Interstate 287 New Jersey / New York

Interstate 287 New Jersey
Interstate 287 New York

Overview

Interstate 287 encircles the New York City metropolitan area along three distinct roads. The North Jersey portion provides both a commuter route and bypass from the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) at Edison west to Somerville and north to Morristown, Oakland and Mahwah. This section of I-287 ties into the New York Thruway mainline (I-87) just across the New York state line at Suffern.

I-87/287 combine east along the New York Thruway to Nyack and across the Hudson River on the Governor Mario N. Cuomo Bridge. Major construction replaced the aging Tappan Zee Bridge, with the new cable-stayed bridge opened to westbound traffic on August 26, 2017, and two-way traffic on October 6, 2017. The new eastbound span opened to traffic on September 12, 2018.1

Interstate 87 and the Thruway turn south at East Irvington toward Yonkers and The Bronx, New York. Interstate 287 continues east along the often congested Cross Westchester Expressway to Rye and I-95 (New England Thruway) near the Connecticut state line.

Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

The Tappan Zee Bridge operated for 62 years until 2017. The New York State Thruway Authority managed the $3.98 billion bridge project starting in 2013, when the initial foundational steel piles were driven. Anchored by eight 419-foot high towers, the cable-stayed bridge is the first built across the Hudson River. Tower construction commenced in September 2015, followed by the first road deck panel installation in November 2015. Installation of the 192 stay cables, each orientated at a five degree angle, commenced in July 2016. The final main span tower was completed in December 2016.1

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place for the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge across the Hudson River on August 24, 2017. The span opened initially with four lanes of traffic carrying I-87/287 northbound. Work followed to ready the crossing to accommodate southbound motorists while adjacent construction continued on the companion bridge.2

The original Tappan Zee Bridge, opened in December 1955, was demolished starting first with the approaches. The 3.1 mile long replacement accommodates eight general travel lanes with full shoulders including space for a future transit line or busway. The span also includes a bicycle/walking path.2

High Priority Corridor

Interstate 287 in New Jersey is part of High Priority Corridor 63: Liberty Corridor.

Route Information

  • North End – Rye, NY

  • South End – Edison, NJ

  • Total Mileage – 98.72

Mileage

New Jersey – 67.54

  • Cities – Somerville, Morristown, Pompton Plain, Oakland

  • Junctions – I-95 NJ Turnpike I-78 I-80

New York – 31.18*

  • Cities – Suffern, Spring Valley, White Plains, Tarrytown, Port Chester

  • Junctions – I-87 NY Thruway I-684 I-95

Source: December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List
* – 19.20 miles on I-87

I-287 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)

Source: 2013-15 AADT – New Jersey Annual Average Daily Traffic – NJDOTGIS Web Map
2016 AADT – NYS Traffic Data Viewer

North Jersey - 1960
The Cross Westchester Expressway as I-487 – 1960 Rand McNally North American Road Atlas.

Interstate 87 was proposed separate from the New York Thruway, from the Cross Westchester Expressway north to Brewster, until 1969. An earlier alignment showed the route staying closer to the Hudson River north from Tarrytown.

I-95 north at I-287/NJ 440 - 1998

Replaced button copy signage at Exit 10 from the Outer Roadway of the NJ Turnpike north in October 1998. This guide sign, and others for I-287 and NJ 440, were replaced by Spring 2000.

I-87/287 west across the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

I-87/287 (New York State Thruway) crossing the Hudson River over the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge west from Tarrytown to South Nyack. 05/31/22

History

The Cross Westchester Expressway opened to traffic in December 1960 at a cost of $50 million. Part of the urban Interstate numerology submitted to the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) on August 22, 1958, the State of New York Department of Public Works numbered the Cross Westchester Expressway as Interstate 187 and the New York Thruway west from I-87 at White Plains as Interstate 387. AASHO responded on August 29, 1958 with a spate of recommendations regarding the statewide proposed numbering.

North of NYC your 387 should change to 287 to match N.J. and it should be even numbered since it is a loop. Likewise your 187 should than be 487 since it constitutes a loop connecting with Interstate route at both ends.

