The I-86 Diner

Here is a sad story. When we travel from Sea Cliff to Rochester, our main route has always been Route 17, which has been around for at least 40 years, or longer. Starting almost ten years ago, signs stated appearing that Route 17 would eventually become Route I-86. But first improvements had to be made in the road in order for it to be an Interstate route. Meanwhile, this diner was renamed the "I-86 Diner" some years back, I guess to make it seem more modern. I can't quite recall how long it was open, but it has been closed now for perhaps 5 years or so. It is for sale - price $1,345,000. But here is the killer. The section of Route 17 that it is on is in the town of Parksville, and there is a traffic light, where you have to stop. Obviously you can't have a stoplight on an interstate! So the state is in the process of buiding a new road which bypasses the whole town of Parksville, which includes a gas station, ice cream store, an antiques shop, and this diner. My guess is that this will doom the town, and all the businesses in it. A similar thing occurred along parts of Route 66 back when the Interstate Highway System first began, and cars took the new road, and abandoned Route 66 and all the towns it passed through.