Worst control city on an interstate in your state

[hobsini2]

Maybe Tomah as the primary control for I-90 west at the 90/94 split. You're already in Tomah at that point, and certain parts of the town are more accessible via I-94. It would be better to use La Crosse and then Rochester, or just La Crosse.

I think its the use of Fond du Lac on I-41 NB in the Milwaukee area.  Should be Appleton.

Fond du Lac makes a lot of sense. It is the beginning of the Winnebago/Fox Cities.  It would be better if on the mileage signs they would alternate the use of Fond du Lac, Oshkosh and Appleton from about Hwy 60 north. Green Bay shouldn't be used until you get to Fond du Lac IMO.

[hbelkins]

Kentucky's make sense with the exception of using Fulton on I-69. Dyersburg or Memphis would make more sense, and it's possible Fulton will change once I-69 is complete. I guess it was used because Fulton was listed for the Purchase Parkway.

Otherwise, Kentucky's are pretty logical.

I may be a bit biased, but I've thought that Evansville should be used on I-69 NB instead of Henderson. Maybe they will change it when the new bridge is opened to make I-69 continuous across the state line.

Similarly, I would say one of Indiana's bad offenders is no control city on I-69 NB from Evansville northward. I get that INDOT is waiting for it to be finished before they can sign Indianapolis, but I would have thought that completing the roadway up to Bloomington is enough to update the signage.

Iowa's control cities are generally pretty good, although I think Omaha would make more sense for I-80 WB than Council Bluffs.

So, [in California] we are often stuck with things like "Other Desert Cities" to avoid using some small town in a neighboring state that few would know...

I've never considered Phoenix to be a small town, but ok

Or you might get Henderson, then Evansville. There's precedent, with Ashland used for I-64, then Huntington.

[thspfc]

Then it's not a "no brainer."

Ok

To me New York is an obvious pick for I-95 SB in Boston.

[hobsini2]

From Tampa it should be Fort Myers + Miami and then Naples + Miami. If I had to choose one it would be just Miami.

From Miami it should be Naples + Tampa and then Fort Myers + Tampa. If I had to choose one it would be just Tampa.

Could also make a case for Sarasota as a secondary.

[Dirt Roads]

West Virginia has so many little Control Cities to pick from.  How about the use of either Lewisburg (pop 3,930) or White Sulphur Springs (pop 2,231) on I-64 eastbound from Beckley?  These are the carryovers from US-60, which is nowhere near the current routing of I-64 until you get close to Lewisburg.  And of course, I-64 crosses US-60 at a location is the craziest of all Control Cities (warning, going off-topic) along the old Midland Trail, which is Sam Black Church (representing a small fraction of the tiny population of Smoot).

[hbelkins and I discuss Sam Black Church on another thread: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=29860.msg2644841#msg2644841]

[Roadgeekteen]

Then it's not a "no brainer."

Ok

To me New York is an obvious pick for I-95 SB in Boston.

It's actually a terrible pick. I-90 to I-84 is faster than I-95 from downtown. I wouldn't mind it being signed south of Canton though, although Providence should still be the primary.

[ran4sh]

Then it's not a "no brainer."

Ok

To me New York is an obvious pick for I-95 SB in Boston.

It's actually a terrible pick. I-90 to I-84 is faster than I-95 from downtown. I wouldn't mind it being signed south of Canton though, although Providence should still be the primary.

Per the rules of control cities, the control city used from downtown Boston must continue to be used until being reached (either the city itself or the interchange where traffic exits to a connecting route), so that rules out NYC being the I-95 south control city until at least Providence.

[jp the roadgeek]

Then it's not a "no brainer."

Ok

To me New York is an obvious pick for I-95 SB in Boston.

It's actually a terrible pick. I-90 to I-84 is faster than I-95 from downtown. I wouldn't mind it being signed south of Canton though, although Providence should still be the primary.

Per the rules of control cities, the control city used from downtown Boston must continue to be used until being reached (either the city itself or the interchange where traffic exits to a connecting route), so that rules out NYC being the I-95 south control city until at least Providence.

Except when you cross a state boundary.  NYC is the control for I-95 from Providence south within RI, but get to the CT border, and it becomes New London, then New Haven, before becoming NYC once again.

