Unnecessary Exits

[noelbotevera]

For me, I'm gonna argue Exit 348 on the Schuylkill Expressway/I-76. Note that I'm not a local, but I'm using mere conjecture.

Now sure, it is easy access to Penrose Avenue, but you could take exit 347 (Passyunk/Oregon Avenues) and then travel down South 26th Street. Also, Passyunk intersects with PA 291 (as Essington Avenue), so this is a much faster way to travel west on PA 291, which is where most people are going (typically to access I-95). Now if you want to travel into the city, these two roads both connect to Broad Street, or you can use Exit 349.

[SteveG1988]

For me, I'm gonna argue Exit 348 on the Schuylkill Expressway/I-76. Note that I'm not a local, but I'm using mere conjecture.

Now sure, it is easy access to Penrose Avenue, but you could take exit 347 (Passyunk/Oregon Avenues) and then travel down South 26th Street. Also, Passyunk intersects with PA 291 (as Essington Avenue), so this is a much faster way to travel west on PA 291, which is where most people are going (typically to access I-95). Now if you want to travel into the city, these two roads both connect to Broad Street, or you can use Exit 349.

The problem is that 348 is used by northbound 95 traffic to access the bridge. 95 has a partial interchange with 76 at the bridge. PA291 to Schuylkill is the only way to access it without using South Broad. That is the main use that ramp has going north, going south i think that might just be useful as a bypass of the stadium area, which has been the stadium area since 1968 when they built the Spectum, 1971 when they built veteran's stadium...etc

[webny99]

Generally, I advocate more exits, not less.

However, I've thought about this one (NY 590 and Blossom Road) quite a bit recently. I think it could certainly be done without. While it's handy at times, its location (squished between two much more important strategic interchanges) also makes it detrimental to flow on the 590.

[DandyDan]

I would say the north US 65 exit in Albert Lea, MN is. Everything can be rerouted to the County Road 46 (old US 16) exit and it would probably make the I-90 interchange to the north safer.

[roadman65]

I always thought the exit for I-95 North off of FL 528 near Cocoa, FL was redundant of the FL 407 exit as it is the better connection to I-95 anyway.  Originally it was not there and the FL 528 and I-95 cloverleaf was a partial interchange missing that movement along with WB 528 to SB I-95 (using FL 524) and NB I-95 to EB FL 528 (also using FL 524) which were Breezewoods. 

However, if it were not for Port St. John did not have an exit on I-95 north of FL 528 and south of FL 407 it would be totally useless.

Also in MD where the Baltimore-Washington Parkway meets MD 193 there are two exits serving that same roadway.  I am guessing, though that it may have to do with I-95/495 having direct access to MD 193, but all you have to do it merge onto the BW Parkway and take the first right.

[Beltway]

I always thought the exit for I-95 North off of FL 528 near Cocoa, FL was redundant of the FL 407 exit as it is the better connection to I-95 anyway.  Originally it was not there and the FL 528 and I-95 cloverleaf was a partial interchange missing that movement along with WB 528 to SB I-95 (using FL 524) and NB I-95 to EB FL 528 (also using FL 524) which were Breezewoods. 
However, if it were not for Port St. John did not have an exit on I-95 north of FL 528 and south of FL 407 it would be totally useless.

It does provide access to I-95 to the Port St. John Parkway.  I have seen planning maps that show the planned St. Johns Heritage Parkway extending from the Melbourne area up to and connecting seamlessly into the Port St. John Parkway, and the Port St. John Parkway being extended to US-1.  This new highway is planned as an at-grade limited access highway, so it will have intersections to provide access to developed areas.

[Roadrunner75]

For me, I'm gonna argue Exit 348 on the Schuylkill Expressway/I-76. Note that I'm not a local, but I'm using mere conjecture.

Now sure, it is easy access to Penrose Avenue, but you could take exit 347 (Passyunk/Oregon Avenues) and then travel down South 26th Street. Also, Passyunk intersects with PA 291 (as Essington Avenue), so this is a much faster way to travel west on PA 291, which is where most people are going (typically to access I-95). Now if you want to travel into the city, these two roads both connect to Broad Street, or you can use Exit 349.

The problem is that 348 is used by northbound 95 traffic to access the bridge. 95 has a partial interchange with 76 at the bridge. PA291 to Schuylkill is the only way to access it without using South Broad. That is the main use that ramp has going north, going south i think that might just be useful as a bypass of the stadium area, which has been the stadium area since 1968 when they built the Spectum, 1971 when they built veteran's stadium...etc

Prior to the completion of the Girard Point Bridge (95) that exit (and entrance) was the primary route to and from the Walt Whitman Bridge to the airport.  Even after the bridge was completed, there was a gap in 95 for many years around the airport with southbound 95 abruptly dumping off onto Enterprise Avenue just south of the bridge.  Enterprise, Island Avenue and 291 served as the temporary 95 - I remember it well - especially the Enterprise Ave. section - when I was a kid.  We actually used exit 348 and the Pennrose Avenue Bridge (now known as the Platt Bridge) just as much as 95 to get to the airport area until the gap was completed.  I would assume it's still well used as an alternate route to and from the airport and it is much more direct than using exit 347 as mentioned above.

