The State Department of Transportation has approved a $7 million project to enhance drainage and resiliency along the Meadowbrook and Wantagh Parkways.
The project was proposed this summer to reduce the incidents and magnitude of coastal storm-related flooding at Meadowbrook State Parkway under Merrick Road and Wantagh State Parkway under Bay Parkway.
The project is federally and state funded, according to the DOT, but not locally financed.
For Meadowbrook, work entails hydraulically separating the Meadowbrook Parkway low point, approximately 1000 feet in length, located under the Merrick Road bridge, with steel sheeting, check valves, rerouting of drainage lines, and installing a pump station to drain the isolated area low point.
Additional work includes installing tide gates to protect inland areas of Merrick and Freeport from coastal storm flooding and installing underground drains to dewater the permanently soggy grass shoulder.
For the Wantagh State, work involves hydraulically separating the Wantagh Parkway low point located under the Bay Parkway bridge (approximately 1,000 feet roadway length) with check valves, rerouting drainage lines, and installing a Pump Station to drain the isolated area low point.
Additional work includes installing underground drains to dewater the permanently soggy grass shoulder and installing a coastline structure to protect outfall pipes repeatedly damaged by coastal storms.
“Fifth District residents rely on the Meadowbrook and Wantagh State Parkways every day,” said Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow of Merrick. “With extreme weather growing more common as climate change intensifies, these improvements are especially important for keeping the south shore safe and preserving our quality of life.”
“I am glad to see that this important project is moving forward, and I will keep the community posted as work proceeds,” he said.
Work is expected to begin this fall.
The state DOT will keep the community apprised of further developments as the project progresses,” Joseph Morrissey of the DOT said.
Construction is expected to be completed in Winter 2025 / 2026.
