Interstate 81 in New York

Interstate 81

Map of New York with I-81 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by NYSDOT and the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority
Length: 183.52 mi[2] (295.35 km)
Existed: August 14, 1957[1] – present
Major junctions
South end: I-81 near Binghamton
  I-86 / NY 17 in Binghamton
NY 13 in Cortland
I-90 / Thruway near Syracuse
NY 104 near Mexico
NY 3 near Watertown
North end: Highway 137 at Wellesley Island
Highway system

Main route of the Interstate Highway System
Main • Auxiliary • Business

Numbered highways in New York
Interstate • U.S. • N.Y. (former) • Reference • County

← NY 80 NY 81 →

Interstate 81 (I-81) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs from Dandridge, Tennessee, to the Canada – United States border at Wellesley Island in New York. In the U.S. state of New York, I-81 extends 183.52 miles (295.35 km) from the Pennsylvania state line southeast of Binghamton to the Canadian border at Wellesley Island northwest of Alexandria Bay. I-81 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.

Contents

Route description

Pennsylvania to Syracuse

Interstate 81 enters New York at the Pennsylvania state line about 11 miles (18 km) south east of Binghamton. I-81 merges with NY 17 for 5 miles (8 km). The current segment of NY 17 is set to become I-86. About 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Binghamton at exit 5, I-81 meets the western terminus of I-88. US 11 has been paralleling I-81 from Virginia and US 11 will parallel I-81 in most of New York. At mile marker 73 and exit 15, I-81 meets with the longest road in the United States: US 20 in La Fayette. At the southern tip of Syracuse, at mile marker 81, and exit 16A, I-81 meets with one of its spurs: I-481. In downtown Syracuse, I-81 meets I-690 at an incomplete interchange.

Syracuse to Canada

Just north of Syracuse, I-81 meets the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) at exit 25A. In North Syracuse at mile marker 93, I-81 meets with I-481 and NY 481 at exit 29. From exit 36 to exit 48, I-81 parallels Lake Ontario. Further north, I-81 crosses Thousand Islands Bridge (toll northbound only) at the U.S./ Canadian border 6 miles (10 km) north of Fishers Landing.

Approaching and, further, beyond I-81's northern terminus at the Canadian border, two toll bridge spans over the St. Lawrence River connect it to Highway 401 (via Highway 137) in Ontario. The main bridge span on the United States side is one of the few remaining 2-lane Interstate stretches left on the system. The border itself is marked by a 90-foot (27 m) bridge across the International Rift between Wellesley Island, New York and Hill Island, Ontario.

History

In February 1953, New York Governor Thomas Dewey proposed constructing four expressways across the state of New York to supplement the then-under construction New York State Thruway. One of the four proposed highways began in Binghamton and proceeded generally northward through Central New York to the Canadian border north of Watertown.[3] The first section of the highway—from Tully north to Nedrow—was completed in the mid-1950s.[4][5] On August 14, 1957, the entirety of the proposed highway was included in the Interstate Highway System and designated as part of Interstate 81.[1] Two more sections of the route—between North Syracuse and Brewerton and from Adams to Pamelia—were opened to traffic in the late 1950s.[5][6]

C. 1961, the North Syracuse – Brewerton segment of the freeway was extended south into downtown Syracuse and north to Parish. Farther north, the section between exits 38 and 40 in southern Jefferson County was completed around this time.[6][7] I-81 was opened to traffic from the Pennsylvania state line north to NY 17 in Kirkwood in mid-1961 while the gap between the Syracuse–Parish and southern Jefferson County segments was filled in late 1961.[7][8] The freeway was completed between Pierrepont Manor and Adams by the following year, creating a continuous limited-access highway between Syracuse and Watertown.[8] In the mid-1960s, four more sections of I-81 were opened to traffic, completing all of I-81 within the state except for the portion between NY 221 in Marathon and NY 26 in Whitney Point.[9][10] The Marathon – Whitney Point segment was completed ca. 1968.[10][11]

Controversy around Syracuse

As I-81 runs through Syracuse it separates the 15th Ward and Syracuse University, as well as the area's hospitals. The elevated freeway separates the two areas but also hangs over the 15th Ward.[12] The roadway is slowly deteriorating and is due for a reconstruction in the Syracuse area. Originally the reason for the Interstate's elevation was to make travel from downtown area to the university faster. One major reason for the urgency of this effort is the condition of the viaduct and other bridges located on I-81 between the I-481 interchanges, as well as on I-690 in the vicinity of the I-81/I-690 interchange.[13] Syracuse Common Councillor Van Robinson in 2001 called for the removal of some elevated portions of the section 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 Upstate Medical University.[14]

The region is set to reach a final decision on the future of I-81. This decision on I-81 will involve many local groups, or stakeholders, in the issue. In early May 2011, this official process was started by two entities: the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC), the region’s metropolitan planning organization. NYSDOT 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.[15]

