Secret Shortcut Opens to Select Drivers in Beacon

The City of Beacon has announced that a closed "shortcut" for drivers has been reopened, but only for select drivers.

If you spend any time driving in the Beacon area of Dutchess County, you're well aware that there are times when traffic in and out of the city can be a headache. For many years, drivers looking to avoid Main Street traffic or to get to Beacon High School could use a "secret" shortcut to get around the heart of Beacon, NY.

Beacon Traffic Shortcut Closed

Drivers coming from Fishkill could turn onto Prospect Street off Route 52 and sneak around the front of the Fishkill Correctional Facility onto Matteawan Road. Once you passed the normally unmanned security booths, you had a clear path to either the schools or to Verplank Ave.

Last year, we learned that the "shortcut" was officially closed to through traffic, and any driver who attempted to use it would be stopped by security and told to turn around.

After learning of the closure, many wondered if it would ever reopen.

Secret Shortcut in Beacon, NY Open to Select Drivers

According to a social media post, the City of Beacon has announced that the Fishkill Correctional Facility will allow some traffic to use the "previously-closed portion of Matteawan Road off of Prospect Street/ Fishkill Ave".

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The post states that starting on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025, parents, teachers, school staff, and students can use Matteawan Road to access Beacon High School and Rombout Middle School in the morning and afternoons.

Use of the previously closed Matteawan Road will be allowed for a limited time and will continue until the City of Beacon completes its sewer and water main replacement and paving work on Route 52/ Fishkill Avenue, which is expected to extend into November.

The city stressed that "no other through traffic will be permitted" to use the road.