News

Route 17 expansion will improve mobility and enhance safety says coalition

April 5, 2023

In business, as in life, we can find ourselves in a rut. The way out may be complex or simple, but it always involves change. That’s the key to moving forward; idling holds you back, and doing nothing gets you stuck in reverse. If the past several years have shown us anything, it’s that we […]

17-Forward-86 Coalition Hails Start of Environmental Study for Route 17

October 5, 2022

The 17-Forward-86 Coalition is hailing the start of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the long-awaited project to add an additional lane and make other necessary upgrades on Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan counties to covert the corridor to Interstate 86. Gov. Hochul made the announcement Oct. 5 and said she expects public […]

Route 17 expansion receives NY state funding; See what comes next as project moves forward

April 14, 2022

The state Department of Transportation is expected to begin an environmental impact review this year as the first step toward the long-awaited expansion of Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan counties becoming a reality. That’s according to Marc Baez, president and CEO of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, who expects the review to stretch […]

NYS Budget Will Move Route 17 Forward!

April 11, 2022

The 17-Forward-86 Coalition is hailing the recently approved New York State budget that includes up to $1 billion for the environmental review as well as construction of the long-awaited project to add an additional lane and make other necessary upgrades on Route 17 as part of the new five-year state Department of Transportation (DOT) capital […]

Multibillion-dollar roadway project in Orange County could soon get green light

March 10, 2022

A long-awaited multibillion-dollar roadway project in Orange County could soon get the green light to begin. Officials gave the update Thursday about the Route 17/I-86 project at a news conference. They say the state is now preparing to include money to begin construction expanding the state route into an interstate in its five-year plan. They […]

Supporters of widening Rt. 17 call on Washington and Albany to commit funding now

March 10, 2022

Standing with Route 17 as a backdrop in the Town of Wallkill, politicians, economic development officials and union members Thursday called on Albany and Washington to commit the estimated $500 million to $1 billion needed to add a third lane in each direction on Route 17 between Woodbury and the Monticello area. Piece by piece, […]

Legoland Opens!

July 9, 2021

Gov. Cuomo was in Orange County July 9 to mark the official opening of Legoland New York in Goshen. Our 17-Forward-86 Coalition members Maureen Halahan, CEO of the Orange County Partnership, and Todd Diorio, President of the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, were among those thanked for their efforts in helping to bring the […]

NYSDOT Updates Public on Environmental Study of Route 17 Corridor

March 22, 2021

More than 100 community and business leaders from the Hudson Valley zoomed in March 18 for a presentation by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) on the status of a Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) study of the Route 17 corridor in Orange and Sullivan counties. Members of the coalition 17-Forward-86 voiced support for the […]

New York State’s path to recovery can be paved through infrastructure projects

August 3, 2020

New York, like states all across the country, confronts the immediate effects of a paralyzing national recession, the longer-term challenge of improving our competitive position in the global economy, and the specter of a dangerous, ugly divisiveness among our people.

Maureen Halahan and Marc Baez: Working together to rebuild our workforce, our region

May 4, 2020

During these uncertain times, the people of New York state have benefited from Gov. Cuomo’s leadership and that of our federal, state and local officials while, once again, showing remarkable resilience.