New York State Route 120
Encyclopedia
New York State Route 120 (NY 120) is a state highway
in southern Westchester County, New York
, United States
. It begins in the city of Rye
at an intersection with U.S. Route 1 and runs for about 18 miles (29 km) north to the hamlet of Millwood
, where it ends at a junction with NY 100
. The route intersects with several limited-access highways, including Interstate 684 and the Saw Mill River Parkway
, and serves the Westchester County Airport
in North Castle
.
NY 120 was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York, but only to the portion of its routing north of Westchester Avenue. It was extended south to Rye ca. 1938, then rerouted to follow Westchester Avenue east to Port Chester
by the following year. Most of NY 120's former routing to Rye became part of New York State Route 119A at that time. NY 120 was rerouted to serve Rye again ca. 1961, replacing NY 119A.
at U.S. Route 1 as Purchase Street. It heads north, crossing under Interstate 95
without a junction. The route continues into the village of Harrison
—specifically, the community of Purchase
—where it has junctions with Interstate 287 and the Hutchinson River Parkway
. An alternate route, NY 120A
, begins near the junction of NY 120 and I-287. NY 120 continues north through Purchase, passing east of Manhattanville College
and west of the State University of New York at Purchase
and the Westchester County Airport
. At the airport, NY 120 connects to Interstate 684.
North of the airport, NY 120 crosses into the town of North Castle
, where it meets up with the other end of NY 120A at King Street. Although NY 120A terminates here, the King Street name turns north onto NY 120. Like the NY 120A portion of King Street, the NY 120 segment closely follows the Connecticut
state line for just over 1 miles (1.6 km), mostly due to the presence of the Kensico Reservoir
to the west. Along this stretch, NY 120 passes over I-684 and connects to a large industrial building in an otherwise inaccessible area of Greenwich, Connecticut
.
Now separate from the state line, NY 120 crosses the Delaware Aqueduct
and briefly overlaps with NY 22
as it heads northwestward through the northeast corner of the town of Mount Pleasant
and into the town of New Castle
. In the hamlet of Chappaqua
, NY 120 meets NY 117
just east of an interchange with the Saw Mill River Parkway
. King Street ends here; however, NY 120 continues northwest on Quaker Road. East of Millwood
, NY 120 intersects NY 133
. The two routes converge and head east into the hamlet, where NY 133 leaves NY 120 at Station Place. NY 120 ends a 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) later at a junction with NY 100
.
was originally designated as part of Route 1, an unsigned legislative route
, by the New York State Legislature in 1908. Route 1 approached Purchase Street from the west on Westchester Avenue and continued north from Armonk
on what is now NY 22. NY 120, meanwhile, was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York to the portion of its modern alignment north of the junction of Purchase Street and Westchester Avenue (then NY 119
) in Harrison
. It was extended south to U.S. Route 1 in Rye
ca. 1938 by way of Purchase Street and Highland Road.
NY 120 was altered again by the following year to follow NY 119 east along Westchester Avenue to US 1 in Port Chester
. Most of NY 120's former routing south of Westchester Avenue became part of NY 119A, a new route assigned to all of Purchase Street between NY 119 and NY 120 in Harrison and US 1 in Rye. Ca. 1961, NY 120 was realigned once more to follow Purchase Street south to Rye, supplanting NY 119A. At the same time, NY 119 was truncated on its east end to Purchase Street while the portion of Westchester Avenue that had carried NY 119 and NY 120 between Purchase Street and Port Chester became an extension of NY 120A
.
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...
in southern Westchester County, New York
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It begins in the city of Rye
Rye (city), New York
Rye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is separate from the town of Rye, which is larger than the city. Rye city, formerly the village of Rye, was part of the town until 1942, when it received its charter as a city, the most recent to be issued in New York...
at an intersection with U.S. Route 1 and runs for about 18 miles (29 km) north to the hamlet of Millwood
Millwood, New York
Millwood is a hamlet located in the town of New Castle, New York in Westchester County. It was originally settled as Sarlesville. The area now known as Millwood appears on 19th century maps as Merritt's Corners and Rockdale Mills...
, where it ends at a junction with NY 100
New York State Route 100
New York State Route 100 is a major north–south state highway in Westchester County, New York, in the United States. It begins parallel to Interstate 87 at a junction with the Cross County Parkway in the city of Yonkers and runs through most of the length of the county via the city of...
. The route intersects with several limited-access highways, including Interstate 684 and the Saw Mill River Parkway
Saw Mill River Parkway
The Saw Mill River Parkway is a north–south parkway that extends for through Westchester County, New York, in the United States. It begins at the border between Westchester County and the Bronx, where it continues into New York City as the Henry Hudson Parkway, and heads generally...
, and serves the Westchester County Airport
Westchester County Airport
Westchester County Airport is a county-owned public-use airport in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located three nautical miles northeast of the central business district of White Plains, in the towns of Harrison, North Castle and Rye Brook.It serves the areas of...
in North Castle
North Castle, New York
North Castle is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 11,841 at the 2010 census. It has no villages.-Geography:...
.
