In May 1962, the state of New York gave residents of Nichols a sneak preview at the proposed construction of the Southern Tier Expressway (NY 17). This sneak preview at Nichols Elementary School announced that two new interchanges would be constructed in the town of Nichols, one at the junction with Stanton Hill Road and one west of the village. As part of the Southern Tier construction, a new bridge across the Susquehanna River would be constructed to replace the one in downtown Smithboro. The mayor of Nichols, Donald Hunt, requested time to study the proposed location of the new bridge across the river, stating that one constructed east of the village would be more beneficial for residents. The state rebutted that the new bridge location was chosen because the river east of Nichols was wider and more prone to flooding.