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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: woodpusher on June 25, 2014, 10:49:28 PM

Title: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: woodpusher on June 25, 2014, 10:49:28 PM
The NY State Thruway north of Albany is called "Northway." 
Shouldn't the part west (from Ripley to Albany) be called "Westway?"
Then of course Albany to NYC should be "Southway," and that tiny piece to Massachusetts should be "Eastway."

Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: hotdogPi on June 25, 2014, 10:54:54 PM
"Eastway" already has a name: Berkshire Connector.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: spooky on June 26, 2014, 07:05:55 AM
The road north of Albany is not part of the Thruway, it's just the Northway. Your "westway" and "southway" segments are the Thruway. Your eastway segment is the Berkshire Connector, as 1 already pointed out.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: 1995hoo on June 26, 2014, 08:48:47 AM
In the same vein, NY-17 from the Thruway to Binghamton was once known as the "Quickway," although I'm not sure how well-known that name is these days.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on June 26, 2014, 08:59:55 AM
Quote from: woodpusher on June 25, 2014, 10:49:28 PMThe NY State Thruway north of Albany is called "Northway."

As spooky stated, I-87 north of Albany is not part of the Thruway, and "Adirondack Northway" is actually its official name.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Kacie Jane on June 26, 2014, 09:42:30 AM
Also, Westway is taken. Or would have been if they had built the full freeway replacement for the West Side Highway in Manhattan.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Mapmikey on June 26, 2014, 09:58:13 AM
I-80 in Pennsylvania is the Keystone Shortway.

At least one junction still posts that as a banner.  This is US 322 WB at I-80 near Brookville.  Sign was still there in May 2014.

http://goo.gl/maps/LMRJA

Mapmikey
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: jp the roadgeek on June 26, 2014, 10:20:21 AM
On LI, the official names are the Northern and Southern Parkways, but most people call them the Northern State and Southern State. 
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Pete from Boston on June 26, 2014, 10:25:21 AM
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=9226
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Henry on June 26, 2014, 03:35:59 PM
I used to think that the Chicago area had cool nicknames for its roads and junctions, like the Rapid Fire Ramps and the Circle Interchange.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Brian556 on June 26, 2014, 04:07:04 PM
In North Texas:

In Flower Mound, in the old days, before FM 2499 was re-routed to bypass Grapevine Dam, it was referred to as "the dam road".
(Technically, the old route of FM 2499 ended at the county line, just north of the dam, but the road continued south across the dam as a non-state roadway.)

North of Denton, FM 2164 is commonly referred to as "Missile Base Road" due to the abandoned underground missile silo on it. The only official name it has is N Locust St.

In Dallas, I've heard I-635 (Lyndon B Johnson Frwy) (LBJ) referred to as "hellBJ due to congestion.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: ski-man on June 26, 2014, 05:21:33 PM
I-610 in Houston is known as "The Loop"
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: vdeane on June 26, 2014, 09:23:05 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on June 26, 2014, 10:20:21 AM
On LI, the official names are the Northern and Southern Parkways, but most people call them the Northern State and Southern State. 
I always thought it was the reverse, especially since the Saw Mill River State Parkway is signed as just the Saw Mill Parkway to save space.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: roadman65 on June 28, 2014, 09:58:28 AM
People in Tampa, FL always call Dale Mabry Highway as just "Dale Mabry."  Yes I know its common to leave off the descriptor in usage of road names, but I do not think that Tampa area residents are even aware of its descriptor.  Heck even FDOT has I-275 signed as Dale Mabry and no highway or "Hwy" as its often abbreviated on road signs. 

In Orlando we call Orange Blossom Trail OBT.  We call FL 528 the Beachline, although it is its official name signed into law by Jeb Bush is that,  but not many signs post the name, however very commonly used in traffic reports.

In New Jersey the Garden State Parkway is simply known as "The Parkway."

The Long Island Expressway, as pointed out before several times on this forum, is known as the LIE.

