The following comments were submitted on December 3rd, 2018 to the New York State Department of Transportation. Interested in supporting The Foggiest Idea’s award-winning reporting and analysis? Click here.
To the New York State Department of Transportation team working on the Oakdale Merge Project:
My name is Richard Murdocco, and I am writing to share my thoughts regarding the remediation of Sunrise Highway (NYS 27)’s Oakdale merge corridor.
As part of the research process for its award-winning body of analytical and reported work on Long Island’s land use and development issues, The Foggiest Idea regularly reviews infrastructural improvements being considered by policymakers that directly impact Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
The Oakdale merge has long been an impediment for Long Islanders who travel on the south shore, and I am glad to see that the NYS DOT is actively engaging with the public before taking corrective action. Based on current needs and projected increased demand in the region, it is critical that the DOT take any necessary action, including the encroachment into protected lands within Connetquot State Park, to increase traffic flow and capacity at this harmful bottleneck.
With the series of options available to the agency, it is The Foggiest Idea’s recommendation that the DOT pursue At-Grade option 6, which would create four new travel lanes and widen the highway by an additional 50 feet. This option would not only alleviate present traffic issues, but properly mitigate future increases in demand as well.
With a series of sizable mixed-use real estate developments in the region’s developmental pipeline, expansions such as these will be necessary with increasing frequency in the coming years.
I look forward to following the DOT’s progress on this project, and would be happy to discuss my recommendations further as needed.
Sincerely –
Richard Murdocco
Founder/President
The Foggiest Idea Inc.
