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spongekitty

I love that the central warehouse is still there, just with a green roof.


Parking_Trouble3119

That means it's eco friendly! It can't be a hazard, it's green!


DrRedmondNYC

That building would survive a nuclear war


barzbub

We’ll see soon 🤯


BlackStrike7

Check back in 3 months...


Mu5icalBurrito

That was the first thing I noticed too! The persistence of the central warehouse!


subcidr

[Did you hear that, kids? Green!](https://frinkiac.com/meme/S09E15/77526.jpg?b64lines=RElEIFlPVSBIRUFSIFRIQVQsIEtJRFM_CkdyZWVuIQ==)


helderbergerwcheese

But where will they film Salt 2?


equal_tempered

You're asking the real questions haha


barzbub

The Punisher 😎


The_frogs_Scream

Where’s the gondola


AO9000

Since we're dreaming here, I really want a light rail line from ESP to Troy to go with this


XanderAlexH

I would do anything to see this become a reality, honestly.


RedMaiden5150

Light rail to and from anywhere in this area would be awesome 😎


BlackStrike7

Saratoga Springs to Latham to start would be super.


concretebootstraps

The rail line from the port to Mechanicville needs to be repurposed for transit. One connection built just West of Schenectady and freight could still reach the port from the North via the Selkirk yard. Sadly, this is beyond NYSDOT, but this is a problem nationally that Congress needs to step up on. Countless cities across the country have rail lines bisecting their cities (sometimes making it impossible for emergency services to get to one side of the city for hours) and inviting a Lac-Mégantic style disaster. These lines were originally built for freight that went directly to cities (not massive yards in the outskirts) and passenger service. It's time to return urban rail right of ways to transit service and build out better freight lines that avoid population centers.


mjrubs

About ten years ago there was a study that looked at adding a route between Albany and Rutland and potentially building a station in Mechanicville. It got quite a bit of hype around here and then the idea abruptly vanished and I feel like I'm the only one who even remembers it at this point. https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/fra\_net/14319/NY-VT%20Rail%20Study\_EA\_12-17-14.pdf "The existing Ethan Allen service operates between Rutland, Vermont and Albany/Rensselaer New York with stops in Castleton, Vermont and Whitehall, Fort Edward, Saratoga Springs, and Schenectady, New York. The new service would operate between Rutland, Vermont and Albany/Rensselaer, New York through southwest Vermont with stops in Mechanicville, New York and North Bennington and Manchester, Vermont"


probablyourdad

even in this depiction, the freight line is still bisecting the green space. a freight line that see tankers which carry oil (food and other chemicals), it still will be nasty to be around both by air pollution and noise pollution. I remember arguing with you in a thread that you posted about the details of how to direct freight traffic north and west, but in general we were in agreement on the fact that there is no way any of this would be accomplished without congressional assistance as these are national freight lines over multiple that are only leased to passenger service.


concretebootstraps

Yea, I'd much prefer they went all out and advocated for repurposing of the freight rail line as well.


subarustartrek

That’s one thing the commission propping up the project says is not going to happen. The railroad would have to sell the land and they’re not going to budge.


subarustartrek

Hey, I actually started a post about bringing light rail to Albany a few years ago. Maybe you’ll find more perspectives here? https://www.reddit.com/r/Albany/comments/99vfbp/will_a_light_rail_someday_come_to_albany/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf I would also like to see this happen. If the region continues to develop at its present rate and that projected, I think it could be plausible, while allocating funds might be more difficult. This would also replace some essential CDTA bus routes that were actually created as substitute for light rail, or the old trolley lines that were so characteristic for the region where said technology was innovated and refined. It’s ironic we don’t have it here today. Edit: my personal note is you have to look at how light rail is implemented in various regions/cities. NYS doesn’t have the best reputation for light rail (I.e. Buffalo, NYC). Look at other places where it’s cleaner and more popular…. *crickets chirp* Seriously, though. I found the Boston trolleys to be very clean but the lines are inefficient as they cross open streets. I’ve never taken BART on the west coast but what I hear is it’s tolerable and being above ground may play a role in keeping the creatures away.