Steve - The Whitman has direct access from northbound 95 via exit 19 - I assume that's the bridge you're referring to.  Pennrose is still a good alternate though.

[jp the roadgeek]

I-295 Exit 7 in RI.  A relatively new exit that is labeled for the RI Resource Recovery plant.  Doesn't lead to much, and you can only go in one direction from the exit. 

I-84 Exit 13 in CT.  A partial interchange that leads to River Rd, an ancient routing of US 6 that runs along the Housatonic River, and little else.  You can access the Southbury business district, but the next 2 exits are much better options.

I-84 Exit 36 in CT.  Only exists because of Stanley Black & Decker HQ, which could be just as easily accessed from the Fienemann Rd. exit.  Used to be a shopping plaza off the exit, but now it's mostly residential.

CT 2 Exit 5B EB.  Pretty much empties into a housing project, and it's a partial interchange.  You can get to Main St, but establishments can be reached easier off of Exit 5A or 5C

[Buffaboy]

I can't think of any in the Buffalo area. In Utica though, I-790 interchanges with Genesse St twice in the same direction, but maybe it's to decrease weaving.

The interchange in question has been modified many times over though.

[froggie]

Also in MD where the Baltimore-Washington Parkway meets MD 193 there are two exits serving that same roadway.  I am guessing, though that it may have to do with I-95/495 having direct access to MD 193, but all you have to do it merge onto the BW Parkway and take the first right.

You would overload the loop ramp coming directly off the northbound BW Pkwy to 193 if you closed the ramp to 193 coming from the Beltway's Outer Loop.  A fair bit of traffic coming north on the Beltway and heading to NASA Goddard.  Not what I would call an "unnecessary" exit.

[Jmiles32]

Another N.C one: US-220@BUS.I-85/US-70/US-29 in Greensboro
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0219251,-79.8113185,4297m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Obviously back when this interchange was originally constructed it was extremely necessary. Nowadays thanks to the Southern Greensboro bypass and a couple of other exits in close proximity, this interchange is more or less redundant. However unless this interchange has a high crash rate or something(doubtful), I see no reason why NCDOT would need to get rid of it.

[Strider]

Another N.C one: US-220@BUS.I-85/US-70/US-29 in Greensboro
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0219251,-79.8113185,4297m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Obviously back when this interchange was originally constructed it was extremely necessary. Nowadays thanks to the Southern Greensboro bypass and a couple of other exits in close proximity, this interchange is more or less redundant. However unless this interchange has a high crash rate or something(doubtful), I see no reason why NCDOT would need to get rid of it.

It serves as an exit for motorists going from/to:

1. I-85 North to I-73/US 220 South (at the Loop interchange, there is no direct access between I-85 North and I-73/US 220 South unless you take the Business 85 North exit to US 220 South, or exit 119 ramp and go across Groometown Rd, in which you will gain access to I-73 South)

2. US 220 South going to I-85 South (via Business I-85/US 29-70 as there is no direct access between I-73/US 220 South and I-85 South as you can see in the maps, just to the south of the current interchange you mentioned)

3. From I-85 South to Business I-85/US 29-70 North via US 220 North as there is no direct access from I-85 South to Business I-85 North, instead you must use US 220 North exit, as the I-85/Business 85 interchange to the west is a "Y" partial interchange

4. I-73/US 220 North to I-85 South, via Business I-85/US 29-70 as there is no direct access from I-73/US 220 North to I-85 South (you must remain on US 220 to the Business 85 interchange, or take the I-73 North exit to Groometown Rd exit, across it to gain access to I-85 South)

That interchange is a part of a maze, but that exit plays a important connecting route between I-85, I-73, Business I-85, and US 29/70/220/421, thus necessary at this time.

[Jmiles32]

Another N.C one: US-220@BUS.I-85/US-70/US-29 in Greensboro
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0219251,-79.8113185,4297m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Obviously back when this interchange was originally constructed it was extremely necessary. Nowadays thanks to the Southern Greensboro bypass and a couple of other exits in close proximity, this interchange is more or less redundant. However unless this interchange has a high crash rate or something(doubtful), I see no reason why NCDOT would need to get rid of it.

