Parsons Brinckerhoff was recently awarded a contract by the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning to conduct an Alternatives Analysis for Nicolls Road (Suffolk County Route 97) within the towns of Islip and Brookhaven on Long Island, New York. The study is focused on advancing Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone’s vision — as documented in the Connect Long Island Plan — of integrating transportation improvements and land use policy to unleash economic development potential for sustained, long-term economic growth.
Approximately 14 miles long, the Nicolls Road corridor is a significant contributor to Suffolk County’s economic base, as it is home to educational institutions, research facilities, a teaching hospital, office complexes, and retail centers. Including a branch connection to Ronkonkoma, Nicolls Road provides a link connecting three branches of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Islip MacArthur Airport. However, multi-modal connectivity is lacking, and travel choices are constrained due in part to sprawling auto-centered development patterns. Furthermore, existing traffic congestion limits mobility and is projected to get worse over time.
Therefore, the purpose of the Alternatives Analysis is to evaluate a range of route and modal alternatives that address existing and future transportation demand in the corridor, manage congestion, maximize environmental benefits, and enhance economic competitiveness. The study is expected to lead to the implementation of a fast, high-quality transit service connecting major trip generators and attractors and providing direct, convenient transit access.
The alternatives analysis is building upon the Suffolk County bus rapid transit (BRT) Feasibility Study and complements the Route 110 Alternatives Analysis, a parallel effort to advance the Connect Long Island Plan by improving north-south mobility and transit connectivity.
Parsons Brinckerhoff will provide overall project management for the Alternatives Analysis and will lead the transportation and environmental planning, financial analyses, and stakeholder outreach components of the project. The firm is also responsible for quality assurance/quality control activities and coordination with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The study will result in selection of a locally preferred alternative to advance project development and National Environmental Policy Act review with the FTA. The study is scheduled to be completed in late 2015.
