shopping areas and major commuter routes. Repaving this corridor may reduce rough driving conditions and extend the useful life of the roadway.
Route 110 Improvements
Another $17.6 million will renew approximately 35.8 lane miles of Route 110, or Broadhollow Road.
The project stretches from Route 27, also known as Sunrise Highway, in Amityville to Baylis Road in the Town of Huntington.
In addition to resurfacing, crews will upgrade more than 280 curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Modern traffic signals, reflective lane markings and more visible pedestrian crosswalks are also planned.
Work on Routes 24 and 110 is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Route 25 Projects Focus on Safety and Traffic Flow
Two projects along Route 25 in Suffolk County will receive a combined $10.1 million.
The first will renew about 18 lane miles between Kings Park Road in the Town of Smithtown and Route 111 in the Village of the Branch.
Crews will also:
- Clear and repair storm drains
- Upgrade traffic signals
- Install reflective lane markings
- Improve pedestrian crosswalk visibility
- Add other pavement markings intended to improve safety
The second project will reconfigure the intersection of Middle Country Road and Coram–Mount Sinai Road in Brookhaven.
The planned changes include a new left-turn lane from southbound Coram–Mount Sinai Road onto eastbound Middle Country Road. An auxiliary lane will be added to eastbound Middle Country Road, while sidewalks, curb ramps and traffic signals will be rebuilt.
Construction on the Route 25 projects is expected to be completed by the summer of 2027.
Sunrise Highway and Sunken Meadow Parkway Repairs
A separate $6.9 million project will repair concrete pavement along portions of Sunrise Highway and the Sunken Meadow State Parkway.
Work on Sunrise Highway will occur between Exit 38 at Belmont Avenue and Exit 39 at Hubbards Path in Babylon. Repairs are also planned near Old Northport Road on the Sunken Meadow State Parkway in Smithtown.
The state said contractors will use diamond grinding in some areas. The process smooths concrete pavement by removing a thin surface layer. It can improve driving conditions and increase the pavement’s resistance to skidding.
Three Intersections Will Be Reconfigured
The investment also covers improvements at three additional intersections where congestion and turning patterns have created transportation concerns.
Northern Boulevard at Community Drive
At Northern Boulevard and Community Drive in North Hempstead, the eastbound-to-southbound turning lane will be extended.
An acceleration lane will also be added on Community Drive. The state says the changes are intended to make merging easier and improve traffic flow.
Fulton Street at Main Street
In Farmingdale, the eastbound and westbound left-turn lanes at Fulton Street and Main Street will be extended.
Longer turning lanes may help prevent vehicles waiting to turn from blocking through traffic.
Jericho Turnpike at Harned Road
At Jericho Turnpike and Harned Road, also known as Indian Head Road, a second eastbound left-turn lane will be installed.
The project is designed to improve traffic movement and reduce delays at the Smithtown intersection.
Major work at these three locations is expected to be completed by the summer of 2027.
Republic Airport Runway Will Be Rehabilitated
The transportation package includes $6.7 million to rehabilitate Runway 1-19 at Republic Airport in Suffolk County.
Republic Airport is owned by the New York State Department of Transportation and serves general aviation, charter flights and flight-training operations. According to the governor’s office, 13 flight schools operate at the airport.
Runway 1-19, which runs north to south, will close during construction. Aircraft will instead use Runway 14-32, which runs northwest to southeast.
Airport operations are expected to stop completely for approximately one week while crews work at the point where the two runways intersect.
The runway project is expected to be finished by the end of 2026.
Construction Could Still Cause Delays
State officials are presenting the projects as a long-term investment in safety and mobility. However, road construction of this scale may cause short-term inconvenience for commuters and nearby businesses.
Lane closures, equipment movement and traffic shifts can create delays even when work is scheduled outside peak travel hours.
Under the state’s Drivers First Initiative, major construction is expected to occur during off-peak hours whenever possible. Electronic message signs will provide motorists with information near active work zones.
Drivers should check 511NY before traveling through affected areas. The service provides real-time traffic conditions, construction alerts, crashes and road closures across Long Island.
Supporters Point to Safety and Economic Benefits
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said reliable infrastructure plays an important role in community well-being and economic growth.
“These projects will help keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently across Long Island, which will grow our economy and improve quality of life for residents,” Dominguez said.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said deteriorating and pothole-filled roads can threaten motorists and damage the regional economy. He connected the projects to federal investments made through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Local lawmakers and municipal leaders also praised the resurfacing, intersection and pedestrian-accessibility work.
A Broader Statewide Resurfacing Program
The Long Island road improvements are part of a larger New York resurfacing program.
Hochul previously announced nearly $1.2 billion for highway renewal projects during the 2026 construction season. The statewide program included $107 million designated for Long Island roadways, according to the governor’s office.
The latest $58 million package provides details on several projects now moving into construction.
For residents, the most visible results should be smoother pavement, brighter lane markings, updated signals and safer curb ramps. The larger test will be whether the redesigned intersections reduce recurring delays without creating new traffic problems on nearby roads.
What Long Island Drivers Should Know
Motorists traveling through the affected areas should:
- Expect temporary lane closures or traffic shifts.
- Allow additional travel time near construction zones.
- Watch for workers, equipment and changing speed limits.
- Use 511NY for current traffic and closure information.
- Slow down and move over when approaching highway workers.
Work-zone conditions can change quickly. Drivers should avoid using phones and remain alert when lanes narrow or traffic patterns shift.
Conclusion
New York’s $58 million investment will bring substantial Long Island road improvements to major corridors in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The plan covers 104 lane miles of pavement, more than 280 accessible curb ramps, redesigned intersections and a rehabilitated runway at Republic Airport. Although drivers may face temporary delays, the state expects the finished projects to improve safety, mobility and pavement conditions.
Long Island residents should review the construction locations, plan alternate routes when necessary and follow posted work-zone directions. Safer roads depend not only on government investment, but also on drivers slowing down and protecting the people performing the work.
Sources
- Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, July 21, 2026: Announcement of the $58 million Long Island transportation investment.
- 511NY: Real-time Long Island traffic, construction and travel information.
