I-790 EB starts out multiplexed with NY 8/12 (5 is a given, as it never leaves 790's side), and then breaks away on the north side of the Mohawk River to run alongside I-90. They never actualy meet though, making this a rather unncessary Interstate designation. I don't see how a patchwork route that doesn't connect to its parent can possibly be justified. First two photos are courtesy Doug Kerr, and the third is on the left leg of the exit ramp seen in the second photo.


Same place, completely different interchange configuration, 1976 courtesy Michael Summa. Visit the NY 8 (5/8/12) page linked below to find out what changed.


I-790/NY 5 WB and NY 8/12 SB; I-790 ends here, as do NY 5S and 5A (at each other). To avoid complete duplication of both pages' photos, you'll have to visit the NY 8 page linked at bottom for the ramp signage.


The only eastbound interchange between NY 8/12 and the end of I-790, and the most important one. The only way I-790 is justified is by the fact that there is a direct EB connection to the Exit 31 toll plaza via this ramp. In fact, the ramp to the toll plaza in the third photo is the original route of I-790, which was an undivided Super-2 freeway from NY 5/8/12 to the plaza. Some Genesee St. ramps were added in, the old WB through lane was taken out along with most of the original route west of Genesee St., and frontage roads were added as the new route of I-790. At least it's a multi-lane freeway now, but it still doesn't make sense.

Notice that I-790 is not signed at all once it leaves 8 and 12, at least on overheads (there is an END shield).


Westbound, Genesee St. only has an onramp, no offramp from I-790, so the first interchange is already the start of the quadruplex. The first photo, from the button copy era, is courtesy Doug Kerr. The newer advance sign gets very TO-happy. None of these should be TO - all of the ramps lead directly to the stated routes. It remains to be seen after the EB signs are replaced whether I-790 will be signed along either side of I-90 or only when multiplexed with 5/8/12. In some of the photos you see mixed button copy and reflective copy - the button copy predates the interchange reconfiguration.

Onto NY 5 alone

Onto NY 8
Onto NY 12 and 5/8/12
Onto NY 5S
Onto NY 5A
Onto NY 49
Onto I-90
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