New York State Route 79

New York State Route 79 is a state highway located in the Southern Tier region of New York, connecting the Pennsylvania state line to the city of Ithaca, passing through Tioga County, Broome County, and Tompkins County. The route runs through the towns of Windsor, Coventry, and Whitney Point, and intersects with several major highways, including New York State Route 17, New York State Route 26, and New York State Route 41. Along the way, NY 79 passes near the National Soaring Museum and the Roberson Museum and Science Center in Binghamton. The route also runs close to the Susquehanna River and the Chenango River, offering scenic views of the surrounding landscape.

● Route Description

The route begins at the Pennsylvania state line in the town of Windsor, where it connects to Pennsylvania Route 199 and passes near the Windsor Central School District. From there, it runs north through the towns of Coventry and Whitney Point, intersecting with New York State Route 206 and New York State Route 41. The route then enters the city of Ithaca, passing near Ithaca College, Cornell University, and the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport. NY 79 also runs close to the Six Mile Creek Natural Area and the Ithaca Falls Natural Area, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation. Additionally, the route passes near the Museum of the Earth and the Sciencenter, which are popular attractions in the area.

● History

The route was established in the 1930s, as part of a larger effort to improve the state's highway system, which included the construction of New York State Route 17 and New York State Route 26. The route has undergone several changes over the years, including realignments and improvements to the road surface, similar to those made to New York State Route 12 and New York State Route 28. In the 1960s, the route was upgraded to a two-lane highway, with improvements made to the intersections and interchanges, similar to those made to New York State Route 5 and New York State Route 20. Today, NY 79 is an important transportation artery for the region, connecting the cities of Ithaca and Binghamton to the surrounding towns and villages, including Endicott, Johnson City, and Vestal.

● Major Intersections

The route intersects with several major highways, including New York State Route 17, New York State Route 26, and New York State Route 41. It also intersects with New York State Route 206 and New York State Route 12, which provide connections to other parts of the state, including Utica and Syracuse. Additionally, NY 79 passes near the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport and the Greater Binghamton Airport, which offer connections to other parts of the country, including New York City and Philadelphia. The route also runs close to the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena and the Clemens Center, which are popular venues for events and performances.

● NY 79A

There is no NY 79A, but there is a New York State Route 79B, which is a short spur route that connects NY 79 to the village of Whitney Point, passing near the Whitney Point Central School District. This route provides an alternate route for traffic and helps to reduce congestion on the main route, similar to New York State Route 30A and New York State Route 32A. NY 79B also passes near the Dorchester Park and the Nathanial Cole Park, which offer opportunities for outdoor recreation.

● Geography

The route runs through a variety of landscapes, including rural areas, forests, and urban centers, similar to New York State Route 3 and New York State Route 31. The route passes near the Susquehanna River and the Chenango River, which offer scenic views and opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as fishing and boating. The route also runs close to the Catskill Mountains and the Finger Lakes region, which are popular tourist destinations, including Ithaca, Cooperstown, and Watkins Glen. Additionally, the route passes near the Taughannock Falls State Park and the Buttermilk Falls State Park, which offer hiking trails and scenic views. The surrounding landscape is also home to several wineries and vineyards, including the Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard and the Fox Run Vineyards.