It serves as an exit for motorists going from/to:

1. I-85 North to I-73/US 220 South (at the Loop interchange, there is no direct access between I-85 North and I-73/US 220 South unless you take the Business 85 North exit to US 220 South, or exit 119 ramp and go across Groometown Rd, in which you will gain access to I-73 South)
4. I-73/US 220 North to I-85 South, via Business I-85/US 29-70 as there is no direct access from I-73/US 220 North to I-85 South (you must remain on US 220 to the Business 85 interchange, or take the I-73 North exit to Groometown Rd exit, across it to gain access to I-85 South)

For the very few motorists making this movement wouldn't either I-74 or NC-62 be a more logical option?

2. US 220 South going to I-85 South (via Business I-85/US 29-70 as there is no direct access between I-73/US 220 South and I-85 South as you can see in the maps, just to the south of the current interchange you mentioned)

Anyone on US-220 southbound is coming from either I-40 or Freeman Mill road. If from I-40 one could easily go to the I-73 portion of Southern Greensboro bypass. If from Freeman Mill road then they could easily go over to nearby Randleman Road which has a direct exit with Business I-85/US-29-70.

3. From I-85 South to Business I-85/US 29-70 North via US 220 North as there is no direct access from I-85 South to Business I-85 North, instead you must use US 220 North exit, as the I-85/Business 85 interchange to the west is a "Y" partial interchange

Taking Exit 126B or 124 on southbound I-85 would seem to also accomplish this movement.

[JKRhodes]

In the Phoenix area, from westbound US 60, "Old West Hwy" exit follows the alignment of the former highway, but is unnecessary as the Westbound exit ramp to Goldfield Road ultimately serves the same purpose:

https://goo.gl/maps/2wG2tPd3KXp

[Strider]

Another N.C one: US-220@BUS.I-85/US-70/US-29 in Greensboro
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0219251,-79.8113185,4297m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Obviously back when this interchange was originally constructed it was extremely necessary. Nowadays thanks to the Southern Greensboro bypass and a couple of other exits in close proximity, this interchange is more or less redundant. However unless this interchange has a high crash rate or something(doubtful), I see no reason why NCDOT would need to get rid of it.

It serves as an exit for motorists going from/to:

1. I-85 North to I-73/US 220 South (at the Loop interchange, there is no direct access between I-85 North and I-73/US 220 South unless you take the Business 85 North exit to US 220 South, or exit 119 ramp and go across Groometown Rd, in which you will gain access to I-73 South)
4. I-73/US 220 North to I-85 South, via Business I-85/US 29-70 as there is no direct access from I-73/US 220 North to I-85 South (you must remain on US 220 to the Business 85 interchange, or take the I-73 North exit to Groometown Rd exit, across it to gain access to I-85 South)

For the very few motorists making this movement wouldn't either I-74 or NC-62 be a more logical option?

2. US 220 South going to I-85 South (via Business I-85/US 29-70 as there is no direct access between I-73/US 220 South and I-85 South as you can see in the maps, just to the south of the current interchange you mentioned)

Anyone on US-220 southbound is coming from either I-40 or Freeman Mill road. If from I-40 one could easily go to the I-73 portion of Southern Greensboro bypass. If from Freeman Mill road then they could easily go over to nearby Randleman Road which has a direct exit with Business I-85/US-29-70.

3. From I-85 South to Business I-85/US 29-70 North via US 220 North as there is no direct access from I-85 South to Business I-85 North, instead you must use US 220 North exit, as the I-85/Business 85 interchange to the west is a "Y" partial interchange

Taking Exit 126B or 124 on southbound I-85 would seem to also accomplish this movement.

Maybe. I live in the town and have been all over these areas, that interchange is necessary in Greensboro area.

[SteveG1988]

For me, I'm gonna argue Exit 348 on the Schuylkill Expressway/I-76. Note that I'm not a local, but I'm using mere conjecture.

Now sure, it is easy access to Penrose Avenue, but you could take exit 347 (Passyunk/Oregon Avenues) and then travel down South 26th Street. Also, Passyunk intersects with PA 291 (as Essington Avenue), so this is a much faster way to travel west on PA 291, which is where most people are going (typically to access I-95). Now if you want to travel into the city, these two roads both connect to Broad Street, or you can use Exit 349.