The Brooklyn- Queens Expressway is known as the BQE.

In Missouri, the I-435, US 71, I-49, & I-470 interchange is called the Triangle.  Actually the Grandview Triangle to be exact as Triangle is a nickname of that.  A nickname of a nickname so to speak.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: vtk on June 28, 2014, 03:50:40 PM
I-71 in Columbus is officially the South Freeway up to mile 106, and then the North Freeway beginning at mile 109.  I propose it should be nicknamed the South Smellway (for the SWACO landfill at mile 96 and the sewage bioprocessing facility at mile 104*) and the North Smellway (for the Kroger Columbus Bakery at mile 109 and the Budweiser brewery at mile 120) respectively.  Of course the North Smellway smells better than the South Smellway.

*The crossroad at mile 104 is Frank Rd, which has already acquired a reputation for the foul smell, and the nickname Rank Rd.  That one's not just in my head.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: roadman65 on June 28, 2014, 04:09:17 PM
It is so funny you should mention those kind of nicknames as the Beachline in Florida was nicknamed that before it was changed legislatively!

I remember in the 1980's the Helix at the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken, NJ was nicknamed "The Screw" on the CB Radio.  Interestingly enough, the NJ Turnpike was nicknamed "The Green Stamp" also by CB Radio users because of its shield design.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: 1995hoo on June 28, 2014, 05:23:38 PM
Heh. All my relatives in Florida, including several in the Viera/Melbourne area, refer to FL-528 by its old name, the Bee Line. I do as well. Quite descriptive given what a straightaway much of that road is.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: bugo on June 28, 2014, 05:36:30 PM
OK 51 in Tulsa, aka the Broken Arrow Expressway, is known as "the BA". 

The loop around downtown Tulsa (I-244/444) is officially known as the Inner Dispersal Loop but is locally referred to as "the IDL".
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: JoePCool14 on June 28, 2014, 11:23:58 PM
Every expressway and tollroad in the Chicago area.


iPhone
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Roadrunner75 on June 29, 2014, 01:59:28 AM
The Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) in Philadelphia is known by many locals as the "Surekill Expressway" as in "you're sure to be killed".

In Reading, PA, the US 222 freeway bypass had a gap for years that resulted in a long completed portion on the western side abruptly terminating into a local road.  Before the gap was completed and the US 222 designation officially moved to the bypass it was known throughout the area as the "Road to Nowhere".

In NJ, Route 42 between the I-76/295 interchange and the Atlantic City Expressway is the "North-South Freeway".




Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: ElPanaChevere on June 30, 2014, 02:37:26 AM
It most likely has to do with the fact that I-87 from Albany to New York City is part of the NYS Thruway. Once in Albany, it merges with I-90 for a few miles, and then I-90 just takes over the NYS Thruway, exit numbering and mileage. I'm sure it's a matter of continuity. My hunch is that since it's called the Adirondack Northway, it was given that name since it provides access to places up in far Upstate New York, and to Montréal, (the way to the north(ern) part of New York and Canada) and it traverses the Adirondack Park.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: roadman65 on June 30, 2014, 11:30:43 AM
 I remember when the FL 520 was called the Surfer Highway as all the surfers use to use it to Cocoa Beach.

As far as the Beeline, not too many were happy with that change as it was the tourism board in Brevard County and Deano O' Neal on Z Radio 88 who loves that name as when he gives out the traffic report he always gives a big smile when he says the name while that being the only Orlando Toll Road he calls by name as every other is either the 429 or 408 that were instrumental in getting that Beachline name signed into law by Jeb Bush.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: PurdueBill on June 30, 2014, 03:28:14 PM
A local TV station in Cleveland has taken to calling the West Shoreway the "Captain America Shoreway" after scenes for the recent movie were filmed on that stretch (closing it for 2 weeks).  The name may not stick but who knows.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Zeffy on June 30, 2014, 03:41:35 PM
US 1 within Trenton is known as the Trenton freeway. Technically speaking, that is the only freeway that enters the city limits of Trenton as well.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Roadrunner75 on June 30, 2014, 10:39:57 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on June 30, 2014, 03:41:35 PM
US 1 within Trenton is known as the Trenton freeway. Technically speaking, that is the only freeway that enters the city limits of Trenton as well.
Route 29 never gets any respect...
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: jakeroot on July 01, 2014, 12:33:04 AM
WA-167 between Puyallup and Renton is known locally as the "Valley Freeway". I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass is almost always referred to as "Snoqualmie Pass" (i.e. the road is the pass).

