Why is the Atlanta Beltway numbered 285?

[jwolfer]

I was wondering why is the Atlanta Beltway or Perimeter numbered 285 and not 275.  It seems that I-75 is more of a through/transcontinental route in Atlanta than I-85.  I have been thinking that it should be a x75.  Any input or secret knowledge out there?

[RoadWarrior56]

You would probably have to consult AASHO or the BPR from about 1957 to get the actual answer.

My suspicion is that I-85 and I-285 have a 2+mile common section in the SW section of town near the airport, which would make a good place to terminate I-285, I suspect that could had contributed.

There is no common section with I-75.  Plus I-285 is approximately evenly bisected between both I-85 interchanges.  The two "sides" of I-285 between the I-75 interchanges are not even as far as distance is concerned.  The eastern arc is much longer than the western arc.

[InterstateNG]

There are four other 275's out there, including the full beltway around Cincinnati.  Perhaps they just wanted something to differentiate.

[Brandon]

If they wanted different, I-420 would've worked well.  A freeway you can drive and smoke. 

[jwolfer]

If they wanted different, I-420 would've worked well.  A freeway you can drive and smoke. 

Imagine the replacement costs for the signs on I-420.  Every college kid would want one for the dorm wall. I know in college we wantd a zero drug tolerance sign

[jwolfer]

You would probably have to consult AASHO or the BPR from about 1957 to get the actual answer.

My suspicion is that I-85 and I-285 have a 2+mile common section in the SW section of town near the airport, which would make a good place to terminate I-285, I suspect that could had contributed.

There is no common section with I-75.  Plus I-285 is approximately evenly bisected between both I-85 interchanges.  The two "sides" of I-285 between the I-75 interchanges are not even as far as distance is concerned.  The eastern arc is much longer than the western arc.

That would make sense since it was routed w I-85

[1995hoo]

Post edited: Sorry about the blank post. The image I had embedded evidently wouldn't load, so I've found a different copy.

[OCGuy81]

Imagine the replacement costs for the signs on I-420.  Every college kid would want one for the dorm wall. I know in college we wantd a zero drug tolerance sign

Yet they have, and are proceeding with plans for I-69.  I imagine a LOT of those are taken each year as well!

[roadman65]

Actually using I-285 is much better than using I-287 in New Jersey considering its parent never enters this state.  Also, both ends of I-287 interchange with I-95.

[jwolfer]

Actually using I-285 is much better than using I-287 in New Jersey considering its parent never enters this state.  Also, both ends of I-287 interchange with I-95.

Agreed at least 285 loops around 85 on both ends

All the even x95s were planned in NJ. The only ones actually built were 295 and 495 although 495 is no longer an interstate.

I say bring I-87 in NJ using the Garden State Parkway. And make the current I-87 into NYC I-187  There would have to be some upgrades to the road and trucks would have to be allowed among other things.  I grew up in Ocean County and I always wanted a 2di all we had in the county I-195.  I am straying into fictional highway territory here.  I will stop.

[Alps]

Actually using I-285 is much better than using I-287 in New Jersey considering its parent never enters this state.  Also, both ends of I-287 interchange with I-95.

Agreed at least 285 loops around 85 on both ends

All the even x95s were planned in NJ. The only ones actually built were 295 and 495 although 495 is no longer an interstate.

As far as I know 695 was not planned for many years after the I-system was incorporated, once I-95 started moving about near New Brunswick.

[roadman65]

Actually using I-285 is much better than using I-287 in New Jersey considering its parent never enters this state.  Also, both ends of I-287 interchange with I-95.

Agreed at least 285 loops around 85 on both ends

All the even x95s were planned in NJ. The only ones actually built were 295 and 495 although 495 is no longer an interstate.

I say bring I-87 in NJ using the Garden State Parkway. And make the current I-87 into NYC I-187  There would have to be some upgrades to the road and trucks would have to be allowed among other things.  I grew up in Ocean County and I always wanted a 2di all we had in the county I-195.  I am straying into fictional highway territory here.  I will stop.

Interesting note.  I-287 does junction more with I-95 than its own parent.
Having I-87 on the GSP would work considering that a lot of French Canadian Tourists do vacation in Cape May.

[froggie]

Interesting note.  I-287 does junction more with I-95 than its own parent.

However, I-287 has a noticeable duplex with its parent, so one could argue there are multiple junctions with it (for each interchange along the way).

[jwolfer]

Interesting note.  I-287 does junction more with I-95 than its own parent.

However, I-287 has a noticeable duplex with its parent, so one could argue there are multiple junctions with it (for each interchange along the way).

True.  I was thinking about NJ only

[brownpelican]

Imagine the replacement costs for the signs on I-420.  Every college kid would want one for the dorm wall. I know in college we wantd a zero drug tolerance sign

Yet they have, and are proceeding with plans for I-69.  I imagine a LOT of those are taken each year as well!

For real!!! 

[1995hoo]

Imagine the replacement costs for the signs on I-420.  Every college kid would want one for the dorm wall. I know in college we wantd a zero drug tolerance sign

Yet they have, and are proceeding with plans for I-69.  I imagine a LOT of those are taken each year as well!

For real!!! 

Someone at my brother's fraternity stole a "No Dumping" sign and put it on the bathroom door. 

[roadman65]

Interesting note.  I-287 does junction more with I-95 than its own parent.

However, I-287 has a noticeable duplex with its parent, so one could argue there are multiple junctions with it (for each interchange along the way).

True.  I was thinking about NJ only

One way of looking at it.

[jwolfer]

Imagine the replacement costs for the signs on I-420.  Every college kid would want one for the dorm wall. I know in college we wantd a zero drug tolerance sign

Yet they have, and are proceeding with plans for I-69.  I imagine a LOT of those are taken each year as well!

For real!!! 

Someone at my brother's fraternity stole a "No Dumping" sign and put it on the bathroom door. 

we had one in college in out apartment.  I think i still have it in my shed. my wife wont let me put in the bathroom

[Revive 755]

If they wanted different, I-420 would've worked well.  A freeway you can drive and smoke. 

I'm not sure the order in which they were proposed, but there was an I-420 proposed in the GA 166 corridor.  See http://www.kurumi.com/roads/3di/ix20.html#420ga