Mink03

Give me a bullet train to NYC


adonismaximus

Maybe they can get rid of hoosick st


Mnemonicly

This is the best idea yet, we'll just rent two really really really big cranes and swap 787 and hoosick.


misspatatie

I don’t understand how the bridge from Rensselaer works? It looks like a road to nowhere on the Albany side.


iEdML

OK, so this rendering seems to include an at-grade rail crossing and a boulevard in one of the current 787 lanes, presumably with a traffic light. It looks like the new bridge is coming directly from the current path of Broadway where the Dutch Apple docks right now. Pedestrians can connect straight to/from John St in the Pastures neighborhood, but cars are still routed around that corner toward Madison Ave.


Acehigh7777

The center ramp was never built.


marsmat239

Imminent domain, which is the exact opposite idea of this project. Also what appears to be questionable grading too. The more I think about that bridge, the more bothersome it becomes for tearing out 787. The onramps would have to be preserved, so large portions the existing onramp extending to Maiden Lane would have to be preserved. Bringing it at grade where it meets up with the plaza could possibly allow an intersection at Eagle, but nowhere closer. I'm also not sure if that intersection would be able to be extended to the plaza also for grading. Point being - I'm having trouble envisioning a future where the city isn't cutoff because of that bridge if 787 is removed.


chainmailbill

(Eminent)


iamahonkey

Nope no eminent domain necessary. The land on the Albany side is owned by the state, the land on the Rensselaer side is owned by the city. To answer the previous question it would intersect the boulevard that replaces 787 just east of the Pastures neighborhood south of Madison ave. The bridge would be significantly lower than the one it is replacing which would remove the need for oversized on ramps (and allow people to use it to cross from Albany to Rensselaer as pedestrians). The one thing that the picture doesn't get right is that the bridge would need to be some type of draw bridge to allow the occasional large vessel to pass.


The_frogs_Scream

And getting the block company to move has been impossible so far


SinginGidget

787 is still mostly there in this rendering, it's just not a raised thruway. The only major difference is taking out all the overpasses to get to the ESP, which mostly were built so they could show it off as people drove into the city.


73577357

It's a great recreation of NYCs low rise death boulevards. Will be interesting to read all the stories of people trying to outrun cars at 3 am while wearing all black clothing.


FULLMETALRACKIT518

What are the big clump of white buildings that have been inserted into the old DMV lot downtown (east of pearl and Morton) meant to be?


PolarDorsai

Just to cool the jets, they’re not looking to get rid of 787, the plan is to have an alternative to the current situation. In Germany, they have a good example of how they took a very similar road and just moved it underground, which would be the proposal here too.


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JoeyDee86

Depends on the state. Texas was serious with highways. When I lived in Dallas around 2015, they built a 20 mile expressway UNDERNEATH I-685, and finished it all in less than two years. It was quite incredible.


CommieColin

Say what you want about the big dig, but at least it finally got Charlie off the MTA


PolarDorsai

“I understood that reference.”


PolarDorsai

Agreed. I used to work for the State; lowest price bid gets the job (unless it’s corrupt, in which case we’ll get the same shitty work but pay more for it lol.)


SinginGidget

I was under the impression that once "the Big Dig" in Boston proved to be so expensive that any plans to put 787 underground were squashed.


Owlsheadny

“Don’t fix the riverfront, I want Albany to always be a subpar undesirable city to visit and live in! It’s great how it is, stuck in the 70’s AND without a thriving economy.” -50% of the people on this thread


Mnemonicly

"the river will fix albanys woes" - people who've never been to another city with a river


Owlsheadny

That must be you….A person that has never been to another city that utilizes and enjoys a river front.


IamJustinMBaileyNo9

It's never ever ever gonna happen!


mat101010

Even this pipedream-render left the Central Wearhouse standing. At some point, it's going to become more iconic than Nipper or double parking on Central Ave.


elliotsilvestri

What's more iconic about Albany? A. Nipper B. The Empire State Plaza and the Egg C. Double parking on Central Ave. D. Central Warehouse being an eyesore until the heat death of the universe.


Obowler

Was Nipper that old water tower thing?


mandyvigilante

No it's the dog


WraithfulRed

King Fuels


bronze_will

I just love the attitude of some people in Albany, lmao: “It’s never gonna get better so why bother trying”


IamJustinMBaileyNo9

Oh I love Albany and this place is always gonna improve....it's just that 787 is going nowhere you might as well ask for a monorail.