The Coquihalla Highway in the BC interior is often just called "The Coq" (pronounced "coke").

I've also noticed a trend locally to refer to roads with the definite article. It's far from widespread but sometimes the traffic lady will slip and call it "The 90" but then follows with "Or...uh...I-90. Sorry".
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Zeffy on July 01, 2014, 12:39:17 AM
Quote from: Roadrunner75 on June 30, 2014, 10:39:57 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on June 30, 2014, 03:41:35 PM
US 1 within Trenton is known as the Trenton freeway. Technically speaking, that is the only freeway that enters the city limits of Trenton as well.
Route 29 never gets any respect...

Is it a freeway all the way through the city though? Sure, part of it is, but it then has several at-grade intersections with traffic signals which means it's just an arterial at that point. US 1 is the only freeway in Trenton that remains a freeway in the city limits. NJ 29 is a half-and-half.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Roadrunner75 on July 01, 2014, 10:11:36 AM
Quote from: Zeffy on July 01, 2014, 12:39:17 AM
Quote from: Roadrunner75 on June 30, 2014, 10:39:57 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on June 30, 2014, 03:41:35 PM
US 1 within Trenton is known as the Trenton freeway. Technically speaking, that is the only freeway that enters the city limits of Trenton as well.
Route 29 never gets any respect...

Is it a freeway all the way through the city though? Sure, part of it is, but it then has several at-grade intersections with traffic signals which means it's just an arterial at that point. US 1 is the only freeway in Trenton that remains a freeway in the city limits. NJ 29 is a half-and-half.

There have been plans relatively recently to convert the downtown freeway portion to an at-grade boulevard to improve waterfront access, but I'm not sure where that stands.  It missed its shot at the big time when they put the lights in by the stadium.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Zeffy on July 01, 2014, 11:38:33 AM
Quote from: Roadrunner75 on July 01, 2014, 10:11:36 AM
There have been plans relatively recently to convert the downtown freeway portion to an at-grade boulevard to improve waterfront access, but I'm not sure where that stands.  It missed its shot at the big time when they put the lights in by the stadium.

As I've said before, this is a good opportunity for Trenton, but at the same time, it is a nightmare for commuters. Waterfront development could spur some more business into the city, and waterfront properties are always a good thing to have. If people will visit Camden because of it's waterfront, then you have to imagine Trenton could bank off that success as well.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: mrsman on July 04, 2014, 08:45:46 AM
NY-17 is known by some as the Quickway, being the Quickway from the Thruway to the Catskills.  I don't think this is an official name.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: roadman65 on July 04, 2014, 11:09:28 AM
To me its the Boringway!  I never experienced a more long drive than before as I did between Binghamton and Harriman.  There is really nothing much there, but then again I was a kid then as a passenger in my parent's car.

I always thought that I-80, I-380, and I-81 was quicker going between NYC metro and Binghamton.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: thenetwork on July 04, 2014, 12:22:02 PM
The freeway section of SR-176 between I-480 and I-71 in Cleveland has always been called the Jennings Freeway, mainly because for the first 30-some years of it's existence, it was an unnumbered freeway stub connecting I-71 to Jennings Rd. and Denison Ave.

Back in the 1970s, parts of 8 Mile Road (at least in the Livonia/Farmington area of Detroit) were also known and signed as Base Line Road.

