83-432: [REDACTED] I-781 in Fort Drum Interstate 81 ( I-81 ) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs from I-40 at Dandridge, Tennessee , to the Thousand Islands Bridge at Wellesley Island in New York , beyond which the short 2.7-mile (4.3 km) Ontario Highway 137 (Highway 137) links it to Highway 401 . In the US state of New York , I-81 extends 183.60 miles (295.48 km) from
166-542: A business loop of I-81. This alternative, which is expected to cost between $ 1.9 billion and $ 2.2 billion, would tear down the elevated viaduct and reconstruct Almond Street as an at-grade boulevard . Also as a part of this project, both of the interchanges between I-81 and I-481 would be reconstructed to allow I-481 to be converted to I-81. Construction was expected to start in mid-2020 and take five years to complete. However, in May 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced
249-521: A hamlet adjacent to where Oneida Lake empties into the Oneida River . While US 11 runs through the community, I-81 bypasses it to the east, offering unobstructed views of the lake as it crosses the lake outlet and enters Oswego County . On the opposite riverbank, I-81 initially runs past a line of lakefront houses and cottages; however, it soon enters a large marshy area named Big Bay Swamp. The wetlands reach as far north as Central Square ,
332-587: A limited-access road carrying NY 7 through mostly residential areas on the north side of the city. Just west of the Brandywine Highway junction, I-81 and NY 17 cross the Chenango River as they split at a directional T interchange comprising part of an S-curve in NY ;17 known locally as Kamikaze Curve. While NY 17 heads west into the curve, I-81 proceeds northward along
415-517: A trumpet interchange located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) north of exit 160 ( NY 342 ) in the town of Pamelia . It proceeds to the east, roughly paralleling NY 342 as it heads toward Fort Drum . I-781 ends at an interchange with US 11 just west of Fort Drum, but the roadway continues east as Iraqi Freedom Drive, which is maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) as NY 971Q up to
498-667: A 90-foot (27 m) bridge connecting Wellesley Island to Hill Island in Ontario , Canada, terminating at the Canadian border at the bridge's midpoint. From here, the physical road continues north as Highway 137 onto Hill Island, Constance Island, Georgina Island, and the Canadian mainland via the Canadian spans of the Thousand Islands Bridge before finally ending at a trumpet interchange with Highway 401 . The Binghamton – Syracuse – Watertown corridor
581-410: A handful of scattered businesses to reach the eastern edge of the nearby city of Cortland . While US 11 and NY 41 continue directly into the city, I-81 bypasses it to the northeast. As such, it crosses only moderately developed areas on the periphery of Cortland. The road connects to downtown Cortland by way of an exit with NY 13 , a north–south route serving most of Central New York. Near
664-537: A less developed but still commercialized area north of the city. US 11 and I-81 finally part ways at this point, with I-81 continuing north toward Canada and US 11 heading northeast to serve some of the North Country 's northernmost communities. As the highway leaves the Watertown area, it passes into another area of rolling, open terrain with only pockets of development in the immediate vicinity of
747-539: A long east–west ramp linking the highway to the parallel US 11, NY 41, and NY 281 , another parallel road farther west. NY 41 leaves US 11 in Homer, and I-81, US 11, and NY 281 proceed slightly northeastward across a low-lying, undeveloped area in an otherwise hilly region of Cortland County. Just south of the Onondaga County line, I-81 directly meets NY 281 as it crosses from
830-733: A loss of revenue from the changes to vehicle traffic patterns. Court challenges to the removal produced only temporary delays. All exits in New York formerly used sequential numbering. The New York State Department of Transportation has begun replacing the numbers with mile numbering. Interstate 781 (New York) Interstate 781 ( I-781 ) is an auxiliary Interstate Highway north of Watertown in Jefferson County, New York . The route extends for 4.3 miles (6.9 km) from an interchange with I-81 in Pamelia to
913-440: A more northeasterly routing, bringing them farther inland toward the city of Watertown . The final exit before the city itself leads to NY 232 , a short connector between I-81 and Watertown Center, the southern extent of Watertown's suburbs. The rural surroundings finally end, albeit briefly, in the vicinity of Watertown, where I-81 intersects NY 3 in a commercialized area west of downtown Watertown. All four corners of