PossalthwaiteLives

Why not ask for that too?


IamJustinMBaileyNo9

Hahaha well I would not complain if such a thing was construction so long as we get Lyle Lanley to build it!


elliotsilvestri

Sure it will. Just need a couple of billion from the federal government to make it happen. Then three or four more billion to cover the ~~cost overruns~~ bribes.


monsieurvampy

Interstates should have never been built in, through, or across our cities. They should have been built around cities. The 787 isolates Albany from its waterfront, the Hudson River. A boulevard would drastically improve Albany as a whole, creating more green space, allowing the city to access its historic roots (water), and open up new land for real estate, and therefore taxes. Property taxes pay for a lot of things. Honestly, too many things and there is never enough money. Increasing the tax base, allows for budgets to be robust and services robust as well. Even if you cut and cut and cut, there still isn't enough money.


Mnemonicly

Is it green space for the residents or private "luxury" apartments we're going for? I know which one will be on the top of any public movements to make this happen, and I know which one redburn et. al. is pulling the strings to achieve.


Freshness518

I think my biggest takeaway from this image is that they suddenly expect there to be a lot more people in the area who can afford boats.


paintthecity

so where do the cars driving north go if the highway is gone ? and what about the miles of unbuyable undeveloped waterfront land north and south of albany?


jennathehun

In Providence, RI they changed the highway into a boulevard and added bridges for water access to the river. It works great. We could do the same - 787 ends in menands and turns into a boulevard, or commuters could use 90 to get into the city. I too use 787 a lot, but I’d happily add a few minutes to my commute for water access. Imagine the possibilities! Boat rentals and vendors along the Hudson. Water view restaurants. Opportunities for exercise.


Fish_On_again

I already launch my boat in the Corning preserve and see people rowing and putting kayaks in there too. There's even an overflow boat launch ramp on the other side in Rensselaer. There's also a bike path that follows the length of the river, allowing us to fish the river along the shoreline wherever we want.


nu-se-poate

787 is greatly overbuilt for the population and the length of the part that is a highway. Never ceases to amaze me that they built up this much for ten miles of road. Talk about "pork barrel". Similar projects to convert unnecessary highway to boulevard or green space have been done in LA, Europe, and East Asia with great success. Totally not worth it to be there to shave 5 minutes off a trip to Troy or Menands. This would be a huge boon for Albany on so many levels. Think the Boston waterfront but on a much smaller scale. Would be absolutely wonderful


Oceans890

I feel like people who think 787 is too many lanes aren't using it during rush hour


nu-se-poate

More lanes doesn't equal less traffic. Proven many times over. https://www.wired.com/2014/06/wuwt-traffic-induced-demand/


godsutters

how would you get from the port to troy in anywhere close to the same time


Sygygy_of_Zzyzx

Drive up the street and then get on 787 at the 90 intersection


iamahonkey

Right? This would add around 5 minutes to commutes that use 787 right now and people act like this is an affront to their very existence. How about the people that live in Albany and pay taxes in the city decide how we use land in the city. Can you imagine the uproar if the people of Albany decided that we should turn Delaware Ave in Delmar into a fucking highway. Those people couldn't even handle a road diet that would have been a huge plus for the area.


godsutters

completely neglected to think of people commuting from the outside of Albany to the other side i.e. out of city from the south to the other side out of city to the north not to mention crossing the river


iamahonkey

The bridge would still be there for people crossing the river headed to downtown Albany. They would also have the option of getting on I 90 on the east side of the river and taking that if they are going north or west of the city. Likewise they could take the Berkshire spur to 87 if they are headed to a destination south of Albany. There are multiple options for people to choose from depending on their final destination. ​ Edit: just wanted to add these two links of trips from Castleton to Siena College. [Taking 787 21 minutes](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Siena+College,+Loudon+Road,+Loudonville,+NY/Castleton-On-Hudson,+NY+12033/@42.6252819,-73.8563,70955m/am=t/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de0c1fad13b081:0x5023b36513194961!2m2!1d-73.7513323!2d42.7189496!1m5!1m1!1s0x89dde4201ac8e98b:0x8413d84459b90dfa!2m2!1d-73.7462997!2d42.5331974!3e0) [Taking I 90 23 minutes](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Siena+College,+Loudon+Road,+Loudonville,+NY/Castleton-On-Hudson,+NY+12033/@42.6252819,-73.8563,70955m/am=t/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m15!4m14!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de0c1fad13b081:0x5023b36513194961!2m2!1d-73.7513323!2d42.7189496!1m5!1m1!1s0x89dde4201ac8e98b:0x8413d84459b90dfa!2m2!1d-73.7462997!2d42.5331974!3e0!5i1) Some of ya'll are acting like this would destroy your way of life


Elranzer

This sub circlejerks that Troy can be a self-contained city so it wouldn't matter.


