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[Grzrd]

This article reports that some DeSoto County officials have returned from a visit with Mississippi's D.C. delegation speaking of a somewhat positive reception regarding a proposed McIngvale Road interchange

This April 30 article reports that ... local officials are still trying, unsuccessfully so far, to receive approval for a McIngvale Road interchange:

According to MDOT regulations, which cite allowed distances between interchanges, an interchange at McIngvale and I-269 was considered too close in proximity to the exit at I-55 and thus was not included in the loop's final design.
City officials have quietly waged a battle behind the scenes for an interchange at McIngvale and I-269 which would link east Hernando and Commerce Street to I-269 and provide a route to downtown Hernando.
That effort has not proved fruitful, so far.

This article reports that Hernando may get the McIngvale Road interchange if (1) a tax levy is passed, and (2) McIngvale is "straightened out" and made into a five-lane:

The Hernando Board of Aldermen are considering the city's first tax increase in 20 years to fix crumbling roads, shortfalls in city departments and operations along with overall strapped purse strings.
By a vote of 4-2, city officials voted to advertise for a tax levy that reflects a 3.175 millage increase.
Hernando's current tax rate of 31.75 is among the lowest in the county. If approved, the new rate would be 34.925 mills.
Alderman At-large Sam Lauderdale, who proposed the motion, a fifth-term incumbent, said the DeSoto County seat has tried to hold taxes down for nearly two decades. Budgets have been cut to the bare bone ....
Under the proposal, all millage or about $390,000 would go toward debt service of a five-year $4.5 million bond issue ....
Lauderdale said among the proposals are funds included which would facilitate a new interchange at McIngvale and Interstate 269, something which would transform Hernando's economy.
Without the City of Hernando undertaking a $950,000 project — $450,000 if DeSoto County Government becomes involved — hopes of an I-269 McIngvale Interchange are all but dead.
"We hope the county will help us," Ward 3 Alderman Gary Higdon said. "We need that interchange and the only way we can do it is get money from the bond issue."
Failure to obtain the interchange could set the city back for decades, according to Higdon and other city officials.
"We have been advised by MDOT, we will not get an interchange unless we redo McIngvale and make it five-lane," Lauderdale said, adding the "redo" includes straightening out the curvy link to the nation's newest super highway, I-269. "This city is boxed in. We need I-69 badly."

[Grzrd]

This April 30 article reports that I-269 is still on track to be open to traffic in 2017

This Commercial Appeal article includes two photos of construction of a flyover ramp and reports that TDOT and MDOT are still on track to finish the first non-Tenn 385 segment of I-269 "by sometime this fall"

This TV video reports on a school bus tour of I-269 construction by Mississippi dignitaries, projects an opening to traffic for the MS-TN connection section "by the end of this year", and projects that the "total project should be completed by the fall of 2018":

Progress of Interstate 269 in DeSoto County, Mississippi is right on schedule.
Senator Roger Wicker joined other elected officials on a school bus tour of the project.
"I grew up riding on a school bus so it's good to be back on it," Wicker said.
It was a who's who among big wigs in DeSoto County as more than 30 elected officials loaded a school bus in Hernando to tour I-269 ....
The project is broken into 8 sections which are all under construction.
One section is expected to be finished by the end of this year.
The total project should be completed by the fall of 2018.

I'm a little disappointed, but not surprised, that completion of the entire project has been pushed back from 2017 to fall of 2018.  At least another three years ..... 

[lordsutch]

I think the rest was always supposed to be done in 2018, at least since they started construction a few years ago.

[Grzrd]

I think the rest was always supposed to be done in 2018, at least since they started construction a few years ago.

Yeah, I guess I was engaging in wishful thinking.  However, this circa 2012 MDOT map presents the possibility that the I-55 to I-22 section of I-269 could be open to traffic in January 2018 (less than 2.5 years; Grzrd engages in more wishful thinking ...  )*:

This article reports that Hernando may get the McIngvale Road interchange if (1) a tax levy is passed, and (2) McIngvale is "straightened out" and made into a five-lane

MDOT's Five Year Plan indicates that MDOT does indeed plan to build the McIngvale Road interchange:



I suppose that MDOT wants to accelerate this project in order to have it match the opening of the rest of I-269 as closely as possible.

edit

*  This article also reports on the school bus tour of the I-269 construction:

DeSoto County, state and federal officials riding a path to economic growth expressed gratification at progress on the projected $665.1 million Interstate 69/269 system in Mississippi.
One 2.2-mile section of the eight-part I-269 project, from Highway 302 to the Tennessee line in Marshall County, is undergoing paving to be completed this summer, while "dirt work" on the other seven is more than 50 percent complete and should be done by late fall, said state officials.
"We expect paving contracts for all the projects to be let next year," said Mississippi Department of Transportation Northern District Commissioner Mike Tagert. ....
Completion of I-269 work is expected in the fall of 2018 ....
At least 11 exits are planned along the DeSoto-Marshall County route ....