It used to be commonplace in Akron to call much of it's freeway system as one big expressway culminating from the Central Interchange:

- SR-8 north of the Central Interchange was called the North Leg of the expressway
- I-76 east of the CI was the East Leg of the expressway
- The I-76/I-77 duplex west of the CI was called the West Leg of the expressway
- The short stretch of I-76 connecting US-224 and I-77 was called the Kenmore Leg of the expressway

Surprisingly, US-224 itself and I-77 south of the CI were always called by their route numbers, as I don't recall hearing people saying the "South Leg" or the "Waterloo Leg" (since the latter paralleled Waterloo Road/Old US-224).  The "Leg" terms have slowly died off with the people who used the terms the most in the 50's and 60s.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: JakeFromNewEngland on July 04, 2014, 12:50:00 PM
In Connecticut, US 1 is known as the "Post Road" in many towns. I believe the route US 1 takes within Connecticut was an original route from the 1700-1800s called the "Boston Post Road". Also, the Wilbur Cross Parkway is sometimes called the Merritt Parkway. As most roadgeeks in this area would know, the Merritt Parkway ends at the Sikorsky Bridge in Milford but the Wilbur Cross continues on the other side. It's a common mistake. For example, most people would say "Take the Merritt to I-91." The right way to say it would be "Take the Meritt to the Wilbur Cross Parkway and continue towards I-91." Maybe we're just lazy people and not ALL roadgeeks.  :bigass:
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: roadman65 on July 04, 2014, 01:31:11 PM
People too say take Route 3 East to the Lincoln Tunnel in NJ when NJ 3 since the 1950's ends now at US 1 & 9 in North Bergen in New Jersey.

People here in Florida refer to all of FL 417 as the Greeneway when in fact it only exists between Exit 6 and the Seminole County Line.  In Seminole County FL 417 is the Seminole Expressway and south of Exit 6 its the Southern Connector Expressway.

In NYC nobody ever refers to the Henry Hudson Parkway by its name, but calls it the West Side Highway when in fact that road is defunct since NYC tore it down after it fell apart which was located from the Battery to 60th Street about along NY 9A.

You have that all over with people using incorrect route names.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: hbelkins on July 04, 2014, 06:36:18 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on July 04, 2014, 11:09:28 AM
To me its the Boringway!  I never experienced a more long drive than before as I did between Binghamton and Harriman.  There is really nothing much there, but then again I was a kid then as a passenger in my parent's car.

I've driven from Middletown to Binghamton, and I loved the drive. Very scenic.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: vdeane on July 04, 2014, 06:40:47 PM
Quote from: mrsman on July 04, 2014, 08:45:46 AM
NY-17 is known by some as the Quickway, being the Quickway from the Thruway to the Catskills.  I don't think this is an official name.
Only the portion east of Binghamton.  West, it's called the Southern Tier Expressway.  It even has a shield.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nysroads.com%2Fimages%2Fgallery%2FNY%2Fi86%2F100_4019-s.JPG&hash=3413288e18ade93a34eb38e7f196fd4115601a83)

Quote from: hbelkins on July 04, 2014, 06:36:18 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on July 04, 2014, 11:09:28 AM
To me its the Boringway!  I never experienced a more long drive than before as I did between Binghamton and Harriman.  There is really nothing much there, but then again I was a kid then as a passenger in my parent's car.

I've driven from Middletown to Binghamton, and I loved the drive. Very scenic.
It does drag a bit though, especially in the long 55 zone from Hale Eddy to Roscoe (which is very heavily patrolled... driving to the Monticello meet, I must have passed 10 police cars!).  The Quickway and the Northway are both scenic and both go very long (for the east coast) distances without passing through major towns.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Brandon on July 05, 2014, 10:48:46 AM
Quote from: thenetwork on July 04, 2014, 12:22:02 PM
Back in the 1970s, parts of 8 Mile Road (at least in the Livonia/Farmington area of Detroit) were also known and signed as Base Line Road.

