Large-enough cities passed over for control-city status

[doorknob60]

In SLC, the I-15 south control is Las Vegas. IMO, if you're going to use Ogden for 15 north, you should use Provo for 15 south. (In fact, Provo is used for the 215 west belt.) And past there, St George should be used since that metro area actually has a population of 156K.

However, Las Vegas is a much bigger city than everything in Idaho or Montana.

These places are in Utah.

Yeah. But I-15 passed over cities in Utah like Provo and St. George in favor of much larger Las Vegas. Northbound, you'd hypothetically pass over Ogden for what, Pocatello? Boise? But that's on I-84 so probably not. Ogden is as good a choice as any northbound, since it's just as significant as something like Pocatello, Idaho Falls, or anything in Montana.

[GaryV]

Travelling EB this week through Wheeling, WV, I saw the control city "Washington, PA".  Ironically, you'd use I-70 most of the way to Washington, DC as well.

[The Nature Boy]

Travelling EB this week through Wheeling, WV, I saw the control city "Washington, PA".  Ironically, you'd use I-70 most of the way to Washington, DC as well.

You see the same thing on I-95 at the US 64 interchange in North Carolina. The control city for US 64 is "Nashville" (with no state). While you do use US 64 to get to Nashville, NC from there, you would go that way to connect with I-40 to go on to Nashville, TN.

[Scott5114]

In regard to the "control cities not directly on a highway" idea, I always liked the idea of the British practice–to my knowledge no longer done–of placing indirect control cities in parentheses. So, heading eastbound toward the end of I-80, you could have something like "Teaneck, (New York City)" to indicate that you'll have to switch highways before getting there, but this is the best route to NYC.

I also like the practice some states use of using two control cities, a more local one (county seat level or so) and a more distant one.

[Roadgeekteen]

Travelling EB this week through Wheeling, WV, I saw the control city "Washington, PA".  Ironically, you'd use I-70 most of the way to Washington, DC as well.

They should just have the sign saying "Both Washington cities. (Take a u-turn to get to Washington state.)"

[Scott5114]

Travelling EB this week through Wheeling, WV, I saw the control city "Washington, PA".  Ironically, you'd use I-70 most of the way to Washington, DC as well.

They should just have the sign saying "Both Washington cities. (Take a u-turn to get to Washington state.)"

I-68 may be a better option to get to DC for some traffic.

[Roadgeekteen]

Travelling EB this week through Wheeling, WV, I saw the control city "Washington, PA".  Ironically, you'd use I-70 most of the way to Washington, DC as well.

They should just have the sign saying "Both Washington cities. (Take a u-turn to get to Washington state.)"

I-68 may be a better option to get to DC for some traffic.

You would still take I-70 for part of the route.

[dvferyance]

Just as a reference, here are the 10 largest cities that are not on the AASHTO list of control cities:
1. San Jose (#10 - 1,026,908)
2. Fresno (#34 - 520,052)
3. Long Beach (#37 - 474,140)
4. Mesa (#38 - 471,825)
5. Virginia Beach (#41 - 452,745)
6. Oakland (#45 - 419,267)
7. Arlington (#50 - 388,125)
8. Bakersfield (#52 - 373,640)
9. Aurora (#54 - 359,407)
10. Anaheim (#56 - 350,742)

All of these make sense as they are either not on a 2di and/or are suburbs and/or are in the shadow of larger/better-known cities. A case could be made for Anaheim, since it is on I-5 and a significant tourist destination - but Santa Ana is the choice of AASHTO.

I also noted that the list, which has always included some of the longer 3dis, now has I-405 SB on the list with San Diego/Irvine. That combo is only signed just south of I-605 (relatively new signage), and the list doesn't include all the other cities that are used as controls (Sacramento, Santa Monica, LAX Airport, Long Beach).

http://scote.transportation.org/Pages/Interstate-Control-Cities.aspx

I believe Aurora is used on I-88 WB at the I-290/I-294 interchange.

[kkt]

Travelling EB this week through Wheeling, WV, I saw the control city "Washington, PA".  Ironically, you'd use I-70 most of the way to Washington, DC as well.

They should just have the sign saying "Both Washington cities. (Take a u-turn to get to Washington state.)"

