Governor Kathy Hochul announces new community outreach center to involve residents in plans to reimagine the I-787 corridor in Albany

Albany, New York – A new chapter is beginning for the future of downtown Albany, New York, where state leaders are taking another step toward reshaping one of the region’s most debated pieces of infrastructure. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the opening of a dedicated community outreach center designed to keep residents directly involved in plans to transform the Interstate 787 corridor.

The newly established outreach center, located at 125 State Street in downtown Albany, is intended to serve as a central meeting point for the public as the project moves forward. Residents, business owners, and community organizations will be able to visit the space to learn about the proposed changes, explore conceptual design ideas, and offer feedback to the team guiding the initiative.

Officials say the center is meant to bridge the gap between planners and the people who live and work near the highway corridor. Instead of relying solely on formal hearings or online updates, the location will allow residents to walk in, ask questions, and engage directly with experts working on the project.

The effort centers on reimagining the aging infrastructure of Interstate 787, a highway built decades ago that now runs along the edge of the Hudson River. While the roadway has long served as a critical transportation route through the Capital Region, it has also been widely criticized for separating downtown Albany from its waterfront.

“Reimagining the I-787 corridor is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of downtown Albany, so it is imperative that the people who live and work in the area have a major voice in how this project progresses,” Governor Hochul said. “This new community outreach center will make it easier for area residents and business owners to learn about the project and provide the feedback we need to make this project a success for everyone.”

Transportation officials say that listening to the community will be essential as the state evaluates possible redesigns of the corridor.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez emphasized that collaboration with local residents has been a priority from the start.

“The local community has been and will always be our most important partner as we work to fulfill Governor Hochul’s vision to reconnect downtown Albany and surrounding communities with the Hudson River waterfront and transform our state capital. This new outreach center is a demonstration of our commitment to work with the community to keep them informed, answer questions and collect feedback and ideas as we advance the environmental review process for this project.”

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The highway itself dates back to the 1960s, when large infrastructure projects reshaped cities across the United States. Built to run parallel to the Hudson River, Interstate 787 became a major connector for regional traffic. Yet over time, its elevated structures and busy lanes also created a physical barrier between Albany’s downtown core and the waterfront that once served as the city’s historic economic lifeline.

Today, state planners are examining ways to reshape the corridor while addressing long-standing infrastructure concerns. The project being evaluated stretches from Interstate 87 to Interstate 90 within Albany and also includes the Dunn Memorial Bridge, which connects Albany to the neighboring city of Rensselaer, New York.

Governor Hochul has secured up to $40 million in the Fiscal Year 2026 enacted budget to begin preparing a full environmental impact statement. That process will analyze different possibilities for the corridor’s future and assess how potential changes might affect surrounding communities, traffic flow, environmental conditions, and public access to the riverfront.

The environmental study builds upon earlier research known as the Planning and Environmental Linkages Study, which was released the previous year. That earlier work laid the groundwork for evaluating multiple design concepts and transportation alternatives.

The project also forms a major piece of a much broader investment strategy for Albany.

Through the Championing Albany’s Potential initiative, the governor has committed $400 million toward revitalizing the state capital. The initiative, first introduced during the 2025 State of the State address, aims to spur redevelopment, encourage housing growth, and strengthen local economic corridors.

Within that plan, $200 million is dedicated to supporting projects designed to revitalize commercial districts, strengthen small businesses, and transform underused properties or open spaces. Another $150 million is earmarked for improvements to the New York State Museum, while $1.5 million has been allocated to enhance public safety in downtown areas.

The environmental review of the I-787 corridor will examine ways to improve access to the Hudson River while strengthening connections between neighborhoods and major destinations across the corridor.

Planners will also look closely at several major transportation structures along the route, including Interstate 787 itself, the South Mall Expressway, and the Dunn Memorial Bridge. Additional infrastructure within the surrounding study area will also be evaluated.

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At the new outreach center, residents will be able to review visual displays showing possible design concepts. They will also be able to meet members of the project team, ask questions about the environmental review process, and share their ideas about how the corridor should evolve.

