Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday the first step to convert State Route 17 into Interstate 86 in Orange and Sullivan counties.

She says work has begun on a draft environmental impact statement for the upgrade of the roadway to interstate standards. Public outreach and involvement efforts are expected to begin early next year.

The recently adopted state capital plan includes up to $1 billion to accelerate the conversion of the highway to interstate standards and add a third lane.