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I-95/Penna Turnpike Interchange

Started by Zeffy, February 25, 2014, 11:08:43 AM

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akotchi

^ I think the "End 295 Begin 95" sign may be in its permanent place.  I posted a photo in the "End Signs" thread, but did not pay attention to the supports (watching the road while my daughter took the shots).  I don't have a good photo of the pavement layout, but can try to go up onto the Ford Ave. overpass and get a few.  This is from memory of several passes through the area recently.

The two lanes carrying I-295 WB/I-95 SB traffic are on a narrow viaduct which may be a collector-distributor roadway (future single lane with shoulder) for the PA 413 interchange (current Exit 40/future Exit 39).  An elevated structure left (in the direction of traffic) of these lanes is the I-95 SB connector ramp.  Further left of that is the future I-295 mainline lanes, which would merge with the I-95 lanes from the left.  The I-95 connector ramp may have a slip ramp to the collector-distributor so that it can access the PA 413 exit.  I am not sure of the final configuration, as I have never looked closely at any interchange layouts.  There may also be a future interchange ramp (EB to SB, perhaps) tying into the collector-distributor.

Worth noting that there will likely be stubs left when the first two ramps open up, for the future connection of the other six ramps in the interchange.

It is only my speculation at this point, until I can get out there to get photos.

There are temporary signs northbound at Exit 40 that still say "I-95 North Trenton," as does the existing overhead pull-through.  Advance signs still have "Trenton/Princeton" for the pull-throughs.  Not sure if those will be changed to "New York/Trenton," or even kept in the new signing sequence.
Opinions here attributed to me are mine alone and do not reflect those of my employer or the agencies for which I am contracted to do work.


J N Winkler

My question is:  what is meant by "official"?  Does the Pennsylvania legislature have to baptize the name as such, or is it enough for PennDOT construction plans sets to refer to it as the "Delaware Expressway"?
"It is necessary to spend a hundred lire now to save a thousand lire later."--Piero Puricelli, explaining the need for a first-class road system to Benito Mussolini

PHLBOS

Quote from: akotchi on July 06, 2018, 12:55:05 PM
^ I think the "End 295 Begin 95" sign may be in its permanent place.  I posted a photo in the "End Signs" thread, but did not pay attention to the supports (watching the road while my daughter took the shots).  I don't have a good photo of the pavement layout, but can try to go up onto the Ford Ave. overpass and get a few.  This is from memory of several passes through the area recently.
I doubt it.  As of yesterday, that sign appeared to be right in the middle of new I-95 southbound connector ramp beyond the fly-over portion resting and was very low; like it was resting on a barricade of sorts.

Quote from: akotchi on July 06, 2018, 12:55:05 PMThere are temporary signs northbound at Exit 40 that still say "I-95 North Trenton," as does the existing overhead pull-through.  Advance signs still have "Trenton/Princeton" for the pull-throughs.  Not sure if those will be changed to "New York/Trenton," or even kept in the new signing sequence.
Those older BGS' & temporary orange signs will be ultimately taken down once the new I-95 northbound connector ramp opens.  Approaching the exit ramp to PA 413 from I-95 northbound, there is a wrapped-up cantilever-mounted BGS that likely reads:
EXIT 39
  413
Bristol

with an angled arrow placed to the right of the message.

There will be no pull-through for I-95 northbound at this location anymore since the ultimate configuration will no longer have a lane drop for the through traffic.
GPS does NOT equal GOD

briantroutman

#1528
Quote from: Beltway on July 06, 2018, 09:44:35 AM
Per Wikipedia --
Interstate 95 (I-95) is an Interstate highway running from Miami, Florida, north to Houlton, Maine.  In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the route is known by many as the Delaware Expressway, but is officially named the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
....

Is it true that Delaware Expressway is not the official name?

Well...that begs the question: What is the definition of a road's "official name" ? (Edit: JN Winkler beat me to it.)

Yes, there is a piece of paper filed away in Harrisburg stating that, as of February 17, 1984, the General Assembly declared "Interstate Route 95 in Pennsylvania"  as the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Highway.

