Plan to Add Third Lane to Route 17

C.G. Hoffman

In a bid to ease current traffic congestion on Route 17, officials from the New York State Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are exploring the possibility of adding a third lane from Exit 131 to Exit 103. The proposed expansion would run for a 45 mile stretch from Woodbury to Monticello, to accommodate increased growth and traffic in recent years.

The plan is still in its preliminary stages, and officials outlined possible steps to the process at public sessions in the town of Wallkill this week. This will include studies on environmental impact and evaluating the engineering feasibility of adding an additional lane in each direction.

Some environmental activists have raised objections to the planned expansion, saying that recent flooding to the area has raised the need for secondary roads to be revamped, not expanding an already overused highway. Others objecting to the $500 million plan say that would siphon much needed funds from other, more essential projects, such as overhauling crumbling highways closer to the city.