Unpopular Route Opinions

[SkyPesos]

And IMO most drivers don't really know the difference between state and US highways anyway. They are a highway with a number.

I wouldn't be surprised if any Ohio drivers don't know the difference between those two with our state highway shield looking very similar to a US highway one from a distance.

[SEWIGuy]

How is it US-40's fault that an Interstate parallels it? I-70 was built after US-40 as well. US-40 is also a major US highway, US-49 is not.

US 40 didn't do anything wrong, interstates are main corridors now, US highways are kind of redundant now and should be left for major corridors that are not interstates. Doesn't need to be super major, like US 4 can stay, but if it's within 10 miles of an interstate for the whole time, it's just a glorified state highway at that point.

Why are we talking about highways like they would be upset if they were decommissioned?  Do people realize they are simply inanimate objects?

I think the answer is simple.  If they are worthy of state highway designation, then just keep the US highway designation.  (And I think US-40 meets that standard.)  Why bother changing the US shield to some state shield and/or changing the number?

Exactly that's what I'm trying to say. What point is there to change it to a state route if it's a US highway already? It's a through route that has the same route number along the route so it eases confusion for people that don't use GPS system's. And I'm not acting like the highway would be upset or anything I'm just saying anything to ease confusion is a good thing.

But that's the thing, no one is using 40 for long-term travel for nearly all of its route.  Literally who is completely following a much slower route when there is a much faster route next to it unless there is an occasional traffic jam or if it's for local use? Having a US route number isn't necessary for that. A state route isn't necessarily needed either. Isn't this why Interstate business routes and reassurance markers in cities are a thing? Like flint said, if US routes serve major corridors that Interstates don't, then that is when you should keep the route. And let's be honest, the average driver doesn't care or even know about a continuous number even if they don't have a gps.

Because US routes aren't exclusively for "serving major corridors that Interstates don't."  Sure back when they were established nearly 100 years ago, they represented major US corridors, but with the advent of the Interstate and NHS systems, US routes are merely state routes with a common numbering system.  That's it.

You are correct that a highway like US-40 in Indiana isn't going to carry a bunch of long-haul traffic, but it is certainly important enough to carry regional traffic and worthy of a state highway designation.  I mean, Indiana thinks so.  Unless they are turning it over to the counties, why bother with changing the number or changing the signage from a US highway sign to a state one?

[Flint1979]

That's exactly what my point is. Why change it over to a state highway when it's already a US highway? What's changing the shield going to do? Then as a US highway that highway can connect to other state's and keep the same number and shield. US highways work a lot better than state highways because of that. There aren't a lot of multi state routes and the only one I can think of that would normally be a US highway is 200 across Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Idaho.

If I'm on I-70 and I need an alternate route because of an issue on I-70 then you assume there is a US highway running parallel and that being US-40 in this case. Ok you are going to be able to access US-40 from I-70 in multiple locations between Empire, CO and Washington, PA. I like having a US highway as a second choice for travel.

US-25 could have been saved in Ohio and Michigan too. US-25 actually could have went up US-68's routing and been fine.

[jeffandnicole]

And IMO most drivers don't really know the difference between state and US highways anyway. They are a highway with a number.

I wouldn't be surprised if any Ohio drivers don't know the difference between those two with our state highway shield looking very similar to a US highway one from a distance.

I've encountered several people in my homestate of NJ that don't know the different between state and county routes, even though the signs look nothing alike.

[Flint1979]

And IMO most drivers don't really know the difference between state and US highways anyway. They are a highway with a number.

I wouldn't be surprised if any Ohio drivers don't know the difference between those two with our state highway shield looking very similar to a US highway one from a distance.

I'm not in Ohio every day but I can tell the difference between the state highways and US highways. The state highway is simply shaped like the state so that one is rather easy.

[kenarmy]

That's exactly what my point is. Why change it over to a state highway when it's already a US highway? What's changing the shield going to do? Then as a US highway that highway can connect to other state's and keep the same number and shield. US highways work a lot better than state highways because of that. There aren't a lot of multi state routes and the only one I can think of that would normally be a US highway is 200 across Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Idaho.

If I'm on I-70 and I need an alternate route because of an issue on I-70 then you assume there is a US highway running parallel and that being US-40 in this case. Ok you are going to be able to access US-40 from I-70 in multiple locations between Empire, CO and Washington, PA. I like having a US highway as a second choice for travel.

