Pols, Labor Leaders To Call For Widening Of Sunrise Highway, Starting In Patchogue

PATCHOGUE, NY — A group of Suffolk pols and labor officials plan to call for the widening of Sunrise Highway at a news conference in Patchogue on Tuesday, according to a release from Sen. Dean Murray's office.

The group, including state and county officials, will appear alongside labor representatives, calling for the roadway to be continued from Patchogue with a three-lane portion for an additional roughly 10 miles on both the eastbound and westbound sides to reach Wading River Road at Exit 59.

The group will gather at the southwest portion of the parking lot of ShopRite on Sunrise Highway in Patchogue at noon.

In addition to Murray, the group will include Assemb. Joseph DeStefano, County Executive Ed Romaine, Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo, and legislators Jim Mazzarella and Dominick Thorne.

It will also include representatives from South Country Ambulance, Executive Director of the Long Island Contractors Association Marc Herbst, Business Manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers' Local 138 John Duffy, and a representative of South Country Ambulance.

The proposal is the latest measure to address increased traffic congestion in the region. Last month, Murray said there have been discussions about an underpass at the intersection of William Floyd Parkway and the Long Island Rail Road tracks.

Residents in Mastic-Shirley recently sounded the alarm about increased traffic congestion in the region. The Mastic Park Civic Association will host a meeting to discuss the issue of traffic congestion on Wednesday at the Mastic Firehouse.