For Immediate Release: April 3, 2007

THRUWAY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES PROJECT TO BRING HIGHWAY SPEED E-ZPASS TO WOODBURY IS UNDERWAY

The New York State Thruway Authority has announced that the first construction Contract for a project to implement Highway Speed E-ZPass at the Woodbury toll plaza has been recently awarded and work is now underway.

"This is a significant milestone in the future of the Thruway. When the project is complete customers with E-ZPass will no longer even have to slow down at the Woodbury Toll Barrier,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. “Introducing Highway Speed E-ZPass will provide the operational enhancements needed to relieve congestion, reduce delays and improve safety conditions at the Woodbury Toll Facility. In January of this year, the Authority made Highway Speed E-ZPass available to commercial drivers at the Spring Valley Toll Barrier and has now begun the project to bring Highway Speed E-ZPass to all patrons at the Woodbury Toll Barrier.”

Highway Speed E-ZPass at the Woodbury Toll Barrier will eventually serve as the standard for other areas scheduled to obtain Highway Speed E-ZPass along the Thruway System such as Yonkers and Williamsville, in Western New York.

Senator Charles E. Schumer said, "This is an important step forward to alleviating the growing traffic congestion problem in the area. There is no question that this will help local residents get where they are going more quickly, and will help area businesses grow."

The project is scheduled to be completed in two contracts. Under Contract 1, construction primarily involves the extension of the Interchange 16 (Harriman) southbound entrance ramp from Harriman, expansion of the Woodbury Toll Utility Building recorder room, and replacement of the asphalt wearing surface on the Interchange 16 (Harriman) ramps along with plaza pavement repairs. Contract 1 is scheduled to be completed in the Winter of 2007. Contract 2, which will be let in November 2007, encompasses the remainder of the project to install Highway Speed E-ZPass at the Woodbury Toll Facility and is scheduled to begin in early 2008 with completion scheduled for the end of 2009.

Representative John Hall (NY-19) said, “Moving forward with Highway Speed E-Z pass will make an important contribution to making travel easier and safer along the Thruway. Meanwhile, we need to take similar steps to ensure that the continuing growth of the Hudson Valley is managed smartly and effectively to maintain a high quality of life here.”

The primary purpose for this project is to implement Highway Speed E-ZPass, which will improve traffic operations at the Woodbury Toll Barrier. Additionally, traffic operations on the Thruway mainline and ramps of Interchange 16 are expected to improve as a result of this project.

"The installation of Highway Speed E-Zpass at the Woodbury Toll Plaza is the best congestion-busting investment the state could make,” said Senator Bill Larkin (Cornwall-on-Hudson). “This will be a major improvement in the daily lives of Orange County residents as well as travelers who may have been discouraged to come back to Woodbury Commons because of the traffic, delays and inconvenience at the toll booths.”

"After years of lobbying for Highway Speed E-ZPass at the Woodbury Toll Facility, I’m pleased to see the project come to fruition,” said Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun, Blooming Grove. “Providing Highway Speed E-Zpass will not only save drivers time and money, but will also reduce idling vehicles in the area resulting in a positive impact on the surrounding environment.”

The Woodbury Toll Barrier, located on the Thruway mainline at milepost 45.03 in Orange County, is the southern gateway to the Thruway’s ticketed system and also serves as the gateway to the Catskills and upstate New York. With more than 20 million vehicles passing through annually, it is one of the busiest toll plazas on the 641-mile Thruway System.

"The introduction of Highway Speed E-Zpass at the Woodbury Toll Barrier will dramatically improve traffic operations on the New York State Thruway,” said Assemblywoman Anne Rabbitt. “As the Woodbury Toll Facility is the entryway to the downstate region, and also one of the busiest toll plazas, this is great news for New York’s motorists. This project will alleviate traffic congestion, improve safety conditions and reduce the strain that higher traffic volumes place on our barriers.”

Increasing traffic volumes Thruway-wide continually challenge the Authority to reduce congestion within toll collection areas. When possible, additional staffed and dedicated E-ZPass lanes have been added; however, traffic demands at the existing barriers continue to grow. Additionally, the Woodbury Toll Barrier is located within Interchange 16 (Harriman), which places expansion constraints on the existing barrier and its ability to meet future traffic demands. Based on these constraints, the Authority has looked to advances in technology to provide the necessary innovative solutions.

"The New York State Motor Truck Association applauds the implementation of Highway Speed E-Zpass at the Woodbury Toll Barrier. We believe this will be a benefit to all motorists utilizing the New York State Thruway both in time savings and, more importantly, in safety,” said New York State Motor Truck Associations President and CEO William Joyce.

"Implementation of Highway Speed E-Zpass will substantially increase vehicle throughput at the Woodbury toll facilities and reduce the maneuvering of vehicles as they approach toll plazas. Consequently, this improvement will further minimize congestion, enhance traffic flow and increase safety,” said John A. Corlett, Director of Government Affairs for AAA New York.

The proposed barrier modifications will accommodate four Highway Speed (65 mph) lanes, two in each direction. The objectives of this project are to provide operational improvements which will relieve congestion, reduce delays and improve the safety conditions at the Woodbury Toll Barrier. Specific objectives include:

• Providing Highway Speed E-ZPass at Woodbury Barrier;
• Relieving congestion, reducing delays and improving the level of service and mobility through the project area;
• Rehabilitating deteriorated mainline pavement sections, reconstructing the shoulders, and providing a smooth riding surface within the project limits; and
• Avoiding and minimizing environmental impacts.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.

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