Likewise, there are similarly worded acts filed away that declare I-90 in the Commonwealth to be the "AMVETS Memorial Highway"  and US 15 as the "Marine Corps League Memorial Highway" . But other than a posting few inconspicuous token signs as specified by the act, PennDOT ignores these superfluous "official"  titles in its own publications, communications, and records. The public, the media, and most mapmakers ignore them entirely, too. And I think it's worth noting that even the General Assembly does as well. For example, here's a 2004 act, passed by the General Assembly, that appropriates $700K for resurfacing a short section of "I-95, Delaware Expressway" –no mention of "Vietnam"  anywhere. Elsewhere, the same act appropriates funds for projects on I-90 and US 15 but doesn't mention AMVETS or the Marines either.

Bottom line: These names are "official"  in the sense that they're backed up by an act of the General Assembly, but that act was passed once as a publicity stunt by a cadre of politicians to ingratiate themselves with a particular interest group...and then promptly ignored by PennDOT and everyone else.




I drove up the entire length of former I-95 (new I-295) in PA a few days ago myself and noticed the new guide signage and mile markers as well. But I didn't manage to see–don't know if anyone else has: Did PennDOT also replace the "little white signs"  with new ones listing "SR 0295" ?

Beltway

Quote from: PHLBOS on July 06, 2018, 11:29:59 AM
Quote from: Beltway on July 06, 2018, 09:44:35 AMIs it true that Delaware Expressway is not the official name?
Given that portions of I-95 in PA existed before & during the Vietnam War; it probably was a more official/former name than the Blue Route moniker is for I-476 (which is officially named Veterans Memorial Highway).  Many of the now-gone original BGS' at the I-95 ramp entrances in Northeast Philadelphia included Delaware Expwy button-copy text on the signage.  Scroll down for pics of the old signage.

I saw some of those Delaware Expwy signs when I lived in the area in the 1970s.  "Blue Route" never was an official name, it was a popular name started by the local media.  The planning name was Mid-County Expressway.

Too many highways and bridges around the country are name for Veterans or Vietnam Veterans, to provide any unique identity for any one highway or bridge.
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PHLBOS

Quote from: briantroutman on July 06, 2018, 01:42:55 PMYes, there is a piece of paper filed away in Harrisburg stating that, as of February 17, 1984, the General Assembly declared "Interstate Route 95 in Pennsylvania"  as the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Highway.
Brian, you might want to recheck your link.  I clicked on it and got a Jan. 9, 2012 article regarding a sentencing for a driver involved in a tractor-trailer crash along I-81 in Hagerstown, MD.

Either way & I stated such earlier that Vietnam Veterans Memorial highway name for I-95 in PA was tacked on well after the majority of the highway was built & open to traffic; the then-missing-link at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) being the sole exception (such would open circa 1985).

Quote from: briantroutman on July 06, 2018, 01:42:55 PMBottom line: These names are "official"  in the sense that they're backed up by an act of the General Assembly, but that act was passed once as a publicity stunt by a cadre of politicians to ingratiate themselves with a particular interest group...and then promptly ignored by PennDOT and everyone else.
Very true.  How many people refer to the Blue Route portion of I-476 as the Veterans Memorial Highway (which sounds too similar to the "official" name for I-95/295 in PA)?

Quote from: briantroutman on July 06, 2018, 01:42:55 PM
I drove up the entire length of former I-95 (new I-295) in PA a few days ago myself and noticed the new guide signage and mile markers as well. But I didn't manage to see–don't know if anyone else has: Did PennDOT also replace the "little white signs"  with new ones listing "SR 0295" ?
To tell your the truth, when I was up there yesterday, I didn't even notice those signs at all regardless of what they listed.  Then again, PennDOT's not always consistent with placing those little SR markers along expressways.  Personal take: should PennDOT erect those for the "new" I-295, they may wait until the interchange/connection ramp construction is completed.  Such are actually only used for internal purposes.
GPS does NOT equal GOD

briantroutman

Quote from: PHLBOS on July 06, 2018, 02:34:06 PM
Brian, you might want to recheck your link.

Oops–corrected (above, and here: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/PDF/1984/0/0013..PDF).

About that other link: I was contributing to a conversation on another site where someone was trying to select a route based on it being the fastest, and I made the observation that, while you can calculate mileages and average speeds to come up with typical travel times, there's always the chance that something completely unforeseeable happens and delays you substantially. A family member of mine was stuck in a police imposed traffic break and held up for many minutes because that truck driver went berserk.

