New York

[cl94]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

Access to Binghamton and the Southern Tier, cutover from northern New England to the rest of the country, shunpike route for the Thruway. Doesn't have the highest AADTs, but almost all of the traffic is long distance (at least end to end). It gets a LOT of truck traffic, as it's the best way for trucks to cross the Catskills. The most recent traffic class count I can get (2004) west of Exit 12 showed over 40% trucks and buses - and that's in the middle of nowhere with a little over 10,000 vehicles/day.

On a different note, the Traffic Data Viewer has 2011 speed data from the Northway between Exits 11 and 12. Median speed is around 70, 85th percentile is 76.2, maxing out over 77 in the PM rush. Never is the median below 66 or 85% below 73. 85% stays around 75 for the day through Saratoga County and drops to 73 at Exit 18. Either way, that indicates that the speed limit should be at least 70.

[Rothman]

Despite the fact there is significant freight traffic on that corridor, I've heard more than a few people say that I-88 is little more than an expensive boondoggle.

[route17fan]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

When I lived in Albany and I didn't feel like taking the Thruway home to Ohio, it served well as the distance to Erie, PA via I-86/NY 17 from Albany on I-88 vs Thruway was only 10 miles.

[cl94]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

When I lived in Albany and I didn't feel like taking the Thruway home to Ohio, it served well as the distance to Erie, PA via I-86/NY 17 from Albany on I-88 vs Thruway was only 10 miles.

Hell, the time difference to Buffalo isn't too great. If you want to shunpike, it's faster than taking US 20 across the state. I'll probably take that route returning to RPI from spring break to check on the Binghamton construction. If you're going across the state, you'll end up saving money, even if you use a little more gas.

[Rothman]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

When I lived in Albany and I didn't feel like taking the Thruway home to Ohio, it served well as the distance to Erie, PA via I-86/NY 17 from Albany on I-88 vs Thruway was only 10 miles.

Hell, the time difference to Buffalo isn't too great.

How do you get back up north to Buffalo from I-86, then, if you head down to I-88?  Hard to believe that time difference "isn't too great."

[cl94]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

When I lived in Albany and I didn't feel like taking the Thruway home to Ohio, it served well as the distance to Erie, PA via I-86/NY 17 from Albany on I-88 vs Thruway was only 10 miles.

Hell, the time difference to Buffalo isn't too great.

How do you get back up north to Buffalo from I-86, then, if you head down to I-88?  Hard to believe that time difference "isn't too great."

I-390. Difference is about 45 minutes to where my parents live. I'll take the Thruway most of the time, but if I'm going to be eating during my trip, it ends up costing less with the savings on food and tolls.

[steviep24]

NYSDOT will be replacing the I 490 bridge over Marsh Rd. in Pittsford at a cost of $4.1 million. Work is expected to begin in a week or so.

[Jim]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

Everyone knows it's so you can get some chicken from Brooks BBQ on your trip.

As someone living a little west of Albany, I-88 (to I-86) is a nice alternative to the Thruway when traveling west of Erie, and a good way down to I-81 if you want to avoid the I-95 corridor traveling south beyond DC.  We sometimes do I-81/US 15 then cut to I-95 near or south of DC.

[Rothman]

As someone living a little west of Albany, I-88 (to I-86) is a nice alternative to the Thruway when traveling west of Erie, and a good way down to I-81 if you want to avoid the I-95 corridor traveling south beyond DC.  We sometimes do I-81/US 15 then cut to I-95 near or south of DC.

This makes much more sense to me than going to Buffalo via I-88/I-86/I-390.

(Although, I still can't remember if they've fixed the concrete pavement through the Seneca Nation)

[Buffaboy]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

When I lived in Albany and I didn't feel like taking the Thruway home to Ohio, it served well as the distance to Erie, PA via I-86/NY 17 from Albany on I-88 vs Thruway was only 10 miles.

Hell, the time difference to Buffalo isn't too great. If you want to shunpike, it's faster than taking US 20 across the state. I'll probably take that route returning to RPI from spring break to check on the Binghamton construction. If you're going across the state, you'll end up saving money, even if you use a little more gas.

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

[Buffaboy]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

Everyone knows it's so you can get some chicken from Brooks BBQ on your trip.

