What is the craziest interchange you've seen? Here's one on the Bluegrass Parkway: https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B044'55.7%22N+85%C2%B040'27.5%22W/@37.748817,-85.6764797,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d37.7488167!4d-85.6742906?hl=en
Probably a well-known one near Miami: https://goo.gl/maps/4uCxetM3cvDXz81J7
I think this pair of exits on US-90 is interesting, if not a bit crazy (like a parclo, but with a flyover). Not sure I've ever seen any other exits like it:
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.6699461,-91.1004037,1872m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
There's this three-level roundabout in New Orleans:
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9747533,-90.1564485,467m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Then there's this almost five-way stack in Houston:
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.7749057,-95.2581978,1870m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
The south generally doesn't have very many crazy intersections, but the one Team445 posted is bonkers! Can you imagine the weaving problems on that one?
Quote from: Team445 on June 24, 2020, 04:26:42 PM
What is the craziest interchange you've seen? Here's one on the Bluegrass Parkway: https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B044'55.7%22N+85%C2%B040'27.5%22W/@37.748817,-85.6764797,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d37.7488167!4d-85.6742906?hl=en
Site of a former mainline toll booth. Hence why the ramps are designed like that. Of course, the Bluegrass has been toll-free for a couple decades now, so it's time for KYTC to realign the ramps.
Quote from: froggie on June 24, 2020, 06:00:19 PM
Quote from: Team445 on June 24, 2020, 04:26:42 PM
What is the craziest interchange you've seen? Here's one on the Bluegrass Parkway: https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B044'55.7%22N+85%C2%B040'27.5%22W/@37.748817,-85.6764797,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d37.7488167!4d-85.6742906?hl=en
Site of a former mainline toll booth. Hence why the ramps are designed like that. Of course, the Bluegrass has been toll-free for a couple decades now, so it's time for KYTC to realign the ramps.
KYTC has done that on a portion of I-69.
Complex interchange in Southwest Greensboro. Intersection of Interstates 85 and 73, and Business 85
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0067523,-79.8554252,1481m/data=!3m1!1e3
Quote from: froggie on June 24, 2020, 06:00:19 PM
Quote from: Team445 on June 24, 2020, 04:26:42 PM
What is the craziest interchange you've seen? Here's one on the Bluegrass Parkway: https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B044'55.7%22N+85%C2%B040'27.5%22W/@37.748817,-85.6764797,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d37.7488167!4d-85.6742906?hl=en
Site of a former mainline toll booth. Hence why the ramps are designed like that. Of course, the Bluegrass has been toll-free for a couple decades now, so it's time for KYTC to realign the ramps.
I think those ramps would have been fixed by now if this was a busy exit, but it's far from it. In fact, I've seen flood waters from the Rolling Fork River completely cover KY 52, so I'm thinking not very many people live in the immediate area, much less use the exit at all.
Quote from: 1995hoo on June 24, 2020, 04:37:11 PM
Probably a well-known one near Miami: https://goo.gl/maps/4uCxetM3cvDXz81J7
The Golden Glades Interchange. I hate that one.
Quote from: froggie on June 24, 2020, 06:00:19 PM
Quote from: Team445 on June 24, 2020, 04:26:42 PM
What is the craziest interchange you've seen? Here's one on the Bluegrass Parkway: https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B044'55.7%22N+85%C2%B040'27.5%22W/@37.748817,-85.6764797,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d37.7488167!4d-85.6742906?hl=en
Site of a former mainline toll booth. Hence why the ramps are designed like that. Of course, the Bluegrass has been toll-free for a couple decades now, so it's time for KYTC to realign the ramps.
There's another similar one in Quebec on A-10 near Waterloo. https://www.google.com/maps/@45.3119441,-72.4988604,1576m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Edit: It was from the time when A-10 was a toll road.
The southeastern terminus of I-26 at US 17 in Charleston (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.8004385,-79.9351436,1943m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en) has been rather unusual ever since the Ravenel Bridge was built.
No one's brought up Atlanta's Downtown Connector yet?
https://www.google.es/maps/@33.753887,-84.3860172,2951m/data=!3m1!1e3
More in a rural vein, here's a butterfly interchange on OK's HE Bailey Turnpike
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.3626617,-98.4103676,732m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Quote from: STLmapboy on June 25, 2020, 01:56:07 PM
More in a rural vein, here's a butterfly interchange on OK's HE Bailey Turnpike
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.3626617,-98.4103676,732m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
I don't typically consider Oklahoma to be part of the South, but whatevs...
