Info about Interstate 86/Southern Tier Expressway (Elmira, Horseheads: college, live in, suburbs)
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Hello, all ... I'm a regular traveler from Philadelphia to Erie, Pa., and am sick to death of Interstate 80. A friend of mine suggested I-86/Southern Tier Expressway, and I was wondering if anyone could give me some more information. Are there still spots where the highway isn't a true freeway, with some at-grade intersections? Any spots where the highway goes through towns, or are they all bypassed now? What about truck traffic? How's the terrain -- hilly, flat, in between?
Any help you all could give me would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.
I-86, when completed, will run from about Erie to the NYC suburbs. However, that will be when it is completed. currently, it runs from about Horseheads, NY to Erie (the dark red line on this map). The unfinished portion is the light red line. The portion near Erie is supposed to be relatively flat, but the area near Elmira is quite hilly. I think NY-17 and I-86 are the same thing, but portions of NY-17 haven't been upgraded to interstate specification, which is why the road isn't complete.
Ta-dump, ta-dump...I drove Route 17 (future 86) for many years, throughout college and then as an adult. Route 17 is mind numbingly monotonous, and all we remember is the sound of the raised ares on the roads, thus the ta-dump. All that said, I guess I would take it over the thruway, but only slightly. In the snow season, it can be a bear with single lanes and whiteout conditions.
Joanne
I live in Elmira and Intersate 86 and Route 17 go right through it. The little spot on the map Vicarian gave that shows where the highway turns from red solid to dotted is Horseheads, NY. This part of I-86 will be complete in about a month when 2 highway overpasses that go over the town of Horseheads are finished. This should make it even better. I agree on all the trips I have taken and Have been on this highway, it does go "ta-dump, ta-dump". It is probably a quicker and better way of traveling for you though.
Thanks for the info! I'm looking forward to exploring a new route.
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