Yorktown Heights, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Matt Slater announced today that their legislation dedicating a portion of Route 118 here in honor of the late Jake Arcara has been signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. Arcara, then a 28-year-old Yorktown highway department worker, tragically lost his life after being struck by a vehicle in a work zone on September 14, 2022.

Harckham and Slater’s bill (S.7706B / A.7843B), introduced earlier this year and passed in the State Legislature in June, designates the section of Route 118 (also known as Saw Mill River Road) between Underhill Avenue and Old Country Way as the “Jake Arcara Worker’s Memorial Highway.” Now enacted, the new law is effective immediately.

“Jake was taken from us far too soon, but with this highway dedication, a part of his memory now lives on,” said Harckham. “As we honor his life, we must also acknowledge the tragic circumstances of his passing—and renew our commitment to improving road safety for all. I hope this dedication serves not only as a lasting tribute to Jake Arcara but also as a symbol of strength and unity for the Yorktown community. I’m grateful to Assemblymember Slater for his partnership on this legislation and thank Governor Hochul for signing it into law to ensure Jake’s legacy endures.”

“Jake’s death shook our entire community. He was doing his job, and devastatingly, he never made it home,” said Slater. “Naming a portion of our state highway system in his honor ensures his legacy lives on as a dedicated public servant, but even more so, it acts as a catalyst for action to prevent another senseless tragedy. This highway dedication is a permanent and visible tribute to Jake’s life, his service and the ongoing fight to protect the men and women working on our roads. I’m grateful to Senator Harckham for his partnership in carrying this legislation and to Governor Hochul for signing it, ensuring Jake’s legacy will live on in our community.”

The devastating incident galvanized support for stronger work zone safety measures, including the introduction of “Jake’s Law,” a bill introduced by Harckham and Slater that would authorize Yorktown to install temporary safety cameras in designated work zones and impose monetary liability on those who endanger highway workers by speeding. Additionally, in the years since Jake’s passing, Slater has also led the Assembly’s annual resolution honoring his memory and highlighting National Work Zone Awareness Week. 

Kelly Arcara said, “I’m honored and grateful that this section of Route 118 in Yorktown will be renamed in the memory of my son Jake Arcara. He loved Yorktown, and I know he’ll be looking over all who will drive on the roadways here. It shattered my heart to lose my beloved son; however, I am so touched by this outpouring of love for Jake, who served this town so well. Thank you to Senator Harckham and Assemblymember Slater for introducing the legislation to make this road dedication possible.”

Yorktown Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli said, “On behalf of myself and all of Jake’s highway family, we are extremely grateful to Assemblyman Matt Slater and Senator Pete Harckham for passing this legislation to dedicate part of Route 118 in Yorktown to honor Jake. We strive to keep Jake’s memory alive in perpetuity and feel this will be instrumental in achieving that goal.”