Interstate 81

Connecting Binghamton, Syracuse and Watertown, Interstate 81 travels 183 miles north across central Upstate New York. The rural freeway joins eastern reaches of the Finger Lakes Region with Fort Drum and Ontario, Canada. I-81 combines with I-86/NY 17 west to the Chenango River north of Downtown Binghamton. I-88 connects with I-81 north from there in the town of Chenango.

Through Syracuse, Interstate 81 leads directly to Downtown, where it converges with I-690 along an extended viaduct. Nearing the end of its lifespan, a study outlined demolishing the elevated roadway instead of replacing it due to high costs. Known as the "Community Grid" the proposal replaces I-81 with an urban boulevard while realigning Interstate 81 to the east over I-481. The freeway leading south into Syracuse along I-81 will be renumbered as part of Business Loop I-81.

Interstate 81 New York Guides

Initial construction on what would become apart of I-81 started in 1954. Located in Broome and Courtland Counties, the final gap along the route in Upstate New York was a 17 mile long segment completed in 1968. Constructed from early 1969 to 1971, the last section of Interstate 81 opened to traffic was the four mile stretch crossing Wellesley Island north to the Canadian border. Representing the longest continuous toll free Interstate within the Empire State at the time, I-81 cost $270 million to build.¹

scenes

0.65 miles in length and inventoried as New York Route 930Q, the NY 281/I-81 Connector at Homer is a two lane expressway spur linking NY 281 and U.S. 11 with the trumpet interchange at Exit 12. 09/27/09

Photo Credits:

09/27/09 by AARoads

Connect with:
Interstate 86 / Route 17
Interstate 88
Interstate 90 / New York Thruway
Interstate 481
Interstate 690
U.S. 11
U.S. 20
Route 5

Page Updated 11-17-2022.