Why doesn't I-90 go through Rochester?

[I'minformed2]

I-90 goes through Cheektowaga...but Cheektowaga is a close in suburb of Buffalo and centrally located in the metro. I-90 is definitely furthest removed from the central area of the metro in Rochester than in any of the other upstate metros. It goes through the southern portion of Henrietta, which while a major suburb, is sort of on the southern fringe of the east-westerly sprawling metro area. The majority of the Rochester urban area lies north of I-90 to the point where it really isn't considred a major route to travel within the area. Seeing as it is a toll road, I really don't mind this much and am fine using 390, 490, and 590.

[juppiter]

Originally Posted by I'minformed2

I-90 goes through Cheektowaga...but Cheektowaga is a close in suburb of Buffalo and centrally located in the metro. I-90 is definitely furthest removed from the central area of the metro in Rochester than in any of the other upstate metros. It goes through the southern portion of Henrietta, which while a major suburb, is sort of on the southern fringe of the east-westerly sprawling metro area. The majority of the Rochester urban area lies north of I-90 to the point where it really isn't considred a major route to travel within the area.

Exactly. Thank you.

Seeing as it is a toll road, I really don't mind this much and am fine using 390, 490, and 590.

In Albany we don't pay tolls on 90. Is it not the same in other cities?

[rochacha]

Originally Posted by juppiter

In Albany we don't pay tolls on 90. Is it not the same in other cities?

This is also true in Buffalo. Everywhere else does pay tolls on I-90. However, I would argue that Albany does pay tolls on the Thruway and 90 is not the Thruway where it is toll-free through Albany, so really Buffalo is the only city that does not pay tolls on the Thruway. 90 through Albany is the equivalent of 290 in Buffalo, 490 in Rochester, 690 in Syracuse, etc.

[JTraik]

It really doesn't matter that 90 doesn't go through the city because 490 has essentially rectified that situation.

[I'minformed2]

...exactly. And with no tolls!

[Ben Around]

The original concept of the Thruway a fast highway BETWEEN cities, not through them. That's why it doesn't start in NYC, it starts in the burbs, and why it doesn't enter the city limits of most of the upstate cities. I 'm not positive, but I think the Thruway pre-dates the interstate system. It was built solely with state funds and toll revenues. You'll notice that its exits are much farther apart than on other Interstate highways. Rochester, the 3rd largest city in the state, only had 2 exits! They weren't trying to provide access at every cross highway or town.

It was a shame that they wound up building the interstates through the middle of cities. I'm old enough to remember when they rammed the Outer Loop through my neighborhood. The Inner Loop, instead of being downtown's savior, became its noose.

[juppiter]

For sure, the Inner Loop needs to be torn down. It's kinda neat, but it definitely strangles downtown.

And yes, New York State funded its own Thruway. Unfortunately, it then also had to fund the highways in every other state. Very unfair.