Drivers on the Southern Tier Expressway in Binghamton may have noticed an "Interstate 86" sign along the highway in recent weeks.

Although Route 17 is being upgraded to interstate status, the blue-and-red "I-86" marker just east of the town of Dickinson line shouldn't have been there.

The "interstate" designation on the westbound side of the highway popped up a few weeks ago. But a spokesman with the New York State Department of Transportation said it's still Route 17 at that spot.

The "Interstate 86" sign probably will be covered so it will be ready for display when the route designation has been made official.

A short section of the highway - about 10 miles - in Kirkwood and Windsor currently has interstate status. But the work on the Prospect Mountain Project in Binghamton to upgrade the Interstate 81 interchange will continue for years before it's completed.

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