Letter to Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee, NYS Department of Transportation

Letter

Schumer Demands NYSDOT Take Action On Delayed Route 17 Expansion; Over $1 Million Secured By Senator Has Been Left Unused Since 2005

Funding to Plan and Design the Widening of the Already Heavily Congested Road Has Been Untouched Despite Desperate Need for Expansion

An Additional Lane in Both Directions Would Alleviate Traffic Jams Across the Board and Enhance Passenger Safety, Tourism and Commerce

Schumer: Stop Dawdling and Start Working on Rte 17 Expansion; In this Economy it is Flatly Unacceptable to Let $1 Million Sit on the Back-Shelf

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer sent a letter to the NYS Department of Transportation demanding that they jumpstart work on the expansion of Route 17 between Harriman and Monticello, NY and explain why after four years the funding secured to start this project has been sitting idle in their coffers. In 2005, Schumer secured $1 million in the FY2006 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill so that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) could begin the process of expanding Route 17 from two to three lanes. The intent of this initial funding was to begin the first phase of this process, which is a study to determine feasibility. Despite repeated efforts by Senator Schumer to jumpstart the expansion, NYSDOT has made almost no progress on the project, failing to even begin the study Schumer secured funding for over four years ago. Today, Schumer said that the lack of progress being made, even in beginning a study, shows that Route 17 is not a priority for New York State. Schumer said this must change immediately, and that NYSDOT must produce a timetable with hard deadlines for the project.

"The expansion of Route 17 is urgently needed, yet it has been delayed and delayed and delayed by NYSDOT for too long. I have already secured a million dollars for the study that will jumpstart the process and we cannot wait a moment longer to get started," said Schumer. "The fact that the Department of Transportation hasn't even begun the necessary study 4 years after we secured funding for it is outrageous. They must get started immediately and, furthermore, provide the public with a hard timetable for when this project will be complete. Widening Route 17 to three lanes is vital for Hudson Valley residents and workers, as well as for regional commerce and tourism. The NYSDOT owes everyone an explanation as to why the project has been delayed and I will continue to push for an answer and a start date."

Route 17 is a crucial artery that connects New York City with the Hudson Valley, the Southern Tier and western New York. As the tourism economy expands and communities in Orange and Sullivan Counties grow, it is essential that we have the roads and infrastructure to handle an ever increasing number of residents and visitors. The expansion of Route 17 would create a third lane in both directions from Harriman in Orange County to Monticello in Sullivan County along the existing Route.

An expanded Route 17 would handle substantially more traffic and enhance the safety of drivers. Orange County is one of the most economically dynamic counties in the state and its population is among the fastest growing in the state. It's the crossroads of I-84, the New York State Thruway and future I-86. At certain peak times, such as Friday afternoons, the combination of commuters and weekend traffic intensify congestion and force parts of Route 17 to a standstill.

Over the past four years, Senator Schumer has repeatedly pressed NYSDOT to get the project underway. In 2005 he secured $1 million through the Transportation Reauthorization Bill for the study and design of widening Route 17 to three lanes in both directions from Harriman to Monticello. These upgrades are absolutely vital to continuing economic growth in the region, easing traffic congestion, and ensuring that this roadway remains safe for motorists but to date, the state has not spent the funding.

Schumer noted that although NYSDOT has made efforts to upgrade to Route 17 under the Interstate 86 project, NYSDOT has done next to nothing to deal with capacity in the Harriman-Monticello stretch of the highway.

Today, Schumer wrote to NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee demanding that he provide an explanation for the delay in the project, and that the study be started immediately.

In his letter he wrote, "Widening Route 17 is an investment in the future of the Hudson Valley region of New York State, and it will both enhance the quality of life of its residents and improve the economy in the area."

A full copy of the letter is below

Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee
NYS Department of Transportation
50 Wolf Road
Albany, NY 12232

Dear Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee,

I write to express deep concern with the lack of progress made on the expansion of Route 17 between Harriman and Monticello, NY. Over four years ago I secured $1 million in the FY2006 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill so that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) could begin the process of expanding Route 17 from two to three lanes in both directions. The intent of this initial funding was to begin the first phase of this process, which is a study to determine feasibility. Unfortunately, and despite my repeated efforts, NYSDOT has made little to no progress on this project.

Route 17 is a crucial artery that connects New York City with the Hudson Valley, the Southern Tier and western New York. As the tourism economy expands and communities in Orange and Sullivan Counties grow, it is essential that we have the roads and infrastructure to handle an ever increasing number of residents and visitors. Widening Route 17 to three lanes is vital for Hudson Valley residents and workers, as well as for regional commerce and tourism.

There is no question that the traffic on Route 17 is a serious problem, and commuters and municipalities are anxious for relief. An expanded Route 17 would better handle current traffic and enhance the safety of drivers. Orange County is one of the most economically dynamic counties in the state and its population is among the fastest growing in the state. At certain peak times, such as Friday afternoons, the combination of commuters and weekend traffic intensify congestion and force parts of Route 17 to a standstill. While I appreciate NYSDOT's efforts to upgrade to Route 17 under the Interstate 86 project, I continue to believe that excluding plans to widen Route 17 is a missed opportunity. Additionally, the greatest volume on the Route 17-Interstate 86 corridor runs from Harriman in Orange County to Monticello in Sullivan County, and despite this congestion and the fact that funding was delivered for this project over four years ago, there is no visible progress.

Widening Route 17 is an investment in the future of the Hudson Valley region of New York State, and it will both enhance the quality of life of its residents and improve the economy in the area.

I appreciate your attention to this important matter, and I look forward to your response. If you have any questions or need additional information please contact me at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,

Charles Schumer
United States Senator

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