And who could possibly be confused by that 

[amroad17]

The NYS thruway skips Syracuse in favor of Albany and Buffalo 

That's perfectly fine.  Syracuse isn't the city it used to be around 1960 (pop. 210,000 then, 147,000 now).  Having Albany and Buffalo for control cities are correct.  Those are the two cities where the Thruway turns (south toward New York/southwest toward Erie and Cleveland).  At least Syracuse and Utica are mentioned on post-interchange mileage signs.

As an aside, I would like to see Cleveland added to the I-90 WEST pull-through signs around Buffalo, at Exits 53, 54, and 55.
                                                                                    Erie

[sandwalk]

Just as a reference, here are the 10 largest cities that are not on the AASHTO list of control cities:
1. San Jose (#10 - 1,026,908)
2. Fresno (#34 - 520,052)
3. Long Beach (#37 - 474,140)
4. Mesa (#38 - 471,825)
5. Virginia Beach (#41 - 452,745)
6. Oakland (#45 - 419,267)
7. Arlington (#50 - 388,125)
8. Bakersfield (#52 - 373,640)
9. Aurora (#54 - 359,407)
10. Anaheim (#56 - 350,742)

All of these make sense as they are either not on a 2di and/or are suburbs and/or are in the shadow of larger/better-known cities. A case could be made for Anaheim, since it is on I-5 and a significant tourist destination - but Santa Ana is the choice of AASHTO.

I also noted that the list, which has always included some of the longer 3dis, now has I-405 SB on the list with San Diego/Irvine. That combo is only signed just south of I-605 (relatively new signage), and the list doesn't include all the other cities that are used as controls (Sacramento, Santa Monica, LAX Airport, Long Beach).

http://scote.transportation.org/Pages/Interstate-Control-Cities.aspx

I believe Aurora is used on I-88 WB at the I-290/I-294 interchange.

Aurora, CO (Denver suburb)

[dvferyance]

Just as a reference, here are the 10 largest cities that are not on the AASHTO list of control cities:
1. San Jose (#10 - 1,026,908)
2. Fresno (#34 - 520,052)
3. Long Beach (#37 - 474,140)
4. Mesa (#38 - 471,825)
5. Virginia Beach (#41 - 452,745)
6. Oakland (#45 - 419,267)
7. Arlington (#50 - 388,125)
8. Bakersfield (#52 - 373,640)
9. Aurora (#54 - 359,407)
10. Anaheim (#56 - 350,742)

All of these make sense as they are either not on a 2di and/or are suburbs and/or are in the shadow of larger/better-known cities. A case could be made for Anaheim, since it is on I-5 and a significant tourist destination - but Santa Ana is the choice of AASHTO.

I also noted that the list, which has always included some of the longer 3dis, now has I-405 SB on the list with San Diego/Irvine. That combo is only signed just south of I-605 (relatively new signage), and the list doesn't include all the other cities that are used as controls (Sacramento, Santa Monica, LAX Airport, Long Beach).

http://scote.transportation.org/Pages/Interstate-Control-Cities.aspx

I believe Aurora is used on I-88 WB at the I-290/I-294 interchange.

Aurora, CO (Denver suburb)

That's not true either. Aurora CO is used for I-225. I am also sure Va Beach is used somewhere on I-64.

[Flint1979]

I'm trying to think of any in Michigan.

I-69 uses Port Huron, Flint, Lansing and Fort Wayne, all of which are legit.

I-75 uses Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Mackinac Bridge and Sault Ste Marie, all are legit.

I-94 uses Port Huron, Detroit and Chicago. Now this might be where I have found one, Chicago is used from Detroit on west at major interchanges while smaller Michigan towns are used at other interchanges. Going west from Detroit I would think it should be Ann Arbor, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, then Chicago.

I-96 uses Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit, all are legit.

[WillWeaverRVA]

Just as a reference, here are the 10 largest cities that are not on the AASHTO list of control cities:
1. San Jose (#10 - 1,026,908)
2. Fresno (#34 - 520,052)
3. Long Beach (#37 - 474,140)
4. Mesa (#38 - 471,825)
5. Virginia Beach (#41 - 452,745)
6. Oakland (#45 - 419,267)
7. Arlington (#50 - 388,125)
8. Bakersfield (#52 - 373,640)
9. Aurora (#54 - 359,407)
10. Anaheim (#56 - 350,742)

All of these make sense as they are either not on a 2di and/or are suburbs and/or are in the shadow of larger/better-known cities. A case could be made for Anaheim, since it is on I-5 and a significant tourist destination - but Santa Ana is the choice of AASHTO.

