Unnecessary Exits

[Jmiles32]

What are some highway exits in close proximity to one or multiple other exits that today could be considered redundant?

Here some examples I think of off the bat:
-I-95@US-301 Exit 12 Virginia
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.727979,-77.5218351,1943m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
The reason this exit exists is that it was the original northern terminus of the Emporia Bypass back before I-95 was completely finished. However, now that I-95 is complete and Exit 13 serves literally the exact same place, Exit 12 is now basically useless.
-I-95@ Rives Road Exit 47 Virginia
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.1803249,-77.3410845,4271m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
Doesn't go anywhere east that Exits 45 and 48 don't already lead to. Doesn't go anywhere west that Exits 48 and 3(I-295) don't already lead to either. Hardly anything in the general vicinity of the interchange as well.
-I-81@Marshall Street Exit 8 Maryland
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6764071,-77.7301839,4209m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
It's a half interchange and doesn't go anywhere that Exits 7 and 9 don't already lead to.
-I-85@I-85 Connector Exit 42 North Carolina
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2874633,-80.7681776,1706m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
A half interchange connector to US-29 but thanks to Exit 43, which also connects to US-29, isn't really IMO necessary.

Don't get me wrong I'm not advocating that these Exits get removed, I'm just questioning their current day usefulness.

[hotdogPi]

I seem to remember a thread with this concept, but with three different searches, I can't find it.

In case it never gets found, I nominate Exit 46 on I-95 and Exit 23C on I-495, both in Massachusetts. The first one is served by exits 44 and 50, and the second is to a group of minor streets.

[Jmiles32]

I seem to remember a thread with this concept, but with three different searches, I can't find it.

I thought a thread like this would have already existed but yeah unless the language of it is way different I couldn't find it either.

[jp the roadgeek]

In before lock

Northbound Hutchinson River Parkway Exit 30/Merritt Parkway Exit 27.

2 exits to the same road on either side of the CT/NY border. King St is a 2 way, and both sides can be accessed from either exit.

[sbeaver44]

I-78 in PA with exits 15-16-17.  I'd eliminate 15, the RIRO is substandard and the roads connect to exit 16. 

Nexus 6P

[Jmiles32]

Some more:
-I-70@South Street Exit 55 Maryland
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4016504,-77.3883082,2600m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
This exit is obviously meant to serve an Industrial center but with Exits 54 and 56 nearby, it's not really necessary.

-I-40@Rock Barn Road Exit 133 North Carolina
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7239037,-81.1801695,3284m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
Exit 135 and a newly built exit 132 make this interchange redundant.

[SectorZ]

I seem to remember a thread with this concept, but with three different searches, I can't find it.

In case it never gets found, I nominate Exit 46 on I-95 and Exit 23C on I-495, both in Massachusetts. The first one is served by exits 44 and 50, and the second is to a group of minor streets.

23C is heavily used during the week. Lots of business parks serve it.

I nominate exit 38 on I-495 in my town. Just discussing this with my wife, if MA 38 just went peacefully under 495 without a junction, my town would have way less problems.

[Eth]

I-285's half-interchange exit 36 at Northlake Pkwy probably isn't strictly necessary. There's nothing there that you can't get to from the LaVista Rd exit 1/3 mile to the south.

[1995hoo]

I always thought the Trent Drive partial interchange from the Durham Freeway (NC-147) seemed unnecessary in view of the full interchange at Fulton Street just west of there. I've always assumed it was built to facilitate access to and from Duke Hospital. (I must admit that even though I think it's an unnecessary pair of ramps, I used to use it often enough because I lived in an apartment on Erwin Road just east of Anderson Street, so those ramps were the fastest way to and from Raleigh.)

https://goo.gl/maps/NvM4vPdwg6J2

[bassoon1986]

I-49 Exit 169 in Louisiana. Asseff Rd is unpaved past the interchange. Unless it was built to give easier access to the paper mill or a second exit for Mansfield, I'll never know why it was built


iPhone

[RobbieL2415]

I-49 Exit 169 in Louisiana. Asseff Rd is unpaved past the interchange. Unless it was built to give easier access to the paper mill or a second exit for Mansfield, I'll never know why it was built


iPhone

That's like Exit 248 for I-510 in New Orleans.  Dumps you off at the dead end of Michoud Blvd.  Don't even need it when the exit before it is Lake Forest Blvd which ends at Michoud.  Maybe it handled excess Six Flags traffic back in the day.

