I-787 News

[Duke87]

I can appreciate how the Mall Arterial and its associated interchange are overpowered for something that's never going to be finished. Simple solution to this: replace the circle interchange with something resembling a more traditional diamond, drop the grade of the Arterial so it intersects Pearl and Grand Streets.

But as for the idea of removing 787 itself because it blocks access to the waterfront, do they also intend to remove the train tracks running in the median of 787?

[The Ghostbuster]

Interstate 787 should not be torn down. However, surely it could be improved to relieve congestion. Also, could its southern terminus at Interstate 87 be modified so you don't have to exit the mainline to access the New York Thruway?

[vdeane]

Could?  Yes (though it's outside the study area, so it's purely hypothetical).  Does it need to be?  Probably not, congestion issues there are caused by the half diamond to US 9W to/from the toll plaza, not I-787 exiting itself.

[cl94]

Could?  Yes (though it's outside the study area, so it's purely hypothetical).  Does it need to be?  Probably not, congestion issues there are caused by the half diamond to US 9W to/from the toll plaza, not I-787 exiting itself.

You could fix half of that by closing the entrance ramp and building a ramp from NB I-787/whatever it is there to the Thruway through the east end of the tandem lot.. Tight curve, but no tighter than some other ramps in the area.

[Buffaboy]

Well I know one thing, the ugly interchange on the eastern portion of the Dunn bridge needs to be reconstructed.

[froggie]

I've been slowly working on a proposal that would retain 787, but would simplify a lot of ramps and access and at least attempt to improve the connection between downtown and the waterfront.  With the semester in full gear, it may be a while before I can finish it.

[MazdaStrider]

I've been slowly working on a proposal that would retain 787, but would simplify a lot of ramps and access and at least attempt to improve the connection between downtown and the waterfront.  With the semester in full gear, it may be a while before I can finish it.

If it was me, I would just tear the elevated part of I-787 where it meets the circle interchange as well as remove the train tracks and rebuilt that part of I-787 to surface interstate, rebuild all the bridges over I-787. Problem solved. No need to tear down all of that to become a boulevard. Heavy traffic uses I-787 so why would they want to make it even worse?

[Alps]

Could?  Yes (though it's outside the study area, so it's purely hypothetical).  Does it need to be?  Probably not, congestion issues there are caused by the half diamond to US 9W to/from the toll plaza, not I-787 exiting itself.

You could fix half of that by closing the entrance ramp and building a ramp from NB I-787/whatever it is there to the Thruway through the east end of the tandem lot.. Tight curve, but no tighter than some other ramps in the area.

There are plans to address some of the traffic issues at that intersection. I forget, but they may be doing exactly that.

[Rothman]

I've been slowly working on a proposal that would retain 787, but would simplify a lot of ramps and access and at least attempt to improve the connection between downtown and the waterfront.  With the semester in full gear, it may be a while before I can finish it.

If it was me, I would just tear the elevated part of I-787 where it meets the circle interchange as well as remove the train tracks and rebuilt that part of I-787 to surface interstate, rebuild all the bridges over I-787. Problem solved. No need to tear down all of that to become a boulevard. Heavy traffic uses I-787 so why would they want to make it even worse?

Oh, is that all.  O.o

You do realize those rail tracks are still quite heavily used, right?

[MazdaStrider]

I've been slowly working on a proposal that would retain 787, but would simplify a lot of ramps and access and at least attempt to improve the connection between downtown and the waterfront.  With the semester in full gear, it may be a while before I can finish it.

If it was me, I would just tear the elevated part of I-787 where it meets the circle interchange as well as remove the train tracks and rebuilt that part of I-787 to surface interstate, rebuild all the bridges over I-787. Problem solved. No need to tear down all of that to become a boulevard. Heavy traffic uses I-787 so why would they want to make it even worse?

Oh, is that all.  O.o

You do realize those rail tracks are still quite heavily used, right?

No I didn't know what.. it can still be moved? (I havent been to that area forever).

[Rothman]

I've been slowly working on a proposal that would retain 787, but would simplify a lot of ramps and access and at least attempt to improve the connection between downtown and the waterfront.  With the semester in full gear, it may be a while before I can finish it.

If it was me, I would just tear the elevated part of I-787 where it meets the circle interchange as well as remove the train tracks and rebuilt that part of I-787 to surface interstate, rebuild all the bridges over I-787. Problem solved. No need to tear down all of that to become a boulevard. Heavy traffic uses I-787 so why would they want to make it even worse?

Oh, is that all.  O.o

You do realize those rail tracks are still quite heavily used, right?

No I didn't know what.. it can still be moved? (I havent been to that area forever).

No.

[froggie]

They could probably be rebuilt/relocated within the corridor, but it would be a considerable engineering undertaking.

