On September 13, about 14 months after floods washed out a 300-foot stretch of Rt. 218 between West Point and Cornwall-on-Hudson, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the road reopened to traffic.

“Thanks to an extensive reconstruction undertaken by the State Department of Transportation, this 102-year-old scenic roadway -- also known as Storm King Highway -- is once again serving travelers headed to and from the United States Military Academy at West Point and such other Hudson Valley destinations as Storm King State Park and the Town of Cornwall,” Hochul said. “The newly reconstructed road also features upgraded drainage and stormwater runoff, making it more resilient and better able to withstand the challenges of extreme weather.”

The extreme damage required a full rebuild of the downhill slope with over 35,000 tons of recycled, light, medium and heavy stone fill used in the reconstruction. Once the sub-base material was trucked in, new asphalt, guide rail and pavement markings were added. The area’s steep terrain presented constant challenges, necessitating careful coordination of all heavy equipment movements.

An oversized box culvert manufactured in New York State and an armored embankment capable of conveying runoff from a 500-year weather event were also installed to improve resiliency. The new hydraulic system allows water to flow freely under the roadway. NYSDOT also worked closely with the New York Office of Parks and Historic Preservation to install an aesthetic stone treatment on visible parts of the culvert that better matches the area’s existing characteristics.

Additionally, extensive work was undertaken along State Route 218 near this project site, including drainage and culvert repairs and cleaning, ditch work, slope and shoulder repairs, and minor pavement patches.