Long-Closed Vestal On-Ramp to Route 17 East Set to Reopen Wednesday

The State Route 26 southbound on-ramp to State Route 17 eastbound is set to reopen Wednesday, September 9, at approximately 9 a.m., weather permitting, according to the New York State Department of Transportation.

Anyone who's navigated that stretch through Vestal and Union knows how quickly the detours can turn a five-minute drive into a headache, so this is welcome news heading into a busier fall commute.

Why the Ramp Was Closed in Broome County

NYSDOT closed the ramp as part of ongoing work to replace bridge approach slabs along Route 17. The project has been part of a broader stretch of construction that's kept drivers in the Southern Tier on their toes for months.

Timing Tied to the Start of the School Year

The state says reopening the ramp now is meant to help handle the jump in traffic that comes with the school year, as buses, parent drop-off lines, and daily commutes all pick back up at once. NYSDOT expects the ramp to stay open through the end of the 2026 construction season.

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What Drivers Should Know

The reopening depends on the weather, so keep an eye on conditions Tuesday night into Wednesday morning if you're planning to use that ramp first thing. NYSDOT is also reminding drivers to slow down and move over for highway workers still present in the area.

More project details are available on the NYSDOT website. For real-time travel updates, call 511, visit 511NY.org, or download the free 511NY app.