The mention of Effingham, Ill. – a place I only know as the nexus of I-70 and I-57 – made me think about places that have probably taken a bigger recognition boost from being a control city than from anything else.
Brewster, N.Y., is the one that comes to my mind first. For decades I figured Brewster to be an important something-or-other given the amount its name features on signs. Then my car broke down there, and it turned out to be tiny town with a half-vacant little commercial strip. It'd be all but forgotten but for the BGS publicity (and yet, look where that publicity's gotten it...).
What other places are there that get way more exposure as a control city than for anything else?
Remember as always that a control city is the bottom line on a distance sign. Anything else is a supplemental destination.
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part2/part2e.htm#section2E13
Breezewood.
other Desert Cities
Quote from: NE2 on March 03, 2014, 04:01:17 PM
Remember as always that a control city is the bottom line on a distance sign. Anything else is a supplemental destination.
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part2/part2e.htm#section2E13
Well, whichever is the proper term, there are plenty of signs reading
[684 emblem]
Brewster
Quote from: Pete from Boston on March 03, 2014, 03:55:49 PM
The mention of Effingham, Ill. – a place I only know as the nexus of I-70 and I-57 – made me think about places that have probably taken a bigger recognition boost from being a control city than from anything else.
What other places are there that get way more exposure as a control city than for anything else?
Effingham is a city of over 12,000 at that junction, as well as the Effingham County county seat. And it's only a secondary control to IDOT, at the same level as East St Louis and Terre Haute. I-70's primary controls are Indianapolis and St Louis. I-57 is likewise. The secondary controls are Chicago, Kankakee, Champaign-Urbana, Effingham, Mt Vernon, Cairo, and Sikeston. The primary controls are Chicago and Memphis
If there is a municipality in Illinois that is purely a primary control city and nothing more, it's Hennepin.
Albert Lea MN and Tomah WI come to mind.
Mahwah for I-287
Delaware Water Gap for I-80 NJ
Any control city on I-80 in PA, pretty much
Lake City, Florida - just because it's a few miles southeast of the intersection between I-10 and I-75.
Quote from: Alps on March 03, 2014, 07:14:36 PM
Mahwah for I-287
I don't know when it was changed, but I could swear that signs on I-287 listed 'Zarephath' on the Exit 12 BGS. However, Google Maps isn't showing it anymore, since the images are from 2013 (wow!), but having been up and down I-287 most of my childhood, I know I saw Zarephath on either a BGS for Exit 12 or maybe on the off ramp. The latter being irrelevant to this topic, since it's just a destination.
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Limon, Colorado.
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 03, 2014, 07:08:51 PM
Albert Lea MN and Tomah WI come to mind.
Hey Tomah is a happening place
Ewing, NJ on I-295
Pennsville, NJ also on I-295
Wytheville. (I-77)
Hancock. (I-68)
How about Benson in NC
Emporia and South Hill, Va.
Green River, UT.
I think their biggest claim to fame is Watermelons...And the last services for 106+ miles on I-70 West.
Norwood, Maryland. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/take-the-icc-and-exit-at-norwood--where/2012/01/04/gIQAoo7SfP_story.html) Even the people who live there hadn't heard of it until it appeared on a BGS.
For the record, I have no idea if Effingham is a control city. I just know it's where the intersection is.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on March 03, 2014, 11:16:54 PM
For the record, I have no idea if Effingham is a control city. I just know it's where the intersection is.
As I said, it's a secondary control city for IDOT, not a primary control city. IDOT uses two levels of control cities: one for most interchanges, and one for major interchanges.
Quote from: Brandon on March 04, 2014, 09:59:39 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on March 03, 2014, 11:16:54 PM
For the record, I have no idea if Effingham is a control city. I just know it's where the intersection is.
As I said, it's a secondary control city for IDOT, not a primary control city. IDOT uses two levels of control cities: one for most interchanges, and one for major interchanges.
Why is Rockford used then for I-90 heading west out of Chicago and not Madison? I see the Effingham thing on I-57 used on non freeway SB signs from Champain southward, but Memphis used at all the major interstates. So it depends there where you are to see what is used for control cities along I-57.
Quote from: roadman65 on March 04, 2014, 11:02:43 AM
Quote from: Brandon on March 04, 2014, 09:59:39 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on March 03, 2014, 11:16:54 PM
For the record, I have no idea if Effingham is a control city. I just know it's where the intersection is.
As I said, it's a secondary control city for IDOT, not a primary control city. IDOT uses two levels of control cities: one for most interchanges, and one for major interchanges.
Why is Rockford used then for I-90 heading west out of Chicago and not Madison? I see the Effingham thing on I-57 used on non freeway SB signs from Champain southward, but Memphis used at all the major interstates. So it depends there where you are to see what is used for control cities along I-57.
Rockford is used as it is the third largest city in the state (formerly second largest) North of Rockford, the control is Madison. I-74 is likewise with Peoria. Outside Chicago, Rockford and Peoria were historically the largest cities in the state.
Yes, it depends on what interchange you are at for most IDOT freeways. If you get on at Mattoon (IL-16), it's Champaign-Urbana and Effingham. If you get on from a freeway (say, I-70), it's Chicago and Memphis. Primary versus secondary control cities.
The one major exception to the rule in Illinois is I-72. There, the controls are:
I-72 EB:
Quincy, Jacksonville, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign-Urbana
I-72 WB:
Decatur, Springfield, Jacksonville, Hannibal
That's due to it having been an intrastate interstate at one point.
I-39 is similar, but the controls are more consistent than I-72.
San Pedro (I-110 South) Harbor Freeway to the port of Los Angeles since its a district. US-101 and CA-110 North from Downtown LA would have Hollywood district. And the West of of I-8 in San Diego will have the control city of Beaches.
1 SOUTH Lima ramp signage at I-476 interchange (http://goo.gl/maps/H68nX)
For those unfamiliar with the area; Lima, PA isn't even a town per say but rather a section of Middletown Twp., Delaware County.
Quote from: bing101 on March 04, 2014, 11:30:10 AM
San Pedro (I-110 South) Harbor Freeway to the port of Los Angeles since its a district. US-101 and CA-110 North from Downtown LA would have Hollywood district. And the West of of I-8 in San Diego will have the control city of Beaches.
Both Hollywood and San Pedro are known for being more than "control cities" though.
Quote from: Thing 342 on March 03, 2014, 10:12:55 PM
Emporia and South Hill, Va.
And Blackstone, to a lesser extent since it's well off I-85.
Rocky Mount, NC, despite a population close to 60,000, is pretty quiet for a place showing up on signs nearly 150 miles away.
I would think Port Huron, MI is a fairly non-consequential control city.
Quote from: JCinSummerfield on March 04, 2014, 01:27:13 PM
I would think Port Huron, MI is a fairly non-consequential control city.
It's a border city, and home to the Blue Water Bridge as well as the St Clair County seat. Now, Clare is probably known more for being a control city than anywhere in the state.
Speaking of Pennsylvania:
Plymouth Meeting (I-476).
If we're counting non-Interstate freeways, then Fulton (Purchase Parkway) and Campton (Mountain Parkway) in Kentucky no doubt qualify.
I agree with Plymouth Meeting. It got is famed when the infamous Blue Route first got completed to the NE Extension. Apparently PennDOT takes it literally where a road ends to use its endpoint as final place. The same on the nearby I-76 using Valley Forge instead of Harrisburg when I-76 goes all the way there. However, they see it as the free PennDOT maintained section ending there (although really King of Prussia). I imagine the same goes for free I-476.
In our world here on this forum, we would have used Allentown for I-476 and Harrisburg for I-76 like many states would use.
Lodi, OH -- About 5-7 miles past the western terminus of the eastern segment of I-76. Population 2800. Their big claim to fame is the outlet mall on the south side of town by I-71.
I've never quite understood why Mississippi uses McComb and Grenada as the control cities on I-55 at its junction with I-20. One would think it would make more sense to use New Orleans and Memphis. Then again, Mississippi also uses Laurel on I-59, Pass Christian on I-10, and Vicksburg and Meridian on I-20. It almost makes us wonder if they'll use New Albany and Tupelo on I-22 instead of Memphis and Birmingham.
Winters, CA (I-505)
(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images080/i-080_eb_exit_056_02.jpg)
Quote from: roadman65 on March 04, 2014, 05:09:42 PMIn our world here on this forum, we would have used Allentown for I-476 and Harrisburg for I-76 like many states would use.
Once upon a time, PennDOT actually used
Allentown as a northbound I-476/Blue Route control city.
Below is a late 1970s (maybe early 1980s) photo of the I-76/476/PA 23 interchange; notice the old button-copy pull-through BGS for I-476 North listing Allentown on the left-side of the gantry. Granted, it's tough to read given the scale, but trust me... the control city does indeed read
Allentown. I saw this BGS up-close-and-personal when I biked this road on October 1991 (2 months before it opened to traffic). Ironically, this particular BGS was removed from the gantry (which is presently still there but empty of signs) just before I-476 south of this interchange opened in Dec. 1991.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennways.com%2FI476_INT_C_N1.jpg&hash=21ee2d1a49bcc4399cbef926dce0c50607b735d3)
The original 70s-era BGS for the I-476 North exit off I-76 East originally had
Allentown in button-copy letters as well for a very short period of time (shadows of the removed button-copy letters could be seen up close) but was changed to
Plymouth Mtg. (in reflective lettering) when I-76 was overhauled during the mid-80s.