Interstate 487 was subsequently redesignated as part of an extended I-287 east from the New York Thruway in 1961.3

An eastern extension of Interstate 287 was proposed by Robert Moses to complete the beltway around New York via the Oyster Bay-Rye Bridge. A 6.1 mile long cabled-stayed suspension bridge across Long Island Sound was envisioned to link the east end of I-287 at Rye with an extension of NY 135 (Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway). A study for the crossing was released by Moses in February 1966.4

Planning for the Oyster Bay-Rye Bridge halted in 1970. New studies were required following the implementation of stricter environmental legislation by the Federal government in 1970. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed in November 1972 for a 16.5 mile long roadway, including the span and approaches between I-95 and NY 25 in Syosset. New York State submitted the mileage for inclusion in the Interstate system under the Federal Highway Act of 1968.4

Residents in Rye, Oyster Bay and other locations along the proposed corridor organized to counter the bridge and extension of I-287. Their efforts and environmental concerns led to formal cancellation of the crossing by Governor Nelson Rockefeller on June 20, 1973.4

The cancellation of the Somerset Freeway in North Jersey in 1982, the proposed alignment for Interstate 95 between Lawrenceville and Metuchen, resulted in an extension of I-287 east from South Plainfield to the New Jersey Turnpike in Edison Township. This segment was previously designated as Interstate 95. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved the renumbering on June 26, 1985.

The final project of the overall 14 mile reconstruction of I-95 between Bronx, New York and Port Chester was the “Last Mile” of the New England Thruway. Costing $135 million, a design-build contract was awarded for work in August 2018. Construction rebuilt the mainline of I-95 between milepost 14.1 and 15.0 with wider shoulders. Improvements at the exchange joining I-95/287 included replacement and realignment of the ramp joining I-287 east with I-95 north. The ramp from Midland Avenue to I-95 north was also realigned.5

Exit 21 from I-95 south to I-287 west was expanded to two lanes. Additional improvements were also made along I-95 northbound at the Midland Avenue Interchange. Bridge work included a replacement of the Grace Church Street Bridge spanning I-95 at milepost 14.46 and rehabilitation of the Boston Post Road overpass, the Purchase Street overpass and I-95 over the Byram River.5 The overall project was completed by November 1, 2021.6

Photo Guides

East End I-95 US 1 – Rye, New York

I-287 East at I-95

I-287 east at I-95 - Port Chester, NY

Interstate 287 (Cross Westchester Expressway) weaves southeast between Rye Brook and Harrison toward I-95 in the city of Rye. 05/31/22

I-287 east at I-95 - Port Chester, NY

Curving south below the Ridge Street overpass, I-287 advances a half mile to Exit 11 with U.S. 1 (Boston Post Road) at Port Chester. The mainline defaults onto Interstate 95 north in 1.4 miles ahead of Byram, Connecticut. 05/31/22

I-287 east at I-95 - Port Chester, NY

An end shield for I-287 precedes Exit 11 for U.S. 1. U.S. 1 (Boston Post Road) parallels Interstate 95 from New York northward into Greenwich, Connecticut. 05/31/22

I-287 east at I-95 - Port Chester, NY

Guide signs for I-95 north reference the Connecticut Turnpike, which ceased operation as a toll facility in 1986. 05/31/22

I-287 east at I-95 - Port Chester, NY

A trumpet interchange connects the east end of I-287 with I-95 (New England Thruway) south to New Rochelle and Bronx, New York at Exit 12. Two lanes proceed east to a wye interchange with I-95 (Governor Lodge Turnpike) north to Greenwich, Stamford and New Haven, Connecticut. 05/31/22

I-95 South at I-287

I-95 south at I-287 - Port Chester, NY

One mile ahead of Exit 21 with Interstate 287 (Cross Westchester Expressway) west on I-95 (Connecticut Turnpike) south. The freeway transitions onto the New England Thruway south at the forthcoming state line. 05/31/22

I-95 south at I-287 - Port Chester, NY

The wye interchange at Exit 21 ties into the adjacent folded diamond interchange with Midland Avenue for Port Chester and Rye. I-287 comprises an often overcrowded commuter route west to White Plains and the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. 05/31/22

I-95 south at I-287 - Port Chester, NY

Exit 21 leaves Interstate 95 (New England Thruway) south for I-287 west to Suffern and south to Morristown, New Jersey. I-95 progresses southwest 11 miles through the suburbs of Mamaroneck, Larchmont and New Rochelle to enter Bronx, New York. 05/31/22

I-95 North at I-287

I-95 north at I-287 - Port Chester, NY

Succeeding ramps join Interstate 95 (New England Thruway) north with U.S. 1 south and Interstate 287 west at Rye. 05/30/22

I-95 north at I-287 - Port Chester, NY

Interstate 287 travels west across the northern suburbs of New York City before combining with I-87 and the New York Thruway mainline. West from there, I-87/287 cross the Governor Mario N. Cuomo Bridge over the Hudson River between Tarrytown and South Nyack. 05/30/22

I-95 north at I-287 - Port Chester, NY

Interstate 95 north reaches Exit 20 for U.S. 1 (Boston Post Road) south to Rye. Exit 21 follows for both I-287 west and U.S. 1 north to Port Chester. 05/30/22

