What you need to know about the Southern State Parkway Exit 13 and Exit 15 redesign in Valley Stream

The dizzying traffic flow at the six-road convergence of Exit 13 on the Southern State Parkway in Valley Stream has long been a daily concern for drivers and residents alike. Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, a Democrat representing Elmont, has worked to end the interchange’s bloody saga of traffic deaths, collisions, and near-misses.

In 2022, Solages secured $20 million in federal funding for a long-awaited redesign through Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $32.8 billion five-year capital plan for the New York State Department of Transportation. Now the proposed redesign is in a new phase.

The DOT will host a public information meeting on May 8 at Elmont Memorial High School to present the proposed “realignment” of the eastbound entrance and exit ramps. The project aims to improve safety by reducing congestion and high-risk mergers on the interchange.

“Consistently through the years, we’ve had bandages — signal fixes, lighting patterns changed, traffic control measures — but we needed a complete redesign,” said Solages

“Through my advocacy, we secured the funding, and we’ve all been working together to move a redesign of that exit.”

While the DOT’s proposal focuses on realigning the eastbound entrance and exit ramps, some long-term residents voiced concerns that broader traffic safety issues at the intersection may go unaddressed.

Back in 2018, community members put forward their suggestions to improve the chaotic junction through a Change.org petition organized by resident Nayyer Zubair, including:

• Installing dedicated left-turn lanes and signals on Central Avenue to facilitate safer turns onto Stuart Avenue in both directions.
• Upgrading nighttime lighting to enhance pedestrian visibility and safety.
• Adding traffic cameras to deter red light violations and other dangerous driving behaviors.

It remains unclear whether these proposals have been incorporated into the DOT’s current blueprint. However, the upcoming public meeting offers residents another chance to voice these concerns and push for comprehensive improvements.

Exit 15 reconstruction underway 

Then, roughly 1.3 miles east, work is underway at Exit 15 on the Southern State Parkway to improve safety and traffic at one of North Valley Stream’s busiest traffic spots.

The DOT is nixing the southbound exit ramp at Exit 15 on the Southern State Parkway in North Valley Stream. All traffic will instead exit via a redesigned northbound ramp, Exit 15N, which will split into two southbound lanes and one northbound lane—consolidating the flow of more than 8,000 daily vehicles into a single intersection on Corona Avenue.

State officials say the change is designed to eliminate conflict points that frequently lead to rear-end and sideswipe collisions. The overhaul replaces two short, outdated ramps—neither of which currently has a traffic signal—with a single ramp outfitted with new safety features.

These include a new traffic light at the base of the ramp and pedestrian upgrades like new crosswalks, curb ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and expanded waiting zones.

Vehicles traveling westbound will access both northbound and southbound Corona Avenue through the enhanced Exit 15N ramp, which will be located at the site of the current westbound-to-northbound exit.

DOT crash data highlights the urgency behind the change. Between July 2016 and June 2019, there were 94 reported accidents in the area, with the highest concentration—32 incidents—occurring along the stretch between Exit 16N and 15N.

Another 31 crashes were recorded between Exit 15N and 15S. The Exit 15S ramp alone logged 18 mostly minor collisions, while Exit 15N saw 13, including five involving injuries.

Local stakeholders support the redesign, even if their input wasn’t directly sought during the planning phase.

Judith LaRocca, superintendent of the Valley Stream District 13, said the nearby James A. Dever School has not experienced traffic disruptions tied to the interchange, but still welcomed the safety improvements. “Any measure that enhances student and pedestrian safety is a plus,” she said.

The project also stands to benefit Long Island Jewish Valley Stream, the nearest hospital. “Governor Hochul’s infrastructure project will ease congestion, improve safety, and streamline access near LIJ Valley Stream,” said Jason Tan, the hospital’s president. “We expect these upgrades will help patients, visitors, and emergency services reach us more quickly—ultimately benefiting the entire community we serve.”

While media scrutiny has recently spotlighted the dangers of the Southern State Parkway, the Exit 15 project has been years in the making.

The DOT first approved its Initial Project Proposal in August 2018 in response to a review by the Regional Safety and Mobility Asset Management Committee, which flagged the interchange as a persistent hazard.

The project is the latest in a series of state-funded capital improvements  targeting high-risk corridors across Long Island.

Have an opinion on this article? Send an email to jlasso@liherald.com.