US-25 could have been saved in Ohio and Michigan too. US-25 actually could have went up US-68's routing and been fine.

But thats because you are a road geek, nobody really cares about the number. Let's be honest, an interstate doesn't constantly need an numbered alternate especially in a rural area. That's why a lot of old US 40 west of SLC is undrivable.  Now usually if there's an issue on the interstate it's going to be near a somewhat major city, and in that case, 40 is probably not even the fastest alternate. People are trying to get back on the route they were on. And again I never said it had to be changed to a state route. That's just a glorified frontage road. I can name several US routes that serve important functions that interstates cant. Look at the one in my avatar!

[Roadgeekteen]

My US highway criteria:

Does the road serve some sort of long-distance corridor not served by an interstate?

[paulthemapguy]

US-25 could have been saved in Ohio and Michigan too. US-25 actually could have went up US-68's routing and been fine.

I have proposed this idea as well, and the only reason I bring this up is because I want to voice my support for this idea.

My approach to being a contrarian in this thread is to tell people their ideas might get more support or be more popular than they might think 

[Scott5114]

But thats because you are a road geek, nobody really cares about the number.

If nobody cares about the number, why don't we renumber everything to 74?

[hotdogPi]

But thats because you are a road geek, nobody really cares about the number.

If nobody cares about the number, why don't we renumber everything to 74?

74WESENSENEWSESSENCE

[SkyPesos]

But thats because you are a road geek, nobody really cares about the number.

If nobody cares about the number, why don't we renumber everything to 74?

Idm that, considering 74 is already one of the most roasted interstates anyways.

[jeffandnicole]

But thats because you are a road geek, nobody really cares about the number.

If nobody cares about the number, why don't we renumber everything to 74?

I'll give you a great example of why nobody but roadgeeks care about route numbering:

The Atlantic City Expressway.

All people (outside of this community) care about is that it's a highway.  There's even a large number of people that, coming up from Delaware, will bypass 295. They'll bypass US 40.  They will take the NJ Turnpike (another highway without a visible number) to Exit 3, take 168 to 42, then take the Atlantic City Expressway.

For as much as people say the Expressway should be I-76...and for as much as people say the NJ Turnpike should be given an Interstate number, the overwhelming motoring public sees one thing:  They are highways.  Give them a number.  Hell, give them an out of sequence number.  No one cares.

[SkyPesos]

Side note, to add on to the post right above this, there’s probably still a good amount of people that call the US 40 freeway in St. Louis as “US 40”, “Route 40” or “Highway 40”, despite getting designated as I-64 three decades ago. Even heard one of my teachers mistakenly call it I-40 a while ago, showing how prominent the number is. Also the frontage roads are still numbered as “North Outer 40 Rd” and “South Outer 40 Road”.

[dkblake]

And IMO most drivers don't really know the difference between state and US highways anyway. They are a highway with a number.

I wouldn't be surprised if any Ohio drivers don't know the difference between those two with our state highway shield looking very similar to a US highway one from a distance.

I've encountered several people in my homestate of NJ that don't know the different between state and county routes, even though the signs look nothing alike.

This. Most people think in terms of "Route X" rather than how they're categorized. And that's sort of my point- whether Route X is a US route versus a state route or interstate can be fairly complicated and obscure (was an Interstate built directly over the road, or did it need to be built parallel to it? Did the state decommission US routes? Was there a change in jurisdiction over the road? Did the locality want the US route to serve downtown or be a bypass?), and trying to fit any consistent national standards on what US routes should be seems silly.

[interstatefan990]

My unpopular opinion: Some US Routes are dangerous. Example: US 50 in Nevada. An undivided two lane highway with a speed limit of up to 70 miles per hour, faster than all freeways in some states. One accidental bump of the steering wheel or boredom-induced drowsiness (especially on desolate, rural stretches) on your part or oncoming traffic's part, and it's game over for the both of you. A lot of other US routes are similar. I would much better prefer to take a divided, controlled access freeway. Before you call me stupid: Yes I am aware that US 50 is in the middle of nowhere and quite likely the loneliest road in America, many state routes and other routes are also undivided with high speed limits, the US highway system predates the Interstate system, head-on collisions aren't all that common, not all US routes are like this, this isn't a new issue, this country prioritizes speed over safety, and Interstates are much less scenic and historic.  Just giving my take as a safety-minded driver. You do you. Besides, it partially explains my username. 