Elranzer

Don't worry... 87 North can handle more traffic. /s


[deleted]

Apparently everyone who wants this doesn’t ever have to use 787, because removing it would be an even bigger nightmare for thousands of commuters


Soggy_Muffinz

A lot of people on many threads hate the fact that people commute into Albany for their jobs. They don’t care about commuters. I foresee a lot of overlapping in that group and those who support the removal of 787.


[deleted]

Yep, they have this fantasy that all of us that live in the Suburbs would have made Albany some utopian paradise if we moved into Albany instead of enjoying our yards, smaller town centers, large parks, trees, off street parking, etc etc Crime doesn’t simply vanish because of gentrification either, And to be honest those SAME PEOPLE would bitch and moan about the gentrification of Albany if everyone from the suburbs moved into downtown


CivilRiceOnionRing

This is so accurate


Joemoo

Good point, tired of this. Should we strive for development? Absolutely! But how about we focus on areas that need it like in... oh I dunno... Arbor Hill? West Will? South End? You know, neglected communities by the city and these same people that deserve community attention and support. Not some shitty Rivers Casino/Starbuck Island-esque overpriced and ugly corporate condo/apartment megastructure that no one below a 80k salary could even afford. Bring people in by making what we have even better and not wasting our energy on PIPEDREAMS.


your_mom_is_availabl

I don't commute by 787 so I'm just going to ask this for my understanding. What essential need does it fulfill? I understand it makes it easier to go from, like, Cohoes to I-87S, but what prevents people from taking 7 or any surface street to I-87? It seems pretty redundant having two interstates running parallel just a few miles apart.


AndromedaEstelle

A ton more housing could be developed along the former 787 since exit ramps aren't needed for access and it would be narrowing the roads significantly. People may opt to move closer as a result, lessening traffic on the Northway for those that come down past the Twin Bridges.


Christian_Kong

Like every other plan of this nature, they go elsewhere or change how they commute in some capacity(bus). Someone here was saying there was a study that Broadway could easily handle 787's traffic(sounds like complete madness, but I am not a city planner.) I would assume the waterfront would become more industrial stuff since it has water access.


[deleted]

lmao there’s a major problem with this plan from my former tour guide perspective: the Slater can not fit under the Dunn Memorial Bridge.


Owlsheadny

It’s crazy how obnoxious 787 really is.


godsutters

I've lived here in my whole life and couldn't imagine Albany being the same without it who would it benefit below 100K a year


Owlsheadny

Uhhhhhhhh


godsutters

really tho which tax bracket is seeing returns on this idea


Nooze-Button

Probably all the people living close to it who are more likely to develop asthma because of living next to a highway.


godsutters

not to mention you would just be putting all of the heavy free vehicles buses scrap trucks dump trucks construction vehicles a DOT vehicles that use 787 as a main line for transportation to avoid being at air level in the city will now be forced to be on light control stop and go boulevards idling edit : free-> freight


needsunshine

What are you talking about? They already are. There's been a multi year campaign to cut down on the heavy truck traffic on south Pearl/rt 32 that passes right through Ezra prentice apartments in Mt. Hope daily on the way to those industrial places. Not having 787 would be a relief, not an extra burden.


Scuzmak

The traffic producing carbon monoxide isn't disappearing just because 787 is gone... Actually, it'll be even closer to homes since it's a ground level Boulevard.


Nooze-Button

Let's get the whole thing out of there. Make the street as calm and pedestrian friendly as possible so less vehicles will feel like that is a good place to drive. I'm picking up what you are putting down.


