Sysco workers mark 'topping out' in C. Islip

Workers at the Sysco Corp. project in Central Islip, one of the largest construction projects on Long Island, marked a milestone at the site Wednesday.

Installation of the steel superstructure is due for completion shortly, so workers held a small ceremony to mark the “topping out.” One of the final beams to be installed had been painted white, and workers at the site, at 199 Lowell Ave., signed their names on it. The beam will be hoisted into place later this week.

Barney Reilly, senior project manager with Aurora Contractors, the Ronkonkoma-based company hired by Sysco, said the project is “on time and on budget.”

Sysco, the nation’s largest food service distributor, is building 412,000 square feet of dry- and cold-storage facilities and an administration area at the 45-acre former Waldbaum’s site.

The project, which received Islip Town Industrial Development Agency assistance, will bring 185 new jobs, with average salaries of about $63,100, within two years of starting operations, according to the town.

More than 100 local residents are currently employed at the site, Reilly said, and 1,500 in total would be employed through the course of construction. Only local labor has been involved even when outside contractors were needed, he said.

The project is due for completion in April, with Sysco expected to open for operations next summer.