Ocean Parkway Repaving Underway

Four months after Hurricane Sandy destroyed much of Ocean Parkway, the next step to repairing the gateway to several ocean-facing beaches is now underway.

Calling it the next milestone in a $32.2 million project, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that repaving of the roadway has started, less than 12 weeks before Memorial Day weekend and the start of beach season.

“Ocean Parkway is important to Long Island’s quality of life and economic well-being,” he said. “Local, state and federal agencies have worked quickly and collaboratively to repair parkway damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, and I’m pleased to report that we are on track and on budget for completing this project by Memorial Day.”

The effort to repair the parkway includes replacing a two-mile stretch destroyed near Gilgo Beach and rebuilding damaged lanes to the traffic circle in Robert Moses State Park. The project also is replacing five miles of protective sand dunes washed away by the storm and replenishing native vegetation along the dunes.

“Ocean Parkway is a critical and widely utilized roadway which brings residents and visitors to Long Island's beautiful south shore coastline,” said State Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., R-Merrick, Chairman of the Senate's Transportation Committee. “Completing this repair and restoration project by Memorial Day will ensure that the beaches and parks along the Ocean Parkway will be able to serve the millions of people who use them each summer.