[mrcmc888]

Exits 1A and B on I-275 through Knoxville spring to mind--both are about a quarter mile from each other and serve the exact same area.  It would be better to eliminate one because neither are very heavily trafficked.

[Flint1979]

I-675 (Michigan) Exit 2A. This exit was put in about 8 years ago to allow better access to downtown Saginaw. Exit 2 takes you to the same street about a 1/4 of a mile apart. I honestly don't see how downtown Saginaw is better served by just adding an exit ramp 1/4 of a mile from another exit ramp that takes you the same street. In this short little area Fitzhugh and Wadsworth both function as I-675's service drive.

This is what I'm talking about. https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4353519,-83.9289601,16.22z the middle exit and entrance ramp is what's not needed. I just don't see the point but I have used the exit and entrance ramps before just because it's convenient to do so but I would have no problem driving the extra 1/4 of a mile on a surface street. Oh and they also said people were getting lost getting back to the highway which is ridiculous when there are signs in downtown Saginaw directing you back to I-675.

[Beltway]

What are some highway exits in close proximity to one or multiple other exits that today could be considered redundant?
Here some examples I think of off the bat:
-I-95@US-301 Exit 12 Virginia
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.727979,-77.5218351,1943m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
The reason this exit exists is that it was the original northern terminus of the Emporia Bypass back before I-95 was completely finished. However, now that I-95 is complete and Exit 13 serves literally the exact same place, Exit 12 is now basically useless.

Not really, they just left the old ramp in place, and it is quicker access to the businesses between there and VA-614.

-I-95@ Rives Road Exit 47 Virginia
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.1803249,-77.3410845,4271m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
Doesn't go anywhere east that Exits 45 and 48 don't already lead to. Doesn't go anywhere west that Exits 48 and 3(I-295) don't already lead to either. Hardly anything in the general vicinity of the interchange as well.

Rives Road interchange was part of the original I-95 in 1961.  The Wagner Road Extension and I-95 interchange was built new in the early 1990s.  I-295 was opened in 1992.  The Rives Road interchange is a mile from the Wagner Road interchange, and it is still useful for the homes and businesses in the vicinity.

If VDOT had proposed demolishing these ramps after the new interchanges were built, I'm sure that a number of locals would have said, "leave 'em there".

[Hurricane Rex]

OR 217:
Exit 1, Walker Road, 500 feet North of exit 2 even though if you remove it, it won't decrease access a bunch

Exit 3, Denny road, although I call for its removment due to low traffic levels, ODOT has in its plan to build a collecter road to exit 2B, Allen road (750 feet north).

Exit 7, 72nd avenue. Need to go north? Use exit 6 as its quicker. South? I-5 exit 291 is also faster. Lowes customers are the only exception.

US 26: none.

I-5: none

I-84: take your pick of 2 exits along that stretch due to low traffic levels exiting (except exit 2).

I-205: none (stretching it a little)

Thats it for Portland.

[Jmiles32]

What are some highway exits in close proximity to one or multiple other exits that today could be considered redundant?
Here some examples I think of off the bat:
-I-95@US-301 Exit 12 Virginia
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.727979,-77.5218351,1943m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
The reason this exit exists is that it was the original northern terminus of the Emporia Bypass back before I-95 was completely finished. However, now that I-95 is complete and Exit 13 serves literally the exact same place, Exit 12 is now basically useless.

Not really, they just left the old ramp in place, and it is quicker access to the businesses between there and VA-614.

-I-95@ Rives Road Exit 47 Virginia
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.1803249,-77.3410845,4271m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
Doesn't go anywhere east that Exits 45 and 48 don't already lead to. Doesn't go anywhere west that Exits 48 and 3(I-295) don't already lead to either. Hardly anything in the general vicinity of the interchange as well.

