I-80/I-99 West Interchange

[hbelkins]

Isn't State College (I-80) just as bad as Bedford? At least State College is getting a full freeway interchange, finally.

It is now, but the initial section of I-99 first designated/signed didn't go further north than Bald Eagle (if not further south), so it wouldn't have been a factor then.  Why PA was allowed to sign an interstate that doesn't connect to the rest of the system, I don't know.

Congressional dictate.

[vdeane]

I'm only aware of the I-99 number being signed into law... not anything about allowing it to be signed without a connection to another interstate (something which I'm pretty sure is allowed only for I-69 and I-11 - both of which actually did get an exemption a couple years ago).

[AMLNet49]

And I-99 already connects with the interstate system, at its south end. There are no at-grade intersections or traffic lights at I-99's connection to I-70/76

Say what?

He meant I-68.

I think you have the digits swapped there. Clearly meant I-86.

Wow just came back to this thread, yeah clearly I just had a completely false memory of a grade-separated connection between 76 an 99 from a trip to penn state several years ago.  I envisioned an upside down L-shaped double trumpet. But it must have been from somewhere else, because it's clearly not in Bedford PA.

Weird how the only direct freeway connections on I-99 are with the US Routes in Altoona and State College, yet not with the interstates

But at least with this project, I-99 will be virtually complete (aside from the aforementioned I-76 interchange), even if a couple sections technically need to be designated. This project will leave I-99 in the same position as nearby I-86, with both "real" portions and "faux" portions along its length.

[Roadsguy]

As for the question of how I-99 was designated despite not connecting to an Interstate, it seems the FHWA may just pretend, as seen on their NHS map:



Double blue lines are Interstate corridors.

[goobnav]

As for the question of how I-99 was designated despite not connecting to an Interstate, it seems the FHWA may just pretend, as seen on their NHS map:



Double blue lines are Interstate corridors.

Same is true for I-476 and I-81 north of Scranton, guess FHWA is Ok as long as they are connected in some way.

[Rothman]

As for the question of how I-99 was designated despite not connecting to an Interstate, it seems the FHWA may just pretend, as seen on their NHS map:



Double blue lines are Interstate corridors.

Same is true for I-476 and I-81 north of Scranton, guess FHWA is Ok as long as they are connected in some way.

The connection north of Scranton looks direct to me.

[AMLNet49]

As for the question of how I-99 was designated despite not connecting to an Interstate, it seems the FHWA may just pretend, as seen on their NHS map:
Double blue lines are Interstate corridors.

Same is true for I-476 and I-81 north of Scranton, guess FHWA is Ok as long as they are connected in some way.

Scranton is a freeway-to-freeway connection though

Sure the mainlines don't cross but it is a fundamentally different situation

[Roadsguy]

As for the question of how I-99 was designated despite not connecting to an Interstate, it seems the FHWA may just pretend, as seen on their NHS map:
Double blue lines are Interstate corridors.

Same is true for I-476 and I-81 north of Scranton, guess FHWA is Ok as long as they are connected in some way.

Scranton is a freeway-to-freeway connection though

Sure the mainlines don't cross but it is a fundamentally different situation

Yeah, Clarks summit really isn't an issue like Bedford. You could argue where I-476 actually ends, but it's definitely a freeway-freeway connection with I-81. The FHWA draws the Interstate corridor along the ramp there just to have the lines connect. Meanwhile, PennDOT considers SR 7476 to end at US 11. I don't know about the PTC, but considering that northbound signage still treats the entire approach to the toll plaza as "next exit" numbered 131 and named Clarks Summit, they may consider everything after the would-be fourth trumpet to be "ramps." I have no idea how the PTC inventories their roads and ramps.

[goobnav]

Have disagree, not a true freeway to freeway interchange, otherwise PennDOT would not be purposing the project below:

https://www.patpconstruction.com/scrantonbeltway/

[Rothman]

Have disagree, not a true freeway to freeway interchange, otherwise PennDOT would not be purposing the project below:

https://www.patpconstruction.com/scrantonbeltway/

Heh.  You must not know what a toll plaza is.

[Roadsguy]

Have disagree, not a true freeway to freeway interchange, otherwise PennDOT would not be purposing the project below:

https://www.patpconstruction.com/scrantonbeltway/

First, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission isn't a part of PennDOT.

