News 12 spoke to officials in Orange County on Thursday following news that a crash gate that will be installed on I-84 in Wawayanda.

First responders in Slate Hill have been wanting an emergency entrance to the roadway since the early 2000's.

It was announced this week that it will be happening.

"It's been a long time coming but definitely great news for us," Michael Dally, with the Slate Hill Fire Department. "It's really going to reduce our response time and it'll definitely be good for everybody."

In September, Dally, other first responders and elected officials called on the state and federal government to approve an emergency entrance to that roadway to make for faster response times instead of driving miles to the nearest on ramp.

Their message a few months ago came days after two people were killed and 40 passengers were injured when a charter bus crashed off a portion of that highway in Wawayanda.

It was carrying students from a Long Island high school to a band camp in Pennsylvania.

The National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, continues to investigate the September bus crash.

"I'm glad it's finally happening. It is no doubt going to save lives in the future," said State Senator James Skoufis on Thursday during a zoom interview.

He was among the calls pushing for the safety measure.

As News 12 has reported, the state Department of Transportation will design and install a new entrance way and gate at County Route 49.

That work is expected to begin this spring.