LIE rest stop at Exit 51 to include bathrooms, more parking

A controversial state Department of Transportation plan to expand a rest stop between exits 51 and 52 on the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills is moving forward.

New York State DOT Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll made the announcement Tuesday in a news release. The pared down version of a Taste NY Long Island Welcome Center will feature bathrooms, parking spaces for up to 135 passenger vehicles, improved lighting, 24/7 video monitoring and an on-site law enforcement presence.

Trucks will no longer be permitted to park at the rest stop. Driscoll said the DOT is exploring other options for trucks but did not elaborate.

“What we are talking about is a Taste New York Long Island Welcome Center which essentially informs visitors of locations in the region they can go to and support,” Driscoll said. “The location is centrally located where it is available to the highest density of users of the LIE.”

For almost two decades there have been discussions to upgrade the facility despite opposition from nearby residents concerned about quality-of-life issues associated with an expansion.

Assemb. Andrew Raia (R-East Northport), whose district includes the rest stop, said he got a call from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last week telling him the plan was moving forward.

“In the end, my job is to represent the community,” Raia said. “It’s their job to sell it. And if they do that, I’ll do whatever the community wants.”

He and Assemb. Chad Lupinacci (R-Huntington), whose district is next to Raia’s, are to meet with Driscoll Wednesday to get full details about the plan. Lupinacci said Tuesday he and his constituents still oppose it.

“I think the DOT will bring us up to speed because they never brought us up to speed the first time,” he said. “We never saw any renderings or site plans. Everything has been through news reports and secondhand information.”

Suffolk County Legis. Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) said he is “adamantly” opposed to the plan because the community does not support it.

Driscoll said that since last year he has been working with elected officials and has recently asked Huntington Town Supervisor Frank P. Petrone to put together meetings with stakeholders.

Petrone said it is time to improve the rest stop.

“These modifications are some of the things the community asked for, such as no trucks, a police presence, a smaller site,” Petrone said.

Sheila Saks, past president of the House Beautiful Civic Association in Dix Hills, said she opposes the plan and is upset that the DOT has presented it without community input. She, Raia and Lupinacci also have concerns about the possible sale of alcohol at the facility.

“Wine sales are out of the question and would never be accepted,” Saks said.

Driscoll said a decision on “featuring” wine at the welcome center has yet to be made.