State Senator Ken LaValle and State Assemblyman Fred Thiele today announced that after they secured a $5 million appropriation in the 2017 State Budget to construct a new interchange on Sunrise Highway at Barnes Road in Mastic/Moriches, the State Department of Transportation is now moving forward with the project.

According to the DOT, they are currently procuring a consultant to prepare the necessary Design Approval Document (DAD). The DAD will identify and study potential environmental impacts and right of way issues associated with the project. Design Approval is anticipated for 2019, with final design to be completed in 2020. Construction would begin in 2021.

The issue of excessive traffic congestion and its impacts has been a longstanding problem for the 50,000 residents living in the Tri-Hamlet Community of Mastic, Mastic Beach, and Shirley. The peninsula has only one access to the Sunrise Highway at the William Floyd Parkway.

Under a federally funded study conducted by the Town of Brookhaven in 2010 addressing coastal evacuation from the Tri-Hamlet area in case of an emergency, it was recommended that a new access onto Sunrise Highway at Barnes Road would significantly improve evacuation traffic operations.

In 2011, at the request of the State Legislature, the State DOT further studied traffic congestion and safety issues on Sunrise Highway for 11.5 miles between Route 112 to Wading River Road. After public meetings and community comments, the State study also recommended the construction of a new interchange at Barnes Road.

The project funded by the State Legislature and initiated by State DOT would implement the Barnes Road recommendation.

Senator Ken LaValle, “It’s critically important for the community that this interchange is improved to allow for smoother transportation. We worked diligently to secure the state funding necessary for the changes, and I am pleased that the NYS Department of Transportation is now moving to mitigate the congestion as soon as possible."

State Assemblyman Fred Thiele stated, “Traffic congestion on the Mastic, Mastic Beach, Shirley peninsula has been worsening for decades. This congestion adversely affects the economic health of the community, public safety, and every day travel. In an emergency, such as Superstorm Sandy, existing infrastructure would be inadequate for necessary evacuations. The community has been clamoring for a solution to the problem. In 2010 and 2011, Town and State studies recommended the interchange. However, after the Great Recession, funding was not available. This year, Senator LaValle and I were able to secure the necessary funding for the project. I am pleased that this project is now underway and that construction will begin in 2021. We will insure that the public is fully engaged in this project during all phases and that all community concerns are addressed as part of the design of the project.”

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “On any given day, the traffic congestion at Sunrise Highway, William Floyd Parkway and Montauk Highway creates a very real safety hazard. Add to that the LIRR crossing and you’ve got the potential for disaster in the event of an emergency. The residents of the Tri-Hamlet community can now breathe a little easier knowing that soon their access to Sunrise Highway will be greatly improved. I thank Senator LaValle and Assemblyman Thiele for their persistence and leadership in securing the funding to get this very important project started.”