Here (https://goo.gl/maps/AWTvRjhVycGSgajH6) is another butterfly in Oklahoma, and
here (https://goo.gl/maps/KEtoYzf93dZCd2VRA) is another one several miles down the road.
And, speaking of marginally southern states, I seem to remember there being a butterfly interchange near Benton, KY. Maybe they got rid of it while 69ing that highway. ??
Quote from: kphoger on June 25, 2020, 02:30:37 PM
Quote from: STLmapboy on June 25, 2020, 01:56:07 PM
More in a rural vein, here's a butterfly interchange on OK's HE Bailey Turnpike
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.3626617,-98.4103676,732m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
I don't typically consider Oklahoma to be part of the South, but whatevs...
Here (https://goo.gl/maps/AWTvRjhVycGSgajH6) is another butterfly in Oklahoma, and here (https://goo.gl/maps/KEtoYzf93dZCd2VRA) is another one several miles down the road.
And, speaking of marginally southern states, I seem to remember there being a butterfly interchange near Benton, KY. Maybe they got rid of it while 69ing that highway. ??
All 3 of our Oklahoma examples have toll booths under bridges. Interesting.
Quote from: froggie on June 24, 2020, 06:00:19 PM
Quote from: Team445 on June 24, 2020, 04:26:42 PM
What is the craziest interchange you've seen? Here's one on the Bluegrass Parkway: https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B044'55.7%22N+85%C2%B040'27.5%22W/@37.748817,-85.6764797,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d37.7488167!4d-85.6742906?hl=en
Site of a former mainline toll booth. Hence why the ramps are designed like that. Of course, the Bluegrass has been toll-free for a couple decades now, so it's time for KYTC to realign the ramps.
Reminds me of a common Mexican tollbooth/interchange
design (https://goo.gl/maps/JAjb3nehb9db4d476).
Quote from: STLmapboy on June 25, 2020, 02:34:26 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 25, 2020, 02:30:37 PM
Quote from: STLmapboy on June 25, 2020, 01:56:07 PM
More in a rural vein, here's a butterfly interchange on OK's HE Bailey Turnpike
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.3626617,-98.4103676,732m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
I don't typically consider Oklahoma to be part of the South, but whatevs...
Here (https://goo.gl/maps/AWTvRjhVycGSgajH6) is another butterfly in Oklahoma, and here (https://goo.gl/maps/KEtoYzf93dZCd2VRA) is another one several miles down the road.
And, speaking of marginally southern states, I seem to remember there being a butterfly interchange near Benton, KY. Maybe they got rid of it while 69ing that highway. ??
All 3 of our Oklahoma examples have toll booths under bridges. Interesting.
Terrifying is the word I'd use - you can barely see them ahead on the approaches. I'm guessing traffic flows are quite low given there are only 3 booths and absolutely no deceleration/weaving zones on approach.
Plenty of advance signage for those toll booths.
I don’t know if it’s crazy, but I’ve long been amazed by this interchange built right over Mobile Bay.
(https://i.imgur.com/lTu7FDl.png) (https://www.google.com/maps/@30.6776507,-87.9891473,2516m/data=!3m1!1e3)
Pretty amazing for Eastern NC. https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0947661,-77.0363913,1591m/data=!3m1!1e3
I-77's southern terminus at I-26 (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.927051,-81.0668353,1918m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
Speaking of I-77, how about the wrong-way interchange at I-85 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2726379,-80.8459299,17z)?
Quote from: Henry on June 26, 2020, 10:40:13 AM
Speaking of I-77, how about the wrong-way interchange at I-85 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2726379,-80.8459299,17z)?
It's like
this interchange (https://goo.gl/maps/ZZtdSn3nboiGjQgP8) and
this interchange (https://goo.gl/maps/DsjBJYudtLLm9m4D6) had a baby!
Quote from: kphoger on June 26, 2020, 10:49:12 AM
this interchange (https://goo.gl/maps/ZZtdSn3nboiGjQgP8)
Ew ew ew what the hell?
Quote from: STLmapboy on June 26, 2020, 11:12:27 AM
Quote from: kphoger on June 26, 2020, 10:49:12 AM
this interchange (https://goo.gl/maps/ZZtdSn3nboiGjQgP8)
Ew ew ew what the hell?
I've driven through it once, shortly after it opened.
