• A view of the ramp from Quay Street, on the left in photo, and the ramp from Interstate 787 north, that come together to exit onto Clinton Ave., seen here on Monday, March 5, 2018, in Albany, N.Y. A proposed park idea would turn the ramp from Quay Street into a park. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union) / (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Photo: (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
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A view of the ramp from Quay Street, on the left in photo, and the ramp from Interstate 787 north, that come together to exit onto Clinton Ave., seen here on Monday, March 5, 2018, in Albany, N.Y. A proposed park idea would turn the ramp from Quay Street into a park. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union) less
A view of the ramp from Quay Street, on the left in photo, and the ramp from Interstate 787 north, that come together to exit onto Clinton Ave., seen here on Monday, March 5, 2018, in Albany, N.Y. A proposed ... more
Photo: (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
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Oil tank cars are lined up between the lanes on Interstate 787 Tuesday January 3, 2017 in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
Oil tank cars are lined up between the lanes on Interstate 787 Tuesday January 3, 2017 in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN
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View from the Corning Tower of I-787 with the Dunn Memorial Bridge going over the Hudson River on Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012 in Albany, N.Y. Mayor Jerry Jennings has said publicly he?d like to demolish Interstate 787, a development dream far in the city?s future if on the horizon at all. Residents are expected to gather tonight to share their vision of what Albany?s waterfront should become, the first stage of a new city planning effort. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

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View from the Corning Tower of I-787 with the Dunn Memorial Bridge going over the Hudson River on Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012 in Albany, N.Y. Mayor Jerry Jennings has said publicly he?d like to demolish Interstate

