Cuomo: Better transportation
means better economy
CENTRAL VALLEY – The schedule for the $150 million Woodbury interchange
project has been moved up so that construction will begin this fall and
be completed by November 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday.
Cuomo came to Central Valley on Sunday to announce that the completion
date of the work will be moved up from 2024 to 2019. It will include improvements
to the Route 32, Route 17 and the Thruway and bolster Woodbury Common’s
tourism draw, all while reducing congestion in the region.
A better transportation system will mean more economic development and
jobs, the governor said.
“A transportation system is directly linked to your economic capacity.
If you can’t get there, you can’t grow the jobs, period,”
he said.
Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano attended the announcement some 20 miles
from his city.
“It’s significant for the whole region, not just Middletown.
The flow of traffic up 17 is going to be key with Legoland, Montreign
casino, Woodbury Common and economic development for the region,”
he said.
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney noted it will alleviate the traffic congestion
in the area.
“It means we can all go shopping at Woodbury Common and now spend
a half hour in traffic trying to get in and out of there,” he said.
Woodbury Common General Manager David Mistretta said by moving the project
up by one year it “will provide a long-term growth and opportunity
for our area.”
