Thruway Warners service area open again after renovations

VAN BUREN — Following renovation work, the Warners service area along the New York State Thruway in the town of Van Buren is again providing drivers a chance to stretch their legs, get some food, and perhaps a beverage.  It’s located on Interstate 90 westbound between exit 39 (Syracuse-Fulton-I-690-NY Route 690) and exit 40 (Weedsport-Auburn-NY Route 34). The rest stop in the Warners hamlet within Van Buren is the 15th new service area to open to Thruway customers, the New York State Thruway Authority announced.  The renovation work was part of the $450 million private investment to “redevelop and modernize” all 27 Thruway service areas. A public-private partnership is paying for the redevelopment of all 27 service areas on the New York State Thruway. Empire State Thruway Partners submitted the winning $450 million investment plan to rebuild 23 of the 27 service-area restaurant buildings and “provide significant renovations and upgrades to the remaining four,” per the Thruway Authority website. New restaurant options included at the Warners service area include Burger King, Chick-fil-A, a drive-thru Starbucks, Applegreen C-Store, and Taste NY food and drink products.  Other amenities include outdoor seating; dog walking area; private nursing area; digital tourism kiosk; and four level 3 high speed EV chargers, which will be “available at a later date,” the Thruway Authority noted. The Warners rest stop is also the first of five select service areas that will include an adult changing station to improve accessibility for those with disabilities. In addition to the Warners service area, an adult changing station will be included in the Angola, Ontario, Pattersonville, and Sloatsburg service areas along the Thruway. “The Service Area Redevelopment project is more than halfway complete, and with the opening of the Warners Service Area, we’re increasing accessibility for motorists with the addition of an adult changing station,” Frank Hoare, acting executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority, said in the announcement. “Adult changing stations provide those with special needs a safe and secure space for caregivers to provide assistance.” The March 25 Warners reopening announcement followed the Feb. 19 announcement that the Port Byron service area has also reopened on the Thruway. That service area is located on I-90 eastbound between exit 41 (Waterloo-Clyde-NY Route 414) and exit 40 (Weedsport-Auburn-NY Route 34). The restaurant options at the Port Byron rest stop include Burger King, Dunkin’ (drive-thru), Applegreen C-Store, and Taste NY food and drink products.