Interstate 678 Totally Explained

Everything about Whitestone Expressway totally explained

Interstate 678 (abbreviated I-678) is a north-south spur route in the Interstate Highway System that runs 14 miles (23 km) entirely within two boroughs of New York City: Queens and the Bronx.
   Interstate 678 is more commonly referred to by New Yorkers as the Van Wyck Expressway (or just "the Van Wyck", variously pronounced Van Wick or Van Wike), and is named for Robert A. Van Wyck, the first mayor of New York City after the five boroughs were combined into one city, from 1898-1901. The Van Wyck Expressway is the roadway's locally-designated name for most of its route. Interstate 678 runs from a southern terminus at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and continues north across the Bronx Whitestone Bridge to a northern terminus at the Bruckner Interchange in the Bronx, which connects I-678 to Interstate 95 and Interstate 278. Interstate 678 also interchanges with Interstate 495, the Long Island Expressway.
   North of Northern Boulevard (Exit 13) in northern Queens, Interstate 678 is designated as the Whitestone Expressway. This section of I-678 has its origins in the Whitestone Parkway, which was built at the same time as the Bronx Whitestone Bridge so as to service it. North of the Bronx Whitestone Bridge, it follows a section of what was once the Hutchinson River Parkway. Both of these sections were converted to Interstate Highway standards in the early 1960s to allow for commercial traffic and given its Interstate designation when the conversion was completed. The Van Wyck Expressway soon linked to it, and this section became part of I-678 in 1971 after the planned Astoria Expressway was canceled. Although I-678 ends northbound at the Bruckner Interchange, the highway itself continues beyond the interchange as the Hutchinson River Parkway to the Connecticut state line, though commercial traffic isn't allowed beyond this point.
   Interstate 678 is known for its frequent traffic jams, particularly at the Kew Gardens Interchange, where it connects with the Grand Central Parkway, Jackie Robinson Parkway, Queens Boulevard (NY-25); and Union Turnpike.
   Portions of the AirTrain run on elevated tracks above I-678 south of exit 5 (Atlantic Avenue). The AirTrain is a light rail system connecting JFK Airport to Jamaica Station, a major transfer point on the Long Island Rail Road with frequent rail connections to Manhattan.
   While designated as a three-digit interstate spur route, I-678 never intersects with its ostensible "parent" interstate, Interstate 78. Plans had existed to have Interstate 78 continue through New York City from its current terminus at the Holland Tunnel and along the (unbuilt) Lower Manhattan Expressway, over the Williamsburg Bridge, onto the Bushwick Expressway to the southern end of I-678 and continue up an extended Clearview Expressway.
   The DOT is currently working on plans to extend the southbound Main Street entrance ramp as a fourth-lane that will also serve as an "Exit Only" lane for Exit 5- Atlantic Avenue. This will reduce traffic on both the Main Street entrance ramp and the expressway itself as current traffic has a very difficult time merging on the short entrance ramp.

Route description

Legally, most of I-678 is defined as part of Interstate Route Connector 515 in New York Highway Law § 340-a.

History

The Whitestone Bridge opened on April 29, 1939, and at the same time the Whitestone Parkway, leading southwest off the bridge to Northern Boulevard (NY 25A), was opened to traffic. Work was rushed to serve the 1939 New York World's Fair, which began on April 30.

Exit list

Location	Mile	#	Destinations	Notes
Queens			Terminals 5-6	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
			Terminal 7	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
				Northbound exit and southbound entrance; northbound traffic signal controls weaving with entrance from Terminal 4
			Terminals 8-9	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
			Terminal 4	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
			Terminals 1-2-3	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
	0.00	South end of I-678
			Return to Terminals, Police Building 269, Long Term Parking, Port Authority Administration, General Aviation, Tow Pound, Terminals 8-9 Hourly Parking
			All Cargo Areas, Long Term Parking, Rental Cars	Southbound exit only
			Federal Circle - Rental Car Returns, Long Term Parking, Cargo Areas
			Airport Services	Southbound exit only
			Ramada Plaza	Southbound exit and entrance
		1
	2.00	1E-W		Signed as exits 1E (east) and 1W (west)
	2.66	2	Rockaway Boulevard
		3	Linden Boulevard
		4	Liberty Avenue
	4.37	5	Atlantic Avenue
	4.76	6	Jamaica Avenue, Hillside Avenue
		7		Southbound exit and northbound entrance
		8	Main Street, Union Turnpike
	5.34	9		Southbound exit is via exit 8
	5.87	10		Northbound exit and southbound entrance
	6.78	11	69th Road, Jewel Avenue, Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Avenue - Flushing Meadows Corona Park
	7.86	12		Signed as exits 12A (east) and 12B (west)
	9.28	13A	Astoria Boulevard
	9.28	13B		Northbound exit and southbound entrance
	9.28	13C
	9.28	13D
	9.43	North end of Van Wyck Expressway; south end of Whitestone Expressway
		14	Linden Place
		15	20th Avenue
		16
		17	14th Avenue	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
		17	3rd Avenue	Northbound exit only
	12.45	Bronx Whitestone Bridge over the East River
Bronx	12.45	Bronx Whitestone Bridge over the East River
			Local Streets - Ferry Point Park	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
		18	Lafayette Avenue	Northbound exit and southbound entrance
		19	- New England, George Washington Bridge, Triboro Bridge	Northbound exit and southbound entrance
	14.33			Continuation beyond I-95/I-278

Further Information

Get more info on 'Whitestone Expressway'.

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