NY 120 was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York, but only to the portion of its routing north of Westchester Avenue. It was extended south to Rye ca. 1938, then rerouted to follow Westchester Avenue east to Port Chester
Port Chester, New York
Port Chester is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The village is part of the town of Rye. As of the 2010 census, Port Chester had a population of 28,967...
by the following year. Most of NY 120's former routing to Rye became part of New York State Route 119A at that time. NY 120 was rerouted to serve Rye again ca. 1961, replacing NY 119A.
Route description
NY 120 begins in the city of RyeRye (city), New York
Rye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is separate from the town of Rye, which is larger than the city. Rye city, formerly the village of Rye, was part of the town until 1942, when it received its charter as a city, the most recent to be issued in New York...
at U.S. Route 1 as Purchase Street. It heads north, crossing under Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in New York
Interstate 95 is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Canada – United States border near Houlton, Maine. In the U.S. state of New York, I-95 extends from the George Washington Bridge in New York City to the Connecticut state line at Port Chester...
without a junction. The route continues into the village of Harrison
Harrison, New York
Harrison is a village and town in Westchester County, New York, United States, located approximately northeast of Manhattan. The population was 27,472 at the 2010 census.-Establishment:...
—specifically, the community of Purchase
Purchase, New York
Purchase, New York is a hamlet of the town of Harrison, in Westchester County. Its ZIP code is 10577. Its name is derived from Harrison's purchase, for Harrison could have as much land as he could ride in one day...
—where it has junctions with Interstate 287 and the Hutchinson River Parkway
Hutchinson River Parkway
The Hutchinson River Parkway is a north–south parkway in southern New York, United States. It extends for from the massive Bruckner Interchange in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx to the New York – Connecticut state line at Rye Brook...
. An alternate route, NY 120A
New York State Route 120A
New York State Route 120A is a state highway in southern Westchester County, New York, in the United States. It serves as an alternate route to the southern half of NY 120 running along the New York–Connecticut state line. The southern terminus of route is at NY 120 in Harrison. Its...
, begins near the junction of NY 120 and I-287. NY 120 continues north through Purchase, passing east of Manhattanville College
Manhattanville College
Manhattanville College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, located in Purchase, New York. Founded in 1841 it was known initially as Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart...
and west of the State University of New York at Purchase
State University of New York at Purchase
Purchase College, State University of New York, is a public four-year college located in Purchase, New York, United States. It is one of 13 comprehensive colleges in the State University of New York system...
and the Westchester County Airport
Westchester County Airport
Westchester County Airport is a county-owned public-use airport in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located three nautical miles northeast of the central business district of White Plains, in the towns of Harrison, North Castle and Rye Brook.It serves the areas of...
. At the airport, NY 120 connects to Interstate 684.
North of the airport, NY 120 crosses into the town of North Castle
North Castle, New York
North Castle is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 11,841 at the 2010 census. It has no villages.-Geography:...
, where it meets up with the other end of NY 120A at King Street. Although NY 120A terminates here, the King Street name turns north onto NY 120. Like the NY 120A portion of King Street, the NY 120 segment closely follows the Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
state line for just over 1 miles (1.6 km), mostly due to the presence of the Kensico Reservoir
Kensico Reservoir
The Kensico Reservoir is a reservoir, located in the village of Valhalla and in the town of North Castle, that was put into service in 1915. It is about 3 miles north of White Plains, New York, and about 15 miles north of New York City...
to the west. Along this stretch, NY 120 passes over I-684 and connects to a large industrial building in an otherwise inaccessible area of Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
.
Now separate from the state line, NY 120 crosses the Delaware Aqueduct
Delaware Aqueduct
The Delaware Aqueduct is the newest of the New York City aqueducts. It takes water from the Rondout Reservoir through the Chelsea Pump Station, the West Branch Reservoir, and the Kensico Reservoir, ending at the Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers, New York....
and briefly overlaps with NY 22
New York State Route 22
New York State Route 22 is a north–south state highway in eastern New York in the United States. It runs parallel to the state's eastern edge from the outskirts of New York City to a short distance south of the Canadian border. At , it is the state's longest north–south route and...
as it heads northwestward through the northeast corner of the town of Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, New York
Mount Pleasant is a town in Westchester County, New York, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 43,724.-Geography:...
and into the town of New Castle
New Castle, New York
New Castle is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 17,569 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.15%, is water. New Castle is bordered by the towns of Mount Pleasant...
. In the hamlet of Chappaqua
Chappaqua, New York
Chappaqua is a hamlet and census-designated place in northern Westchester County, New York. As of the 2010 census, following a major revision to the delineation of its boundaries by the Census Bureau, the population was 1,436...
, NY 120 meets NY 117
New York State Route 117
New York State Route 117 is a 15.57 mile long state highway in Westchester County, New York, United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 9 north of the village of Sleepy Hollow. The northern terminus is at the Saw Mill River Parkway south of Katonah, a hamlet...
just east of an interchange with the Saw Mill River Parkway
Saw Mill River Parkway
The Saw Mill River Parkway is a north–south parkway that extends for through Westchester County, New York, in the United States. It begins at the border between Westchester County and the Bronx, where it continues into New York City as the Henry Hudson Parkway, and heads generally...
