May 1, 2018 By Tara Law
The state is kicking in additional funds to repave sections of the Grand Central Parkway, Nassau Expressway and the Long Island Expressway that were damaged in this year’s severe winter weather.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday that he is allocating an additional $100 million for repaving state-owned roads across the state as part of the “Harsh Winter Paving Initiative,” which is intended to improve safety and traffic flow along the affected roads.
The iniative will include an additional $2.7 million for 42 lane miles in New York City, including 34.3 lane miles on Queens. Work on the Queens roads will begin in October and last a few weeks for each project, a DOT spokesperson said.
The project will be in addition to $300 million already allocated for paving across the state.
The most extensive repaving project in Queens will take place on the Long Island Expressway. The governor designated $416,000 for repairs to 20.2 miles on the eastbound and westbound sides of the parkway, including the service road from 74th Street to Junction Boulevard.
Cuomo has allocated an additional $76,000 to repave three lane miles on the Grand Central Parkway by the entrance ramps of the Union Turnpike at Kew Gardens Interchange.
The eastbound side of the Nassau Expressway will be repaved from Crossbay Boulevard to Farmers Boulevard. An additional $324,000 has been allocated by Cuomo for this, a project that will encompass 11.1 lane miles.
In a statement, the governor spoke of the importance of maintaining the state’s infrastructure.
“These investments are critical to our transportation system and essential for community growth and regional economic competitiveness,” Cuomo said. “By infusing more than $100 million in state funds to revitalize our roads, we are enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers while ensuring every traveler remains safe throughout the Empire State.”
The state budget also included $65 million for extreme weather recovery along locally owned roads, as well as the separate $743 million allocation for road and bridge repair and modernization.