New York State Route 299
Encyclopedia
New York State Route 299 (NY 299) is a short but important state route entirely within Ulster County
, New York
, United States
. Centered around its interchange with the New York State Thruway
outside New Paltz
, it provides access from that road to the popular recreational attractions of the Shawangunk Ridge
to the west and Poughkeepsie
to the east. Only the eastern section is a state highway
; from Shawangunk to New Paltz, it is owned and maintained by Ulster County.
US 44 and NY 55 in Gardiner
just below the Trapp cliffs of the Mohonk Preserve
, one of the most popular and renowned climbing
sites in the Northeast
. It weaves gently through the woods as it descends towards New Paltz
. A mile or so from the western terminus, traffic headed in that direction will have a fantastic view of Mohonk and its famous tower. The section of the highway from US 44 eastwards towards the junction with Ulster County Route 7 south (Libertyville Road) is also signed as Ulster County Route 8; It is known as the New Paltz-Minnewaska Road, though not signed as such. From the Libertyville Road junction to the Springtown Road junction just west of the Carmine Liberta Bridge
over the Wallkill River
, NY 299 also carries the Ulster County Route 7 sign. From the western end at US 44 to the bridge, NY 299 is maintained by the Ulster County Department of Public Works, rather than the New York State Department of Transportation
. It is one of three state routes in Ulster County that is maintained by the county, the others being NY 213 between US 209 and NY 28A (as County Route 4) and part of NY 28A, which comprises parts of County Routes 50 and 51. NY 299 still carries reference markers in the county-maintained sections.
The woods give way to fields, and the highway levels out into the flood plain of the Wallkill River
. The crossing is the western limit of the village of New Paltz itself. Huguenot Street
, the oldest continuously-inhabited neighborhood in Anglo-America and a National Historic Landmark
, leaves to the north almost immediately after the bridge. A gentle climb and a few blocks later, the first traffic light heralds both the northern end of NY 208
and the beginning of the half-mile through downtown New Paltz shared with NY 32
.
This stretch is often heavily trafficked and difficult to park in due to the proximity of the State University of New York at New Paltz
. A college-town atmosphere is evident in the bars and bohemian clothing boutiques lining the street.
Near the eastern boundary of the village, at New Paltz Middle School, 32 turns southward while 299 continues steadily east. It widens slightly with turning lanes at junctions as the quirky village ambiance gives way toward a more standard commercial strip populated with fast food
chains, supermarket
s and gas stations
. Eventually, the Thruway junction is reached and development ceases.
The eastern half of the road is a two lane road with intermittent turning lanes at some junctions, there are traffic signals at the junctions of Ohioville Road (Ulster County 22A), South Street (Ulster County 22) and Old New Paltz Road (Ulster County Highway 12 and the original route of NY 299). There are also unsignalized junctions with Riverside Road (Ulster County 15). It runs straight through partly undeveloped land until it ends at US 9W
north of Highland
in Lloyd
. The Mid-Hudson Bridge
is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) south of this junction.
. It was extended westward to its current western terminus in Gardiner
in the early 1950s.
Ulster County, New York
Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Centered around its interchange with the New York State Thruway
New York State Thruway
The New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
outside New Paltz
New Paltz (village), New York
New Paltz is a village in Ulster County in the U.S. state of New York. It is about north of New York City and south of Albany. The population was 6,818 at the 2010 census.The Village of New Paltz is located within the Town of New Paltz...
, it provides access from that road to the popular recreational attractions of the Shawangunk Ridge
Shawangunk Ridge
The Shawangunk Ridge , also known as the Shawangunk Mountains or The Gunks, is a ridge of bedrock in Ulster County, Sullivan County and Orange County in the state of New York, extending from the northernmost point of New Jersey to the Catskill Mountains.The ridgetop, which widens considerably at...
to the west and Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
to the east. Only the eastern section is a state highway
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
; from Shawangunk to New Paltz, it is owned and maintained by Ulster County.
Route description
NY 299 leaves the concurrentConcurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
US 44 and NY 55 in Gardiner
Gardiner, New York
Gardiner is a town in Ulster County, New York, USA. The population was 5,238 at the 2000 census.The Town of Gardiner is in the south-central part of the county.- History :...
just below the Trapp cliffs of the Mohonk Preserve
Mohonk Preserve
The Mohonk Preserve is located in the Shawangunk Ridge, a section of the Appalachian Mountains, north of New York City in Ulster County, New York, USA. The Preserve is west of the Village of New Paltz...
, one of the most popular and renowned climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
sites in the Northeast
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
. It weaves gently through the woods as it descends towards New Paltz
New Paltz (village), New York
New Paltz is a village in Ulster County in the U.S. state of New York. It is about north of New York City and south of Albany. The population was 6,818 at the 2010 census.The Village of New Paltz is located within the Town of New Paltz...