[Conn. Roads]

I think that the real fix needs to be between 787/Alt.7/87. I am a commuter from Saratoga County. In the rush hours, the lack of bridges on the Mohawk are the real choke points. The twin bridges always back up, especially with all of the Clifton Park entrances.

South of Alt. 7, the Northway seems to be most beneficial to people who travel to western Albany, and Colonie. A Northway/free 90 route to downtown has so much congestion from those coming from the west. I think the best improvement would be a more direct interchange between 87, and Alt. 7, due to the hairpin interchange cloverleaf. The entrance and exit to/from Route 9 Latham makes even more zig zagging. Westbound Alt. 7 needs a breakdown lane. If there is a problem, there is nowhere to pull off. The steep climb has slow trucks, which can't get around the stalled car.

This is why I think the route could be improved with fly overs between sb 87- Alt 7 eb, and 787 nb-Alt. 7 wb.

[Rothman]

THERE IS NO "ALT. 7"! 

[cl94]

THERE IS NO "ALT. 7"! 

Of course there is! It's in the minds of the public! 

[Rothman]

THERE IS NO "ALT. 7"! 

Of course there is! It's in the minds of the public! 

The capacity of the public to deny reality knows no bounds.

[NE2]

The English language is descriptive. Move to France if you don't like it.

[Rothman]

The English language is descriptive. Move to France if you don't like it.

French is not descriptive?  That explains Impressionism.

[froggie]

Rather than blast the newbie for referencing a route that may not currently exist, why not respond to his proposals?

[cl94]

THERE IS NO "ALT. 7"! 

Of course there is! It's in the minds of the public! 

The capacity of the public to deny reality knows no bounds.

Yet, nothing will change until the traffic reporters get it right. WGY still uses "alternate 7" exclusively (and I just heard them use it).

Rather than blast the newbie for referencing a route that may not currently exist, why not respond to his proposals?

I'm getting there. We agree with just about everything. Problem is money (more importantly, the lack thereof).

[Alps]

I think that the real fix needs to be between 787/Alt.7/87. I am a commuter from Saratoga County. In the rush hours, the lack of bridges on the Mohawk are the real choke points. The twin bridges always back up, especially with all of the Clifton Park entrances.

South of Alt. 7, the Northway seems to be most beneficial to people who travel to western Albany, and Colonie. A Northway/free 90 route to downtown has so much congestion from those coming from the west. I think the best improvement would be a more direct interchange between 87, and Alt. 7, due to the hairpin interchange cloverleaf. The entrance and exit to/from Route 9 Latham makes even more zig zagging. Westbound Alt. 7 needs a breakdown lane. If there is a problem, there is nowhere to pull off. The steep climb has slow trucks, which can't get around the stalled car.

This is why I think the route could be improved with fly overs between sb 87- Alt 7 eb, and 787 nb-Alt. 7 wb.

I've favored a northern extension of 787 that comes back to 87.

[cl94]

I thought that for a loooong time. Then I considered geography and the need to tear through pretty dense sections of Waterford and Halfmoon. Only the Village of Waterford is particularly "poor"- the area near the Northway is quite wealthy. An extension would have to come in close to Round Lake to avoid most of the densely-populated areas and by that point, it would be useless to traffic heading anywhere south of Exit 10 and west of the Northway.

[Alps]

I thought that for a loooong time. Then I considered geography and the need to tear through pretty dense sections of Waterford and Halfmoon. Only the Village of Waterford is particularly "poor"- the area near the Northway is quite wealthy. An extension would have to come in close to Round Lake to avoid most of the densely-populated areas and by that point, it would be useless to traffic heading anywhere south of Exit 10 and west of the Northway.

I agree, it would have to come in between 10 and 11. But that would provide so much traffic relief to the Northway that everyone south of Exit 10 would no longer have an issue.

[cl94]

I thought that for a loooong time. Then I considered geography and the need to tear through pretty dense sections of Waterford and Halfmoon. Only the Village of Waterford is particularly "poor"- the area near the Northway is quite wealthy. An extension would have to come in close to Round Lake to avoid most of the densely-populated areas and by that point, it would be useless to traffic heading anywhere south of Exit 10 and west of the Northway.

I agree, it would have to come in between 10 and 11. But that would provide so much traffic relief to the Northway that everyone south of Exit 10 would no longer have an issue.

Question is how much of the Northway traffic north of there comes from south or east of I-787. Such a plan would probably require 787 to be widened to a minimum of 6 lanes in Albany County, possibly 8 between Free 90 and NY 7, as that area is already subject to jams if somebody sneezes. However, coupled with a much-needed replacement of the US 4 bridge over the Hudson south of Fort Edward, that might divert some of the Vermont traffic from 149 as well.

[Rothman]

Rather than blast the newbie for referencing a route that may not currently exist, why not respond to his proposals?

*blasts froggie*

...

How isn't there a breakdown lane on NY 7 WB?  I thought the shoulder there was wide enough?