Thruway Authority Announces Reopening of Ulster Service Area in Ulster County

Ulster Service Area is Fully Open and is 24th Location Overall to Reopen as Part of Service Area Redevelopment Project

Location is Fourth and Final Service Area to Reopen with Expanded Amenities for Commercial Vehicle Drivers

Service Area Features Burger King, Panda Express, Starbucks, Applegreen C-Store and Taste NY Products

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced the reopening of the new Ulster Service Area located on I-87 southbound between exit 20 (Saugerties - Woodstock - NY Route 32) and exit 19 (Kingston - NY Route 28 – Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge) in Ulster County. The location opened last November and all of its restaurant options are now available as part of the $450 million private investment to redevelop and modernize all 27 service areas. The Ulster Service Area is the 24th new facility to welcome Thruway customers along a corridor traveled by more than 40,000 vehicles daily.

Additionally, the Ulster Service Area is one of four locations on the Thruway that has expanded amenities for commercial vehicle drivers.

“The Ulster Service Area is now fully open to the public with new restaurant options, commercial trucking amenities and much more,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare, Esq. said. “The service area redevelopment project exemplifies our commitment to enhance and modernize the Thruway system, ensuring a more efficient and enjoyable experience for all travelers.”

New restaurant concepts include:

• Burger King
• Panda Express
• Starbucks (Drive-Thru)
• Applegreen C-Store
• Taste NY Food and Drink Products

Other amenities include:

• Outdoor seating
• Playground area
• Dog walking area
• Private nursing area
• Digital tourism kiosk
• Four Level 3 high speed EV chargers**

**Available at a later date

Commercial Trucking Amenities

Amenities include:

• Separate entrance
• Lounge
• Showers
• Restrooms
• Washer and dryer

ABOUT THE PROJECT

All 27 service areas are being redeveloped as part of a $450 million public-private partnership with Empire State Thruway Partners. No toll or tax dollars are being used for construction.

As part of the project, Applegreen will be installing at least four universal fast charging stations (Level 3) at every service area with up to 350kW of power that support all electric vehicles, including Teslas, with up to eight chargers at the larger locations. Currently, there are 75 fast charging (Level 3) stations available statewide. The Thruway Authority plans to create a robust, end-to-end corridor of more than 130 fast charging EV stations with an average of 30 miles between each location system wide by the end of this project. A list of charging locations can be found HERE.

Customers can learn more about the project including a project map, photo gallery and renderings and more information about the planned amenities and services on the Thruway Authority’s website.

In 2023, motorists took more than 396.9 million trips and drove 8.1 billion miles on the Thruway. The Thruway Authority’s service areas are open 24 hours a day and offer motorists a variety of food and beverage options, restroom facilities and fueling for passenger and commercial vehicles. Taste NY Farm Markets are also available at select locations.

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