The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will be opening its first new highway maintenance facility on Long Island in 12 years. 

The new Elwood yard, located in the town of Huntington, will provide a centrally located hub for DOT operations to facilitate highway maintenance activities and more efficient snow and ice removal operations during winter weather. The yard features the latest technology and clean energy initiatives to help safeguard the environment and better serve Long Island drivers, according to NYSDOT.

“The Department of Transportation has one of the most elite snow fighting forces in the nation and this state-of-the art facility will help our dedicated workers do their jobs even better and be ready for the ever-growing consequences of extreme weather," State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said. "This new yard is evidence of Governor Hochul and DOT’s focus on providing Long Islanders with a safe and reliable transportation network that they deserve.”

The new work area will replace the outdated Melville North yard on the North Service Road. More centrally located for snow plowing beats, the facility has capacity for 2500 tons of salt, ten large dump trucks with snowplows, and other equipment such as generators, lawn mowers, woodchippers, and water pumps. 

The 20 workers based at this new yard will be responsible for maintaining approximately 150 lane miles of state roads, performing such task as filling potholes, guiderail repairs, and street sweeping. Areas in this jurisdiction include:

• Northern State Parkway between the Nassau/Suffolk County line and Commack Road;

• State Route 110 between the Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495) and Youngs Hill Road;

• State Route 25 between the Nassau/Suffolk County line and Commack Road;

• State Route 25A between the Nassau/Suffolk County line and Bread and Cheese Hollow Road; and

• State Route 108 between Woodbury Road and Lawrence Hill Road.

To lessen the carbon footprint and promote a cleaner environment, the facility features exterior and interior LED lighting, plug-in stations for DOT’s vehicles, and a high-efficiency heating system.  

As the winter is kicking off, DOT is accepting job applications for highway maintenance workers/snowplow operators, mechanics, engineers, and office staff.  A candidate must be at least 18 years old and pass a physical and drug test. Qualified candidates can stop by a local DOT residency, a Regional Fleet shop, or find more information on NYSDOT’s website.