I also noted that the list, which has always included some of the longer 3dis, now has I-405 SB on the list with San Diego/Irvine. That combo is only signed just south of I-605 (relatively new signage), and the list doesn't include all the other cities that are used as controls (Sacramento, Santa Monica, LAX Airport, Long Beach).

http://scote.transportation.org/Pages/Interstate-Control-Cities.aspx

I believe Aurora is used on I-88 WB at the I-290/I-294 interchange.

Aurora, CO (Denver suburb)

That's not true either. Aurora CO is used for I-225. I am also sure Va Beach is used somewhere on I-64.

Virginia Beach is pretty heavily used on I-64, I-264, I-664 (in Suffolk), I-95 (for US 460), and I-295 as a second control city following Norfolk. The Virginia Beach Oceanfront district is used on I-264.

[bzakharin]

I like my control cities large, somewhat distinct, and famous. I'm in favor of every one of these "skips."  Philly is the only case with a valid argument, but I get it because of the quirks of 95 and the Delaware Bridge/Jersey Turnpike route to NYC.

I know I'm replying to an old post, but how do the quirks of I-95 justify not signing Philadelphia going North? I-95 goes to Philadelphia as much as it (or a route that splits from it) goes to New York.

[The Nature Boy]

NC is the worst for having skippable control cities. Control cities should either be notable cities or where major intersections are.

I-95's control cities in NC should be:

Rocky Mount (Future I-87)
Benson (I-40)
Fayetteville
Lumberton (I-74)

If I were NC DOT, I'd sign Florence (I-20) south of Lumberton and Richmond north of Rocky Mount.

[WillWeaverRVA]

NC is the worst for having skippable control cities. Control cities should either be notable cities or where major intersections are.

I-95's control cities in NC should be:

Rocky Mount (Future I-87)
Benson (I-40)
Fayetteville
Lumberton (I-74)

If I were NC DOT, I'd sign Florence (I-20) south of Lumberton and Richmond north of Rocky Mount.

I never understood Henderson or Oxford on I-85 between Durham and Petersburg, honestly. If NCDOT's going to do that they might as well sign South Hill north of Henderson (instead of Richmond).

[mrsman]

Just as a reference, here are the 10 largest cities that are not on the AASHTO list of control cities:
1. San Jose (#10 - 1,026,908)
2. Fresno (#34 - 520,052)
3. Long Beach (#37 - 474,140)
4. Mesa (#38 - 471,825)
5. Virginia Beach (#41 - 452,745)
6. Oakland (#45 - 419,267)
7. Arlington (#50 - 388,125)
8. Bakersfield (#52 - 373,640)
9. Aurora (#54 - 359,407)
10. Anaheim (#56 - 350,742)

All of these make sense as they are either not on a 2di and/or are suburbs and/or are in the shadow of larger/better-known cities. A case could be made for Anaheim, since it is on I-5 and a significant tourist destination - but Santa Ana is the choice of AASHTO.

I also noted that the list, which has always included some of the longer 3dis, now has I-405 SB on the list with San Diego/Irvine. That combo is only signed just south of I-605 (relatively new signage), and the list doesn't include all the other cities that are used as controls (Sacramento, Santa Monica, LAX Airport, Long Beach).

http://scote.transportation.org/Pages/Interstate-Control-Cities.aspx

I believe Aurora is used on I-88 WB at the I-290/I-294 interchange.

Aurora, CO (Denver suburb)

That's not true either. Aurora CO is used for I-225. I am also sure Va Beach is used somewhere on I-64.

Virginia Beach is pretty heavily used on I-64, I-264, I-664 (in Suffolk), I-95 (for US 460), and I-295 as a second control city following Norfolk. The Virginia Beach Oceanfront district is used on I-264.

I think we need to distinguish between what is listed on the control cities list (https://cote.transportation.org/interstate-control-cities/) and what is actually signed on BGSes by the highway depts.  AASHTo's list is primarily for the 2dis and the longest 3dis, so many 3dis are omitted.  Many of these large cities posted by DTComposer are not even located on 2dis so it is a non-issue.  So while these cities may not be on AASHTO's list, they are clearly not forgotten in terms of being signed on BGSes for 3dis, US, and state highways and on mileage signs, where appropriate.

