The Orange County Partnership is continuing to collaborate with the 17-Forward-86 Coalition to expand capacity on New York State Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan counties with the goal of enhancing safety and mobility for our residents, commuters, and visitors.
Collaboration is key in this effort, and we ask you to join us in our advocacy campaign by voicing your support in letters and upcoming events, which are detailed below.
Where We Stand
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the Route 17 Mobility and Access Improvement Project, located between Exit 113 in Sullivan County and I-87 in Orange County. NYSDOT has held several public information sessions, and we commend them for being very responsive to local concerns and addressing considerations ranging from safety, the environment, quality of life, and projected financial costs.
NYSDOT is reviewing three preliminary study concepts for the Route 17 improvement project, involving: 1. operational improvements; 2. peak-period shoulder lanes; or 3. the construction of a continuous general-use travel lane. We are advocating for Concept No. 3: adding a third lane east and west and making other necessary upgrades to convert the corridor to Interstate 86. Additionally, the Orange County Partnership would like to see the third lane expanded to/into Exit 103 in Sullivan County.
The Orange County Partnership and 17-Forward-86 have been actively supporting this critical project – participating in NYSDOT public workshops on the Final Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) study, lobbying for funding in the state and federal budgets, hosting educational panel discussions and press conferences, and expressing vocal and written support. We created an informational website – www.17forward86.org – to share updates and engage our communities. We have more than 200 members – including many of you – of economic development and tourism groups, construction trades, environmental stewardship, and energy companies representing thousands of individuals in the region.
Why This Matters
The need for an additional travel lane has been confirmed by two separate NYSDOT studies and has bipartisan support at all levels of government. The project has long been supported by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the start of the environmental review of Route 17, which followed inclusion of up to $1 billion in the state budget. We are grateful to Gov. Hochul and our other elected leaders for making Route 17 a priority for investment.
The Route 17 expansion has widespread support because the benefits are many and far-reaching. We live here, work here and travel on Route 17. Our main priority is safety. An additional lane will improve mobility and provide critical access for police, fire, and ambulance services. It will make the corridor safer for all of us traveling on it each day – to the office or medical appointments, or to take our children to school or the baseball field.
The Route 17 enhancement project also will go a long way toward the sustainability of our communities and local economies. Infrastructure upgrades are investments in our future. The project itself will create good-paying jobs and give local economies a much-needed boost.
As you know, traffic has been steadily increasing for decades and even more so in recent years with the arrival of Legoland, Resorts World Catskills, and other major projects along the corridor. Tourism is booming. Some 6 million people visit Orange County alone each year – Legoland itself draws more than 1 million. The Sullivan Catskills draw upward of 4 million visitors. They travel along Route 17.
The Hudson Valley is experiencing tremendous growth in population, further increasing traffic. Orange and Sullivan Counties have some of the fastest-growing populations in the state, increasing at a rate of more than 9% between 2010 and 2023. Many residents commute on Route 17.
We have identified more than $4.5 billion in incoming projects, sites being developed, and fully approved projects in Orange County/in and around the corridor. We must ensure our roads can handle the added capacity.
Investment in public transportation is an important part of the long-term sustainability for our region, and a one-seat ride into midtown Manhattan from Port Jervis or Middletown should be part of that plan. However, we also know vehicles – cars and trucks, electric or internal combustion – will continue to be part of our everyday lives.
Enhancing safety on Route 17 is of paramount importance, and we cannot afford further delays to this long-overdue project. Adding a third travel lane to improve mobility on Route 17 is the responsible thing to do for our residents, visitors, environment, and region.
Thank you for your continued support!
How to Get Involved:
We need your help, now! NYSDOT is collecting public input on the Route 17 project. It is extremely important that the state hear from residents and businesses in Orange County. There are multiple ways how you can submit comments. NYSDOT will set up information tables at community events over the next year and we encourage you to stop by and fill out a form with your thoughts/ideas. Additionally, you can write to them directly or send them an email. The Coalition has created a one-click form for your convenience: https://elec825.quorum.us/campaign/61409/
Simply click the link and fill out the top of the form, which is followed by a letter of support for adding a third lane on Route 17. Thank you!
