GOSHEN – U.S. Senator Charles Schumer
is calling for quick movement on the planned expansion of Route 17 from
Harriman to Wallkill. He also wants that widening extended into Sullivan
County, all the way to Monticello.
Speaking at a park and ride overlooking Route 17 in Goshen, Schumer said
that with construction of a new casino in Sullivan County set to begin,
more vehicular traffic along Route 17 is expected.
Schumer, left, has the support of Orange County Chamber of Commerce
President Lynn Cione, State Assemblyman James Skoufis
and Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus
The current plan proposed by the New York State Department of Transportation
is to expand Route 17 from two lanes to three, in both directions, but
the expansion would not extend into Sullivan County, even though the need
for more lanes is now greater than ever before.
The current estimate for doing the project is $400 million. The senator
said that in order to extend the expansion into Sullivan County, a mix
of federal, state and private funds will be needed. Therefore, Schumer
said he will be pushing to pass a large infrastructure bill in this Congress,
because it would help pump federal money into projects like the Route
17 expansion that are critical for economic development.