Roadsguy

Quote from: PHLBOS on July 06, 2018, 02:34:06 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on July 06, 2018, 01:42:55 PM
I drove up the entire length of former I-95 (new I-295) in PA a few days ago myself and noticed the new guide signage and mile markers as well. But I didn't manage to see–don't know if anyone else has: Did PennDOT also replace the "little white signs"  with new ones listing "SR 0295" ?
To tell your the truth, when I was up there yesterday, I didn't even notice those signs at all regardless of what they listed.  Then again, PennDOT's not always consistent with placing those little SR markers along expressways.  Personal take: should PennDOT erect those for the "new" I-295, they may wait until the interchange/connection ramp construction is completed.  Such are actually only used for internal purposes.

TIRe still indicates that section as SR 0095. I imagine they'll change it shortly after the interchange itself is complete. They're usually pretty good with changing the internal designations, though not always in completely intuitive ways.

I'm pretty sure that for a long time there were two SR 0099s, I-99 and PA 99, and it was only in 2009 with the most recent new PA I-99 segment opening that PA 99 was made SR 0699. (Which is what I meant about not completely intuitive ways. Why 0699 and not x099? 0500?)
Mileage-based exit numbering implies the existence of mileage-cringe exit numbering.

akotchi

Quote from: PHLBOS on July 06, 2018, 01:29:27 PM
I doubt it.  As of yesterday, that sign appeared to be right in the middle of new I-95 southbound connector ramp beyond the fly-over portion resting and was very low; like it was resting on a barricade of sorts.
Here is a photo taken this morning, looking north from the Ford Road overpass.  The sign (End 295/Begin 95) is partially showing in the right foreground, facing away from the camera.

It does seem to confirm most of what I postulated upthread.  It appears, though that the I-95 lanes (in the center of the photo, elevated) remain separated from the I-295 lanes (near ground) until past the PA 413 exit.  The ramp from I-295 to PA 413, which through traffic is using now (the far right, where the single car is to the left of the drums), becomes an auxiliary lane at the merge with the I-95 lanes on the right.  The covered guide signs along the current (and temporary) path of I-295 traffic make a lot more sense now . . .

My travels took me onto the Pa Turnpike as well, so the camera was busy, too.  A couple of selected shots.

This replaces the previous "Bensalem Exits" sign and includes the direction to I-95 south and I-295 at the U.S. 1 exit.  There also seems to be some construction going on behind shoulder closings with barrier around the various advance guide signs approaching Exit 351, which may suggest new signs and/or structures.


This sign is covered, but wind gusts occasionally reveal parts of the message.  Sign will probably say
(TO?) 95 NORTH
New York
USE 276 EAST


The Y in New York and the bottom interstate shield are revealed in the photo above.  I did a short video from the shoulder until the breeze exposed the message.
Opinions here attributed to me are mine alone and do not reflect those of my employer or the agencies for which I am contracted to do work.

Roadsguy

Are there still any high-resolution diagrams available of the whole interchange and how it ties in at the PA 413 interchange as well?
Mileage-based exit numbering implies the existence of mileage-cringe exit numbering.

yakra

Quote from: Roadsguy on July 07, 2018, 08:08:30 PM
Are there still any high-resolution diagrams available of the whole interchange and how it ties in at the PA 413 interchange as well?
https://www.patpconstruction.com/paturnpikei95/section-d30-d40.aspx
"Officer, I'm always careful to drive the speed limit no matter where I am and that's what I was doin'." Said "No, you weren't," she said, "Yes, I was." He said, "Madam, I just clocked you at 22 MPH," and she said "That's the speed limit," he said "No ma'am, that's the route numbah!"  - Gary Crocker

Roadsguy

Quote from: yakra on July 10, 2018, 10:42:43 PM
Quote from: Roadsguy on July 07, 2018, 08:08:30 PM
Are there still any high-resolution diagrams available of the whole interchange and how it ties in at the PA 413 interchange as well?
https://www.patpconstruction.com/paturnpikei95/section-d30-d40.aspx

That's a pretty low-res JPEG. I'm pretty sure there used to be a zoomable version.
Mileage-based exit numbering implies the existence of mileage-cringe exit numbering.

Roadwarriors79

Quote from: akotchi on July 07, 2018, 02:16:24 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on July 06, 2018, 01:29:27 PM
I doubt it.  As of yesterday, that sign appeared to be right in the middle of new I-95 southbound connector ramp beyond the fly-over portion resting and was very low; like it was resting on a barricade of sorts.
Here is a photo taken this morning, looking north from the Ford Road overpass.  The sign (End 295/Begin 95) is partially showing in the right foreground, facing away from the camera.