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#1732790163406996-580: A network of interchanges with NY 370 and a handful of nearby streets. The series of junctions serve Destiny USA , the area's largest mall; NBT Bank Stadium , the home of the Syracuse Mets ; and the William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center (RTC), Syracuse's bus and train station. I-81 subsequently passes over CSX Transportation 's Mohawk Subdivision rail line, which serves the RTC. North of
1079-404: A new route to the south of NY 342 that would link I-81 to US 11 southwest of the post's main gate, and improving the existing NY 342. In November 2005, NYSDOT officials announced that the southern route had been chosen and that it would cost $ 64 million (equivalent to $ 96 million in 2023 ) to construct. However, just two months later, NYSDOT announced that they now favored
1162-721: A result, the FHWA stipulated that the highway could only be referred to as "Future I-781" until I-781 was completed. The project received $ 724,000 (equivalent to $ 1.01 million in 2023 ) in funding from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) in June 2008. Another $ 1.43 million (equivalent to $ 1.94 million in 2023 ) was granted by USDOT in January 2010. The project had been nominated to receive $ 95 million (equivalent to $ 130 million in 2023 ) in funding through
1245-459: A subsurface highway as it cuts across the north half of downtown and proceeds northwest past an old industrial area that was once Syracuse's Inner Harbor . The elevated portion in Syracuse was expected to reach the end of its useful life in 2017 but remains in service. The cut eventually brings the freeway to the southeastern tip of Onondaga Lake , where I-81 ascends in elevation once again at
1328-427: A village just west of I-81's interchange with NY 49 . For most of the next 13 miles (21 km), I-81 runs north across a mixture of swamps and fields, both undeveloped and fairly level in elevation. Along this stretch, the freeway links to two more major routes: NY 69 and NY 104 . The highway eventually reaches the village of Pulaski , where it reconnects to NY 13 at a partial interchange east of
1411-535: Is made via US Route 11 (US 11), NY 12 , and NY 12A at I-81 exit 6. NY 12A then connects to I-88 at exit 2. From I-81, I-88 heads east across the Chenango to Port Dickinson , where it merges with NY 7 (here also a limited-access highway ) at exit 1. The two routes continue north, then east along the eastern bank of the Chenango River, where it meets NY 12A near Chenango Bridge . I-88 and NY 7 remain alongside
1494-549: Is responsible for overseeing the process and, eventually, its construction. SMTC consists of member agencies that have a stake in transportation decisions in Central New York . In 2019, NYSDOT selected the "community grid" alternative for reconstructing I-81 through Syracuse. Under this plan, I-81 will be rerouted to bypass Syracuse along the I-481 alignment while the section of I-81 through Syracuse will be designated as
1577-574: Is the former routing of NY 28 . The next interchange I-88 intersects NY 23 and NY 28 joins the expressway, following I-88 out of the city. Northeast of Oneonta, NY 28 leaves I-88 at exit 17 to follow the Susquehanna River northward toward Cooperstown . I-88, however, remains on a northeasterly track through rural eastern Otsego County. Upon crossing into Schoharie County , I-88 begins to follow an easterly routing as it heads toward Cobleskill . While NY 7 enters
1660-560: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) requesting that NY 781 be designated as I-781. The FHWA designated NY 781 as a future Interstate Highway corridor on April 13, 2009; however, the I-781 designation was not officially assigned at this time as per US Code an Interstate Highway designation can only be assigned to a completed highway built to Interstate Highway standards . As
1743-730: The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), I-88 would begin at I-81 in Binghamton and follow the proposed Susquehanna Expressway to Schenectady , from where it would continue to US 4 in Troy over "Alternate Route 7", the limited-access alignment of NY 7 through the northern suburbs of Albany . This would have been accomplished by having I-88 meet the New York State Thruway at exit 25, where it would connect to I-890 . I-88 would continue to Troy over I-890 and an upgraded NY 7. In
