June 25, 2024

NYSDOT Region 8
Route 17 Mobility & Access Improvements Project Team
4 Burnett Boulevard
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

To the Route 17 Mobility & Access Improvements Project Team:

We are writing to express our concern with the potential plan to close Exit 127 (Sugarloaf-Warwick) in the
Town of Chester during the transition of New York State Route 17 to Interstate 86. The New York State
Department of Transportation has been transparent throughout this process and open to public input, which is
commendable, but this aspect of the plan will impact the quality of life of local residents in the towns of
Chester and Warwick.

The closing of Exit 127 will redirect this traffic to Exit 126 in the Town of Chester. Residents of Chester
believe that without Exit 127, an excess amount of traffic will be forced to use Exit 126 which will delay
vehicles getting into Chester, Sugar Loaf, and the greater Warwick area. The amount of traffic onto Exit 126,
caused by this change, would be detrimental to the quality of life of local residents.

Exit 126 has limitations in its ability to take on additional traffic. This exit already serves much of the Town of
Chester, the Village of Florida, and some of Warwick. As this exit outlets onto New York Route 94, with many
travelers crossing a bridge to arrive at their destination, residents already experience heavy traffic at this exit
during busy periods. Once again, we appreciate the Department of Transportation’s openness to receiving input
from local residents and community leaders, and we urge careful consideration of the impact that this exit
closure may have on through and local traffic. We are open to further discussion of this complication and
potential alternative resolutions.

Sincerely,

James Skoufis Brian Maher

State Senator, 42nd District Assemblymember, 101st District

Brandon Holdridge
Supervisor, Town of Chester