The highway that was supposed to reach Troy but ended in Schenectady

Health · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed as a major east-west link, New York's Interstate 88 was once much more ambitious. While early plans promised a connection to Troy, shifting priorities and scrapped extensions left the route shorter than intended, creating a unique piece of the American interstate landscape.

Originally assigned in 1968, Interstate 88 was intended to serve as a significant connector between the Capital District and Binghamton. The initial vision from the New York State Department of Transportation was far more expansive than the current 117.75-mile route. Planners originally intended for the highway to continue northeast from Schenectady to Troy, utilizing a connection to I-890 and an upgraded NY 7 via 'Alternate Route 7'. This route was not part of the original 1956 National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Instead, New York officials had to lobby for its inclusion, eventually securing federal funding through the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1968.

However, the geography of the route changed during the decades of construction. In the early 1980s, the planned connection to I-890 was abandoned in favor of a new interchange in Rotterdam, west of exit 25. Plans to extend towards Troy were ultimately abandoned, preventing the intended integration with the Adirondack Northway (I-87) and the non-tolled section of the I-90 Berkshire Connector. The decision to move the eastern terminus to Schenectady in the early 1980s meant that the highway would never reach the planned northern connections. Consequently, certain Thruway tolls are currently waived for drivers traveling between specific exits near the I-890 and I-87 junctions.

The construction of the highway occurred in stages over two decades. The first segments opened in the early 1970s, connecting areas northeast of Binghamton. By 1989, the final piece was completed, linking the original segments to I-81 north of Binghamton. This long-term development transformed the region, following the paths of the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers and replacing older primary routes like NY 7. The highway's path is notable for its proximity to various landmarks, such as the popular Howe Caverns. It also serves as a vital link to the city of Elmira via NY 17 and I-86.

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