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#17327901634061826-599: The New York State Thruway ( I-90 ) in western Schenectady . The 1956 National System of Interstate and Defense Highways Act did not include I-88. New York state officials pressed for addition of the route, and funding was included in the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1968 . Right-of-way acquisition started immediately afterward, and I-88 was added to the Interstate Highway System on December 13, 1968. As originally planned by
1909-572: The New York–Pennsylvania border about 11 miles (18 km) southeast of the city of Binghamton . The freeway heads northwest from the state line, running through a valley surrounding the Susquehanna River in the town of Kirkwood . This stretch of I-81 closely parallels US 11 , continuing a trend that originally began at I-81's southern terminus in eastern Tennessee . Both roads head across relatively undeveloped areas along
1992-745: The Pennsylvania state line southeast of Binghamton to the Canadian border at Wellesley Island northwest of Alexandria Bay . The freeway runs north–south through Central New York , serving the cities of Binghamton, Syracuse , and Watertown . It passes through the Thousand Islands in its final miles and crosses two bridges, both part of the series of bridges known as the Thousand Islands Bridge . South of Watertown, I-81 closely parallels US Route 11 (US 11),
2075-592: The Southern Tier . The route makes its way across a series of hills and valleys for 13 miles (21 km) to the village of Whitney Point , connecting to US 11 and two state routes of regional importance— NY 26 and NY 79 —at two exits on the western edge of the community. Continuing on, I-81 begins to follow the Tioughnioga River , a tributary of the Susquehanna, as it bypasses
2158-876: The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program; however, the application was rejected in February 2010. NYSDOT officials had seen the funding as a way to free up money for other projects in the area rather than funding that was necessary to construct I-781. Much of the project—projected to cost between $ 106 million and $ 113 million (equivalent to $ 145 million and $ 154 million in 2023 )—was funded through several state and local sources, with at least $ 16.6 million (equivalent to $ 22.6 million in 2023 ) coming from NYSDOT. In April 2009, project engineers discovered that Indiana bats —an endangered species of bat —live in
2241-496: The 10th Mountain Division) from a small reserve training center to a full military installation. Beginning with I-781, NYSDOT is using mileage-based exit numbering for all new Interstate Highway designations as part of the 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) regulations phasing in distance-based exit numbers. Exit 1, westbound only, initially used cardinal directions N and S for access to I-81; in 2015
2324-492: The 1980s. The original designation for I-781 was New York State Route 781 ( NY 781 ). On April 13, 2009, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) designated NY 781 as a future Interstate Highway corridor and as "Future I-781". The I-781 designation officially took effect when the highway was completed and opened to traffic on December 6, 2012. I-781 begins at I-81 exit 161,
2407-623: The Berkshire Connector as I-88. The section of the Thruway between exits 25 and 24 would then be codesignated as I-90 and I-88. This was never implemented. As a result of the June 2006 flooding in Upstate New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania , Carrs Creek washed out a 50-foot (15 m) section of I-88 southwest of Unadilla on June 28. Around 6:20 am, two trucks from different directions drove into
2490-546: The NYSW turns west to pass under I-81. At this point, the embankment gives way to an elevated highway carrying I-81 through downtown right next to the State University of New York Upstate Medical University (SUNY Upstate). The road separates the 15th Ward on its west side from Syracuse University and the area's hospitals on its east side; it also visually hangs over the predominantly residential 15th Ward. Farther north,
2573-419: The Thruway tolls are waived for all traffic that enters at exit 25A and heads west to exit 26 (I-890) or east to either exit 25 or 24 (I-890 or I-87/I-90, respectively). The first section of I-88 to open was the piece between Chenango Bridge (exit 2) and Sanitaria Springs (exit 4), which opened in the early 1970s. A second piece near Oneonta between exits 13 and 15
Interstate 81 in New York - Misplaced Pages Continue
