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Regional Boards => Northeast => Topic started by: Zeffy on February 13, 2015, 02:11:45 PM

Title: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: Zeffy on February 13, 2015, 02:11:45 PM
After scanning more of my maps, I noticed that there was an I-78 shield on what is now NY 878 near JFK airport:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXIzhTIJ.jpg&hash=f226bc4be249924761cfc3deafa8630821281de3)

From what I understood, the portions of the routing through Brooklyn and Queens that were built of I-78 were I-295 and NY 878. Bushwick Avenue was supposed to be upgraded into an expressway that would've carried I-78. The rest is confusing to me. Anyone care to shed some light?
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: TheStranger on February 13, 2015, 03:02:11 PM
From the current east end (Holland Tunnel portal in Manhattan) -

- Lower Manhattan Expressway connecting the Holland Tunnel with the Williamsburg Bridge:  http://www.nycroads.com/roads/lower-manhattan/
- the Bushwick Expressway southeast from the Williamsburg Bridge to today's NY 878 via the Bushwick Avenue and Conduit Avenue corridors http://www.nycroads.com/roads/bushwick/
- the Nassau Expressway/NY 878 (I-878): http://www.nycroads.com/roads/NY-878/
- the unbuilt section of the Clearview Expressway between JFK and NY 25 in Queens: http://www.nycroads.com/roads/clearview/
- the Clearview Expressway (I-295) north/northwest to the Bruckner Interchange.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: NE2 on February 13, 2015, 03:21:35 PM
A 1958 AASHO submission I have lying around from a long-defunct site (that was unfortunately never saved by archive.org):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FbPVz7pR.jpg&hash=4137bc8cef6eb568d7edb245b35500cfccd50e17)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6e4Frcu.jpg&hash=c97769aec1df7177073be74ec434f2ab9348d07b)
Note that this numbering is preliminary, and that I-78 was later moved to the Nassau Expressway at JFK. And holy crap, I never noticed that I-495 was going to return to I-95 via the Throgs Neck. In the final plan, this was 78 instead.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: 02 Park Ave on February 13, 2015, 04:28:44 PM
I can confirm what The Stranger wrote.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: Pete from Boston on February 13, 2015, 04:34:40 PM

Quote from: NE2 on February 13, 2015, 03:21:35 PM
A 1958 AASHO submission I have lying around from a long-defunct site (that was unfortunately never saved by archive.org):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FbPVz7pR.jpg&hash=4137bc8cef6eb568d7edb245b35500cfccd50e17)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6e4Frcu.jpg&hash=c97769aec1df7177073be74ec434f2ab9348d07b)
Note that this numbering is preliminary, and that I-78 was later moved to the Nassau Expressway at JFK. And holy crap, I never noticed that I-495 was going to return to I-95 via the Throgs Neck. In the final plan, this was 78 instead.

Interesting. I wonder what number the LIE would have taken.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: 02 Park Ave on February 13, 2015, 04:38:38 PM
The Long Island Expressway was called the Horace Harding Expressway in Queens.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: Mergingtraffic on February 13, 2015, 04:54:39 PM
Quote from: NE2 on February 13, 2015, 03:21:35 PM
A 1958 AASHO submission I have lying around from a long-defunct site (that was unfortunately never saved by archive.org):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FbPVz7pR.jpg&hash=4137bc8cef6eb568d7edb245b35500cfccd50e17)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6e4Frcu.jpg&hash=c97769aec1df7177073be74ec434f2ab9348d07b)
Note that this numbering is preliminary, and that I-78 was later moved to the Nassau Expressway at JFK. And holy crap, I never noticed that I-495 was going to return to I-95 via the Throgs Neck. In the final plan, this was 78 instead.

and no mention of I-678 and I found a public domain pic of the Clearview signed as I-78.

The pic is from some congressional study of BGSes and driver confusion based on control cities.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/15638667213_be0d6e1207_z.jpg)
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: NE2 on February 13, 2015, 05:05:31 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 13, 2015, 04:54:39 PM
and no mention of I-678
I-595 became I-678 in the final plan. It was later rerouted down the Van Wyck.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: KEVIN_224 on February 13, 2015, 05:07:42 PM
Strange to see that 2DI shield used as a 3DI! Where exactly was this photo taken from?
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: Pete from Boston on February 13, 2015, 05:10:57 PM

Quote from: 02 Park Ave on February 13, 2015, 04:38:38 PM
The Long Island Expressway was called the Horace Harding Expressway in Queens.

Street level signs still said that last I checked, but that was years ago.  I meant out on the Island. 
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: TheStranger on February 13, 2015, 05:14:36 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 13, 2015, 04:34:40 PM


Interesting. I wonder what number the LIE would have taken.

Wasn't much of the LIE east of 295 (then 78) originally NY 24?  (Then it became NY 495, and eventually I-495)
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: briantroutman on February 13, 2015, 05:19:09 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 13, 2015, 04:54:39 PM
The pic is from some congressional study of BGSes and driver confusion based on control cities.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/15638667213_be0d6e1207_z.jpg)

So this picture appears to be here, correct?