NYSDOT has frequently said that they need to change I-81 due to its deteriorating condition.[16] Both parties have yet to reach a decision, but they hope to eventually reach one that is in the best interest for everyone in the greater Syracuse area. In late March 2011, SMTC and NYSDOT announced the formation of the I-81 Community Liaison Committee (CLC). The CLC is made up of representatives from 37 organizations and will give ideas and point out concerns about the future of I-81 in Syracuse.[17]

Exit list

County Location Mile[2] Exit Destinations Notes
Broome
 Kirkwood 0.00 I-81 Pennsylvania state line
3.98 1 US 11 / NY 7 – Conklin, Kirkwood
8.65 2 US 11 east – Industrial Park Signed as exit 2W on I-81 northbound
8.65 I-86 east / NY 17 east – New York Signed as exit 2E on I-81 northbound; NY 17 joins northbound and leaves southbound
8.90 3 Industrial Park (Colesville Road) Southbound exit and northbound entrance
City of Binghamton 12.19 3 Broad Avenue Northbound exit and southbound entrance
12.58 4N-S NY 7 – Downtown Binghamton, Hillcrest
13.06 NY 17 west – Owego, Elmira NY 17 leaves northbound and joins southbound
Dickinson 13.54 5 US 11 (Front Street) – Broome Community College To I-88 east (southbound)
Chenango 14.77 I-88 east – Albany No southbound exit
15.66 6 US 11 to NY 12 – Chenango Bridge To I-88 east (southbound)
21.62 7 US 11 – Castle Creek
Barker 28.99 8 NY 26 to US 11 to NY 79 to NY 206 – Whitney Point Northbound exit and southbound entrance
Triangle 30.33 8 NY 79 to US 11 to NY 26 to NY 206 – Whitney Point Southbound exit and northbound entrance
Cortland
 Village of Marathon 38.26 9 NY 221 – Marathon
Cortlandville 50.01 10 US 11 / NY 41 – Cortland, McGraw
Cortland 52.34 11 NY 13 – Cortland, Ithaca Access to SUNY Cortland
Town of Homer 54.07 12 US 11 / NY 41 / NY 281 – Cortland, Homer
Preble 62.86 13 NY 281 – Preble
Onondaga
 Town of Tully 66.58 14 NY 80 – Tully
LaFayette 73.19 15 US 11 / US 20 – LaFayette
Onondaga 78.10 16 US 11 – Onondaga Nation Territory
Syracuse 81.46 16A I-481 north – DeWitt
82.20 17 South Salina Street / South State Street / Brighton Avenue Access to Carrier Dome
83.77 18 Adams Street / Harrison Street Access to Syracuse University
84.78 I-690 – East Syracuse, Baldwinsville, Fairgrounds No access to I-690 west from I-81 south
19 Clinton Street / Salina Street Southbound exit and northbound entrance
20 Franklin Street / West Street Southbound exit and northbound entrance
21 Catawba Street / Spencer Street Southbound exit and entrance
86.23 22 NY 298 (Court Street) Northbound exit and entrance; access to Rosamond Gifford Zoo
22 NY 298 (Bear Street) to I-690 west Southbound exit and entrance; combined with exits 23A-B
86.68 23 NY 370 east (Park Street) / Hiawatha Boulevard Northbound exit only; access to Carousel Center and Alliance Bank Stadium; combined with exits 24A-B
23A-B Hiawatha Boulevard / Carousel Center Drive Southbound exit and entrance; access to Carousel Center and Alliance Bank Stadium; combined with exit 22
86.68 24A-B NY 370 west – Liverpool Northbound exit only; combined with exit 23
Salina 25 7th North Street – Liverpool
88.66 25A I-90 / Thruway – Albany, Buffalo
89.87 26 US 11 – Mattydale Combined with exit 27 southbound
90.67 27 Syracuse Airport Combined with exit 28 northbound and exit 26 southbound
Cicero 91.51 28 Taft Road – North Syracuse Combined with exit 27 northbound
North Syracuse 92.63 29S-N I-481 / NY 481 – Oswego, North Syracuse, DeWitt
Cicero 95.07 30 NY 31 – Cicero, Bridgeport
99.03 31 To US 11 via Bartell Road – Brewerton
Oswego
 Hastings 102.83 32 NY 49 – Central Square
Parish town–village line 111.11 33 NY 69 – Parish
Town of Parish 114.87 34 NY 104 – Mexico
Richland 118.25 35 To US 11 via Tinker Tavern Road
Pulaski 121.65 36 NY 13 – Pulaski Northbound exit and southbound entrance
122.44 36 Pulaski (CR 2) Southbound exit and northbound entrance
Village of Sandy Creek 128.07 37 Sandy Creek, Lacona (CR 15) Northbound exit and southbound entrance
128.25 37 Sandy Creek, Lacona (CR 22A) Southbound exit and northbound entrance
Jefferson
 Town of Ellisburg 130.82 38 US 11
132.83 39 Mannsville (CR 94)
134.68 40 NY 193 – Pierrepont Manor, Ellisburg
Village of Adams 140.25 41 NY 178 – Adams, Henderson
Town of Adams 144.36 42 NY 177 – Smithville, Adams Center