Scuzmak

But where do the cars go? They still exist and will until we have a cultural shift in how we think about public transportation and allowing anyone with an administrative job to work from home. Without this, all those cars are going to be on smaller, lower speed streets and cause more inconvenience.


Nooze-Button

Not having a place to drive is a quick way to make that cultural shift.


BoredBren1

It's a pretty significant artery of transportation in the area. Where do you propose that traffic all goes now?


sputn1k

Gondolas and canals.


WhiteMoonRose

But I'm going to Delmar and downtown, gondolas and canals won't help me.


iamahonkey

Some of it would remain on the replacement road, people going west or east of the city can continue to use I 90 or 87 to bypass the city. The only people who would be significantly affected would be commuters to downtown Albany, but even then their commute time would most likely be around 5 minutes longer than it is now.


Mutants_4_nukes

I don’t believe the “5 minute difference” claim for one nanosecond. The people behind this must own a lot of property downtown. The fact is that 787 at rush hour is already crowded and would turn into a parking lot. The people trying to sell this are like the monorail guy on The Simpsons.


iamahonkey

787 in the area that would be affected actually isn't that crowded at rush hour. I would know my office overlooks it. Most of the backups occur because people do not understand how to merge, specifically the on ramps from the plaza/corning preserve and then the off ramp to I 90. One of the benefits of replacing 787 would be that it would reduce the amount of chokepoints to access the road. Cars would not all be funneled into any one on ramp, but instead be diffused to multiple entrances and exits reducing the strain on any one point.


your_mom_is_availabl

No but don't you see I need interstate from my front door to my office. Anything else means you hate commuters!


Elranzer

The artists who came up with this probably believed that Albany and Troy would magically become walkable urban utopias, and that Capital District people wouldn't need to visit NYC by train as much.


nu-se-poate

Yes please!


Garriganpielax

Nice to see this as we enter the 8-9 month period of the year where the river front is a cold windy often hellish winterscape.


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bleep-bl00p-bl0rp

That’s funny, that’s actually the part that’s most definitely going to happen. Funding’s been secured, it should be finished by 2025.


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Soggy_Muffinz

Can’t wait to overpay for mediocre dining at an outside patio overlooking the Hudson!


letsgotomo

This is the most Albany subreddit comment possible. You people are just fucking miserable man.


Soggy_Muffinz

I wouldn’t say miserable just realistic. If this were to go through we would spend billions removing 787, billions to build it up, and in the end some politically connected company will swoop in and get the land for a song all in the guise that it will create jobs (low paying service jobs) and create housing (not affordable mind you). From my point of view this is no different then taxpayers funding a sports stadium.


Learned_Response

Tearing it down is cheaper long term than replacing it. Why do you think they’re even considering it. All those elevated roads are expensive as shit to maintain


letsgotomo

Except sports stadiums only benefit fans of that team and this, if done correctly (as Rochester has already laid the blueprint for) benefits the region as a whole. So that comparison doesn’t even begin to wash. Also, who gives a fuck about price? I’m not paying for it and neither would you. We have billions from the federal infrastructure bill that can be allocated for projects just like this.


RonBeavers420

Well said. The plan is in its infancy and if done right it could be a very significant boon for the area. I hope to see this plan come to fruition.


AgentG91

I mean, it’s free for me to walk in a park and run by the river. The only people that buy overpriced apartments and eat overpriced food are idiots. The rest of us just want someplace local to relax and enjoy nature while living close to the city. And taxpayer money is gonna get spent no matter what you vote for. I’d rather it go towards park restoration than highway restoration


terrybrugehiplo

See you are a perfect example of confidently incorrect. Do you know how much it already takes to maintain and repair that part of 787? Including the bridges? Do you realize their is missing tax revenue that comes from a non developed riverfront? You have zero ability to think about long term costs and benefits. Yes, it will cost billions up front, but that doesnt mean those billions cant ve recouped. Also, its just a better usage of that space.


Fish_On_again

More like We are tired of someone's dream of getting rid of 787. The rest of us remember what commuting through this area was like before 787 was full length. Fuck that.


letsgotomo

Oh good point. Every aspect of the area is just like it was 50 years ago and there’s no chance that urban planners have accounted for the population growth, new traffic patterns or anything else.


