 I @-@ 87 is part of a major strategic corridor between New York City , the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. , and Montreal , the second largest metropolitan area in Canada . The New York State Department of Transportation ( NYSDOT ) considers the route important for commerce , as it connects with numerous highways in the region and serves approximately 80 million people along the Mid @-@ Atlantic States , New England , and Quebec . Motorists can connect to multiple highways on 87 to travel further south along I @-@ 95 through the mid @-@ Atlantic states , or through numerous other highways to travel further east into New England . 
