I-781 (Fort Drum Connector) Update

[vdeane]

Photos at 128.153.144.91/i781

They're rather grainy, as it was raining, I was getting a fair amount of spray on the car (especially thanks to one bozo who thought it would be nice to sit in the left lane right in front of me at the same speed I was doing; when I passed him, he decided to go faster to try to prevent me from passing, at least until I went 75 for two miles and he figured out that he couldn't be an asshole without risking a ticket).  Plus my camera isn't nearly as good at focusing as it used to be.  My wiper blades streak really badly too.

[hbelkins]

Nice pics, especially given the weather.

Where are the US 3 goofs at?

[cu2010]

My goodness...some of those signs belong in The Worst of Road Signs...

...what the hell happened, Region 7? You used to be so good with signage...

[exit322]

I suppose even though it's been reported already that it would, that the mileage-based exit number in NY is newsworthy.

[machias]

I suppose even though it's been reported already that it would, that the mileage-based exit number in NY is newsworthy.

I was hoping that I-81 Exit 48 A would be labeled Exit 161, but no such luck. I find it odd that US 11 is numbered as Exit 4, but I-81 is numbered Exits 1 N-S instead of Exits 1 A-B.

[exit322]

I was hoping that I-81 Exit 48 A would be labeled Exit 161, but no such luck. I find it odd that US 11 is numbered as Exit 4, but I-81 is numbered Exits 1 N-S instead of Exits 1 A-B.

I figure this is just baby steps for NYS.

[vdeane]

For the record, here's the trip I used to get the photos:
-US 11 south to I-781
-I-781 west then I-81 south
-U turn at NY 12 then I-781 east (I didn't consider it worth it to drive 23 miles just to get the southbound signage)
-US 11 north then U turn at Pizza Hut (also discovered this is now a RIRO with a new road intersecting US 11 1/4 mile north)
-I-781 west again
-I-81 south
-NY 3, quick jog down CR 75 to see the lighthouse near Sackets Harbor
-NY 3 "south" (now signed east-west?)
-CR 178 and Lighthouse Rd to see the Stony Point Lighthouse; u turn
-NY 178 to I-81 then my usual I-81 south, I-90 west, I-490, I-590 to home.

Nice pics, especially given the weather.

Where are the US 3 goofs at?

Jefferson CR 75 southbound just south of Sackets Harbor.

I suppose even though it's been reported already that it would, that the mileage-based exit number in NY is newsworthy.

I was hoping that I-81 Exit 48 A would be labeled Exit 161, but no such luck. I find it odd that US 11 is numbered as Exit 4, but I-81 is numbered Exits 1 N-S instead of Exits 1 A-B.

My calculation for the mile-based exit number is 159 actually.  I suspect they didn't want to insert a mile-based number on an otherwise sequential road (note that NY 17 also used sequential for the new exits that have been added).  I'm also surprised that it's 1N-S instead of 1A-B.

[machias]

I was hoping that I-81 Exit 48 A would be labeled Exit 161, but no such luck. I find it odd that US 11 is numbered as Exit 4, but I-81 is numbered Exits 1 N-S instead of Exits 1 A-B.

My calculation for the mile-based exit number is 159 actually.  I suspect they didn't want to insert a mile-based number on an otherwise sequential road (note that NY 17 also used sequential for the new exits that have been added).  I'm also surprised that it's 1N-S instead of 1A-B.

That's right. I forgot I needed to recatalog Interstate 81 for my site.  The milepost data on my site is based on the old milemarkers, which "slid" to the south by about a mile back in the early-mid 2000s.  I have a project for this weekend!

[vdeane]

I just measure everything with Google Maps.  Ending mile calculations for the Thruway, I-90, I-87, and NY 17 suffer for this though.

[oscar]

I'd be curious whether there are any I-781 reference markers east of US 11, though the gap between US 11 and the Fort Drum gate might be short enough that there will be no markers no matter what if any route number is assigned to that gap.  (What's the normal spacing between NYSDOT reference markers -- tenth-mile, or more than that?)

I drove the route earlier today.  There are now "781I" tenth-mile reference markers along the entire route -- including three on the eastbound side between the "End" sign at US 11 and the Fort Drum gate.  That suggests that I-781 extends east of US 11.

