ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul announced that two long-awaited highway projects on Long Island will now be formally included in the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), unlocking a key milestone in their development. The Oakdale Merge on Sunrise Highway in Suffolk County and the Southern State Parkway–Meadowbrook Parkway interchange in Nassau County are both set to receive new attention as part of a five-year, $4 billion investment plan.
“Both of these projects have huge potential to create jobs, enhance safety and alleviate traffic in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, further positioning Long Island for future growth,” Hochul said. “There is a lot of work left to be done, but this is an important step in the planning process, one that lays a solid foundation for two transformational projects on Long Island.”
The projects are currently in the preliminary design stage. By being added to the TIP, they move closer to the construction phase under the New York State Department of Transportation’s (NYSDOT) future capital plan.
NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez highlighted the momentum under Hochul’s leadership: “Thanks to the leadership and investment of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State DOT has made extraordinary progress in building back our infrastructure and we are committed to keeping that momentum going well into the future. The Oakdale Merge and the Southern State Parkway-Meadowbrook State Parkway interchange are projects that must get done. By adding these important projects to the TIP we are bringing them a big step closer to reality and to creating easier, less-congested journeys for the hundreds of thousands of Long Island commuters who travel these roadways every day.”
The Oakdale Merge, one of the most notorious traffic choke points on Long Island, is where traffic from multiple highways—including Sunrise Highway, Southern State Parkway, Montauk Highway, and Heckscher Parkway—converges near Connetquot River State Park. Roughly 126,000 vehicles travel through the merge daily, far beyond its original capacity.
Meanwhile, the Southern State Parkway–Meadowbrook Parkway interchange in Nassau County handles about 200,000 vehicles per day but suffers from outdated geometry that creates safety risks and bottlenecks.
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Both projects will undergo environmental review before advancing further. The Oakdale Merge review is expected to begin in late 2025, while the interchange review will likely begin in 2027 or 2028. NYSDOT has pledged extensive community engagement during the design and review process.
Local leaders applauded the move. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said, “Today’s vote reflects the strong partnership between Governor Hochul, county government, and labor to ensure Suffolk County—and all Long Island—receives its fair share of infrastructure funding. This is important progress, and we look forward to building on it with additional investments in roads, sewers, and mass transit in the years ahead.”
Marc Herbst, Executive Director of the Long Island Contractors’ Association, stressed the broader benefits: “These additions to the Transportation Improvement Plan are key investments in the safety, efficiency, and long-term resiliency of Long Island’s infrastructure and will bring family-sustaining jobs to our communities. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Dominguez for their work to ensure the serious issues at the Oakdale Merge and along the Southern and Meadowbrook State Parkways are addressed, and to County Executive Ed Romaine and our partners in local government for their advocacy for our region's infrastructure priorities.”
The TIP, updated regularly, guides federal and state funding for transportation projects. Long Island’s share exceeds $4 billion for 2026–2030, with more than $1.1 billion dedicated to NYSDOT construction in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Hochul’s announcement reflects growing pressure to modernize Long Island’s road network as population and commuting demands strain existing infrastructure. These projects not only aim to reduce congestion but also promise improved safety, environmental safeguards, and new job opportunities.
Originally reported by Governor New York Government.
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