Reimagining I-787: Connecting Communities Through Smarter Infrastructure
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
What if infrastructure could do more than move traffic? What if it could reconnect communities, restore access to the waterfront, and support a healthier, more connected and resilient city?
Parsons, in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), has completed the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study for the Reimagining I-787 initiative. This marks a major milestone in shaping the future of the corridor and lays the foundation for a transformation that balances mobility, community, and sustainability.
A New Approach To Transportation Planning
The I-787 corridor has long been vital to Albany and the Capital Region. However, the elevated structure, limited access, and physical footprint have separated neighborhoods and cut the city off from the Hudson River. The PEL process offered an opportunity to explore how the corridor could be reimagined to better serve the people who live, work, and travel in the area.
The study took a broader perspective rather than focusing on one solution. It examined transportation, environmental, and community needs together.
We worked closely with NYSDOT to evaluate multiple corridor concepts, gather public input, and align planning with future environmental reviews. The result is a smarter, more collaborative approach to early decision-making.
Five Concepts For A Stronger Future
The study identified five concepts for further engineering and environmental analysis. These concepts range from modernizing the existing infrastructure to reconfiguring parts of I-787 as a surface-level boulevard that emphasizes safety, accessibility, and neighborhood connections by reconnecting downtown Albany with the Hudson River waterfront.
All five concepts reflect key priorities:
- Safer and more efficient movement of people and goods
- Better connections between neighborhoods and the Hudson River
- Enhanced access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users
- Reduced maintenance costs and improved climate resilience
This flexible planning framework clearly establishes the starting point for future project phases while allowing room to adapt as conditions evolve.
Community Collaboration at the Core
The PEL study was shaped by the people it serves. Parsons and NYSDOT led an extensive public engagement effort, including open houses, stakeholder meetings, and direct outreach to residents, businesses, elected officials, and interest groups.
This process helped surface local concerns, priorities, and ideas that informed the corridor concepts and helped build momentum for future decisions. Listening first, then planning, is how we create infrastructure that works for everyone.
What Happens Next
With the PEL complete, the Reimagining I-787 initiative moves into the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) phase where the PEL concepts will be further evaluated against the project’s purpose, need, and objectives.
Parsons will continue to provide technical expertise, integrated planning, and a strong commitment to community-centered infrastructure to support NYSDOT and its partners.
Rethinking The Role Of Infrastructure
The Reimagining I-787 initiative is not just about redesigning a highway. It is about restoring connections, supporting economic vitality, and creating lasting public value.
At Parsons, we help communities rethink what infrastructure can do. By combining strategic planning with innovation, collaboration, and public trust, we build solutions that reflect local needs and shape stronger futures.
The I-787 PEL study is a crucial step forward for Albany and the evolving infrastructure role nationwide.
Let’s keep reimagining what’s possible.