Motorists are advised that short term, nightly mobile closures of the Long Island Expressway (LIE/I-495) mainline and the LIE service roads are now underway on short segments between the Nassau/Queens border (Exit 32) and Commack Road (Exit 52) in the towns of North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Huntington and Smithtown in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Monday through Friday, between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. a single travel lane is being closed for a short distance on the LIE mainline and/or service roads in order to clean and repair the drainage facilities before moving on to the next drainage structure. Work began in the vicinity of Exit 32 and may alternate between the eastbound and westbound directions until the work is completed early this summer, weather permitting.
These night time LIE travel lane closures are needed to clean and/or repair drainage structures and pipes to preserve the integrity of the LIE drainage system and sustain storm water run off in order to maintain the safety of motorists. As with most road work, this operation is weather dependent and may be canceled, postponed, or prolonged due to inclement weather. Emergency service providers and local officials have been notified of these nightly travel lane closures. Motorists are being warned in advance of upcoming lane closures via electronic message signs but drivers are reminded these are short term closures and any sluggish traffic should dissipate relatively quickly. These operations are being performed at night when LIE traffic volumes are significantly reduced in order to minimize the impact on Long Island motorists.
For real-time travel information motorists should call 511 or visit www.511NY.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source. Motorists may also obtain travel information from the INFORM Transportation Management Center cameras at www.INFORMNY.com and on their hand held communication devices at www.INFORMNY.mobi
Drivers are reminded of the Move-Over Law that includes all hazard vehicles with amber lights such as tow trucks and construction vehicles. On parkways and other major highways with multiple lanes, drivers must move to a travel lane away from a vehicle displaying amber, red, white, or blue flashing lights, or slow down. Violators face moving violation fines and points on their drivers’ licenses. Drivers should also be aware that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.
The New York State Department of Transportation appreciates the patience and cooperation of motorists during this important LIE drainage improvement operation.