In comparing the August 2015 letting dates for paving projects on the MDOT map to Northern District Commissioner Tagert's expectation that paving projects will be let next year, I guess the wishful thinking that the I-55 to I-22 section of I-269 will open to traffic around January 2018 is really more of a pipe dream.

Also, the article's mention of "[a]t least 11 exits" further indicates that the McIngvale Road interchange is definitely in the mix.

[Grzrd]

This article reports that Hernando may get the McIngvale Road interchange if (1) a tax levy is passed, and (2) McIngvale is "straightened out" and made into a five-lane

MDOT's Five Year Plan indicates that MDOT does indeed plan to build the McIngvale Road interchange:

This article reports that the McIngvale Road exit "may be just around the corner":

A long-sought McIngvale interstate exit at Hernando may be just around the corner, said Mississippi Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert.
"It's possible within the next year" that a state and federal go-ahead could arrive, said Tagert ....
Tagert and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., cautioned that in this era of an earmarks freeze in Congress that funding isn't certain.
But Tagert said Hernando's efforts to fund improvements on busy two-lane McIngvale will help interchange chances.
"MDOT has made a commitment for the exit if the city will commit to realigning McIngvale Road with Interstate 269," said Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson ....
"The original environmental statement for the area was signed back in 1999, which couldn't have foreseen all the changes in the last 10-15 years," said Tagert.
"We now know there's obviously a need. MDOT agrees with the county and municipalities that such an interchange will relieve pressure," said Tagert on major arteries including Commerce and Church Road to the north in Southaven.
"We're pursuing this with the Federal Highway Administration as we speak," said Tagert.
The state road official said clearing environmental hurdles has taken time, and it's still possible "that something unexpected, like underground water," could pose problems. "But we think it's going to happen."
Wicker also hopes funding can be found. "Six years ago, Congress abolished earmarks, and it's been a mixed blessing, you'd have to say," Wicker said.
It's left decisions such as interchange funding up to agencies, "and we have to go begging for grants. But we're trying to determine needs," Wicker added ....

If I-269 was truly intended for freight/long-distance traffic, they wouldn't have 11 exits along it.  It'd be more along the lines of 6.

The McIngvale Road interchange would be exit number 12. However, the article indicates that even more interchanges may be in line:

.... the needs don't stop at McIngvale.
Horn Lake Mayor Allen Latimer said, "What I'd also like to see is an interchange on Nail Road and for Starlanding. With all the development going on, this will help Southaven as well as Horn Lake to relieve congestion."

15 seems like a good, round number ......... 

[lordsutch]

Nail Rd and Star Landing Rd intersect I-55/69, not I-269.

[Grzrd]

this circa 2012 MDOT map presents the possibility that the I-55 to I-22 section of I-269 could be open to traffic in January 2018 ....
In comparing the August 2015 letting dates for paving projects on the MDOT map to Northern District Commissioner Tagert's expectation that paving projects will be let next year, I guess the wishful thinking that the I-55 to I-22 section of I-269 will open to traffic around January 2018 is really more of a pipe dream.

AASHTO has conditionally approved Mississippi's application for the I-269 designation, and a map from MDOT's application indicates that the state line section should open this month and that the remainder should open in October, 2018 (p. 4/10 of pdf):



MDOT's application also contains a description incorporating the eight control points illustrated on the map (p. 8/10 of pdf):

The Mississippi portion of future Interstate 269, identified as State Route 304, is currently designated as a Principal Arterial facility. The roadway extends northeasterly from the junction of Interstate I-55/I-69/SR 304 (Control Point 1) in DeSoto County, Mississippi for 25.933 miles to the Mississippi/Tennessee State Line in Marshall County. As the route traverses northeastward it intersects the following major roadways: Getwell Road in DeSoto County (Control Point 2), Craft Road in DeSoto County (Control Point 3), State Route 305 in DeSoto County (Control Point 4), US Highway 78/Interstate 22 on the DeSoto County/ Marshall County Line (Control Point 5), State Route 309 in Marshall County (Control Point 6), State Route 302 in Marshall County (Control Point 7) and ends at the Mississippi/Tennessee State Line (Control Point 8).
The entire portion of roadway will meet interstate standards upon completion of construction.

Nail Rd and Star Landing Rd intersect I-55/69, not I-269.

