Interstate 678 New York

History

Southern Terminus

Northern Terminus

Routing

Interstate 678 begins at the main northbound exit from John F. Kennedy International Airport (formerly Idlewyld Airport). It then connects and bisects the borough of Queens, before crossing over to the Bronx on the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. Interstate 678 terminates at the massive Bruckner interchange with Interstates 95, 278, and 295. Interstate 678 is known as the Van Wyck Expressway for much of its route across Queens, and it is notorious for rush hour delays. An elevated train is currently being constructed to alleviate airport-bound traffic on Interstate 678.

History

The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, which connects Queens with the Bronx, began construction in May 1937 and opened to traffic on April 29, 1939.

For more information, visit Steve Anderson's pages on Interstate 678 in the New York City vicinity:

• Van Wyck Expressway
• Whitestone Expressway
• Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
• Hutchinson River Parkway

Highway Guides

• Interstate 678

	Southern Terminus - John F. Kennedy International Airport - Queens, New York City Perspective from Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway south The last four exits on southbound Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway are: Exit 2, Rockaway Boulevard; Exit 1W, Junction Belt Parkway (Southern Parkway) west to New York 27/Conduit Avenue west; Exit 1, Junction New York 878 (Interstate 878)/Nassau Expressway east; and Exit 1E, Junction Belt Parkway (Southern Parkway) east to New York 27/Conduit Avenue east. This overhead sign assembly is the first to advise of Exits 1W, 1, or 1E. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Southbound Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway reaches Exit 2, Rockaway Boulevard. The next exit Exit 1W, Junction Belt Parkway west to New York 27/Conduit Avenue west. This sign advises that connections to New York 27/Conduit Avenue are afforded via the Belt Parkway exits (Exits 1W and 1E). Through here, New York 27/Conduit Avenue straddles the Belt Parkway, with the westbound lanes on the north side of the parkway and the eastbound lanes on the south side of the parkway. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). This sign bridge advises of the final three exits: Exit 1W, Junction Belt Parkway west to New York 27/Conduit Avenue west; Exit 1, Junction New York 878 (Interstate 878)/Nassau Expressway east; and Exit 1E, Junction Belt Parkway east to New York 27/Conduit Avenue east. Note that the ramps for Exits 1 and 1E are left exits, while the continuation of Interstate 678 into John F. Kennedy International Airport is afforded via the right lane. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Southbound Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway reaches Exit 1W, Junction Belt Parkway (Southern Parkway) west to New York 27/Conduit Avenue west. Use this exit to follow the Belt Parkway around Brooklyn to meet Interstate 278 at the foot of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Interstate 278 in turn offers a connection to Staten Island and New Jersey via the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Interstate 678 is not the only route into John F. Kennedy International Airport; one may follow New York 878 (Interstate 878) east to the John F. Kennedy Expressway south, which also leads into the airport. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The exit for the Belt Parkway west is a collector-distributor lane; these signs are posted for the continuation of Interstate 678 south to New York 878 and John F. Kennedy International Airport. The right lane of the collector-distributor becomes the exit ramp to westbound Belt Parkway to New York 27/Conduit Avenue. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). While the collector-distributor lanes split between the westbound Belt Parkway and the reconnection to southbound Interstate 678, the main lanes prepare to split as well: the left lane is for Exit 1E, Junction Belt Parkway east; the second lane is for Exit 1E, Junction New York 27/Conduit Avenue east; and the right lane is for Exit 1, Junction New York 878 (Interstate 878)/Nassau Expressway east AND the continuation of Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway south. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The commuter rail line, which uses the airspace above Interstate 678, splits away from the freeway to connect to the airport train station. After the rail line shifts to the southwest, the collector-distributor lane merges back onto Interstate 678, offering a fourth lane on the right. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). With an additional lane merging onto southbound Interstate 678 from the right, the right two lanes are signed for the continuation of Interstate 678 south. The left two lanes connect to Exit 1E, Junction Belt Parkway east and Junction New York 27/Conduit Avenue (frontage road) east. The number three lane will connect to either Exit 1, Junction New York 878 (Interstate 878)/Nassau Expressway east or to Interstate 678 south. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Southbound Interstate 678 reaches Exit 1, Junction New York 878 (secret Interstate 878)/Nassau Expressway and Exit 1E, Junction Belt Parkway (Southern Parkway) and New York 27/Conduit Avenue east. Interstate 678 continues south into John F. Kennedy International Airport. This interchange represents the western terminus of Interstate 878. The Interstate highway is signed as New York 878, and travels to Rockaway Boulevard on the east side of the John F. Kennedy International Airport. In the background sits an elevated train. