Coalition To Urge Expansion Of Route 17 In Orange, Sullivan

A coalition of people invested in the mid-Hudson Valley's economic vitality will head to the state capital March 6 to push for an expansion of Route 17. A briefing by members of 17-Forward-86 is seeking $500 million from New York to add a third lane on the heavily traveled corridor between Orange and Sullivan counties.

Coalition members will explain what they say is a critical need to expand Route 17 from Harriman to Exit 100 in order to ease congestion, improve safety and pave the way for future growth, according to a spokesperson.

The coalition, set to include Maureen Halahan, president and CEO of Orange County Partnership; Marc Baez, president and CEO of Sullivan Count Partnership for Economic Development; Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano and Goshen Supervisor Douglas Bloomfield, will speak in the Legislative Office Building, Press Room 130, 198 State St. in Albany from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 6.

17-Forward-86 was established in August 2018 by representatives of economic development, construction, tourism and energy companies who support the expansion of Route 17. The coalition of more than 100 members shares a vision of expanding the capacity of Route 17 to strengthen the economic well-being of the Hudson Valley and Sullivan Catskills, according to a spokesperson.

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