Another 70s era BGS that would have had
Allentown on it (based on the BGS panel size) for I-476 North; note the I-shields are recent replacements, the original shields featured PennDOT wide-stroked fonts. (http://goo.gl/maps/qPn87)
That said, I do agree that
Plymouth Meeting (or
Mtg.) should either be dropped as a I-476 North destination in favor of
Allentown or used as a secondary/local control destination along w/Allentown... i.e. BGS' reads
476 NORTH
Plymouth Mtg.
AllentownQuote from: roadman65 on March 04, 2014, 05:09:42 PMThe same on the nearby I-76 using Valley Forge instead of Harrisburg when I-76 goes all the way there. However, they see it as the free PennDOT maintained section ending there (although really King of Prussia).
With regards to using Valley Forge as a westbound destination for I-76/Schuylkill Expressway instead of King of Prussia (which is currently signed from both US 202 northbound & 422 eastbound); that is likely due to PennDOT using the name of the Turnpike interchange in this area and/or the historical significance of Valley Forge. The thinking being that most tourists checking out Valley Forge would be coming from Philadelphia.
Mind you, the above is just a
guess on my part.
Side bar: now that the partial interchange to Henderson Road (westbound Exit 329) is open, one would not be able to use King of Prussia as a westbound I-76 destination beyond Gulph Mills (PA 320).
The first reference of Harrisburg as a westbound 76 destination is actually not along I-76 but rather an auxiliary/supplemental BGS along I-476 northbound for its interchange w/I-76/PA 23 (http://goo.gl/maps/1QeJt).
Quote from: Charles2 on March 04, 2014, 11:21:09 PM
I've never quite understood why Mississippi uses McComb and Grenada as the control cities on I-55 at its junction with I-20. One would think it would make more sense to use New Orleans and Memphis. Then again, Mississippi also uses Laurel on I-59, Pass Christian on I-10, and Vicksburg and Meridian on I-20. It almost makes us wonder if they'll use New Albany and Tupelo on I-22 instead of Memphis and Birmingham.
As one who lives in Jackson, McComb and Grenada have been a pet peeve of mine. I honestly can't think of anything about McComb that is significant enough to use as a control city. The only thing Grenada has for it is Grenada Lake (good fishing up there).
Laurel, Vicksburg and Meridian are large enough to where I can justify their usage. Laurel was among the larger cities in the state, and had a booming oil industry until the bottom fell out in the 1980s, to which they're just now starting to recover from. Vicksburg is famous for Civil War attractions and casinos. Meridian is also among the larger cities in the state.
I think you may be confusing Pass Christian with Bay St. Louis. BSL is used as a control city in Slidell, LA, but I've never seen Pass Christian used.
As for I-22 signage, my gut feeling is that Mississippi will use Tupelo starting at Olive Branch, then will use Birmingham from Tupelo eastward. Alabama tends not to sign insignificant places as control cities on interstates. I'm purely speculating, but I think they may use Memphis.
I'm also interested in what cities Mississippi will use to sign I-69, once the section south of Tunica is completed. Methinks they could possibly use Greenville, but I'm not sure it will come close enough. Maybe a Louisiana city like Monroe or Alexandria? Even more interesting is if Tennessee and Mississippi will use Tunica in Memphis and Desoto County, respectively, as a control city.
Quote from: Charles2 on March 04, 2014, 11:21:09 PM
I'm also interested in what cities Mississippi will use to sign I-69, once the section south of Tunica is completed. Methinks they could possibly use Greenville, but I'm not sure it will come close enough. Maybe a Louisiana city like Monroe or Alexandria? Even more interesting is if Tennessee and Mississippi will use Tunica in Memphis and Desoto County, respectively, as a control city.
Well, Alexandria and Monroe are pretty far out of the way for I-69's path. Shreveport and Memphis are the biggest cities in its path. Maybe have those as primary control cities and ElDorado and Greenville and secondaries?
Since SR 429 in Florida made its debut several years ago, Apopka has become quite the destination on road signs. All of its northbound ramps use it from I-4 near Champions Gate, FL to its northern terminus.
Before Apopka was only used on US 441 signs and from I-4 only on the SR 436 guides at Exit 92 as WB FL 436 fulfillment.
Dude, everyone around here knows Apopka.
Quote from: Charles2 on March 04, 2014, 11:21:09 PM
I've never quite understood why Mississippi uses McComb and Grenada as the control cities on I-55 at its junction with I-20.
McComb does have fame as the site where the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crashed, FWIW.
QuoteWinters, CA (I-505)
Agreed!
Santa Rosa, NM (I-40 ABQ)
Isn't Grants, NM a control city too on I-40? Ugh....
Already mentioned, but Grenada, MS, Albert Lea, MN, and especially Limon, CO drive me nuts because unless you are a local, these control cities as a reference point mean absolutely nothing to me as an interstate traveler. Limon wouldn't be as easy to replace as there is nothing on that road until Salina, but Grenada should be Memphis on I-55 and Albert Lea should be Des Moines on I-35.
Quote from: UNDSIOUX on March 06, 2014, 11:45:41 AM
Albert Lea should be Des Moines on I-35.
I disagree, though I agree with the principle. Owatonna should be added as a control city. Most destinations to the west on 90 are much better served via U.S. 169-MN 60, and most destinations to the east are much better served via U.S. 52, so vice-versa could be said about Albert Lea as a control city on I-90, but instead of removing Albert Lea, I would make Worthington and Rochester control cities as well.
Quote from: UNDSIOUX on March 06, 2014, 11:45:41 AM
Santa Rosa, NM (I-40 ABQ)
Isn't Grants, NM a control city too on I-40? Ugh....
Also, isn't Gallup a control city on I-40 east of Flagstaff?
Fort Chiswell, Virginia for I-77 north. Plus a long time ago, Elkin, NC:
(https://www.aaroads.com/nc/077/i-077-n-exit-073-2.jpg) (https://www.aaroads.com/nc/077/i-077-n-exit-073-2.jpg)
In and around Lake City, FL you see the ramps of I-10 and I-75 signed with the first sequential city and not the road's designated control city.
On US 41/441 at I-75 south of Lake City you get Alachua as SB control city and not Tampa.
On US 441 north of Lake City you get Live Oak over Tallahassee for WB I-10.
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.002325,-82.597394,3a,37.5y,180h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1su_7r2sAZD11810x94E6_lA!2e0
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.238852,-82.638564,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sVTpkU2yruzY1VfXkQ6yTGA!2e0
Quote from: national highway 1 on March 07, 2014, 11:09:33 PM
Quote from: UNDSIOUX on March 06, 2014, 11:45:41 AM
Santa Rosa, NM (I-40 ABQ)
Isn't Grants, NM a control city too on I-40? Ugh....
Also, isn't Gallup a control city on I-40 east of Flagstaff?
From Albuquerque, Gallup is the westbound I-40 control city (used to be Grants). Eastbound, at the I-17 interchange in Flagstaff, the control city is Albuquerque. I don't know if any closer destination is used at minor interchanges east of there in Arizona.
I was always bothered by the eastbound control city from Albuquerque, Santa Rosa. It ought to be Tucumcari or even Amarillo.
Clinton, NJ on I-78. All there really is to know about Clinton is 31 crosses 78 there.
I totally agree with the High Plains Traveler, I have always wondered why the NMDOT chose Santa Rosa as a control city all the way thru ABQ on the Interstates. The population is only around 2,000, . I'm sure that most people coming thru New Mexico would have never heard of Santa Rosa. Amarillo would be a more logical control city.
It's not a control city, but I want to say the exit is (or was) called "Hendersonville." (I-79, old Exit 10A; I don't know what it is now). Anyway, when I was growing up there, nobody called it that. It was "Cecil Township" or just "Cecil."
The former Van Horn destination on I-10 in Texas would qualify. Now signs just say El Paso and San Antonio which is all that most anyone would know of western Texas anyway.
I-69 with Cleveland.
Blytheville, AR on I-55... although now that I think of it, I'm not sure you see that on I-55 signs anywhere but Memphis at the I-40/I-55 junction.
Ojai (pronounced OH-hi), California, a little town north of Ventura.
Quote from: Molandfreak on March 07, 2014, 11:00:55 PM
Quote from: UNDSIOUX on March 06, 2014, 11:45:41 AM
Albert Lea should be Des Moines on I-35.
I disagree, though I agree with the principle. Owatonna should be added as a control city. Most destinations to the west on 90 are much better served via U.S. 169-MN 60, and most destinations to the east are much better served via U.S. 52, so vice-versa could be said about Albert Lea as a control city on I-90, but instead of removing Albert Lea, I would make Worthington and Rochester control cities as well.
Pretty much any place where two Interstates meet/split off each other should be used as control cities, no matter how small they are. Statesville, NC, Meridian, MS and Cove Fort, UT come to mind.
