(Suffolk County, NY) – Following many months of discussions with NYS-DOT Region 10 officials, we are happy to announce that we have reached an agreement to expedite the "NY25 Asphalt Pavement Resurfacing NY347 to Adirondack Drive" project (ID #004248).

Prior to the multiple snowstorms that hit the area this winter, the NYS-DOT agreed to put this project into the 5 year Highway/Bridge plan. As the road conditions continued to deteriorate, Assemblyman Doug Smith and I, ramped up our discussions with NYS-DOT Region 10 Director, Richard Causin, who agreed to move the project up by 2 years to start in 2028. As this year's harsh weather caused even more damage to the roads, we continued to work with Director Causin, urging him to start the project as soon as possible. To his credit, Director Causin recognized the urgency and has indeed, moved the project to the following timeline. The "Letting process" (bidding process) for Project ID#004248 will begin this year, December of 2026, which will result in the winning bidder maintaining the roadway over the course of next Winter while also allowing them to start some of the non-paving prep work early, so they will be able to start the actual paving work when the "paving season" starts in the late Spring of 2027.

Meanwhile, as for the immediate pothole issue, Director Causin has also agreed to spend roughly $300K, under an existing "where & when" contract, to use a contractor that will fill potholes and perform maintenance duties on 5 particularly bad portions of NY25, between Rte. 347 and Adirondack Drive. Those 5 areas are...

NYS Route 25 between Adirondack Drive and Dare Road, NYS Route 25 between N. Evergreen to Boyle Road, NYS Route 25 between Highview Lane to Marshall Drive, NYS Route 25 between Crown Acres to Hammond Lane, NYS Route 25 between CR97 to Paula Avenue*

The remaining areas that are not being handled by the contractor, will be maintained and handled in-house by NYS-DOT personnel. We would also like to remind everyone that if they come across an open pothole on a state road that needs filling, please call 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800- 768-4653) to report it.

"I applaud and appreciate Director Causin's willingness to not only listen, but to work with us to find solutions. To get a major project such as this into the 5-year plan and then have it moved up multiple times to its earliest possible timeline, is certainly no easy feat," said Dean Murray, NYS Senator, 3rd District. "This is what happens when we have residents, community leaders, first responders and elected officials on all levels, working together," Murray added.

"I appreciate the NYS DOT, and in particular, Director Causin, for responding to local concerns and advancing the timeline for paving on Middle Country Rd. This work will help address the deteriorating conditions and improve safety for drivers, families and first responders who all use this roadway daily," said Doug Smith, NYS Assemblyman, 5th District.