Rural Freeways That Will Never Need 6 Lanes

[Flint1979]

My figure was an estimate from looking at Google aerials, just a quick estimate.  Either figure provides plenty of space for 2 lanes and 2 full shoulders.

That's how I did it as well. I couldn't remember and it's been years since I've been on that stretch of I-75.

For future reference, you can right click and measure if you're on Google Maps. That's what I did.

I use that feature on Google Maps too.

[1995hoo]

I've driven across the Everglades on I-75 fairly regularly in the past few years. It'd be relatively easy to use the median to widen it, and it's far more likely using the median would pass environmental muster than adding a lane on the outside (plus the latter might involve moving a lot of fencing if the berm had to be expanded).

I wouldn't be surprised at all if they do widen it at some point in the next ten years. Traffic isn't horrendous, but at the same time there's enough of it to make passing a hassle, and as noted before the growth of Naples and Fort Myers is only going to make traffic increase.

[SD Mapman]

Granted, there will probably be less examples of this and most are pretty obvious, but let's give it a shot. 

Actually, I would think in terms of total mileage, there would be more examples for this thread. At least, it's easier to paint with a broader brush (by submitting entire states, etc.). Of course, saying "never" as opposed to "not now" helps trim it down some.

My first submission: I-29, I-90, and I-94 through the Dakotas.

That's... actually not entirely true. The stretch of I-90 from Spearfish to Rapid will eventually be upgraded, I-29 is already 6 lanes in Sioux Falls, and I-90 probably will be upgraded around Sioux Falls as well. The latest repave of I-90 (between Piedmont and Tilford) widened the median so they could upgrade to 6 lanes should the need arise.

[froggie]

That's... actually not entirely true. The stretch of I-90 from Spearfish to Rapid will eventually be upgraded, I-29 is already 6 lanes in Sioux Falls, and I-90 probably will be upgraded around Sioux Falls as well. The latest repave of I-90 (between Piedmont and Tilford) widened the median so they could upgrade to 6 lanes should the need arise.

Rebuilt between Spearfish and Rapid, probably, but not widened.  Very little of the corridor sees more than 20K vpd, with some segments as low as 10K.  Even within the Piedmont to Tilford segment you mentioned, traffic would have to more than double before you could start justifying 6 lanes.

I also don't see it happening for a long while (if ever) in Sioux Falls.  I-90 in Sioux Falls has less than half the traffic that 29 and 229 do.  And most of Sioux Falls' growth appears to be to the south, not the north.  Unless/until that changes, there will be zero need to widen I-90.

I could eventually see the 6 lanes on I-29 extended south another exit or two.  That's area that's largely rural right now, but is also in the zone of Sioux Falls' growth.

[yeen125]

Interstate 43 between Elkhorn and Mukwonago, WI.