New York State Route 68
Encyclopedia
New York State Route 68 (NY 68) is an east–west state highway
located entirely within St. Lawrence County
in the North Country
of New York
in the United States. The western terminus is at an intersection with NY 37
in Oswegatchie
, just west of the Ogdensburg
city limits. The eastern terminus is at a junction with NY 56
in the community of Colton within the town of Colton
. Along the way, NY 68 passes through the village of Canton
, where it overlaps with U.S. Route 11 (US 11) through the village.
NY 68 was assigned in the mid-1920s, but only from Canton to Ogdensburg. The route was extended to Colton in 1930, then truncated slightly to end at the NY 37 bypass in the 1970s. NY 68 was re-extended to its current length in 1982 as part of a highway maintenance swap between New York State and St. Lawrence County.
(NYSDOT). The only section not maintained by the state lies within the city of Ogdensburg
, where the route is locally maintained from the junction of State and Canton Streets to the southeastern city line.
(the Seaway Trail
) in Ogdensburg
. The route heads to the northeast, along the outskirts of downtown Ogdensburg. Along the way, it passes residential homes and several commercial businesses, parallelling the MacDonald-Cartier Freeway (Highway 401) to the north in Ontario
and NY 37 to the south. Route 68 crosses a branch of the St. Lawrence River in downtown Ogdensburg, passing Crescent Park soon after. Route 68 heads to the south, intersecting with NY 37 once again along with NY 812
near the Seaway Shopping Center.
After Routes 37 and 812, the road begins to leave Ogdensburg, and the lands around Route 68 become less developed. Route 68 passes the Ogdensburg International Airport
after the intersection with County Route 28A. The highway crosses through Oswegatchie
uneventfully, entering the hamlet of Flackville. Much of the region between Ogdensburg and Canton
is mostly fields, and Route 68 heads through sparsely populated areas until it reaches Canton. The highway parallels a creek before entering the village of Canton.
before passing Rushton Falls. Routes 11 and 68 become concurrent through downtown Canton, passing St. Lawrence University
and its golf course. At the intersection with NY 310
, Routes 11 and 68 split, with 68 heading to the southeast. The urbanization of Route 68 quickly dissipates again, going down hills for some distance. When the road enters the hamlet of Langdons Corners, it passes to the north of Watermann Hill. Several miles later, Route 68 enters Colton
and terminates at an intersection with NY 56
.
in Canton
to the intersection of State and Ford Streets (then-NY 3
and later NY 37
) in Ogdensburg
. In the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York, NY 68 was extended eastward through Canton to Colton
, where it ended at NY 56
. In the late 1950s, NY 37 was rerouted to bypass Ogdensburg to the south on a new alignment; however, NY 68 continued to extend past the arterial to Ford Street as late as 1969. By the following year, NY 68 was truncated to the intersection of Canton and State Streets, eliminating an overlap with NY 87. NY 68 was truncated again in the mid-1970s to end at its junction with NY 37 southeast of the city center.
On September 1, 1982, ownership and maintenance of the portion of NY 68 between the hamlet of Pierrepont and NY 58 in Colton was transferred from St. Lawrence County
to the state of New York
as part of a highway maintenance swap between the two levels of government. Also exchanged in the swap was the portion of former NY 37 between the western end of the Ogdensburg bypass and the Ogdensburg city line, which had been county maintained prior to this point. Following the swap, NY 68 was re-extended into Ogdensburg, following its former alignment as well as that of NY 37 north and west to its current terminus west of Ogdensburg.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
located entirely within St. Lawrence County
St. Lawrence County, New York
St. Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 111,944. The county seat is Canton. The county is named for the Saint Lawrence River, which in turn was named for the Catholic saint on whose Feast day the river was discovered by...
in the North Country
North Country, New York
The North Country is a region of the U.S. state of New York that encompasses the state's extreme northern frontier, bordering Lake Ontario on the west, the Saint Lawrence River and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec on the north and northwest, and Lake Champlain and Vermont on the east...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the United States. The western terminus is at an intersection with NY 37
New York State Route 37
New York State Route 37 is a state highway in the North Country of New York in the United States, extending for on a west–east axis. The western terminus of the route is at an intersection with U.S. Route 11 in Watertown, Jefferson County...
in Oswegatchie
Oswegatchie, New York
Oswegatchie is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 4,370 at the 2000 census. The name reportedly means "Black water" in the aboriginal language. It is on the northern border of the county and is adjacent to the city of Ogdensburg.- History :The area was first...