As someone living a little west of Albany, I-88 (to I-86) is a nice alternative to the Thruway when traveling west of Erie, and a good way down to I-81 if you want to avoid the I-95 corridor traveling south beyond DC.  We sometimes do I-81/US 15 then cut to I-95 near or south of DC.

Hahaha, it would be funny if it was a "single purpose boondoggle highway" like I-180 in IL.

[cl94]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

When I lived in Albany and I didn't feel like taking the Thruway home to Ohio, it served well as the distance to Erie, PA via I-86/NY 17 from Albany on I-88 vs Thruway was only 10 miles.

Hell, the time difference to Buffalo isn't too great. If you want to shunpike, it's faster than taking US 20 across the state. I'll probably take that route returning to RPI from spring break to check on the Binghamton construction. If you're going across the state, you'll end up saving money, even if you use a little more gas.

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

They built it along NY 17. Most of it was built as NY 17, with most of the expressway long predating the designation of I-86. The section west of Jamestown was planned and built later with the plan for an Interstate designation. The original end of NY 17 was at I-90 Exit 60, which is why there's the stub running up the east side of the lake.

Does I-88 get enough traffic to justify its existence? I don't know. But I do know that it diverts traffic from the Thruway.

[The Ghostbuster]

Are they ever going to upgrade NY 17 between Exit 84 and Exit 87?

[cl94]

Are they ever going to upgrade NY 17 between Exit 84 and Exit 87?

It's on the back burner and off the list of projects to be done in the upcoming years. Might be done when the state actually has the money to do it.

[Rothman]

Are they ever going to upgrade NY 17 between Exit 84 and Exit 87?

See my post in this thread: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=16863.msg2107556#msg2107556. 

Besides Woodbury Commons, all other I-86 conversion projects are indefinitely delayed.

(personal opinion expressed)

[Roadgeek Adam]

Are they ever going to upgrade NY 17 between Exit 84 and Exit 87?

See my post in this thread: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=16863.msg2107556#msg2107556. 

Besides Woodbury Commons, all other I-86 conversion projects are indefinitely delayed.

(personal opinion expressed)

Now only if NYSDOT would spend like $500,000 to make a nice train platform at Woodbury Commons for outlet shopping seasons so Metro-North/NJ Transit can make stops.

Maybe it'd reduce traffic at Exit 131 a bit.

[CobaltYoshi27]

Here's one: I've only been on I-88 once or twice in my life. What purpose does it serve to motorists other than connecting Binghamton and Albany?

I-86 and I-88 is a much more scenic and less congested route compared to I-90.

[empirestate]

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

They built it along NY 17. Most of it was built as NY 17, with most of the expressway long predating the designation of I-86. The section west of Jamestown was planned and built later with the plan for an Interstate designation. The original end of NY 17 was at I-90 Exit 60, which is why there's the stub running up the east side of the lake.

OK then, why didn't they build NY 17 along NY 417?

In other words, why did Route 17 get moved from where NY 417 is now up to where I-86 is now? Why does the freeway go through Angelica and Hornell but not Wellsville and Addison?

[cl94]

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

They built it along NY 17. Most of it was built as NY 17, with most of the expressway long predating the designation of I-86. The section west of Jamestown was planned and built later with the plan for an Interstate designation. The original end of NY 17 was at I-90 Exit 60, which is why there's the stub running up the east side of the lake.

OK then, why didn't they build NY 17 along NY 417?

In other words, why did Route 17 get moved from where NY 417 is now up to where I-86 is now? Why does the freeway go through Angelica and Hornell but not Wellsville and Addison?

Population. It was thought that a freeway connection to Hornell would be more useful than a route through the middle of nowhere. Much of this route followed a rail line through a series of valleys. Bath and Hornell are the major centers of population in Steuben County outside of Corning and a direct expressway provided a connection between all 3. The only real population center along the old route is Wellsville. Had the effect of preventing another situation like that in Ithaca, where there is no expressway connection remotely close to the city and the only access is on steep, winding 2-lane roads.

[CobaltYoshi27]

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

Maybe because of the renumbering of NY state routes back in the 1920's?

[Roadgeek Adam]

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

Maybe because of the renumbering of NY state routes back in the 1920's?

First off, the renumbering was 1930. 2nd, NY  417 didn't exist when 17 was upgraded. Some of the changes of alignment is likely, based on its location, land procurement for the right of way. Following it on 417 would bulldoze several downtowns or places near it.