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Photo: Lori Van Buren
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Interstate 787 signs Friday July 3, 2015 in Albany, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)
Interstate 787 signs Friday July 3, 2015 in Albany, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)
Photo: John Carl D'Annibale
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Interstate 787 as seen from the Riverfront Pedestrian Bridge Friday July 3, 2015 in Albany. Continue viewing this slideshow to see photos of Albany's riverfront before the construction of I-787.
Interstate 787 as seen from the Riverfront Pedestrian Bridge Friday July 3, 2015 in Albany. Continue viewing this slideshow to see photos of Albany's riverfront before the construction of I-787.
Photo: John Carl D'Annibale
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Albany skyline and Hudson River, 1950s or 1960s, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
Albany skyline and Hudson River, 1950s or 1960s, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
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Aerial view of Albany riverfront and bridge construction, 1960s, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
Aerial view of Albany riverfront and bridge construction, 1960s, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
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Downtown Albany aerial view near Hudson River waterfront, rail yard and Albany-Rensselaer Bridge. Taken December 23, 1959. I-787 site. (Times Union Archive)
Downtown Albany aerial view near Hudson River waterfront, rail yard and Albany-Rensselaer Bridge. Taken December 23, 1959. I-787 site. (Times Union Archive)
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Downtown Albany Aerial View of Hudson River. Date taken approx. 1950s - 1970s based on cars in photo. I-787 site. (Times Union Archive)
Downtown Albany Aerial View of Hudson River. Date taken approx. 1950s - 1970s based on cars in photo. I-787 site. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club's Upper Basin on Hudson River in Downtown Albany, Nov. 19, 1930. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club's Upper Basin on Hudson River in Downtown Albany, Nov. 19, 1930. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club Seaplane Base. Opening Yacht Club with Eleanor Roosevelt, Aug. 26, 1939. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club Seaplane Base. Opening Yacht Club with Eleanor Roosevelt, Aug. 26, 1939. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club and Maiden Lane Bridge March 31, 1937. (Times Union archive)
Albany Yacht Club and Maiden Lane Bridge March 31, 1937. (Times Union archive)
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Delaware & Hudson Railroad Building from Hudson River in Albany. Undated. (Times Union Archive)
Delaware & Hudson Railroad Building from Hudson River in Albany. Undated. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club, undated photo. (Times Union archive)
Albany Yacht Club, undated photo. (Times Union archive)
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Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, June 15, 1937, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, June 15, 1937, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club, Aug. 26, 1939. Seaplane port on the Hudson River. (Times Union archive)
Albany Yacht Club, Aug. 26, 1939. Seaplane port on the Hudson River. (Times Union archive)
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Stanwix Hotel on Broadway looking across the Hudson River at the Albany Yacht Club, Maiden Lane rail bridge and Rensselaer, N.Y., undated, early 1930s prior to the post office federal building. Historic streets and buildings. (Times Union archive) less
Stanwix Hotel on Broadway looking across the Hudson River at the Albany Yacht Club, Maiden Lane rail bridge and Rensselaer, N.Y., undated, early 1930s prior to the post office federal building. Historic streets ... more
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Albany Yacht Club Basin on Hudson River, undated photo, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club Basin on Hudson River, undated photo, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, undated, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, undated, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Maiden Lane Bridge on a rainy day, Nov. 25, 1930, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Maiden Lane Bridge on a rainy day, Nov. 25, 1930, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club June 18, 1935. Spectators watch the New York City to Albany annual outboard marathon race. (Times Union archive)
Albany Yacht Club June 18, 1935. Spectators watch the New York City to Albany annual outboard marathon race. (Times Union archive)
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Albany Yacht Club, undated. Flooding on the Hudson. (Times Union archive)
Albany Yacht Club, undated. Flooding on the Hudson. (Times Union archive)
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Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River Feb. 19, 1946, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River Feb. 19, 1946, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, Feb. 19, 1946, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, Feb. 19, 1946, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club. From back of photo: "Three of the 25 motor cruisers built at the Richardson yards in North Tonwanda, after they reached Albany Yacht Club yesterday. Owners 'drive away' their cruisers each spring, coming via canal to Albany and Downstate points." Taken June 6, 1936. (Times Union Archive) less
Albany Yacht Club. From back of photo: "Three of the 25 motor cruisers built at the Richardson yards in North Tonwanda, after they reached Albany Yacht Club yesterday. Owners 'drive away' their cruisers each ... more
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Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, June 6, 1936, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, June 6, 1936, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club Scene. "Preparing for the ninth annual Albany - New York Marathon. This event was heralded as the 'longest, most glamorous single motor boat event ever held in the U.S.' " Taken April 27, 1936. (Times Union Archive) less
Albany Yacht Club Scene. "Preparing for the ninth annual Albany - New York Marathon. This event was heralded as the 'longest, most glamorous single motor boat event ever held in the U.S.' " Taken April 27, ... more
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Albany Yacht Club Pier on Racing Day, May 15, 1935. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club Pier on Racing Day, May 15, 1935. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, May 19, 1935, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, May 19, 1935, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club Pier on Hudson River, April 7, 1952. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club Pier on Hudson River, April 7, 1952. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club Pier and Train on Maiden Lane Bridge in Downtown Albany, May 10, 1937. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club Pier and Train on Maiden Lane Bridge in Downtown Albany, May 10, 1937. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club, April 1, 1940. Hudson River level is halfway up the lower door. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club, April 1, 1940. Hudson River level is halfway up the lower door. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club Basin, Feb. 22, 1934. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club Basin, Feb. 22, 1934. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Yacht Club, undated. Flooding on the Hudson. (Times Union archive)
Albany Yacht Club, undated. Flooding on the Hudson. (Times Union archive)
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Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, May 1, 1938. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Yacht Club on Hudson River, May 1, 1938. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Aerial View of Hudson River from Broadway, April 20, 1936, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Aerial View of Hudson River from Broadway, April 20, 1936, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Albany Riverfront. From caption: "New Look Along The Waterfront. These photos, taken by Staff Photographer Bob Paley from a helicopter. .show the new look on Albany's Hudson River Waterfront." (Times Union Archive) less
Albany Riverfront. From caption: "New Look Along The Waterfront. These photos, taken by Staff Photographer Bob Paley from a helicopter. .show the new look on Albany's Hudson River Waterfront." (Times Union ... more
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Albany Aerial View of Hudson River and rail yard. Taken January 28, 1960. (Times Union Archive)
Albany Aerial View of Hudson River and rail yard. Taken January 28, 1960. (Times Union Archive)
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Downtown Albany Railroad Yard aerial view. On Hudson River, Dec, 23, 1959, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Downtown Albany Railroad Yard aerial view. On Hudson River, Dec, 23, 1959, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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The Robert Fulton, of the Hudson River Day Line, at port on the Hudson River Nov. 22, 1930, in Albany, N.Y. Historic 1930s, boats, ships. (Times Union archive)
The Robert Fulton, of the Hudson River Day Line, at port on the Hudson River Nov. 22, 1930, in Albany, N.Y. Historic 1930s, boats, ships. (Times Union archive)
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Union Station rail yards on the Hudson River with Delaware and Hudson Building (D&H) Sept. 18, 1936, in Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
Union Station rail yards on the Hudson River with Delaware and Hudson Building (D&H) Sept. 18, 1936, in Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
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Delaware & Hudson Railroad Building from Hudson River in Albany, July 8, 1937, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
Delaware & Hudson Railroad Building from Hudson River in Albany, July 8, 1937, Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Archive)
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Princes Beatrix of the Netherlands disembarks in Albany during her royal visit Sept. 19, 1959, in Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
Princes Beatrix of the Netherlands disembarks in Albany during her royal visit Sept. 19, 1959, in Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
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Princes Beatrix of the Netherlands arrives in Albany with Mayor Erastus Corning II during her royal visit to Albany Sept. 19, 1959, in Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
Princes Beatrix of the Netherlands arrives in Albany with Mayor Erastus Corning II during her royal visit to Albany Sept. 19, 1959, in Albany, N.Y. (Times Union archive)
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Albany

