Editing Interstate 678 (section)

===Van Wyck Expressway===
In the 1940s, Moses proposed the construction of a system of highways that would traverse the New York City area.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1944/03/13/83966970.pdf |title = Highway Network Proposed for City Hits Albany Snag |last = Moscow |first = Warren |date = March 13, 1944 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 19, 2017 |language = en-US |issn = 0362-4331 |archive-date = January 18, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230118221257/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1944/03/13/83966970.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status = live }}</ref> The plan was to cost $800&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|800000000|1940}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}), and, in 1945, the city agreed to pay $60&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|60000000|1945}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}) of that cost.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1945/02/20/84629382.pdf |title = Road Plan Allots 60 Million to City |date = February 20, 1945 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 19, 2017 |language = en-US |issn = 0362-4331 |archive-date = January 18, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230118221306/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1945/02/20/84629382.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status = live }}</ref> Among them was the Van Wyck Expressway, which would stretch from [[Idlewild Airport]] (now JFK Airport) in the south to [[Queens Boulevard]] in the north.<ref name=":1" /> The six-lane expressway was to be built along the path of what was then Van Wyck Boulevard,<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1945/05/21/88231419.pdf |title = Dozen Major Airlines Seek Space At Idlewild, Openning {{sic |nolink=y}} About Oct 1 |date = May 21, 1945 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 19, 2017 |language = en-US |issn = 0362-4331 |archive-date = January 18, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230118221533/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1945/05/21/88231419.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status = live }}</ref> and it was to cost $11.65 million.<ref name="p1291234632">{{cite news |date=November 26, 1945 |title=City Reveals $300,000,000 Highway Plan: 100 Million To Be Spent in Year, 200 Million Later on 100 Miles of Roads Six Lanes for Most Of Belt Parkway Idlewild Expressway Is Among Projects; U. S. and State Aid Pledged |page=1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1291234632}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1945-11-26">{{Cite news |date=November 26, 1945 |title=$285,000,000 Roads Planned for City; the Folks Back in the Old Country Are Proud of New York City's Mayor-elect |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/11/26/archives/285000000-roads-planned-for-city-the-folks-back-in-the-old-country.html |access-date=October 31, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031143432/https://www.nytimes.com/1945/11/26/archives/285000000-roads-planned-for-city-the-folks-back-in-the-old-country.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The original street and the freeway were both named after former New York City Mayor [[Robert Anderson Van Wyck]], but the pronunciation of "Wyck" was heavily disputed: depending on the person, "Wyck" could rhyme with either "lick" or "like".<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last = Bilefsky |first = Dan |title = Stuck on the Van Wyck Expressway? Just Try to Pronounce It |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/nyregion/van-wyck-expressway-also-snarls-pronunciation.html?pagewanted=all |access-date = June 20, 2012 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = May 26, 2011 |page = A28 |archive-date = September 16, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170916094728/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/nyregion/van-wyck-expressway-also-snarls-pronunciation.html?pagewanted=all |url-status = live }}</ref> The Van Wyck Expressway was to be built to higher standards than [[Parkways in New York|New York's parkways]], as it was intended to handle truck traffic. The highway would contain three lanes in each direction, as well as cobblestone shoulders.<ref name="nyt-1950-01-24">{{Cite news |last=Ingraham |first=Joseph C. |date=January 24, 1950 |title=Airport Highway to Open This Year; New Link Between Queens Boulevard and New York International Airport |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/01/24/archives/airport-highway-to-open-this-year-new-link-between-queens-boulevard.html |access-date=November 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101135320/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/01/24/archives/airport-highway-to-open-this-year-new-link-between-queens-boulevard.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Several parks and playgrounds were also built along the expressway's route.<ref name="p1326931373" /><ref name="nyt-1950-01-24" />

In 1946, the city started relocating or demolishing houses in the proposed expressway's [[Right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]].<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/05/18/113133545.pdf |title = Veterans Will Get 2,000 Houses Here |date = May 18, 1946 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 19, 2017 |language = en-US |issn = 0362-4331 |archive-date = January 18, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230118221533/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/05/18/113133545.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="p1291264467">{{cite news |date=May 18, 1946 |title=Family, Moving, Takes a 2-Story House With It: Veteran Picks Up New Home From City to Replace One Condemned for Airport Veteran's House Is Moved to Make Way for Expressway |page=15 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1291264467}}}}</ref> The city had acquired 355 houses in the expressway's path,<ref name="p1291264467" /> and it ultimately relocated 263&nbsp;households,<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/10/01/96599306.pdf |title = Van Wyck Expressway |date = October 1, 1948 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 19, 2017 |language = en-US |issn = 0362-4331 |archive-date = January 18, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230118221534/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/10/01/96599306.