"Safety is a top priority for our transportation infrastructure, which is why we are investing in these critical enhancements along the Long Island Expressway," Hochul said. "We remain laser-focused on making our infrastructure safer and more efficient, and investing in infrastructure projects like this will ensure our communities and transportation networks across the state are well-connected."
The new auxiliary lane, which is being constructed adjacent to the three-lane main highway, will ease lane changing maneuvers by providing a continuous lane for traffic entering and exiting the eastbound Long Island Expressway between southbound Clearview Expressway and Springfield Boulevard.
Alongside the auxiliary lane, two consecutive entrance ramps (from northbound Clearview Expressway and from Horace Harding Expressway at 212th Street) and one exit ramp (to Springfield Boulevard) will be realigned, the ramps' acceleration and deceleration lanes will be extended, and the distance between the entrance ramp from Horace Harding Expressway at 212th Street and the exit ramp to Springfield Boulevard will be increased. The addition of the auxiliary lane, together with the ramp modifications, will improve traffic flow and eliminate the need for two yield signs currently located at the entrance ramp from the northbound Clearview Expressway and the entrance ramp from Horace Harding Expressway at 212th Street.
The project will also include the construction of noise barriers along the eastbound and westbound Long Island Expressway within the project limits, with a total noise barrier length of 6,500 feet that will reduce traffic noise for more than 300 homes.
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Additionally, the project will replace the bridge carrying Oceania Street in Bayside over the eastbound and westbound Long Island Expressway to accommodate the new eastbound auxiliary lane below. Exclusive left-turn lanes will also be constructed on the bridge at both the northbound and southbound intersections with Horace Harding Expressway, which will increase the storage capacity for left-turning vehicles in both directions. The project will install a new pavement surface, new striping, new signage, and new traffic signals that will include optimized signal timings to reduce delays and backup for the left-turning vehicles at the Oceania Street and Horace Harding Expressway intersections.
The new bridge will also provide enhanced safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. New sidewalks, which will be built on both the east and west sides of the bridge, will accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. A road safety feature called rumble strips (which produce perceptible vibrations) will be installed within the sidewalks to separate pedestrians and bicyclists.
Other benefits include the reconstruction of accessible curb ramps in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at both intersections of Oceania Street with Horace Harding Expressway and the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals, which communicate information about the "Walk" and "Don't Walk" cycles in a non-visual form for visually-impaired pedestrians. The project will upgrade the existing lighting system to install new LED lighting on and beneath the bridge deck for better visibility. The existing Intelligent Transportation System within the project limits will also be upgraded.
New York Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State is making critical investments in infrastructure that enhance safety and support the continued growth of our economy. This much-needed project further demonstrates our commitment to building a resilient transportation network that benefits motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists — while advancing the mobility of people and the movement of commerce."
