New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Oct. 20, 2025, that a $36.6 million infrastructure improvement project on the New York State Thruway/Interstate 87 is now complete in the Hudson River Valley's Orange County.

The project, which began in 2024, included full and partial depth repairs on approximately 48 lane miles starting in Woodbury, just a short distance north of the thruway's Exit 16 onto U.S. Highway 6 and N.Y. 17, to the highway's Exit 17 in Newburgh, which connects motorists to I-84.

Approximately 53,000 drivers use this section of I-87 in both directions each day.

"New York State continues to deliver smoother, safer roads across the state, improving the driving experience for commuters, commercial drivers and visitors," Hochul said in a news release from her Albany office. "Repaving the Thruway and keeping the road smooth for drivers is a critical investment given the important role the 570-mile superhighway serves in our transportation network and our state's economy."

Frank G. Hoare, executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) added, "Thousands of motorists depend on this section of I-87 each day to connect them to major roadways in the Hudson Valley like Interstate 84 and Route 17. This project enhances the reliability of the roadway and keeps it in good shape for those who depend on it."

The improvements to I-87 stretched from mileposts 48 to 60.1 and included full and partial depth pavement repairs to address the most deteriorated portions on the highway in both the northbound and southbound directions.

The contractor for the highway upgrades was Crisdel Group Inc., based in South Plainfield, N.J.

Its crew installed a 2-in. asphalt overlay to make the driving surface smoother. Other work included safety improvements such as the installation of new guiderails, new reflective line striping and upgrades to drainage and culverts.

Approximately 85 percent of the thruway's roadway base dates to its original construction in the early 1950s, highlighting the need for heavy maintenance, reconstruction and rehabilitation activities to keep the riding surface in a state of good repair.

NYS Thruway Among Nation's Most Dependable

The New York State Thruway is one of the oldest components of the National Interstate Highway System and one of the longest toll roads in the United States. The freeway's mainline extends north and west for 496 mi. from the New York City line at Yonkers to the Pennsylvania state line at Ripley by way of I-87 and I-90 through Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo.

The maintenance and operation of the thruway system is funded primarily by tolls. NYSTA does not receive any dedicated federal, state or local tax dollars and is paid for by those who drive the route, including one-third of drivers from out of state.

In 2024, NYSTA processed more than 400 million toll transactions and motorists drove 8.2 billion miles on the road.

The agency's 2025-2029 Capital Plan invests $2.7 billion into infrastructure and equipment, an increased commitment of $742 million (a 38 percent increase) since the approval of a multi-year toll adjustment plan in 2023. The additional investment will lead to work on approximately 61 percent of the thruway's more than 2,800 pavement lane miles as well as the replacement or rehabilitation of 20 percent of its 819 bridges.

Constant vigilance on the part of NYSTA crews has helped to make the highway one of the safest in the country with a fatality rate far below the nationwide index, and toll rates are among the lowest in the United States compared to similar toll roads.