'Crash gate' to speed emergency response built near Farmingdale bus crash site upstate

ALBANY — The fatal crash of a tour bus carrying the Farmingdale High School marching band in September has led to the construction of a "crash gate" at the Orange County accident site, designed to cut miles and minutes off the response time of emergency crews.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced completion of the gate, which will allow emergency vehicles to cross opposite lanes on Interstate 84 at County Route 49 in Wawayanda. That’s near the location of the Farmingdale crash, in which the band director and a former teacher serving as a chaperone died and many students were injured.

Local officials had told Newsday in the aftermath of the accident that their calls for the crash gate had gone unheeded for more than 20 years along the accident-prone stretch of highway.

Crash gates link opposite lanes of a highway and are inaccessible to anyone but emergency and maintenance crews. Without the gates, emergency crews can face miles of travel to highway exits to reach an emergency. In addition to speeding first responders' access to a scene, supporters say crash gates can substantially reduce the time traffic is tied up near an accident.

Local officials had told Newsday the crash gate would save first responders precious minutes within the "golden hour" when emergency care can be most effective.

The Sept. 21 tragedy happened when the tour bus carrying the group to a band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania, crashed down a 50-foot embankment. First responders were slowed by the lack of access to the highway clogged with traffic, local officials said.

State Sen. James Skoufis (D-Woodbury) said more than 10 miles of roadway separated the nearest access points to the highway, requiring extra miles of travel to and from crashes.

"The tragic crash which caused us to lose two beloved Long Island educators and injured dozens of Farmingdale students was just one of many horrific accidents along this roadway," said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer.

In June, the crash that drew headlines nationwide prompted the State Legislature to require most passengers to use seat belts on charter buses.

The crash gate was erected after a joint effort by federal, state and local officials following the crash of the bus chartered by Farmingdale High School.

"They’ve called for this crash gate for years, and I am thankful to our partners at every level of government for coming together to deliver," said Rep. Pat Ryan (D-Kingston). "First responders deserve every possible tool at their disposal to prevent tragedies like last September’s bus crash and keep our families safe."

"Response time is critical during emergencies," said Republican Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus. "This access will help allow first responders to quickly mitigate any situation."

The effort required speeded review and approval by Federal Highway Administration requested by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Hochul had directed the state Department of Transportation to design and install a new entrance and emergency access gate at County Route 49. The Town of Wawayanda agreed to maintain the entrance and ramp, remove snow and ice, and regularly inspect the gate.

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.