^Also Carlisle, PA, Ft. Chiswell, VA, Lodi, OH, and Corning, NY.
Corning glass might be a bigger claim to fame for Corning, NY.
Until about 15-20 years ago, north of Orlando the control city for Florida's Turnpike was Wildwood, which is the town nearest to the turnpike's northern terminus at I-75. Nowadays it's Ocala, the next control city along I-75.
Quote from: formulanone on March 03, 2014, 09:09:56 PM
Lake City, Florida - just because it's a few miles southeast of the intersection between I-10 and I-75.
Agreed with this for sure.. I was just thinking this the other day
How about Salina, Kansas? Except for having one of Kansas State University's satellite campuses, about the only thing it's known for is being the junction of I-70 and I-135, and being a control city on both of those Interstates.
Frankly, I kind of like the idea of cities at Interstate junctions being used as control cities, regardless of how populous those cities are. It brings consistency to idea of associating cities with their Interstate junctions as a means of geographical reference.
But what about Hays, Kansas?
Foreign example (came to mind after going through a stack of Trafikverket/Vägverket sign drawings): Växjö.
Quote from: stridentweasel on April 07, 2014, 08:52:35 PM
But what about Hays, Kansas?
what about it? there's an awesome old sign for CITY US 40 at the split between the old bypass and the city route. apart from that... are you saying it should not be a control city because there aren't two interstates there?
Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 08, 2014, 03:51:46 PM
Quote from: stridentweasel on April 07, 2014, 08:52:35 PM
But what about Hays, Kansas?
what about it? there's an awesome old sign for CITY US 40 at the split between the old bypass and the city route. apart from that... are you saying it should not be a control city because there aren't two interstates there?
I'm not saying it
shouldn't, but it seems to be a prime example of a city that isn't known for much else, except for those who are familiar with Fort Hays State University. I suspect its reason for being a control city is largely that KDOT wanted
something in Kansas to be a control city on I-70 between Denver and Salina, so Hays was the best candidate.
In the same vein, Limon "How much further to Denver, already?" Colorado would qualify.
Hays still gets mention on eastbound onramps for I-70 in western Kansas. Prior to entering Kansas, in Colorado, Salina gets a lot of mention on distance signs. Westbound in Kansas, Denver is replacing Limon, but that latter town still has some signage at onramps.
Quote from: Ga293 on April 08, 2014, 09:26:23 PM
In the same vein, Limon "How much further to Denver, already?" Colorado would qualify.
Limon is a noteworthy city, if only because for westbound traffic this is the turning-off point for those looking to reach Colorado Springs and points south via US-24 to I-25 without having to go into Metro Denver.
Opelousas - my biggest pet peeve. The only instance of I-49 between Exit 90 (Airbase Road, the start of using Opelousas as a control city) and US 190 using anything BUT Opelousas is Lafayette, at the US 167/LA 28 interchange. Pull through signage uses Lafayette and JUST I-49 South, although in about 200 feet, it hooks up with US 167 South. Lafayette seems like a much more logical choice, since Opelousas being a control city would be like having I-20 traffic between Monroe and Shreveport, and using Ruston or Minden.
Opelousas used to have one of two Yoo-hoo plants in the country, but that has since closed. Opelousas is home to the US 190 turnoff, but anyone using that shortcut never even makes it to the city of Opelousas - you're an exit shy.
Now, if only we can get Bay St Louis replaced with Gulfport or Biloxi (major resort towns for Mississippi, and Louisiana too), or Mobile...
Maybe there should be two control cities listed in some instances. Like I-79 NB in Charleston, WV could have Clarksburg and Pittsburgh as its control cities, and Morgantown could have Washington PA and Pittsburgh as its.
I-70 in Kansas could have Salina/Denver, Hays/Denver, etc. heading westbound, and Hays/Kansas City, Topeka/Kansas City, etc. heading eastbound. I-80 in Pennsylvania could have State College/New York, Williamsport/New York, etc. heading eastbound, and State College/Cleveland, Sharon/Cleveland, etc. heading westbound.
Basically, I think there should be at least one major city as a control city.
What is interesting is Opelousas is used on I-10 for I-49 North, but yet at US 165 several miles to the west on I-10 Alexandria is being used, the city that would best qualify being the next large city along I-49 north of Lafayette.
Then go to Lake Charles and Shreveport is used for NB US 171 another point further along I-49.
LADOTD likes to be like PennDOT and use the next sequential city rather than large destination on guide signs for interstates, except in Shreveport where "Dallas" is used over the many other small towns that are before that city that normally LADOTD likes to use on its own highways pull through and ramp signs elsewhere.
Oh yes, to mention my city that I think is a claim to fame is "Benson" along I-95 in NC. If it were not for I-40 being built, it never would have been mentioned as that is the place closest to the I-95 and I-40 junction.
Mackinac Bridge in northern Michigan. For the most part, St Ignace and Mackinaw City are not used as control cities.
I-95 south in Maine: Kittery. It's as if they were determined not to put a non-Maine destination.
I-35E northbound in MN has Forest Lake on a couple entrance ramp signs instead of Duluth. Forest Lake technically isn't even where I-35E merges with 35W; that's Columbus.
Clarksburg, WV
Fairmont, WV
Parkersburg, WV
Cambridge, OH
Washington, PA
Quote from: renegade on January 30, 2015, 01:54:17 AM
Mackinac Bridge in northern Michigan. For the most part, St Ignace and Mackinaw City are not used as control cities.
I can't imagine being a control city is the bridge's "biggest" claim to fame. I knew of the bridge long before I knew of it being mentioned on highway signs. Part of that was that as a kid I had a beer mug with a picture of that bridge, but still, that bridge is a well-known landmark.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 30, 2015, 01:59:57 AM
I-95 south in Maine: Kittery. It's as if they were determined not to put a non-Maine destination.
??? Most (but not all) of the I-95 South signage north of Kittery do list Boston as well. The reasoning for using Kittery, at least early on (prior to the outlet stores coming on the scene), were due to:
1. It's the southernmost town in Maine prior to the state line; similar applies towards why Salisbury & Attleboro are signed I-95 destinations in MA.
2. The southern terminus of the tolled Maine Turnpike is located in Kittery.
Quote from: Gnutella on January 29, 2015, 07:47:27 AM
Maybe there should be two control cities listed in some instances. Like I-79 NB in Charleston, WV could have Clarksburg and Pittsburgh as its control cities, and Morgantown could have Washington PA and Pittsburgh as its.
I-70 in Kansas could have Salina/Denver, Hays/Denver, etc. heading westbound, and Hays/Kansas City, Topeka/Kansas City, etc. heading eastbound. I-80 in Pennsylvania could have State College/New York, Williamsport/New York, etc. heading eastbound, and State College/Cleveland, Sharon/Cleveland, etc. heading westbound.
Basically, I think there should be at least one major city as a control city.
One control city is enough. As it is, many signs try to squeeze in what are arguably too many destinations. And a control city can't be a major city until the term "major city" is defined.
I suppose one might argue that the use of Hays, Kansas as a control city is of little help to most motorists, but it's ultimately the driver's responsibility to have a sense of geography, even if it requires looking at a map of Kansas.
Scotch Corner, population pretty much 0, is a primary destination signed from quite far away (eg Wetherby (https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.938305,-1.367626&spn=0.02266,0.024161&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=53.938678,-1.375837&panoid=xdlVNUdKNzTTAETI7REE5g&cbp=12,358.5,,2,0.29) (40 miles away), Penrith (https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=54.653974,-2.758598&spn=0.044341,0.048323&t=m&z=14&layer=c&cbll=54.653811,-2.758527&panoid=GfKiYicEisvNDxtXju20YQ&cbp=12,106.87,,1,1.44), (50 miles away)[/url]). It's where the 'High Road' and 'Low Road' (from the Scottish song Loch Lomond) split heading north.
There's a few Welsh (and one Scottish*) villages that are also primary destinations with a couple of hundred people and little else other than a road junction (Llandovery, Landeilo, Betws-y-coed, Crianlarich)
*Given Scotland goes for the bigger-place far-away method of primary destinations rather than the Anglo-welsh junction between two primary routes/large town approach, Crianlarich being signed is odd, but I guess it would need three destinations on signs heading south/east (Perth, Stirling, Glasgow) and two heading north/west (Oban, Fort William).
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 30, 2015, 09:20:42 AM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 30, 2015, 01:59:57 AM
I-95 south in Maine: Kittery. It's as if they were determined not to put a non-Maine destination.
??? Most (but not all) of the I-95 South signage north of Kittery do list Boston as well. The reasoning for using Kittery, at least early on (prior to the outlet stores coming on the scene), were due to:
1. It's the southernmost town in Maine prior to the state line; similar applies towards why Salisbury & Attleboro are signed I-95 destinations in MA.
2. The southern terminus of the tolled Maine Turnpike is located in Kittery.
Kittery's biggest claim to fame is a massive naval shipyard. It doesn't make good on that claim much, though, since the shipyard is named for Portsmouth on the other side of the river and state line.