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="p1326931373">{{cite news |date=January 5, 1952 |title=Expressway Link to Idlewild Ready Next Fall: Last Mile of Van Wyck to Go From Queens Blvd. to Grand Central Parkway Work in Progress on Van Wyck Expressway Extension |page=2 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1326931373}}}}</ref> as well as the Van Wyck Avenue Congregational Church.<ref name="p1326931373" /> In some cases, the city government placed existing houses on trailers and rolled them to vacant sites nearby, allowing residents to move back into their houses in as little as 24 to 48 hours.<ref name="nyt-1946-03-13">{{Cite news |date=March 13, 1946 |title=Wheels to Speed Shift of Housing; Skids Abandoned for Moving of Queens Homes From Line of New Expressway |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/03/13/archives/wheels-to-speed-shift-of-housing-skids-abandoned-for-moving-of.html |access-date=October 31, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031235049/https://www.nytimes.com/1946/03/13/archives/wheels-to-speed-shift-of-housing-skids-abandoned-for-moving-of.html |url-status=live }}</ref> One four-story apartment building, which housed 35&nbsp;families, was placed on metal rollers and relocated away from the expressway's path. Normally, new houses would have been built for these families, but there was not enough land to build individual homes for these families.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1947/10/29/104357418.pdf |title = 35 Families Will Get Ride in House on Trans-Boulevard Trip in Queens |date = October 29, 1947 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 19, 2017 |language = en-US |issn = 0362-4331 |archive-date = January 18, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230118221534/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1947/10/29/104357418.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status = live }}</ref> After some of the houses were relocated, they were sold to military veterans at reduced prices.<ref name="p1335152332">{{cite news |date=January 3, 1948 |title=Homes on Highway Site Saved for Veterans' Use |page=23 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1335152332}}}}</ref> The first major contract for the Van Wyck Expressway's construction was awarded in September 1947, when Rusciano and Son was contracted to build retaining walls and utilities along the expressway's right of way.<ref name="nyt-1947-09-04">{{Cite news |date=September 4, 1947 |title=Van Wyck Contract Let; $2,558,748 Project Is First Major Step on Expressway |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/09/04/archives/van-wyck-contract-let-2558748-project-is-first-major-step-on.html |access-date=October 31, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031235046/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/09/04/archives/van-wyck-contract-let-2558748-project-is-first-major-step-on.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="p1313539934">{{cite news |date=September 4, 1947 |title=Developing Firm Buys Large South Shore Tract |page=36 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1313539934}}}}</ref>

Construction was delayed several times; the state government had rejected bids for several major contracts, saying the bids were too high.<ref name="nyt-1948-05-10">{{Cite news |date=May 10, 1948 |title=Airport's Highway Lags on High Cost; Idlewild to Open in 80 Days, but Manhattan Route Is 1 1/2 Years From Completion |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/05/10/archives/airports-highway-lags-on-high-cost-idlewild-to-open-in-80-days-but.html |access-date=October 31, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031235045/https://www.nytimes.com/1948/05/10/archives/airports-highway-lags-on-high-cost-idlewild-to-open-in-80-days-but.html |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the most complex aspects of the project was the replacement of an overpass carrying the [[Long Island Rail Road]] (LIRR) near the [[Jamaica station]].<ref name="nyt-1948-05-10" /><ref name="p1327364387">{{cite news |date=May 10, 1948 |title=State Opens Bids May 26 On Van Wyck Underpass |page=3 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1327364387}}}}</ref> The LIRR overpass alone cost $3.2 million, as contractors could not interrupt service on the LIRR corridor, which carried 1,635 trains every twenty-four hours.<ref name="nyt-1949-01-26">{{Cite news |date=January 26, 1949 |title=Commuters Curb Bridge Expansion; Train Every 52 Seconds Makes Engineering Problem Above Wider Route to Idlewild |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/01/26/archives/commuters-curb-bridge-expansion-train-every-52-seconds-makes.html |access-date=October 31, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031235049/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/01/26/archives/commuters-curb-bridge-expansion-train-every-52-seconds-makes.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The final construction contract for the Van Wyck's first segment was awarded in January 1950.<ref name="nyt-1950-01-24" />   The segment from Queens Boulevard to Idlewild ultimately cost $17 million.<ref name="p1326931373" /> It opened on October 14, 1950,<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/10/14/91114631.pdf |title = Opening Set Today for 3 Road Links |date = October 14, 1950 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 19, 2017 |language = en-US |issn = 0362-4331 |archive-date = January 18, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230118221534/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/10/14/91114631.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="p1327516763">{{cite news |date=October 14, 1950 |title=New Express Highways in Three Boroughs Open Today |page=3 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1327516763}}}}</ref> with a ceremony attended by New York governor [[Thomas E. Dewey]].<ref name="nyt-1950-10-15">{{Cite news |last=Ingraham |first=Joseph C. |date=October 15, 1950 |title=Dewey 'Shows' Foes How He Spends As He Opens $47,000,000 Roads |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/10/15/archives/dewey-shows-foes-how-he-spends-as-he-opens-47000000-roads-opening.html |access-date=November 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101135320/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/10/15/archives/dewey-shows-foes-how-he-spends-as-he-opens-47000000-roads-opening.