Q - Why did the Thruway Authority and the Department of Transportation undertake this project?
A - The project was undertaken to improve the connections between I-84 and I-87 (Thruway). The previous I-84/I-87 interchange required interstate traffic to utilize a local arterial (Route 300) to connect to the two interstates. Rapid growth in the Newburgh area has increased local traffic volumes on Route 300. This increase of local traffic, combined with an increase in volumes connecting between the two interstates, resulted in traffic and safety concerns, primarily at the junctions with Route 300. Traffic analyses indicate that eliminating the interstate traffic component would greatly improve the safety of operations along the Route 300 corridor and reduce the volume of large trucks by 30 percent. The improvement simultaneously simplified the interstate-to-interstate connection.

Q - How much did the project cost?
A - The combined cost of the three construction contracts was approximately $140 million.

Q - How was the project be funded?
A - The project was funded by a combination of Federal, NYS Thruway Authority and NYSDOT Funds.

Q - When did construction begin?  When was the project completed?
A - Phase 1 of construction began in August 2003 and was completed in October 2004. Phase 2 began in Spring 2006 and was completed in Fall/Winter 2009. Phase 3 began in Spring 2007 and was completed in December 2009. The project was completed in December 2009.

Q - Was any property taken? 
A - The project did not take property from any residential landowner.  The project acquired property from three commercially zoned parcels. At the time, two of the three were undeveloped parcels. The one developed parcel is the Newburgh Mall property, from which 0.4 acres of parking area and associated drainage channels were taken.  Monetary compensation was provided to the owners of the properties at fair market value at the time of purchase.

Q - Is this project related to the Stewart Airport Access (Drury Lane) project?
A - The project is independent of the Drury Lane project. The project improvements accomplish different goals. The goals of this project included improving safety and operations on Route 300, as well as improveing interstate-to-interstate connections between I-84 & I-87. However, this project's completion will make access to Stewart Airport more convenient.

Q - Will this new updated interchange attract more traffic through the area?
A - Traffic studies conducted during the preliminary design phase predicted a small (1 percent) increase in the overall traffic using the interchange as a result of the proposed improvements. It is expected that this increase will mostly include interstate trucks taking advantage of a better connection between New York and New England.  Interstate-to-interstate traffic on Route 300 will be reduced while the affect on local traffic using Route 300 is estimated to be minor.

Q - How will the added traffic signals impact Route 300?
A - The additional traffic signals on Route 300 will subject traffic  to a 37-second delay when compared to previously existing conditions. The new conditions, although slower, will provide safer roadways.

Q - Will the new access to the Thruway from Route 300 make it more difficult for me to get to/from my business/ residence off of Stewart Avenue?
A - The new access to the Thruway will introduce an additional phase at the traffic light to include left turn signals at the Route 300/Stewart Avenue intersection. The revised signal operations will introduce minor delays to the westbound Stewart Avenue approach to the intersection. However, with the new signal arrangement, left turns from Stewart Avenue will now be permitted. Southbound Route 300 traffic will experience minor delays compared to its previous unimpeded movement.

Q - The new Tandem Trailer facility looks very large.  Does this mean a lot of trucks will use Route 300?
A - The new tandem trailer facility is sized for 90 vehicles.  By regulation, trucks using Route 300 will be restricted to single semi-trailers. With the proposed improvements, the volume of trucks using Route 300 will not exceed the current volume.  Traffic analyses indicate that eliminating the interstate traffic component will greatly improve the safety of operations along the Route 300 corridor and reduce the volume of large trucks by 30 percent. 

Q - What are the modern features that have been implemented?
A - The new Toll Plaza includes a number of features that will improve toll collection and safety, including higher speed (20 mph) E-ZPass lanes, Dedicated Truck Lanes and an overhead walkway that eliminates the need for toll collectors to cross active lanes. New style booths have been installed to improve toll collector efficiency. Also, an unmanned "E-ZPass Only" toll plaza will be constructed on the Ramp to Route 17K for local access. Vehicles using this lane will pass an E-ZPass reader at ramp speed (30-35 mph).

Q - The on-ramp from Route 17K to the Thruway was very convenient.  Why has it been eliminated?
A - The Route 17K off-ramp will be retained for E-ZPass traffic only. With the new interchange, local traffic entering the Thruway is required to travel Route 300 to the vicinity of Stewart Avenue, where it enters the Thruway via a signalized intersection at Route 300.

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