Quote from: stridentweasel on January 31, 2015, 01:10:02 AM
Quote from: Gnutella on January 29, 2015, 07:47:27 AM
Maybe there should be two control cities listed in some instances. Like I-79 NB in Charleston, WV could have Clarksburg and Pittsburgh as its control cities, and Morgantown could have Washington PA and Pittsburgh as its.
I-70 in Kansas could have Salina/Denver, Hays/Denver, etc. heading westbound, and Hays/Kansas City, Topeka/Kansas City, etc. heading eastbound. I-80 in Pennsylvania could have State College/New York, Williamsport/New York, etc. heading eastbound, and State College/Cleveland, Sharon/Cleveland, etc. heading westbound.
Basically, I think there should be at least one major city as a control city.
One control city is enough. As it is, many signs try to squeeze in what are arguably too many destinations. And a control city can't be a major city until the term "major city" is defined.
I suppose one might argue that the use of Hays, Kansas as a control city is of little help to most motorists, but it's ultimately the driver's responsibility to have a sense of geography, even if it requires looking at a map of Kansas.
I noticed too that in New Jersey along I-80 NJDOT added control cities to the existing New York and Del. Water Gap on pull through signs. Now Stroudsburg, Netcong, and even Paterson join the two major control cities along overheads on the route.
Speaking of claim to fame, what about the Delaware Water Gap on I-80? It is only used as a point of interest on signing because its where I-80 crosses the Delaware River between PA and NJ, not even a city. Although one may argue that it refers to the small town located on the west bank of the Delaware River where I-80 crosses the waterway, it actually refers to the notch in the Kittatinney Mountain where the rivers cuts through the mountain range.
At least Netcong and probably Stroudsburg have been there since at least the 1970s.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 01, 2015, 02:27:52 PM
At least Netcong and probably Stroudsburg have been there since at least the 1970s.
On some signs alone they were used mostly on ramps and a few stand alone pull through signs. However the main pull through signs always used "Del. Water Gap" going westbound from as far east as Paterson, and "New York" from Exit 4 all the way east as far back as I can remember.
I'll add a couple of places that are control cities because there's nothing else going on in that part of their state:
Clare, Michigan (US 127)
St. Johnsbury, Vermont (I-91)
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 01, 2015, 03:11:46 PM
I'll add a couple of places that are control cities because there's nothing else going on in that part of their state:
Clare, Michigan (US 127)
St. Johnsbury, Vermont (I-91)
Just like in KS for I-70 and in PA for I-80 where nothing happens for hundreds of miles so in the mean time small cities and large towns end up as control points.
Upon reading the title of this thread, my immediate thought was "Clinton" for I-78, but I see I was already beaten to it. This BGS gets me every time I go under it...
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=40.703517,-74.152155&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=40.703423,-74.152771&panoid=e1TsSuIEYSAXiiP06_GcCw&cbp=12,32.07,,0,1.63 (https://www.google.com/maps?ll=40.703517,-74.152155&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=40.703423,-74.152771&panoid=e1TsSuIEYSAXiiP06_GcCw&cbp=12,32.07,,0,1.63)
Quote from: Roadrunner75 on February 03, 2015, 12:47:25 AM
Upon reading the title of this thread, my immediate thought was "Clinton" for I-78, but I see I was already beaten to it. This BGS gets me every time I go under it...
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=40.703517,-74.152155&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=40.703423,-74.152771&panoid=e1TsSuIEYSAXiiP06_GcCw&cbp=12,32.07,,0,1.63 (https://www.google.com/maps?ll=40.703517,-74.152155&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=40.703423,-74.152771&panoid=e1TsSuIEYSAXiiP06_GcCw&cbp=12,32.07,,0,1.63)
I really want to know NJTA's logic on that one. Personally, I would've rather used either Springfield (decently large town), Bridgewater, or Somerville (note that it requires using I-287 to access that one).
Iowa.
Quote from: kphoger on February 03, 2015, 04:06:03 PM
Iowa.
God, I hope Chicagoans aren't thick enough to know Iowa exists only because of a few signs on the Tri-State Tollway.
Quote from: Roadrunner75 on February 03, 2015, 12:47:25 AM
Upon reading the title of this thread, my immediate thought was "Clinton" for I-78, but I see I was already beaten to it. This BGS gets me every time I go under it...
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=40.703517,-74.152155&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=40.703423,-74.152771&panoid=e1TsSuIEYSAXiiP06_GcCw&cbp=12,32.07,,0,1.63 (https://www.google.com/maps?ll=40.703517,-74.152155&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=40.703423,-74.152771&panoid=e1TsSuIEYSAXiiP06_GcCw&cbp=12,32.07,,0,1.63)
Clinton is used on a lot of guide signs for I-78 not just the NJTA. In fact the NJTA started using it later in the game long after NJDOT has been using it.
However, on I-287at I-78 all Clinton signs were replaced in the 1990's with "Easton, PA" or "Easton, Pa."
Quote from: pianocello on February 03, 2015, 06:32:44 PM
Quote from: kphoger on February 03, 2015, 04:06:03 PM
Iowa.
God, I hope Chicagoans aren't thick enough to know Iowa exists only because of a few signs on the Tri-State Tollway.
I don't know, I'm pretty sure Boston people wonder what "NH-Maine Points" means and how they can reach it.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 06, 2015, 12:01:02 AMI don't know, I'm pretty sure Boston people wonder what "NH-Maine Points" means and how they can reach it.
Most if not all of the old-school signage in the Bay State listed only
NH-Maine, no
Points suffix. Similar holds true for any remaining
NH-Maine signs (I-95 & I-495 interchange signage for I-90 and one or two MA 128 South ramp signage) .
The closest to what you're describing is on one BGS (http://goo.gl/maps/Pkqef) that lists
NH-Maine/Points North as destinations.
Regarding Limon (CO): it may seem insignificant, but it's very well known by anyone driving between Kansas and Colorado, especially westbound.
Quote from: kphoger on February 06, 2015, 01:16:59 PM
Regarding Limon (CO): it may seem insignificant, but it's very well known by anyone driving between Kansas and Colorado, especially westbound.
Yep. After I-70 across western Kansas and eastern Colorado (brutal drive if there ever was one), Limon is the first sign that civilization is back - it's the start of metro Denver or Colorado Springs, depending on which way you're going.. Plus, it's where I-70 intersects with U.S. 24 and U.S. 287.
Granted, there are some bigger places on I-70 between Limon and Salina (Burlington, Goodland, Colby, Hays, Russell), but Limon does have some significance.
Quote from: PHLBOS on February 06, 2015, 12:27:27 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 06, 2015, 12:01:02 AMI don't know, I'm pretty sure Boston people wonder what "NH-Maine Points" means and how they can reach it.
Most if not all of the old-school signage in the Bay State listed only NH-Maine, no Points suffix. Similar holds true for any remaining NH-Maine signs (I-95 & I-495 interchange signage for I-90 and one or two MA 128 South ramp signage) .
The closest to what you're describing is on one BGS (http://goo.gl/maps/Pkqef) that lists NH-Maine/Points North as destinations.
Could be conflating it with "All Maine Points" in Portsmouth.
1. Metropark, NJ (GSP Exit 131)
2. Winsted, CT (on CT 8)
3. Danielson, CT (on I-395)
4. Auburn, MA (on I-290)
5. Salem, CT (on CT 11)
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on February 06, 2015, 04:18:44 PMAuburn, MA (on I-290)
That's largely because Auburn's I-290's western terminus. Once upon a time (prior to 1977), I-395 (then known as MA 52) didn't extend all the way to I-90/290. The highway just ended at US 20 just south of the I-290 exit ramp for I-90.
Frankton, IN, (pop. 1837) exit 241 from I-69. SR-128 used to extend from Frankton for the entire 12 miles to the interstate, but it was truncated at SR-9 when SR-332 was built from 69 to Muncie. Now most of the connection is just sub-standard county roads. It's hard to understand why Frankton is still on the sign.
I remember a newspaper article from the Muncie Star Press about why Frankton was listed "first" on the signs over Muncie, from both directions on the interstate.
Quote from: pianocello on February 03, 2015, 06:32:44 PM
Quote from: kphoger on February 03, 2015, 04:06:03 PM
Iowa.
God, I hope Chicagoans aren't thick enough to know Iowa exists only because of a few signs on the Tri-State Tollway.
No, it's also on the East-West Tollway, but this is of course, Chicago. :-D
Quote from: pianocello on February 03, 2015, 06:32:44 PM
Quote from: kphoger on February 03, 2015, 04:06:03 PM
Iowa.
God, I hope Chicagoans aren't thick enough to know Iowa exists only because of a few signs on the Tri-State Tollway.
I grew up in the Chicago area. We knew about Iowa, we even had or own term of endearment for Iowa: BFI :bigass:
Quote from: pianocello on March 03, 2014, 04:09:00 PM
Breezewood.
And likewise, New Stanton.
I-70 East is signed for New Stanton in several places, specifically from PA 31.
