Why doesn't I-90 go through Rochester? (Buffalo, Syracuse: suburbs, live, downtown)

[juppiter]

Seriously, what is the historical reason behind this? It seems kind of silly that it goes through every major upstate city EXCEPT Rochester.

[rochacha]

I remember some story about Gov. Dewey having a spat with Monroe County for some reason and bypassing the city as a result. Maybe someone a little older than I can rehash the true story, as it was well before my time.

[I'minformed2]

That's the story I've heard as well....the Rochester region was the only major area Upostate that didn't back him up and he almost lost the seat becasue of us...so he made sure we got bypassed (just a note...I was NOT alive when this happened haha). Not sure how true it is though. I don't think too many people in Rochester mind that the NY thruway doesn't go through the major part of the city (it does pass through the fringe of the southern burbs, especially Henrietta). It is a toll road afterall.

[garmin239]

I thought the only city it went through was Albany, and even there it kinda goes around it.
A road like rt 95 goes right through downtowns of cities. 90 seems to go around many.

[rochacha]

Originally Posted by garmin239

I thought the only city it went through was Albany, and even there it kinda goes around it.
A road like rt 95 goes right through downtowns of cities. 90 seems to go around many.

It goes through at least the close suburbs and possibly the cities of Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, Poughkipsee (sp?) I believe.

[JiminCT]

The Thruway really doesnt go through any of the upstate cities....look at the route through Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo. No route through any of the downtowns....all in the 'burbs.

[juppiter]

Originally Posted by JiminCT

The Thruway really doesnt go through any of the upstate cities....look at the route through Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo. No route through any of the downtowns....all in the 'burbs.

Well actually 90 stays within Albany's city limits the entire time, but it is not in the downtown section of the city, that's true. But in Albany (I'm not familiar with Buffalo & Syracuse) you really only need to stay on I-787 for a few minutes to access downtown. In Rochester, taking 490 takes like 20 minutes.

Still, I think Rochester would have been better off with 90 going through it. I think part of the city's "donut" problem can be attributed to 390 and 590.

[lpnny]

Originally Posted by juppiter

Seriously, what is the historical reason behind this? It seems kind of silly that it goes through every major upstate city EXCEPT Rochester.

I-90 does go thru rochester--you can pick it up at henrietta on 390

[juppiter]

Originally Posted by lpnny

I-90 does go thru rochester--you can pick it up at henrietta on 390

Yep I know, but doesn't go through the CITY of Rochester, whereas it does Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo.

[JiminCT]

Technically yes...but I-90 runs through the OUTER city limits of Albany Syracuse and Buffalo. Not even sure about Buffalo....Is that actually Cheektowaga?