Snow Journal - Serious About Snowsports!

Home

Forums : General Discussion : The Pit
Moderated by: Chris, nelsap, Betsy

Anonymous posts are not allowed in this forum

I-86 NY

Page: 1 2

Author	Post
abubob Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 27, 2008 Posts: 748 Location:Bristol, NH	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 4:19 PM GMT Edited: Jun 13, 2012 - 8:35 PM GMT My wife and I are planning our annual sojourn to Ohio from Central NH. We usually cross VT on Rte 4 and make our way to Rte 90 through NY which is a great road but the tolls are a bit much so we're thinking of using I-86 instead. I see right away it'll take an extra hour but any thoughts or advise on this route? While we're stopping for the night on our way out and on our way back we probably won't be doing any sightseeing unfortunately. Any suggestions on where to stay or have a meal?

obienick Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 21, 2005 Posts: 1165 Location:	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 5:04 PM GMT Edited: Jun 12, 2012 - 5:13 PM GMT I-86 is not complete (Google Maps is wrong often, so they can tell if their map is stolen somewhere). You will not see I-86 signs around the Binghamton area and I don't want you to get lost. I-86 ends at the Tioga-Broome county line, but it is currently signed NY-17 the whole way and is slowly being worked up to interstate standards. There is massive construction in Elmira (frontage roads to create limited access), Binghamton (replacing 6 bridges and upgrading sight distances around a mountain), and the Catskills (frontage roads to create limited access). I do not know what the status of the Elmira and Catskills projects and the never seemed to bad other than lookieloos getting distracted, but the Binghamton one just got up an running and NY-17 is down from 3 to 1 lanes around Kamikaze curve. Where the route has been signed I-86 for many moons (ie west of Elmira), it is in quite rough shape (bumpy due to old concrete sections shifting) if I recall, and it seemed very curvy. Also, be forewarned that the Southern Tier has been in an economic slump for a very long time and there are both limited services and spotty cell coverage west of Elmira. When I took the route a couple of years ago, I was low on gas and stopped at a few exits with signs for gas stations only to find them closed. I'd recommend if you are on the lower end, it'd be easier to just fill up in Elmira going west or Erie going east (plus you won't get hounded by the high NY gas tax). I-88 ends in Binghamton where you'll have to jog on I-81 south for two exits before hitting up NY-17/future I-86. I-88 had been through a massive slow rebuild over the past several summers, but they didn't do any segment last year or this year. Points are very nice and smooth, points are very bad, such that they sometimes close a lane because it's too bumpy between the lanes to pass! Now, don't get me wrong, NY-17/future I-86 and I-88 are nice roads. They are scenic and lesser-used so the driving will be easier. I just felt I needed to warn you about the conditions of them. Maybe I painted too harsh of a picture.

abubob Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 27, 2008 Posts: 748 Location:Bristol, NH	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 5:29 PM GMT Edited: Jun 12, 2012 - 7:54 PM GMT Thanks obienick that just the kind of information I was hoping for. Sounds a bit adventurous and worth a try. We're not overnight drivers so we like to make stop overs. Any suggestions there? We've stopped in Dunkirk on our way out and Syracuse on the way back to give you an idea.

rickbolger Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Mar 14, 2005 Posts: 2294 Location:Great Gorge, NJ	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 6:58 PM GMT Watkins Glen, gorge is stunning, wineries, not far off your route

abubob Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 27, 2008 Posts: 748 Location:Bristol, NH	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 7:40 PM GMT Quote: Watkins Glen, gorge is stunning, wineries, not far off your route That sound cool.

abubob Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 27, 2008 Posts: 748 Location:Bristol, NH	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 7:53 PM GMT obienick - after reading your reply a little more closely I have some questions. How bad does traffic back up in Elmira? I'm curious because I'll be driving through on a Saturday. Does it get a lot of holiday traffic? One other question - Kamikaze curve? Will I need to put my blinkers on?

millerm277 Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: May 28, 2006 Posts: 1133 Location:Somerset County, NJ	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 8:07 PM GMT Kamikaze Curve in Binghamton isn't that dangerous. Just a sharp curve in a highway combined with the road splitting/merging all over the place right there. Just pay attention to the signs telling you where to go for I-88 (and if you don't see any, just follow the ones for I-81N) I-88 is one of the loneliest roads you'll ever be on for much of it's length, little to no traffic once you're more than 10 min out of Binghamton for most of the way. That said, don't speed too much or you'll definitely be meeting the NYSP, they're all over the road there.

obienick Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 21, 2005 Posts: 1165 Location:	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 8:08 PM GMT Edited: Jun 12, 2012 - 8:24 PM GMT I didn't mean to frighten you! With respect to Elmira, I was there a year or so ago. I recall it was slower going but too bad. I think it was temporarily resigned 55 mph for the construction, and people were going around 45 mhp. Definitely not a traffic jam. It seemed mostly due to people slowing and watching vs. closing a lane. That segment might be done by now. I do not know about holiday traffic in Elmira "Kamikaze Curve" is the local name for the intersection of NY-17 and I-81 in Binghamton. It is a tight-radius curve hugging a Prospect Mountain with limited visibility, thus the massive chopping of the mountain to straighten it, and the necessitated bridge work for the new alignment. It's signed 50 mph and isn't too bad if you slow for it. Electronic road signs in the area have been reading that it's down to one lane from three for the construction. Once they started saying that about a week ago on the signs and a friend said it was backing up, I've avoided the area as a local, I can easily take other roads. The construction zone is only about a mile long, so delays for out of town travelers can't be too big in the scheme of things. With respect to loneliness, when I drove on the west end of I-86/NY-17, it definitely seemed to have less traffic than I-88. And millerm277 is right, watch out for NY troopers, but you can easily go 75 if you are smart. They usually only hang out at the cut-throughs between eastbound and westbound lanes so if you do want to push the pedal to the metal, watch out for those no U-turn signs to your left.

abubob Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 27, 2008 Posts: 748 Location:Bristol, NH	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 8:51 PM GMT Thanks for the feedback. I don't leave for a couple weeks yet but if you think of anything else - post it. I write a trip report afterward.