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Now on the connecting ramp to the Belt Parkway east and New York 878 (Interstate 878)/Nassau Expressway east, the right lane connects to New York 878, while the left two lanes lead to the Belt Parkway and New York 27/Conduit Avenue east. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The next set of overhead signs are for John F. Kennedy International Airport. Most maps show Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway continuing all the way to the terminals, but the New York Department of Transportation ends its maintenance at this point. The Port Authority takes over maintenance once the freeway enters the airport property. The next exit is 150th Avenue, which connects to the rental car terminal and long-term parking. There is no END shield for Interstate 678. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Continuing south, an overhead sign assembly welcomes travelers to John F. Kennedy International Airport. An analog clock rests in the middle of the structure, and the welcome sign describes the airport as "Where America Meets the World." Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The next exit is a rotary interchange (known as Federal Circle), with a traffic circle under the freeway providing access to the transit/rail station, Terminals 8 and 9 (American Airlines), long-term parking, and the Port Authority administration building. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). After a series of signs identifying which airlines use which terminal, the freeway prepares to divide among the various terminals: from left to right, use Terminals 8-9, 5-6-7, 4, and 1-2-3. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The freeway continues to split. The first to depart is the connection to Terminals 1-2-3 (green exit), followed by Terminal 4 (blue exit, shown here). The final exit will divide the freeway between Terminals 8-9 (red), 7 (orange) and 5-6 (yellow). Not shown in this mess of ramps is the John F. Kennedy Expressway, which enters from the north. There is no access from southbound Van Wyck Expressway to the northbound John F. Kennedy Expressway. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The red lanes exit to Terminals 8-9, while the right lanes lead to Terminal 7 (orange) and Terminals 5-6 (yellow). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Finally, the freeway ends as the left lane exits to Terminal 7 (orange), and the right lanes connect to Terminals 5-6 (yellow). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Perspective from Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north Leaving Terminal 6 (yellow), signs immediately advise of the pending interchange with the John F. Kennedy Expressway north to the Belt Parkway (Southern Parkway). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). A traffic signal governs the connection to the northbound John F. Kennedy Expressway from Terminal 6. The right lane will connect to the Kennedy Expressway north to the Belt Parkway, while the left two lanes will connect to Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The airport exit road splits: the right lane connects to the Kennedy Expressway north, while the left lanes continue straight to merge with other ramps from other terminals to form the nascent Van Wyck Expressway. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The Van Wyck Expressway, now three lanes wide and traveling due west, passes over the John F. Kennedy Expressway. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Ramps fly overhead from adjacent terminals as the Van Wyck Expressway gains more traffic and approaches the airport exit. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). For traffic information leaving the airport area, dial 1700 AM on the radio. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). A turnaround is available here to return to the airport terminals. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). After the final turnaround, signs begin to advise of various New York City destinations and the best route to use to get to that location. The first such sign is this one providing the best route to Midtown Manhattan, which advises using Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north to Interstate 495/Long Island Expressway (LIE) west to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The next such sign advises that motorists en route to Lower Manhattan should use the Belt Parkway west to Interstate 278 east to the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (secret Interstate 478). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). To Staten Island, southern New Jersey, and points west, use the Belt Parkway west to Interstate 278 west to Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). To the Bronx and northern New Jersey (George Washington Bridge and Interstate 80), use Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north to the Grand Central Parkway northwest, then follow Interstate 278/Triborough Bridge north to Interstate 87/Major Deegan Expressway north, which connects to Interstate 95/Cross Bronx Expressway west to New Jersey. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). To the Bronx and Connecticut (Interstate 95 north), use Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The last exit before leaving the airport property is the connection to the rotary interchange (known as Federal Circle), which leads to the rail transit station, general aviation, Port Authority administration building, long-term parking, and a final chance to return to the airport easily. