Section 14-I. Long Island expressway; design and construction

1. The
  commissioner shall prepare an  environmental  impact  statement  on  the
  project  to add travel lanes to the Long Island expressway between exits
  forty-nine and fifty-seven in accordance with the provisions of  article
  eight of the environmental conservation law.
    2. The commissioner shall prepare an environmental impact statement on
  projects  to  add  travel lanes to the Long Island expressway from exits
  thirty to sixty-four in accordance with the provisions of article  eight
  of the environmental conservation law.
    3.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  law to the contrary, a
  project to add travel lanes to the Long Island expressway between  exits
  forty-nine  and  fifty-seven shall, for the purposes of this section, be
  deemed to have independent  utility  and  not  be  deemed  part  of  any
  long-range plan and other potential highway improvement projects on Long
  Island  are not to be deemed likely to be undertaken as a result thereof
  or to be dependent thereon.
    4. a. The design for the project to  add  travel  lanes  to  the  Long
  Island  expressway  between  exits  forty-nine  and  fifty-seven,  shall
  commence forthwith.  Such  design  shall  proceed  concurrent  with  the
  environmental  review  process  required  by  subdivision  one  of  this
  section, and may, to the extent necessary, focus on a design alternative
  or alternatives. Preparation of a design shall not be a commitment to an
  action by the department prior to the completion  of  the  environmental
  review process.
    b. The department shall not commence construction until the department
  has  considered  the  final  environmental  impact  statement  and  made
  findings pursuant to subdivision one of this section.
    c. The preparation of a design or designs shall not be deemed to  have
  prejudiced   any  decision-making  pursuant  to  article  eight  of  the
  environmental conservation law.