ROSLYN HEIGHTS — Upgrades to a deadly stretch of more than seven miles of the Long Island Expressway began on Monday. Since 2001, 25 police officers have been struck conducting stops on the side of the road between exits 34 and 41 along the LIE, according to reports. The stretch will be under construction during off-peak hours and drivers should expect road closures between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday.

The LIE safety improvements come more than a year after Highway Patrol Officer Michael Califano, 44, was killed when a truck struck his car on the shoulder of the LIE near the Glen Cove overpass. By the end of the year, officials hope to construct a total of 10 more emergency pull-offs between exits 34 and 41.