The problem is that 348 is used by northbound 95 traffic to access the bridge. 95 has a partial interchange with 76 at the bridge. PA291 to Schuylkill is the only way to access it without using South Broad. That is the main use that ramp has going north, going south i think that might just be useful as a bypass of the stadium area, which has been the stadium area since 1968 when they built the Spectum, 1971 when they built veteran's stadium...etc

Prior to the completion of the Girard Point Bridge (95) that exit (and entrance) was the primary route to and from the Walt Whitman Bridge to the airport.  Even after the bridge was completed, there was a gap in 95 for many years around the airport with southbound 95 abruptly dumping off onto Enterprise Avenue just south of the bridge.  Enterprise, Island Avenue and 291 served as the temporary 95 - I remember it well - especially the Enterprise Ave. section - when I was a kid.  We actually used exit 348 and the Pennrose Avenue Bridge (now known as the Platt Bridge) just as much as 95 to get to the airport area until the gap was completed.  I would assume it's still well used as an alternate route to and from the airport and it is much more direct than using exit 347 as mentioned above.

Steve - The Whitman has direct access from northbound 95 via exit 19 - I assume that's the bridge you're referring to.  Pennrose is still a good alternate though.

I know there is a crappy 95 connection there, i always forget what way it is...and get stuck trying to figure my way out, i rarely go into that part of Philadelphia, I only go there for the Ikea.

(edit)
Okay, it's 76 east to 95 north, I had to look at the map again. I rarely make that connection. Had to run up 95 to get to something versus going through NJ.

[roadman65]

In New Jersey on I-80 east of the Delaware River you have two exits for a frontage road. The first is a ramp to access a tourist information center.  The second is access to an underpass at the end of the frontage road that goes under the freeway to serve a parking area for a Trail Head. 

The second could be eliminated so the first ramp could serve both functions.  Also the second has a very shallow end where to make a left turn at the end of the ramp requires you to look hard and right to see if traffic is coming from the right.

The reason for all these substandard and redundant ramps is from when I-80 was US 611 and NJDOT never upgraded its exit ramps there for interstate quality.

[Jmiles32]

I know its the Research Triangle Park, but does it really need so many exits? I-40@ South Miami Blvd(Exit 281)stands the most out as unnecessary IMO.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8868505,-78.8514267,7000m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

[US 89]

I know its the Research Triangle Park, but does it really need so many exits? I-40@ South Miami Blvd(Exit 281)stands the most out as unnecessary IMO.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8868505,-78.8514267,7000m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

I don't think I've ever seen so many parclos all next to each other, especially the folded diamond variety. Out west, that design is mostly used when a railroad track runs next to the road, preventing a standard diamond from being built.

[Strider]

I know its the Research Triangle Park, but does it really need so many exits? I-40@ South Miami Blvd(Exit 281)stands the most out as unnecessary IMO.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8868505,-78.8514267,7000m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

Not sure why this section have 3 close folded diamonds next to each other. That would cause weaving issues. I'd close the Davis Dr. (Exit 280)  and Page Rd (Exit 282) interchanges as you can now access them by just going south on Toll NC 147 and exit there.

[Mapmikey]

I know its the Research Triangle Park, but does it really need so many exits? I-40@ South Miami Blvd(Exit 281)stands the most out as unnecessary IMO.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8868505,-78.8514267,7000m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

Not sure why this section have 3 close folded diamonds next to each other. That would cause weaving issues. I'd close the Davis Dr. (Exit 280)  and Page Rd (Exit 282) interchanges as you can now access them by just going south on Toll NC 147 and exit there.

Exit 282 Page Rd was a traditional diamond until I-540 was built
Exit 281 Miami Blvd has a railroad parallel and adjacent
Exit 280 Davis Dr could be this way due to:  1) Burdens Creek  2) Deference to the property of the RTP entity on the NW side which was there in the 1972 aerial  3) spacing with respect to the NC 147 interchange  4) none of these

[ftballfan]

There are a few exits in the Detroit area that could be closed without much problem. I-94 exit 200 is the big one in my book. It's a partial interchange with left entrances and the movements at that interchange can easily be done at exits 199 or 202. I could see I-94 exit 211B closed as well as it's extremely close to existing exit 212.

[Flint1979]

I think exit 11 on I-59 in Louisiana, the exit is at the border with Mississippi. From the looks of things though it doesn't look like the exit serves anything.

[froggie]

^ An aggregate company, a wildlife refuge, and a few local access spots.  But it's needed because those locations have no other road access to the outside world and it was deemed cheaper to build interchange ramps at I-59 (since I-59 is bridged there anyway because of the Pearl River) than it would have been to build a local bridge across the Pearl River or drain/fill additional wetlands to build a frontage road from Exit 5B.

[cwf1701]

There are a few exits in the Detroit area that could be closed without much problem. I-94 exit 200 is the big one in my book. It's a partial interchange with left entrances and the movements at that interchange can easily be done at exits 199 or 202. I could see I-94 exit 211B closed as well as it's extremely close to existing exit 212.

and Exit 231 in Macomb County (Gratiot Ave). Traffic for NB Gratiot  (or the 13 Mile and Gratiot Area) can use exit 232 (Little Mack).