, just west of the Ogdensburg
Ogdensburg, New York
Ogdensburg is a city in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 11,128 at the 2010 census. In the late 18th century, European-American settlers named the community after American land owner and developer Samuel Ogden....
city limits. The eastern terminus is at a junction with NY 56
New York State Route 56
New York State Route 56 is a north–south state highway in eastern St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 3 in the town of Colton. Its northern terminus is at a junction with NY 37 southwest of Massena in the...
in the community of Colton within the town of Colton
Colton, New York
Colton is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, USA. The population was 1,453 at the 2000 census. The town, originally named Matildaville, is named after early settler Jesse Colton Higley....
. Along the way, NY 68 passes through the village of Canton
Canton (village), New York
Canton is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The village is centrally located in both the town of Canton and the county of St. Lawrence. The population was 5,882 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of St. Lawrence County...
, where it overlaps with U.S. Route 11 (US 11) through the village.
NY 68 was assigned in the mid-1920s, but only from Canton to Ogdensburg. The route was extended to Colton in 1930, then truncated slightly to end at the NY 37 bypass in the 1970s. NY 68 was re-extended to its current length in 1982 as part of a highway maintenance swap between New York State and St. Lawrence County.
Route description
The vast majority of NY 68 is maintained by New York State Department of TransportationNew York State Department of Transportation
The New York State Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S...
(NYSDOT). The only section not maintained by the state lies within the city of Ogdensburg
Ogdensburg, New York
Ogdensburg is a city in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 11,128 at the 2010 census. In the late 18th century, European-American settlers named the community after American land owner and developer Samuel Ogden....
, where the route is locally maintained from the junction of State and Canton Streets to the southeastern city line.
Ogdensburg to Canton
Route 68 begins at an intersection with NY 37New York State Route 37
New York State Route 37 is a state highway in the North Country of New York in the United States, extending for on a west–east axis. The western terminus of the route is at an intersection with U.S. Route 11 in Watertown, Jefferson County...
(the Seaway Trail
Seaway Trail
The Great Lakes Seaway Trail, formerly named and commonly known as the Seaway Trail, is a National Scenic Byway in the northeastern United States, mostly contained in New York but with a small segment in Pennsylvania...
) in Ogdensburg
Ogdensburg, New York
Ogdensburg is a city in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 11,128 at the 2010 census. In the late 18th century, European-American settlers named the community after American land owner and developer Samuel Ogden....
. The route heads to the northeast, along the outskirts of downtown Ogdensburg. Along the way, it passes residential homes and several commercial businesses, parallelling the MacDonald-Cartier Freeway (Highway 401) to the north in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and NY 37 to the south. Route 68 crosses a branch of the St. Lawrence River in downtown Ogdensburg, passing Crescent Park soon after. Route 68 heads to the south, intersecting with NY 37 once again along with NY 812
New York State Route 812
New York State Route 812 is a state highway in the North Country of New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 12 and NY 26 in the Lewis County village of Lowville...
near the Seaway Shopping Center.
After Routes 37 and 812, the road begins to leave Ogdensburg, and the lands around Route 68 become less developed. Route 68 passes the Ogdensburg International Airport
Ogdensburg International Airport
Ogdensburg International Airport is a public airport located two miles southeast of the central business district of Ogdensburg, a city in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. It is owned by the Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority. and is situated just outside the city limits on NYS Route...
after the intersection with County Route 28A. The highway crosses through Oswegatchie
Oswegatchie, New York
Oswegatchie is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 4,370 at the 2000 census. The name reportedly means "Black water" in the aboriginal language. It is on the northern border of the county and is adjacent to the city of Ogdensburg.- History :The area was first...
uneventfully, entering the hamlet of Flackville. Much of the region between Ogdensburg and Canton
Canton (village), New York
Canton is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The village is centrally located in both the town of Canton and the county of St. Lawrence. The population was 5,882 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of St. Lawrence County...
is mostly fields, and Route 68 heads through sparsely populated areas until it reaches Canton. The highway parallels a creek before entering the village of Canton.
