Under the new proposal, the major highway capacity increase threatened by the project has been abandoned, bringing costs down from $60 million to $35-$40 million. Rte 120 between the Rte 120/22 overlap and I-684 will remain a 2-lane road without paved shoulders. Although turn lanes will be added at some intersections, this is a far cry from DOT's original plan to rebuild the road into a four-lane highway with a median, paved shoulders, straightened curves and flattened hills. The "Kensico Expressway" was scaled back after critics, including NRDC, Scenic Hudson and the Croton Watershed Clean Water Coalition and NYC public officials, mobilized during the past several years against likely increases in water pollution and traffic.

However, work in the Route 120/22 overlap across Bear Gutter Creek abutting the Kensico Reservoir will encroach upon valuable wetlands and potentially degrade water quality. NYS DOT has argued that the overlap redesign will provide a safer roadway, but has provided no accident data to justify the claim. Watchdogs charge that the lane and shoulder widenings there will increase through traffic and run-off.

Still, the plan contains worthy innovations. A modern traffic calming roundabout has been proposed at the entrance to Westchester County Airport. The two-lane roundabout would move 3,500 vehicles a day through the intersection without the need for a traffic signal, reducing delay and air pollution and boosting safety. Other roundabouts are under consideration at the overlap and I-684's Exit 2. Also, an existing four-lane stretch of Route 120 will be reduced to two lanes in order to reduce pavement in the watershed.