Part-time exits

[SEWIGuy]

I-43's half-interchange with Rowe Rd north of Sheboygan is only open a few weekends a year, for golf tournaments at Whistling Straits (which I learned the hard way today).

You can't let that go without the story behind it. At least checking GSV, there's a movable concrete barrier on I-43 itself, and cheaper barriers at the exit ramp itself. The only GSV from the local road itself shows no restrictions, but cops all over (I guess the exit was open for an event). Even the exit construction and eminient domain takings for utilizing public construction meant for rare private events led to some controversy.

I made a quick excursion from Sheboygan to check out the course yesterday. Going north on I-43 I was planning to take that exit because Google Maps makes it look legit. But as I was passing it I saw the ramp hidden behind a concrete barrier there's no signage ahead of the exit (not permanent signage anyway). Had to go up to CTH-XX and backtrack.

Going back to Sheboygan was worse. CTH-LS slows to 45 MPH a couple miles north of the city limit, then 35 soon after. Downed trees from Wednesday's storm meant detouring along Eisner Ave, 13th St, and North Ave in order to get to WI-42.

Last year during the Ryder Cup, there were temporary exit signs erected I-43 northbound.  But as I said, I only think they open it during major tournaments like the Ryder Cup, and since it is doubtful that Whistling Straights is ever going to host such tournaments in the future, I am not sure that exit will ever be in use again.

Why is it doubtful?

With the PGA Championship moving to May, when it used to be held in August, I doubt the PGA is going to look to host it at a course on the shore of Lake Michigan that time of year.  Furthermore, I don't think the politics of the USGA and PGA will allow it to host a US Open anytime soon - if ever.  So my guess is that it will host more minor events like a US Senior Open, but that's about it.

Seems like a waste of one of the better courses in the country.

They don't make money hosting these tournaments.

[Rothman]

I heard though, through the grapevine, that the last few seasons has eliminated this part time entrance, but can't be sure if it's true or not.

The at grade intersection on I-690 by the New York State Fairgrounds is gone. There's still the existing span wire with the old signal heads over the freeway. Here's GSV link.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0817654,-76.2225415,3a,75y,264.65h,85.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMP0WWA-JVsvR5RIpIGqsXw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

There's also a new flyover from the Orange Lot.

[epzik8]

What about the ramp from the Balt-Wash Parkway to...NASA, I think it is?  Might be only open certain times of the day.

NASA and NSA, I believe...

[rickmastfan67]

I heard though, through the grapevine, that the last few seasons has eliminated this part time entrance, but can't be sure if it's true or not.

The at grade intersection on I-690 by the New York State Fairgrounds is gone. There's still the existing span wire with the old signal heads over the freeway. Here's GSV link.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0817654,-76.2225415,3a,75y,264.65h,85.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMP0WWA-JVsvR5RIpIGqsXw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

There's also a new flyover from the Orange Lot.

Yep, StreetView has caught it being completed already.
https://goo.gl/maps/KrsWYVZ5eZySwrrdA

[Scott5114]

Aw, I thought I found one:  Key Gate @ Fort Sill from I-44 in Lawton, OK.  On the east side, the gate is only open during certain hours.  But, on the west side, it's 24/7.  So not quite.

Even if the gates were both closed at night, it'd still be a not quite, probably... since you could still exit there... you just wouldn't be able to go anywhere, other than returning to I-44 (either the same direction you were going in, or turning around).

[KCRoadFan]

In Manchester, TN, there is a temporary gated access point to/from I-24 west leading to the Bonnaroo music festival grounds, which coincidentally is happening this very weekend.  TDOT calls this "Exit 112"  (or maybe it's 113) even though it has no permanent signage.  They open it up on the Thursday before the festival starts on Friday for ingress, and then open it up for egress on Sunday night once it's over.

What do they do during the festival? Does TDOT contract with the festival organizers to erect temporary signage? Without that, people not familiar with the area (which I'm sure a lot of festival-goers probably aren't) wouldn't know exactly where to get off.

[Dirt Roads]

Exit 15 on the Dulles Toll Road (VA-267) was constructed as part-time access to the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts.  Anybody know if it is now open full-time?

[Rothman]

I heard though, through the grapevine, that the last few seasons has eliminated this part time entrance, but can't be sure if it's true or not.

The at grade intersection on I-690 by the New York State Fairgrounds is gone. There's still the existing span wire with the old signal heads over the freeway. Here's GSV link.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0817654,-76.2225415,3a,75y,264.65h,85.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMP0WWA-JVsvR5RIpIGqsXw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

There's also a new flyover from the Orange Lot.