Canton to Colton
In downtown Canton, Route 68 intersects with US 11U.S. Route 11 in New York
U.S. Route 11 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the Canadian border at Rouses Point, New York...
before passing Rushton Falls. Routes 11 and 68 become concurrent through downtown Canton, passing St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University is a four-year liberal arts college located in the village of Canton in Saint Lawrence County, New York, United States. It has roughly 2300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, about equally split between male and female....
and its golf course. At the intersection with NY 310
New York State Route 310
New York State Route 310 is a north–south state highway located entirely within St. Lawrence County in the North Country of the U.S. state of New York. The southern terminus is at NY 68 and U.S. Route 11 in the town of Canton, just east of the village of Canton...
, Routes 11 and 68 split, with 68 heading to the southeast. The urbanization of Route 68 quickly dissipates again, going down hills for some distance. When the road enters the hamlet of Langdons Corners, it passes to the north of Watermann Hill. Several miles later, Route 68 enters Colton
Colton, New York
Colton is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, USA. The population was 1,453 at the 2000 census. The town, originally named Matildaville, is named after early settler Jesse Colton Higley....
and terminates at an intersection with NY 56
New York State Route 56
New York State Route 56 is a north–south state highway in eastern St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 3 in the town of Colton. Its northern terminus is at a junction with NY 37 southwest of Massena in the...
.
History
When NY 68 was assigned in the mid-1920s, it extended only from US 11U.S. Route 11 in New York
U.S. Route 11 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the Canadian border at Rouses Point, New York...
in Canton
Canton (village), New York
Canton is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The village is centrally located in both the town of Canton and the county of St. Lawrence. The population was 5,882 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of St. Lawrence County...
to the intersection of State and Ford Streets (then-NY 3
New York State Route 3
New York State Route 3 is a major east–west state highway in New York, United States, that connects central New York to the North Country region near the Canadian border via Adirondack Park. The route extends for between its western terminus at an intersection with NY 104A in the Cayuga...
and later NY 37
New York State Route 37
New York State Route 37 is a state highway in the North Country of New York in the United States, extending for on a west–east axis. The western terminus of the route is at an intersection with U.S. Route 11 in Watertown, Jefferson County...
) in Ogdensburg
Ogdensburg, New York
Ogdensburg is a city in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 11,128 at the 2010 census. In the late 18th century, European-American settlers named the community after American land owner and developer Samuel Ogden....
. In the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York, NY 68 was extended eastward through Canton to Colton
Colton, New York
Colton is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, USA. The population was 1,453 at the 2000 census. The town, originally named Matildaville, is named after early settler Jesse Colton Higley....
, where it ended at NY 56
New York State Route 56
New York State Route 56 is a north–south state highway in eastern St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 3 in the town of Colton. Its northern terminus is at a junction with NY 37 southwest of Massena in the...
. In the late 1950s, NY 37 was rerouted to bypass Ogdensburg to the south on a new alignment; however, NY 68 continued to extend past the arterial to Ford Street as late as 1969. By the following year, NY 68 was truncated to the intersection of Canton and State Streets, eliminating an overlap with NY 87. NY 68 was truncated again in the mid-1970s to end at its junction with NY 37 southeast of the city center.
On September 1, 1982, ownership and maintenance of the portion of NY 68 between the hamlet of Pierrepont and NY 58 in Colton was transferred from St. Lawrence County
St. Lawrence County, New York
St. Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 111,944. The county seat is Canton. The county is named for the Saint Lawrence River, which in turn was named for the Catholic saint on whose Feast day the river was discovered by...
to the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
as part of a highway maintenance swap between the two levels of government. Also exchanged in the swap was the portion of former NY 37 between the western end of the Ogdensburg bypass and the Ogdensburg city line, which had been county maintained prior to this point. Following the swap, NY 68 was re-extended into Ogdensburg, following its former alignment as well as that of NY 37 north and west to its current terminus west of Ogdensburg.