Rives Road interchange was part of the original I-95 in 1961.  The Wagner Road Extension and I-95 interchange was built new in the early 1990s.  I-295 was opened in 1992.  The Rives Road interchange is a mile from the Wagner Road interchange, and it is still useful for the homes and businesses in the vicinity.

If VDOT had proposed demolishing these ramps after the new interchanges were built, I'm sure that a number of locals would have said, "leave 'em there".

So in your opinion there are no unnecessary exits on I-95? How bout in all of Virginia? Again as I stated in the OP, I'm not lobbying for the removal of any of these interchanges, I'm just evaluating which ones currently seem the most redundant. I can understand your argument for the Rives Road exit, but Exit 12? The only businesses there are two gas stations and quicker access is more like 5 seconds. Exit 12 could have and still could be IMHO eliminated today without much controversy.

[Beltway]

Rives Road interchange was part of the original I-95 in 1961.  The Wagner Road Extension and I-95 interchange was built new in the early 1990s.  I-295 was opened in 1992.  The Rives Road interchange is a mile from the Wagner Road interchange, and it is still useful for the homes and businesses in the vicinity.
If VDOT had proposed demolishing these ramps after the new interchanges were built, I'm sure that a number of locals would have said, "leave 'em there".

So in your opinion there are no unnecessary exits on I-95? How bout in all of Virginia? Again as I stated in the OP, I'm not lobbying for the removal of any of these interchanges, I'm just evaluating which ones currently seem the most redundant. I can understand your argument for the Rives Road exit, but Exit 12? The only businesses there are two gas stations and quicker access is more like 5 seconds. Exit 12 could have and still could be IMHO eliminated today without much controversy.

No, I was only referring to the two that you listed.  There is a pumping station and a Western Union office and an ATM as well.  Those businesses probably generate a couple hundred AADT.   Demolition would have its cost, perhaps at least a half million.

[froggie]

-I-95@US-301 Exit 12 Virginia

Concur (but see below).

That's like Exit 248 for I-510 in New Orleans.  Dumps you off at the dead end of Michoud Blvd.  Don't even need it when the exit before it is Lake Forest Blvd which ends at Michoud.  Maybe it handled excess Six Flags traffic back in the day.

Yes, it handled Six Flags.  Also, pre-Katrina, that area east of 510 and north of Chef Menteur was slated for residential development.  The latter is also why the former interchange at Exit 250 was built.

Demolition would have its cost, perhaps at least a half million.

Reconstruction will have its cost as well...likely north of a half-million.  No harm in leaving the ramp in place now.  But when it comes time for reconstruction talk, removing it should be on the table given the presence of Exit 13 just to the north.

-------------------------------

My own contributions:  the Nicollet Ave (Exit 4A) and 12th Ave (Exit 3) ramps on I-494 in Bloomington, MN.  These were built in the 1950s back when it was acceptable to have half-mile interchange spacing.  MnDOT does have long-term plans to remove the former and replace the latter with a full interchange at Portland Ave, but these are as-yet unfunded.

[Beltway]

-I-95@US-301 Exit 12 Virginia

Concur (but see below).

Demolition would have its cost, perhaps at least a half million.

Reconstruction will have its cost as well...likely north of a half-million.  No harm in leaving the ramp in place now.  But when it comes time for reconstruction talk, removing it should be on the table given the presence of Exit 13 just to the north.

But when will it need reconstruction?  Periodic resurfacing every 15 years or so is all it needs.

[jeffandnicole]

I-295, Exit 16A

https://goo.gl/maps/tMmJWtcHzFU2

The quick history: I-295 was formerly US 130.  When it was upgraded to interstate status and US 130 was multiplexed with I-295 for about a 10 mile stretch, the intersections were replaced with overpasses.  Every...single...overpass also became an interchange, with extremely tight turns, no median, and 15 or 20 mph ramp speeds.  Thus, we have this situation where within a 1 mile stretch of highway, 3 exits exist: Exit 15, Exit 16A & Exit 16B.  While suburban overall, the exits don't have anything close to them.  NJDOT had wanted to take one of the exits out (most likely 16A), and were close to doing so, as evidenced by this sign installed when Exit 17 was redone: https://goo.gl/maps/MXSoXRmRtYU2 , which reflects just "Exit 16".  However, the local pols complained they needed the exit for economic development or some BS...even though, again, 2 of the 3 exits will remain.  No development ever occurred, the exits remain, and as shown, the incorrect exit tab on the 1 mile advanced signage remains as well.

