Connector 96

[Terry Shea]

I just found out that the long exit ramp from EB I-96 to EB I-69 has its own unsigned route number: Connector 96.  I find this odd for several reasons, but first and foremost, Connector 69 would actually make more sense, but is in use elsewhere, though also unsigned.  There are actually quite a few unsigned connector routes in Michigan I was not aware of, and I'm not quite sure if any of them are really necessary.  I'm not even sure that the few signed connector routes wouldn't be better served having their own unique route numbers, or whether any route number is necessary.
  http://www.michiganhighways.org/other/unsigned.html
Bottom of page.

[Henry]

Looks like it must be one huge interchange to have ramps like that. Actually, let's make it a complex, because there's also an interchange with BL 96 right in the middle. Why did they feel that it was necessary to designate the ramps as a connector route? It's not like they could've pulled an Indianapolis and called it a 3di, like I-896. At least I-865 is a legitimate designation, as it connects I-465 to I-65 to and from the north.

[SkyPesos]

Looks like it must be one huge interchange to have ramps like that. Actually, let's make it a complex, because there's also an interchange with BL 96 right in the middle. Why did they feel that it was necessary to designate the ramps as a connector route? It's not like they could've pulled an Indianapolis and called it a 3di, like I-896. At least I-865 is a legitimate designation, as it connects I-465 to I-65 to and from the north.

Sounds like a similar case with I-480N in Cleveland, which connects I-480 EB to I-271 NB/US 422 EB (and vice versa) and also comes with an interchange in the middle.

[wanderer2575]

One:  It's an internal designation used only by MDOT, so I don't know why anyone else should care.

Two:  I would guess it's designated as a connector because they are not just long ramps.  They include an interchange, even though only a partial one -- westbound exit to and eastbound entrance from Francis Road.

[paulthemapguy]

One:  It's an internal designation used only by MDOT, so I don't know why anyone else should care.

Two:  I would guess it's designated as a connector because they are not just long ramps.  They include an interchange, even though only a partial one -- westbound exit to and eastbound entrance from Francis Road.

Agreed 100% on both counts!

[Flint1979]

It's for MDOT's use. That's why it's unsigned.