Inner Loop (Rochester)

Template:Infobox NY Reference Route The Inner Loop is an expressway that encloses downtown Rochester, New York, United States. Although the expressway is a continuous loop, only the portion of the loop north of Interstate 490 is signed as the "Inner Loop". This expressway doesn't have "Exits" but does however have turnoffs and ramps to get off and on to. The official western terminus of the Inner Loop is at I-490 exit 13 in the shadow of Frontier Field west of downtown. The eastern terminus is at I-490 exits 15 and 16 directly south of downtown on the east bank of the Genesee River. North of I-490, the loop is designated New York State Reference Route 940T, an unsigned reference route, by NYSDOT. This segment, however, is visibly signed with unique orange trapezoidal shields with the words "Inner Loop" in white.

Over the past decade, traffic volume has remained constant on the roadway; however, overall usage from its completion in 1965 to today has declined as jobs and residents continue to migrate away from the inner city.

Aside from its primary purpose as an expressway, the Inner Loop creates a division, both physically and mentally, between downtown and the rest of the city, defining a definite center for Rochester.

Route description

The Inner Loop encircles Rochester, beginning, from west to east, at exit 13 on Interstate 490. The Loop then passes Frontier Field, the home of the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, running parallel to the CSX mainline for roughly 0.5 miles and crossing the Genesee River at the top of High Falls before separating from the railroad at the Amtrak station on Central Avenue. This is also the location of the first exit on the Loop heading east and is the beginning of the frontage roads that run parallel to the loop along its length. The Loop then continues east to where it rejoins I-490 at exits 15 (eastbound) and 16 (westbound). The loop is then closed and connected by I-490, creating a continuous circle.

Future

As traffic on the Inner Loop declines, the city is looking into ways to better utilize the area of land surrounding the loop. One proposal, which has already mounted merit for federal monetary aid, would reduce the number of lanes on the loop between Clinton and Main to make room for shops and businesses.

Exit list

Exits are listed in a clockwise (CW) direction, which is west to east along the north side of the loop. This list includes the portion of the Loop routed on I-490 and not officially part of NY 940T.

County	Location	Mile	#	Destinations	Notes
Monroe	Rochester	0.00		I-490 west - Buffalo	I-490 joins CCW and leaves CW; Inner Loop CW takes exit 13 from I-490 west
		0.38		State Street/North Plymouth Avenue	CCW exit, CW entrance
		0.73		Downtown/St. Paul Street/Clinton Avenue/Joseph Avenue
		1.01		Scio Street	CW exit, CCW entrance
		1.17		East Main Street/University Avenue	CCW exit and entrance, CW exit
		1.32		East Avenue (NY 96)/Broad Street	CW exit and entrance, CCW exit
		2.11		NY 31 (Monroe Avenue)/Clinton Avenue
		2.33		NY 15 (Clinton Avenue)/South Avenue	CW exit, CCW exit
		2.68		I-490 east	CW exit and entrance, CCW exit; I-490 joins CW and leaves CCW Inner Loop CCW takes exit 15 from I-490 east
			14	Broad Street/Plymouth Avenue	CW exit, CCW entrance