[Mapmikey]

-I-95@US-301 Exit 12 Virginia

Concur (but see below).

Demolition would have its cost, perhaps at least a half million.

Reconstruction will have its cost as well...likely north of a half-million.  No harm in leaving the ramp in place now.  But when it comes time for reconstruction talk, removing it should be on the table given the presence of Exit 13 just to the north.

But when will it need reconstruction?  Periodic resurfacing every 15 years or so is all it needs.

If it were me I might close Exit 12 when the bridge US 301 uses over that ramp needs to be redone.  It is the original 1958 bridge and the driving surface looked terrible in the latest GMSV.  Surely the cost of realigning US 301 is much smaller than a new bridge.

On the other hand, the AADT for the Exit 12 ramp is 550 while the I-95 ramp to Exit 13 is only 210.  In reality the redundant ramp is the Exit 13 ramp...

If I had to pick an exit as being redundant in Virginia it would be Exit 167 on I-81 for US 11 Buchanan.  I believe VDOT does want to get rid of this exit and use nearby Exit 168 for the connection to US 11.

[froggie]

But when will it need reconstruction?  Periodic resurfacing every 15 years or so is all it needs.

Typically, roadbeds need regrading and subbase work every 50-60 years or so.  And bridges of the era typically go 50-75 years before they need either significant work or replacement.  Continual resurfacing every 15 years or so, without addressing the base, subbase, or bridges, is really just a band-aid.

[dfilpus]

I always thought the Trent Drive partial interchange from the Durham Freeway (NC-147) seemed unnecessary in view of the full interchange at Fulton Street just west of there. I've always assumed it was built to facilitate access to and from Duke Hospital. (I must admit that even though I think it's an unnecessary pair of ramps, I used to use it often enough because I lived in an apartment on Erwin Road just east of Anderson Street, so those ramps were the fastest way to and from Raleigh.)

https://goo.gl/maps/NvM4vPdwg6J2

For years, that exit was the end of the Durham Freeway, while the interchange with US 15/501 was being built.

[Beltway]

If it were me I might close Exit 12 when the bridge US 301 uses over that ramp needs to be redone.  It is the original 1958 bridge and the driving surface looked terrible in the latest GMSV.  Surely the cost of realigning US 301 is much smaller than a new bridge.
On the other hand, the AADT for the Exit 12 ramp is 550 while the I-95 ramp to Exit 13 is only 210.  In reality the redundant ramp is the Exit 13 ramp...

Interesting, I didn't realize it would be that high.  Probably because it directly flows into NB US-301.  Maybe the original design of I-95 at VA-614 should have omitted that ramp in lieu of letting the older ramp handle that movement.  Probably wouldn't take much rehab to keep that bridge in service, given the light traffic and low truck volumes.

I was one of the construction inspectors on the I-95 project that included the interchange at VA-645, Exit 24.  We all puzzled over the design of 4 lanes divided on VA-645 in the interchange area.  VA-645 probably has less than 200 AADT.  There never has been any connecting highway planned that would account for that many lanes.  Two lanes with an island with turn lanes would have been fully adequate.  The busy interchange at VA-602, Exit 33 is built that way and handles the traffic fine.

[Beltway]

But when will it need reconstruction?  Periodic resurfacing every 15 years or so is all it needs.

Typically, roadbeds need regrading and subbase work every 50-60 years or so.  And bridges of the era typically go 50-75 years before they need either significant work or replacement.  Continual resurfacing every 15 years or so, without addressing the base, subbase, or bridges, is really just a band-aid.

Did you see my recent "rant" about US-460 between Petersburg and Suffolk and the underlying pavement issues that don't get discussed officially for some reason?

This I-95 ramp carries minimal car and truck volumes in comparison.