For Immediate Release: June 30, 2009

Thruway Authority Announces Interchange 17 Reconstruction to Necessitate New Traffic Configurations on NYS Routes 17K, 300 and I-84

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced that the first phase of highway, bridge, and toll building work being conducted as part of the Interchange 17 Reconstruction Project is nearly complete.  As a result, permanent lane closures with periodic traffic stoppages on NYS Routes 17K, 300, and I-84 will begin on Tuesday, July 7, at 11 p.m., weather permitting.

“The Authority is pleased to announce the entering plaza at Interchange 17 is scheduled to open next week,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer.  “The separate toll plazas for entering and exiting traffic, unlike the single plaza motorists are used to now, are going to provide a great level of service to customers.  In addition, the staggered opening will allow motorists to better familiarize themselves with the new traffic patterns.”

The opening of the roads leading to the Thruway from NYS Route 300 north and south as well as I-84 eastbound has been scheduled for 11 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. Concurrent with these operations, the existing traffic signals on NYS Route 300 at Stewart Avenue, I-84 eastbound, and I-84 westbound will be modified to facilitate positive traffic flow along the NYS Route 300 corridor.  The modification of the traffic signals will also allow direct access from Route 300 to the tandem truck facility, as well as the Thruway Maintenance facility.  

Once the traffic signal work is completed, the ramp from NYS Route 17K will be permanently closed to traffic entering the Thruway.  Route 17K traffic will be directed to use the new Route 300 north ramp to access the Thruway via the new Entering Toll Plaza. The new Entering Toll Plaza will include two 20 mph E-ZPass only toll lanes. Traffic wishing to enter the Thruway at this location will be redirected to the new ramp on NYS Route 300, just north of Stewart Avenue. These activities will also include traffic signal modifications and signing changes on NYS Route 17K to accommodate the new configuration.  Traffic exiting the Thruway must continue to use the NYS Route 17K ramp.

Concurrent with the closure of the NYS Route 17K entrance ramp, the entrance ramp from NYS Route 300 southbound to the Thruway will permanently close.  Traffic wishing to enter the Thruway will be redirected to the new ramp on NYS Route 300 south (approximately 1000’ north of the existing ramp).

Following these construction activities, the ramp from I-84 westbound, currently known as Ramp 7S, will be permanently closed to traffic.  Additionally, all traffic wishing to access NYS Route 300, in either direction, will be directed to use the ramp now signed as 7B, formerly known as Ramp 7N.   Traffic will have the option to stay right onto NYS Route 300 north or stay straight to a two left turn lane intersection controlled by a new traffic signal for NYS Route 300 south. A new I-84 Eastbound entrance ramp (Ramp 7A) to the Thruway will also be opened. 

“The Hudson Valley region’s economy depends heavily on a modern, efficient transportation system of local and state roadways. Toll and interchange improvements between the NYS Thruway and Routes 17K and 300 have created welcomed construction employment for many trades when economic conditions and job opportunities in all industries are declining,” said Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley, Inc. President Ross J. Pepe. “The Thruway Authority’s timing of this vital project couldn't be better.”

Additionally, the new ramp from I-84 Westbound, Ramp 7A, which will provide a direct connection to the Thruway, is scheduled to open by mid-July 2009.

“Upon completion of this much anticipated project, the flow of traffic between the interstates will be much smoother, and the direct access between the Thruway and I-84 will help to alleviate congestion within the Route 300/Route 17K corridor,” said Fleischer.

The Authority will activate 12 Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) in advance of the new traffic configurations to advise motorists of the closures and traffic stoppages. Motorists are urged to tune to Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) 1610 AM for updates.  As always, motorists are encouraged to drive with caution and remain alert as they become familiar with these new traffic patterns.

The work is being completed by A. Servidone/B. Anthony Construction Corporation of Castleton, New York and is scheduled to be completed by December 2009.

The Authority appreciates motorists’ patience while this essential project moves forward.

View the Interchange 17 Site Map. (PDF, 1 page/451 Kb)

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The Authority offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel on the Thruway.  To sign up for the TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Authority’s website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.

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