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.746143,-73.772587,3a,75y,158.9h,94.36t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sSGwdsrNtw1ayn1EPZBT7nQ!2e0
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: Mergingtraffic on February 13, 2015, 05:28:32 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on February 13, 2015, 05:19:09 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 13, 2015, 04:54:39 PM
The pic is from some congressional study of BGSes and driver confusion based on control cities.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/15638667213_be0d6e1207_z.jpg)

So this picture appears to be here, correct?

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.746143,-73.772587,3a,75y,158.9h,94.36t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sSGwdsrNtw1ayn1EPZBT7nQ!2e0

yes.

Quote from: KEVIN_224 on February 13, 2015, 05:07:42 PM
Strange to see that 2DI shield used as a 3DI! Where exactly was this photo taken from?

I got it from here:
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=pst.000017394611;view=1up;seq=1
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: 02 Park Ave on February 13, 2015, 05:31:46 PM
I would say that the picture was taken on the southbound Clearview Expressway approaching the Horace Harding Expressway.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: Zeffy on February 13, 2015, 05:32:23 PM
Quote from: TheStranger on February 13, 2015, 05:14:36 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 13, 2015, 04:34:40 PM


Interesting. I wonder what number the LIE would have taken.

Wasn't much of the LIE east of 295 (then 78) originally NY 24?  (Then it became NY 495, and eventually I-495)

A map I have from 1968 shows it as NY 24D. Scratch that, it looks to be NY 24.

Anyway, the amount of information contributed here has been very helpful, not that I would expect any less from this community!  :)
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: dgolub on February 13, 2015, 07:08:54 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 13, 2015, 05:10:57 PM

Quote from: 02 Park Ave on February 13, 2015, 04:38:38 PM
The Long Island Expressway was called the Horace Harding Expressway in Queens.

Street level signs still said that last I checked, but that was years ago.  I meant out on the Island.

The service road is called the Horace Harding Expressway from Queens Boulevard (NY 25) to the Queens-Nassau border.  This part of the expressway took the place of Horace Harding Boulevard, which was NY 25D.  There's also a little piece of Horace Harding Boulevard that still exists in Nassau just over the county line.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: Pete from Boston on February 13, 2015, 08:31:54 PM

Quote from: doofy103 on February 13, 2015, 04:54:39 PM
Quote from: NE2 on February 13, 2015, 03:21:35 PM
A 1958 AASHO submission I have lying around from a long-defunct site (that was unfortunately never saved by archive.org):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FbPVz7pR.jpg&hash=4137bc8cef6eb568d7edb245b35500cfccd50e17)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6e4Frcu.jpg&hash=c97769aec1df7177073be74ec434f2ab9348d07b)
Note that this numbering is preliminary, and that I-78 was later moved to the Nassau Expressway at JFK. And holy crap, I never noticed that I-495 was going to return to I-95 via the Throgs Neck. In the final plan, this was 78 instead.

and no mention of I-678 and I found a public domain pic of the Clearview signed as I-78.

The pic is from some congressional study of BGSes and driver confusion based on control cities.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/15638667213_be0d6e1207_z.jpg)

Wow, that's wild. I have gone through that point countless times over the decades and to see it as 78 is like stepping into some alternate reality.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: dgolub on February 14, 2015, 09:53:07 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 13, 2015, 08:31:54 PM

Quote from: doofy103 on February 13, 2015, 04:54:39 PM
and no mention of I-678 and I found a public domain pic of the Clearview signed as I-78.

The pic is from some congressional study of BGSes and driver confusion based on control cities.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/15638667213_be0d6e1207_z.jpg)

Wow, that's wild. I have gone through that point countless times over the decades and to see it as 78 is like stepping into some alternate reality.

Yeah, seeing I-495 and NY 495 on the same sign is also pretty surreal.
Title: Re: How would've Interstate 78 ran through New York City?
Post by: Pete from Boston on February 14, 2015, 10:01:53 AM

Quote from: dgolub on February 14, 2015, 09:53:07 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 13, 2015, 08:31:54 PM

Quote from: doofy103 on February 13, 2015, 04:54:39 PM
and no mention of I-678 and I found a public domain pic of the Clearview signed as I-78.

The pic is from some congressional study of BGSes and driver confusion based on control cities.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/15638667213_be0d6e1207_z.jpg)

Wow, that's wild. I have gone through that point countless times over the decades and to see it as 78 is like stepping into some alternate reality.

Yeah, seeing I-495 and NY 495 on the same sign is also pretty surreal.