2656-503: The archipelago's largest) is one of the few remaining two-lane stretches left on the Interstate Highway System . In the Thousand Islands, I-81 becomes a four-lane freeway again and runs across the sparsely-developed Wellesley Island, initially heading northwest and connecting to a pair of county-maintained roads before turning northeast at the eastern edge of Wellesley Island State Park . The freeway turns one final time near
2739-530: The area in and surrounding the proposed right-of-way of the Fort Drum Connector (I-781). As a result, several concessions were made, including clearing trees during the winter season while the bats hibernate in caves, purchasing and setting aside land to replace those lands lost during construction, and leaving trees in the 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m) of land alongside the highway that would typically be cleared to serve as embankments. The last of
2822-454: The bidding process for the construction of I-781 itself on April 1, 2010; however, the date was pushed back to May 6 due to the lack of an approved state budget. The state previously had plans to award the contract as early as December 2009; however, the earlier date was conditional on the allocation of enough funds for the project by that time. On July 20, NYSDOT announced that a $ 56.5-million (equivalent to $ 77.1 million in 2023 ) contract
2905-399: The bridge over CSX Transportation 's rail line. The highway is four lanes wide, with two lanes for each direction. By 2003, NYSDOT had begun to evaluate potential ways to improve Fort Drum 's access to I-81 . Three alternatives were considered: the construction a new highway that would run north of NY 342 and directly connect I-81 to the main gate of Fort Drum, the construction of
2988-431: The center of the community at exit 6. Shortly after meeting NY 79, I-88 reenters a river valley, this time that of the Susquehanna River . I-88 heads to the northeast, following the river and NY 7 to Afton where it has an interchange with NY 41 exit 7. It continues to Bainbridge where it meets NY 206 and then on to Sidney , where it meets NY 8 , the primary north–south road through
3071-457: The chasm, apparently unaware of it, killing both drivers. David Swingle, 42, of Waverly , who was driving eastbound, was identified shortly after the accident. The westbound trucker was Patrick O'Connell, 55, of Lisbon, Maine . His body was found downstream several days after the water receded. NYSDOT started construction to replace the section of highway almost immediately, and it was reopened August 31. Families of both victims planned to sue
3154-469: The city of Binghamton to an interchange with the New York State Thruway ( I-90 ) west of Schenectady . The freeway serves as an important connector route from the Capital District to Binghamton, Elmira (via New York State Route 17 or NY 17, I-86 ), and Scranton, Pennsylvania (via I-81). I-88 closely parallels NY 7 , which was once the main route through the area. I-88
3237-548: The city to the east. I-81 itself proceeds due north toward downtown on an embankment, running alongside the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) and passing adjacent to Oakwood Cemetery . The surrounding area transitions from mostly residential to mostly commercial at the north edge of the cemetery, where I-81 passes west of the campuses of Syracuse University and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry . West of Syracuse University,
3320-522: The county line, I-81 encounters the village of Marathon , situated inside the river valley at the junction of US 11 and NY 221 . The freeway connects to the latter at an interchange just east of the village center before heading northwestward for 11 miles (18 km) across a series of moraines in another prolonged rural stretch. Along the way, I-81 passes between the Tuller Hill and Hoxie Gorge state forests, located near Messengerville on
3403-543: The county. In LaFayette , I-81 meets with US 20 , one of a handful of east–west roads spanning the width of the state. Continuing on, I-81 and US 11 pass east of Onondaga Reservation , connecting once again at exit 78 before entering the city of Syracuse . At this point, the forests that had lined both roads give way to the dense residential neighborhoods that comprise the city's southern half. Roughly three miles (4.8 km) south of Downtown Syracuse , I-81 meets with I-481 , an alternate route of I-81 bypassing
Interstate 81 in New York - Misplaced Pages Continue
