Construction is close to starting on a massive $400+ million overhaul of the New York State Thruway’s rest areas.
There are 27 of them, and it’s being financed through a lease agreement with the chain Applegreen, who will handle overhauling them- and operating them after the renovations are complete.
The rest stops were last renovated in the 1990s, which in terms of providing the most for travelers in New York- left a lot to be desired.
Applegreen will spend $450 in total- with $300 million going directly to the renovation work alone. There will be another $150 million spent for upkeep and rent- in exchange for the ability to operate the facilities.
There are 10 rest areas across the state that are scheduled to close for construction on July 29. They will reopen in March 2022. To prevent a travel nightmare- the Thruway Authority will only close one location in each direction at a time. What does that mean? In short, no motorist will see two consecutive rest stops closed at the same time traveling the same direction.
In the Finger Lakes, the Clifton Springs and Junius Ponds rest stops are among the first to close. Clifton Springs will reopen in September 2022, according to officials. While Junius Ponds will reopen in March 2022.
Throughout construction the gas stations will remain open.
Once reopened, Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, Shake Shack, Dunkin’, Panda Express, Burger King, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Applegreen’s convenience store), will be operated throughout the state at these rest stops.
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