For Immediate Release: May 16, 2006

THRUWAY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES WOODBURY TOLL BARRIER MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS MOVE FORWARD
Informal Open House Scheduled for May 23, 2006

The New York State Thruway Authority announced today that an Open House on the Woodbury Toll Barrier Improvement Project will be held on May 23, 2006. The planned project improvements include the introduction of Highway Speed E-ZPass which will allow E-ZPass customers to drive through the toll area without slowing down to pay.

“This project which includes the installation of Highway Speed E-ZPass demonstrates the Authority’s commitment to using technology to improve customer service and relieve congestion at the Woodbury Toll Barrier,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. “Woodbury is expected to be the first location that will provide all vehicles, both commercial and passenger, with the convenience of traveling at highway speeds as they electronically pay the toll, all while safely separated from other cash-paying lanes.”

"As our region continues to grow, we need to keep our local highways as efficient as possible. These improvements to the Woodbury Toll Plaza will help relieve congestion and improve convenience as drivers travel in Orange County," said Congresswoman Sue Kelly, who obtained $1.75 million in federal funding for improvements to the Woodbury Toll Barrier.

The Authority will hold an informal Open House on Tuesday May 23, 2006, for the Mobility Improvement Project at the Woodbury Toll Barrier. The Open House will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Central Valley Elementary School, located at 45 Route 32, Central Valley, New York.

“I would encourage local residents to attend this open forum,” said Senator William Larkin. “Feedback from the community is important and will be incorporated into the plans as this project progresses.”

The Authority would like to provide the public and media an opportunity to review the proposed designs for the addition of Highway Speed E-ZPass at the Woodbury Toll Barrier. Display boards will be available for public review at the Open House. Project boards will include project objectives, existing conditions, renderings of future conditions and the current project schedule.

Representatives from the Thruway Authority and the design consultant, HDR, will be present to answer any project-related questions throughout the evening. As always, comments from the public are welcome.

“Providing Highway Speed E-ZPass at the Woodbury Toll Barrier will not only benefit the motorists by greatly reducing their wait time at the tolls but also the residents of thearea by improving the air quality around the tolls,” said Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun. “During my 16-years with the Assembly, I have lobbied for this very initiative and I compliment both the Governor and the Thruway Authority for making it a reality.”

The first phase of this project which is scheduled to be let in November of 2006 will include extending the southbound entrance ramp and replacing pavement in and around the toll barrier to safely accommodate Highway Speed E-ZPass. The second phase is scheduled to be let in November of 2007. It will consist of modifying lanes and constructing the Highway Speed E-ZPass structure and equipment. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2009 at an estimated total cost of just under $50,000,000.

For more information regarding the Woodbury Mobility Improvement Project, please visit the Authority’s website at www.nysthruway.gov and select ‘Woodbury Mobility Improvement Project’ from the ‘Projects and Studies’ section.

DIRECTIONS:
FROM THE SOUTH:
Take I-87 north toward Albany. Get off at Exit 16 (Harriman/RT-17), go 0.9miles
Continue toward Route 17 W, go 0.2miles. Bear right at Route17 W, go 0.1miles.
Bear right onto the NY Route 32 ramp to US 6 East/NY 17 South/Harriman, go 0.1miles. Take the Route 32 ramp, go 0.1miles. Turn right at Route 32, the school is 0.3miles

FROM THE NORTH:
Bear left onto the I-87 South ramp to New York/Mass Turnpike. Take Exit 16 (Harriman RTE 17/US 6), go 0.3miles. Continue toward Route 17W, go 0.2miles. Bear right at Route 17W, go 0.1miles. Bear right onto the NY Route 32 ramp to US 6 East/NY 17 South/Harriman, go 0.1miles. Take the Route 32 ramp, go 0.1miles. Turn right at Route 32, go 0.3miles.

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