Massive hole carved from the earth signals next step for Route 347

Bridge construction expected to start in late 2028

Drivers navigating the busy intersection of Nicolls Road and Route 347 may have noticed something hard to miss: a massive hole carved into the ground on the northeast corner of the corridor.

According to the New York State Department of Transportation, the excavation comes as part of ongoing drainage and infrastructure improvements tied to the broader reconstruction of Route 347 in Suffolk County.

“The work that’s happening now is for the current phase of the Route 347 reconstruction between Hallock Road and Nicolls Road,” a state DOT spokesperson told Greater Long Island.

The basin comes as part of a long-anticipated project aimed at modernizing the heavily traveled corridor with new traffic flow patterns, pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, and stormwater upgrades.

State officials have said the ultimate centerpiece of this stretch will be a new grade-separated interchange at Nicolls Road, replacing the existing at-grade intersection with a bridge intended to ease congestion and improve safety.

In a previously issued announcement, Gov. Kathy Hochul outlined what the state described as an accelerated timeline for the Route 347 project.

The DOT spokesperson said the current timeline for the project remains accurate, sharing this announcement from last year:

“Originally scheduled to start in 2034, the Department of Transportation is now progressing the project to begin construction on the bridge in late 2028 to minimize future construction costs while reducing travel times for motorists.”

The Route 347 reconstruction has been years in the making, with state leaders describing it as a transformative investment for Suffolk County commuters.

“Reliable, accessible transportation is the backbone of every society and is a right every community must have, which is why I’m proud to support and celebrate this much-needed project in Suffolk County,” Hochul said in March of 2025.