New York State Thruway celebrates its 70th anniversary

BUFFALO, NY — June 24, 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the first toll portion of the New York State Thruway between Rochester and Utica that gave birth to the Thruway Authority.

Two months later, the Thruway connected to Buffalo.

2 On Your Side spoke with Thruway’s Executive Director about the history as well as the new investments being made right here in Western New York.

“This year we will spend $102 million in the Buffalo and Erie County region, again on infrastructure, to ensure that these roads are maintained and paved and that the bridges are rebuilt,” said Frank Hoare, executive director of the NYS Thruway Authority.

Seventy years ago, it was the section of highway between Rochester and Utica that was the first toll section.

The section is approximately 100 miles long and opened in June 1954. Two months later, the Thruway connecting Buffalo opened.

Recent upgrades to the Thruway system include newly renovated and updated service centers, the move to cashless tolls and electric vehicle chargers.

“We currently have about 72 on our system. We will increase to 98 by the beginning of July. And again, our goal is to get up to 230 electric vehicle chargers over the next few years, so you have that option every 30 miles or so,” Hoare said. .

Tolls on the NYS Thruway were supposed to end in 1996, with the help of federal aid. This does not happen. Instead, tolls remain, but the technology has been upgraded to cashless tolling.

There was an increase in toll rates earlier this year, and Hoare says the Thruway Authority plans to spend $420 million to repave and rebuild Western New York, including the bridges in Grand Island.