ALBANY – The plan to add a third lane in both directions of Route 17 from Harriman to Monticello is taking a giant step forward as the new state budget includes $5 million for environmental and design studies for the project.
Previous studies have been sitting on a shelf for years.
The new effort will essentially prepare the plans for a shovel-ready
project so that when a sizeable amount of funding is available to begin
construction, it can start immediately, said Orange County Partnership
President Maureen Halahan, who along with the Orange County Citizens Foundation
and Sullivan County Partnership spearheaded the effort to secure the new
funding. She said the new plan will take a global look at the traffic
situation on the highway.
“How can we make this road accessible right away and then for future generations, but we had to do something right away,” Halahan said. “The casino just opened. They are not the cause; they are not the cause of the traffic. Amy’s [Kitchen] hasn’t opened yet, neither has Legoland, and we already have traffic, so we need to take a focus on this right away and then a real global look at what this should look like in the next five to 10 years.”
The funding was secured by Senator John Bonacic and Assembly Members Aileen Gunther and James Skoufis.
Teen reported shot in Beacon Thursday night
May 3, 2024