Second, just because it's a slow-speed connection doesn't mean it's not freeway-freeway. The proposed interchange improvements on the north side are to make this interchange easier to use for I-81 traffic to bypass Scranton on I-476. The connection to the south, on the other hand, is certainly not freeway-freeway. Every movement from I-476 to I-81 here has to run on at-grade PA 315.

[goobnav]

The PTC and PennDOT would have to work together for this situation and yes, being that I am a native of the area it is not a complete freeway to freeway connection, don't believe me drive it.  The bridge over US 11 is a cool thing to see. 

Definitely know what a toll plaza is and they are in the process of going E-Tolling to try to get people off of that god awful section of 81.

[Beltway]

Have disagree, not a true freeway to freeway interchange, otherwise PennDOT would not be purposing the project below: https://www.patpconstruction.com/scrantonbeltway/

The existing interchange is low-speed with one-lane ramps good for about 25 mph.

They want to built high-speed direct connections with freeway-standard 2 lane ramps, high speed as in 55 mph or more, between the Turnpike and northerly I-81.

[vdeane]

While I do consider the northern I-81/I-476 connection to be freeway/freeway, goobnav does have a point - one of the ramps from I-81 has a stop sign.

[briantroutman]

While I do consider the northern I-81/I-481 connection to be freeway/freeway, goobnav does have a point - one of the ramps from I-81 has a stop sign.

Freudian slip, perhaps? But seriously, when both high-speed connections are complete and the "Scranton Beltway"  is operational, I see merit in the idea of renumbering that section as an even x81 since it quite literally serves a bypass for I-81 traffic.

But if AASHTO wouldn't approve a new x95 to replace the now-former I-95 in Bucks (PA) and Mercer (NJ) counties, I suppose it's doubtful they'd approve a new number in Scranton.

[Rothman]

While I do consider the northern I-81/I-476 connection to be freeway/freeway, goobnav does have a point - one of the ramps from I-81 has a stop sign.

Lemme guess:  I-81 NB to I-476 SB.  Big deal.

[signalman]

While I do consider the northern I-81/I-476 connection to be freeway/freeway, goobnav does have a point - one of the ramps from I-81 has a stop sign.

Lemme guess:  I-81 NB to I-476 SB.  Big deal.

Nope. I-81's SB exit ramp has a stop sign.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4824451,-75.6805398,3a,75y,261.05h,87.82t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1sFXFjl6yvqa3LyoMi2kj3QA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DFXFjl6yvqa3LyoMi2kj3QA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D25.554422%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100

[Rothman]

Noooooooooo...

(Eh.  Still direct from what I see.)

[PHLBOS]

I-81's SB exit ramp has a stop sign.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4824451,-75.6805398,3a,75y,261.05h,87.82t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1sFXFjl6yvqa3LyoMi2kj3QA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DFXFjl6yvqa3LyoMi2kj3QA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D25.554422%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100

Side bar: that peeling I-476 BGS was replaced circa 2013-2014.  Interestingly, the Allentown lettering isn't in Clearview.  Most new/replacement PennDOT/PTC BGS installs were pretty much all-Clearview (at least for the control cities) back then.

[Beltway]

I am still working with the Carlisle interchange, looking at 3 different concepts.

Here is my favorite so a far.  I may need to lengthen the relocated ramp highway and toll plaza and reduce the curves.  May need to expand the Turnpike interchange and widen the ramps.  The direct connection is elevated ramps extending over the existing local interchange.

[Rothman]

What's the little diamond interchange for?

[Beltway]

What's the little diamond interchange for?

My depiction of the toll plaza.

[Alps]

I am still working with the Carlisle interchange, looking at 3 different concepts.

Here is my favorite so a far.  I may need to lengthen the relocated ramp highway and toll plaza and reduce the curves.  May need to expand the Turnpike interchange and widen the ramps.  The direct connection is elevated ramps extending over the existing local interchange.

I'm not sure there's a good answer here, but at least it's not a mainline terminus!

[Beltway]

I am still working with the Carlisle interchange, looking at 3 different concepts.
Here is my favorite so a far.  I may need to lengthen the relocated ramp highway and toll plaza and reduce the curves.  May need to expand the Turnpike interchange and widen the ramps.  The direct connection is elevated ramps extending over the existing local interchange.

I'm not sure there's a good answer here, but at least it's not a mainline terminus!

One concept would simplify things by eliminating the local Turnpike interchange, and having the Turnpike local access via the current I-81 and US-11 interchange.  But the Turnpike might not want to have their direct local connection eliminated.

[Alps]

But the businesses might not want to have their direct local connection eliminated.

FTFY