It does seem to confirm most of what I postulated upthread.  It appears, though that the I-95 lanes (in the center of the photo, elevated) remain separated from the I-295 lanes (near ground) until past the PA 413 exit.  The ramp from I-295 to PA 413, which through traffic is using now (the far right, where the single car is to the left of the drums), becomes an auxiliary lane at the merge with the I-95 lanes on the right.  The covered guide signs along the current (and temporary) path of I-295 traffic make a lot more sense now . . .

My travels took me onto the Pa Turnpike as well, so the camera was busy, too.  A couple of selected shots.

This replaces the previous "Bensalem Exits" sign and includes the direction to I-95 south and I-295 at the U.S. 1 exit.  There also seems to be some construction going on behind shoulder closings with barrier around the various advance guide signs approaching Exit 351, which may suggest new signs and/or structures.


This sign is covered, but wind gusts occasionally reveal parts of the message.  Sign will probably say
(TO?) 95 NORTH
New York
USE 276 EAST


The Y in New York and the bottom interstate shield are revealed in the photo above.  I did a short video from the shoulder until the breeze exposed the message.

Any idea how much of the ramp work is done? On the construction website, there are overhead photos from June, and PTC states that the future NB I-95 ramp is done.

akotchi

Northbound is basically done.  Some portions on the Turnpike side have had the final markings installed.  Southbound is much further behind.
Opinions here attributed to me are mine alone and do not reflect those of my employer or the agencies for which I am contracted to do work.

Roadsguy

Interesting that they're renumbering the former Delaware Valley exit (now nameless since it's off the ticket system) to match 95's numbering instead of continuing the Turnpike numbering like they do at Valley Forge onto 276.

Maybe instead of that, they should've coordinated with DelDOT, MDSHA, and VDOT to have I-95's mileage start at the NC/VA state line and continuously rise through Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania before (roughly) matching up with the Turnpike at the new interchange. :bigass:
Mileage-based exit numbering implies the existence of mileage-cringe exit numbering.

storm2k

Quote from: Roadsguy on July 21, 2018, 07:25:14 PM
Interesting that they're renumbering the former Delaware Valley exit (now nameless since it's off the ticket system) to match 95's numbering instead of continuing the Turnpike numbering like they do at Valley Forge onto 276.

Maybe instead of that, they should've coordinated with DelDOT, MDSHA, and VDOT to have I-95's mileage start at the NC/VA state line and continuously rise through Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania before (roughly) matching up with the Turnpike at the new interchange. :bigass:

That's because it's off the ticket system. I think that's why the numbering continued even though the route number changed.

theroadwayone

For those of you interested, this past Monday marked five years to the day ground broke on the interchange. Now that it's August, we can look forward to I-95 being a complete highway from Florida to Maine within the month.

briantroutman

I just realized that I never cross-posted to this thread–and that I should, since some people following this thread may not be checking the Road Enthusiast Meets board.

I'm organizing a road meet to coincide with the completion of the I-95/PA Turnpike interchange ramps next month. In addition to the usual pre-meet lunch and post-meet dinner, the current plan includes a tour of the PTC project office, a Q&A session with an engineer, and an escorted tour of the ramps on PTC vehicles. (Meet thread is here: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23316.0)

After a couple of weeks of voting, the date that emerged with the least conflicts is 13 September (a Thursday), so I'm working with a contact at the PTC to start making tentative plans for that date. Once they've confirmed, I'll set up a registration page for everyone who's planning to attend, and we can work on finalizing the remaining details.

Everyone is welcome to attend, and I look forward to seeing many of you there! If you have any questions or comments on the meet, it would probably be best to post over on the meet thread (linked above).

jeffandnicole

Quote from: theroadwayone on August 04, 2018, 05:56:40 PM
For those of you interested, this past Monday marked five years to the day ground broke on the interchange. Now that it's August, we can look forward to I-95 being a complete highway from Florida to Maine within the month.

That's just insane...5 years...2 ramps. Incredible.

theroadwayone

Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 04, 2018, 07:51:12 PM
Quote from: theroadwayone on August 04, 2018, 05:56:40 PM
For those of you interested, this past Monday marked five years to the day ground broke on the interchange. Now that it's August, we can look forward to I-95 being a complete highway from Florida to Maine within the month.

