The 5 remaining concepts for Reimagine I-787

ALBANY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has narrowed down the concepts for its Reimagine I-787 study . In June 2023, officials starting looking for the best ways to connect Albany with the surrounding communities by reinventing I-787.

DOT has had two open houses so far , presenting the concepts for what I-787 could be turned into. DOT has now narrowed down the concepts from eight to five in its newly-released draft report on the I-787 Planning and Environmental Linkages Study, also known as Reimagine I-787.

Here are those five remaining concepts. You can view the full renderings on the DOT website .

Concept I-2: Reconstruction of I-787

This concept would reconstruct 787 to current interstate design standards with three lanes in each direction. A new Dunn Memorial Bridge would be built, with access maintained to Rensselaer via that bridge. The South Mall Expressway was would be turned into a surface-level street with pedestrian and bike accommodations, including new connections to the waterfront.

This concept would cost about $6 billion and take about six to nine years to fully build.

Concept I-3: Reconstruction of I-787 with Direct Port Access

This concept would reconstruct 787 to meet NYDOT design standards. The Dunn Memorial Bridge and interchange would be demolished and reconstructed. Route 9/20 would be relocated to realign with the new bridge. The South Mall Expressway was would be turned into a surface-level street.

This concept would cost about $6 billion and take about six to nine years to fully build.

Concept B-1: Two-Way Boulevard West of Railroad

This concept would replace 787 between Church Street and Orange Street with a lower-speed, two-way boulevard with three lanes in each direction. The new boulevard would include pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The new Dunn Memorial Bridge would be built just south of its current location. The South Mall Expressway was would be turned into a surface-level street.

This concept would cost about $3.5 billion and take about five to eight years to fully build.

Concept B-2: Boulevard West of Railroad with Southbound Traffic on Broadway

This concept would replace 787 between Church Street and Orange Street. From Orange Street to Broadway would be one-way with northbound traffic across four lanes. Southbound traffic would use Broadway with three or four one-way lanes. The new Dunn Memorial Bridge would be built just south of its current location. The South Mall Expressway was would be turned into a surface-level boulevard between Eagle Street and South Pearl Street.

This concept would cost about $2.8 billion and take about five to eight years to fully build.

Concept B-4: Two-Way Boulevard West of Railroad

This concept would replace 787 between Broadway and Orange Street with a lower-speed, two-way boulevard with three lanes in each direction. The new boulevard would include pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The new Dunn Memorial Bridge would be built just south of its current location. The South Mall Expressway was would be turned into a surface-level street. A new street would connect the South Mall Expressway to the new boulevard.

This concept would cost about $6 billion and take about six to nine years to fully build.

Another open house to discuss the narrowed-down concepts is set for Wednesday, October 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Albany Capital Center. DOT is also hosting these smaller community-focused events:

• October 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The First Church in Albany at 110 North Pearl Street
• October 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Albany Housing Authority at 200 South Pearl Street
• November 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.at the Howe Library at 105 Schuyler Street

“The 787 corridor robbed multiple Hudson River communities of direct access to a historical waterfront with unlimited potential, and the concepts that will be laid out at this Open House will demonstrate what is possible – how we can reconnect these Hudson River communities to one another and to one of the most majestic rivers in the world,” said DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “I invite everyone to attend and participate in this open house, meet with state officials face-to-face and learn more about potential options for the corridor.  We want direct feedback from the public and this Open House will provide that opportunity.”

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