What's happening
This bill requires a study and report on improving safety, ramps, and signage on the Southern State Parkway in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Why it matters
Addresses a persistent safety issue. By mandating an in-depth study of ramp and signage design, this bill recognizes ongoing concerns with collisions and wrong-way driving on the Southern State Parkway—problems that have led to accidents and fatalities.
Brings together multiple stakeholders. The legislation requires collaboration among state and local agencies, law enforcement, and traffic safety experts, increasing the likelihood that the study’s recommendations will be practical, comprehensive, and locally informed.
Explores funding opportunities. The study is specifically tasked with identifying federal funding sources for safety improvements, which could lead to actionable projects without placing the full financial burden on state or local taxpayers.
Sets a clear timeline and accountability. By requiring a formal report with recommendations within two years, the bill creates a timeline for action and ensures that findings and proposals will be shared with both state and local leaders, increasing transparency and the potential for follow-through.
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Who cares
New York State Department of Transportation
The bill would require the department to study Southern State Parkway ramp configurations and signage in Nassau and Suffolk counties and report findings and recommendations within two years.
Department of Motor Vehicles, Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and local police agencies
These agencies would be consulted on whether existing safety measures adequately prevent collisions and wrong-way driving.
Nassau and Suffolk transportation entities and local governments
Local stakeholders would be consulted, and county executives and legislatures would receive the study’s findings and recommendations.
Southern State Parkway drivers
The study would assess potential ramp and signage changes intended to improve safety, increase sign visibility and reduce collisions and wrong-way driving.
Headline styles
Study Parkway Safety Ramps
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Southern State Parkway Safety
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4541
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 17, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BROOKS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the transportation law, in relation to a Southern State Parkway study; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The transportation law is amended by adding a new section 23 to read as follows:
§ 23. Southern State Parkway study. 1. The department, in consultation with the department of motor vehicles, the governor's traffic safety committee, local police agencies, local transportation entities in Nassau and Suffolk counties, local government stakeholders, and any other agency or group the department deems necessary to enlist the aid of, shall conduct a study to evaluate the configuration of entrance and exit ramps, and signage at entrance ways and exits on the Southern State Parkway in Nassau and Suffolk counties to determine whether adequate safety measures exist to prevent collisions and the instances of wrong way drivers. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, design and safety of the configuration and signage of entrance and exit ramps; the feasibility of implementing design changes to increase safety and reduce the likelihood of collisions and wrong way driving; the feasibility of implementing signage design changes to increase driver visibility of such signage and reduce the likelihood of a collision and wrong way driving; and federal funding available for highway safety improvement projects. The department is authorized to conduct any hearings it deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section.
2. The commissioner shall issue a report to the governor, the members of the assembly and senate representing districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties, the Nassau and Suffolk county executives, and the Nassau and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10094-01-7
S. 4541 2
Suffolk county legislatures with detailed recommendations and findings within two years of the effective date of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed on and after two years and six months after such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the transportation law, in relation to a Southern State Parkway study; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill directs the department of transportation to evaluate the configuration of entrance and exit ramps, and signage at entrance ways and exits on the Southern State Parkway in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Summary of specific provisions
Amends the transportation law by adding a new section 23 to read as follows:
§ 1. The department, in consultation with the department of motor vehicles, the governor's traffic safety committee, local police agencies, local transportation entities in Nassau and Suffolk counties, local government stakeholders, and any other agency or group the department deems necessary to enlist the aid of, shall conduct a study to evaluate the configuration of entrance and exit ramps, and signage at entrance ways and exits on the Southern State Parkway in Nassau and Suffolk counties to determine whether adequate safety measures exist to prevent collisions and the instances of wrong way drivers. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, design and safety of the configuration and signage of entrance and exit ramps; the feasibility of implementing design changes to increase safety and reduce the likelihood of collisions and wrong way driving; the feasibility of implementing signage design changes to increase driver visibility of such signage and reduce the likelihood of a collision and wrong way driving; and federal funding available for highway safety improvement projects. The department is authorized to conduct any hearings it deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of this act.
§ 2. The commissioner shall issue a report to the governor, the members of the Assembly and Senate representing districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties, the Nassau and Suffolk county executives, and the Nassau and Suffolk county legislatures with detailed recommendations and findings within two years of the effective date of this act.
Justification
Numerous fatal accidents have occurred on the Southern State Parkway in Nassau and Suffolk counties due to outdated engineering and configuration of entrance and exit ramps and their corresponding signage. The design and construction of the Southern State Parkway began in 1926, with the first section of the parkway opening in 1927. The width, grade, and shoulder of entrance and exit ramps were designed at a time when fewer and smaller vehicles traveled at slower speeds, and are dangerous in the modern day.
The Southern State Parkway, a limited access highway, is one of Long Island's most heavily traveled roads. It begins in Elmont, Nassau County, at an interchange with the Belt Parkway and Cross Island Parkway, and continues 25.53 miles east to an interchange with the Sagtikos State Parkway in West Islip, Suffolk County. Recently, a study by the New York State Department of Transportation found that the parkway has five out of ten of Long Island's most deadly driving spots. To ensure the safety of all drivers and to save lives, it is imperative that the Department of Transportation address this issue by conducting a study to find solutions that update the antiquated design and configuration of signage and entrance and exit ramps on the Southern State Parkway.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.