Yep, StreetView has caught it being completed already.
https://goo.gl/maps/KrsWYVZ5eZySwrrdA

Well...yeah.  I've been across it a few times now. 

[wriddle082]

In Manchester, TN, there is a temporary gated access point to/from I-24 west leading to the Bonnaroo music festival grounds, which coincidentally is happening this very weekend.  TDOT calls this "Exit 112"  (or maybe it's 113) even though it has no permanent signage.  They open it up on the Thursday before the festival starts on Friday for ingress, and then open it up for egress on Sunday night once it's over.

What do they do during the festival? Does TDOT contract with the festival organizers to erect temporary signage? Without that, people not familiar with the area (which I'm sure a lot of festival-goers probably aren't) wouldn't know exactly where to get off.

During the lead-up to the festival, TDOT gets the word out that all through traffic on I-24 should use the left lane and all Bonnaroo traffic should use the right lane and right shoulder.  And they post maps of alternate routes around the whole area for those who just want to avoid it altogether.  I suppose there are portable VMS's once you get close to the exit.  Really the exit is more of a RIRO with a gate.

https://goo.gl/maps/L8TBTRstAu5k2Rjj6

[Duke87]

I-43's half-interchange with Rowe Rd north of Sheboygan is only open a few weekends a year, for golf tournaments at Whistling Straits (which I learned the hard way today).

You can't let that go without the story behind it. At least checking GSV, there's a movable concrete barrier on I-43 itself, and cheaper barriers at the exit ramp itself. The only GSV from the local road itself shows no restrictions, but cops all over (I guess the exit was open for an event). Even the exit construction and eminient domain takings for utilizing public construction meant for rare private events led to some controversy.

Ah. Yeah that's a perfectly good interchange, no practical reason for it to not normally be open except... NIMBYs. Figures.

Another NIMBY part-timing that comes to mind is this onramp to I-295 right before the Throggs Neck Bridge.

For decades, this ramp was closed during rush hours and all weekend, because locals in the neighborhood didn't like people clogging up their local streets trying to bypass traffic getting to the bridge. But that was when there was a physical toll plaza. In 2017 the bridge went AET, the toll plaza was removed, and the massive backups that people were trying to bypass using this onramp shrank to a fraction of what they used to be. Subsequently, the ramp changed to being open full time and now the gates have been removed.

[tsmatt13]

Exit 15 on the Dulles Toll Road (VA-267) was constructed as part-time access to the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts.  Anybody know if it is now open full-time?

From the looks of it here it seems like it is open full-time.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.9350098,-77.2651705,3a,21y,323.79h,89.33t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sblHSTvEOGkDmfp7csw73RA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DblHSTvEOGkDmfp7csw73RA%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D31.349182%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

[HTM Duke]

Exit 15 on the Dulles Toll Road (VA-267) was constructed as part-time access to the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts.  Anybody know if it is now open full-time?

From the looks of it here it seems like it is open full-time.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.9350098,-77.2651705,3a,21y,323.79h,89.33t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sblHSTvEOGkDmfp7csw73RA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DblHSTvEOGkDmfp7csw73RA%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D31.349182%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Further upstream is this sign; given the lack of any physical barriers to prevent non-event ramp usage, it seems the honor system is relied upon here.

[1995hoo]

Exit 15 on the Dulles Toll Road (VA-267) was constructed as part-time access to the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts.  Anybody know if it is now open full-time?

From the looks of it here it seems like it is open full-time.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.9350098,-77.2651705,3a,21y,323.79h,89.33t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sblHSTvEOGkDmfp7csw73RA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DblHSTvEOGkDmfp7csw73RA%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D31.349182%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Further upstream is this sign; given the lack of any physical barriers to prevent non-event ramp usage, it seems the honor system is relied upon here.

You are both correct. A former colleague who lives near there said that every once in a while there would be a cop at the top of the ramp at times when Wolf Trap wasn't holding an event, but that it was rare in part because there are things to do at Wolf Trap aside from attending performances–you can walk the trails through the woods, for example–such that enforcement is always a bit hit-or-miss. The sign's restriction to "park uses" doesn't say "performances only," in other words, so it's sort of like the Dulles Access Road being restricted to "airport business," which has been construed to include buying coffee or a newspaper at the airport gas station.

[dvferyance]

I-43's half-interchange with Rowe Rd north of Sheboygan is only open a few weekends a year, for golf tournaments at Whistling Straits (which I learned the hard way today).

I don't see how you could considering it's not marked on any maps. At least no maps I have seen.

[thspfc]

I-43's half-interchange with Rowe Rd north of Sheboygan is only open a few weekends a year, for golf tournaments at Whistling Straits (which I learned the hard way today).

