New York State Route 55A

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NY Route 55A
Length: 9.52 mi[1] (15.32 km)
Formed: By 1947[2]
West end: NY 55 near Grahamsville
East end: NY 55 near Napanoch
Counties: Sullivan, Ulster
Numbered highways in New York
< NY 55 NY 56 >
Spur of NY 55
Interstate - U.S. - N.Y. - Reference
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New York State Route 55A is a state highway located in Sullivan and Ulster counties. It is a loop route connected to NY 55 at both ends, near Grahamsville in the west and Napanoch in the east. Inside the loop is New York City's Rondout Reservoir, which provides some beautiful scenery from both highways.

Contents

[edit] Route description

NY 55A leaves NY 55 just east of Grahamsville, going at first slightly northeast along the west end of the reservoir. In a mile it turns abruptly to the right once again as the roadway it follows continues as a county road to Sundown.

Route 55A along the reservoir's north shore.
Route 55A along the reservoir's north shore.

It crosses the mouth of Rondout Creek on a long bridge over swampy areas where the creek reaches the reservoir. Afterwards it goes into much more wooded land.

It remains close to the reservoir's north shore for the rest of its route, offering many glimpses of the reservoir and access to it for those who have boating or fishing permits (Otherwise, access is severely restricted). At the east end of the reservoir, the view to Merriman Dam is better from NY 55A than from NY 55.

Not long afterward, NY 55A ends at NY 55 once again in Napanoch.

[edit] History

Non-standard reference marker along 55A, reflecting New York City maintenance.
Non-standard reference marker along 55A, reflecting New York City maintenance.

NY 55A was assigned by 1947 to an alternate route of NY 55 between Grahamsville and Napanoch. At the time, the two routes were separated by only the Rondout Creek, which had yet to be retained by the Merriman Dam.[2] By 1952, the Merriman Dam was in place, resulting in the creation of the Rondout Reservoir. The reservoir was completely contained within the NY 55-55A loop, with NY 55 forming the southern edge and NY 55A comprising the western and northern extents.[3]

[edit] Major intersections

County Location Mile[1] Roads intersected Notes
Sullivan Grahamsville 0.00 NY 55
Ulster Napanoch 9.52 NY 55

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b 2006 Traffic Data Report for New York State (PDF) p. 189. New York State Department of Transportation (2007-07-16). Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
  2. ^ a b State of New York Department of Public Works. Official Highway Map of New York State [map], 1947-48 edition. Cartography by General Drafting.
  3. ^ Sunoco. New York [map]. Cartography by Rand McNally and Company. (1952)