Route 347 to be Closed Nightly Starting Sunday

New York state officials warn local drivers that a large section of Route 347 in Hauppauge will be closed nightly for paving starting Sunday.

New York State Department of Transportation says Route 347/Nesconset Highway will be completely closed starting Sept. 30 between Route 454/Veterans Highway and Route 111/Wheeler Road in Hauppauge on Sunday to Thursday nights. The closures will last approximately six weeks, weather permitting.

All the eastbound lanes of Route 347/Nesconset Highway will be closed each night from 10 p.m. - 6 a.m, according to the DOT. The westbound lanes of Route 347 will be closed from 9 p.m. - 5 a.m. Construction workers may begin by closing down a single lane on Mondays to Thursday as early as 6 p.m. for westbound lanes, 7 p.m. for eastbound direction.

Eileen Peters, spokeswoman for the DOT, said the closures will allow final pavement of the expansions done under the $27 NY Route 347 improvement project. Started in August 2010, the Route 347 Safety, Mobility and Environmental Improvement project aims to expand a 15-mile stretch of the highway by expanding to three lanes traveling in each direction, lowering the speed limit, and installing a shared-use pedestrian and bike lane along the south side to encourage eco-friendly modes of transportation.

Route 111/Wheeler Road will remain open while the Route 347 closures in effect, but a single travel lane may be closed from Sundays - Thursday nights, 10 p.m. - 5 p.m, according to DOT.

DOT officials said motorists will be warned in advance of the road closures by electronic road signs, but should plan to use alternative routes. All emergency services, local businesses, school districts, elected officials and the Town of Smithtown have been notified.

Under recent New York State law, drivers are required to move over one lane for all hazard vehicles that display spinning amber or yellow lights, including construction vehicles, according to the DOT. Drivers must move over one lane or reduce their speed when a vehicle with amber, red, white or blue flashing lights is on the road.

For up-to-date traffic and travel information on Route 347 or other roadways, drivers can call 511, visit their website or view the INFORM Transportation Management cameras online.