N.Y. HAY Law § 17

§ 17. Public hearings. To give the public an opportunity to become\nfully acquainted with proposed highway projects and to express its views\non the social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed\nfacilities, the commissioner of transportation, as he deems necessary,\nshall hold a public hearing or hearings, or offer the opportunity for\nsuch hearing or hearings in order to consider the various highway\nlocations or corridors and designs deemed feasible by the commissioner\nof transportation for the construction or reconstruction at a new\nlocation of any highway heretofore or hereafter authorized pursuant to\nthe provisions of this chapter or any other general or special law, or\nextensions of such highways, notwithstanding the fact that a particular\nhighway location or corridor may be specified by law. Provided, however,\nthat nothing herein shall be construed to authorize construction of any\nhighway in a location or corridor different from that which is\nauthorized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or any other\ngeneral or special law, or to require construction of any highway in a\nlocation or corridor so authorized if, after such hearing or hearings\nand based on all the evidence available to him, the commissioner finds\nsuch location or corridor not feasible. Prior to such hearing or\nhearings, the commissioner of transportation shall consider and make\navailable to the public the various locations or corridors and design\nalternates which he deems feasible.\n