Exploring New York State Route 32: A Journey Through History
New York State Route 32 (NY 32) is a fascinating journey through the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley and Capital District regions, stretching for 176.73 miles with few divided sections. This road begins at NY 17 near Harriman and ends at NY 196 east of Hudson Falls, passing through several cities like Newburgh, Kingston, Albany, Cohoes, and Glens Falls. It offers breathtaking views of the Hudson Highlands, Shawangunk Ridge, Catskill Mountains, and the Hudson River.
Origins and Maintenance
Originally part of privately maintained turnpikes, NY 32 was designated as such in 1930. Today, maintenance is split between the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and local jurisdictions. The road’s history is rich with changes; for instance, the Delmar Bypass began construction in the mid-1950s and was completed by 1958.
Route Overview
The journey begins at Angola Road, where NY 32 intersects with CR 107. It climbs out of a creek valley into development before crossing the New Windsor town line. In Vails Gate, it becomes part of the main commercial strip, making for a complex five-way intersection.
Newburgh and Beyond
NY 32 continues through Newburgh, turning east on Broadway (NY 17K) before separating from US 9W. It passes several developments like Mid-Valley Mall and Cronomer Hill Park before continuing north into Ulster County.
From Ulster to Kingston
The highway crosses I-84, enters Plattekill, and curves northwards through fields near the Shawangunk Ridge. 5 miles from the Thruway, it intersects US 44 and NY 55 in Modena before entering Gardiner with a wide bend around Locust Lawn.
New Paltz and Beyond
North of Modena, the area becomes more wooded as the highway curves into New Paltz. It turns west onto NY 299 in downtown New Paltz, then passes through rural areas before joining with NY 213 and crossing Rondout Creek at Rosendale.
NY 32 climbs out of the Rondout valley, crosses over the Thruway again, and continues north into Kingston. It changes streets frequently, merges with other routes, and eventually joins I-587 and NY 28 at a wide junction before following Albany Avenue to East Chester Street.
The highway assumes an eastward course, bending slightly north to meet US 9W. It ends after 1,500 feet as US 9W turns onto Frank Koenig Boulevard. NY 32 continues east from Kingston-Ulster Airport, crossing Esopus Creek into Saugerties and eventually becoming NY 212.
The road leaves the divided highway to become a two-lane route, trending west until turning north-northeast near Freehold. It climbs up to its highest elevation of 1,060 feet on the plateaus south of the Helderberg Escarpment before intersecting with NY 23A in Greene County.
The road leaves Broadway at 13th Street, turns onto 2nd Avenue, and continues through Watervliet and Colonie. It crosses the Mohawk River into Saratoga County, where it intersects US 4 and briefly overlaps with NY 67 before splitting north of Stillwater.
The route follows Warren Street in Glens Falls, splitting from US 9 and following the Hudson River east toward Hudson Falls. It turns onto Burgoyne Avenue southward around the northeastern portion of Hudson Falls to NY 196, where NY 32 terminates.
Challenges and Future Plans
The southern terminus at Woodbury Commons is frequently discussed due to severe traffic issues. Heavy holiday shopper traffic and special events cause significant congestion on NY 17 and the Thruway. Plans for an exit ramp, loops, overpasses, and removing traffic lights were announced in 2007 but postponed or put on hold due to funding constraints.
A revised five-year capital spending plan was announced in 2016, including a new $115 million project to convert the interchange into a diverging diamond and lower NY 17 to meet federal clearance requirements. The NYSDOT plans to improve several major intersections: Nininger Road (CR 64) will be extended east and grade-separated; the ‘Five Corners’ intersection of NY 32 and NY 94 in Vails Gate was expanded with middle-turn lanes and overhead signs; Main Street in New Paltz is considered a choke point due to heavy traffic from tourists visiting the surrounding hiking areas. A proposal to make it one-way has been revisited after initially being approved.
NYSDOT also has two suffixed routes: NY 32A, originally assigned between Bemis Heights and Schuylerville, later renumbered, and then revived as a 1.92-mile connector in the Hudson Valley; and NY 32B, originally assigned to an alternate route of NY 32 between Northumberland and Glens Falls, truncated northward to Hudson Falls in the early 1940s, and mostly replaced by NY 254 c. 1965.
NY 32 is more than just a road; it’s a journey through history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re driving or simply exploring its route, there’s always something new to discover along this scenic highway.
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This page is based on the article New York State Route 32 published in Wikipedia (retrieved on December 2, 2024) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