Quote from: v35322 on February 06, 2015, 02:04:54 PM
Quote from: kphoger on February 06, 2015, 01:16:59 PM
Regarding Limon (CO): it may seem insignificant, but it's very well known by anyone driving between Kansas and Colorado, especially westbound.
Yep. After I-70 across western Kansas and eastern Colorado (brutal drive if there ever was one), Limon is the first sign that civilization is back - it's the start of metro Denver or Colorado Springs, depending on which way you're going.. Plus, it's where I-70 intersects with U.S. 24 and U.S. 287.
I disagree with your characterization of that part of I-70 as "brutal."
Brutal to me is crossing Missouri and even worse, "free" I-70 between I-79 and New Stanton in Pennsylvania. I actually rather liked driving I-70 in Colorado and Kansas (all of both).
Also, there's not much between Limon and the eastern outskirts of Denver.
Gibson Island, Maryland, which is the control city at several points along Md. 100.
Globe, AZ. Seen driving on US 60 eastbound in the Phoenix area. It's the western end of US 70.
Globe's biggest claim to fame is the mining industry centered there.
I-24 NB in Illinois
Interstate 57 (Spelled out!)
NOTE: In KY - at least from Paducah, it's listed as St Louis.
Same token - I-255 (St Louis metro)
Interstate 270
One could wonder about Wis Dells on I-90 NB, but given that's a major tourist stop, it's justified.
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 05, 2015, 02:27:43 PM
One could wonder about Wis Dells on I-90 NB, but given that's a major tourist stop, it's justified.
Yeah, I'd say the Dells' biggest claim to fame is
not a highway sign.
How about Everywhere-South-of-Maine, USA
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi998.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf106%2Fxotoxi%2FPoints%2520South_zpsqwbyqbmv.png&hash=041c3595fecf0ac0381a0bf3152b9640985cdbb6)
Nope. I bet residents of Maine are familiar with the other 47 states for reasons other than a highway sign.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi998.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf106%2Fxotoxi%2FPoints%2520South_zpsqwbyqbmv.png&hash=041c3595fecf0ac0381a0bf3152b9640985cdbb6)
[/quote]
That sign is interesting in the fact that this sign possesses an exit arrow, yet there is no "exit" nor an exit lane for what looks to be at least another 1/2 mile. Ditch the exit arrow and add either an actual distance to the actual "exit" or a KEEP RIGHT/NEXT EXIT.
Quote from: thenetwork on March 05, 2015, 04:24:07 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi998.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf106%2Fxotoxi%2FPoints%2520South_zpsqwbyqbmv.png&hash=041c3595fecf0ac0381a0bf3152b9640985cdbb6)
That sign is interesting in the fact that this sign possesses an exit arrow, yet there is no "exit" nor an exit lane for what looks to be at least another 1/2 mile. Ditch the exit arrow and add either an actual distance to the actual "exit" or a KEEP RIGHT/NEXT EXIT.
[/quote]
And use Portsmouth and Boston as control cities there.
Damn
Quote from: Alex on March 08, 2014, 09:36:20 AM
Fort Chiswell, Virginia for I-77 north. Plus a long time ago, Elkin, NC:
(https://www.aaroads.com/southeast/north_carolina077/i-077_nb_exit_073a_02.jpg) (https://www.aaroads.com/southeast/north_carolina077/i-077_nb_exit_073a_02.jpg)
I was just about to post Elkin too, but I checked all the earlier pages of this thread to make sure it wasn't already mentioned. And sure enough.
But FWIW, Elkin is still the control city for I-77 north of I-40. I personally think they should list Charleston, WV instead.
I suppose I'd also add Florence, SC to the list simply because it's the largest city I-95 passes through or near between Savannah and Richmond.
South Carolina really lost out on I-95 routing, didn't they?
Houlton
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0ahM6of.png&hash=3944ca3a05c1cce1265bc5f7692e6b02946850b0)
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on March 05, 2015, 11:34:57 PM
But FWIW, Elkin is still the control city for I-77 north of I-40. I personally think they should list Charleston, WV instead.
Is Charleston posted at the split of I-81 south and I-77 north? I can't remember.
Even if Charleston is posted in North Carolina or Virginia, once I-77 gets to West Virginia it's going to play third fiddle to Bluefield and Beckley.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 06, 2015, 02:44:05 PM
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on March 05, 2015, 11:34:57 PM
But FWIW, Elkin is still the control city for I-77 north of I-40. I personally think they should list Charleston, WV instead.
Is Charleston posted at the split of I-81 south and I-77 north? I can't remember.
Even if Charleston is posted in North Carolina or Virginia, once I-77 gets to West Virginia it's going to play third fiddle to Bluefield and Beckley.
I seem to remember Charlotte being posted as the control city for I-77 south at the I-81 split. And I remember Beckley being posted for I-77 north of that split. Charlotte might even be posted at the I-77/64 split as well. I remember this because I saw "Charlotte N.C." on a sign bridge.
Quote from: xotoxi on March 06, 2015, 01:56:34 PM
Houlton
[img snipped]
What else are they supposed to use north of Bangor? Woodstock? (the end of NB 95 and smaller than Houlton.) Fredericton? (a good 110 km or so into Canada via NB 2.) Moncton or Halifax? (both quite a ways away.) MaineDOT doesn't have much of a choice and it's probably better to use a US destination rather than a city in Canada that isn't directly accessible.
Using "Montreal" (as on I-87) is one thing because it's a huge city whose metro area begins less than 50 km north of the border. Granted, I always thought that Saratoga or Glens Falls/Lake George should have been a control (or more prominent secondary) south of the respective cities/towns because of the tourist draw, but the logic makes sense.
Quote from: cl94 on March 06, 2015, 05:07:27 PM
Quote from: xotoxi on March 06, 2015, 01:56:34 PM
Houlton
[img snipped]
What else are they supposed to use north of Bangor? Woodstock? (the end of NB 95 and smaller than Houlton.) Fredericton? (a good 110 km or so into Canada via NB 2.) Moncton or Halifax? (both quite a ways away.) MaineDOT doesn't have much of a choice and it's probably better to use a US destination rather than a city in Canada that isn't directly accessible.
Keep in mind of the point of the thread is not "Are these good choices for control cities?" but "Are these better known for being a control city than for anything else?"
I think Houlton might very well be best known for being where 95 goes, so I think it is a pretty good candidate for this thread.
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on March 06, 2015, 04:48:53 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 06, 2015, 02:44:05 PM
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on March 05, 2015, 11:34:57 PM
But FWIW, Elkin is still the control city for I-77 north of I-40. I personally think they should list Charleston, WV instead.
Is Charleston posted at the split of I-81 south and I-77 north? I can't remember.
Even if Charleston is posted in North Carolina or Virginia, once I-77 gets to West Virginia it's going to play third fiddle to Bluefield and Beckley.
I seem to remember Charlotte being posted as the control city for I-77 south at the I-81 split. And I remember Beckley being posted for I-77 north of that split. Charlotte might even be posted at the I-77/64 split as well. I remember this because I saw "Charlotte N.C." on a sign bridge.
It was when I drove through there in August 2012. It is (was) at the gore point along with Bluefield listed above it. However, the post-interchange mileage signs list local point first, Bluefield second, and Beckley third for I-77 from I-81 north to the VA/WV line. Charleston is not listed until after Exit 1 in WV (98 miles). Charlotte is the control point for I-77 south of I-81.
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 03, 2014, 07:08:51 PM
Albert Lea MN and Tomah WI come to mind.
Albert Lea has been a pet peeve of mine for years, even before I knew what a control city was.
It should be Des Moines, but Minnesota is extremely provincial about their control city signs.
Another annoying one is westbound 94 leaving the Twin Cities. It should say Fargo. Instead it says St. Cloud. Even worse, westbound from St. Cloud says Moorhead, rather than Fargo. Moorhead, MN is a city of about 30,000 across the river from Fargo, ND. Fargo is around 110,000 people. That, is provincial.
Interesting one is westbound 94 out of Bismarck. Signage is Billings - 415 miles away, but there's so little in between...
Quote from: xotoxi on March 06, 2015, 01:56:34 PM
Houlton
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0ahM6of.png&hash=3944ca3a05c1cce1265bc5f7692e6b02946850b0)
For a split second that looked like Iunno (like I dunno)
Quote from: xotoxi on March 06, 2015, 01:56:34 PM
Houlton
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0ahM6of.png&hash=3944ca3a05c1cce1265bc5f7692e6b02946850b0)
I'm pretty sure that's there because its a border town. They could have easily put "Woodstock NB" or "Canada" (not a fan of it, but it's done quite a bit).
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 05, 2015, 02:27:43 PM
I-24 NB in Illinois
Interstate 57 (Spelled out!)
NOTE: In KY - at least from Paducah, it's listed as St Louis.
Same token - I-255 (St Louis metro)
Interstate 270
One could wonder about Wis Dells on I-90 NB, but given that's a major tourist stop, it's justified.
I-180 gets Hennepin and Interstate 80.