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Northbound Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway meet Federal Circle at the final airport interchange. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Preparing to leave airport property, Interstate 678 shifts from Port Authority maintenance to New York State Department of Transportation maintenance. The first exit along northbound serves both Exit 1, Junction New York 878 (Hidden Interstate 878)/Nassau Expressway east and Exit 1E, Junction Belt Parkway (Southern Parkway) east. Use the right lanes for either Exit 1 or Exit 1E. Use the left lanes to continue north on Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Leaving John F. Kennedy International Airport, the overhead sign bridge welcomes motorists to New York City and offers an advertisement (at this point in time, it was for Oracle). Advertising of this nature above or adjacent to Interstate Highways is not very common, but can be found along some of the expressways of New York City. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The first exit on the state-maintained section of northbound Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway is Exits 1-1E, Junction New York 878/Nassau Expressway (Interstate 878) east and Junction Belt Parkway east to Long Island. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The left three lanes connect to Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north (with the next exit being Exit 1B, Junction Belt Parkway west). The right two lanes connect to New York 878/Nassau Expressway (Interstate 878) east and Belt Parkway east. Note the "NYC Law: No Turn on Red Except Where Posted" advisory sign and the trailblazers for the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge and the Triborough Bridge, both of which point for motorists to follow Interstate 678 north. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Interstate 678 north and New York (Interstate) 878 east split at this gore point. The right lanes will connect to New York 878 first, followed by a direct connection to the Belt Parkway (Southern Parkway) east. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). To New York 27/Conduit Avenue west, use Exit 1B, Junction Belt Parkway west. (It probably should be signed as Exit 1W to be consistent with the southbound exit and with Exit 1E, which was the eastbound exit.) Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The next exit on northbound Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway serves both Exit 1B, Junction Belt Parkway west and New York 27/Conduit Avenue west and Exit 2, Rockaway Boulevard. The overpass ahead carries the one-way Nassau Expressway (eastbound only) over Interstate 678. The one-way section ends to the east of here; the two-way, freeway section is Interstate 878, while the one-way freeway and two-way surface expressway is New York 878. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Use the left two lanes to continue north on Interstate 678. The right lanes exit onto a collector-distributor roadway for Exits 1B and 2. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Northbound Interstate 678 reaches Exit 1B, Junction New York 27/Conduit Avenue west to Belt Parkway west. The connection to westbound Belt Parkway requires a brief connection on New York 27. The collector-distributor lane begins here for the connection to Exit 2, Rockaway Boulevard. Interstate 678 continues north on the Van Wyck Expressway to serve the borough of Queens and connect to the Whitestone Expressway en route to the Bronx. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The first Interstate 678 north reassurance shield appears after the collector-distributor lanes merge back onto mainline Interstate 678 after Rockaway Boulevard (Exit 2). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (06/06/05). Perspective from New York 27/Conduit Avenue west Now traveling west on New York 27/Conduit Avenue, a loop ramp connects to Interstate 678 south to John F. Kennedy International Airport. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Perspective from New York 878/Interstate 878/Nassau Expressway west Westbound Interstate 878 prepares to end as the freeway splits, with the left lane connecting to New York 27/Conduit Avenue west/Belt Parkway west and the right lane connecting to Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). There is no end shield as Interstate 878/New York 878 end at Interstate 678. The left lane splits off to connect to New York 27/Conduit Avenue and the Belt Parkway west. The right lane connects to northbound Interstate 678. To Interstate 678 south to Kennedy Airpotr, use New York 27 west. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Now on the transition ramp from Interstate 878 west to Interstate 678 north, traffic merges onto the ramp from the westbound Belt Parkway. An exit for 133rd Avenue is provided. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Continuing along the transition ramp, the right lane becomes exit only for 133rd Avenue. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The left two lanes continue onto Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north, while the right lane exits onto 133rd Avenue. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Passing under 133rd Avenue, motorists connecting from westbound Interstate 878/Nassau Expressway and westbound Belt Parkway connect to Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north in a collector-distibutor lane. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Perspective from New York 878/Nassau Expressway east View of the New York 878/Nassau Expressway exit from the Belt Parkway east as seen from the Nassau Expressway lanes. The Belt Parkway and Nassau Expressway generally remain very close to each other. