Photo: M. Suhail / iStock Editorial / Getty Images
Just in time for the holiday travel season, all service areas on the New York State Thruway are now open, including the newly completed Modena Service Area. Located southbound between Exit 18 (New Paltz) and Exit 17 (Newburgh), Modena is the 27th and final service area to reopen as part of a $450 million redevelopment project. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the reopening, emphasizing that no toll or tax dollars were used for construction.
The project, a public-private partnership, involved rebuilding 23 service area restaurant buildings and renovating four others. It created 2,000 jobs and required 1.5 million work-hours. Since 2022, more than 68 million customers have visited these revamped service areas.
Governor Hochul stated, "New Yorkers should be able to make a pit stop along the Thruway without breaking the bank." The service areas offer a variety of amenities, including food, beverages, and fuel for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Additionally, Applegreen, the service area operator, will install universal fast charging stations for electric vehicles at each location.
The Thruway Authority's Executive Director, Frank G. Hoare, highlighted the project's success, saying, "This project demonstrates the Thruway Authority’s commitment to modernizing our transportation system." The Thruway, one of the oldest components of the National Interstate Highway System, spans 570 miles and is funded primarily by tolls. It remains one of the safest roadways in the country, with toll rates among the lowest compared to similar toll roads.