Mahwah, NJ has become famous on highway signs since I-287 connected to I-87. True NJDOT also assigned it to NJ 4 signage for NJ 17 as well, but that was around the same time as 287 opened as before it previously used "Suffern." Also to mention most side roads (unless NJDOT updated them as well) along NJ 17 still use "Suffern" up to Franklin Turnpike in Ramsey where after that going NB "NY Thruway" is control city from there to the NY Border.
Quote from: discochris on May 20, 2015, 11:29:18 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 03, 2014, 07:08:51 PM
Albert Lea MN and Tomah WI come to mind.
Albert Lea has been a pet peeve of mine for years, even before I knew what a control city was.
It should be Des Moines, but Minnesota is extremely provincial about their control city signs.
Albert Lea is rarely a useful control point from the north anyway. To get to Sioux Falls, take 169/60/90. To get to Rochester, take 52. To get to Austin, take 218.
This may not count - as it is at an airport, but I have always loved having two interstates with a control point...of a Cell Phone Lot! :-D
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.998686,-82.897969,3a,18.7y,72.94h,89.06t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sgGHcNobaAjhFzdSg-XGGaw!2e0
Quote from: golden eagle on March 03, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Heh. I grew up around McComb, MS. And I agree.
I never heard of Hermiston or Umatilla, OR until I found out both are used as control cities for I-82 at its I-84 junction, instead of the more obvious choices like Richland, Kennewick, Pasco (or just Tri Cities to group the previous 3 together), Yakima, or the next large city where most of the traffic on WB I-82 are headed to: Seattle.
Quote from: achilles765 on January 19, 2021, 01:42:04 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on March 03, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Heh. I grew up around McComb, MS. And I agree.
Agreed so much you felt like it was worth responding to a post from the Obama administration to let us all know?
Albert Lea, MN was the first one to come to mind. In Wisconsin, Wausau. It's signed for I-39 NB at the Portage split. It's a well known city within the state, but the large chunk of out-of-state travelers who pass through that interchange have no idea where it is beyond that it's on I-39 (which isn't even technically true because of WISDOT's termini oddities).
Quote from: achilles765 on January 19, 2021, 01:42:04 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on March 03, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Heh. I grew up around McComb, MS. And I agree.
Here's another one on 55 in Mississippi: Grenada. I guess this would make sense though since its the largest city close to the half way point of Memphis and Jackson.
Here's one that is debatable but at the very least could be the solid Filipino example:
Balintawak, Quezon City.
Although the district is associated with the "Cry of Balintawak" skirmish between the Filipinos and Spanish colonizers in the 1800s, the monument for that event is further west along EDSA in Caloocan, and historians are not even sure if the event happened there or in another Quezon City district, Pugad Lawin.
In modern times, the 1968-era cloverleaf between the North Luzon Expressway, A. Bonifacio Avenue, and EDSA has been one of the main interchanges in Metro Manila, especially pre-December 2020 when almost all southbound traffic heading towards other parts of Quezon City or the rest of the region had to use the SB NLEX to EB EDSA loop ramp. Skyway Stage 3's current terminus in the area has reemphasized the place as a highway junction, with the toll plaza also bearing the district's name. At the Smart Connect (Harbor Link) interchange in Valenzuela, Balintawak and not Manila is the listed destination for SB NLEX from WB Mindanao Avenue Extension or NB Harbor Link.
Quote from: kenarmy on January 19, 2021, 02:49:44 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on January 19, 2021, 01:42:04 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on March 03, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Heh. I grew up around McComb, MS. And I agree.
Here's another one on 55 in Mississippi: Grenada. I guess this would make sense though since its the largest city close to the half way point of Memphis and Jackson.
Reminds me of a time when Grenada didn't have to share BGS's with Memphis.
St Charles County, MO on I-270.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50643513042_5964ea01d5_4k_d.jpg)
I totally agree with the McComb and Grenada sentiments. Sticking with I-55, Hammond LA, and Blytheville AR also seem to apply.
Quote from: roadman65 on January 19, 2021, 08:51:18 PM
St Charles County, MO on I-270.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50643513042_5964ea01d5_4k_d.jpg)
It's for sure an unusual control "city" (think it has been discussed multiple times in St. Louis related threads), but there's more that St. Charles is known for than that control city. Maybe I'm a bit biased here as someone that used to live in St. Charles County.
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9928114,-90.0489109,3a,90y,218.51h,100.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJiyge6t--vlKSkjSvqtk1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Idk if this counts but I haven't seen a business district being signed like this. Why not use Downtown or Central or something else? And there's already a 90 Bus. that 10 has access to. :bigass:
Quote from: kenarmy on January 19, 2021, 10:23:27 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9928114,-90.0489109,3a,90y,218.51h,100.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJiyge6t--vlKSkjSvqtk1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Idk if this counts but I haven't seen a business district being signed like this. Why not use Downtown or Central or something else? And there's already a 90 Bus. that 10 has access to. :bigass:
Seeing "business district" as a control is new to me too, but I like it. A lot of European and Asian cities, specifically European cities, have a difference between downtown/city center and central business district. Although they're mostly the same here in the states, I'm somewhat used to calling downtowns that are also the city's main business district the CBD. I wouldn't mind seeing CBD as the control "city" in some cases.
Mokane, population 185, for MO 94 east at the junction of MO 94, US 54, and US 63. It is a rural, rugged road atop the bluffs on the northern side of the Missouri River, with little traffic until the junction with I-64 in Weldon Spring.
https://goo.gl/maps/hEwyv9oRnsRoLSJw7 (https://goo.gl/maps/hEwyv9oRnsRoLSJw7)
Deming, NM is the westbound control for I-10 at its junction with I-25 in Las Cruces. Gotta love New Mexico and their attempts to have as few control cities as possible out of state.
Needles, CA (I-40)
Bishop, CA (US 395, 6)
Eureka, CA (US 101)
Weed, CA (I-5)
Klamath Falls, OR (US 97)
a decent list in my opinion, doubt an east coaster whose never been to CA would know about these cities!
Thru Traffic I-605 in Los Angeles County, CA.
Quote from: thspfc on January 19, 2021, 02:31:58 PM
Albert Lea, MN was the first one to come to mind. In Wisconsin, Wausau. It's signed for I-39 NB at the Portage split. It's a well known city within the state, but the large chunk of out-of-state travelers who pass through that interchange have no idea where it is beyond that it's on I-39 (which isn't even technically true because of WISDOT's termini oddities).
Wausau has had a bit of fame as the home to Wausau Insurance. They used to run commercials on
60 Minutes with people spelling the name of company and mispronouncing it: "W-A-U-S-A-U, 'war-sore'", among other catchphrases.
I can't for the life of me figure out why Slidell is a control city. On I-12 it makes somewhat sense, but on I-10 it makes 0. Why not just use Biloxi/ Gulfport east of New Orleans? It also isn't even that far out of New Orleans and they are in the same metropolitan area..
Quote from: SkyPesos on January 19, 2021, 10:31:57 PM
Quote from: kenarmy on January 19, 2021, 10:23:27 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9928114,-90.0489109,3a,90y,218.51h,100.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJiyge6t--vlKSkjSvqtk1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Idk if this counts but I haven't seen a business district being signed like this. Why not use Downtown or Central or something else? And there's already a 90 Bus. that 10 has access to. :bigass:
Seeing "business district" as a control is new to me too, but I like it. A lot of European and Asian cities, specifically European cities, have a difference between downtown/city center and central business district. Although they're mostly the same here in the states, I'm somewhat used to calling downtowns that are also the city's main business district the CBD. I wouldn't mind seeing CBD as the control "city" in some cases.
Isn't New Orleans one of the few US cities where CBD is the term for what otherwise would be called "downtown" in other cities? Philadelphia also has a different term (Center City), and I recall Charlotte's main business district is "uptown".
In the Philippines, "downtown" is not used often, because of the multiplicity of business districts as seen with the following Metro Manila areas:
- Manila's tourist/embassy waterfront area of Ermita vs. the Chinatown-esque Binondo vs. the historic retail and theater core of Quiapo, all of which have CBD characteristics
- Ayala Avenue is generally seen as the Makati CBD but Poblacion has enough development to be downtown-like too
- Quezon City doesn't have a core downtown but does have multiple areas that could be seen as CBDs (Cubao, North EDSA/South Triangle, Eastwood and Ortigas as seen below).
- the Ortigas CBD is shared between 3 different cities (Quezon City, Pasig, and Mandaluyong) even though the entire district is a unified conurbation in its own right
- Bonifacio Global City itself is one CBD with a distinct identity and relatively isolated from other large districts, even though it is in the city of Taguig (and has been subject to territory disputes with nearby Makati and Pateros)
- the Alabang area in Muntinlupa is much more well known on its own than the city it is located in, and is a major control city for Skyway, SLEX, and EDSA
---
Interestingly, in San Francisco while "Downtown SF" is a control city off I-280, I'm not even sure if that term has ever been officially defined. I like to think of it as the area north of Market, east of Van Ness, and west of Embarcadero (which would incorporate Union Square, Civic Center, the Tenderloin, and even all the way up to Fisherman's Wharf) while more strictly it's probably Financial District which would include both the traditional north of Market skyscrapers and the later South of Market developments.
