LICA Demands Oakdale Merge Fix
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/7/2020
CONTACT: Thomas Meara (718) 309-3506
LONG ISLAND CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS CALL FOR OVERHAUL TO DANGEROUS OAKDALE MERGE DURING RUSH HOUR
Association calls for solutions and an Environmental Impact Study of the dangerous intersection
Long Island, NY – The Long Island Contractors’ Association (LICA) and local elected officials held a press conference today at rush hour at the Oakdale Merge, calling for solutions to deal with the notoriously dangerous intersection. A public call for funding for an EIS (Environmental Impact Study) were also made. The press conference comes on the heels of the Governor’s budget, and a stagnant funding proposal for Long Island highways, roads and bridges in the new Two Year Capital Plan at a time when infrastructure is crumbling. Meanwhile, LICA’s recently released Long Island Roadways Pavement Study found that 82% of 379 lane miles of local Long Island roads analyzed are in “poor or fair condition.” Overhauling the Oakdale Merge has been tortured priority project for years, with complicated environmental impacts to the area. In 2018, NYSDOT held a forum with possible fixes to the area, including widening or adding lanes, incorporating bridges or viaducts, however, there has been no action from the state.
Photos of the event can be viewed here.
“We simply cannot wait,” said Marc Herbst, Executive Director of the Long Island Contractors’ Association. “The Oakdale Merge is a dangerous intersection and it is time to get the funding for an EIS and solve this problem. Not only will it save lives, which is the most important thing, it will alleviate traffic at critical times for Long Islanders. It’s a no-brainer. Fix the merge.”
State Senator Phil Boyle said, “As a member of the Senate Majority, I was proud to secure $20 million in our state budget for the design and engineering of a fix for the Oakdale Merge. Now is the time to take the next major step. We need additional funding in our state budget to begin construction on a project to solve this problem, and save our residents from increasingly long traffic nightmares here. I’m proud to stand with these local leaders in calling for a solution to the Oakdale Merge. Together, we will get it done.”
State Senator Monica Martinez said, “The hard working people of Long Island who travel East on Sunrise Highway every day, should not encounter the unnecessary stress the Oakdale merge has caused over the years. The congestion on this stretch of highway has become increasingly worse and dangerous. Last week, I questioned the NYS Commissioner of Transportation, Commissioner Dominguez, during the budget hearing to update the Senate on the current status of this project within my district. I would like to thank all of my colleagues for their support and continued advocacy in moving this effort forward. We need to provide our drivers with a safe and enjoyable travel and we will not stop until the state mitigates this issue.”
Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino said, “I stand in solidarity with LICA, these leaders and the people on Long Island in calling for an overhaul to Oakdale Merge. It has been a priority for years, and it can no longer be ignored.”
“The safety of all of our residents is paramount. I would like to thank LICA, and my colleagues on the state and local levels, for bringing this important issue to the forefront, and for taking the necessary steps to ensuring that everyone arrives at their destination safely,” said Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, “For decades the Oakdale Merge has been a major concern for Suffolk residents resulting in significant congestion along this busy stretch of highway. Working with stakeholders and our partners in government we are going to advocate for the funding necessary to see this critical project through.”
Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer said, “Enough is enough. We need funding now to improve traffic and safety conditions on this major intersection. The people of Babylon deserve it, and the people of Long Island deserve it.”
Kevin S. Law, President & CEO of the Long Island Association: “The LIA’s 2020 Priorities include support for a new capital plan that fully funds critical road, highway and bridge projects on Long Island, and the Oakdale Merge should be one of the top priority projects in that plan, and thus we support the efforts of LICA and Supervisor Angie Carpenter to remedy the traffic and safety issues there.”
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About LICA: As the voice of Long Island's Highway and Infrastructure Professionals, LICA represents Long Island's premier heavy construction general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and industry supporters. Focused primarily in the infrastructure construction industry, such as highways, bridges, sewers, parks, other public works and private site development, LICA's member companies play a significant role in sustaining the region's quality of life and economic engine that is Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