145.91 43 To US 11 – Kellogg Hill
Town of Watertown 148.29 44 NY 232 – Watertown Center
152.60 45 NY 3 (Arsenal Street) – Sackets Harbor
153.55 46 NY 12F (Coffeen Street) – Airport Access to Jefferson Community College
Pamelia 155.05 47 NY 12 (Bradley Street), Clayton
157.67 48 NY 342 to US 11 to NY 37 – Fort Drum, Black River
Orleans–Theresa town line 169.20 49 NY 411 – La Fargeville, Theresa
Alexandria–Orleans town line 178.14 50N-S NY 12 – Alexandria Bay, Clayton
St. Lawrence River   Thousand Islands Bridge
($2.50 toll northbound)[18]
Thousand Islands 179.80 51 Island Road – Island State Parks
183.03 52 Island Road – De Wolf Point
183.52 Highway 137 Canada – United States border; continuation into Ontario
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. ^ a b American Association of State Highway Officials (August 14, 1957). Official Route Numbering for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (Map). 
  2. ^ a b "2008 Traffic Data Report for New York State" (PDF). New York State Department of Transportation. June 16, 2009. pp. 215–217. https://www.nysdot.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-services/hds-respository/NYSDOT_Traffic_Data_Report_2008.pdf. Retrieved January 3, 2010. 
  3. ^ Dales, Douglas (June 20, 1954). "Across The Map; Limited-Access Highways Spreading Rapidly from Maine to the Midwest". The New York Times: pp. XX21. 
  4. ^ Esso (1956). New York with Special Maps of Putnam–Rockland–Westchester Counties and Finger Lakes Region (Map). Cartography by General Drafting (1957 ed.). 
  5. ^ a b Esso (1958). New York with Special Maps of Putnam–Rockland–Westchester Counties and Finger Lakes Region (Map). Cartography by General Drafting (1958 ed.). 
  6. ^ a b Gulf (1960). New York and New Jersey Tourgide Map (Map). Cartography by Rand McNally and Company. 
  7. ^ a b Sunoco (1961). New York and Metropolitan New York (Map). Cartography by H.M. Gousha Company (1961–62 ed.). 
  8. ^ a b Esso (1962). New York with Sight-Seeing Guide (Map). Cartography by General Drafting (1962 ed.). 
  9. ^ Sinclair (1964). New York and Metropolitan New York (Map). Cartography by Rand McNally and Company. 
  10. ^ a b H.M. Gousha Company (1967). Gousha Road Atlas (Map). http://www.broermapsonline.org/members/NorthAmerica/UnitedStates/Midatlantic/gousha_ra_1967_004.html. Retrieved May 10, 2010. 
  11. ^ Esso (1968). New York (Map). Cartography by General Drafting (1969–70 ed.). 
  12. ^ Baik, Galster, Jeong, and Seokgi (December 11, 2007) (PDF). The Current Problems of Interstate 81 Through Downtown of Syracuse and Their Effective Solutions. Onondaga Citizens League. http://onondagacitizensleague.org/ocl_studies/2008/pdfs/MaxwellProject.pdf. Retrieved April 4, 2011. 
  13. ^ The Post-Standard Editorial Board (May 14, 2010). "Tear Down I-81?" (Editorial). Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY). http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2009/06/tear_down_i81_1.html. Retrieved April 4, 2011. 
  14. ^ Mariani, John (August 11, 2008). "What should happen to Interstate-81?". Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY). http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/08/what_should_happen_to_i81.html. Retrieved April 7, 2011. 
  15. ^ The I-81 Challenge (February 2011). "The I-81 Challenge: A Brief Transportation Overview" (PDF). Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council. http://thei81challenge.org/cm/ResourceFiles/resources/1-81_factsheet_revised_winter_2011.pdf. Retrieved April 5, 2-11. 
  16. ^ The I-81 Challenge. "What's New". Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council. http://thei81challenge.org/Home/MenuContent/WhatsNew. Retrieved April 4, 2011. 
  17. ^ Reinhardt, Eric (March 22, 2011). "Transportation council, DOT announce I-81 committee". The Greater Binghamton Business Journal (Binghamton, NY: CNY Business Review). http://www.tgbbj.com/Channels/Technology/tabid/162/itemid/14188/sourcemid/477/Transportation-council-DOT-announce-I-81-committee/Default.aspx?returnUrl=%2FChannels%2FTechnology%2Ftabid%2F162%2FDefault.aspx. Retrieved April 4, 2011. 
  18. ^ "Thousand Islands Bridge" (PDF). TIBA. http://www.tibridge.com/rate%20sheet.pdf. Retrieved May 29, 2007. 

External links

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