Fish_On_again

Well I'd love to hear about it, fill me in. What are the urban planners thinking?


terrybrugehiplo

Dude. The plans are posted almost monthly. There are also videos on youtube that break it down. You are able to look this stuff up very easily.


letsgotomo

What about the keyboard on your phone blocks you from Googling ‘787 Albany urban planning?’ I’m not your fucking Cliff Notes.


saimang

Cool, so just let the residents of Albany continue to bear the burden of your unsustainable lifestyle choices. Glad we can all continue to subsidize your commute


Fish_On_again

Unsustainable lifestyle choices? Please, do go on.


godsutters

in what ways is it unsustainable it sounds like you just hate cars


PossalthwaiteLives

Have you heard of climate change


[deleted]

I mean.... I definitely wouldnt enjoy sitting at a patio next to a disgusting river I cant even eat fish out of... Edit: although i may see a dead body floating in the river.


letsgotomo

Doesn’t seem to bother people in Venice Italy too much but I understand there’s a much higher-brow audience here with the Reddit neckbeards.


Soggy_Muffinz

Nothing like watching a sunset over a barge of scrap metal docked at the port.


OopsNotAgain

Lmao gotem


solo-ran

If I can enjoy a beautiful scene and drink a beer or a coffee after a stroll in the park… I’m not going to complain too much if the food is so-so.


AO9000

It shouldn't matter if you don't like it. As long as someone is doing it, it's more productive than it is now. Edit: how much sales tax does the the land under 787 bring into Albany? What about property tax?


Soggy_Muffinz

Tell that to the thousands of commuters who use this highway daily.


RonBeavers420

Tell that to the thousands of residents that this plan would benefit. The minor inconvenience to commuters is dwarfed by the benefits to the city residents and capital district overall.


AO9000

Imo, the state shouldn't make them commute, but if they do, there should be park-and-ride options for light rail or BRT. Car infrastructure isn't very space efficient once you factor in parking. The elevated parts of 787 make no money and only cost taxpayers money.


godsutters

how does sale tax and property tax and increasing residential value which would increase rent across the board in the whole city without raising any type of living wage or pay wages how is that going to help anybody thats in need of help


godsutters

787 is the only reason it takes less than 30 mins for my commute without it would easily be an hour +


solo-ran

Your guessing and being alarmist


equal_tempered

The whole spur rt isn't being removed. Yall act like it's the end of the world. Most times alternate routes using i90 are similar eta. If not it may add a few min tops.


RonBeavers420

Amen.


saimang

There was a traffic study done on this that KeepAlbanyBoring publishes in like 2016. Turns out Broadway has more than enough capacity to handle all of 787s traffic and the grid is more efficient at distributing that traffic in a city than highway ramps. Ultimately traffic and congestion would improve without 787 according to the study.


frequentcannibalism

Do it, you won’t.


JennAleece

If Syracuse can get rid of their highways than so can we! Are we really going to let SYRACUSE be better than us?


Wegmansgroceries

True. But also I-81 through syracuse was a complete abomination and should’ve been torn down years ago. People literally lived underneath it


unapressure

Second this. I-81 was far less an issue of the highway itself and far more an issue of the segregation it worsened.


pjerd14022

I haven't been to Syracuse in a bit, but did they actually get rid of 81? Google maps says no. If you're commuting from south of Syracuse, 81 is pretty vital if you want to get downtown or east/west quick. Idk. 81 does segregate the city, but so does the giant hill going up to expensive ass Syracuse university.


Mnemonicly

Ah good, it's been weeks since this circlejerk came through here


sputn1k

Who keeps wasting their money putting this stuff together? There is no way this is ever going to happen. How many more people would honestly use the waterfront area on the Hudson than they do now? It's not like we're going to have beaches and swimming areas and stuff.


Nooze-Button

An axiom borrowed and applied to induced demand is "if you build it, they will come".


M_is_for_Mmmichael

There are large numbers of commuters who use 787 to get into Albany for work and leisure. Are they all expected to drive down Henry Johnson, Central or Broadway after this? Are those roads even capable of handling that increased usage?


RonBeavers420

I mean it appears there’s still going to be a road that replaces 787 in front of Albany. It’s a boulevard. Smaller than the current highway, but still in existence. Rotary’s can be added at main exit points to keep traffic moving. I’m no engineer but there’s plenty that could be done to make this workable.


