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 on-ramp—it will cut response time by between 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 near the new gate claimed two lives and injured dozens.
On Sept. 21, a bus carrying a marching band of Long Island-based Farmingdale High School veered off the interstate highway and flipped over several times down the ravine, killing Gina Pellettiere, the band director, and Beatrice Ferrari, a retired teacher.
Several dozen students were injured, including five initially listed in critical condition, according to the New York state police at the time.
By the end of last year, 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 newly mint agreement between the state Department of Transportation and the town of Wawayanda, with the former responsible for constructing the gate and the latter for snow removal and security inspections.
The state Department of Transportation started building the gate and associated entryway in 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 the July 31 release.
“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 Charles Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Patrick Ryan, and state Sen. James Skoufis all 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.”
