New York State Department of Transportation Reconstruction of NY 347: Decongesting & Going Green

The “Vision Plan for a Green Route 347” was started by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in 2009. This comprehensive plan aims to improve safety and alleviate congestion on the heavily traveled NYS Route 347 in Suffolk County. Originally built when the area was primarily farmland, Route 347, also known as the Smithtown Bypass, now accommodates over 70,000 vehicles daily. The project involves widening roadways, incorporating a bike and shared-use pedestrian path, and supplying amenities for transit riders. The initiative, known as “Green Route 347,” has been recognized with NYSDOT GreenLITES Engineering Evergreen environmental sustainability awards.

GPI played a key role in the design of the comprehensive roadway reconstruction and widening project for NY 347, NY 111, NY 25, and 12 side streets. The design included adding lanes, widening streets, constructing a raised planted median, renovating traffic signals, building noise and retaining walls, managing drainage system reconstruction, overseeing building demolitions, and coordinating with a subsurface utility engineering (SUE) subcontractor. GPI also designed a shared-use path, creating a linear park with designated “Green Stops,” educational kiosks, green infrastructure such as bioswales for stormwater management, solar lighting, shade structures, bike racks, and benches. The project received recognition with an ACEC New York Platinum Award for Engineering Excellence in Transportation.