Interstate 587 New York

Overview

A somewhat unique route within the Interstate system, Interstate 587 forms a short spur connecting I-87 (New York Thruway) with the city of Kingston in Upstate New York. The interstate constitutes a controlled access arterial (Colonel Chandler Drive) leading east from the Kingston Traffic Circle joining the New York Thruway access road with the continuation of New York State Route 28 west to Onteora Trail and Washington Avenue south into Kingston.

NY 28 overlaps with I-587 as it crosses Esopus Creek east from I-87 to NY 32 (Albany Avenue / Broadway) in Downtown Kingston. There are no exit ramps along the route in either direction. Signs on the Thruway mainline for Exit 19 and Kingston, a former capital city for New York, omit the Interstate 587 designation.

Road work reconfigured the east end of Interstate 587 and NY 28 from a five way intersection into a roundabout. The roundabout was first suggested in February 2011 to improve traffic flow by a consultant group. A study recommending the $4.5 million reconfiguration was endorsed by City of Kingston lawmakers in May 2012.¹ Construction was slated for 2016, but then pushed back with bids expected in 2018 and work taking place in 2019.²

An $11.59 million contract was awarded for the I-587 Intersection Improvement at Albany Avenue project on November 15, 2019. The estimated completion date for the contract was November 23, 2021 and work was substantially completed ahead of schedule on August 30, 2021. Construction stages first removed roadways and consolidated traffic into a single intersection. The final stage replaced the intersection with a roundabout.

Mileage by State

New York

1.23 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2025 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

History

Interstate 587 was included in Kingston's arterial route plan in 1957. Engineers made adjustments to the design of the highway so that it would meet New York State Department of Public Roads standards for "interstate connections," allowing for federal aid. The major phase of the route was the spur leading northwest from Albany Avenue and Broadway (NY 32) to the New York Thruway interchange with NY 28. A traffic circle or interchange system was also proposed joining the expressway spur with NY 32 at East James Street.³ With the arterial plan approved, Interstate 587 was subsequently included in a state wide numbering plan announced by the State Public Works Department on October 21, 1958.⁷

Ground clearing for the the Kingston arterial spur started in early January 1959 at a site east of Sawkill and Brabant Roads.⁴ Plans for the east end of the route at Broadway and St. James Street were changed following concerns from area businesses. A new proposal was submitted to the state engineer's office by Mayor Edwin F. Radel on August 4, 1959.⁵

Pavement work at the traffic circle connecting I-587 and NY 28 with the NY Thruway (I-87) commenced on September 16, 1959. Adjacent construction was nearly finished on the grade separation taking Sawkill Road over the arterial route.⁶ The Kingston spur was dedicated on July 25, 1960. Opened five months ahead of schedule, the 1.50 mile roadway cost $2.5 million to build.⁸

The Ulster County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution urging the State Legislature to name I-587 George F. Chandler Drive on August 13, 1964. Chandler was from Kingston and the founder of the New York State Police.⁹

East End  ‐ at Albany St – Kingston, NY

East at

I-587/NY 28 curve southward across Ulster County Midtown Linear Park (MLP) ahead of the roundabout with NY 32 at Albany Avenue and Broadway east in Kingston. 10/05/14

East End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

East at

Interstate 587 and NY 28 both end where NY 32 turns from Broadway to Albany Avenue. NY 28 formerly continued east on Broadway to Chester Street (old U.S. 9W). 08/04/07

North at

Broadway advanced west from this assembly beyond Elmendorf Street to the intersection with I-587/NY 28 (Colonel Chandler Drive) west and Albany Avenue east. 08/04/07

Albany Street – North at

Albany Avenue split into a tree lined boulevard through the former intersection with both Broadway (NY 32 south) and Colonel Chandler Drive (I-587/NY 28 west). NY 32 follows Albany Avenue northeast to Flatbush Avenue. 08/04/07

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

South at

NY 32 (Albany Avenue) south spans Midtown Linear Park ahead of the former intersection with I-587/NY 28 (Colonel Chandler Drive) west and Broadway east. 08/04/07

West End 

West at

Sawkill Road passes over I-587/NY 28 just east of the Kingston Traffic Circle with the New York Thruway access road and Washington Avenue south. 10/05/14