The center will operate five days a week and will be staffed by project representatives who can provide updates and gather feedback from visitors.

Operating hours are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

State and local officials say the center represents an important step in ensuring transparency and community participation.

State Senator Patricia Fahy described the effort as a long-awaited opportunity to reconnect Albany with one of its defining natural resources.

“What began years ago as a concerted effort to reconnect our Capital City to its greatest historical and natural asset, the Hudson River waterfront, is now poised to change the face of Albany. The new Community Outreach Center will provide neighbors with a direct place to connect with the Reimagining I-787 team, provide input, and ensure that our community remains the driving force behind this project. I want to thank Governor Hochul for partnering with me and prioritizing the reimagining of I-787, which has cemented the impacts of redlining in some of our most disadvantaged neighborhoods for far too long. We continue to turn the page, and ultimately, write an entirely new book for our Capital City and Hudson River waterfront.”

Assemblymember John McDonald III also highlighted the project’s potential to reshape regional connectivity.

“The opening of this community outreach center marks an important step forward in reimagining the I-787 corridor. We have a real opportunity to bring our communities back together in a way that promotes accessibility and economic growth. I encourage residents and businesses to take advantage of this space to learn more about the project and share their input. I thank Governor Hochul and the Department of Transportation for their continued commitment to investing in the Capital Region.”

Another Albany lawmaker, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, stressed the importance of public participation in the planning process.

“This project is an important step forward as we build on the Governor’s historic $400 million investment in our capital city and continue working on shaping Albany’s future together as a community. Public input is essential to getting this right, and this new outreach center gives residents a real opportunity to see the vision, ask questions, and make their voices heard. I encourage everyone to stop by, learn more, and be part of this exciting effort to revitalize downtown Albany and reconnect our communities to the Hudson River.”

Local leaders also voiced support for the initiative.

Daniel P. McCoy, the Albany County Executive, said the outreach center will help ensure residents remain part of the conversation.

“I appreciate the Governor’s leadership in making this outreach center a reality. Projects like this can feel big and distant, but they can have a direct impact on the surrounding neighborhoods. Having a space where folks can walk in, ask questions, share concerns, and stay informed makes a real difference. I’m glad to see that kind of commitment to keeping the community front and center.”

Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the project is about more than transportation infrastructure.

“Reimagining this corridor is about more than infrastructure. It is about reconnecting neighborhoods, improving access to our waterfront, and building a downtown that is more accessible and connected. This outreach center creates a real opportunity for residents to be part of shaping what comes next. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Department of Transportation for their continued partnership and investment in Albany through the Championing Albany’s Potential initiative. Opening this space for public engagement ensures that the future of I-787 is guided by the voices of the people who live, work, and spend time here every day. I encourage people to stop by the outreach center, just down the street from City Hall, and learn more about how their input is a critical part of this process. This is an important step forward in creating a city that is better connected and built to meet the needs of our residents.”

Across the river in Rensselaer, local officials are also watching the project closely.

John DeFrancesco, mayor of Rensselaer, said his city’s residents have already shown strong interest in the effort, particularly because it includes potential changes to the Dunn Memorial Bridge.

“I applaud Governor Hochul for opening a Community Outreach Center for the public to learn more about and have input into the Reimagine I-787 project. City of Rensselaer residents are very interested in this project, that includes replacing the Dunn Memorial Bridge, and many residents have appreciated talking with Reimagine I-787 project staff at our Farmer’s Market in Riverfront Park under the Dunn Memorial Bridge ramps. Having a dedicated outreach center for on-going public engagement regarding the Reimagine I-787 will assure that the public remains aware of and involved in this important project. I look forward to working with Governor Hochul and her team as Reimagine I-787 moves forward.”

As the environmental review moves forward, the outreach center will remain a focal point for communication between planners and the public.

Officials say the goal is not just to redesign a highway, but to reshape how Albany connects with its riverfront, neighborhoods, and surrounding communities.

For residents of the Capital Region, the decisions made in the coming years could determine how the city grows, moves, and interacts with its historic waterfront for decades to come.