TOWN OF WALLKILL – If all goes according to plan, you could see a third lane in each direction on Route 17 by 2029-2030.
State transportation department officials and their consultants explained the process at two public sessions in the Town of Wallkill on Wednesday.
The environmental process has just begun, said DOT project manager Mark Kruk.
“We are just getting started with preliminary design. We are looking to do a notice of intent that goes to the Federal Highway Administration this spring,” he said. A draft environmental impact statement could be completed by the end of 2025.
Not everyone supports the plan to add a third lane from Woodbury to the Monticello area.
Mike Edelstein is founder of Orange Environment and he is concerned about impacts as related to climate change.
“We have an extraordinary amount of wet weather – flooding, that is occurring. How do improve our secondary roads to make sure we have mobility aside from the 17 corridor,” he said.
Area residents spent time Wednesday reviewing large displays of the work plan.
