Politics & Government

LIE Closures As Motor Parkway Construction Finishes Up

The Long Island Expressway is closed between Exits 55-56 eastbound, Exit 56 to 53 westbound overnight this week.

As Motor Parkway Bridge construction nears completion, local residents will have to deal with one last Long Island Expressway closure before construction is fully cleared. 

The Long Island Expressway will be closed overnight this week eastbound between Exits 55/Motor Parkway and Exit 56/Route 111, westbound from Exit 56/Route 111 to Exit 53/Sagtikos Parkway as necessary to clear away scaffolding, platforms and other structures used in reconstructing the Motor Parkway overpass, according to Suffolk County Department of Building Works. 

William Hillman, chief engineer for Suffolk County's Department of Public Works, said construction crews are nearing the end of the two-year project to entirely reconstruct the Motor Parkway bridge. The project involved redesigning the flow of traffic leading up to the overpass itself and reconstructing the deteriorated existing bridge. 

Find out what's happening in Commackwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The LIE will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. this week, allowing crews to safely deconstruct the construction platforms and remove materials via truck. 

Hillman said with rain in the forecast, he was unsure how many nights it would take but said he hopes to have the roadway fully reopened by late this week. 

Find out what's happening in Commackwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the meanwhile, drivers are being detoured onto the service roads creating heavy traffic in the areas. Commack and Hauppauge residents are advised to used alternative routes when possible, including the Northern State Parkway and Veterans Highway. 


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