Interstate 86 (Eastern)

Daniel Patrick Moynihan Interstate Highway

History

Western Terminus

Eastern Terminus

Routing

Originally New York 17, the Eastern Interstate 86 corridor was given high priority status in 1998, which led to the Interstate 86 designation. Designated in 1999, Interstate 86 currently extends from just east of Erie, Pennsylvania, to New York 14/Exit 52 in Horseheads. Prior to February 2004, the eastern terminus was eight miles west of that point, just east of Corning, New York.

Upon completion of all upgrading work on the New York 17 Corridor, Interstate 86 will be signed across the Southern Tier, from Interstate 90 in Pennsylvania to Interstate 87/New York Thruway at Harriman, New York. The entire route is known as the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Interstate Highway (per SAFETEA-LU Section 1929). Key improvements are required in the Elmira, Binghamton and Catskills areas. Locales served Interstate 86 include Erie, Jamestown, Olean, Corning, Elmira, Binghamton, the lower Catskills region, and Middletown.

High Priority Corridor

Proposed Interstate 86 in Pennsylvania and New York is part of High Priority Corridor 36: New York and Pennsylvania State Route 17.

Timetable of Extensions

The Interstate 86 designation was approved by AASHTO on November 6, 1998, with the stipulation that it be signed as a future corridor until the various segments of the freeway are brought up to Interstate standards. Three segments of Interstate 86 were approved by AASHTO on May 6, 2008: (1) from the Pennsylvania-New York state line east to Interstate 390 near Avoca, (2) from Interstate 390 southeast to Exit 56 in Elmira, and (3) from Exit 75 at Interstate 81 east of Binghamton east to Exit 79 near Windsor. While the first two sections are connected, the third segment only connects to Interstate 81.

In February 2004, the FHWA approved the addition of eight more miles of Interstate 86, thus extending the freeway from Corning east to New York 14/Exit 52 in Horseheads (the 2005 Rand McNally map of New York State was among the first to show the Interstate 86 designation). A project is underway to bring the Horseheads overpass to Interstate standards; once that is complete, the freeway may continue its upgrade to Interstate 86. Several projects are also in the works in the Binghamton area to bring New York 17 up to Interstate standards.

To the east of Interstate 81, a ten-mile section between Kirkwood and Windsor were signed as Interstate 86 in May 2005 (AASHTO approved this in May 2008). Following that, the summer of 2005 will see upgrade work underway on New York 17 around Owego and also between Windsor and Hancock. Together with the two-phase project to reconstruct "Kamikaze Curve" in Binghamton, the upgrades between Owego and Roscoe in Sullivan County will cost $400 million and be completed by 2009.⁵ Funds for this purpose along with other sections of future Interstate 86 were allocated in the 2005 SAFETEA-LU.

Parallel U.S. Routes

Interstate 86 does not follow any specific U.S. route with the exception of a small portion of U.S. 6 near the future eastern terminus.

Planned Improvements

Upgrade of Existing New York 17 to Interstate Standards

Between 2001 and 2009, the state of New York is upgrading New York 17 to Interstate standards. With the western segment of Interstate 86 between Erie and Corning already Interstate standard, attention is directed toward the central and eastern segments. This includes required improvements at Elmira, the Kamikaze Curve in Binghamton, and near the Catskills Mountains. New York State Department of Transportation anticipates that this entire corridor will meet Interstate standards and be fully signed as Interstate 86 by 2009. The total cost to upgrade New York 17 to Interstate 86 is expected to run between $700 to $800 million. Ted Bennett, an I-86 Chairman, hopes to see the entire Interstate 86 project complete by 2008 (however that seems unlikely as of July 2008). He believes that if completed by that date, the region will benefit in $3.2 billion growth.²

Construction to address the problem at Kamikaze Curve, the location where Interstate 81 and New York 17 merge together north of downtown Binghamton, will go to bid in May of 2006. Roadwork on the $90 million project will begin three months later and take about two years to complete. Included in the project is the lengthening of the Front Street exit ramp, the separation of traffic before the freeway enters the curve, and the reconstruction of three bridges over U.S. 11. These improvements will address some of the confusion found at the interchange where drivers must navigate through various lane changes to their destined route of choice. Every effort was taken to minimize impacts to the surrounding North Side neighborhood area.³ Meanwhile in Chemung County, work is set to complete at the Kahler Road interchange to the north of Elmira. With the interchange completion, Interstate 86 can be extended eastward from the Chemung/Steuben County line to the New York 14 interchange at Horseheads (Exit 52). It is hoped that the Interstate extension to Exit 52 will help bolster the prospects of the county owned Elmira/Corning Regional Airport. The improved accesibility of having Interstate 86 nearby is playing into negotiations between county officials and potential airport carriers for the facility.⁴ Additionally bids go out on the Horseheads Bypass portion of Interstate 86 north of Elmira in January 2004. This project and the Kamikaze Curve replacement are part of an additional $500 million in roadwork remaining for the completion of Interstate 86.²

