Governor Cuomo Announces Expanded Park and Ride Lot to be Included as Part of $150 Million Road, Transit and Economic Development Hub in the Town of Woodbury

Statement

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the $150 million project to develop the Road, Transit and Economic Development Hub in the Town of Woodbury will include the complete reconstruction and expansion of an existing park and ride lot between Maher Lane and State Route 17. The redesigned lot will give commuters a larger, easier-to-navigate place to park their cars and will further the Governor's goal of creating a modern, inter-modal transportation and commerce center for Orange County. Bus patrons will also benefit from a new, solar-powered shelter to protect them from the elements as they wait for their buses.

"The Maher Lane Park and Ride is a vital part of the area's commuter network and its redevelopment as part of the Road, Transit and Economic Development Hub will ease the burdens faced by bus riders and help to create a first-class transportation center for the entire region," Governor Cuomo said. "By encouraging commuters to take mass transit, we can also reduce traffic congestion, protect the environment and stimulate economic growth. This project demonstrates New York State's commitment to building a 21st Century transportation infrastructure that will keep our local economies moving forward for generations to come."

"This significant project will greatly improve transportation and parking in the Town of Woodbury," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "The $150 million development builds on our efforts to invest in clean energy projects, with a solar-powered shelter and electric charging stations to cut down on energy usage. The hub will build on our efforts to create 21st Century infrastructure and transit in the area and across the state, enhancing quality of life and strengthening the economy."

Plans call for the lot to be resurfaced and new pavement markings added to more efficiently utilize the available parking area, eliminating the often-haphazard way vehicles are currently parked at the site. Parking capacity will be increased from 208 spaces to 221 spaces, which will include two charging stations - each with two-car capacity - for electric vehicles.

Entrances and exits to the lot will be reconfigured to improve traffic flow and ease congestion on area roads. New sidewalks will be constructed to enhance safety for pedestrians as they move to and from their cars. Landscaping will also be added.

A new, 385-square-foot shelter with a solar-powered canopy will accommodate up to 75 people. The new shelter will replace two smaller shelters that had a total capacity of only 15 people.

Work on the Maher Lane Park and Ride will take place this summer and proceed as construction progresses on other aspects of the Road, Transit and Economic Development Hub project, including the reconstruction of the northbound Route 32bridge over Route 17.

The lot will remain open on weekdays during construction and every effort will be made to minimize any loss of parking during construction and to keep commuters informed of developments. Work on the lot is expected to be completed by the fall andcost approximately $600,000.

Reconstruction of the Maher Lane lot is in addition to the new, 200-space park and ride lot that the New York State Department of Transportation is already constructing along Route 32. That lot will feature a parking management system capable of monitoring and displaying the number of available parking spaces, four electric car charging station stalls, and a green bus shelter utilizing solar power and high efficiency lighting.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State leads the nation in investing in transportation alternatives that lessen traffic, ease commutes and improve air quality, including incentivizing ride-share and carpool programs. Enhancing this park and ride lot in Woodbury does just that, providing still another way to make travel more convenient and support economic growth at this busy regional crossroads."

Representative Sean Patrick Maloney said, "The boom of tourism and economic activity in Woodbury brings new opportunities to invest in our transportation infrastructure here in the Hudson Valley. The reconstructed Maher Lane Park and Ride will help keep our roads safer, less congested, and promote a greener New York. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his work and I'll keep working to bring back federal dollars to put to work in projects like this."

Senator James Skoufis said, "This addition to the Exit 131 project will be instrumental to improving our community's access to reliable, public transportation services. As a bus commuter into New York City for a number of years prior to my election to the Legislature, I know first-hand how important it is to have robust, reliable park and rides in our Senate District. I thank the Governor for supporting this newest component of the project and look forward to the long-awaited completion of the new Exit 131 interchange later this year."

Assembly Member Colin J. Schmitt said, "The reconstruction and expansion of the ofTown of Woodbury park and ride will serve as a significant enhancement for commuters in our region. This work will ensure ease of access, increased parking availability and safety for park and ride users while serving as a critical component of the overall road, transit and economic development hub in the Town of Woodbury. This is yet another positive development for Woodbury and all of Orange County and the Hudson Valley."

Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus said, "It will be great to see a larger, redesigned park and ride in the Town of Woodbury. This upgrade is much needed and will greatly benefit Orange County's hard-working commuters. Mass transit is one of the keys to economic success in our region and this project allows us to continue to market this vital part of the County for growth and sustainable development."

Governor Cuomo announced the start of construction of the $150 million Woodbury Road, Transit and Economic Development Hub in November of 2017. The project will improve safety, mobility and traffic patterns at the interchange adjacent to the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets while also providing the local community with better options for transportation. It is expected to decrease congestion, backups and crashes by 50 percent around the Woodbury Premium Outlets area. It is scheduled tocompleted in November.