TIOGA COUNTY, N.Y. (WENY) -- On Thursday morning, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and state officials gathered at the Owego Rest Area in Nichols to make a big announcement. A 32-mile stretch from Endicott to Waverly, formerly known as State Route 17, has now been designated as Interstate 86.

The Federal Highway Administration approved the designation for this stretch of the interstate in Tioga (NY) and Broome counties and the announcement has been long awaited.

"So today is like a culmination of several years of hard work, delivering various projects over the years to bring this section of 17 up to interstate standards," said Andrew Stiles, the Region 9 Director of the New York State Department of Transportation. "And so, now that we have this 32-mile section designated I-86, that brings a total amount up to 248 miles of I-86 designation."

In a prepared statement, NYSDOT officials say, "State Route 17 is a vital connector that links the Hudson Valley and downstate regions to the Catskills and Southern Tier."

Work on this section of the road, also known as the Southern Tier Expressway, began back in 2008. However, State Senator Tom O'Mara credits the late Ted Bennett, former Chemung County Legislator, as being a leader for the I-86 coalition in the late 1990s. But now, it has finally come to fruition.

Since work began in 2008, the DOT has worked on many projects along the roadway. Some of those projects have included the lengthening of acceleration and deacceleration lanes, sign replacements, bridge rehabilitations, and road resurfacing. The work has totaled more than $29.7 million.

"This work has enhanced safety all along Route 17 and included widening shoulders, rehabilitating bridges and resurfacing roads, all aimed at meeting federal interstate standards," said Kenneth Bibbins, the Assistant Commissioner for Operations of the New York State Department of Transportation.

To commemorate the official designation, NYSDOT workers took down a sign that read "FUTURE 86" next to the Owego Rest Area and replaced it with a new sign that now reads "INTERSTATE 86." The sign also helps mark the designation for motorists between Exit 60 in Waverly and Exit 67 in Endicott.

"It was great to get the 'FUTURE 86' designations signage up years ago, but to have that taken down and have the permanent full-blown 'INTERSTATE 86' signs up is just another step and it's something that people across the Southern Tier will really appreciate over the years," said Senator O'Mara.

While this designation marks a huge milestone, the work isn't done just yet. An additional $47 million rehabilitation project that will span across 5.7 miles of I-86 is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. This will include work on two bridges and three culverts from Apalachin in the Town of Owego to the Broome County Line.

"One of the most important things is the designation you get on maps," said Senator O'Mara. "It's great for economic development. I've seen through my work in economic development over the years that site selectors look at the interstate map of the country and there's been gaps in that here in the Southern Tier. So this really connects the Southern Tier, gets us on that interstate map for site locations for economic development."

There is still some work to be done on certain stretches of the interstate but, in the meantime, state officials say they are excited that the nearly finished project will begin to have huge economic and safety impacts on the region.

For more information and updates on future projects, you can take a look at NYSDOT's Facebook page or website. Up-to-date travel information can be found by visiting https://www.511ny.org/, downloading the free 511NY mobile app, or calling 511.