Later discussion about possible interchanges at Nail Road and Star Landing Road can be found in the I-69 in MS thread.

[The Ghostbuster]

When Interstate 269 is completed in 2018, the designation should stop at Interstate 40, and not continue beyond there until Interstate 69 north of Memphis is built.

[TrevorB]

So I decided to swing by the MS 302 interchange with I–269 today, since it supposed to be opening soon, and look what I found!



I believe that is the first uncovered interstate 269 sign in the wild, with the exception of the future signs.

Traffic lights are also going up at the interchange, and I noticed exit signage on mainline 269. Looks like they will hold to their opening date of October 2015, at least to MS 302. South of 302 it is still all grass, not paved at all.

Here is some more pics








iPhone

[codyg1985]

I find the VMS signs curious along MS 302.

[mwb1848]

Wowza. Mississippi's 3rd 3di.

 

Also, I don't think I fully realized that the MS 304 designation would be fully signed along the whole route.

[codyg1985]

Wowza. Mississippi's 3rd 3di.

 

Also, I don't think I fully realized that the MS 304 designation would be fully signed along the whole route.

And along I-69 too.

[froggie]

I find it slightly amusing that they're running MS 304 concurrent with I-269...

[lordsutch]

I find it slightly amusing that they're running MS 304 concurrent with I-269...

All I can figure is that MDOT decided it wanted a consistent number for Tunica casino traffic - e.g. "Casinos FOLLOW MS 304 WEST." Or the casinos lobbied for it.

[Grzrd]

AASHTO has conditionally approved Mississippi's application for the I-269 designation, and a map from MDOT's application indicates that the state line section should open this month ... (p. 4/10 of pdf)

This MDOT News Release announces that the state line ribbon-cutting and grand opening will be Friday, October 23 at 2:30 p.m.:

Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer will join state and local officials from Tennessee and Mississippi for the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening, Friday, October 23, 2015 at 2:30 p.m.
What:              I-269 Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening
When:             Friday, October 23, 2015 at 2:30 p.m.
Where:            Tennessee / Mississippi State Line

From Tennessee’s SR 385 east or west, take the NEW I-269 Junction and follow to the state line.
From Mississippi’s MS 302 east to the NEW I-269 North (Cayce Exit) and follow for approximately 2 miles.

[lordsutch]

Two new interstates in one week. Gotta be a record for Mississippi at least.

[TrevorB]

A few photos from today ahead of the official ribbon cutting on Friday.

Looking south from the Wingo Road overpass in Mississippi:


Looking north from the same overpass:


A view of 269 near the US 72 junction in Tennessee. This was from some little frontage road:


Mile marker (interesting that they are green, Tennessee usually uses blue):


Northbound US 72 exit signage (exit 1) with mile marker:


Northbound US 72 exit signage (exit 1):


70 MPH speed limit:


269 shield in Tennessee (no state name)


BGSes for Exits 1 and 2:


Ramp signage:


Exit 1 sign:


That's all for now! Of course expect more once the road opens later this week.


iPhone

[lordsutch]

Interesting, and thanks for the photos; I guess TDOT has decided that I-269 is sufficiently not-in Shelby County that they don't have to impose the countywide environmental speed limits on it.

[codyg1985]

I will have a lot to check out when I go to Memphis next Monday.

[rlb2024]

I'm curious why Corinth isn't centered under Collierville on the BGSs -- and why the 1 on the Exit 1 sign is.  Looks funky to me.

[ATLRedSoxFan]

Judging from the ground installed exit signage by the mile marker, looks like the installation went wrong, and TDOT decided to make it work anyway.

[ATLRedSoxFan]

Great pics BTW.

[lordsutch]

Wikipedia claims TN 385 has been redesignated north of the 385/269 interchange solely as I-269. Can anyone confirm this? TDOT's press materials don't mention it and I haven't seen any pictures, thus it seems to be bogus (or at least wishful thinking) to me.

[CanesFan27]

Judging from the ground installed exit signage by the mile marker, looks like the installation went wrong, and TDOT decided to make it work anyway.

Tim Gunn would be proud.

[TrevorB]

Wikipedia claims TN 385 has been redesignated north of the 385/269 interchange solely as I-269. Can anyone confirm this? TDOT's press materials don't mention it and I haven't seen any pictures, thus it seems to be bogus (or at least wishful thinking) to me.

Nope, that's not the case (not yet at least). The only 269 signs in Tennessee are south of the 385/269 junction. They'll probably wait until 269 is completely done.

Although, I have to ask, since I did most of the editing on the 269 Wiki, where did you see that info? I can't find it unless I'm completely overlooking it.