3486-445: The density of the commercial districts adjacent to the highway continue to increase as the road enters Downtown Syracuse. For roughly a half-mile (0.80 km), I-81 heads east–west, running alongside I-690 and connecting to the highway by way of a series of closely spaced ramps. Like I-81, the incomplete interchange is entirely elevated, passing over parts of several downtown blocks. Past I-690, I-81 transitions from an elevated road to
3569-596: The early 1980s, the proposed connection with I-890 was scrapped in favor of a connection located to the west of exit 25 in Rotterdam . The extension to Troy was also eventually shelved, and thus the planned connections to the Adirondack Northway (I-87) and the toll-free part of I-90 between Thruway exit 24 and exit B1 on the Berkshire Connector were never built. As a result,
3652-488: The east side of Syracuse and redesignate I-81 through Syracuse as I-81 Business (I-81 Bus), pending concurrence from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). NYSDOT will renumber I-81 exits from sequential to mile-based along its entire length following the rerouting of I-81 around Syracuse. The process to remove I-81 in Syracuse began in 2023. Some local residents worried the removal would accelerate gentrification, while business owners in varying locations worried about
3735-480: The eastern riverbank to the outskirts of Binghamton, where I-81 merges with New York State Route 17 (NY 17; Future I-86 ) in an industrial area east of the city. I-81 and NY 17 overlap for five miles (8.0 km), running along the northern edge of the Binghamton suburbs before entering the city itself. About 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of downtown, the freeway connects to Brandywine Highway ,
3818-567: The elevated highway and other bridges located on I-81 between the I-481 interchanges on opposite sides of the city, as well as on I-690 in the vicinity of I-81's interchange with the highway. In 2011, the official process in deciding the future of I-81 was started by two entities: NYSDOT and the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC), the region's metropolitan planning organization . NYSDOT
3901-512: The exit, the Tioughnioga River splits into two branches, with NY 13 following the east branch to the northeast and I-81 proceeding westward along the west branch. North of downtown Cortland, I-81 makes a 90-degree turn to the north, matching a similar curve in the course of the nearby river. This track brings the freeway to the suburban village of Homer , which I-81 connects to via exit 54. The trumpet interchange feeds into
3984-508: The four proposed highways closely followed US 11, beginning in Binghamton and proceeding generally northward through Central New York to the Canadian border north of Watertown . A connection to the Pennsylvania state line was eventually added to the route, which became known as the Penn-Can Highway. On August 14, 1957, the Penn-Can Highway was included in the Interstate Highway System and designated as part of I-81. In
4067-481: The junction contain at least one shopping plaza, and the northwestern corner features the sprawling Salmon Run Mall . The commercial development follows I-81 north to its next exit, a diamond interchange with NY 12F near Jefferson Community College . At this point, I-81 turns northeastward, running south of an industrial park and north of the college before crossing the Black River to meet NY 12 in
4150-528: The junction with I-481 and NY 481, the freeway passes east of the former Penn-Can Mall , the largest commercial parcel in the area. I-81's first junction north of Syracuse is in the town of Cicero , where it connects to NY 31 , another regionally important highway. North of here, US 11 begins to closely parallel I-81 once again, rejoining the highway's vicinity after following an erratic alignment through Syracuse. The two roads run across relatively flat and increasingly undeveloped land to Brewerton ,
4233-519: The last time just north of the county line, connecting to the freeway and switching from the highway's west side to its east side. As a result, I-81 now passes west of several villages and large hamlets, all located directly on US 11. Connections to the communities are made by the primary east–west highways serving them, namely CR 90 for Mannsville , NY 193 for Pierrepont Manor , NY 178 for Adams , and NY 177 for Adams Center . At Adams Center, both I-81 and US 11 take on
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#17327901634064316-476: The letters became A (northbound) and B (southbound). The entire route is in Jefferson County . Interstate 88 (New York) Interstate 88 ( I-88 ) is an Interstate Highway located entirely within the US state of New York . Nominally signed as an east–west road as it has an even number, it extends for 117.75 miles (189.50 km) in a northeast–southwest direction from an interchange with I-81 north of