ThatNYguy Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Sep 08, 2001 Posts: 1748 Location:Circling near Albany, NY	Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 9:51 PM GMT A lot of non operational areas along and near this lower track from I 88 on through.

snowngr Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Apr 22, 2004 Posts: 424 Location:Goffstown, NH	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 12:00 AM GMT Would suggest you go thiz way unless the desination is Cleaveland or north of there. I-495 to I-290 to I-90 mass pike to I-84 to I-684 to I-287 tappan zee bridge to I-80 into Youngstown and beyond.

abubob Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 27, 2008 Posts: 748 Location:Bristol, NH	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 1:41 AM GMT Quote: Would suggest you go thiz way unless the desination is Cleaveland or north of there. I-495 to I-290 to I-90 mass pike to I-84 to I-684 to I-287 tappan zee bridge to I-80 into Youngstown and beyond. Yer killin me.

abubob Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 27, 2008 Posts: 748 Location:Bristol, NH	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 1:42 AM GMT Quote: A lot of non operational areas along and near this lower track from I 88 on through. Where do I look?

brklynskier Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 538 Location:Brooklyn, NY	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 2:27 AM GMT If you do take the I-86 / NY 17 route, the Glass Museum in Corning is a worthwhile stop.

obienick Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 21, 2005 Posts: 1165 Location:	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 3:50 AM GMT Quote: If you do take the I-86 / NY 17 route, the Glass Museum in Corning is a worthwhile stop. I heard a rumor they're closing as Corning is pulling out of NY. Any truth to this rumor?

obienick Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Oct 21, 2005 Posts: 1165 Location:	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 3:51 AM GMT Quote: A lot of non operational areas along and near this lower track from I 88 on through. I swear I've seen at least one from I-88 but can't find them again.

z1000307470 Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: May 07, 2004 Posts: 504 Location:Bergen County, NJ	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 4:10 AM GMT There is lots of good info in the thread. Depending on your time frame and love of wine you could go west aross the NYS Thruway from Albany, go past Syracuse and get off the exit just above Geneva/Seneca Lake. By heading down the west side of Seneca Lake to Watkins Glen you will pass a boat load of superb wineries. There are also a lot of B&B choices. Another option would be heading down to Penn Yan to Keuka Lake to Hammondsport to Bath. You can stay in numerous B&B in any of the mentioned areas and pass more wonderful wineries. The whole area of the Finger Lakes is beautiful and loaded with good food and wine. It would break up the trip. You could also do the reverse on your return from Ohio. Another idea that keeps you close to 86 would be to drive up to Hammondsport. It is a cool town at the bottom of Keuka Lake and you can get to some nice wineries. It is only about 10 miles from 86 and will give you a real feel for the region. As mentioned the Corning museum is worth seeing. there are also 2 air museums - Glenn Curtis in Hammondsport and one at the Elmira Airport.

bmwskier Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 490 Location:Northern Vermont	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 9:44 AM GMT Close to the end of 86, get off on the other side of Chautauqua Lake and take a drive up 394 to Chautauqua Institution-- founded in 1874 as a summer training center for Methodist ministers. It's now a center for culture, arts and music. There's a gate fee in the summer though Sunday's are free. The architecture is beautiful and the lake is great from the shores. Best to walk around rather than drive as cars are limited. Chautauqua Institution

Bill29 Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Dec 19, 2002 Posts: 2414 Location:	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 1:30 PM GMT Quote: "Would suggest you go thiz way unless the desination is Cleaveland or north of there." Topic hijack. Way to go, Snowngr. That city is named for Moses Cleaveland from Canterbury, Conn. And that's the way he spelled his name when he led people from Connecticut to the fire lands -western reserve - in eastern Ohio way back when. A newspaper took the first "a" out of the name so it would fit better on the paper's banner. Thus now we have Cleveland. Or so the story goes.

schweig_1 Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: May 06, 2008 Posts: 116 Location:Dryden, NY	Posted: Jun 13, 2012 - 4:47 PM GMT Quote: As mentioned the Corning museum is worth seeing. there are also 2 air museums - Glenn Curtis in Hammondsport and one at the Elmira Airport. I agree. Watkins Glen is fantastic. The wineries along Seneca Lake are great. Glenn Curtis and Corning museums are cool. Just a note: the aviation museum in Elmira is temporarily closed. Sikorsky took over their hangars, but the museum might make a comeback in the future, somewhere else at the airport (NYLAMP'ed -New York Lost Aviation Museum Project). The aircraft are parked on the grass near Corning's old Gulfstream G1 that the airport uses for rescue training.

Page: 1 2