Description of the "Flyover"

The term "Flyover" is used to describe an E-ZPass only ramp which crosses another roadway or ramp. The narrative below describes the location and number of lanes for each of the proposed Flyover ramps.

In general, the proposed Flyover ramps consist of a single lane ramp connecting the Thruway and Northway. The following Interchange 24 Concepts include a flyover ramp:

Concept H (Exit 1 Flyover) – The Flyover ramp would exit the Thruway northbound north of Washington Avenue Extension. This one-lane ramp would cross over two ramps: the ramp from the Thruway to the Northway southbound and the ramp from the Northway southbound to I-90 eastbound. The Flyover ramp would then pass under the Northway and merge with the two lanes of the existing Thruway to Northway northbound ramp. The new third lane, added by the flyover ramp, would drop prior to the ramp’s merge with the Northway northbound.

Concept J (Exit 1 & Western Ave Flyover) – This concept includes two flyover ramps, one at Northway Exit 1 and one at Western Avenue.

The Exit 1 Flyover ramp would exit the Thruway with the Interchange 24 eastbound exiting traffic and then diverge from this exit ramp prior to the Interchange 24 toll plaza. This one-lane ramp would cross over two ramps: the ramp from the Thruway to the Northway southbound and the ramp from the Northway southbound to I-90 eastbound. The Flyover ramp would then pass under the Northway and merge with the two lanes of the existing Thruway to Northway northbound ramp. The new third lane, added by the flyover ramp, would drop prior to the ramp’s merge with the Northway northbound.

The Western Ave Flyover ramp would exit the Thruway just north of Schoolhouse Road and merge with the Western Avenue eastbound/Schoolhouse Road entrance ramp to the Northway prior to the bridge over Western Avenue. The proposed one-lane ramp would combine with the existing one-lane ramp, resulting in a two-lane bridge over Western Avenue. The elevation of the flyover ramp would closely match the elevation of the existing Northway entrance ramp over Western Avenue. The length of the new ramp would be approximately 925 feet. The proposed two-lane ramp would continue northward to the existing merge from the Western Avenue westbound entrance ramp to the Northway. At this point the new lane from the Flyover would drop and the existing two-lane cross-section of the Northway would continue northbound to Exit 1.

Concept K (Western Ave Flyover) – The proposed ramp is similar to the Concept J Western Ave Flyover. The ramp would diverge from the Thruway near Schoolhouse Road and merge with the Northway entrance ramp from Western Avenue eastbound/Schoolhouse road. The proposed one-lane ramp would combine with the existing one-lane ramp, resulting in a two-lane bridge over Western Avenue. The elevation and length of the proposed ramp would be the same as Concept J.

Two and Four Mainline Barriers Concepts (Interchange 24, Western Ave Flyover) – The proposed ramp is similar to the Interchange 24 Concepts J and K Western Ave Flyover ramp, except the ramp would be a two-lane ramp between the Thruway and Northway. The proposed two-lane ramp would combine with the existing one-lane ramp, resulting in a three-lane bridge over Western Avenue. The two additional lanes associated with this ramp would merge with the Northway and taper into the Northway prior to the northbound entrance ramp from Crossgates Mall. The elevation and length of the proposed ramp would be the same as Concept J.