4399-615: The main entrance of Fort Drum in Le Ray . It also has one intermediate interchange with US Route 11 (US 11) just west of Fort Drum. I-781 is four lanes wide and serves as the principal travel corridor into and out of the post. The freeway is ceremoniously designated as the Paul Cerjan Memorial Highway in honor of Paul G. Cerjan, a late US Army lieutenant general who oversaw a $ 1.2-billion (equivalent to $ 3.73 billion in 2023 ) expansion of Fort Drum in
4482-497: The main north–south highway in Central New York prior to the construction of I-81. At Watertown, US 11 turns northeastward to head across New York's North Country region while I-81 continues on a generally northward track to the Canadian border. From there, the road continues into the province of Ontario as Highway 137, a short route leading north to the nearby Highway 401. The portion of I-81 in New York
4565-426: The mid-1950s, the first section of the highway was completed, connecting Tully (now exit 66) to Nedrow (now exit 78), just south of Syracuse. Another section, extending from North Syracuse (now exit 8) to Brewerton (now exit 102), was opened to traffic in the late 1950s. In the North Country , the first completed section ran from Adams (now exit 143) to Pamelia (now exit 160); it
4648-532: The nearby village of Lisle to the east. While US 11 runs across the base of a valley flanking the river, the freeway proceeds along the valley's eastern edge, overlooking the valley road on its way to the Broome – Cortland county line. Both routes cross the border at points just yards apart, beginning their transition from the Southern Tier region to Central New York . About two miles (3.2 km) from
4731-502: The northern alignment after receiving input from area residents and the US Army . According to NYSDOT Commissioner Thomas Madison, the new alignment would have less of a negative impact on future development around Fort Drum and cost $ 7 million (equivalent to $ 10.2 million in 2023 ) less to construct. The proposed highway was initially designated as NY 781 by NYSDOT. On February 11, 2008, NYSDOT submitted an application to
4814-523: The northern edge of the island, curving back to the northwest at exit 186, the last exit along I-81. For most of its run on Wellesley Island, I-81 runs along or close to the island's edge, permitting views of the St. Lawrence River and some of the area's other islands. Not far from exit 186, an interchange linking the freeway to a paralleling local road, I-81 crosses the International Rift on
4897-499: The presence of the freeway. One neighborhood in particular, the 15th Ward in Syracuse, was largely replaced by the freeway. This decimated a close-knit Black-American community. When the displaced community attempted to disperse out into the city, white residents fled , reducing the population of the city by 30 percent over 60 years, while the population of the county grew 55 percent. The removal of sections of I-81 running through Syracuse has been discussed since at least
4980-435: The project would not commence until the following year. At this time, the New York state government allocated $ 800 million to the "community grid" plan. In preparation for the reconstruction/relocation of I-81 around Syracuse, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), at its annual Spring Meeting in May 2021, conditionally approved NYSDOT's application to reroute I-81 over I-481 around
5063-612: The rail overpass, the road finally returns to ground level as it heads northeastward through Syracuse's residential northern suburbs. In Salina , I-81 meets the New York State Thruway ( I-90 ) at exit 7 and connects to Syracuse Hancock International Airport at exit 9. About six miles (9.7 km) north of downtown, the highway enters the village of North Syracuse , where I-481 rejoins I-81 at exit 11 (exit 96 southbound). While I-481 continues northwest from North Syracuse as NY 481 , I-81 travels north through residential areas of gradually decreasing density. Just north of
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#17327901634065146-569: The river to Port Crane , where the river begins to follow NY 369 (exit 3) northward. Outside of Port Crane, the expressway heads east to Sanitaria Springs . Here, NY 7 leaves the expressway at exit 4 and begins to parallel I-88, as it does for the remainder of I-88's routing. I-88 begins to climb a hill, with the eastbound lane having three lanes then soon meets Martin Hill Road ( NY 992P ) at exit 5. I-88 continues east to Harpursville , connecting to NY 79 near
