The New York State Thruway. Interstate 90. The 90, as it's called in Western New York. Whatever you call it, chances are you will drive on it one way or another today if you live in New York. I-90 connects almost all of New York State's major Cities: New York City, Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. It essentially replaced the Erie Canal as the "Gateway To The West." Buy why? Yes, it may seem obvious, but this video explains it quite clearly. This footage is from 1951.