Letter to Administrator Mendez

Letter

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer released a letter to Victor Mendez, Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), urging him to fast-track the department's review of New York State Department of Transportation's (NYSDOT) plan to finally bring a direct entrance to Interstate 84 for the Wiccopee Fire Department. Currently, despite the fact that the firehouse sits directly next to I-84, first responders have to travel miles to reach an actual entrance to the highway. Last year, Schumer secured almost $1 million to build such a breakthrough, but FHWA has to sign off on NYSDOT's plan before construction can start.

"In an emergency a few minutes could be the difference between life and death, so completing this breakthrough as soon as possible is critical," Schumer said. "The Federal Highway Administration has New York's proposal on their desk, and today I am asking them to expedite their review, so this project can be completed quickly."

The Wiccopee Fire Company sits directly on I-84 - separated by just a chain link fence - but instead of having direct access to the highway, it is forced to drive between 1.5 to 4 miles away to reach the nearest interstate ramp. The drive slows down their response times by three to six minutes. Depending on traffic and road conditions, it can take up to twenty minutes for the company to respond to each of the over 90 incidents per year they handle. This is in light of the fact that the fire station is located on the side of the interstate -- only separated by a chain link fence.

The fire company's primary response route from Shenandoah Road to Lime Kiln Road is 1.5 miles long and takes about three minutes to reach the interstate. Their secondary response routes are from Townsend Rd to Hosner Mountain Rd to Route 52 to Taconic State Parkway South is a 3.5 mile route that takes six minutes. Another secondary route uses Shenandoah Road to Miller Hill Road to Taconic State Parkway North to I-84, which is four miles and takes about six minutes.

Schumer fought to secure a breakthrough that will allow firefighters direct access to I-84 and with NYSDOT's report submitted to FHWA the project is closer than ever to breaking ground. In this fiscal year's Transportation and Housing Appropriation Bill, Schumer secured $974,000 in funding for the project which is ready to be spent once FHWA approves the plan. If FHWA approves the plan then it will be considered final and a land survey, that will precede construction, will begin. Schumer's letter to Administrator Mendez is an effort to highlight the urgency of the project and urge the FHWA to let construction begin on this lifesaving project right away.

The full text of Schumer letter to Administrator Mendez is below:

Dear Administrator Mendez,

I write to request that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) expedite the review process for the Wiccopee substation emergency breakthrough for the Wiccopee Fire Department in East Fishkill, New York, on Interstate 84 (I-84). I understand that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) submitted the draft design, the interchange modification, and accident analysis portion of their report, and that FHWA must now analyze and make comments. I ask that FHWA prioritize review of the I-84 proposal, so that first responders can benefit from a much-needed emergency breakthrough on the highway.

As previously explained, the Wiccopee Fire Company sits adjacent to Interstate 84 in New York State, but its emergency response teams are forced to travel miles to reach the nearest entrance ramps, causing a significant delay in their response times. The fire company is forced to drive between 1.5 to 4 miles away to reach the nearest ramp onto the interstate. As you know, time is precious in an emergency situation and therefore it is in the public's best interest for FHWA to review this report immediately and work with the NYSDOT to make this project become a reality.

The current route the Wiccopee Fire Company is forced to utilize slows down their response times by three to six minutes. Depending on traffic and road conditions, it can take up to twenty minutes for the company to respond to an average of over 90 incidents per year. An emergency breakthrough onto I-84 could drastically improve response times and ensure the residents of East Fishkill are being served as effectively as possible in emergency situations.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and I look forward to your responses to NYSDOT. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact my Washington, DC office at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,

Charles. E. Schumer

United States Senator

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