Adirondack Northway

Adirondack Northway is the common name for the northernmost 176-mile segment of Interstate 87 in the U.S. state of New York. It extends from its southern terminus at the Berkshire Connector interchange in Colonie, just north of Albany, to the Canada–United States border at Champlain, where it continues as Quebec Autoroute 15 toward Montreal. As a critical transportation artery, it provides the primary vehicular route through the Adirondack Mountains and serves as a major conduit for commerce and tourism between Upstate New York and Canada.

Route description

The highway begins at a complex interchange with Interstate 90 and New York State Route 7 in the town of Colonie, within the Capital District. It proceeds north, initially as a six-to-eight-lane freeway, passing west of the city of Albany and paralleling the western shore of the Hudson River. The route traverses the Mohawk River valley near Schenectady before entering the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. North of Glens Falls, the roadway narrows and winds through the mountainous Adirondack Park, offering scenic views of forests and lakes such as Lake George. It continues through Essex County and Clinton County, passing near Plattsburgh before reaching the international border at the Champlain-Lacolle border crossing, where it connects to the Quebec Autoroute 15.

History

Planning for a modern highway to access the Adirondack Mountains began in the post-World War II era, with the route formally designated as part of the Interstate Highway System in 1956. Construction commenced in 1957 under the administration of Governor W. Averell Harriman, with the first segment opening between Albany and Glens Falls in 1959. Subsequent sections were opened progressively northward, with the final segment to the Canada–United States border completed in 1967. The highway's construction, overseen by the New York State Department of Transportation, involved significant engineering challenges due to the rugged terrain of the Adirondack Park. It has since undergone several major rehabilitation projects, including the replacement of the Twin Bridges over the Hudson River and ongoing work to modernize its aging infrastructure.

Major intersections

The southern terminus is a major interchange with Interstate 90 and New York State Route 7 in Colonie. Key junctions along its length include an interchange with New York State Route 7 in Latham, a confluence with U.S. Route 9 near Glens Falls, and interchanges with New York State Route 8 at Chestertown and New York State Route 73 near Underwood. It intersects New York State Route 9N at Schroon Lake and meets U.S. Route 9 again near Keeseville. The highway also has significant junctions with New York State Route 22 in Lewis and Interstate 87's own spur, Interstate 87 (the Northway spur to Albany International Airport). Its northern terminus is at the Champlain border crossing, connecting to Quebec Autoroute 15.

Exit list

Exits are numbered sequentially from south to north, beginning with Exit 1 at New York State Route 7 in Latham. Notable exits include Exit 2 for Albany International Airport, Exit 6 for Schenectady via NY-7, and Exit 9 for Saratoga Springs. Exits 17 through 25 provide access to the Lake George region, including Warren County attractions. Exits 30 and 31 serve Schroon Lake, while Exit 34 provides access to the High Peaks Wilderness Area via NY-73. Further north, Exit 38 serves Elizabethtown, and Exit 41 connects to Keeseville. Exits near Plattsburgh include Exit 39 for Cumberland Head and Exit 40 for NY-314. The final exits, 42 and 43, serve the border communities of Chazy and Champlain, respectively, before reaching the Canada–United States border.

See also

* Interstate 87 (New York) * Interstate 90 in New York * Adirondack Park * Quebec Autoroute 15 * Lake George (New York) * New York State Department of Transportation * Canada–United States border * Champlain (village), New York

Category:Interstate Highways in New York (state) Category:Transportation in the Adirondack Mountains Category:Roads in Clinton County, New York