New York State Route 299

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NY Route 299

Length:

12.39 mi^[1] (19.94 km)

West end:

US 44/NY 55 in Gardiner

Major
junctions:

I-87 Thwy in New Paltz

East end:

US 9W in Highland

Counties:

Ulster

New York State Routes
< NY 298		NY 300 >

New York State Route 299 is a short but important state highway entirely within Ulster County. 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.

1 Route description
2 Communities along the route
3 Major intersections
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Route description

NY 299 leaves the multiplexed US 44 and NY 55 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 Wallkill River bridge, NY 299 also carries the Ulster County Route 7 sign. From the western end at US 44 to the Wallkill River 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 3 Staete Toyuring Routes in Ulster County So maintained, the others being NY 213 (Ulster County Route 4) west of US 209 to NY 28A; and part of NY 28A which comprises parts of Ulster 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; almost immediately after entering 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, supermarkets 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. The Mid-Hudson Bridge is approximately 2.5 miles south of this junction.

[edit] Communities along the route

[edit] Major intersections

County	Location	Mile	Road(s)	Notes
Ulster	Gardiner	0.0	US 44 NY 55
	New Paltz	6.0	NY 32
		6.0	NY 208	Northern terminus of NY 208.
		6.5	NY 32
	New Paltz	7.2	I-87/Thruway	Exit 18 (I-87/Thruway).
	Highland	12.4	US 9W