Reconstruction of the U.S. 15/Future Interstate 99 Interchange

At the town of Painted Post, Interstate 86 meets the northern terminus of U.S. 15, the future north end of Interstate 99. While U.S. 15 is currently a freeway from Interstate 86 southward to Gang Mills, the junction between the two highways is a substandard diamond interchange. Originally constructed in the late 1950s, the U.S. 15 and New York 17 interchange had consisted of a traffic circle. This configuration was replaced with the current diamond interchange in 1987.

In September 1997, studies began on ways to improve the junction and the nearby U.S. 15 interchange at Gang Mills. From there NYSDOT started preparations on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in October 1998. This document was complete by July 6, 2001. By August 22 of the same year "Alternative 14" was deemed the preferred alternative. This option was modified after receiving input from the public in a December 6, 2001 Public Information Meeting.

June 3, 2002 marked the approval from FHWA to NYSDOT, allowing the department to proceed with the final design for the project. What this all means is that the current diamond configuration will be replaced with an elaborate three tiered stack interchange providing high speed ramps between the two freeways. NYSDOT has maps of the project area and artist renderings of what the new junction will be like at 15-i86.com. Contracts for the work are expected to be let between Fall 2003 and Spring 2005.¹

Highway Guides

• New York

	Western Terminus - Interstate 90 - east of Erie, Pennsylvania Perspective from Interstate 86 west Westbound Interstate 86, one mile outside the terminus with Interstate 90. The junction with Interstate 90 features access to both east and westbound. The last exit on Interstate 86 (only one in Pennsylvania besides the terminus) is with Pennsylvania 89. This state route also happens to intersect Interstate 90 at Exit 41, the next eastbound exit. So in effect, travelers that would use Interstate 86 to Interstate 90 east would travel five miles out of the way to access Interstate 90 east over taking Pennsylvania 89 north. This does not take into consideration trucking traffic and potential restrictions on the state route. Photo taken by Jim Teresco (07/01). Overexposed due to the camera flash, these overhead panels for Interstate 90 are situated just before Interstate 86 concludes. A sweeping ramp takes Interstate 86 onto Interstate 90 westbound. Sixteen miles to the west is Interstate 79 and the city of Erie. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (10/01). An end shield is posted for Interstate 86. However, the shield coincides with milepost 0, placing it at the beginning of the Exit 1B return ramp to Interstate 90 eastbound. Visible to the left is the gore point for the exit. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (10/01). Perspective from Interstate 86 east The first eastbound Interstate 86 reassurance shield. There are 26 miles to Lake Chautuaqua and 36 miles to Jamestown. This stretch of Interstate 86, originally signed as New York 17, was opened to traffic by the late 1980s. Photo taken by Douglas Kerr (12/08/02). Perspective from Interstate 90 west This two-mile advance sign on westbound Interstate 90 is the first posted for the pending junction with Interstate 86. The control city for eastbound Interstate 86 is Jamestown, New York. Photo taken by Chris Elbert (07/06). Westbound Interstate 90 approaches Exit 37, Junction Interstate 86 east to Jamestown, New York. Note the use of Clearview font on this sign, which is rapidly becoming more common in Pennsylvania. Photo taken by Chris Elbert (07/06). A ramp returning traffic to Interstate 86 eastbound from Interstate 90 west is offered at Exit 37. The ramp itself is most likely in place for commercial trucking interests. Photos taken by Douglas Kerr (12/08/02) and Chris Elbert (07/06). Perspective from Interstate 90 east The first advance signage for Interstate 86 found on eastbound Interstate 90 in this upcoming exits sign for Exit 35, Junction Pennsylvania 531 south to Phillipsville and north to Harborcreek (and Junction U.S. 20) and Exit 37, Junction Interstate 86 east to Jamestown, New York. Photo taken by Tim Kubat (April-June 2006). Eastbound Interstate 90 reaches Exit 35, Junction Pennsylvania 531 south to Phillipsville and north to Harborcreek (and Junction U.S. 20). The next interchange along eastbound is Exit 37, Junction Interstate 86 east to Jamestown, New York. Photo taken by Tim Kubat (April-June 2006). One mile outside of the Interstate 86/90 split on eastbound Interstate 90 is this Clearview guide sign for Exit 37, Junction Interstate 86 east. Note the 1998 photo, which shows the original Pennsylvania 17 designation before Interstate 86 was approved. When Interstate 86 was finally christened in Pennsylvania, it removed the second Pennsylvania 17 designation in the state. The original Pennsylvania 17 is a mountain backroad between Blain and Liverpool to the north of Harrisburg. Photos taken by Tim Kubat (April-June 2006) and David Greenberger (07/30/98). Interstate 90 eastbound, one-quarter mile from Exit 37/Interstate 