N.Y. Transportation Law § 14-i: Long Island expressway; design and construction

§ 14-i. Long Island expressway; design and construction. 1. The

commissioner shall prepare an environmental impact statement on the

project to add travel lanes to the Long Island expressway between exits

forty-nine and fifty-seven in accordance with the provisions of article

eight of the environmental conservation law.

2. The commissioner shall prepare an environmental impact statement on

projects to add travel lanes to the Long Island expressway from exits

thirty to sixty-four in accordance with the provisions of article eight

of the environmental conservation law.

3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a

project to add travel lanes to the Long Island expressway between exits

forty-nine and fifty-seven shall, for the purposes of this section, be

deemed to have independent utility and not be deemed part of any

long-range plan and other potential highway improvement projects on Long

Island are not to be deemed likely to be undertaken as a result thereof

or to be dependent thereon.

4. a. The design for the project to add travel lanes to the Long

Island expressway between exits forty-nine and fifty-seven, shall

commence forthwith. Such design shall proceed concurrent with the

environmental review process required by subdivision one of this

section, and may, to the extent necessary, focus on a design alternative

or alternatives. Preparation of a design shall not be a commitment to an

action by the department prior to the completion of the environmental

review process.

b. The department shall not commence construction until the department

has considered the final environmental impact statement and made

findings pursuant to subdivision one of this section.

c. The preparation of a design or designs shall not be deemed to have

prejudiced any decision-making pursuant to article eight of the

environmental conservation law.