Pete DeMola reports for the Times Union that The Thruway Authority announced on July 7 that the $450 million project to remodel the New York State Thruway service areas begins this month, and the state is adding national chain restaurants. The New Baltimore service areas, south and northbound, in Greene County will be among the ten service areas closing on July 29 for the first phase of work. Electric vehicle charging stations will be added during the construction. Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, Panera, and Popeyes are among the chain restaurants being added at some locations. “This expansive project will modernize the buildings and amenities, provide diverse and healthy food options with new restaurants and Taste NY products, and enhance the amenities for the commercial trucking industry,” said New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll in a statement. Read more about this story in the Times Union.