Skoufis tours State Route 218 as roadway is prepped for re-opening

With Route 218 set to reopen in the coming weeks, Senator James Skoufis (D, Orange County) recently visited the roadway with State Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel.

Route 218 is an important Orange County artery, connecting Cornwall to West Point. It has been closed since last July when a once-in-a-lifetime storm washed away the roadway.

“Route 218’s forthcoming reopening marks the latest milestone in our community’s rebuild following last July’s devastating flooding,” Skoufis said. “I can attest first-hand that the DOT and its contractors have done a remarkable job fully reconstructing this important commuter road to West Point and other locations in eastern Orange County. At this point, we are weeks – not months – from completion and reopening.”

Torrential thunderstorms barreled into West Point and the Highland Falls community creating a flash flood last July 9, leaving the area inundated with flooded homes and impassable roads. The flood overwhelmed bridges, basements, and various infrastructures with an estimated 3.5 inches of precipitation each hour. Videos and photos showed the flood turning Route 218, known for its breathtaking vistas of the Hudson River, into a river itself.

New York Route 9W also incurred damage. However, the DOT managed to repair the road in less than three days.