Quote from: kphoger on June 26, 2020, 10:49:12 AM
Quote from: Henry on June 26, 2020, 10:40:13 AM
Speaking of I-77, how about the wrong-way interchange at I-85 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2726379,-80.8459299,17z)?
It's like this interchange (https://goo.gl/maps/ZZtdSn3nboiGjQgP8) and this interchange (https://goo.gl/maps/DsjBJYudtLLm9m4D6) had a baby!
That second one is similar to one in Myrtle Beach:
https://goo.gl/maps/mwnn7EYprcdWvFjx9
Exit 111 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7272224,-81.5594344,17z) on I-40 at Valdese, NC. All kinds of wackadoodle
Exit 111, near my house, planned for replacement soon. The locals claim that what is now I-40 from exit 94 to exit 119 was designed way pre interstate, like 1953 or so.
Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on June 26, 2020, 10:25:02 PM
Exit 111, near my house, planned for replacement soon. The locals claim that what is now I-40 from exit 94 to exit 119 was designed way pre interstate, like 1953 or so.
I'd not heard that. I'd heard they were bringing the interchange up to spec, not replacing it entirely
The one on SC 31 at US 501 near Myrtle Beach is very wacked out in design.
The clusterf**ck betwen the Beachline, the Turnpike and Orange Blossom Trail. Yeesh. Had to use part of that intersection going back and forth to a job in an industrial park near there, it was always backed up on the surface streets surrounding Orange Blossom. Used the Consulate Drive plug-in ramps to that area once...no. It needs to be completely rebuilt yesterday.
Quote from: jmacswimmer on June 26, 2020, 09:30:32 AM
I-77's southern terminus at I-26 (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.927051,-81.0668353,1918m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
That interchange makes me wonder if there were plans to extend I-77 further south.
Quote from: Finrod on June 29, 2020, 10:41:57 PM
Quote from: jmacswimmer on June 26, 2020, 09:30:32 AM
I-77's southern terminus at I-26 (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.927051,-81.0668353,1918m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
That interchange makes me wonder if there were plans to extend I-77 further south.
If that's so, I've never heard of it. Though it would have made sense. Would save travelers from having to go all the way to 26 at Bowman to get to 77 from 95.
Quote from: DeaconG on June 28, 2020, 07:38:06 PM
The clusterf**ck betwen the Beachline, the Turnpike and Orange Blossom Trail. Yeesh. Had to use part of that intersection going back and forth to a job in an industrial park near there, it was always backed up on the surface streets surrounding Orange Blossom. Used the Consulate Drive plug-in ramps to that area once...no. It needs to be completely rebuilt yesterday.
FL Tpk study the possibility to fix that interchange. https://floridasturnpike.com/turnpike-projects/major-projects/orlando-south/ with the following alternatives.
https://floridasturnpike.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/438547-1-Alt-1.pdf
https://floridasturnpike.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/438547-1-Alt-2-Opt-1.pdf
https://floridasturnpike.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/438547-1-Alt-2-Opt-2.pdf
This monstrosity has existed in downtown Little Rock since the early 1960s. It will go away soon with the new I-30 project.
(https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2017/11/30/aerial_I30_1_t800.JPG?90232451fbcadccc64a17de7521d859a8f88077d)
A few in Hampton Roads.
I-264 / I-464 / Berkley Bridge / Downtown Norfolk Interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8389319,-76.2824382,1896m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
Bowers Hill Interchange (I-64 / I-264 / I-664 / US-58) (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7860701,-76.4168342,2761m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
Oak Grove Interchange (I-64 / I-464 / US-17 / VA-168) (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7583943,-76.26786,2257m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
Pinners Point Interchange (VA-164 / US-58) (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8501937,-76.3295057,1302m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I-264 / I-64 Interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8440339,-76.1969546,1549m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I-564 / I-64 Interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.9180829,-76.2714518,1949m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I-64 / US-258 Mercury Blvd Interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.0405549,-76.3951951,729m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I-240/Future I-26/Patton Ave in Asheville, N.C. (https://goo.gl/maps/g9eefC5f1Lv6T8Qv5)
Another I'm mildly surprised hasn't been mentioned yet is Spaghetti Junction on the northeast side of Atlanta, the junction of I-85 and I-285. The complexity of it comes from the interchanges on three sides of it being folded into the main interchange.
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8923505,-84.2601657,1160m/data=!3m1!1e3
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 03, 2020, 04:07:49 PM
A few in Hampton Roads.
