In the aftermath of a fatal bus accident last fall, a new emergency access gate for use by first responders has been built near the crash site along Interstate 84 in Orange County.
The gate allows faster access to accidents than the on-ramp—it will cut response time by five to 10 minutes—along a well-traveled highway segment in the town of Wawayanda.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the news of the installation on July 31, about a year after a high-profile bus accident claimed two lives and injured dozens, near where the new gate has been built.
On Sept. 21, 2023, a bus carrying Long Island-based Farmingdale High School’s marching band veered off the interstate highway and flipped over several times as it was going down a ravine. Gina Pellettiere, the band director, and Beatrice Ferrari, a retired teacher, were killed in the crash.
Several dozen students were injured; five of them were initially listed in critical condition, New York state police said at the time.
By the end of 2023, the Federal Highway Administration had approved the state Department of Transportation’s plan for a new gate and dedicated emergency entranceway.
In February, Hochul announced a new agreement between the state Department of Transportation and the town of Wawayanda, with the former responsible for constructing the gate and the latter responsible for snow removal and security inspections.
The state Department of Transportation started building the gate and associated entryway this spring.
Only designated emergency service providers and maintenance crew are authorized to use the gate, which remains closed most of the time.
“Since the horrific bus crash last September, my administration has been focused on working with our federal and local partners to expedite the construction of this access gate and protect New Yorkers,” Hochul said in a July 31 statement.
“This access gate makes this stretch of roadway safer and provides a faster, more direct way for first responders to reach Interstate 84 and save lives.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), and state Sen. James Skoufis issued statements praising the new gate.
“I am thankful to Governor Hochul for ensuring that the emergency access has been installed,” Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said in a statement. “Response time is critical during emergencies, and this access will help allow first responders to quickly mitigate any situation.”