That's because it is the actual base line for the Michigan Meridian (PLSS).  The meridian passes through (of all places), Meridian Township just east of Lansing.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: bugo on July 05, 2014, 11:52:26 AM
There's a Base Line Road (AR 338) in southwest Little Rock.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Arkansastravelguy on July 05, 2014, 01:44:40 PM

Quote from: vdeane on July 04, 2014, 06:40:47 PM
Quote from: mrsman on July 04, 2014, 08:45:46 AM
NY-17 is known by some as the Quickway, being the Quickway from the Thruway to the Catskills.  I don't think this is an official name.
Only the portion east of Binghamton.  West, it's called the Southern Tier Expressway.  It even has a shield.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nysroads.com%2Fimages%2Fgallery%2FNY%2Fi86%2F100_4019-s.JPG&hash=3413288e18ade93a34eb38e7f196fd4115601a83)

Quote from: hbelkins on July 04, 2014, 06:36:18 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on July 04, 2014, 11:09:28 AM
To me its the Boringway!  I never experienced a more long drive than before as I did between Binghamton and Harriman.  There is really nothing much there, but then again I was a kid then as a passenger in my parent's car.

I've driven from Middletown to Binghamton, and I loved the drive. Very scenic.
It does drag a bit though, especially in the long 55 zone from Hale Eddy to Roscoe (which is very heavily patrolled... driving to the Monticello meet, I must have passed 10 police cars!).  The Quickway and the Northway are both scenic and both go very long (for the east coast) distances without passing through major towns.

Maybe it's just my imagination but that Southern Tier Expressway sign looks suspiciously like the old man of the mountain shield outline in New Hampshire


iPhone
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Arkansastravelguy on July 05, 2014, 01:46:34 PM
We have an interstate that runs through NW Arkansas numbered 49. Locals call it Highway 540. Even when I say "take 49" I get confused looks


iPhone
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: kurumi on July 05, 2014, 02:26:16 PM
My pejorative nickname for a certain interstate through a certain st^H^Hcommonwealth was "The Gallstone Shitway". Hated, hated, hated that road. But the hate has faded away.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: akotchi on July 05, 2014, 03:10:26 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 28, 2014, 04:09:17 PM
It is so funny you should mention those kind of nicknames as the Beachline in Florida was nicknamed that before it was changed legislatively!

I remember in the 1980's the Helix at the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken, NJ was nicknamed "The Screw" on the CB Radio.  Interestingly enough, the NJ Turnpike was nicknamed "The Green Stamp" also by CB Radio users because of its shield design.

I recall in my father's CB radio days -- 1970's -- that the Pa. Turnpike was also referred to as "The Green Stamp."  It might be a general CB term for any toll road.  It helps in these two cases that the logos are also green.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Kacie Jane on July 05, 2014, 05:19:36 PM
Apologies, because this will probably come off rather dickish, but...
Quote from: jake on July 01, 2014, 12:33:04 AM
WA-167 between Puyallup and Renton is known locally as the "Valley Freeway".

Are you certain this is a nickname and not the actual name?  I know the parallel surface street (part of which is SR 181) is officially the "West Valley Highway", and I think the freeway was named for the surface street.  (In fact, a common error is to refer to 167 as the West Valley Highway instead.)

Quote from: jake on July 01, 2014, 12:33:04 AM
I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass is almost always referred to as "Snoqualmie Pass" (i.e. the road is the pass).

Is this not the case with most passes, at least those where the name is commonly known?  Certainly is with nearby Stevens Pass as well.

Quote from: jake on July 01, 2014, 12:33:04 AM
I've also noticed a trend locally to refer to roads with the definite article. It's far from widespread but sometimes the traffic lady will slip and call it "The 90" but then follows with "Or...uh...I-90. Sorry".

If it's "far from widespread", then I don't think you can call it a "trend locally".  In fact, that's how you tell the SoCal transplants from the homegrown locals.  (Full disclosure: I am neither.)
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: hbelkins on July 05, 2014, 06:21:58 PM
The Southern Tier marker is a profile of an Indian, probably because the road runs through some tribal lands.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: jakeroot on July 05, 2014, 07:51:40 PM
Quote from: Kacie Jane on July 05, 2014, 05:19:36 PM
Apologies, because this will probably come off rather dickish, but...

