Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) today released a letter to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) criticizing its proposed safety improvements for New York State Route 7.

In the past 38 months alone, this short section of road has seen 51 severe crashes resulting in five fatalities and 14 serious injuries. These tragedies hit close to home for Smullen, who lost his 14-year-old son AJ in a fatal crash on this same corridor in 2024.

“If these tragedies had been caused by murderers, it would be treated as an urgent public safety emergency,” said Smullen. “This plan feels indecent in its inadequacy, given how many tragedies this community has endured in recent years along this stretch of road. There are no crosswalks, no stop lights, no traffic circles, no speed cameras and no police led enforcement plan, just a vague state police enforcement plan. This is a state highway under NYSDOT’s direct responsibility, and the people who drive and walk here every day deserve a coherent solution that actually fixes the problem.”

Smullen has been a leading voice for meaningful safety upgrades along this corridor since his son’s death. He is urging the NYSDOT to incorporate proven measures, including traffic signals, crosswalks, a lower speed limit and speed cameras, before more lives are lost.

The full letter, which can be read here, was sent directly to Commissioner Dominguez, highlighting that the current proposal falls short of what the crash data and common sense demand.