[SkyPesos]

Per the rules of control cities, the control city used from downtown Boston must continue to be used until being reached (either the city itself or the interchange where traffic exits to a connecting route), so that rules out NYC being the I-95 south control city until at least Providence.

Source?

Considering MoDOT with Tulsa and Kansas City on I-44 and I-70 respectively, OhioDOT with NYC on I-80, most beltways, and probably various other examples around the country, I doubt that.

[ran4sh]

Then it's not a "no brainer."

Ok

To me New York is an obvious pick for I-95 SB in Boston.

It's actually a terrible pick. I-90 to I-84 is faster than I-95 from downtown. I wouldn't mind it being signed south of Canton though, although Providence should still be the primary.

Per the rules of control cities, the control city used from downtown Boston must continue to be used until being reached (either the city itself or the interchange where traffic exits to a connecting route), so that rules out NYC being the I-95 south control city until at least Providence.

Except when you cross a state boundary.  NYC is the control for I-95 from Providence south within RI, but get to the CT border, and it becomes New London, then New Haven, before becoming NYC once again.

That's more of a technical limitation based on the fact that the states are maintaining the routes, rather than what the  FHWA actually intends. It's supposed to be one network of routes that are mostly similar from state to state, and most state lines don't really have any good reason to be the cause of a control city change.

[hotdogPi]

Per the rules of control cities, the control city used from downtown Boston must continue to be used until being reached (either the city itself or the interchange where traffic exits to a connecting route), so that rules out NYC being the I-95 south control city until at least Providence.

Why would I-95 care what I-93's control cities are?

[ran4sh]

Per the rules of control cities, the control city used from downtown Boston must continue to be used until being reached (either the city itself or the interchange where traffic exits to a connecting route), so that rules out NYC being the I-95 south control city until at least Providence.

Source?

Considering MoDOT with Tulsa and Kansas City on I-44 and I-70 respectively, OhioDOT with NYC on I-80, most beltways, and probably various other examples around the country, I doubt that.

See also my above reply to the other user.

As for a source, see MUTCD 2e.13 paragraph 1, "Successive freeway guide signs shall provide continuity in destination names and consistency with available map information." which is consistent with MUTCD 2d.41 paragraph 6, "The control city should remain the same on all successive Distance signs throughout the length of the route until that city is reached."

[ran4sh]

Per the rules of control cities, the control city used from downtown Boston must continue to be used until being reached (either the city itself or the interchange where traffic exits to a connecting route), so that rules out NYC being the I-95 south control city until at least Providence.

Why would I-95 care what I-93's control cities are?

I-93 is on what really should be I-95 (or I-93/95), and I-95 is on what should really be designated as a 3di. Sorry for the confusion.

[paulthemapguy]

Where do I start in Illinois?  Do I start with "Interstate 57"  on I-24, "Suburbs"  for I-355, or Sterling-Rock Falls for I-88 east from I-80?

I think I hate I-355's "control cities" worst of all.  "Suburbs" is such a weak excuse for a control.  Just as bad is "Rockford" for I-355 along I-80.......I-355 doesn't go to Rockford.

I know it's not really an Interstate, but signing IL-394 as the way to Danville from I-80 is pretty funny to me.

[ran4sh]

Where do I start in Illinois?  Do I start with "Interstate 57"  on I-24, "Suburbs"  for I-355, or Sterling-Rock Falls for I-88 east from I-80?

I think I hate I-355's "control cities" worst of all.  "Suburbs" is such a weak excuse for a control.  Just as bad is "Rockford" for I-355 along I-80.......I-355 doesn't go to Rockford.

I know it's not really an Interstate, but signing IL-394 as the way to Danville from I-80 is pretty funny to me.

All of those, and East St Louis anywhere it is used.

[zachary_amaryllis]

The point remains that it's silly to sign a control city only for the reason that the highway in question is the quickest way between two points. If there's a prominent city in between, that should be the default.

"What was that wide spot in the road?"
"Denver."

There's nothing more prominent than Tampa or Miami in between Tampa and Miami.

Sigh. But to use an example like I did earlier, there's nothing more prominent in between the Bay Area and NYC on I-80 either. That's not good reasoning.

