Real Property
The New York State Thruway Authority will under certain circumstances convey Thruway real property assets to private users through occupancy and work permits, sales or leases.
These transactions are made in accordance with the Thruway Real Property Management Policy (25-6-02).
Any potential sale, lease or occupancy or work permit is carefully reviewed to ensure the transaction maximizes revenue for the Thruway Authority and its toll payers and bondholders.
Real Property Sales, Auctions & Leases Process
Step One
Initial consideration of a transaction
- All property sales, occupancy permits, leases and easements begin with a transactional analysis recommendation (TAR), which is completed by staff in the Thruway division in which the property is located.
- The primary purpose of the TAR is to determine whether the property in question is needed for any Thruway maintenance or operational purposes. Property that is determined to be necessary for any aspect of Thruway operations is generally not made available for sale, lease or permitted use.
- The TAR is then reviewed by the Thruway Office of Real Property Management (ORPM) and senior Thruway management.
- If it is determined that the property is not needed for Thruway purposes, the next step is to appraise the property.
Step Two
The appraisal process
- Property under consideration for sales, lease or occupancy or work permits is surveyed and then appraised by an independent professional appraiser.
- The Thruway Authority has contractual agreements with independent professional appraisers to provide appraisal services.
- All appraisals are conducted in compliance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
- The appraisal is reviewed by Thruway's ORPM, which then makes a final recommendation.
- The Thruway generally will not convey property for less than fair market value, as determined through the appraisal process.
Step Three
Final steps
- ORPM’s recommendation is reviewed by Thruway Authority executive leadership.
- The transaction is presented to the Thruway Authority board of directors for consideration.
On This Page
Real Property Occupancy and Work Permits
Occupancy Permits are a revocable instrument that authorizes the use of a site specific identified portion of Authority Property (Premises). Various uses for which Occupancy Permits are issued include, but are not limited to, utility facilities, parking, landscaping, gardening, signage, storage, and access. The rights granted under the Occupancy Permit are non-exclusive. An Occupancy Permit instrument is not a lease, but is merely a permit to use, and therefore a landlord-tenant relationship is not thereby created.
Work Permits are a revocable instrument that authorizes construction, maintenance, inspection, survey, or other type of work or short-term activity on a site-specific identified portion of Authority Property (Premises). Work Permits are required for all work conducted on Authority Property under an Occupancy Permit. Work Permits may not be required when activities are regulated by a contract or agreement, depending upon the terms contained therein. A separate Work Permit is required for each location unless an Annual Work Permit is issued as described below. Except under very limited circumstances, an Occupancy Permit must be in place before a Work Permit will be issued.
The Authority may require a separate Work Permit each time the Premises are entered for the purpose of maintaining facilities authorized under an Occupancy Permit, lease or grant of easement. The Permittee's contractors and/or subcontractors, if any, may be required to each individually obtain the necessary Work Permit prior to entering the Premises.
Annual Work Permits are Division specific instruments that may be issued where an occupant of Authority Property has an on-going requirement to maintain facilities authorized under an Occupancy Permit, lease or grant of easement (e.g., snow removal, waste disposal, tree trimming, etc.). The work authorized by a Permit shall be performed in a professional manner to the satisfaction of the Authority. All work by or for a Permittee shall be done at no expense to the Authority.
Construction Permits
Get Started on Your Permit Application Today.
Inventory of Thruway Authority Real Property
For Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025
Description of Real Property Under the Jurisdiction of the New York State Thruway Authority
All those corridors of land, each approximately 200 feet in width, comprising the seven sections of The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway (“Thruway”); improved with 2,843 lane-miles of highway pavement, 819 bridges, 134 highway interchanges, 35 tandem areas, 300+ buildings, 27 service areas, 3 welcome centers, 16 wastewater treatment plants, 3 water treatment plants, and 40 motor-fueling stations; situate, lying and being in the State of New York; shown on Exhibit 1 below, and more particularly described as follows:
Mainline Section: The majority of the Thruway is within this section, comprising portions of Interstates 87 and 90, shown on Exhibits 2, 3, and 4 below, and more particularly described as follows: Beginning in the City of Yonkers, County of Westchester and spanning approximately 496 miles through the Town of Ripley, County of Chautauqua, having an area of approximately 26,500 acres.