That's just insane...5 years...2 ramps. Incredible.
Yep. That's PA for you.

Roadwarriors79

Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 04, 2018, 07:51:12 PM
Quote from: theroadwayone on August 04, 2018, 05:56:40 PM
For those of you interested, this past Monday marked five years to the day ground broke on the interchange. Now that it's August, we can look forward to I-95 being a complete highway from Florida to Maine within the month.

That's just insane...5 years...2 ramps. Incredible.

I wonder if the PTC would have worked faster if I-95 would have had more toll mileage in PA than the couple miles on the east end.

theroadwayone

Quote from: Roadwarriors79 on August 04, 2018, 08:57:36 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 04, 2018, 07:51:12 PM
Quote from: theroadwayone on August 04, 2018, 05:56:40 PM
For those of you interested, this past Monday marked five years to the day ground broke on the interchange. Now that it's August, we can look forward to I-95 being a complete highway from Florida to Maine within the month.

That's just insane...5 years...2 ramps. Incredible.

I wonder if the PTC would have worked faster if I-95 would have had more toll mileage in PA than the couple miles on the east end.
Yeah, same here.

bzakharin

Quote from: Roadwarriors79 on August 04, 2018, 08:57:36 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 04, 2018, 07:51:12 PM
Quote from: theroadwayone on August 04, 2018, 05:56:40 PM
For those of you interested, this past Monday marked five years to the day ground broke on the interchange. Now that it's August, we can look forward to I-95 being a complete highway from Florida to Maine within the month.

That's just insane...5 years...2 ramps. Incredible.

I wonder if the PTC would have worked faster if I-95 would have had more toll mileage in PA than the couple miles on the east end.

How much is the PTC getting out of those miles? It's a one-way toll westbound only. Are they sharing that revenue with the NJTA or does the latter use their own toll system for their side of the bridge?

storm2k

Quote from: bzakharin on August 04, 2018, 11:09:45 PM
Quote from: Roadwarriors79 on August 04, 2018, 08:57:36 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 04, 2018, 07:51:12 PM
Quote from: theroadwayone on August 04, 2018, 05:56:40 PM
For those of you interested, this past Monday marked five years to the day ground broke on the interchange. Now that it's August, we can look forward to I-95 being a complete highway from Florida to Maine within the month.

That's just insane...5 years...2 ramps. Incredible.

I wonder if the PTC would have worked faster if I-95 would have had more toll mileage in PA than the couple miles on the east end.

How much is the PTC getting out of those miles? It's a one-way toll westbound only. Are they sharing that revenue with the NJTA or does the latter use their own toll system for their side of the bridge?

For drivers coming off the mainline NJ Turnpike, they pay whatever toll they owe at the main Exit 6 toll plaza, which is a bit west of the 130 interchange (Exit 6A in Turnpike parlance). For drivers headed to the bridge from 130, or those coming into NJ over the bridge and exiting at 130, there is a flat rate $3 toll.

02 Park Ave

Quote from: storm2k on August 05, 2018, 04:03:34 AM
Quote from: bzakharin on August 04, 2018, 11:09:45 PM
Quote from: Roadwarriors79 on August 04, 2018, 08:57:36 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 04, 2018, 07:51:12 PM
Quote from: theroadwayone on August 04, 2018, 05:56:40 PM
For those of you interested, this past Monday marked five years to the day ground broke on the interchange. Now that it's August, we can look forward to I-95 being a complete highway from Florida to Maine within the month.

That's just insane...5 years...2 ramps. Incredible.

I wonder if the PTC would have worked faster if I-95 would have had more toll mileage in PA than the couple miles on the east end.

How much is the PTC getting out of those miles? It's a one-way toll westbound only. Are they sharing that revenue with the NJTA or does the latter use their own toll system for their side of the bridge?

For drivers coming off the mainline NJ Turnpike, they pay whatever toll they owe at the main Exit 6 toll plaza, which is a bit west of the 130 interchange (Exit 6A in Turnpike parlance). For drivers headed to the bridge from 130, or those coming into NJ over the bridge and exiting at 130, there is a flat rate $3 toll.

There is no toll for eastbound motorists coming into NJ over the bridge and exiting at US 130.
C-o-H



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