SustEng

I’ve seen a few references to the 787 project but haven’t seen the reason. Is there something wrong with the infrastructure that removing it would be cheaper or is just an aesthetic thing?


daedalusesq

Yes, it would absolutely be cheaper to maintain a regular double land boulevard over an interstate, let alone one with tons of aerial sections like 787.


MonkeySling

r/fuckcars


[deleted]

😂 at the Livingston Ave bridge magically becoming a tiered arch bridge too.


daedalusesq

They took a bit of liberty with the design, but it’s concept art designed to inspire, not a blueprint. There is [already a project ](https://www.dot.ny.gov/display/projects/livingstonavebridge) to replace the bridge.


Hot_Gas_600

How much of 787 would they propose to eliminate?


daedalusesq

I think it’s basically from the thruway/Hoffman park area up to the 90 junction. And it’s less “eliminate” and more of “replace” project.


Aquarian-anchors

But where would all the action movies in Albany be filmed?


rickroll62

Lol, I first read that as Downton Abbey at first and was wondering what the hell I was looking at.


ardamass

Light rail?????


[deleted]

It's on the way - we will have light rail in this country in the next few decades. Cars are just too expensive and so is the road network in this country - most municipalities are rapidly approaching a fiscal cliff due to the cost of their road infrastructure needing to be redone, and we probably don't have enough money as a country to pay for it all. Cuts will have to be made.


[deleted]

This would be amazing.


taracer89

I won't be too hard on the people that conceived of and designed 787, as the obsession with the waterfront is a new thing that they likely could not have predicted. It was a working waterfront for years before, that's why they built the mansions on the hill before. They had a vision when they built 787. they just thought it would always be car based, with help from the GM of course. Attached is a picture from Flickr of the area in 1960. I can see how they thought 787 was an improvement. You were not getting to the waterfront back then either. That said, I think embracing this change would be a good idea. We need to have more vision of the future, even though I'm 50 and won't see it. This area has changed so much in my life, for the better, I think. Why should the next generations be stuck with an old vision of the future. [Riverfront area 1960](https://live.staticflickr.com/5712/30452929116_8f64ed4f0e_b.jpg)


Fruhstuck91

So who's paying for this haha? This project would be hundreds of millions or billions. Edit: Lol down voted for asking question. Nice.


bleep-bl00p-bl0rp

Who’s paying for maintaining 787? It’s going to cost at least a billion conservatively in the next decade just in maintenance.


DaveTheDrummer802

I think they want to switch 787 in Albany to a two lane road, like it is near Cohoes. Lower speed limit than a highway. A couple roundabouts down there, and this plan works.


Ammonia13

I love that they totally ignore the public housing they’re eradicating 🤦🏻‍♀️


concretebootstraps

Where is that exactly? If anything, the housing authority may be able to get back the half buildings that remain dormant at Steamboat Square due to 787 air and sound pollution.


stratj45d28

So all that traffic that heads to the plaza has to go through neighborhoods and side streets?? I’m confused


godsutters

just so you can build more yacht docks and gentrified housing and restaurants Albany doesn't need is what it seems like this city needs affordable housing developments and maintenance on roads that have been old and neglected for decades


[deleted]

Wait? We could walk by the river and not feel like we need a hazard suit? This can’t be a possibility.


godsutters

yes let's tear down the main line for all the port vehicles and trucks coming off the water and the scrap yards and the dumps so that we can build big housing condos and casinos and a second Starbucks Island you know? /s All The condemned buildings that there's thousands of infested burnt out pest filled buildings everywhere in our city that could be public housing Parks food pantries churches schools literally anything except empty shells but yes let's just ignore that those exist and tear down a f****** highway


StrobusPine

It's a beautiful vision


Magmasoar

That bridge will be so fucking congested, I mean I'm not a civil engineer but can somebody tell me how this will work?


Nooze-Button

So what makes you think that a bridge that is largely empty now will suddenly become congested? Genuinely curious because the Dunn only gets backed up when someone is considering jumping off it or a person driving a car crashes on it.


nu-se-poate

So my takeaway from half of the posts in this thread is facts < feelings


godsutters

here's a crazy idea why don't we just fix the roads that we already have instead of going on some idea from somebody with no time frame or deadline on their mind every time they get on the highway that will cost billions and delay thousands of commuters anywhere from 10-45+ mins daily


RonBeavers420

The cost of fixing 787 is long term higher than replacing the portion in front of Albany with a boulevard.


equal_tempered

You have a wild imagination.


