Route 347 Project in Suffolk County Earns Regional Transportation Award

Route 347 Project in Suffolk County Earns Regional Transportation Award

NYSDOT’s safety, mobility and environmental improvements along the heavily traveled Suffolk County corridor recognized in 2026 America’s Transportation Awards

By Samantha Vogel | Long Island Daily News

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — A major reconstruction project along State Route 347 in Suffolk County has earned regional recognition for its safety, mobility and accessibility improvements, according to an Aug. 18 press release from the New York State Department of Transportation.

NYSDOT announced that its State Route 347 Safety, Mobility and Environmental Improvements Project was named a northeast regional winner in the prestigious 2026 America’s Transportation Awards competition.

The Route 347 project was recognized in the Operations Excellence, Large Project category.

A second New York project, safety and operational improvements along the Jackie Robinson Parkway in Brooklyn and Queens, was also recognized, earning honors in the Safety, Small Project category.

The two projects were among 11 state transportation projects from across the Northeast to receive regional recognition this year.

“On behalf of the incredible team of professionals at the New York State Department of Transportation, it is an honor to receive these awards for the projects we are advancing to enhance public safety and mobility for all users, improve connectivity in our communities and deliver growth and economic opportunity for all New Yorkers,” NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said in the release.

Route 347 Transformation Recognized

State Route 347 has evolved from a roadway once used by farmers into one of Suffolk County’s major commuter corridors.

As traffic volumes increased over the years, so did concerns surrounding congestion, crashes, mobility and accessibility.

According to NYSDOT, the reconstruction project addressed those issues through additional travel lanes, increased turning-lane capacity and upgraded intersections, including improved traffic-signal coordination.

The redesigned boulevard also includes a shared-use path, upgraded pedestrian facilities, green stops, bus pull-off areas and shelters designed to accommodate additional forms of transportation.

Accessibility improvements include infrastructure, roadway crossings, traffic signals and bus stations designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The project was recognized in the Operations Excellence category, which honors transportation projects that effectively use infrastructure, technology, partnerships, procedures and other existing transportation assets to produce cost-effective improvements.

Brookhaven Supervisor Praises Route 347 Work

Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Daniel J. Panico praised the project and the NYSDOT employees involved in its design and implementation.

“New York State Route 347 is one of the most heavily traveled roadways in Suffolk County, and that growing volume of traffic has demanded significant and careful attention from the traffic professionals at the New York State Department of Transportation,” Panico said in the release.

Panico specifically highlighted the project’s accessibility improvements.

“I’m pleased to see those professionals recognized by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for their work on a thoughtful and attractive design, particularly its focus on accessibility for people with disabilities,” he said.

Panico added that Brookhaven officials are looking forward to continued progress and the eventual completion of construction through the town.

Kassay: Improvements Making a Difference

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay also praised the Route 347 improvements, calling the highway an essential roadway for the district.

“These improvements are making a real difference for the residents, families, and businesses that rely on it every day,” Kassay said in the release.

She said the project has improved safety, mobility and accessibility while creating a more welcoming corridor for pedestrians and cyclists.

Federal Infrastructure Funding Highlighted

U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand pointed to federal infrastructure funding as an important component of transportation improvements in New York.

Schumer said federal funding delivered upgrades to both Route 347 — also known as the Smithtown Bypass — and the Jackie Robinson Parkway.

“When I passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it was to modernize local infrastructure, boost jobs and the economy, and make vital improvements in communities across New York — and that’s exactly what these projects have done,” Schumer said in the release.

Gillibrand said the recognition of both projects reflects the work that went into improving transportation infrastructure and said she was proud to have helped deliver federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Jackie Robinson Parkway Project Also Honored

NYSDOT’s $9.6 million Safety and Operational Improvements Project on the Jackie Robinson Parkway was recognized separately in the Safety, Small Project category.

The work focused on the area between Jamaica Avenue and Highland Boulevard, where NYSDOT reported crash rates substantially above the statewide average.

According to the department, engineering analysis indicates the improvements could reduce crashes by as much as 40%, particularly rear-end and sideswipe collisions.

The project also included ADA-compliant curb ramps, refreshed pavement markings, improved lighting and streetscape enhancements.

What’s Next for the Route 347 Project?

The America’s Transportation Awards are sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Projects compete regionally in categories including Quality of Life/Community Development, Operations Excellence, Best Use of Technology & Innovation and Safety.

Regional winners were selected from 30 projects submitted by eight states and the District of Columbia in the Northeast region.

Once regional competitions around the country are completed, the three highest-scoring projects from each region will advance to the Top 12, which is expected to be announced in early September.

Those projects will then compete for two national honors — the Grand Prize and People’s Choice Award.

The Grand Prize will be selected by an independent panel of transportation industry judges, while the People’s Choice Award will be determined through online public voting.

The national winners are expected to be announced during AASHTO’s annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, in November.

Each national winner will receive $10,000 to donate to a scholarship fund or charitable organization of its choice.

For Long Island motorists, the regional recognition puts a spotlight on the continuing transformation of Route 347, a roadway relied upon by thousands of Suffolk County residents, commuters and businesses.

This story is based on information provided in an Aug. 18, 2026 press release from the New York State Department of Transportation.