The towns and villages surrounding the Exit 16 interchange off of I-87 may find navigating the roads more tolerable once the state Department of Transportation completes its southern Orange County infrastructure improvements.
In the hamlet of Central Valley, trying to make a turn at the intersection of Smith Clove Road and Route 32 can become a logistical nightmare, especially during the morning and evening commutes. The plan is to create a turning lane running approximately 1.5 miles up to the Smith Clove intersection, allowing for an easier flow of traffic, make turning easier and lessening growing road rage.
The $5.3 million contract to reconstruct Smith Clove Road/Route 32 and create the turning lane was awarded to Morano Brothers Corp. of Croton-on-Hudson. Morano has already begun work on the portion of Route 32 that intersects with the busy corner. Although commuters can expect delays, most of the work is being done during off-peak hours.
Once that section of Route 32 is complete, it will include not only the much-needed turning lane, but improved drainage, sidewalks and landscaping. A new traffic signal at Estrada Road will replace the current flashing yellow light.
Getting around this section of the village/town of Woodbury has been a logistical headache for commuters and pedestrians alike. “We hope the new sidewalks and left turn lane will make life easier for residents and businesses, and keep traffic moving in a more efficient manner,” said Sandra Jobson, spokeswoman for the DOT. Work is expected to be completed by fall 2009.
Retail and commercial business is booming in and around the Exit 16 interchange off the New York Thruway. Although Woodbury has asked the DOT to create an I-87 entrance directly into Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, told residents at a town meeting in February not to expect it to happen. “Public projects such as creating exits off highways are not done for the private sector,” Hall told the group. Further trying to ease congestion, the DOT is working on configuring the Exit 131 intersection and planning to install high-speed EZ Pass lanes to keep traffic moving.
Jobson said the DOT plans more public meetings with southern Orange residents to discuss changes coming to the roads in and around Woodbury Common, which is one of the area”™s ”“ and the state”™s ”“ most visited destinations. Although retail giant Simon, owner of the 220-store outlet, does not release the numbers of visitors the mega-mall attracts, local and county officials estimate 10 million people shop at “the Common” each year.
