Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda 

New Exit or Industrial Access Point would Reduce Heavy Commercial Traffic, Bolster Economic Development Efforts and Enhance Quality of Life for Local Residents

COEYMANS, NY – Albany County Legislator Zach Collins (C-R, Coeymans) today called on New York State to construct a new thruway exit for the Port of Coeymans. In a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, Legislator Collins cited increasing commercial traffic, and the need to strike an appropriate balance between ongoing economic development efforts and quality of life concerns by local residents.

“As you may know, the Town of Coeymans has seen progress in its industrial sector in recent decades…These positive developments, however, have had a few negative effects on the lives of Coeymans residents, specifically in the form of truck traffic on State Routes 143 and 144…The large amount of trucks that take these routes have caused problematic traffic conditions on Main Street (Route 143) in Coeymans and Ravena, noise issues for residents, and congestion on what are otherwise lightly used two-lane country routes,” wrote Legislator Collins.

Multiple Coeymans residents recently raised concerns at a Town Planning Board hearing regarding the current situation on these routes. With the proposed GE Vernova wind nacelle construction project coming to the Port of Coeymans, there will be many new workers, tax dollars and increased traffic brought to Coeymans and Ravena. State investment in this project would be bolstered by a potential new exit or industrial access point along the Thruway.

“I understand the addition of a new exit to the Thruway may pose some challenges, especially given the relative proximity of exits 22 and 21B, but I believe a new exit is necessary to improve the lives of Coeymans residents. Such an exit or industrial access point from the Thruway would not just improve the quality of life for residents in Coeymans and Ravena – it would also help local businesses by moving disruptive truck traffic off of Main Street and assist local industries by providing quicker access to markets and resources. Improving Thruway connectivity in this area would create benefits for the entire town and, consequently, our whole region and State,” concluded Legislator Collins.

The letter is attached.