Quote from: TheStranger on January 20, 2021, 01:02:03 AM
Isn't New Orleans one of the few US cities where CBD is the term for what otherwise would be called "downtown" in other cities? Philadelphia also has a different term (Center City), and I recall Charlotte's main business district is "uptown".
We've had topics about this before. But anyway,
Wichita also uses that term (https://goo.gl/maps/WvAUBs5NoBA6nWnRA). I've even seen the exit referred to as "CBD" on a portable VMS.
Quote from: TheStranger on January 20, 2021, 01:02:03 AM
Isn't New Orleans one of the few US cities where CBD is the term for what otherwise would be called "downtown" in other cities? Philadelphia also has a different term (Center City), and I recall Charlotte's main business district is "uptown".
In the Philippines, "downtown" is not used often, because of the multiplicity of business districts as seen with the following Metro Manila areas:
- Manila's tourist/embassy waterfront area of Ermita vs. the Chinatown-esque Binondo vs. the historic retail and theater core of Quiapo, all of which have CBD characteristics
- Ayala Avenue is generally seen as the Makati CBD but Poblacion has enough development to be downtown-like too
- Quezon City doesn't have a core downtown but does have multiple areas that could be seen as CBDs (Cubao, North EDSA/South Triangle, Eastwood and Ortigas as seen below).
- the Ortigas CBD is shared between 3 different cities (Quezon City, Pasig, and Mandaluyong) even though the entire district is a unified conurbation in its own right
- Bonifacio Global City itself is one CBD with a distinct identity and relatively isolated from other large districts, even though it is in the city of Taguig (and has been subject to territory disputes with nearby Makati and Pateros)
- the Alabang area in Muntinlupa is much more well known on its own than the city it is located in, and is a major control city for Skyway, SLEX, and EDSA
---
Interestingly, in San Francisco while "Downtown SF" is a control city off I-280, I'm not even sure if that term has ever been officially defined. I like to think of it as the area north of Market, east of Van Ness, and west of Embarcadero (which would incorporate Union Square, Civic Center, the Tenderloin, and even all the way up to Fisherman's Wharf) while more strictly it's probably Financial District which would include both the traditional north of Market skyscrapers and the later South of Market developments.
For what I know about Shanghai, it's somewhat similar to what you described for Manila; each of the business districts are referred to by their name instead of CBD or downtown, although a case can be made for calling Lujiazhi the CBD. While "downtown" would more refer to Huangpu district, which is where the Bund, Peopls's Square, Nanjing Road, etc are located.
Here's a way to satisfy Weed, CA
- Renumber US 395 to US 97
- Renumber current US 97 to US 420
Quote from: achilles765 on January 19, 2021, 01:42:04 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on March 03, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Heh. I grew up around McComb, MS. And I agree.
Actually, McComb, MS was the birthplace of Ellias McDaniel, better known to the general public as Bo Diddley.
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 20, 2021, 01:49:08 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on January 19, 2021, 01:42:04 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on March 03, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Heh. I grew up around McComb, MS. And I agree.
Actually, McComb, MS was the birthplace of Ellias McDaniel, better known to the general public as Bo Diddley.
Britney Spears was born there too what an iconic birthplace.
Quote from: kenarmy on January 20, 2021, 07:01:39 PM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 20, 2021, 01:49:08 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on January 19, 2021, 01:42:04 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on March 03, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Heh. I grew up around McComb, MS. And I agree.
Actually, McComb, MS was the birthplace of Ellias McDaniel, better known to the general public as Bo Diddley.
Britney Spears was born there too what an iconic birthplace.
Britney was actually from Kentwood Louisiana. Which is also where I'm originally from. But, the closest hospital to Kentwood was in McComb and that's where everyone always gave birth. Including my mother.
But it leads to the weird situation where you're from Louisiana but we're born in Mississippi. I hated living right on a state line. My high school was in Mississippi and so was our address even though Louisiana was literally across the street from my house.
When I went to lsu, I was classified as out of state. Thank god I had a full scholarship
Quote from: kenarmy on January 20, 2021, 12:55:11 AM
I can't for the life of me figure out why Slidell is a control city. On I-12 it makes somewhat sense, but on I-10 it makes 0. Why not just use Biloxi/ Gulfport east of New Orleans? It also isn't even that far out of New Orleans and they are in the same metropolitan area..
Slidell is at the junction where I-10 meets I-12 and I-59 - although, presumably, eastbound I-10 signs in New Orleans could conceivably read "10 EAST TO 59 - Mobile, Birmingham" ; also, approaching the Slidell interchange, you could have a supplementary guide sign which reads "Gulfport, Biloxi FOLLOW 10 EAST - Meridian, Tuscaloosa FOLLOW 59 NORTH" . Just a thought.
Quote from: KCRoadFan on January 21, 2021, 12:32:27 PM
Quote from: kenarmy on January 20, 2021, 12:55:11 AM
I can't for the life of me figure out why Slidell is a control city. On I-12 it makes somewhat sense, but on I-10 it makes 0. Why not just use Biloxi/ Gulfport east of New Orleans? It also isn't even that far out of New Orleans and they are in the same metropolitan area..
Slidell is at the junction where I-10 meets I-12 and I-59 - although, presumably, eastbound I-10 signs in New Orleans could conceivably read "10 EAST TO 59 - Mobile, Birmingham" ; also, approaching the Slidell interchange, you could have a supplementary guide sign which reads "Gulfport, Biloxi FOLLOW 10 EAST - Meridian, Tuscaloosa FOLLOW 59 NORTH" . Just a thought.
oh and this brings me to another one.. Why is Laurel a control city on 59 (south of meridian) instead of Hattiesburg? In Hattiesburg it intersects 98 (Pensacola, Mobile, Mccomb) and 49 (Jackson MS, Gulf coast) . In Laurel it junctions 84.. and lbh nobody uses that route for long term travel in MS east of 98's terminus.
Quote from: kenarmy on January 21, 2021, 02:30:05 PM... Why is Laurel a control city on 59 (south of meridian) ...
Because of Ben and Erin? <ducks and hides>
Quote from: kenarmy on January 21, 2021, 02:30:05 PM
Quote from: KCRoadFan on January 21, 2021, 12:32:27 PM
Quote from: kenarmy on January 20, 2021, 12:55:11 AM
I can't for the life of me figure out why Slidell is a control city. On I-12 it makes somewhat sense, but on I-10 it makes 0. Why not just use Biloxi/ Gulfport east of New Orleans? It also isn't even that far out of New Orleans and they are in the same metropolitan area..
Slidell is at the junction where I-10 meets I-12 and I-59 - although, presumably, eastbound I-10 signs in New Orleans could conceivably read "10 EAST TO 59 - Mobile, Birmingham" ; also, approaching the Slidell interchange, you could have a supplementary guide sign which reads "Gulfport, Biloxi FOLLOW 10 EAST - Meridian, Tuscaloosa FOLLOW 59 NORTH" . Just a thought.
oh and this brings me to another one.. Why is Laurel a control city on 59 (south of meridian) instead of Hattiesburg? In Hattiesburg it intersects 98 (Pensacola, Mobile, Mccomb) and 49 (Jackson MS, Gulf coast) . In Laurel it junctions 84.. and lbh nobody uses that route for long term travel in MS east of 98's terminus.
This is the same state that seems have issues with using Jackson as a control city along I-55 (both from Memphis, and Louisiana)
Quote from: kenarmy on January 20, 2021, 12:55:11 AM
I can't for the life of me figure out why Slidell is a control city. On I-12 it makes somewhat sense, but on I-10 it makes 0. Why not just use Biloxi/ Gulfport east of New Orleans? It also isn't even that far out of New Orleans and they are in the same metropolitan area..
Slidell is used as a control city because of the interstate junction, where from that intersection one proceeds to more distant points.
Never understood Bay St. Louis as a control on I-10 though. Gulfport / Mobile would be more appropriate.
Quote from: TheStranger on January 20, 2021, 01:02:03 AM
Quote from: SkyPesos on January 19, 2021, 10:31:57 PM
Quote from: kenarmy on January 19, 2021, 10:23:27 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9928114,-90.0489109,3a,90y,218.51h,100.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJiyge6t--vlKSkjSvqtk1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Idk if this counts but I haven't seen a business district being signed like this. Why not use Downtown or Central or something else? And there's already a 90 Bus. that 10 has access to. :bigass:
Seeing "business district" as a control is new to me too, but I like it. A lot of European and Asian cities, specifically European cities, have a difference between downtown/city center and central business district. Although they're mostly the same here in the states, I'm somewhat used to calling downtowns that are also the city's main business district the CBD. I wouldn't mind seeing CBD as the control "city" in some cases.
Isn't New Orleans one of the few US cities where CBD is the term for what otherwise would be called "downtown" in other cities? Philadelphia also has a different term (Center City), and I recall Charlotte's main business district is "uptown".
Historically in New Orleans, "downtown" would have referred to the city below Canal Street, as "uptown" still refers to the city above Canal Street, with respect to the flow of the Mississippi River. So the term "CBD" is used to more precisely identify what is called downtown elsewhere. I can tell you that no local calls the CBD "downtown."