New England Section: Comprising a portion of Interstate 95, shown on Exhibit 5 below and, more particularly described as follows: Beginning in the City of New York, County of Bronx and spanning approximately 15 miles through the Village of Port Chester, County of Westchester, having an area of approximately 400 acres.
Cross Westchester Expressway Section: Comprising a portion of Interstate 287, shown on Exhibit 6 below and, more particularly described as follows: Beginning in the Village of Port Chester, County of Westchester and spanning approximately 11 miles through the Town of Greenburgh, County of Westchester, having an area of approximately 400 acres.
Garden State Parkway Connection Section: Connecting the Mainline Section with the Garden State Parkway, shown on Exhibit 7 below, and more particularly described as follows: Beginning in the Village of Chestnut Ridge, County of Rockland and spanning approximately 2 miles therein, having an area of approximately 100 acres.
Berkshire Section: Comprising a portion of Interstate 90, shown on Exhibit 8 below, and more particularly described as follows: Beginning in the Town of Schodack, County of Rensselaer and spanning approximately 24 miles through the Town of Canaan, County of Columbia, having an area of approximately 1,500 acres.
Niagara Section: Comprising a portion of Interstate 190, shown on Exhibit 9 below, and more particularly described as follows: Beginning in the Town of Cheektowaga of Chestnut Ridge, County of Erie and spanning approximately 21 miles through the City of Niagara Falls, County of Niagara, having an area of approximately 1,100 acres.
In total, the Thruway has a land area of approximately 33,000 acres.
Logo Sign Program
The Thruway Logo Sign Program (TAP-432) is intended to provide motorists with business identification and directional information for LODGING and CAMPING services and eligible ATTRACTIONS within rural (and rural appearing urban areas) along the Thruway.
**New logo sign applications are temporarily on hold at this time.**
What is a Logo Sign?
- Logo Sign Panels:
Logo sign panels are supplied by the business/applicant and are installed by the Thruway onto specific service signs. Trademarks must be federally registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office to be considered for use on a logo sign and artwork must be approved by the Thruway Authority. - Specific Service (Mainline and Ramp) Signs:
Specific service signs have a blue background with a white border and legend. Specific service signs are furnished, installed, and maintained by the Thruway and are located within the Thruway right of way. Specific service signs identify the types of services available at the specified Thruway interchange. - Tourist Oriented Directional (TOD) Signs:
TOD signs are installed along other public highways (crossroads) as necessary to direct motorists from the Thruway ramp to the business referred on the logo sign panel. TOD signs are installed and maintained by the Thruway with authorization from the jurisdictional owner - State, County, or local municipality.
Does My Business Qualify?
A business qualifies for the sign program if their primary and principal source of revenue is from the services which fall within the categories of "LODGING," "CAMPING," or "ATTRACTIONS" and they meet the criteria set forth in the Thruway's Logo Sign Program Guidelines (TAP-432) , Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and NYS Supplement to the (MUTCD) .
To find out if your business qualifies or if you have any questions about the program, contact the Logo Sign Program Coordinator at [email protected] .
How much does it cost?
There is an annual permit fee for each qualifying business featured on a specific services sign.
- Annual Fee Schedule:
$750.00 plus $50 for each follow-up sign placed under a NYSDOT issued permit for use of state-owned property. - Changes or replacements:
$400.00 if logo sign panels must be changed due to business name change or replaced due to damage.
After a business is approved, they will receive a customized quote. Costs associated with fabricating the signs will vary. All signs must be fabricated to NY standard specifications and supplied to the Thruway's Division Maintenance for installation.
How Do I Apply?
If you are interested in the Thruway Logo Sign Program and feel your business meets the qualifying criteria, please fill out the Application (TA-W4313) and submit it to [email protected] . All applications are subject to approval by the Thruway Authority.
Note: The Thruway Authority is not accepting new Logo Sign applications at this time. The program remains active for existing participants and pending requests are being reviewed as quickly as possible. Interested businesses should check back for updates regarding when applications will reopen. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
NYS Tourism Programs
The Thruway Logo Sign Program also supports businesses that fall under the NYS Tourism Programs – I Love NY, Taste NY, and Path Through History. If your business falls under one these categories, please note it on your application.
If you would like more information on these programs, please contact the Department of Agriculture at [email protected] for Taste NY or Empire State Development at [email protected] for the I Love NY and Path Through History programs.