New York State is losing population and losing business because of its high taxes, business unfriendly policies, and crumbling infrastructure. And this type of NIMBY thinking is a prime example. I mean it only took them 40 years to decide to build an additional travel lane between Exits 23 and 24 of the Thruway. (Which was badly needed back then and is horrendously needed today.)

As far as your concern about more traffic, this is a non-issue because it would alleviate some of the excruciating backups at Exits 23 and 24, and direct it exactly where the people want to go, right to their neighborhoods, instead of forcing people to drive 10 miles out of their way, or adding 1/2 hour of their drive times just to get onto the highway.

And with regard to having to install traffic lights in the area, this is also a non-issue, because a simple roundabout system can be built, thus eliminating the need for traffic lights off of the ramps.

After all, when Route 85's 2-lane area was built back in the 1950's and 1960's, they had already planned for a 4-lane section to be built, and left land along side of the current 2-lane section to do it. Once again, another example of how the residents of this state constantly foot-drag, thinking that it is going to "ruin their neighborhoods" or "invite unwanted activity", instead of thoughtfully planning for the future in order to keep up with modern society.

And as far as the "fast food restaurants" arguement-- that is not necessarily an automatic result of building an exit ramp linking two highways. If they really want to "protect the neighborhood", the City of Albany (or whoever's legislative district it is) could put a moratorium on building them, allowing only for exit ramps to be built and no other construction in that area.

Reply to tctctc2: So would you rather sit and wait at the jammed exits at 23 and 24 all the time? Or how about adding up how much extra gas money you have to spend driving those extra 10 miles every day just trying to get onto the Thruway. That's right... if you live anywhere near Route 85 south of the Thruway, it's almost 5 miles in either direction to get on either exit 23 or 24! So that's 10 extra miles every day just to get onto the highway. If an exit was built right here, you wouldn't have to drive those extra 10 miles every day. Now, if your car gets 20 MPG, and you figure gas at $4.00 a gallon, and you drive that extra 10 miles 52 weeks a year... You can see where this is going. Now if you add up how much extra money every driver has to spend to drive that extra 10 miles back and forth, as well as everyone's lost productivity from not being able to get to work as quickly, we're talking MILLIONS of DOLLARS that could be SAVED by constructing a simple, compact, interchange at this location.

WE NEED JOBS IN THIS STATE!!! LET'S START CREATING THEM NOW!!!!!!

There is enough room for a new exit there, because it was already planned for back in the 1950's/1960's when they built the Thruway and Route 85. The right-of-way is already there.

And yes, Route 85 is in desparate need of major repair! I think it's part of the budget for this year and next year.

Constructing a new exit here should have been put on the drawing board when they decided to add in the 3rd lanes on the NYS Thruway. It only would have cost a little more to put in a downsized exit ramp and toll booths at this location, so that people don't have to drive all over creation and waste gas just to get on a highway which is right next to them.

I guess we'll have to wait another 40 years before something gets done about this.