Massive $26.3M Safety Project Along 9W Is Now Underway

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — A Hudson Valley scenic highway will soon give drivers a much better view from behind the wheel.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced this week that work has begun on a $26.3 million project aiming to improve safety and resiliency along a 4.9-mile stretch of U.S. Route 9W atop Storm King Mountain, in the Towns of Cornwall and Highlands.

The work will upgrade drainage systems, fortify stone walls, replace concrete barriers and resurface the road in order to improve travel and help the key roadway better withstand the effects of severe weather.

In addition, this stretch of the scenic highway, located between Newburgh and Bear Mountain on the western side of the Hudson River, is an important access road for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and many other popular destinations in the Hudson Valley.

"New Yorkers need only look at the significant damage done to our roads and bridges by severe storms in recent years to know that climate change is already having an impact and we need to be ready," Hochul said. "This resiliency project along U.S. Route 9W in Orange County exemplifies our Build-it-Back-Better mantra and will mitigate persistent drainage issues on this important Orange County roadway, ensuring its long-term ability to withstand the growing challenges posed by mother nature."

6,700 linear feet of perforated pipe, known as an underdrain, will be installed to collect and redirect subsurface water before it can saturate the road surface. In addition, 12,300 feet of asphalt gutter will be constructed, with existing drainage structures repaired to better channel surface water runoff and prevent ponding.

Deteriorating areas of the 88-year-old stone wall along the eastern (cliff side) of the roadway will be rebuilt and strengthened using a concrete barrier placed on a structurally integrated concrete slab. Salvaged stones from the existing wall will be repurposed as stone veneer, if possible, in order to seamlessly blend the aesthetics. Other parts of the existing wall will also be repaired and repointed, if needed.

The roadway will be resurfaced using warm-mix asphalt, which uses less energy to make than traditional asphalt. High-visibility pavement markings and reflectors on barriers will be installed to enhance safety, especially during nighttime. In addition, around 10,000 linear feet of concrete median barrier will be replaced and equipped with new impact attenuators, which are expected to mitigate crash risks.

During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. The work is expected to be finished in the spring of 2026.

"Recent severe weather events have demonstrated the need for resiliency and safety improvements along U.S. Route 9W," Town of Cornwall Supervisor Joshua Wojehowski said. "It’s great to see the Governor and State Legislature investing $26.3 million into vital road infrastructure in Orange County to better serve area residents, visitors to local attractions and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point."