1. San Jose (#10 - 1,026,908)  Definitely used on US 101, I-280, I-680, I-880 and several other roads
2. Fresno (#34 - 520,052)         Not on the interstate system.  Occasional signs do exist on CA 99, but most of CA 99 has LA and Sac as controls on BGS
3. Long Beach (#37 - 474,140)  Used on I-405 and I-710.
4. Mesa (#38 - 471,825)  US 60 freeway
5. Virginia Beach (#41 - 452,745) I-264
6. Oakland (#45 - 419,267) I-580, I-880, CA 24
7. Arlington (#50 - 388,125)  Don't recall seeing on a sign, but it is very close to DC
8. Bakersfield (#52 - 373,640)  See response to Fresno.  Bak used to be the I-5 control in the LA area but was replaced with Sac because I-5 doesn't go directly there.  If I-5 were routed along the 99 instead of along the western SJ valley, BAk and Fresno would be full-fledged control cities, most definitely.
9. Aurora (#54 - 359,407) I-225
10. Anaheim (#56 - 350,742)  Some guide signs for CA-55.  IMO it should be on CA-91 as well.   But it is too close to Santa Ana so I would not put it for use on I-5 or CA-57 or CA-22.  I believe Santa Ana was bigger when these freeways were first laid out so Santa Ana beat Anaheim, even though Anaheim would be more helpful to more tourists because of Disneyland, conv center, and sports stadium and arena.

[hotdogPi]

7. Arlington (#50 - 388,125)  Don't recall seeing on a sign, but it is very close to DC

Texas. DFW.

[michravera]

Southbound CA 99 in Sacramento is signed for Fresno, bypassing nearby Stockton (population 300K), about 40-45 miles south of Sacramento.

Southbound I-57 from Chicago is signed for Memphis, though Champaign could also be a control city, given that it's home to the state's flagship university and one of the larger urban areas in Illinois. Also in Chicago, southbound I-55 is signed for St. Louis, despite passing through Illinois' state capital, Springfield. Speaking of St. Louis, I-44's control city is Tulsa, passing over Springfield, MO. I could possibly justify it because it could cause confusion with Springfield, IL, 100 miles north of St. Louis.

Stockton is bypassed as a control city on both CASR-99 and I-5 in Sacramento. If CalTrans doesn't have some rule against primarily signing the same destinations on two different route that are just a couple km apart, it should.

[jp the roadgeek]

The NYS thruway skips Syracuse in favor of Albany and Buffalo 

That's perfectly fine.  Syracuse isn't the city it used to be around 1960 (pop. 210,000 then, 147,000 now).  Having Albany and Buffalo for control cities are correct.  Those are the two cities where the Thruway turns (south toward New York/southwest toward Erie and Cleveland).  At least Syracuse and Utica are mentioned on post-interchange mileage signs.

As an aside, I would like to see Cleveland added to the I-90 WEST pull-through signs around Buffalo, at Exits 53, 54, and 55.
                                                                                    Erie

Agreed with Cleveland as a second control city (along with Erie) anywhere along I-90 West from I-290 to the PA border.   Also would like to see Toronto as a second control city (in addition to Niagara Falls) for Thruway Exit 50 (I-290) westbound and Exit 53 (I-190) Eastbound, as well as from other connecting highways and parkways along I-190 from I-290 to the Canadian border.  Montreal is used on I-87, so why not Toronto?

[Roadgeekteen]

Del water gap on I-80 in new jersey.

[LM117]

On I-795 in Wilson, NC, Wilmington should be used as a control city, not Kenly. Anybody wanting to go to Kenly from US-264 would've used I-95.

https://goo.gl/maps/VnaBWQd17JT2

Since I-795 serves as a shortcut to Wilmington, it should be signed as such, especially at an important junction like this.

[roadman65]

In New Jersey on the mileage signs for NB I-295 pass over Trenton for Ewing.  Trenton is the primary control city (on ramps that list control cities anyway as many ramps just get shield only signs) yet does not get mention on the signs of mileage reference at all.

[Beltway]

In New Jersey on the mileage signs for NB I-295 pass over Trenton for Ewing.  Trenton is the primary control city (on ramps that list control cities anyway as many ramps just get shield only signs) yet does not get mention on the signs of mileage reference at all.

I'll bet that Philadelphia and I-95 has been mentioned numerous times in this thread.