New York seeks opinions on redeveloping Thruway rest areas

If your work takes you along the New York State Thruway, and you have an opinion about its service areas, the State of New York wants to hear from you.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Wednesday announced the state’s Thruway Authority has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest to redevelop all 27 service areas along the 570-mile system through public-private partnerships. This follow’s Cuomo’s announcement of the plan in his State of the State address.

The request invites interested parties in the hospitality, tourism, travel, freight transportation and public sectors to comment on operational, logistical and environmental components which may be used in the future development of a Request for Proposal, according to a statement from the Thruway Authority. An RFP to redevelop 16 service areas is scheduled to be released later this year. The remaining 11 service areas will be included in a RFP released at a later date, according to the state.

In his 2018 State of the State address, Cuomo outlined some of the changes he expects to see made, including increasing truck parking.

“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.”

Along with the RFEI, a customer survey has also been distributed to gather ideas about amenities travelers would like to see at the Thruway service areas.

The RFEI is available for download at the Thruway Authority’s website (Bid ID 18C06). Responses to the RFEI are due by May 25.