$115 million closer
| 07 Apr 2016 | 06:27
Source: New York State Department of Transportation The plan to renovate the Route 17 Exit 131 area in Woodbury includes a new loop ramp allowing streamlined access to the Thruway, widening parts of Routes 6 and 32; and removal of two traffic lights.
Photo by Linda Mastrogiacoma Assemblyman James Skoufis discusses plans for the reconfiguration of the Route 17 Exit 131 area at a press conference last Monday at the Central Valley Elementary School. Among the attendees were Woodbury Supervisor David Sutz, Woodbury Mayor Michael Queenan, Harriman Mayor Stephen Welle, members of the town and village boards as well as representatives from Woodbury Community Ambulance and the Woodbury Police Department.
By Daniel Stimpfle
CENTRAL VALLEY — There was reason to cheer this week, as Assemblyman James Skoufis announced that the recently approved state budget includes money for the long awaited - and long overdue in the opinion of many - renovations at Exit 131, near Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.
The new plans will help streamline traffic coming from the shopping area by eliminating a traffic light and by allowing drivers make a right hand turn onto an on ramp which will lead to Route 17 and connect with the New York State Thruway.
The bridge spanning Route 17 will also have to be rebuilt, allowing to additional height and for six lanes to accommodate traffic.
A proposal first raised in the 1990s
Mayor Michael Queenan of the Village of Woodbury said that this project has been talked about for since the early 90s.
Queenan said that he and other residents of the town of Woodbury have been contacting officials in written letters asking for the project to be the completed.
The project was eventually scheduled to begin in 2013 with a second phase beginning in 2017.
However, the funds were then redirected for other roadway projects in the state.
“Obviously traffic has been increasing all over Orange County and it will continue to grow, especially with the new casino being built in Sullivan County,” Queenan said. “They (the state) should get the project done as soon as possible.”
As soon as ....
Gina DiSarro, a public information officer for the state transportation department, said that the project is part of the Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to boost statewide mobility and help economic development.
There remains many steps to be taken before construction can begin. This includes finalizing the project, acquiring property, easements, and holding bids for construction of the project.
According to the DOT’s website, the plan is not scheduled to begin until winter of 2021/2022 and is scheduled to be completed to following fall.
Why this is important
Skoufis said the reasons why this project is important to the area are many:
Traffic at the thoroughfare can be so congested that traveling one mile can take up to an hour during peak shopping days.
Likewise, emergency vehicles have reportedly been held up by the jams, elevating the problem from a quality of life issue to a public safety concern.
“Working with Woodbury officials who have pushed for this project for decades, I made the Exit 131 funding my number one local priority during this year’s state budget negotiations,” Skoufis said. “Now that I’ve secured the $115 million to move forward, local residents can look forward to a significantly more streamlined and efficient interchange.”
Skoufis celebrated the success alongside community leaders during the press conference at Central Valley Elementary School. Among the attendees were Woodbury Supervisor David Sutz, Woodbury Mayor Michael Queenan, Harriman Mayor Stephen Welle, members of the town and village boards as well as representatives from Woodbury Community Ambulance and the Woodbury Police Department.