Nassau Expressway (NY 878)
The Nassau Expressway, designated NY 878, is a short but significant highway in southern Queens and western Nassau County. Running parallel to Rockaway Boulevard and the Belt Parkway, the expressway was originally planned as a longer route connecting southern Queens to Nassau’s South Shore. Today, it functions primarily as a vital access road for John F. Kennedy International Airport and as a key east–west commuter route for drivers in Far Rockaway, Inwood, Lawrence, Cedarhurst, and the surrounding Five Towns area.
History
- Initial Planning: Conceived in the mid-20th century as part of a larger expressway system to connect Queens with Long Island’s South Shore.
- Construction: Work began in the 1960s, with the Queens section near JFK Airport completed first.
- Unfinished Sections: While the Nassau Expressway was planned to extend much further, portions were never built due to community opposition, environmental concerns, and funding shortfalls.
- Current Status: Today, NY 878 exists in two disconnected sections – one serving as a limited-access highway in Queens and the other as a surface arterial road in Nassau.
Route and Significance
- Western Terminus: Intersects the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) and Belt Parkway near JFK Airport.
- Queens Section: Provides a limited-access connection between the Belt Parkway/Van Wyck and Rockaway Boulevard.
- Nassau Section: Operates as a four- to six-lane arterial road through Inwood, Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, and Valley Stream.
- Length: Approximately 10 miles (combined sections).
- Importance: Critical for JFK access and the heavily traveled Five Towns corridor.
Exits (Queens Limited-Access Section)
| Exit | Destinations |
|---|---|
| 1W / 1E | Belt Parkway West / Belt Parkway East – Staten Island, Long Island |
| 1A | Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) – Whitestone Bridge, Bronx |
| 2 | Rockaway Boulevard – South Ozone Park, JFK Airport |
| 3 | North Conduit Avenue – Howard Beach, Aqueduct Racetrack |
| 4 | JFK Expressway – Direct access to Kennedy Airport terminals |
Notable Facts
- Known locally as “Route 878” or the “Nassau Expressway,” despite being only partially completed.
- Plays a critical role in easing congestion on Rockaway Boulevard, especially for airport traffic.
- The Nassau section (Five Towns) is often congested, acting as the only major east–west thoroughfare in the area.
- Serves both commuters and commercial vehicles, unlike parkways which restrict trucks.
Area Snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1960s (Queens section), 1970s (Nassau section) |
| Length | ~10 miles (combined) |
| Western Terminus | Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) / Belt Parkway |
| Eastern Terminus | Meadowbrook Parkway (planned, but unbuilt) |
| Restrictions | Open to all vehicles |
| Primary Role | JFK Airport access & Five Towns commuter route |
The Nassau Expressway (NY 878) may be one of the shortest and most fragmented highways in New York, but it remains critically important. As the main route connecting JFK Airport with southern Queens and the Five Towns, it plays a vital role in both regional travel and daily commuting. Though much of the original expressway plan was never completed, the existing sections continue to serve as an indispensable link between Queens, Nassau County, and Long Island’s South Shore.