I do remember quite a few signs for both; I just can't remember if they were signed together like this.  Also, when was the last time New York used outline shields like this? 
Title: Re: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: mrsman on February 16, 2015, 06:03:18 PM
The historical information is correct, but I-78 seems roundabout.  IMO, it would be better to end I-78 at JFK and have the Clearivew as I-295 without continuing I-78 to the north.
Title: Re: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: NE2 on February 16, 2015, 06:25:41 PM
Quote from: mrsman on February 16, 2015, 06:03:18 PM
The historical information is correct, but I-78 seems roundabout.  IMO, it would be better to end I-78 at JFK and have the Clearivew as I-295 without continuing I-78 to the north.
You realize you're talking about an alignment that was cancelled ca. 1970, right?
Title: Re: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: J Route Z on February 16, 2015, 09:44:16 PM
It should've been along Delancy Street onto the Brooklyn Bridge, then into I-278. The I-278 numbering will have some purpose, since it currently does not intersect I-78.
Title: Re: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: Duke87 on February 16, 2015, 10:56:56 PM
Quote from: mrsman on February 16, 2015, 06:03:18 PM
The historical information is correct, but I-78 seems roundabout.  IMO, it would be better to end I-78 at JFK and have the Clearivew as I-295 without continuing I-78 to the north.

Honestly I think they just planned the expressways by name and threw numbers on them as an afterthought. Following I-78 from its eastern end as a through route west would not have made sense but that wasn't the point. The point was they wanted federal funding to build these roads and to get that they needed to give them numbers, something which I am sure New York otherwise had no intention of doing. None of the parkways have signed numbers, after all (9A/Henry Hudson overlap notwithstanding).

Meanwhile the roundaboutness would hardly have been unique. See I-64 in Norfolk.

Title: Re: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: NE2 on February 16, 2015, 11:22:39 PM
One thing I just noticed on the 1958 map: I-95 is shown on the Turnpike. But at that time, it was planned on its own corridor all the way to I-80. Perhaps New York assumed New Jersey would do the logical thing. Or maybe BPR never approved separate I-95 inside I-287, but since New Jersey hadn't requested it (wanting a separate alignment (http://www.nycroads.com/roads/I-95_NJ/img15.gif)) they couldn't officially add the Turnpike.
Title: Re: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: Alps on February 16, 2015, 11:44:32 PM
Quote from: NE2 on February 16, 2015, 11:22:39 PM
One thing I just noticed on the 1958 map: I-95 is shown on the Turnpike. But at that time, it was planned on its own corridor all the way to I-80. Perhaps New York assumed New Jersey would do the logical thing. Or maybe BPR never approved separate I-95 inside I-287, but since New Jersey hadn't requested it (wanting a separate alignment (http://www.nycroads.com/roads/I-95_NJ/img15.gif)) they couldn't officially add the Turnpike.
Even the map you link to has I-95 on the northern Turnpike.
Title: Re: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: NE2 on February 16, 2015, 11:51:05 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 16, 2015, 11:44:32 PM
Quote from: NE2 on February 16, 2015, 11:22:39 PM
One thing I just noticed on the 1958 map: I-95 is shown on the Turnpike. But at that time, it was planned on its own corridor all the way to I-80. Perhaps New York assumed New Jersey would do the logical thing. Or maybe BPR never approved separate I-95 inside I-287, but since New Jersey hadn't requested it (wanting a separate alignment (http://www.nycroads.com/roads/I-95_NJ/img15.gif)) they couldn't officially add the Turnpike.
Even the map you link to has I-95 on the northern Turnpike.
No it doesn't. https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14787

[edit]never mind, it has it on both.
Title: Re: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: PHLBOS on February 17, 2015, 09:10:34 AM
Quote from: NE2 on February 16, 2015, 11:51:05 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 16, 2015, 11:44:32 PM
Quote from: NE2 on February 16, 2015, 11:22:39 PM
One thing I just noticed on the 1958 map: I-95 is shown on the Turnpike. But at that time, it was planned on its own corridor all the way to I-80. Perhaps New York assumed New Jersey would do the logical thing. Or maybe BPR never approved separate I-95 inside I-287, but since New Jersey hadn't requested it (wanting a separate alignment (http://www.nycroads.com/roads/I-95_NJ/img15.gif)) they couldn't officially add the Turnpike.
Even the map you link to has I-95 on the northern Turnpike.
No it doesn't. https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14787
Your first link (via NYRoads) does indeed show an I-95 marker/label along the NJ Turnpike just north of the Garden State Parkway interchange (Exit 11).  It's probably shown due to the map showing an alternate/planned routing (via a thin-dotted line) of I-95 showing it connecting to the NJTP around Exit 8A in addition to the other proposed alignment (a separate I-95 running north of I-287).

In hindsight, maybe the more easterly routing should've been pursued.
Title: Re: How would Interstate 78 have run through New York City?
Post by: D-Dey65 on February 19, 2015, 12:31:18 PM
Quote from: dgolub on February 14, 2015, 09:53:07 AM
Yeah, seeing I-495 and NY 495 on the same sign is also pretty surreal.
For me, it's all too familiar.