I-264 / I-464 / Berkley Bridge / Downtown Norfolk Interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8389319,-76.2824382,1896m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
Bowers Hill Interchange (I-64 / I-264 / I-664 / US-58) (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7860701,-76.4168342,2761m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
Oak Grove Interchange (I-64 / I-464 / US-17 / VA-168) (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7583943,-76.26786,2257m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
Pinners Point Interchange (VA-164 / US-58) (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8501937,-76.3295057,1302m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I-264 / I-64 Interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8440339,-76.1969546,1549m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I-564 / I-64 Interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.9180829,-76.2714518,1949m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I-64 / US-258 Mercury Blvd Interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.0405549,-76.3951951,729m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I feel like Virginia has more standard cloverleaf interchanges per capita than any other state, and at least two of the interchanges listed above are modified cloverleafs, primarily with additional flyover ramps that turn the original loop ramps into second chance ramps.
You may argue, but to me the idiots who thought this would work were CRAZY:
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.1246454,-90.0692547,646m/data=!3m1!1e3
There was never a chance that having one lane in each direction for I55 (plus the one lane cloverleaf loop) was ever going to be anything but a cluster.
Quote from: Henry on June 26, 2020, 10:40:13 AM
Speaking of I-77, how about the wrong-way interchange at I-85 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2726379,-80.8459299,17z)?
It's basically the DDI concept translated to a "system" format with over/underpasses replacing the signals at the directional crossings. The old I-95/695 interchange NE of Baltimore was quite similar.
Quote from: sparker on July 08, 2020, 03:28:02 AM
Quote from: Henry on June 26, 2020, 10:40:13 AM
Speaking of I-77, how about the wrong-way interchange at I-85 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2726379,-80.8459299,17z)?
It's basically the DDI concept translated to a "system" format with over/underpasses replacing the signals at the directional crossings. The old I-95/695 interchange NE of Baltimore was quite similar.
The main interchange in Downtown Birmingham on I-65 at I-20/59 is basically the same as the former one in Baltimore. It looks like the recent 20/59 reconstruction added some new auxiliary ramps/flyovers to serve other nearby streets, but the original bones of the interstate-to-interstate movements still remain.
The future I-40-42-540 interchange looks like it will be a worthy contender for this:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22501.msg2514775#msg2514775
Quote from: planxtymcgillicuddy on June 26, 2020, 09:32:35 PM
Exit 111 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7272224,-81.5594344,17z) on I-40 at Valdese, NC. All kinds of wackadoodle
Looks like a RIRO with frontage roads.
Memphis has a couple of interesting ones; that and I-55/I-240.
Quote from: rte66man on July 07, 2020, 11:37:09 AM
You may argue, but to me the idiots who thought this would work were CRAZY:
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.1246454,-90.0692547,646m/data=!3m1!1e3
There was never a chance that having one lane in each direction for I55 (plus the one lane cloverleaf loop) was ever going to be anything but a cluster.
Quote from: Road Hog on July 03, 2020, 03:45:36 PM
This monstrosity has existed in downtown Little Rock since the early 1960s. It will go away soon with the new I-30 project.
(https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2017/11/30/aerial_I30_1_t800.JPG?90232451fbcadccc64a17de7521d859a8f88077d)
Those complete circle maneuvers are rather clever.
Quote from: rte66man on July 07, 2020, 11:37:09 AMThere was never a chance that having one lane in each direction for I55 (plus the one lane cloverleaf loop) was ever going to be anything but a cluster.
Indeed. It's even worse considering that that interchange wasn't built until the '60's.
The only reasonable explanation is that the interchange with Crump Boulevard wasn't intended to serve I-55. The intention must've been to build a riverfront freeway through downtown Memphis and have it cross the river on the DeSoto Bridge, with the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge being a shortcut for those who knew to take it. However, the only suggestion I've ever seen of such a thing was the 1955 Yellow Book map:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ajfroggie.com%2Froads%2Fyellowbook%2Fmemphis.jpg&hash=dc6c3d78c8074e07095f019f0bb8e3dfc869a262)
The first interchange on I-40 coming across the river was built to accommodate such a riverfront freeway. I'm not certain when it was cancelled but MikeTheActuary may have an idea.
Quote from: sparker on July 08, 2020, 03:28:02 AM
Quote from: Henry on June 26, 2020, 10:40:13 AM
Speaking of I-77, how about the wrong-way interchange at I-85 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2726379,-80.8459299,17z)?