5229-408: The road's interchanges. NY 37 largely replaces US 11 as the paralleling surface route, and the state route follows I-81 for 13 miles (21 km) to the vicinity of Theresa . West of the village, I-81 intersects NY 411 , a connector between La Fargeville and NY 37. While NY 37 continues north from Theresa, I-81 turns to the northwest, crossing increasingly isolated areas of
5312-610: The state except for the portion between NY 221 in Marathon and NY 26 in Whitney Point . The Marathon–Whitney Point segment was completed c. 1968 . In Syracuse, part of I-81 was built on an elevated highway, intended to make travel from Downtown Syracuse to Syracuse University faster. The construction of the I-81 came with much controversy. After the freeway was completed, many neighborhoods were disrupted by
5395-463: The state to reach NY 12 on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River midway between Clayton and Alexandria Bay . From here, the freeway becomes a two-lane undivided road, and heads into the Thousand Islands on the first of several bridges over the St. Lawrence known collectively as the Thousand Islands Bridge . The long, continuous bridge span between the U.S. mainland and Wellesley Island (one of
5478-496: The three changes preserved 21 acres (8.5 ha) of forest. NYSDOT installed guardrails along the length of I-781 to make up for the narrower shoulders. The site preparation contract—which included the clearing of trees along the proposed I-781 right-of-way—was awarded to The Delaney Group on December 26, 2009. Work on this portion of the project took place from February 2010 to May 31, 2010, and cost $ 722,000 (equivalent to $ 985,036 in 2023 ). NYSDOT had originally planned on opening
5561-411: The turn of the century. In 2001, Syracuse Common Councillor Van Robinson called for the removal of some elevated portions of I-81 that were blocking Upstate Medical University. He stated that the bridge not only presented a problem sectionalizing the Syracuse area but also it presented a problem for Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate . One major reason for the urgency of this effort is the condition of
5644-559: The village center. From here to Watertown , I-81 loosely parallels Lake Ontario , located about seven miles (11 km) to the west and more closely followed by NY 3 . Another substantial stretch of open, rolling fields brings the route to Sandy Creek , where it connects to County Route 15 (CR 15), a highway designated NY 288 during the 1930s. Past Sandy Creek, I-81 proceeds into Jefferson County , where it continues to travel across rural, undeveloped areas with only gentle elevation changes. US 11 crosses I-81 for
5727-553: The village, I-88 passes south of it, connecting to the village via two exits with NY 7. East of Cobleskill, I-88 interchanges with NY 145 . Howe Caverns , a regionally popular attraction, is located a short distance north of the exit. I-88 continues onward, skirting the northern edge of Schoharie before passing into Schenectady County . Shortly after entering Schenectady County, I-88 meets US 20 east of Duanesburg . Past US 20, I-88 continues northeast, interchanging with NY 7 for one final time before ending at
5810-500: The village, at exit 9. From Sidney, I-88 progresses northeast through southern Otsego County . It passes Unadilla , accessed by exit 10, then connects to NY 357 at exit 11. The expressway continues and reaches exit 12 which connects to Otego via NY 911J . It continues northeastward before entering Oneonta . Within the city, I-88 interchanges with NY 205 ahead of exit 14 with Main Street, which
5893-450: The west bank of the river, connecting to US 11 and passing by SUNY Broome Community College on its way into the suburban town of Chenango . Here, I-81 meets the western terminus of I-88 at a junction roughly three miles (4.8 km) north of Binghamton. Continuing on, the freeway intersects US 11 a second time before leaving the banks of the Susquehanna River and proceeding generally northwestward into increasingly rural areas of
5976-466: The western and eastern sides of the highway, respectively. The rural, northwestward trend ends west of the village of McGraw at a junction with NY 41 , the primary east–west (signed north–south) road through the community. NY 41 continues west from the exit for a short distance to meet US 11, and the two routes become concurrent for the next five miles (8.0 km). I-81, US 11, and NY 41 all head westward from this point, passing