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). A stack interchange between New York 27/Conduit Avenue (lowest level), New York 878/Nassau Expressway (mid-level), and ramp from Belt Parkway east to Nassau Expressway east (top level) comes into view on eastbound New York 878. Evidence of the 1971 construction of the Nassau Expressway is readily evident by the rust on the bridges. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Traffic from the Belt Parkway east merges onto eastbound New York 878/Nassau Expressway. Between the Belt Parkway and Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway, New York 878 follows a one-way freeway alignment: there are no westbound lanes for New York 878 (one must use New York 27/Conduit Avenue westbound or the Belt Parkway instead). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The first exit along eastbound New York 878/Nassau Expressway is Exits 1S-N, Junction Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway south to John F. Kennedy International Airport, followed by Junction Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north to Queens. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). There are two routes to John F. Kennedy International Airport: Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway south or John F. Kennedy Expressway south. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Eastbound New York 878/Nassau Expressway approaches Exit 1S, Junction Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway south to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Exit 1N, Junction Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Eastbound New York 878/Nassau Expressway reaches Exit 1S, Junction Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway south to John F. Kennedy International Airport. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Unsigned Interstate 878 begins as New York 878 meets Interstate 678. The first ramp (Exit 1S) travels south to the airport, and the second ramp (Exit 1N) connects to northbound Interstate 678. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Eastbound New York 878/Nassau Expressway (Interstate 878) reaches Exit 1N, Junction Interstate 678/Van Wyck Expressway north. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The next exits along eastbound New York 878 (Interstate 878)/Nassau Expressway are Exit 2S, Junction John F. Kennedy Expressway south to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Exit 2N, Junction New York 27/Conduit Avenue east and Junction Belt Parkway east. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Northern Terminus - Interstate 95 - Bronx, New York City Perspective from Interstate 678/Hutchinson River Parkway north After descending from the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Interstate 678 prepares to meet its end at the Bruckner Interchange: Junction Interstate 95, Interstate 278, Interstate 295, and the Hutchinson River Parkway. There is no connection to Interstate 295 south (Cross Bronx Expressway Extension east) from northbound Interstate 678. Here, northbound Interstate 678 reaches Exit 18, Lafayette Avenue. Use the left two lanes to continue north on the Hutchinson River Parkway (cars only). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Interstate 678 north concludes as the Hutchinson River Parkway begins. As noted with the exit signage for Interstates 95 and 278, all trucks must depart the freeway, as they cannot legally use the parkway system. Numerous signs are posted throughout the New York City area that trucks are banned on all parkways. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Northbound Interstate 678 ends as the right lane connects to Interstate 95/Bruckner Expressway north to the New England Thruway, while the middle two lanes connect to Interstate 95/Cross Bronx Expressway south (west) and Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway west. Although there is no access via Interstate 678, the northern terminus of Interstate 295 is situated at the same interchange. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Now on the transition ramp to Interstate 95 north and Interstate 95 south/Interstate 278 west, a begin Hutchinson River Parkway shield assembly can be seen on the mainline. There used to be an END Interstate 278 shield at this spot, but it has been removed. The bridges in the background are part of the Bruckner Interchange, the transition of the Cross-Bronx Expressway from Interstate 295 north to Interstate 95 south and the transfer of the Bruckner Expressway from Interstate 278 east to Interstate 95 north. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Another button copy sign is posted for the connection to Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway west to the Triborough Bridge (as seen from the ramp to Interstate 95 north). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Returning to the mainline, this END Interstate 678 north and BEGIN Hutchinson River Parkway shield assembly was posted until around 2002, but the END shield was gone by June 2005. The Hutchinson River Parkway continues northward through the Bronx to the suburbs of Mount Vernon, Pelham, and New Rochelle. Eventually the parkway transitions into another 600 series Interstate, that of Interstate 684. Photo taken by Steve Anderson (10/98). Perspective from Hutchinson River Parkway north After passing through the Bruckner Interchange, the Hutchinson River Parkway reaches its first offramp at Exit 1, Bruckner Boulevard. The next exit is Exit 2, East Tremont Avenue and Westchester Avenue. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05). Perspective from Hutchinson River Parkway south Now traveling south on the Hutchinson River Parkway, the penultimate exit from the parkway is Exit 2, Westchester Avenue and East Tremont Avenue. The parkway passes under a bridge with only a nine foot clearance, so high profile traffic must exit here. The final exit is Exit 1, Bruckner Boulevard to Junction Interstate 95/Cross Bronx Expressway west and Junction Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway southwest. Photo taken AARoads (08/29/05). Southbound Hutchinson River Parkway reaches Exit 2, Westchester Avenue and East Tremont Avenue. The blue bridge in the distance is the low-profile bridge (nine-foot clearance). The next exit is Exit 1, Bruckner Boulevard to Junction Interstate 95/Cross Bronx Expressway west and Junction Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway southwest. Photo taken AARoads (08/29/05). To connect to Junction Interstate 95/Cross Bronx Expressway west and Junction Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway southwest, traffic on southbound Hutchinson River Parkway must use Exit 1, Bruckner Boulevard. There is no direct freeway to freeway connection. The left two lanes will connect directly to southbound Interstate 678 en route to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. Note the service plaza available directly on the parkway. Photo taken AARoads (08/29/05). Southbound Hutchinson River Parkway approaches Exit 1, Bruckner Boulevard to Junction Interstate 95/Cross Bronx Expressway west and Junction Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway southwest. The parkway will shift to expressway standards after passing through the Bruckner Interchange. Photo taken AARoads (08/29/05). A roadside sign advises traffic on southbound Hutchinson River Parkway to use Exit 1, Bruckner Boulevard to Junction Interstate 278 southwest to the Bruckner Expressway and the Triborough Bridge. Photo taken AARoads (08/29/05). Hutchinson River Parkway transitions directly to Interstate 678 south (two left lanes). Access to Interstate 95 and Interstate 278 west uses Bruckner Boulevard. Traffic continuing south will reach the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge toll plaza in one mile and the borough of Queens in three miles. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Perspective from Interstate 95 north/Cross Bronx Expressway east Interstate 95/Cross Bronx Expressway passes under White Plains Avenue as the freeway approaches the Bruckner interchange. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The next exit on northbound Interstate 95 (which is traveling due east as the Cross Bronx Expressway) is Exit 5B, Castle Hill Avenue. Signs appear ahead for the Bruckner Interchange: Junction Interstate 678 and Junction Interstate 295. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). A myriad of route termini are featured within a two mile stretch of Interstate 95 through the Bronx. Featured here is button copy signage for Exit 9 (former Exit 5B), Castle Hill Avenue, Exit 10 (former Exit 6A), Junction Interstate 678 south, and Exit 12 (former Exit 6B), Junction Interstate 295 south. The termini of the Interstate 278, the Hutchinson River Parkway, and Interstate 695 are also situated within this stretch of freeway. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). This variable message sign is posted on northbound Interstate 95 (eastbound Cross Bronx Expressway). On this day, the sign advised of lane reductions on the bridge ... not sure if the sign refers to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge (Interstate 678) or the Throgs Neck Bridge (Interstate 295). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The left two lanes continue north on Interstate 95, which transitions onto the Bruckner Expressway. The right lane connects to Interstate 678 south to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. These non-reflective signs refer to the old exit numbering system on the Cross Bronx Expressway, which is mileage-based. These original signs for Interstate 95 still display "New England" as a control point. Sign replacements are changing that to the city of New Haven, Connecticut. The same process is occurring for Interstate 87's northern control point of "Upstate" to that of Albany. The next set of signs are reflective and newer; they show sequential exit numbering. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). The next in a series of signs on northbound Interstate 95/Cross Bronx Expressway is reflective and shows the next two exits: Exit 10, Junction Interstate 678/Bronx-Whitestone Bridge south to Queens and Exit 12, Junction Interstate 295/Cross Bronx Expressway southeast to the Throgs Neck Bridge. There is no access from Interstate 95 northbound to the Hutchinson River Parkway northbound. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Northbound Interstate 95/Cross Bronx Expressway enters the recently reconstructed Bruckner Interchange. Interstate 678 southbound departs for the tolled Bronx-Whitestone Bridge while Interstate 95 prepares to depart from the Cross-Bronx Expressway onto the Bruckner Expressway at Interstate 295/Exit 12. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Perspective from Interstate 95/Bruckner Expressway south Interstate 695 was once a spur of Interstate 295 (similar to the Spur of Interstate 270 in Maryland). Therefore, guide signage for Exit 7A (current Interstate 695) on Interstate 95 southbound used to display Interstate 295 shields only. This button copy overhead shows a diagram for Exits 7A and 7B (Tremont Avenue) with an erroneous Interstate 695 trailblazer affixed (the Interstate 295 and 695 shields should be swapped). Tremont Avenue bisects Interstate 95 between the northern termini of Interstate 295 and Interstate 695. Interstate 295 itself absorbs Interstate 695 (Spur Interstate 295 until 1986), the Throgs Neck Expressway, at the north end of the Throgs Neck toll Bridge over the East River. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). Interstate 695 splits away from Interstate 95. Interstate 695 not only represents a connection to the eastern most East River Crossing within New York City, but also the shortest route to Long Island from New England and other points north via Interstate 295, the Clearview Expressway, and Interstate 495, the Long Island Expressway, among other routes. There are no proposals at the moment for a Long Island crossing. In the earlier photo, an Interstate 695 shield is affixed to the left-hand panel now, with the original Interstate 295 button copy shield still in place with a "TO" banner next to it. Photos taken by AARoads (08/29/05) and Jim K. Georges (07/98). Southbound Interstate 95/Bruckner Expressway exits right, while the left lanes continue south onto Interstate 695/Throgs Neck Expressway to Interstate 295 south at Exit 7A. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05). This sign bridge shows the lane allocation for the pending Interstate 95 and 695 southbound split. View looks from an adjacent street to Interstate 95/Bruckner Expressway. Note that the left-hand panel displays only an Interstate 295 shield, a remnant from the days of Interstate 695 as Interstate 295 Spur. Vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (09/93). Interstate 95/Bruckner Expressway southbound prepares to split into Interstate 678 south and Interstate 278 west. Southbound Interstate 95 continues westward through the heart of the Bronx to the George Washington Bridge. Interstate 278 meanwhile sinks to the southwest to the southern terminus of Interstate 87 and the Triborough Bridge system. Interstate 678 and the Hutchinson Parkway tie in to the fold from the north-south, providing a second East River crossing into Queens via the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. Photo taken by Jim K. Georges (07/99). Perspective from Interstate 278 east Now traveling northeast on Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway, this overhead sign is posted on eastbound Bruckner Boulevard (frontage road) at a slip ramp onto eastbound after the Bronx River Parkway and prior to White Plains Road/Castle Hill Avenue. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (08/09/04). Eastbound Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway reaches its final offramp at the exit to White Plains Road and Castle Hill Avenue. Signage for the Bruckner Interchange (Junction Interstate 95, Interstate 678, and Hutchinson River Parkway) appears in the distance. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (08/09/04). This Interstate 295/Interstate 678 button copy sign bridge is found on Interstate 278 eastbound after the White Plains Road/Castle Hill Avenue interchange. The upcoming interchange represents the transfer of the Cross-Bronx Expressway from Interstate 95 north to Interstate 295 south, and the transfer of the Bruckner Expressway designation from Interstate 278 east to Interstate 95 north. Since the Bruckner Expressway continues on Interstate 95, it is not mentioned on the guide signs on the approach to the Bruckner Interchange. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (08/09/04). Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway comes to an end at Interstate 95, the Cross-Bronx Expressway. The interchange of Interstate 278 with that of Interstate 95 is within one-half mile of the joint termini of Interstate 295, Interstate 678, and the Hutchinson River Parkway. All of these routes share the same interchange for their respective termini. Therefore access to all of the aforementioned routes is given and thus displayed on this sign bridge along Interstate 278 east. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (08/09/04). The merge of Interstate 278 eastbound onto Interstate 95 northbound. Exit 7C departs to the right for Country Club Road and Pelham Bay Park for Interstate 278 eastbound travelers. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (08/09/04). Now on the transition ramp from Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway east to Interstate 295/Cross Bronx Expressway Extension south and Interstate 678 south, the first off ramp connects to the Hutchinson River Parkway via Zerega Avenue. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (08/09/04). Still on the transition ramp from Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway east, the next offramp leads to Interstate 678 south, while the two left lanes connect directly to Interstate 295/Cross Bronx Expressway Extension south. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (08/09/04). The transition ramp from Interstate 278/Bruckner Expressway east to Interstate 678 south and Interstate 295/Cross Bronx Expressway Extension south comes alongside Interstate 95 north. Interstate 95 shifts from the Cross Bronx Expressway to the Bruckner Expressway. The transition ramp will split ahead, with the right lane connecting to Interstate 678 south and the left lanes connecting to Interstate 295 south. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (08/09/04). Traffic to Interstate 678 south to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge departs from the transition ramp here. The left two lanes connect to Interstate 295/Cross Bronx Expressway Extension south to the Throgs Neck Bridge. After this exit ramp, Interstate 295 south begins with four through lanes (two of which merge in from the left). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (08/09/04).

Page Updated January 27, 2007.