Beware the tides from above, as Halloween-coded spookytime has seemingly arrived a day early this year.
Getting ahead of the forecasted floodgates of rainfall expected to sweep across Long Island as afternoon made way for evening on Thursday, October 30th, the New York State Department of Transportation implemented a series of overnight closures for safety reasons.
Motorists traveling westbound on Sunrise Highway (State Route 27) through the Town of Brookhaven were advised that Exit 59 to Exit 57 — Wading River Road to Yaphank Avenue and Horseblock Road, respectively — would be shut down temporarily.
The closure, beginning at 9 p.m. and lasting until 5 a.m. the following morning, was put in place as part of proactive storm response measures.
Drivers impacted by this type of shutdown should anticipate being detoured. In Thursday’s night’s case, they were redirected onto North Service Road to southbound Wading River Road for approximately a half mile, then to southbound Brookfield Avenue for about one mile, continuing onto westbound Moriches Bypass (Suffolk County Route 98).
From there, traffic would merge onto westbound Montauk Highway (Suffolk County Route 80) for roughly five miles before connecting to northbound Horseblock Road, leading back to accessible westbound Sunrise Highway.
Translated: when the roads are this wet, expect the New York State Department of Transportation to have you covered.
According to the department, its mission is to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.
“Lives are on the line,” they profess. “Slow down and move over for highway workers!”
As heavy rain looms and travel conditions deteriorate, officials continue urging caution on all state roadways.
For ongoing updates, visit the state Department of Transportation's official website: dot.ny.gov.