6059-403: The western side of the freeway to the eastern edge. They meet one final time across the county line near the village of Tully , where NY 281 ends as I-81 intersects NY 80 and NY 11A . The west branch of the Tioughnioga River also terminates here, flowing into Tully Lake at the county line. The amount of development along the freeway slowly increases as it heads north through
6142-399: Was assigned in 1968, and construction of the highway began soon afterward. The first section of I-88 opened in the early 1970s, connecting two communities northeast of Binghamton. The last piece of the freeway was finished in 1989, linking the original segment to I-81 north of Binghamton. Early plans for I-88 called for the road to continue northeast to Troy ; however, the east end of the route
6225-671: Was ceremoniously designated as the Paul Cerjan Memorial Highway in honor of Paul G. Cerjan, a US Army lieutenant general from Rome who died in April 2011. Cerjan was the Assistant Commander for Support of the 10th Mountain Division in the mid-1980s, during which time he developed and supervised a $ 1.2-billion (equivalent to $ 3.73 billion in 2023 ) project that expanded Fort Drum (the home base of
6308-471: Was filled on December 1, 1961, creating a continuous limited-access highway between Syracuse and Watertown. I-81 was opened to traffic from the Pennsylvania state line north to NY 17 in Kirkwood in mid-1961, and the piece linking Pamelia to the Canadian border was completed on September 29, 1965. Three more sections of I-81 were finished to traffic in the mid-1960s, completing all of I-81 within
6391-403: Was let to Lancaster Development of Richmondville to construct the freeway. Work on the highway began the week of July 20, and a formal groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 4. Total completion of the project was originally slated for August 2012; however, it was ultimately pushed back to the end of November. The highway was opened to traffic on December 6, 2012. On July 3, 2012, I-781
6474-619: Was moved to Schenectady in the early 1980s. A combined freeway/tollway in Illinois , though not contiguous, was also assigned the I-88 designation in 1987. I-88 begins at an interchange with I-81 just north of Downtown Binghamton on the banks of the Chenango River . While both directions of I-81 are accessible from I-88 westbound, only one direction of I-81 (northbound) connects to I-88. The missing connection, I-81 south to I-88 east,
6557-422: Was opened to traffic c. 1974 . Construction progressed southwestward from Oneonta, with the freeway reaching Nineveh (exit 6) by 1977. The gap between Sanitaria Springs and Nineveh was filled by 1981. The focus then moved to the section of the expressway between Oneonta and Schenectady, which was completed from Oneonta to Duanesburg (exit 24) by 1981. The Duanesburg–Schenectady leg of I-88
6640-647: Was opened to traffic by 1985. In 1989, construction concluded on I-88 with the opening of the final portion of I-88 between I-81 in Chenango and NY 7 in Chenango Bridge. In 1999 NYSDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) discussed redesignating the Berkshire Connector as I-90 and redesignating the nontoll part of I-90 from Thruway exit 24 to exit B1 on
6723-589: Was originally developed as the Penn-Can Highway , one of four expressways proposed by the state in 1953. It was added to the Interstate Highway System and designated I-81 in 1957 and constructed in sections over the course of the next decade. The first segment was completed in the mid-1950s, running from Tully to the southern edge of Syracuse. The last piece opened in the late 1960s, linking Marathon to Whitney Point . I-81 crosses
6806-415: Was originally served by NY 2 , a route assigned as part of the creation of the modern New York state route system in 1924. It was replaced by US 11 when US Routes were first posted in New York in 1927. In February 1953, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey proposed constructing four expressways across the state of New York to supplement the then-under construction New York State Thruway . One of
6889-588: Was put into service on October 21, 1959. Extensions of the North Syracuse–Brewerton segment south into Downtown Syracuse (now exit 3B) and north to Parish (now exit 114) were completed c. 1961 . The section between modern exits 134 and 143 in southern Jefferson County was finished in November 1961, and the gap between the Syracuse–Parish and Jefferson County segments
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