BTW, after clinching I-781, I continued past the gate into Fort Drum.  No hassle at all -- I just showed the sentry my driver's license to supply the required photo ID, and briefly explained that I wanted to visit the base museum, it took him only a few seconds to wave me through.  (Other military bases are less welcoming of civilian visitors, so YMMV.)  People can also use a median crossover a few feet west of the gate, to get back on the westbound freeway without having to deal with the sentries. 

[Alps]

I'd be curious whether there are any I-781 reference markers east of US 11, though the gap between US 11 and the Fort Drum gate might be short enough that there will be no markers no matter what if any route number is assigned to that gap.  (What's the normal spacing between NYSDOT reference markers -- tenth-mile, or more than that?)

I drove the route earlier today.  There are now "781I" tenth-mile reference markers along the entire route -- including three on the eastbound side between the "End" sign at US 11 and the Fort Drum gate.  That suggests that I-781 extends east of US 11.

BTW, after clinching I-781, I continued past the gate into Fort Drum.  No hassle at all -- I just showed the sentry my driver's license to supply the required photo ID, and briefly explained that I wanted to visit the base museum, it took him only a few seconds to wave me through.  (Other military bases are less welcoming of civilian visitors, so YMMV.)  People can also use a median crossover a few feet west of the gate, to get back on the westbound freeway without having to deal with the sentries. 

What's at the base museum? May be worth the visit instead of the U-turn.

[oscar]

I'd be curious whether there are any I-781 reference markers east of US 11, though the gap between US 11 and the Fort Drum gate might be short enough that there will be no markers no matter what if any route number is assigned to that gap.  (What's the normal spacing between NYSDOT reference markers -- tenth-mile, or more than that?)

I drove the route earlier today.  There are now "781I" tenth-mile reference markers along the entire route -- including three on the eastbound side between the "End" sign at US 11 and the Fort Drum gate.  That suggests that I-781 extends east of US 11.

BTW, after clinching I-781, I continued past the gate into Fort Drum.  No hassle at all -- I just showed the sentry my driver's license to supply the required photo ID, and briefly explained that I wanted to visit the base museum, it took him only a few seconds to wave me through.  (Other military bases are less welcoming of civilian visitors, so YMMV.)  People can also use a median crossover a few feet west of the gate, to get back on the westbound freeway without having to deal with the sentries. 

What's at the base museum? May be worth the visit instead of the U-turn.

It's a pretty small museum, a few minutes from the base gate.  I found it semi-interesting, as someone from a military family (my father was a Marine), but it's really geared to military personnel and their families who want to know more about the history of the base and the Army's 10th Mountain Division, and also to building good relations with the local community.  The museum is usually open 10am-5pm weekdays.

It sounds like Fort Drum likes civilian visitors, even for things like birdwatching and other nature activities, unlike some other military facilities (like "Area 51" in Nevada) that definitely put out the unwelcome mat for visitors.  Even if a reason/excuse to visit Fort Drum is needed at all, it doesn't have to be the museum.  (Of course, if the base is under heightened security for some reason, you might be turned around no matter what.)

[machias]

I'm happy to hear that R7 put up 781I reference markers. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that R8 had put up I-84 (instead of 84I) reference markers on I-84 in Dutchess County. Yes, they included the dash.

Any mileposts to go along with the distance numbered exit?

[oscar]

Any mileposts to go along with the distance numbered exit?

I don't recall seeing any, but I wasn't really looking for them either.

[Dougtone]

One thing I had noticed during my I-781 trip back on the 15th of December was a lack of reassurance shields along the highway.  There were a few mentions of I-781 as you were approaching each end of the Fort Drum Connector, but nothing when one entered the highway.

[vdeane]

I'm happy to hear that R7 put up 781I reference markers. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that R8 had put up I-84 (instead of 84I) reference markers on I-84 in Dutchess County. Yes, they included the dash.

Any mileposts to go along with the distance numbered exit?

No mileposts, but there is an eastbound reassurance shield just past I-81 (didn't look for a westbound one) and town line signs have been added.