[hotdogPi]

Yes I am aware that US 50 is in the middle of nowhere and quite likely the loneliest road in America

While it's called the Loneliest Highway, US 6 in the same state is lonelier.

[roadman65]

My pet peeve is in SC with the way US 15 was handled after the Lake Marion Bridge got shut down.  US 301, that is concurrent with US 15 in the area, is fine though. It is signed from I-95 Exit 97 to go north from there to Exit 102 on the north shore.

US 15 is only signed from SC 6 to go north as I believe technically US 15 still goes through Santee and is concurrent briefly with SC 6 to reach I-95 despite signage, or should I say lack of signs north of US 301 and south of SC 6.

[Mapmikey]

My pet peeve is in SC with the way US 15 was handled after the Lake Marion Bridge got shut down.  US 301, that is concurrent with US 15 in the area, is fine though. It is signed from I-95 Exit 97 to go north from there to Exit 102 on the north shore.

US 15 is only signed from SC 6 to go north as I believe technically US 15 still goes through Santee and is concurrent briefly with SC 6 to reach I-95 despite signage, or should I say lack of signs north of US 301 and south of SC 6.

This is a function of the rebuild of US 301 between US 15 and I-95.

2008 GMSV shows US 15 postings to follow US 301 over to I-95 from both US 15 NB and US 301 NB
https://goo.gl/maps/91tAdc3UDvTAYzjE9

SC has been doing this a lot in this part of the state - postings are disappearing at intersections once any kind of work is done.

There did not ever seem to be any signage on 95 SB saying US 15 left at the US 301 exit, though the consequence is minimal - US 15 is the next exit anyway.

US 15 definitely runs on I-95 and US 301...Orangeburg County maps show the former route below SC 6 as US 15-301 CONN, plus the AASHP database has the transfer from 1987 showing it.

[interstatefan990]

Yes I am aware that US 50 is in the middle of nowhere and quite likely the loneliest road in America

While it's called the Loneliest Highway, US 6 in the same state is lonelier.

Interesting. How did you come to that conclusion? AADT? Just common knowledge?

[hotdogPi]

Yes I am aware that US 50 is in the middle of nowhere and quite likely the loneliest road in America

While it's called the Loneliest Highway, US 6 in the same state is lonelier.

Interesting. How did you come to that conclusion? AADT? Just common knowledge?

Someone else on the forum said it elsewhere, based on AADT.

[Max Rockatansky]

Yes I am aware that US 50 is in the middle of nowhere and quite likely the loneliest road in America

While it's called the Loneliest Highway, US 6 in the same state is lonelier.

Interesting. How did you come to that conclusion? AADT? Just common knowledge?

Someone else on the forum said it elsewhere, based on AADT.

And distances between services.  On US 6 you're looking at 160-plus miles of no services between Ely-Tonopah.  Even NV 375 is debatably more desolate than the Loneliest (not sure by AADT) of US 50. 

Regarding US Routes I believe the lowest AADT is US 191 in Arizona from Alpine to Morenci.

[Roadgeekteen]

My unpopular opinion: Some US Routes are dangerous. Example: US 50 in Nevada. An undivided two lane highway with a speed limit of up to 70 miles per hour, faster than all freeways in some states. One accidental bump of the steering wheel or boredom-induced drowsiness (especially on desolate, rural stretches) on your part or oncoming traffic's part, and it's game over for the both of you. A lot of other US routes are similar. I would much better prefer to take a divided, controlled access freeway. Before you call me stupid: Yes I am aware that US 50 is in the middle of nowhere and quite likely the loneliest road in America, many state routes and other routes are also undivided with high speed limits, the US highway system predates the Interstate system, head-on collisions aren't all that common, not all US routes are like this, this isn't a new issue, this country prioritizes speed over safety, and Interstates are much less scenic and historic.  Just giving my take as a safety-minded driver. You do you. Besides, it partially explains my username. 

That would make all two lane highways in rural areas dangerous.

[SkyPesos]

My unpopular opinion: Some US Routes are dangerous.

Imagine if fritzowl used that as a reason for his plans...

[TheHighwayMan3561]

My unpopular opinion: Some US Routes are dangerous.

Imagine if fritzowl used that as a reason for his plans...

That's...actually pretty much the reason. It's a long-form revenge tour for a bad experience Fritz had one a two-lane road once.

[index]

Split/suffixed routes shouldn't go. Not sure how unpopular that is here but it definitely is with AASHTO.