Assembly members Gunther and Skoufis secure $5 million to widen Route 17

ALBANY — With the passage of the 2018-19 New York State Budget, Assembly members Aileen Gunther and James Skoufis announced they have secured $5 million to advance the environmental and design activities related to the construction of a third travel lane along the Route 17 corridor in Orange and Sullivan counties.
Assemblywoman Gunther said,
“Tourism plays such a big role in our local economy," Gunther said in the release detailing the funding. "The recent opening of Resorts World: Catskills, the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Festival, the upcoming opening of the YO1 Center—they’re all such wonderful opportunities for people to come visit.
“But, with so many great things going on in our area, we need to make sure we have the infrastructure to support it," the assemblywoman added. "This funding helps accomplish that."
Skoufis added: “Anyone who has traveled Route 17 on a summer weekend knows how critical it is to widen the thoroughfare. Working with Assemblywoman Gunther and local stakeholders, advancing this project has been a top priority, particularly as the region's population and tourism continue to grow."
The State Department of Transportation completed its Route 17 corridor study in 2013, determining that a third lane would be the most effective and viable solution to the increased congestion.
The $5 million secured by Gunther and Skoufis in the recently enacted budget advances the project to its next phase – environmental and design activities – bringing the widening one step closer to reality.