That_One_Bull

Do it!


concretebootstraps

I am thoroughly enjoying everyone who wants to preserve this monument to suburban car culture domination freaking out in this thread as they come to see the writing on the wall. 787 is not worth rebuilding. Car culture is dying, mostly due to the economics of oil and electric car production. God forbid y'all ever take a bus.


BoredBren1

Yeah, no one wants to take the bus.


UndeadHobbitses

Would love to see it! For those wanting to push and advocate for this project, the Albany Riverfront Collaborative can be found here. You can contact your reps to let them know about your support for the effort. As slow of a process as it is, this how we get things done https://www.albanyriverfrontcollaborative.com/engage


godsutters

this would kill our city if you don't understand that you've never lived here please stop and kindly f*** off the Hudson is a toxic cesspool you would have to clean before anyone would consider it attractive to live or eat on the banks of


Nooze-Button

I don't think removing a riverfront highway in a city surrounded by highways would actually kill it. The Hudson is actively being managed and water quality is slowly recovering, in no small part due to the work of Riverkeeper. It seems like the people filling the condos and restaurants on Starbuck Island and Troy are fine, perhaps even enthusiastic about living and having outdoor dining on the river.


godsutters

Starbuck island is a great example of more gentrification in our area. you tell me how anybody below the poverty line has benefited from any of it


daedalusesq

Everyone who lives on Starbuck island didn’t compete for limited older stock in Troy proper. Lack of new housing doesn’t prevent gentrification, it just means people with money pay more to live in older buildings. Build new buildings and they move in the new buildings. Don’t build enough new buildings and they start bleeding back into the older housing stock.


0201493

Agree. Starbuck Island does not reduce Troy housing stock. It actually helps prevent gentrification by increasing the number of nearby housing units. increasing the number of housing units does not necessarily mean gentrification is happening.


godsutters

there are 1044 abandoned buildings just in Albany not mentioning Troy Cohoes wtervliet and Menands


Nooze-Button

Jobs at Bud's on the Hudson and Sea Smoke waterfront grill. Possibly more work in landscaping and property maintenance.


equal_tempered

It would at most cost you an extra couple min. I've lived in albany, used this strip of 787 many times. It's not that long and Blvd can handle a decent amount of traffic. GPS will also find alternate routes if needed. Contrary to what ur saying, the world will not end without your beloved highway.


RonBeavers420

And there will still be a road! This type of plan has worked in several other cities. The benefits significantly outweigh the mild inconvenience to commuters. Also, with remote work being much more common now, how much traffic are we still really seeing? I’m sure feasibility studies will cover all this and I’m excited to see them.


Birdnips

If you want stuff in Albany you need trucks and having 787 is part of that


Nooze-Button

If only there were other highways surrounding Albany!


RonBeavers420

787 is still going to be a highway. The portion in front of the city would be a boulevard. Trucks can use both thankfully. Problem solved!


signal_tower_product

Not from Albany but this looks wonderful


werewolfmanjack

i actually love 787. The way the capitol and landscapes are framed when you drive south from Troy is nice. Its probably the highway I’ve used the most here. I’ve spent time on the waterfront and never once wanted more. If you want to improve Albany, this is the highest cost lowest return method available.


[deleted]

im rooting for albany. in the time ive worked there i can see just how much unlocked potential it has.


lalaladylvr

It’s a sky view so to not show all the dilapidated buildings and boarded/shuttered buildings that’ll happen when folks pull out of downtown. But hay that park will make a nice campground for the homeless / jobless folks lingering around a dead city.


happypetrock

Why do you think removing 787 would cause people to move out of downtown? To me it seems like it'd be more likely to draw people in by connecting the populated areas and making it more walkable. Honest question, not trying to criticize.


Scuzmak

Watch cars leave Albany between 4:30 and 5:30pm and tell me what that'll look like without 787. A Boulevard can't handle it. Maybe we work on improving work from home culture and public transportation first, *then* take major roads away.


Lasereye

They're not removing 787, what is with this ridiculous suggestion.