I87

Interstate 87 (I-87) is a north–south Interstate Highway in the northeastern United States. It runs from the George Washington Bridge, spanning the Manhattan–Fort Lee border, north to the Canadian border at Champlain, New York, where it continues into Quebec as Autoroute 15. The southern portion from New York City to Albany is part of the New York State Thruway and serves as a major corridor in the Hudson Valley. The northern segment, from Albany to Champlain, is known as the Adirondack Northway and traverses the Adirondack Mountains, providing access to northern communities and recreational areas.

I-87 was designated as part of the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s. Construction occurred in stages through the succeeding decades, with the Adirondack Northway portion opening in the 1960s and the remainder completed in installments through the late 20th century. The highway remains one of the region’s principal routes for long-distance travel, commuting, and freight movement.

Significance: I-87 connects New York City with upstate populations and with the Canadian border, facilitating regional trade and tourism. It provides access to Adirondack Park and serves as a link to other major highways, including I-95 and I-90, along its route. A notable crossing is the Hudson River via the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, which carries I-87 between Tarrytown and Nyack.