Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus announced today the first steps to upgrade a major southern Dutchess highway artery.  Funds will be allocated for the design of the reconstruction of Old Hopewell Road (County Route 28) from its intersection with All Angels Hill Road (CR 94) west to US Route 9.  This 2.6 million dollar project will reconstruct this heavily used section of County highway to improve non-standard slopes and curves.  The project is being combined with the previously approved improvements to the Old Hopewell and All Angel Hill Roads intersection.  

The County Executive noted, “Combining the 1.3 million dollar intersection improvement project with the reconstruction of Old Hopewell Road will allow both projects to mesh seamlessly and result in a safer road and intersection for the traveling public.” 

Dutchess County Legislator Sandra Goldberg (District 14 – Wappinger) said, "With the increased population growth in Southern Dutchess, this is an important step in providing a safer and improved road system for residents.  Additionally, having 80% of this done with federal funding eases the burden on local taxpayers." 

Steinhaus said, “This is a very important project for Dutchess County due to the tremendous volume of use received by Old Hopewell Road (nearly 10,000 autos per day by the latest counts) and its intersection with All Angels Road.  This county road is high density use for local Wappinger residents but also as a connection for East Fishkill and Beekman area residents to get to Route 9.”  

“Combining these two projects allows us to significantly improve the alignment of the roadway and intersection and increase available sight distances at critical points.  As our county continues to grow the link that Old Hopewell Road provides between State Routes 9D, 9 and 82, is an essential part of managing traffic and facilitating the movements of goods and services in south-western Dutchess County,” the Executive concluded. 

The total cost for the two projects is approximately $3.9 million.  Eighty percent or $3.1 million will be federally funded.  The remaining 20 percent or $780,000 was funded under a year 2000 County highway bond.  A resolution to seek federal reimbursement for the projects will be submitted to the County Legislature.