I-95 north at I-287 - Port Chester, NY

U.S. 1 (Boston Post Road) spans I-95 north as Exit 21 parts ways for Interstate 287 (Cross Westchester Expressway) west. 05/30/22

I-95 north at I-287 - Port Chester, NY

Exit 21 ties into a trumpet interchange with Interstate 287 adjacent to U.S. 1 (Boston Post Road) and a big box retail center. 05/30/22

I-287 East End Throwback

I-287 west at I-95 - 1976

Button copy signs formerly posted at the loop ramp joining I-287 west with I-95 south beyond the Midland Avenue entrance ramp in Rye. This exchange lies a half mile beyond the separation with Interstate 95. Photo by Michael Summa (1976).

I-95 North at I-287

The New York State Legislature approved the renaming of the Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge on June 29, 2017. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill shortly thereafter.7 However signs installed in 2018 were subsequently replaced or amended as they omitted the middle initial.8

I-95 north at I-287 - Port Chester, NY
I-95 north at I-287 - Port Chester, NY
I-95 north at I-287 - Port Chester, NY

Guide signs for Interstate 287 along I-95 were replaced after the Tappan Zee Bridge was renamed the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. 08/29/05

I-95 South at I-287

I-95 south at I-287 - 2014

An expansion project underway from 2018 to November 2021 added a fourth southbound lane along I-95 to Interstate 287 west at Exit 21. Photo by Eric Stuve (07/17/14).

I-95 south at I-287 - 2014

Opened in September 2020.<sup>6</sup>, the Grace Church Road overpass was replaced during the I-95 expansion project that added a second lane for Exit 21. Photo by Eric Stuve (07/17/14).

South End I-95 NJ Turnpike  County Route 514 – Edison Township, New Jersey

I-287 South at I-95 NJ Turnpike New Jersey Route 440

I-287 south at I-95/NJ Tpk/Route 440 - Edison, Twp

Interstate 287 concludes at an interchange complex with I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike) and CR 514 (Woodbridge Avenue) adjacent to the Raritan Center business park in Edison Township. 05/31/22

I-287 south at I-95/NJ Tpk/Route 440 - Edison, Twp

Interstate 95 follows the New Jersey Turnpike north to Newark and I-80 at Teaneck and south to Bordentown and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Turnpike Extension west to Bristol, Pennsylvania 05/31/22

I-287 south at I-95/NJ Tpk/Route 440 - Edison, Twp

The unnumbered exit for I-95 leads onto an access road to a trumpet interchange with the New Jersey Turnpike. A half turbine interchange links I-287/Route 440 with CR 514 (Woodbridge) nearby. 05/31/22

I-287 south at I-95/NJ Tpk/Route 440 - Edison, Twp

Four lanes continue from I-287 onto New Jersey Route 440 northbound beyond the New Jersey Turnpike to Perth Amboy. 05/31/22

I-287 south at I-95/NJ Tpk/Route 440 - Edison, Twp

The New Jersey Turnpike stretches southwest to I-295 and the Delaware Memorial Bridge spanning the Delaware River. The north end leads I-95 toward the George Washington Bridge across the Hudson River. 05/31/22

I-287 south at I-95/NJ Tpk/Route 440 - Edison, Twp

Route 440 extends the freeway four miles east to the Outerbridge Crossing over Arthur Kill onto Staten Island, New York. 05/31/22

New Jersey Route 440 South at I-95 NJ Turnpike I-287

Route 440 west at I-287/NJ Tpk - Edison Twp

New Jersey Route 440 transitions into Interstate 287 north beyond the directional cloverleaf interchange with CR 514 (Woodbridge Road) and the New Jersey Turnpike access road at Exit 10. 08/29/05

Route 440 west at I-287/NJ Tpk - Edison Twp

Two lanes separate from Route 440 westbound for the exchange with CR 514 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Three lanes proceed west to the borough of Metuchen along Interstate 287 north. 08/29/05

Route 440 west at I-287/NJ Tpk - Edison Twp

Traffic partitions for CR 514 (Woodbridge Avenue) east to Woodbridge Township and I-95 to Newark and Trenton. 08/29/05

Route 440 west at I-287/NJ Tpk - Edison Twp

County Route 514 crosses over Route 440 one quarter mile ahead of the northbound beginning of Interstate 287. I-287 travels west through Edison and Piscataway to Bridgewater where it turns north to Morristown and Parsippany-Troy Hills. 08/29/05

Route 440 west at I-287/NJ Tpk - Edison Twp

Milepost zero for I-287 stands along the overpass spanning the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95). 05/31/22

