I-61...anything new?

golden eagle · September 03, 2009, 08:33:41 PM

This is the proposed Jackson-to-Gulfport interstate that is expected to parallel U.S. 49. Talk about the interstate circulated a few years, but since Katrina, I haven't heard or read any new news about it.

I don't see why this interstate couldn't be built. It would become another badly-needed hurricane evacuation route and an alternative to the ever-growing number of traffic lights that have popped up on 49 between Florence and Hattiesburg. But I-61 can't be built, can changing 49 to a limited-access freeway work?

Bryant5493 · September 03, 2009, 10:34:19 PM

I'm not all too familiar with the section of U.S. 49 north of U.S. 98, but the portion south of U.S. 98 could be easily converted to a full freeway, as there isn't too much growth between Hattiesburg and S.R. 67. I'm not sure what the traffic counts are... if they would be high enough to have the route considered for a freeway upgrade.

Be well,

Bryant

Stephane Dumas · September 04, 2009, 07:09:29 PM

I spotted on MS DOT, the project study of a relief route known as MS-601 who's planned to be a full freeway, maybe I-61 could be part of it
http://www.gomdot.com/Home/Projects/Studies/Southern/SR601/Home.aspx

Bryant5493 · September 04, 2009, 07:26:41 PM

^^ Good info.

Be well,

Bryant

froggie · September 04, 2009, 07:45:36 PM

I've never heard a specific number applied to the Jackson-Gulfport Interstate...just that MDOT and the Legislature have desired an Interstate along the corridor. It was included in MDOT's Vision 21 plan passed by the Legislature in 2002. The MS 601 freeway project is part of that.

US 49 traffic is fairly heavy overall. It averages about 20K ADT between Jackson and Hattiesburg...a bit lower around the mid-10s between Hattiesburg and Wiggins...then back up to close to 20K between Wiggins and the north side of Gulfport. Not necessarily enough to justify a full freeway, though definitely enough to justify improvements to the existing 4-lane.

golden eagle · September 04, 2009, 07:58:27 PM

Quote from: Stephane Dumas on September 04, 2009, 07:09:29 PM
I spotted on MS DOT, the project study of a relief route known as MS-601 who's planned to be a full freeway, maybe I-61 could be part of it
http://www.gomdot.com/Home/Projects/Studies/Southern/SR601/Home.aspx

Thanks for finding that! From what I can recall, the Gulfport-to-Wiggins link is expected to be the first leg of the future I-61. I haven't heard of any concrete plans for anything north of Wiggins.

agentsteel53 · September 04, 2009, 08:04:44 PM

why not call it I-63? Miss has US-61 as a very prominent route, so to have both US-61 and I-61 would be a clash.

even a southern segment of I-57 would make more sense.

froggie · September 04, 2009, 09:18:23 PM

I-63 (or I-61 for that matter) is being touted for the proposed West Alabama Interstate (the one that, as proposed, would generally parallel US 43).

What makes even more sense as an Interstate number is an odd I-x55...

golden eagle · September 05, 2009, 01:39:20 AM

That'd be a long 3-digit interstate.

florida · September 05, 2009, 02:19:20 AM

An even-numbered I-x55 would make more sense since it would bypass having to meet I-55 in Louisiana. Kind of like I-675 in Atlanta providing an easier jaunt onto I-285 for interests on I-20 eastbound.

golden eagle · September 05, 2009, 02:25:07 AM

Or x20, since I don't think it has been determined whether the proposed interstate would end at I-20 or at I-55.

froggie · September 05, 2009, 10:07:11 AM

QuoteThat'd be a long 3-digit interstate.

Long, yes. But not unprecedented (I-476 PA, for example).

QuoteAn even-numbered I-x55 would make more sense since it would bypass having to meet I-55 in Louisiana. Kind of like I-675 in Atlanta providing an easier jaunt onto I-285 for interests on I-20 eastbound.

Except that the south end may not be at I-10, but south of I-10. In such a case, an odd 3-digit number would be appropriate...

QuoteOr x20, since I don't think it has been determined whether the proposed interstate would end at I-20 or at I-55.

There's that possibility too. But I see this more as a spur route off I-55 for those coming from further north (i.e. Memphis/St. Louis/Chicago) heading to the Mississippi coast instead of New Orleans...

golden eagle · September 05, 2009, 12:59:14 PM

I'm going off of fuzzy memory, but when talk of an I-61 first came about, I thought central Mississippi transportation commissioner Dick Hall said it would end at Richland, thus it would end at I-20. Of course, that doesn't mean the terminus would end there. Perhaps, a better terminus would be for I-61 to end at the proposed Airport Parkway. At the southern end, I'd rather for it to end at U.S. 90 than at I-10.

florida · September 05, 2009, 03:56:12 PM

Quote from: froggie on September 05, 2009, 10:07:11 AM

QuoteAn even-numbered I-x55 would make more sense since it would bypass having to meet I-55 in Louisiana. Kind of like I-675 in Atlanta providing an easier jaunt onto I-285 for interests on I-20 eastbound.

Except that the south end may not be at I-10, but south of I-10. In such a case, an odd 3-digit number would be appropriate...

If there's still a clean slate down there from Katrina, then it would be easier to have it end south of I-10.

froggie · September 05, 2009, 09:05:12 PM

QuoteIf there's still a clean slate down there from Katrina, then it would be easier to have it end south of I-10.

There isn't a "clean slate", so to speak, but the "Port of Gulfport connector" has long been planned and is thus far the only segment funded for construction.

I've read state documents that list said connector as "I-310", although such a number has not (to my knowledge) been approved by either MDOT or FHWA. MDOT is labeling it as MS 601.

News:

I-61...anything new?