86 east. Jamestown, the westbound control point for Interstate 86 throughout the Southern Tier of New York west of Corning, is 35 miles east. There are seven miles and one interchange between Interstate 90 and the New York State line at New York/Pennsylvania 426. For a short duration, old Pennsylvania 17 signage stood on Interstate 90 eastbound at the Interstate 86 split (see 2000 photo). Photo taken by Tim Kubat (April-June 2006) and David Greenberger (04/00). Interstate 86 branches eastward as Interstate 90 continues to straddle the Lake Erie coastline northeastward. Another 69 miles to Interstate 190, the Niagara Section of the New York Thruway system into downtown Buffalo, via Interstate 90 east. Photo taken by Tim Kubat (April-June 2006). Current Eastern Terminus - New York 14/Exit 52 - Elmira, New York Perspective from Interstate 86/New York 17 east End Interstate 86 shield at the eastern terminus of Interstate 86, which is at the Chemung/Steuben County line as of 2002. The end has since moved to Exit 52, Junction New York 14 north. The city of Elmira is another ten miles to the east. Photo taken by David Greenberger (04/00). Eastbound Interstate 86/New York 17 approach Exit 52, Junction New York 14. The freeway ends after the interchange and enters a construction zone near Horseheads. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). Entering Horseheads, eastbound New York 17 approaches Center Street. Construction is evident, and a detour was in place at this time. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). After the New York 13 interchange and after the Horseheads construction zone, this Future Interstate 86 shield is posted on eastbound New York 17/Southern Tier Expressway. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). Perspective from Interstate 86/New York 17 west As of 2005, the section around Horseheads north of Elmira was under construction. Here, New York 17 (Future Interstate 86) west and New York 13 split. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). Sharp turns and traffic signals are being eliminated in favor of a freeway to freeway interchange with New York 13. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). On a detour alignment, New York 17 west is signed for the first time as To Interstate 86 in Horseheads. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). Interstate 86, New York 17 and Southern Tier Expressway shields on Interstate 86 westbound in East Corning. This is the first reassurance shield for Interstate 86 westbound. Original New York 17 passed through Corning mostly as a freeway with downtown as the only gap. Because of this, a new modern bypass was constructed to the north of Corning in the mid 1990s. Interstate 86 was able to extend east of U.S. 15 past Corning thanks to this segment. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). Shortly thereafter, Interstate 86/New York 17 west and New York 14 split. From here west to Interstate 90 in Pennsylvania, Interstate 86 is fully signed; New York 17 is deemphasized. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). Future Eastern Terminus - Interstate 87 - Harriman, New York Perspective from New York 17 east Future Interstate 86/New York 17 eastbound at Exit 130/U.S. 6, Harriman. This is the last mainline exit for New York 17 as it departs the Quickway via Exit 131 one-half mile ahead. Interstate 86 will continue to the New York Thruway/Interstate 87 after Exit 131. Photo taken by David Greenberger (05/30/00). New York 17 departs the Quickway after a 400 mile relationship. Exit 131 also features the southern terminus of New York 32, a north-south highway between this interchange and Newburgh 15 miles to the north. For New York 17 east, the highway parallels Interstate 87 south to Suffern where it enters New Jersey. The highway is a standard at-grade roadway from this point to the Garden State. Photo taken by Douglas Kerr (11/00). Future Interstate 86 ends as traffic enters the New York Thruway system of Interstate 87. Northbound travelers face a large toll plaza while southbound is offered a free ride to Interstate 287/Exit 15. Photo taken by Douglas Kerr (11/00). Perspective from Interstate 87 north Interstate 87/New York Thruway northbound at Exit 16/Future Interstate 86 westbound. This interchange features Harriman as the control point due to the proximity of the town to the interchange itself. More accurately the signage should reflect Binghamton or at least Middletown (where New York 17 intersects Interstate 84). U.S. 6 links with New York 17 between Harriman and Goshen for a 14 mile overlap. Photo taken by Douglas Kerr (08/31/02).

Sources:

1. I-86 & U.S. 15 Interchange Project. NYSDOT.
2. "Route 17 And Interstate 86 Plans." WBNG-TV (Binghamton), October 2, 2003.
3. "Kamikaze Curve fixes won't affect homes, park." Press & Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton), October 3, 2003.
4. "Completion will clear way for interstate designation." The Corning Leader, October 31, 2003.

5. "Ten-mile I-86 segment near wrap-up: Group updated on progress, costs" by Todd McAdam, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, April 8, 2005

Page Updated May 5, 2007.