Harckham and Levenberg Announce $20M for Route 9A Modernization Project

Briarcliff Manor, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg announced today that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has allocated $20 million in SFY 2025 to support Phase 1 of the Briarcliff Manor – Peekskill Parkway (Route 9A) modernization project.

The $20 million in Phase 1 state funding will cover the segment of Route 9A from the Taconic State Parkway to Pleasantville Road in Briarcliff Manor and include preliminary engineering, detailed / final design and the environmental coordination activities to satisfy National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) requirements.

“For the many residents, commuters and business owners who regularly travel on this stretch of Route 9A, this is the best news possible,” said Harckham. “The safety of this roadway has long been an issue because of potholes, persistent flooding and aging infrastructure. I am heartened that a major investment toward upgrading this important thoroughfare is being made, and I thank Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for fighting for this funding and DOT for recognizing its necessity.”

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “As the Majority Leader of the State Senate and a proud representative of Westchester County, it was a pleasure to work with Senator Pete Harckham to secure $20 million in this year’s budget for the Route 9A modernization project. This investment underscores our commitment to enhancing infrastructure and promoting safety in our local communities. I commend Senator Harckham for his dedication to improving our roadways. I am eager to see the positive impact this project will have on the region’s transportation network."

“We have heard our constituents loud and clear: Route 9A has been neglected for too long,” said Levenberg. “That era of neglect is coming to an end now, with scheduled repaving starting at the end of June and this new commitment of $20 million for the next phase of the modernization of the Briarcliff-Peekskill Parkway. I am so grateful to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her strong support of this project and helping us get to this point. Finding funding to fix this road has been among my top priorities since taking office last year, and I am so pleased to see our collective efforts bearing fruit.”

In 2022, NYSDOT committed $3 million to an engineering and safety study of Route 9A, thanks to persistent advocacy from the state legislators, local elected officials and residents. The roadway, already narrow and without shoulders or breakdown lanes, has deteriorated in recent years, thanks to heavy use and storm damage. A number of public workshops has given stakeholders and residents an opportunity to meet with NYSDOT officials to express concerns about the roadway and possible future plans.

More than 40,000 vehicles travel on Route 9A each day—cars, vans, fire engines, garbage trucks, 18-wheelers—all navigating the tight confines, many on- and off-ramps and low bridges. One of the state’s most dangerous stretches of roadway, it is the scene of more than 120 major accidents a year.

“I am much relieved that NYSDOT is moving forward with this desperately needed modernization project,” said Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky. “We all know that the roadway’s condition is not very good. At the same time, drainage and safety issues are becoming more pronounced. Getting the Route 9A project going is critical to the general safety of motorists, and I thank Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Senator Harckham for securing their efforts in securing this funding.”

Briarcliff Manor Mayor Steve Vescio said, “I commend New York State for budgeting the funds to design the necessary safety upgrades to this critical regional transportation corridor. We look forward to working with our state partners as this process continues to ensure the project moves through design and towards construction in a timely and efficient manner.”