The 9.4-mile Interstate 787, the route to work for thousands of Capital Region residents, will cost $330 million to keep in a "state of good repair" over the next 20 years. And when it comes time to replace it, the bill will likely be nearly $900 million — the current value of the road — according to the draft final report of the I-787/Hudson Waterfront Corridor Study.

The interstate highway  opened nearly 50 years ago, replacing railway tracks along the Albany waterfront with several lanes of concrete and a series of exit ramps and flyovers. It eventually connected the New York State Thruway at Exit 23 with a reconstructed NY Route 7 in Maplewood.

But in recent years, there have been efforts to gain access to the Hudson riverfront, with suggestions ranging from burying the highway, removing it entirely, narrowing it, adding light rail, covering it with platforms that could hold public spaces or new development, and even rerouting part of it west of the City of Watervliet, all of which the study committee considered but chose not to pursue.

Instead, reconfiguring some interchanges, making the waterfront more accessible to bicyclists and pedestrians, converting from an expressway to a more traditional roadway, and pursuing strategies to reduce travel demand were identified.

More Information

See the report at 787waterfrontstudy.blogspot.com

CHA Consulting prepared the report for the Capital District Transportation Committee. Comments may be emailed to 787waterfrontstudy@cdtcmpo.org with a deadline of April 13.

The final report is expected in June.

Michael Franchini, executive director of the Capital District Transportation Committee, which coordinated the study, said 787 has continued to do what it was designed for "very well," moving 88,000 vehicles a day into downtown Albany from around the Capital Region.

Removing 787 would have forced that traffic onto not only the Northway and Interstate 90, but likely onto local streets as well, Franchini said. And because 787 is also considered a freight highway, that would have meant tractor trailers and other trucks also would be looking for new routes.

"There were a lot of stakeholders in this study, not just CDTC," Franchini added. He said the stakeholders, ranging from the state Department of Transportation to various cities along the route, including Albany, Watervliet and Cohoes, sought to reach consensus on proposals that were reasonable.

Some initiatives already are under way. The Cuomo administration is awarding Albany $3.1 million toward a project to convert a little-used exit ramp into the Albany Skyway. The Capital District Transportation Authority meanwhile is in the midst of planning a new Bus Rapid Transit route paralleling 787 that would offer an alternative to commuters.