Maintenance Agreement with the Town of Wawayanda Clears the Way for State Department of Transportation to Begin Construction This Spring
New Gate Will Facilitate Speedier Emergency Response to Highway Incidents
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a formal maintenance agreement between the State Department of Transportation and the Town of Wawayanda that clears the way for the installation this spring of a new emergency access gate along Interstate 84. Under the agreement, the state DOT will design and install a new entranceway and access gate at County Route 49 that will provide local emergency service vehicles with direct access to Interstate 84; and the Town of Wawayanda will maintain the entranceway and ramp going forward and ensure that designated emergency service vehicles are able to utilize it to reach the highway.
“Since the terrible accident on Interstate 84, I have been laser focused on working with our local and federal partners to approve the new emergency access gate and keep New Yorkers safe,” Governor Hochul said. “This access gate will allow police, fire departments and other emergency service providers a faster, more direct way to reach Interstate 84 and save lives.”
The agreement calls for the state DOT to design and construct a new ramp from County Route 49 to the westbound Lane of Interstate 84. Access to the eastbound side will be available via an existing turnaround near the access gate. The Town of Wawayanda will perform snow and ice removal and periodically inspect the gate to be sure it is secured. Only designated emergency service providers and maintenance equipment will be able to use the access gate.
The Federal Highway Administration approved the DOT’s plans for a new access gate in December 2023 and the state DOT expects to begin construction when the construction season begins this spring.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Governor Hochul’s imperative is that our first responders are able to quickly respond to incidents on our highways. This new access gate will make it easier for emergency services to reach incidents on Interstate 84 and allow those in need to get the help they require as fast as possible.”
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “With this finalized agreement in hand, we are one step closer to finally installing this lifesaving crash gate on I-84 in Orange County. The tragic bus crash this past September, that killed and injured beloved members of the Farmingdale school community, was just one of many a horrific tragedies on Interstate 84 and plagued New Yorkers with fear about the ability of first responders to quickly respond to these dangerous and sometimes deadly accidents. I was proud that after calling on the Federal Highway Administration to support this plan to keep New Yorkers safe, that it was finally given the greenlight, and that today – along with Governor Hochul – I am thrilled to announce this project moving forward to improve safety along I-84. In an emergency, every minute and second counts, and I will continue to fight to deliver the federal resources needed so our first responders can continue to save lives in Orange County and beyond.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Ensuring emergency response personnel can respond quickly to highway incidents is critical to saving the lives of countless motorists. I’m thrilled by this agreement, which will provide emergency access to the highway and help reduce response times. This new access gate will make our roads safer, and I’m proud to have urged the Federal Highway Administration to approve this plan.”
Representative Pat Ryan said, "Our heroic first responders have been calling for this crash gate for years– I’m proud that by working together with local, state and federal partners, we’re finally making strides towards delivering for them. I’ll keep fighting to bring home the resources our first responders need to keep Hudson Valley families safe.”
State Senator James Skoufis said, “Local officials in Wawayanda and the State Police have been calling for installation of an emergency access point for over 20 years, and I am thrilled that there is finally action on this critical step. Every second counts when life-saving care is needed, and I am grateful to the first responders, community members, the Department of Transportation, and my partners in local and State government for their tireless efforts to drive forward this long-awaited investment in public safety.”