New York I-86 Statement by Martin Weiss
A statement by Martin Weiss, Team Leader, National Systems and Economic Development Team, Office of Interstate and Border Planning, FHWA.
In mid September 2005 [i] , I visited the central portion of the I-86 corridor in New York State, in company with George Miner, Director of Economic Growth for the Southern Tier Central Section.The visit served two purposes. The first was to get a first hand look at the corridor and especially to view any changes that had ensued since an earlier consultant study was completed. The second was to become more informed about the economic impact that the widening, to 4 lanes, upgrading of interchanges and designation of an Interstate (I-86) has had. The general improvement of the I-86 corridor has been underway for a number of years and other improvements are anticipated; including extending the portion improved to Interstate standards and also improving US-15 from the area near Corning, NY toward the south (this portion of US-15 is anticipated to eventually become I-99
The map below was developed in late 2004 to show the anticipated eastward extension of I-86.
I had previously looked at the western portion of the I-86 corridor and wrote a statement about my observations. That statement also contains some information on the unusual history of this portion of the Interstate System.
Eastbound NY-17 in Tioga County, NY, September 2005. Signing indicates that this highway is future I-86. |
One of the most interesting questions raised with respect to the 1998 designation of future I-86 was how prospective employers would respond to a future interstate. Mr. Miner reports that he has found such employers responded positively when they were informed of the designation in conjunction with a credible schedule for implementation of transportation improvements. A "selling point" was the offer to get an interstate location at pre interstate prices.
Among the recent successful developments in this portion of the I-86 corridor is the opening of some a major industrial employer just south of Corning on US-15, which as noted above is to eventually become future I-99.
|
Catalytic converters for diesel trucks are made at the Corning-Dresser industrial plant. The first unit, which employs about 500, was completed in 2004 and expansion began in the spring of 2005. The plant is on US 15 (future I-99) about 4 miles south of I-86. |
I-99 Corridor sign on northbound US 15 about 20 miles south of the NY/PA State line. |
In addition other industrial employers and also some technology employers have opened recently. These developments are near portions of I-86 that were designated in just the past year and a half.
|
James Johnson, Vice President of the Southern Tier Economic Growth Group in 2002, took this aerial photo of the NUCOR steel plant under construction. The plant is located in the Town of Chemung, approximately 10 miles east of Elmira in an area rezoned for industrial use as a result of the I-86 improvement and designation. It is operated by the Vulcraft division of NUCOR and currently employs about 225 employees. |
X-GEN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. makes generic products at an industrial plant near Exit 50 of I86 (about halfway between Corning and Elmira, NY).The plant opened in 2005 and has about 50-60 employees. |
SYNTHES (USA) makes orthopedic implants. The plant was completed in 2005 and has about 300 employees. It is located off I-86 at Airport Corporate Park between Corning and Elmira, NY. The State of New York provided funds to extend Airport Park Drive to accommodate this development. |
Other relatively large employers in the service sector have opened and a potential major retail redevelopment is likely also.
|
General Revenue, a division of Sallie Mae, employs about 220 at this office completed in 2004. Employment is expected to expend, potentially to 500. The office is located off I-86 at Airport Corporate Park between Corning and Elmira, NY. |
This site, about 2 miles north of Elmira, NY off I-86 was once an A & P food processing plant. Plans are in an advanced stage that will result in demolishing the plant and redeveloping the site as a shopping mall. |
Although these developments are too recent to significantly affect the regional employment, they do show what could be a successful economic development process associated prominently with the process of completing improvements in the I-86 corridor and subsequently designating this as an interstate.
[i] All images were made in mid September 2005 unless otherwise stated. All statements on number of employees, etc. are valid as of September 2005
