State Eyes Plan To Revamp Thruway Service Areas

ALBANY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced plans to upgrade and revamp all 27 service ares along the New York State Thruway.

Cuomo said that the New York State Thruway Authority has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest to redevelop all 27 New York State Thruway Service Areas through public-private partnerships, a proposal the Governor announced in his 2018 State of the State address.

The RFEI invites interested parties in the hospitality, tourism, travel, freight transportation and public sectors to provide input on operations, logistical and environmental components which could be considered for future development.

“With this action, we’re taking another important step to reimagine and modernize New York’s transportation network so that it can continue to support our growing economy,” Cuomo said. “These service areas offer an opportunity to showcase New York products and attractions while providing customers with modern conveniences and services they expect while traveling our roads.”

The Thruway Authority’s 27 Service Areas are located across the 570-mile system, which spans from New York City to Buffalo and the Pennsylvania border, and are accessible to the 250 million vehicles that travel on the Thruway system every year. Thruway Service Areas are open 24 hours a day and offer motorists unique food and retail options and a fueling site. Several locations also have high-speed electric vehicle charging stations, Taste NY Farm Markets, and Tourism Information Centers.

Along with the RFEI, a customer survey has also been distributed to gather input about amenities travelers would like to see at the Thruway Service Areas.