One cannot grow without criticism.

Quote from: Kacie Jane on July 05, 2014, 05:19:36 PM
Quote from: jake on July 01, 2014, 12:33:04 AM
WA-167 between Puyallup and Renton is known locally as the "Valley Freeway".

Are you certain this is a nickname and not the actual name?  I know the parallel surface street (part of which is SR 181) is officially the "West Valley Highway", and I think the freeway was named for the surface street.  (In fact, a common error is to refer to 167 as the West Valley Highway instead.)

Very certain. I've searched WSDOT's website and cannot find any reference to "Valley Freeway".

Quote from: Kacie Jane on July 05, 2014, 05:19:36 PM
Quote from: jake on July 01, 2014, 12:33:04 AM
I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass is almost always referred to as "Snoqualmie Pass" (i.e. the road is the pass).

Is this not the case with most passes, at least those where the name is commonly known?  Certainly is with nearby Stevens Pass as well.

True. Not much I can say about that.

Quote from: Kacie Jane on July 05, 2014, 05:19:36 PM
Quote from: jake on July 01, 2014, 12:33:04 AM
I've also noticed a trend locally to refer to roads with the definite article. It's far from widespread but sometimes the traffic lady will slip and call it "The 90" but then follows with "Or...uh...I-90. Sorry".

If it's "far from widespread", then I don't think you can call it a "trend locally".  In fact, that's how you tell the SoCal transplants from the homegrown locals.  (Full disclosure: I am neither.)

Tracy Taylor on King 5 has, on quite a few occasions, called a freeway "The....xx". I've noticed both my parents (one just moved here from Moreno Valley so no surprise) but the other is from here.

And yes, perhaps "trend" was poor word choice. In this sense, I mean I've heard it more than once.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Kacie Jane on July 05, 2014, 09:12:33 PM
Quote from: jake on July 05, 2014, 07:51:40 PM
Quote from: Kacie Jane on July 05, 2014, 05:19:36 PM
Quote from: jake on July 01, 2014, 12:33:04 AM
WA-167 between Puyallup and Renton is known locally as the "Valley Freeway".

Are you certain this is a nickname and not the actual name?  I know the parallel surface street (part of which is SR 181) is officially the "West Valley Highway", and I think the freeway was named for the surface street.  (In fact, a common error is to refer to 167 as the West Valley Highway instead.)

Very certain. I've searched WSDOT's website and cannot find any reference to "Valley Freeway".

https://www.google.com/search?q=site:wsdot.wa.gov+%22valley+freeway%22

Then try harder.  Not that this necessarily makes it an official name, but WSDOT references to the name are indeed numerous.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: jakeroot on July 05, 2014, 09:21:53 PM
Quote from: Kacie Jane on July 05, 2014, 09:12:33 PM
Quote from: jake on July 05, 2014, 07:51:40 PM
Quote from: Kacie Jane on July 05, 2014, 05:19:36 PM
Quote from: jake on July 01, 2014, 12:33:04 AM
WA-167 between Puyallup and Renton is known locally as the "Valley Freeway".

Are you certain this is a nickname and not the actual name?  I know the parallel surface street (part of which is SR 181) is officially the "West Valley Highway", and I think the freeway was named for the surface street.  (In fact, a common error is to refer to 167 as the West Valley Highway instead.)

Very certain. I've searched WSDOT's website and cannot find any reference to "Valley Freeway".

https://www.google.com/search?q=site:wsdot.wa.gov+%22valley+freeway%22

Then try harder.  Not that this necessarily makes it an official name, but WSDOT references to the name are indeed numerous.