I-95 NJ Turnpike North at I-287 New Jersey Route 440

I-95/NJ Tpk north at I-287/Route 440 - Edison Twp

Traveling north on Interstate 95 (New Jersey Turnpike) through Edison Township, two miles ahead of Exit 10 with I-287 north to Piscataway and Route 440 east to the Outerbridge Crossing and Staten Island, New York. 12/19/16

I-95/NJ Tpk north at I-287/Route 440 - Edison Twp

Interstate 287 navigates westward from Route 440 and Metuchen to Somerville, where it accompanies U.S. 202 and U.S. 206 north to I-78 and Far Hills. 08/19/21

I-95/NJ Tpk north at I-287/Route 440 - Edison Twp

Exit 10 departs from the Inner Roadway of the NJ Turnpike to the access road linking I-95 with parallel CR 514 (Woodbridge Avenue) in Edison Township, I-287 north to Suffern, New York and Route 440 east to Perth Amboy. 08/19/21

I-95/NJ Tpk north at I-287/Route 440 - Edison Twp
I-95/NJ Tpk north at I-287/Route 440 - Edison Twp

The New Jersey Turnpike Outer Roadway northbound at Exit 10 for I-287 north and Route 440 east. 08/19/21

I-95 NJ Turnpike South at I-287 New Jersey Route 440

I-95/NJ Tpk south at I-287/Route 440 - Edison Twp

The Garden State Parkway and CR 514 (Main Street) cross over the New Jersey Turnpike two miles from Exit 10 for Interstate 287 north and Route 440 east. 12/17/17

I-95/NJ Tpk south at I-287/Route 440 - Edison Twp

One mile ahead of the trumpet interchange (Exit 10) and access road linking the New Jersey Turnpike south with Interstate 287 west to Metuchen, CR 514 (Woodbridge Avenue) at Edison Township and Route 440 east to the Outerbridge Crossing. 12/17/17

I-95/NJ Tpk south at I-287/Route 440 - Edison Twp

The Inner Roadway of the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) south reaches Exit 10 for Interstate 287 and Route 440. 12/17/17

I-95/NJ Tpk south at I-287/Route 440 - Edison Twp

New Jersey Route 440 forms a multi state highway with NY 440 east from Perth Amboy, New Jersey to the West Shore Expressway in Staten Island, New York. 12/17/17

I-287 South End Throwback

I-95 NJ Turnpike North at I-287 New Jersey Route 440

I-95/NJ Tpk north at I-287/Route 440 - 2005
I-95/NJ Tpk north at I-287/Route 440 - 2005
I-95/NJ Tpk north at I-287/Route 440 - 2005

New Jersey Turnpike guide signs were replaced to use conventional signing standards in stages from 2016 to 2018. 06/13/05, 06/26/05

I-95/NJ Tpk at I-287/Route 440 - 2005

Reconstruction of the access road beyond the toll plaza at Exit 10 in 2015 included replacement of button copy signs at the ramp for CR 514 west to Raritan Center. 06/13/05

I-95/NJ Tpk at I-287/Route 440 - 2005

A circular ramp extends northeast from the toll plaza at Exit 10 to subsequent ramps for Route 440 east to the Garden State Parkway and U.S. 9 at Woodbridge Township and CR 514 (Woodbridge Road) east to the Fords community. These signs were replaced by 2015. 06/13/05

I-95/NJ Tpk at I-287/Route 440 - 2005

Traffic from CR 514 (Woodbridge Avenue) eastbound joins the ramp system connecting I-95 with I-287 westbound just ahead of the slip ramp to Route 440 east. 06/13/05

Sources:

  1. “Mario Cuomo Bridge opens amid controversy.” News 12 Westchester (NY), September 11, 2018.
  2. “Governor Cuomo Announces Opening of First Span of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.” New York State Governor’s Press Office. August 24, 2017.
  3. Cross Westchester Expressway, New York Area Roads, Crossings and Exits (Steve Anderson).
  4. Oyster Bay-Rye Bridge, New York Area Roads, Crossings and Exits (Steve Anderson).
  5. “Thruway Authority Announces Construction Begins on $135 Million Infrastructure Project on I-95 in Westchester County.” New York Thruway, press release. August 20, 2018.
  6. “Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $135 Million Infrastructure Improvement Project on I-95 in Westchester County.” New York State Governor’s Press Office. November 1, 2021.
  7. “Tappan Zee Bridge gets new name: The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.” The Journal News (White Plains, NY), June 29, 2017.
  8. “Missing a middle initial, Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge signs will be fixed.” The Journal News (White Plains, NY), August 15, 2019.

Page updated April 11, 2023.