Middle Country Road in Suffolk County Keeps Getting Worse as Potholes Cause Daily Crashes in Selden and Centereach

Middle Country Road in Suffolk County — already ranked among the deadliest roads in New York State — is getting even more dangerous this spring as hundreds of potholes left by a brutal winter are causing daily crashes in Selden and Centereach, according to local officials and first responders.

The 10-mile stretch of State Route 25 through central Suffolk County has long been a problem. But this year, residents and lawmakers say the situation has crossed a line. Two cars overturned on the road within a 24-hour span recently, and first responders report that their own ambulances are being slowed down by drivers swerving to dodge craters in the pavement.

Nearly 200 Potholes Between Routes 83 and 347 in Brookhaven

Suffolk County officials have counted nearly 200 potholes in the corridor between Routes 83 and 347 in the Town of Brookhaven. Some have been described as crater-sized.

Surveillance footage from businesses along the stretch shows vehicles flipping, spinning out, and colliding — sometimes multiple times per day. Drivers are forced to zigzag between lanes to avoid the worst damage, which is creating secondary accidents.

State Commits $300,000 for Emergency Repairs on Route 25

After pressure from Suffolk County legislators and local advocacy groups, the New York State Department of Transportation has agreed to fast-track repairs. The state has committed $300,000 for emergency pothole patching this spring and will begin the bidding process in December 2026 for a full resurfacing project on Route 25 between Route 347 and Adirondack Drive.

The larger repaving project has been moved up from 2028 to 2027 — still more than a year away for residents dealing with the road daily. This comes as Long Island receives $60 million for pothole repairs as part of a massive statewide fix-it campaign.

What This Means for Suffolk County Drivers

If you drive Middle Country Road regularly through Selden, Centereach, or Lake Grove, keep your speed down and stay alert for sudden lane changes from other drivers. Check your tires and suspension regularly — the potholes are deep enough to cause serious vehicle damage. Drivers on other troubled corridors, like those dealing with Levittown commuters bracing for 2026 state road repaving disruptions, are facing similar challenges across the island this season.

Residents can report potholes on state roads by calling the NYSDOT hotline at 511 or submitting a report online through the NYSDOT website.

Source: CBS New York, News 12, PIX11, South Shore Press