According to statistics from the DOT, over 19,000 trucks, on the average, drive daily on the Long Island Expressway. Currently the only inspection point is at exit 66 on the expressway and in 1996, when inspections first began there, almost all trucks failed the inspection. This number dropped to 50 percent by the year 2000, according to information from the DOT.

According to the DOT, the goals of this project are to improve highway safety and reduce commercial vehicle-related crashes, help enhance enforcement of existing regulations regarding commercial vehicle equipment; decrease public exposure to hazardous materials and to improve air quality.

While designing the project, engineers followed certain criteria, which included minimum disruptions to the surrounding community; minimum impacts to the existing traffic patterns on the LIE and local roadways, little or no property taking sand the site needed to be accessible to the LIE.

The selected site was recommended as it provides enough width to fit the facility, involved no property taking as the land is currently state-owned, inflicts minimum impact on the surrounding community, is in close proximity to a commercial area and the site will not affect traffic patterns or volumes on the LIE and local streets.

The DOT emphasized many points through their presentation at the meeting. The facility will not be used as a rest area, there will be no permanent buildings on the site and inspections will be performed only on commercial vehicles traveling eastbound, as westbound traffic will not be diverted to the site.

The DOT will operate the facility in cooperation with the Nassau County and State Police. The DOT maintenance department will maintain the site. The site will be open on a random schedule established by law enforcement personnel and will be locked whenever it is not in use. The site will be closed and locked at both ends when there are no inspections. Two gates are provided and there will be a 6-foot high chain link fence along the south side to block any intrusions into the site. Lighting will help enhance security of the facility and there will be police presence when inspections are performed.

A maximum of 20 trucks are expected to be inspected during a five-hour operation and, according to the DOT, the facility will not generate any significant increase in traffic volumes on the service road or expressway. Inspectors will be checking the mechanical systems of the truck including brakes, suspension and engine, the cargo and also the driver.

The Nassau County Police and New York State Police, along with the DOT Motor Vehicle Inspectors will perform he inspections. If a driver or a truck is found in violation, the infraction must be corrected before they leave the checkpoint. This may mean towing the truck, arranging for a new driver to pick up the truck, having a mechanic come and fix the problem on the spot or leaving the truck there until the company comes and gets it. There are enough parking spaces included in the plan to accommodate eight trucks if they fail the inspection and remain out of service. It will take approximately 30-45 minutes to inspect each truck.

The estimated construction costs are $2.6 million with 90 percent of the funding coming from federal aid funds and 10 percent from state funds. An approximate schedule released from the Department of Transportation includes the design approval in the summer of 2003, with construction beginning in the spring of 2004. The construction should last approximately 12 months.

The DOT is asking for public comment. Residents who were unable to attend the meeting or who wish to comment are encouraged to send their comments before April 16 to Anna Elias, Project Manager; NYS Department of Transportation; 250 Veterans Memorial Highway; Hauppauge, NY, 11788 and refer to PIN022922. Please call 631-952-6661 with any questions.