It's basically the DDI concept translated to a "system" format with over/underpasses replacing the signals at the directional crossings. The old I-95/695 interchange NE of Baltimore was quite similar.
Gilbert Chlewicki, P.E., the "father of the DDI" is a Baltimore native and was a student at University of Maryland when he came up with the design. He credits the old configuration of the 95/695 interchange NE of Baltimore as being the inspiration behind the DDI concept.
https://divergingdiamond.com/history/
https://divergingdiamond.com/about-chlewicki/
Quote from: Henry on June 26, 2020, 10:40:13 AM
Speaking of I-77, how about the wrong-way interchange at I-85 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2726379,-80.8459299,17z)?
I'm still trying to figure out the reconstruction of that interchange, more on I-77 than anything else.
Quote from: Love2drive on June 25, 2020, 12:06:52 AM
Complex interchange in Southwest Greensboro. Intersection of Interstates 85 and 73, and Business 85
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0067523,-79.8554252,1481m/data=!3m1!1e3
Man, I haven't been to that part of I-85 in about 11 years. I even forget if there was a Business Loop 85 there at the time.
I-277 around Charlotte (accessible just 2 miles south of the 77/85 interchange currently being discussed) is a large jumble of ramps masquerading as an downtown (half-)loop freeway. The chokepoints at I-77/US 21 (1, 2) and US 74 (3) have been something of a nuisance during my experiences going through Charlotte.
1: https://goo.gl/maps/6NhyzKuMVcGzEGPY7 (https://goo.gl/maps/6NhyzKuMVcGzEGPY7)
2: https://goo.gl/maps/DVFNVayyHtRbbNK38 (https://goo.gl/maps/DVFNVayyHtRbbNK38)
3: https://goo.gl/maps/6WWwzJQ8rS7gLoADA (https://goo.gl/maps/6WWwzJQ8rS7gLoADA)
I'd mention the "Upper Connector" (I-85 Exit 42) and the interchange at I-85 Exit 68 with US 29 and NC 152, but nowadays they don't resemble anything close to what they used to.
Quote from: D-Dey65 on August 28, 2020, 11:16:37 AM
I'm still trying to figure out the reconstruction of [the I-77/I-85] interchange, more on I-77 than anything else.
They just replaced the HOV lane with an express lane, and added dedicated ramps from the 77NB Express to 85NB and 85SB to 77SB Express. The toll-free ramps for those directions were moved a bit to fit in the new lanes, but otherwise the geometrics of that thing were left intact. Trying to get to I-277 from 85SB would require you to move 4 lanes to the right in around 1.6 miles, which is not very fun during rush-hour, or to use the express lanes and pay a toll.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2247562,-80.8695851,15.75z
I say this one.
I-10 at AL 163 Dauphin Island Parkway (https://www.google.com/maps/@30.6400657,-88.089854,741m/data=!3m1!1e3) in Mobile. It's in Alabama, but it's unusually elaborate for a service interchange in that state, and most of the bridges are cast-in-place concrete box beams, which are rare in Alabama. It looks like Louisiana designed the layout and Mississippi designed the bridges.
Obviously, AL 163 was meant to serve as the major route to Dauphin Island- - hence the elaborate interchange. However, in 1968, only a few years after the interchange's completion in 1965, Hurricane Camille destroyed that route's bridge over the Deer River. Rather than rebuilding the AL 163 bridge, AL 193 was made the major route to Dauphin Island. It crosses the Deer River upstream of the dock complexes and thus requires only a modest bridge.
^ I figured the design had something to do with the immediately-adjacent-to-10 CSX tracks, and for some reason they didn't curve slightly north like they did at Michigan Ave.
Quote from: Tom958 on October 26, 2020, 07:16:51 AM
I-10 at AL 163 Dauphin Island Parkway (https://www.google.com/maps/@30.6400657,-88.089854,741m/data=!3m1!1e3) in Mobile. It's in Alabama, but it's unusually elaborate for a service interchange in that state, and most of the bridges are cast-in-place concrete box beams, which are rare in Alabama. It looks like Louisiana designed the layout and Mississippi designed the bridges.
Obviously, AL 163 was meant to serve as the major route to Dauphin Island- - hence the elaborate interchange. However, in 1968, only a few years after the interchange's completion in 1965, Hurricane Camille destroyed that route's bridge over the Deer River. Rather than rebuilding the AL 163 bridge, AL 193 was made the major route to Dauphin Island. It crosses the Deer River upstream of the dock complexes and thus requires only a modest bridge.