[CobaltYoshi27]

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

Maybe because of the renumbering of NY state routes back in the 1920's?

First off, the renumbering was 1930. 2nd, NY  417 didn't exist when 17 was upgraded. Some of the changes of alignment is likely, based on its location, land procurement for the right of way. Following it on 417 would bulldoze several downtowns or places near it.

I confused it with 1927, when a few of the routes were changed. I honestly wouldn't have known. 

[Rothman]

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

They built it along NY 17. Most of it was built as NY 17, with most of the expressway long predating the designation of I-86. The section west of Jamestown was planned and built later with the plan for an Interstate designation. The original end of NY 17 was at I-90 Exit 60, which is why there's the stub running up the east side of the lake.

OK then, why didn't they build NY 17 along NY 417?

In other words, why did Route 17 get moved from where NY 417 is now up to where I-86 is now? Why does the freeway go through Angelica and Hornell but not Wellsville and Addison?

Population. It was thought that a freeway connection to Hornell would be more useful than a route through the middle of nowhere. Much of this route followed a rail line through a series of valleys. Bath and Hornell are the major centers of population in Steuben County outside of Corning and a direct expressway provided a connection between all 3. The only real population center along the old route is Wellsville. Had the effect of preventing another situation like that in Ithaca, where there is no expressway connection remotely close to the city and the only access is on steep, winding 2-lane roads.

Wellsville once lobbied hard for an "I-386."  This was a spur down to Wellsville to accommodate what I think was an ALCO plant, IIRC.  Lots of meetings were had.  I know someone at NYSDOT who ended up with a cardboard-but-compelling I-386 shield from that failed lobbying effort.

[cl94]

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

They built it along NY 17. Most of it was built as NY 17, with most of the expressway long predating the designation of I-86. The section west of Jamestown was planned and built later with the plan for an Interstate designation. The original end of NY 17 was at I-90 Exit 60, which is why there's the stub running up the east side of the lake.

OK then, why didn't they build NY 17 along NY 417?

In other words, why did Route 17 get moved from where NY 417 is now up to where I-86 is now? Why does the freeway go through Angelica and Hornell but not Wellsville and Addison?

Population. It was thought that a freeway connection to Hornell would be more useful than a route through the middle of nowhere. Much of this route followed a rail line through a series of valleys. Bath and Hornell are the major centers of population in Steuben County outside of Corning and a direct expressway provided a connection between all 3. The only real population center along the old route is Wellsville. Had the effect of preventing another situation like that in Ithaca, where there is no expressway connection remotely close to the city and the only access is on steep, winding 2-lane roads.

Wellsville once lobbied hard for an "I-386."  This was a spur down to Wellsville to accommodate what I think was an ALCO plant, IIRC.  Lots of meetings were had.  I know someone at NYSDOT who ended up with a cardboard-but-compelling I-386 shield from that failed lobbying effort.

If built, it would have been the New York equivalent of Illinois's I-180

[Rothman]

Why didn't they build I-86 along NY-417?

They built it along NY 17. Most of it was built as NY 17, with most of the expressway long predating the designation of I-86. The section west of Jamestown was planned and built later with the plan for an Interstate designation. The original end of NY 17 was at I-90 Exit 60, which is why there's the stub running up the east side of the lake.

OK then, why didn't they build NY 17 along NY 417?

In other words, why did Route 17 get moved from where NY 417 is now up to where I-86 is now? Why does the freeway go through Angelica and Hornell but not Wellsville and Addison?

Population. It was thought that a freeway connection to Hornell would be more useful than a route through the middle of nowhere. Much of this route followed a rail line through a series of valleys. Bath and Hornell are the major centers of population in Steuben County outside of Corning and a direct expressway provided a connection between all 3. The only real population center along the old route is Wellsville. Had the effect of preventing another situation like that in Ithaca, where there is no expressway connection remotely close to the city and the only access is on steep, winding 2-lane roads.

Wellsville once lobbied hard for an "I-386."  This was a spur down to Wellsville to accommodate what I think was an ALCO plant, IIRC.  Lots of meetings were had.  I know someone at NYSDOT who ended up with a cardboard-but-compelling I-386 shield from that failed lobbying effort.

If built, it would have been the New York equivalent of Illinois's I-180

Everyone needs an I-180.