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The new highway reduced driving time between Idlewild and Manhattan by 20 percent.<ref name="nyt-1950-10-22">{{Cite news |last=Thorne |first=B. k |date=October 22, 1950 |title=New Expressway Shortens Trip to Idlewild; Short Road |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/10/22/archives/new-expressway-shortens-trip-to-idlewild-short-road.html |access-date=November 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101135330/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/10/22/archives/new-expressway-shortens-trip-to-idlewild-short-road.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Later the same year, the Gull Construction Company was contracted to install "safety plantings" in the median, consisting of shrubs and trees, to separate the different directions of traffic.<ref name="p1325160999">{{cite news |date=December 3, 1950 |title=Expressway Contract Let: Flushing Co. Gets $456,944 Job for Van Wyck Safety Plantings |page=20 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1325160999}}}}</ref> New York state officials announced in 1960 that they would install a [[Jersey barrier]] in the Van Wyck's median, replacing the plantings, which had not been effective in preventing crashes.<ref name="nyt-1960-05-12">{{Cite news |last=Stengren |first=Bernard |date=May 12, 1960 |title=Parkways Here to Get Dividers; State to Spend $2,500,000 to Prevent Accidents -- Jersey Also Acting |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/05/12/archives/parkways-here-to-get-dividers-state-to-spend-2500000-to-prevent.html |access-date=November 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101145118/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/05/12/archives/parkways-here-to-get-dividers-state-to-spend-2500000-to-prevent.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In April 1949, Dewey signed a contract authorizing a northward extension of the highway to Grand Central Parkway.<ref name="p1335497767">{{cite news |date=April 26, 1949 |title=Dewey Upholds Dual Jobs for Teachers Here: Out-of-License Teaching Is Indorsed Too; Van Wyck Expressway Bill Signed |page=5 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1335497767}}}}</ref> This segment was to cost $11.6 million.<ref name="p1326931373" /> The project included widening a segment of Grand Central Parkway between Horace Harding Boulevard (today's Long Island Expressway) and the Kew Gardens Interchange.<ref name="p1326931373" /><ref name="nyt-1951-01-11">{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1951 |title=State Opens Bids on Queens Road Widening; White Plastic to Replace Painted Guide Line |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/01/11/archives/state-opens-bids-on-queens-road-widening-white-plastic-to-replace.html |access-date=November 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101135320/https://www.nytimes.com/1951/01/11/archives/state-opens-bids-on-queens-road-widening-white-plastic-to-replace.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, a ramp was built from [[Main Street (Queens)|Main Street]] to the Van Wyck Expressway, and an overpass was built to carry Queens Boulevard above both Main Street and the highway.<ref name="p1326931373" /> The Gull Construction Company received the contract for the segment of the highway between Hoover Avenue and 88th Avenue<ref name="nyt-1950-08-03">{{Cite news |date=August 3, 1950 |title=Van Wyck Bids Received |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/08/03/archives/van-wyck-bids-received.html |access-date=November 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101135322/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/08/03/archives/van-wyck-bids-received.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in September 1950.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 16, 1950 |title=Contract Let on Queens Route |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/09/16/archives/contract-let-on-queens-route.html |access-date=November 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101145120/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/09/16/archives/contract-let-on-queens-route.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="p1325154306">{{cite news |date=September 17, 1950 |title=Queens Contract Let: State Makes Award for Building Van Wyek Expressway |page=42 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1325154306}}}}</ref> A direct ramp from the northbound Van Wyck to Queens Boulevard opened in June 1953; prior to the opening of this segment, the northbound expressway was frequently congested.<ref name="p95116986">{{cite news |date=June 13, 1953 |title=8-Highway Interchange in Queens Opens One of Last Links Monday |page=17 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|95116986}}}}</ref><ref name="p1322491495">{{cite news |date=June 13, 1953 |title=Idlewild Link Opens Monday |page=6 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1322491495}}}}</ref> The extension to Grand Central Parkway opened on November 13, 1953,<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1953/11/12/84077566.pdf |title = 2 Arterial Links to Speed Traffic Will Be Opened in City Tomorrow |date = November 12, 1953 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 19, 2017 |language = en-US |issn = 0362-4331 |archive-date = January 18, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230118221535/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1953/11/12/84077566.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="p1322461754">{{cite news |date=November 12, 1953 |title=Van Wyck Route Link To Interchange Is Ready |page=21 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1322461754}}}}</ref> but the ramps from the Van Wyck Expressway to Main Street were delayed for another year, opening in November 1954.<ref name="nyt-1954-11-24">{{Cite news |date=November 24, 1954 |title=Queens Thoroughfare Extended |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/11/24/archives/queens-thoroughfare-extended.html |access-date=November 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101135333/https://www.nytimes.com/1954/11/24/archives/queens-thoroughfare-extended.html |url-status=live }}</ref>