TOWN OF WALLKILL – When the state raised a portion of NY Route 17 in the Town of Wallkill a few years ago to conform with federal specifications so the highway could eventually become Interstate 86, the DOT build a tunnel under the road to connect the Galleria at Crystal Run with the Orange Plaza Mall.

The actual road was never built because of the financial arrangements between the four land owners and their financial institutions. Town Supervisor Daniel Depew hopes to see a light at the end of that short tunnel sooner than later by proposing an arrangement where the $5 million in federal funds for the work would be released and the project allowed to precede under a lease agreement with the property owners.

He hopes the ball could get rolling on the project by the Christmas holiday season if all of the roadblocks can be worked out.

Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, State Senator John Bonacic and State Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt said they would all push for the deal at their levels of government.

Bonacic said he was concerned that if the money sat unused too much longer, it could evaporate and be lost forever.

Hayworth cited the inconvenience for people shopping and having to go out to the congested Route 211 to get from one mall to the other. It would also make it easier for emergency vehicles and residents to get to nearby Orange Regional Medical Center.

Bonacic noted there are five traffic lights between the two shopping centers.