For Immediate Release: March 9, 2006

THRUWAY AUTHORITY SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON PROPOSED THRUWAY RECONSTRUCTION AND MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS BETWEEN INTERCHANGES 23 AND 24
Public Invited to Comment at March 14, 2006 Public Hearing

The proposed Thruway Reconstruction and Mobility Improvement Project between Interchanges 23 and 24 is the first project to stem from the Albany Corridor Study. In accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the Authority is seeking public comments at a Public Hearing, which will be held on Tuesday, March 14, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Saint Sophia’s Church in Albany.

The project will start at milepost 141.3 and extend to milepost 148.0. The total length of the project is 6.74 miles, located in the Town of Guilderland, Town of Bethlehem, and City of Albany, Albany County. The Project does not include any modifications to the existing toll plazas or traffic patterns at interchanges 23 and 24.

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been completed and is available for review online at www.thruway.state.ny.us (select “Int. 23-24 Reconstruction”), at the Main and Delaware Branches of the Albany Public Library, the Guilderland Public Library, and Bethlehem Public Library. The DEIS for this action assesses the effect of the project on noise, air quality, property impacts, cultural and historic resources, hazardous waste, ecosystems, threatened species, visual resources, and environmentally sensitive lands.

A formal presentation will be given at 7:00 p.m. to outline the alternatives considered and the engineering, traffic, environmental, and right-of-way aspects of the project. Further details will be available in the display area which will be staffed by Authority employees familiar with the project. Authority representatives will be on hand for the duration of the meeting and be available for informal discussions as well.

All interested persons will be given the opportunity to express their view concerning the economic and social effects of the action, its impact on the environment and its consistency with the project goals and objectives. The proceedings will be recorded. Persons may make oral statements and/or file written statements. Written statements submitted at the hearing or mailed and received before March 31, 2006 at the Project Manager’s office will be made part of the record.

For more information about the proposed project or for meeting directions, information or special needs accommodations contact the Authority’s Department of Public Affairs at (518) 436-2983 or visit www.thruway.state.ny.us and select “Int. 23- 24 Reconstruction”. In addition to the public meetings, this web site can also be used to provide comments or feedback regarding the project.

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