The gate will reduce emergency response time by five to ten minutes along a busy stretch of highway in Wawayanda.
Following a tragic bus accident last year, a new emergency access gate has been constructed near the crash site on Interstate 84 in Orange County. This gate will provide first responders with quicker access to accidents compared to the on-ramp, cutting response time by five to 10 minutes along a well-traveled highway segment in Wawayanda.
On July 31, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the installation of the gate, a year after the bus accident that claimed two lives and injured many others.
The accident occurred on Sept. 21 when a bus carrying a marching band from Farmingdale High School veered off the highway, resulting in fatalities and injuries, including several students in critical condition.
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By the end of the previous year, the Federal Highway Administration had given the green light to the state Department of Transportation’s proposal for the new gate and entranceway dedicated for emergencies.
In February, Governor Hochul announced a partnership between the state Department of Transportation and Wawayanda town for the construction and maintenance of the gate and entryway.
The construction of the gate and entryway began in the spring under the supervision of the state Department of Transportation.
Only authorized emergency service providers and maintenance personnel have access to the gate, which remains closed most of the time.
“Since the tragic bus accident last September, my administration has been working closely with federal and local authorities to fast-track the construction of this access gate to safeguard New Yorkers,” stated Hochul in the press release on July 31.
“This access gate enhances the safety of this highway stretch and offers a quicker, more direct route for first responders to reach Interstate 84 and save lives.”
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Patrick Ryan, and state Sen. James Skoufis all commended the installation of the new gate.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus expressed gratitude to Governor Hochul for the installation of the emergency access gate. “Response time is vital during emergencies, and this access will enable first responders to promptly address any situation,” Neuhaus said.