I don't see how you could considering it's not marked on any maps. At least no maps I have seen.

Google shows it on both default and satellite view.

[skluth]

What about the ramp from the Balt-Wash Parkway to...NASA, I think it is?  Might be only open certain times of the day.

NASA and NSA, I believe...

Is this the exit you mean? If so, that's going to NSA HQ at Fort Meade.

[dlsterner]

What about the ramp from the Balt-Wash Parkway to...NASA, I think it is?  Might be only open certain times of the day.

NASA and NSA, I believe...

Is this the exit you mean? If so, that's going to NSA HQ at Fort Meade.

There's also this exit a bit further south which is the one that goes to NASA, distinct from the previous exit which is for NSA.  The barricades for the NASA exit are still there as of now (I drive that way on my daily commute).

[CardInLex]

This exit off of US 31W/US 60 at Fort Knox is technically always open but doesn't lead anywhere because this entry gate to the base is closed.

https://goo.gl/maps/884DCRoLcBhRQPRA7

The warning sign uses red flashing beacons. I suspect it was installed by the base and not KYTC.

[skluth]

The Kansas Turnpike has a few of these exits like here, here, and here. Don't know if they're part-time, emergency, or just random access points for farmers. There's also the cattle pen exit which used to be part-time but now appears to always be open.

[kphoger]

This exit off of US 31W/US 60 at Fort Knox is technically always open but doesn't lead anywhere because this entry gate to the base is closed.

https://goo.gl/maps/884DCRoLcBhRQPRA7

Doesn't it also lead to Brandenburg Road?  I don't see any signs prohibiting any turns.

[CardInLex]

This exit off of US 31W/US 60 at Fort Knox is technically always open but doesn't lead anywhere because this entry gate to the base is closed.

https://goo.gl/maps/884DCRoLcBhRQPRA7

Doesn't it also lead to Brandenburg Road?  I don't see any signs prohibiting any turns.

There are no signs prohibiting it, but it doesn't really go anywhere other than DOD property. There are signs prohibiting "Civilian Traffic"  on Carpenters Test Rd.

[rarnold]

I-43's half-interchange with Rowe Rd north of Sheboygan is only open a few weekends a year, for golf tournaments at Whistling Straits (which I learned the hard way today).

You can't let that go without the story behind it. At least checking GSV, there's a movable concrete barrier on I-43 itself, and cheaper barriers at the exit ramp itself. The only GSV from the local road itself shows no restrictions, but cops all over (I guess the exit was open for an event). Even the exit construction and eminient domain takings for utilizing public construction meant for rare private events led to some controversy.

Shows no restrictions?  Miss the gate that can be used to close the onramp? https://goo.gl/maps/sRMCSfHVfVAPvR676

I'd be willing to bet that is a snow gate.

[rickmastfan67]

I-43’s half-interchange with Rowe Rd north of Sheboygan is only open a few weekends a year, for golf tournaments at Whistling Straits (which I learned the hard way today).

You can't let that go without the story behind it. At least checking GSV, there's a movable concrete barrier on I-43 itself, and cheaper barriers at the exit ramp itself. The only GSV from the local road itself shows no restrictions, but cops all over (I guess the exit was open for an event). Even the exit construction and eminient domain takings for utilizing public construction meant for rare private events led to some controversy.

Shows no restrictions?  Miss the gate that can be used to close the onramp? https://goo.gl/maps/sRMCSfHVfVAPvR676

I'd be willing to bet that is a snow gate.

Doubt it.  Especially since they close off the NB off-ramp with a concrete barrier.  Especially if you look at the satellite imagery that Google has currently.  You can clearly see it closed, blocking the ramp.

[dvferyance]

I-43's half-interchange with Rowe Rd north of Sheboygan is only open a few weekends a year, for golf tournaments at Whistling Straits (which I learned the hard way today).

I don't see how you could considering it's not marked on any maps. At least no maps I have seen.

Google shows it on both default and satellite view.

Of course it would be on the satellite view because it's there. I know for sure it is not on the WisDOT map or any road atlas. WisDOT does not list it as on exit on their I-43 exit list either.

[thspfc]

I-43's half-interchange with Rowe Rd north of Sheboygan is only open a few weekends a year, for golf tournaments at Whistling Straits (which I learned the hard way today).

I don't see how you could considering it's not marked on any maps. At least no maps I have seen.

Google shows it on both default and satellite view.

Of course it would be on the satellite view because it's there. I know for sure it is not on the WisDOT map or any road atlas. WisDOT does not list it as on exit on their I-43 exit list either.

Google shows it on both default and satellite view.