Quote from: froggie on October 26, 2020, 09:58:49 AM
^ I figured the design had something to do with the immediately-adjacent-to-10 CSX tracks, and for some reason they didn't curve slightly north like they did at Michigan Ave.
Yes, CSX has some pretty tough requirements for overpasses, mostly related to clearance and crashworthiness (in the case of derailments).
Quote from: froggie on October 26, 2020, 09:58:49 AM
^ I figured the design had something to do with the immediately-adjacent-to-10 CSX tracks, and for some reason they didn't curve slightly north like they did at Michigan Ave.
Let's think this out: why didn't they build a diamond, like the one at Michigan Avenue? The obvious answer is that they wanted a high-volume semidirect ramp for the westbound 10 to southbound 163 movement. It's not obvious to me, though, why they couldn't have built the southwest quadrant of the interchange as it is and the rest of the interchange as a diamond.
It appears to me that the design was driven by the desire for that semidirect ramp from southbound 163 to eastbound 10, which required the mainline 163 bridge to be a great deal higher and therefore longer than it otherwise would've needed to be. They could've gone with a loop ramp for that movement instead, especially since the layout of the westbound-to-southbound ramp created a nice, big space for it, but it would've required a lot of bridgework, too, and the ramp would've been inferior. That said, going with a semidirect ramp instead of a loop also created a need for something other than an at-grade left turn from northbound 163 to westbound 10. Cha-ching.
So, why was that movement deemed so important? The only thing I can think of is that the planners anticipated a lot of traffic using McVey Drive to access I-10 there, enough to overload a signalized left turn movement. Anyway, once the decision was made to elevate so much of the interchange, there was no point in curving the mainline away from the railroad.
Or maybe they just wanted to build a cool interchange there. :clap:
Quote from: rte66man on July 07, 2020, 11:37:09 AM
You may argue, but to me the idiots who thought this would work were CRAZY:
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.1246454,-90.0692547,646m/data=!3m1!1e3
There was never a chance that having one lane in each direction for I55 (plus the one lane cloverleaf loop) was ever going to be anything but a cluster.
TDOT was going to embark on a project (https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/region-4/interstate-55-crump-boulevard-interchange.html) to revamp that interchange by routing I-55 onto a sweeping curved overpass on the southwest quadrant of the interchange, and having all other movements culminate at a roundabout. Unfortunately, there was a lot of public outcry when it was announced that the I-55 Mississippi River bridge would have to be closed for nine months in order to build the interchange, As a result, no work has taken place.
Quote from: wriddle082 on July 08, 2020, 04:06:13 PM
Quote from: sparker on July 08, 2020, 03:28:02 AM
Quote from: Henry on June 26, 2020, 10:40:13 AM
Speaking of I-77, how about the wrong-way interchange at I-85 (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2726379,-80.8459299,17z)?
It's basically the DDI concept translated to a "system" format with over/underpasses replacing the signals at the directional crossings. The old I-95/695 interchange NE of Baltimore was quite similar.
The main interchange in Downtown Birmingham on I-65 at I-20/59 is basically the same as the former one in Baltimore. It looks like the recent 20/59 reconstruction added some new auxiliary ramps/flyovers to serve other nearby streets, but the original bones of the interstate-to-interstate movements still remain.
I believe the main interchange with I-20/59 and I-65 is even more complex now because all of the ramps from I-65 and I-20/59 to downtown are mixed in with the main movements with the interchange. Some of those new exits are left exits as well. The new setup still doesn't address the issues of the curves both within and approaching the interchange on both roads being tough enough that sometimes trucks take them too fast. Combine that with having to be on the left to exit or you enter the freeway from the left and jockeying with other vehicles, and you have more truck accidents that shut the freeway down for hours.
The current setup is nice in that it takes the downtown exits away from the main I-20/59 viaduct through downtown, but I believe the entire I-20/59/65 interchange needs to be rethought.
This weird-looking figure eight (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chaplin,+KY+40012/@37.8713871,-85.3021331,611m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8869cb235912e01f:0x803b961c5fa9b915!8m2!3d37.8978421!4d-85.2213448) interchange on the Bluegrass Parkway south of Bloomfield, Kentucky. Another one of these existed on the Cumberland at Russell Springs until about 5 years ago