[Roadgeekteen]

The point remains that it's silly to sign a control city only for the reason that the highway in question is the quickest way between two points. If there's a prominent city in between, that should be the default.

"What was that wide spot in the road?"
"Denver."

There's nothing more prominent than Tampa or Miami in between Tampa and Miami.

Sigh. But to use an example like I did earlier, there's nothing more prominent in between the Bay Area and NYC on I-80 either. That's not good reasoning.

What are you saying? The quote is messed up.

[thspfc]

The point remains that it's silly to sign a control city only for the reason that the highway in question is the quickest way between two points. If there's a prominent city in between, that should be the default.

"What was that wide spot in the road?"
"Denver."

There's nothing more prominent than Tampa or Miami in between Tampa and Miami.

"What was that wide spot in the road?"
"Denver."

Sigh. But to use an example like I did earlier, there's nothing more prominent in between the Bay Area and NYC on I-80 either. That's not good reasoning.

What are you saying? The quote is messed up.

[Scott5114]

I'm surprised nobody ever screws up by putting the text up here

The point remains that it's silly to sign a control city only for the reason that the highway in question is the quickest way between two points. If there's a prominent city in between, that should be the default.

"What was that wide spot in the road?"
"Denver."

There's nothing more prominent than Tampa or Miami in between Tampa and Miami.

"What was that wide spot in the road?"
"Denver."

Sigh. But to use an example like I did earlier, there's nothing more prominent in between the Bay Area and NYC on I-80 either. That's not good reasoning.

What are you saying? The quote is messed up.

[webny99]

The point remains that it's silly to sign a control city only for the reason that the highway in question is the quickest way between two points. If there's a prominent city in between, that should be the default.

There's nothing more prominent than Tampa or Miami in between Tampa and Miami.

Sigh. But to use an example like I did earlier, there's nothing more prominent in between the Bay Area and NYC on I-80 either. That's not good reasoning.

"What was that wide spot in the road?"
"Denver."

OK, FTFY (and everyone else...)

[Mr. ENC]

Since I'm originally from NC, I'd say this crap on I-587/US-264 East takes the cake there:



There's absolutely ZERO reason for Kenly to be a control city for I-795 South. Heading in this direction from points west of Wilson, you reach I-95 before the I-795 split. Anybody going to Kenly would simply hop on I-95 South since it's a straight shot.

I-795 is intended to be a shortcut to Wilmington, so Wilmington needs to take Kenly's spot.

IIRC isn't the I-95 South Benson Control City sign in the same area? Idk why they chose Benson as a Control City outside of maybe meeting I-40. It should be Smithfield, then Fayetteville.

[Roadgeekteen]

Since I'm originally from NC, I'd say this crap on I-587/US-264 East takes the cake there:



There's absolutely ZERO reason for Kenly to be a control city for I-795 South. Heading in this direction from points west of Wilson, you reach I-95 before the I-795 split. Anybody going to Kenly would simply hop on I-95 South since it's a straight shot.

I-795 is intended to be a shortcut to Wilmington, so Wilmington needs to take Kenly's spot.

IIRC isn't the I-95 South Benson Control City sign in the same area? Idk why they chose Benson as a Control City outside of maybe meeting I-40. It should be Smithfield, then Fayetteville.

The only control cities in NC on I-95 IMO should be Fayetteville and Rocky Mount (or drop Rocky Mount and use Richmond).

[ran4sh]

Raleigh could be a control city on I-95: northbound would use Raleigh from Fayetteville to I-40, southbound would use Raleigh from Richmond/Petersburg to US 64.

[Roadgeekteen]

Raleigh could be a control city on I-95: northbound would use Raleigh from Fayetteville to I-40, southbound would use Raleigh from Richmond/Petersburg to US 64.

It's a bit far off the route for me.

[thenetwork]

Another nomination for Ohio:

I-77 South has/had used either Cambridge or Marietta as the control city between Canton and Cambridge (where I-77 meets I-70).  I would just stick with Cambridge and have the Marietta control city from I-70 southward.

Much of the Southbound traffic from Canton bails out by Dover/New Philadelphia or at I-70 anyways, so Marietta is a moot point.