Highlights from the Design Report
The investigations identified the following transportation concerns.
- Existing congestion and safety on Route 300 and at the Interchange
17 Toll Plaza will worsen to unacceptable levels under future traffic
conditions. Operating deficiencies on the I-87 mainline, the I-87 ramps,
and at the Route 300 ramp terminals will increase in severity.
- The movement of people and goods in the area will continue to be negatively
affected by the operational problems of the existing I-87/I-84 Interchange
system.
Project Objectives
The primary objectives of the I-87/I-84 Interchange project are:
- To provide a more efficient connection between I-87 and I-84 that provides
acceptable levels of service through the year 2025 and maintains local
access to and from the Interstate highways.
- To provide interchange improvements that are cost effective and achievable
with minimal impact to the community and the environment.
Alternatives
During the environmental review phase of this project, two alternatives
were considered. They were:
No-Build Alternative
The No-Build Alternative provides for continued maintenance of the
existing interchange roadways (I-84/Route 300/I-87), with no major improvements
or repairs.
Build Alternative
The Build Alternative would reconstruct the Interchange to provide
a more direct connection between I-84 and I-87. Local access from both Interstate
highways would be provided through two new signalized intersections on Route
300.
The existing toll collection facility at Interchange 17 would be replaced
by two modern toll plazas constructed within the Thruway Authority maintenance
area. One plaza would serve traffic entering the Thruway (I-87) and the
other plaza would serve traffic exiting the Thruway. An additional exit
toll barrier would be provided to serve E-ZPass traffic from the northbound
Thruway to Route 17K.
The Thruway Authority maintenance facilities and the State Police Headquarters
would be replaced within the existing site. An improved tandem trailer facility
would be constructed at Interchange 17 with better access to/from I-84 and
I-87.
Under the Build Alternative the majority of construction would
be completed within the boundaries of the Thruway Authority maintenance
facility and the rights-of-way of I-87 and I-84. Minor strip takings are
required from three undeveloped, commercially owned properties.
Summary of Design Investigations
Preliminary design investigations evaluated the transportation benefits
and environmental impacts of the project alternatives. The results of the
investigations are summarized below. Additional detail is provided in the
Design Report.
- Traffic and Safety
Under the No-Build Alternative, the unsatisfactory
traffic and safety conditions of the existing interchange would increase
in severity as traffic volumes grow in the future.
Under the Build Alternative, Interstate-to-Interstate
traffic would no longer use Route 300 as the connection between I84 & I-87.
The expanded and modernized toll barriers would increase capacity and
reduce congestion and delays at the Newburgh Toll Area. The Build
Alternative would also eliminate many of the existing conditions which
contribute to the high rate of accidents within the vicinity of the interchange.
- Air Quality
Analyses of selected intersections were undertaken
for the No-Build and Build Alternatives. The results indicate
that no adverse air quality impacts are expected as a result of the
project.
- Noise
Analyses of noise sensitive sites were performed for
the No-Build and Build Alternatives. The results indicate
that there will be no negative noise impacts at these sites, and the
predicted noise levels of the Build Alternative would be lower
than the No-Build Alternative.
- Wetlands
The Build Alternative would disturb approximately three
acres of wetland areas under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers. Replacement wetlands would be constructed as part of the
project.
- Water Resources
Under the Build Alternative, there would be an increase
in paved area, which would result in an increase in storm water runoff
from the project area. To ensure that the increased runoff would not
adversely affect the quality of nearby streams and lakes, retention
basins would be constructed within the interchange.
- Hazardous Wastes
An Environmental Site Assessment revealed contaminants
which exceed clean-up levels established by the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). During construction, excavated
materials will be tested and disposed of in accordance with NYSDEC requirements.
- Construction Impacts of the Build Alternative
During construction there would be short-term impacts
on the operations of Route 300, Route 17K and the interstate highways.
The contract documents would include detailed maintenance and protection
of traffic plans to minimize these impacts.
Construction of the Build Alternative would
also have short-term impacts on noise levels and air quality. Most
of the construction activity would take place within the existing
Thruway Authority maintenance site and existing highway right-of-way.
Construction noise and air quality impacts on residential and commercial
properties would be minimal. The construction specifications for the
project would include requirements to further minimize construction
nuisances such as construction dust and equipment noise
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