. King Street ends here; however, NY 120 continues northwest on Quaker Road. East of Millwood
Millwood, New York
Millwood is a hamlet located in the town of New Castle, New York in Westchester County. It was originally settled as Sarlesville. The area now known as Millwood appears on 19th century maps as Merritt's Corners and Rockdale Mills...
, NY 120 intersects NY 133
New York State Route 133
New York State Route 133 is a state highway in Westchester County, New York. It begins at US 9 in the village of Ossining, goes through several hamlets in the town of New Castle , and ends at NY 117 in the village of Mount Kisco.-Route description:NY 133 begins in downtown...
. The two routes converge and head east into the hamlet, where NY 133 leaves NY 120 at Station Place. NY 120 ends a 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) later at a junction with NY 100
New York State Route 100
New York State Route 100 is a major north–south state highway in Westchester County, New York, in the United States. It begins parallel to Interstate 87 at a junction with the Cross County Parkway in the city of Yonkers and runs through most of the length of the county via the city of...
.
History
The segment of modern NY 120 between Westchester Avenue and the north end of the overlap with NY 22New York State Route 22
New York State Route 22 is a north–south state highway in eastern New York in the United States. It runs parallel to the state's eastern edge from the outskirts of New York City to a short distance south of the Canadian border. At , it is the state's longest north–south route and...
was originally designated as part of Route 1, an unsigned legislative route
Legislative route
In United States, a legislative route or legislative highway is a highway defined by laws passed in a state legislature. The numbering of such highways may or may not correspond to the numbers familiar to the public as part of the state, U.S. highway, and Interstate highway systems...
, by the New York State Legislature in 1908. Route 1 approached Purchase Street from the west on Westchester Avenue and continued north from Armonk
Armonk, New York
Armonk is a hamlet and census-designated place located in the town of North Castle in Westchester County, New York. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 4,330....
on what is now NY 22. NY 120, meanwhile, was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York to the portion of its modern alignment north of the junction of Purchase Street and Westchester Avenue (then NY 119
New York State Route 119
New York State Route 119 is an east–west state highway in Westchester County, New York, in the United States. The road starts in Tarrytown at an intersection with U.S. Route 9 and comes to an end at a junction with NY 22 in White Plains...
) in Harrison
Harrison, New York
Harrison is a village and town in Westchester County, New York, United States, located approximately northeast of Manhattan. The population was 27,472 at the 2010 census.-Establishment:...
. It was extended south to U.S. Route 1 in Rye
Rye (city), New York
Rye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is separate from the town of Rye, which is larger than the city. Rye city, formerly the village of Rye, was part of the town until 1942, when it received its charter as a city, the most recent to be issued in New York...
ca. 1938 by way of Purchase Street and Highland Road.
NY 120 was altered again by the following year to follow NY 119 east along Westchester Avenue to US 1 in Port Chester
Port Chester, New York
Port Chester is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The village is part of the town of Rye. As of the 2010 census, Port Chester had a population of 28,967...
. Most of NY 120's former routing south of Westchester Avenue became part of NY 119A, a new route assigned to all of Purchase Street between NY 119 and NY 120 in Harrison and US 1 in Rye. Ca. 1961, NY 120 was realigned once more to follow Purchase Street south to Rye, supplanting NY 119A. At the same time, NY 119 was truncated on its east end to Purchase Street while the portion of Westchester Avenue that had carried NY 119 and NY 120 between Purchase Street and Port Chester became an extension of NY 120A
New York State Route 120A
New York State Route 120A is a state highway in southern Westchester County, New York, in the United States. It serves as an alternate route to the southern half of NY 120 running along the New York–Connecticut state line. The southern terminus of route is at NY 120 in Harrison. Its...
.
Suffixed routes
NY 120 once had two suffixed routes; only one still exists.- NY 120ANew York State Route 120ANew York State Route 120A is a state highway in southern Westchester County, New York, in the United States. It serves as an alternate route to the southern half of NY 120 running along the New York–Connecticut state line. The southern terminus of route is at NY 120 in Harrison. Its...
(8.55 miles or 13.76 km) is an alternate route of NY 120 between HarrisonHarrison, New YorkHarrison is a village and town in Westchester County, New York, United States, located approximately northeast of Manhattan. The population was 27,472 at the 2010 census.-Establishment:...
and North CastleNorth Castle, New YorkNorth Castle is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 11,841 at the 2010 census. It has no villages.-Geography:...
. The northern half of the route straddles the New YorkNew YorkNew 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...
– ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
state line, and two portions of the route are physically located in Connecticut. It was assigned ca. 1931. - NY 120B was an alternate route of NY 120 between RyeRye (city), New YorkRye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is separate from the town of Rye, which is larger than the city. Rye city, formerly the village of Rye, was part of the town until 1942, when it received its charter as a city, the most recent to be issued in New York...
and North Castle. It was assigned by 1932 and partially replaced by NY 120A ca. 1939.