Quote from: Urban Prairie Schooner on January 21, 2021, 11:15:04 PM
Quote from: kenarmy on January 20, 2021, 12:55:11 AM
I can't for the life of me figure out why Slidell is a control city. On I-12 it makes somewhat sense, but on I-10 it makes 0. Why not just use Biloxi/ Gulfport east of New Orleans? It also isn't even that far out of New Orleans and they are in the same metropolitan area..
Slidell is used as a control city because of the interstate junction, where from that intersection one proceeds to more distant points.
Never understood Bay St. Louis as a control on I-10 though. Gulfport / Mobile would be more appropriate.
Am I missing something? Why is Bay St. Louis not used as a control city at the interchange with 607 (first exit in MS)? Its like 15 miles away from the city. I also don't see a Slidell reference.. Just NO and Mobile..
Quote from: US 89 on January 19, 2021, 11:24:32 PM
Deming, NM is the westbound control for I-10 at its junction with I-25 in Las Cruces. Gotta love New Mexico and their attempts to have as few control cities as possible out of state.
NM is one of the very few states where I actually have to search up their control cities location just to have a clue of what it is. Of course there's the large cities: Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces, and a few towns that I remember for some reason, like Las Vegas, Santa Rosa (because it's used as a primary control at the I-25/I-40 interchange) and Gallup (thanks Route 66 song), but the rest sounds as useful as not having a control city to me.
Now the one small town in NM I actually want to see as a control city: Truth or Consequences
Quote from: SkyPesos on January 22, 2021, 01:02:11 AM
Quote from: US 89 on January 19, 2021, 11:24:32 PM
Deming, NM is the westbound control for I-10 at its junction with I-25 in Las Cruces. Gotta love New Mexico and their attempts to have as few control cities as possible out of state.
NM is one of the very few states where I actually have to search up their control cities location just to have a clue of what it is. Of course there's the large cities: Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces, and a few towns that I remember for some reason, like Las Vegas, Santa Rosa (because it's used as a primary control at the I-25/I-40 interchange) and Gallup (thanks Route 66 song), but the rest sounds as useful as not having a control city to me.
Now the one small town in NM I actually want to see as a control city: Truth or Consequences
Between Albuquerque and Grants on I-40 w/b, I've seen freeway entrance signs use Grants (pop 9,100) as the control city. And east of Santa Rosa, Tucumcari (pop 5,300) is the control city for e/b I-40. Once you pass Santa Fe going n/b on I-40, Las Vegas, NM (pop 14,000) is the control city.
If ADOT was in charge of setting NM's control cities, the only ones would be Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Denver, El Paso, Flagstaff, and Amarillo.
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 19, 2021, 02:10:52 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on January 19, 2021, 01:42:04 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on March 03, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Heh. I grew up around McComb, MS. And I agree.
Agreed so much you felt like it was worth responding to a post from the Obama administration to let us all know?
I mean, I was scrolling through the archives and decided to revive this topic.
Quote from: SkyPesos on January 22, 2021, 01:02:11 AM
Now the one small town in NM I actually want to see as a control city: Truth or Consequences
It appears to be a secondary control city.
I found one on my first try, poking around on GSV, plus a few more:
https://goo.gl/maps/cbQx3Bixr6symtWw8 (https://goo.gl/maps/cbQx3Bixr6symtWw8)
https://goo.gl/maps/ZBD9dtzDVo2TWpoW9 (https://goo.gl/maps/ZBD9dtzDVo2TWpoW9)
https://goo.gl/maps/CA7xKrzGjMohDAwo6 (https://goo.gl/maps/CA7xKrzGjMohDAwo6)
https://goo.gl/maps/gkGCwVBZnXSrUE8n6 (https://goo.gl/maps/gkGCwVBZnXSrUE8n6)
https://goo.gl/maps/geD1EsB2ThERzLRg6 (https://goo.gl/maps/geD1EsB2ThERzLRg6)
Here's another one, but it fools you: it's actually for NM-187: https://goo.gl/maps/TjFJVRj41Sw2Jhtf9 (https://goo.gl/maps/TjFJVRj41Sw2Jhtf9)
Quote from: achilles765 on January 22, 2021, 03:51:03 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 19, 2021, 02:10:52 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on January 19, 2021, 01:42:04 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on March 03, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
McComb, MS.
In regards to Effingham, maybe it's a control city due to being at the interchange of two interstates. Even with that in mind, Memphis and Chicago are still the primary control cities on I-57.
Heh. I grew up around McComb, MS. And I agree.
Agreed so much you felt like it was worth responding to a post from the Obama administration to let us all know?
I mean, I was scrolling through the archives and decided to revive this topic.
Don't do that, unless there's a big update to a topic, or something meaningful and substantial to add. Responding "I agree" to a post from 2014 doesn't cut the mustard.
Quote from: kenarmy on January 22, 2021, 12:40:01 AM
Quote from: Urban Prairie Schooner on January 21, 2021, 11:15:04 PM
Quote from: kenarmy on January 20, 2021, 12:55:11 AM
I can't for the life of me figure out why Slidell is a control city. On I-12 it makes somewhat sense, but on I-10 it makes 0. Why not just use Biloxi/ Gulfport east of New Orleans? It also isn't even that far out of New Orleans and they are in the same metropolitan area..
Slidell is used as a control city because of the interstate junction, where from that intersection one proceeds to more distant points.
Never understood Bay St. Louis as a control on I-10 though. Gulfport / Mobile would be more appropriate.
Am I missing something? Why is Bay St. Louis not used as a control city at the interchange with 607 (first exit in MS)? Its like 15 miles away from the city. I also don't see a Slidell reference.. Just NO and Mobile..
The freeway, when first built, ended in Bay St. Louis for a while before being built towards Biloxi and Mobile. After completion, for some dumb reason, it was never updated. Slidell is the control city for I-10 (out of NOLA) and I-12 (out of Baton Rouge).
Quote from: kphoger on March 05, 2015, 03:01:32 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 05, 2015, 02:27:43 PM
One could wonder about Wis Dells on I-90 NB, but given that's a major tourist stop, it's justified.
Yeah, I'd say the Dells' biggest claim to fame is not a highway sign.
Wis Dells is probably the second most justified control city in Madison, after Milwaukee.
Quote from: thspfc on January 19, 2021, 02:31:58 PM
Albert Lea, MN was the first one to come to mind. In Wisconsin, Wausau. It's signed for I-39 NB at the Portage split. It's a well known city within the state, but the large chunk of out-of-state travelers who pass through that interchange have no idea where it is beyond that it's on I-39 (which isn't even technically true because of WISDOT's termini oddities).
Wausau I would disagree because it is the gateway to the Northwoods and has a good Midwest Ski spot. Now if it was Merrimac or Merrill, then you got something. And it's more likely people know Wausau vs Rothschild.
Quote from: hobsini2 on January 24, 2021, 01:51:24 PM
Quote from: thspfc on January 19, 2021, 02:31:58 PM
Albert Lea, MN was the first one to come to mind. In Wisconsin, Wausau. It's signed for I-39 NB at the Portage split. It's a well known city within the state, but the large chunk of out-of-state travelers who pass through that interchange have no idea where it is beyond that it's on I-39 (which isn't even technically true because of WISDOT's termini oddities).
Wausau I would disagree because it is the gateway to the Northwoods and has a good Midwest Ski spot. Now if it was Merrimac or Merrill, then you got something. And it's more likely people know Wausau vs Rothschild.
Again, Wausau is well known within the state, but long distance travelers don't know anything about Wausau when they see it signed. And this thread isn't really about how cities see themselves. Towns don't see themselves as places spelled out on a freeway sign dozens of miles away. But that's how a lot of travelers see Wausau.
Quote from: thspfc on January 24, 2021, 01:56:18 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on January 24, 2021, 01:51:24 PM
Quote from: thspfc on January 19, 2021, 02:31:58 PM
Albert Lea, MN was the first one to come to mind. In Wisconsin, Wausau. It's signed for I-39 NB at the Portage split. It's a well known city within the state, but the large chunk of out-of-state travelers who pass through that interchange have no idea where it is beyond that it's on I-39 (which isn't even technically true because of WISDOT's termini oddities).
Wausau I would disagree because it is the gateway to the Northwoods and has a good Midwest Ski spot. Now if it was Merrimac or Merrill, then you got something. And it's more likely people know Wausau vs Rothschild.
Again, Wausau is well known within the state, but long distance travelers don't know anything about Wausau when they see it signed. And this thread isn't really about how cities see themselves. Towns don't see themselves as places spelled out on a freeway sign dozens of miles away. But that's how a lot of travelers see Wausau.
Actually, one that has bugged me since I-41 came to be is the non use of Appleton, Oshkosh or Fond du Lac heading southbound on 41 in Green Bay. They just leave it blank and have Milwaukee traffic use 43. At the very least, 41 should use Appleton for going south from Green Bay.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.5678087,-88.0486465,3a,75y,174.95h,113.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRl3cP9J18YitEGEd9kS-mw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Heh, even Minnesotans have little use for Albert Lea. There's nothing there even worth a day trip.