COLONIE — Albany International Airport officials on Monday said they'll continue to push for a direct link from the Adirondack Northway, a project that's been in the planning stage for 50 years but now appears dead.

The scrapping of the plan for Exit 3 on the Northway comes as traffic congestion continues to grow in the Wolf Road corridor and on the roads leading to Exit 4.

"We see continued buildup of the Wolf Road area with new hotels, restaurants, and shopping, including Trader Joe's and Whole Foods," said John O'Donnell, the airport CEO. "To ask the air traveler who's coming to this area to navigate Wolf Road just isn't fair."

A state Department of Transportation spokeswoman said that instead of building a new Exit 3, plans for a new Exit 4 had been modified, with a more efficient ramp system to handle the heavy traffic.

One version, with a cost estimated at $26 million, includes a flyover for northbound traffic exiting the Northway, connecting with Albany Shaker Road west of the Northway and just east of the airport. Airport officials said they're supporting that alternative, although they'd still like to have the direct access that Exit 3 could provide.

The business community also would like the direct access.

"All the reasons for a dedicated Exit 3 ring even truer today," said Mark Eagan, president and CEO of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce. "Long term, we're still a believer and an advocate for Exit 3."

Exit 3 was originally part of Interstate 687, an east-west expressway that would connect the airport with Exit 5A, now the Corporate Woods exit, on I-90.

The expressway, which faced opposition, was scrapped in 1973 and withdrawn from the national interstate highway plan in 1977.

But plans for Exit 3 remained.

Eighteen years ago, under a different Gov. Cuomo, the exit almost was built.

"This new access plan, coupled with extensive airport terminal improvements, will provide a positive first impression to travelers coming to the Capital District," Gov. Mario M. Cuomo said in a news release dated Oct. 31, 1994.

Taking part in the unveiling of the $88 million plan, which also included a 120-acre Shaker cultural park and other roads, was state DOT Commissioner John Egan, who later became airport CEO.

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"This long-awaited connection will alleviate traffic congestion faced by business travelers and local residents going to and from the airport," Egan said at the time.

O'Donnell, who succeeded Egan as airport CEO, worries that even a redesigned Exit 4, with the flyover ramp ending on Albany Shaker Road, could get crowded.

His worry: What will happen to the vacant former Engel family farm.

"Engel's farm will be sold," O'Donnell said Monday. "It is a prime retail location, which is going to draw traffic and shoppers.

"When cars are lining up to get into the new retail megaplex," he added, "it's going to create a major delay" for travelers heading to the airport.

eanderson@timesunion.com • 518-454-5323