N.Y. Highway Law § 17: Public hearings

§ 17. Public hearings. To give the public an opportunity to become

fully acquainted with proposed highway projects and to express its views

on the social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed

facilities, the commissioner of transportation, as he deems necessary,

shall hold a public hearing or hearings, or offer the opportunity for

such hearing or hearings in order to consider the various highway

locations or corridors and designs deemed feasible by the commissioner

of transportation for the construction or reconstruction at a new

location of any highway heretofore or hereafter authorized pursuant to

the provisions of this chapter or any other general or special law, or

extensions of such highways, notwithstanding the fact that a particular

highway location or corridor may be specified by law. Provided, however,

that nothing herein shall be construed to authorize construction of any

highway in a location or corridor different from that which is

authorized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or any other

general or special law, or to require construction of any highway in a

location or corridor so authorized if, after such hearing or hearings

and based on all the evidence available to him, the commissioner finds

such location or corridor not feasible. Prior to such hearing or

hearings, the commissioner of transportation shall consider and make

available to the public the various locations or corridors and design

alternates which he deems feasible.