New York Construction Report staff writer
A community outreach centre has opened in downtown Albany to support plans to redevelop the aging Interstate 787 corridor, a project aimed at improving infrastructure and reconnecting the city with its waterfront.
Located at 125 State St., the centre will serve as a hub for public engagement as the New York State Department of Transportation advances environmental review work on the corridor, which runs along the Hudson River.
The facility will allow residents, businesses and other stakeholders to review early design concepts, meet with project staff, provide feedback and receive updates.
“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,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “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.”
Built in the 1960s, I-787 runs between Interstate 87 and Interstate 90 and includes connections such as the Dunn Memorial Bridge into Rensselaer. The elevated highway has long been viewed as a barrier separating downtown from the waterfront.
The state is evaluating options to modernize the corridor, improve access to the river and address aging infrastructure through an environmental impact statement now in development. The review will also consider upgrades to the South Mall Expressway and other assets within the study area.
Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said the outreach centre will support ongoing consultation as the project moves through planning.
“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,” she said.
The state has committed up to $40 million in its fiscal 2026 budget to begin the environmental review, part of a broader $400-million downtown revitalization initiative focused on housing, commercial corridors and public assets.
The outreach centre will be open five days a week, with staff available to answer questions and collect feedback as planning continues.