. A mile or so from the western terminus, traffic headed in that direction will have a fantastic view of Mohonk and its famous tower. The section of the highway from US 44 eastwards towards the junction with Ulster County Route 7 south (Libertyville Road) is also signed as Ulster County Route 8; It is known as the New Paltz-Minnewaska Road, though not signed as such. From the Libertyville Road junction to the Springtown Road junction just west of the Carmine Liberta Bridge
Carmine Liberta Bridge
The Carmine Liberta Bridge is a two-lane steel through truss bridge over the Wallkill River. It carries NY 299 over the river between the Town of New Paltz on the west side and the Village of New Paltz on the east....
over the Wallkill River
Wallkill River
The Wallkill River, a tributary of the Hudson, drains Lake Mohawk in Sparta, New Jersey, flowing from there generally northeasterly to Rondout Creek in New York, near Rosendale, with the combined flows reaching the Hudson at Kingston....
, NY 299 also carries the Ulster County Route 7 sign. From the western end at US 44 to the bridge, NY 299 is maintained by the Ulster County Department of Public Works, rather than the New York State Department of Transportation
New York State Department of Transportation
The New York State Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S...
. It is one of three state routes in Ulster County that is maintained by the county, the others being NY 213 between US 209 and NY 28A (as County Route 4) and part of NY 28A, which comprises parts of County Routes 50 and 51. NY 299 still carries reference markers in the county-maintained sections.
Wallkill River
The Wallkill River, a tributary of the Hudson, drains Lake Mohawk in Sparta, New Jersey, flowing from there generally northeasterly to Rondout Creek in New York, near Rosendale, with the combined flows reaching the Hudson at Kingston....
. The crossing is the western limit of the village of New Paltz itself. Huguenot Street
Huguenot Street Historic District
The Huguenot Street Historic District is located near downtown New Paltz, New York, approximately north of New York City. The seven stone houses and several accompanying structures in the district were built in the early 18th century by Huguenot settlers fleeing discrimination and religious...
, the oldest continuously-inhabited neighborhood in Anglo-America and a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
, leaves to the north almost immediately after the bridge. A gentle climb and a few blocks later, the first traffic light heralds both the northern end of NY 208
New York State Route 208
New York State Route 208 is a state highway located in southern New York in the United States. The southern terminus is at an intersection with NY 17M in the Orange County village of Monroe...
and the beginning of the half-mile through downtown New Paltz shared with NY 32
New York State Route 32
New York State Route 32 is a north–south state highway that extends for through the Hudson Valley and Capital District regions of the U.S. state of New York. It is a two-lane surface road for nearly its entire length, with few divided and no limited-access sections. From Harriman to Albany,...
.
This stretch is often heavily trafficked and difficult to park in due to the proximity of the State University of New York at New Paltz
State University of New York at New Paltz
The State University of New York at New Paltz, known as SUNY New Paltz for short, is a public university in New Paltz, New York. It was founded in 1828 as the School for teaching of classics. In 1885, the New Paltz Normal and Training School was established as a school to prepare teachers for the...
. A college-town atmosphere is evident in the bars and bohemian clothing boutiques lining the street.
Near the eastern boundary of the village, at New Paltz Middle School, 32 turns southward while 299 continues steadily east. It widens slightly with turning lanes at junctions as the quirky village ambiance gives way toward a more standard commercial strip populated with fast food
Fast food
Fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with preheated or precooked ingredients, and served to the customer in a...
chains, supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
s and gas stations
Filling station
A filling station, also known as a fueling station, garage, gasbar , gas station , petrol bunk , petrol pump , petrol garage, petrol kiosk , petrol station "'servo"' in Australia or service station, is a facility which sells fuel and lubricants...
. Eventually, the Thruway junction is reached and development ceases.
U.S. Route 9W
U.S. Route 9W is a north–south U.S. Highway in the states of New Jersey and New York. It begins on Fletcher Avenue in Fort Lee, New Jersey as it crosses the US 1 & 9, US 46, and the Interstate 95 approaches to the George Washington Bridge, where it heads north up the west...
north of Highland
Highland, Ulster County, New York
Highland is a hamlet in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 5,060 at the 2000 census.Highland is a community in the Town of Lloyd, on U.S. Route 9W. Routes 44 and 55 run through it as well...
in Lloyd
Lloyd, New York
Lloyd is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 9,941 at the 2000 census.The Town of Lloyd is located in the eastern part of Ulster County. U.S. Route 9W runs north and south in the eastern part of the town. The concurrent U.S. Route 44 and NY 55 pass through the...
. The Mid-Hudson Bridge
Mid-Hudson Bridge
The Mid-Hudson Bridge is a toll suspension bridge which carries US 44 and NY 55 across the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and Highland in the state of New York. Governor and local resident Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor attended the opening ceremony on August 25, 1930. The bridge...
is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) south of this junction.
History
NY 299 was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York to the portion of its modern alignment east of New PaltzNew Paltz (village), New York
New Paltz is a village in Ulster County in the U.S. state of New York. It is about north of New York City and south of Albany. The population was 6,818 at the 2010 census.The Village of New Paltz is located within the Town of New Paltz...
. It was extended westward to its current western terminus in Gardiner
Gardiner, New York
Gardiner is a town in Ulster County, New York, USA. The population was 5,238 at the 2000 census.The Town of Gardiner is in the south-central part of the county.- History :...
in the early 1950s.