I've never used Google website search...it appears to work a lot better than WSDOT's website search function.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: vtk on July 07, 2014, 01:35:34 AM
Quote from: jake on July 05, 2014, 09:21:53 PMI've never used Google website search...it appears to work a lot better than WSDOT's website search function.

It can be handy. I recently used it to find all the pages on my web spaces that say "coming soon" so I could change them to "probably not coming soon", considering they had existed like that since 2008. Next I intend to use it to update the links on the root index page.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: SidS1045 on July 07, 2014, 03:35:11 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 26, 2014, 09:23:05 PMthe Saw Mill River State Parkway is signed as just the Saw Mill Parkway to save space.

That might be about to change...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FSCTCUKK.jpg&hash=98a809e0cc0dcb732fcf999021bdad37e4383572)
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: hm insulators on July 08, 2014, 03:32:35 PM
In the Los Angeles area, the South Bay Curve is that sharp bend in I-405 just south of LAX. The "Orange Crush" is where I-5, California 22 and California 57 all tie into each other.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Laura on July 08, 2014, 09:36:37 PM
The old alignment of MD 23 is called "Old 23" by locals even though it hasn't been Rt 23 in over 50 years! Also, the current alignment is sometimes called "New 23".
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: Pete from Boston on July 08, 2014, 10:14:13 PM

Quote from: SidS1045 on July 07, 2014, 03:35:11 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 26, 2014, 09:23:05 PMthe Saw Mill River State Parkway is signed as just the Saw Mill Parkway to save space.

That might be about to change...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FSCTCUKK.jpg&hash=98a809e0cc0dcb732fcf999021bdad37e4383572)

Oh, man, the NYS parkway signs in FHWA fonts represent a dark time in road marker design.  The Henry Hudson is odd to see in Long Island parkway design (lighthouse), but still looks a world better.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: golden eagle on July 09, 2014, 10:03:36 AM
The area where I-20, 55 and US 49 meet just east of Jackson is known as the Stack.

In Atlanta, there's Spaghetti Junction (I-85 and 285 in Dekalb County), and the Downtown Connector where 75 & 85 meet.
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: sipes23 on July 10, 2014, 01:50:41 AM
Some routes, not the state routes, but general routes in New Hampshire have names. The Governor Wentworth Highway or the John Stark Highway, to name two examples.

One even has a website:

http://generalstarkbyway.org/index.php?page=byway-map
Title: Re: Nicknames for roads?
Post by: mrsman on July 18, 2014, 08:45:51 AM
Quote from: hm insulators on July 08, 2014, 03:32:35 PM
In the Los Angeles area, the South Bay Curve is that sharp bend in I-405 just south of LAX. The "Orange Crush" is where I-5, California 22 and California 57 all tie into each other.

Auto Club of So. Calif. (ACSC) used to print a map labeled "Guide to the L.A. Freeway System" that listed the multiple nicknames of the freeway features commonly used, especially by traffic reporters.  I don't have one in front of me, but this is what I remember:

4-level interchange: 110/101
Downtown Slot: 101 between 10 and 110
San Bernardino Split: 101/10 interchange
E LA Interchange: 5/101/10/60
Malfunction Junction: 405/22/605
El Toro Y: 5/405 in Orange County
Santa Ana Canyon: 91 between OC and Corona
Kellogg Interchange: 10/71/57 in Pomona
Kellogg Hill: 10 approaching the Kellogg Interchange from Covina
Sepulveda Pass: 405 between 101 and Sunset
Cauhenga Pass: 101 between Lankershim and Highland
McClure Tunnel: West end of I-10 approaching PCH
Conejo Grade: 101 between Camarillo and Thousand Oaks
Calabasas Grade: 101 between Agoura Hills and Calabasas
Santa Susana Pass: 118 between Chatsworth and Simi Valley
Newhall Pass: I-5 between I-210 and CA 14
Castaic Grade: Steep climb of I-5 north of Santa Clarita, including section where roadways switch over
Grapevine: Usually refers to entire I-5 from Santa Clarita to Wheeler Ridge, but technically it's just the southern section