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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: peterj920 on September 05, 2016, 01:36:33 AM

Title: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: peterj920 on September 05, 2016, 01:36:33 AM
I don't think this is very common, but US 53 is a freeway that ends at a roundabout in Eau Claire, WI.  US 10 in Marshfield is also a freeway/expressway that ends at a roundabout.  Changes were recently made to the US 53/Old Town Hall Rd roundabout which included adding rumble strips and installing a mound in the roundabout circle because there were a lot of crashes, I'm guessing because people don't expect to see a roundabout while driving down a freeway.  Before the roundabout, US 53 transitioned into a 2 lane rural roadway and the intersection was just a rural intersection.  A retail store was built in the area and developers wanted to develop the area, so a roundabout was built in anticipation of new development at the intersection.

In my opinion, I don't think it's a good idea to have a roundabout at the end of a high speed roadway since people don't expect to see a roundabout on a road signed at 65 mph in a rural setting. 

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/29178155080_88cd4ca655_k_d.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/29432435076_eef7657c19_k_d.jpg)

Here is an article on the recent improvements:
http://www.leadertelegram.com/News/Daily-Updates/2016/06/13/State-to-improve-U-S-53-roundabout.html
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: coatimundi on September 05, 2016, 01:55:39 AM
Quote from: peterj920 on September 05, 2016, 01:36:33 AM
I'm guessing because people don't expect to see a roundabout while driving down a freeway

RIDICULOUS! Those damned distracted drivers!

Seriously, I would hope that this is the only example in the US. This is such a bad idea for so many reasons.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: bulldog1979 on September 05, 2016, 02:03:32 AM
The Marquette Bypass on US 41/M-28 is a 55 mph expressway that has a roundabout at its eastern end. In the future, there is supposed to be construction to convert the stop light at Grove Street to another roundabout and add a third roundabout to a new intersection that will be constructed to provide access to a new hospital that just started construction.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: peterj920 on September 05, 2016, 02:49:06 AM
Quote from: bulldog1979 on September 05, 2016, 02:03:32 AM
The Marquette Bypass on US 41/M-28 is a 55 mph expressway that has a roundabout at its eastern end. In the future, there is supposed to be construction to convert the stop light at Grove Street to another roundabout and add a third roundabout to a new intersection that will be constructed to provide access to a new hospital that just started construction.

There's traffic signals on the Marquette Bypass and it isn't free flowing like US 53 is.  From Superior to that roundabout, a span of about 125 miles on US 53, traffic travels uninterrupted at 65-70 Mph speed limits. 
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: mariethefoxy on September 05, 2016, 03:06:38 AM
this happens a few times on Long Island

The North end of the Bethpage Parkway
The South end of the Wantagh Parkway
The South end of the Robert Moses Causeway
The east end of the Heckshier Parkway

all of them end in rotaries at the state parks they are designed to serve.

Also theres Route 128, the north end ends in a Rotary in Gloucester
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: hotdogPi on September 05, 2016, 06:00:48 AM
NH 16 and the Portsmouth Traffic Circle, although an option to I-95 is available.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: SignGeek101 on September 05, 2016, 07:51:27 AM
A few examples from me:

ON 406's south end.

A-73 (though that one will probably be extended south).
A-410, A-610 in Sherbrooke. They're spur routes off of A-10, but still freeways.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: tradephoric on September 05, 2016, 11:46:07 AM
A roundabout at the terminus of US10 in Midland, MI was completed in July, 2014.  This mishap happened in December 2015:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FRoundabouts%2F9405603_G_zpsafxquapv.jpg&hash=38d29f0f5e8605da424f61d74e872501caa88f44)

Another roundabout at the terminus of M-5 in Commerce, MI was completed in 2011.  While technically not a freeway along this section, M-5 is a full-blown 8-lane boulevard signed at 55 mph just south of the roundabout.  In 2015, this roundabout was the most accident prone intersection in Michigan with 186 crashes, 54 more crashes than the second most accident-prone intersection.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20160606/report-commerce-township-intersection-had-most-crashes-of-2015
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: AlexandriaVA on September 05, 2016, 11:54:12 AM
German Autobahn (their Interstate) #8 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesautobahn_8) switches from a freeway to boulevard on the western edge of Munich, and the transition is done with the help of a roundabout. On the attached link to Google Maps, you can see the route coming in from the Northwest as a freeway, and after the circle it becomes Verdistrasse.

https://www.google.com/maps/@48.1664784,11.4553503,1023m/data=!3m1!1e3

Autobahn 8, as a freeway, continues on the southeast side of Munich.



Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cpzilliacus on September 05, 2016, 12:48:55 PM
Not exactly a freeway (more like an almost-Super-2), but the Md. 30 Hampstead Bypass (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.5817208,-76.842297/39.6344494,-76.8666729/@39.6036727,-76.896896,13z) in Carroll County has roundabouts at the south and north ends, and in the (rough) middle, at the only other access point, at Md. 482. 
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: PurdueBill on September 05, 2016, 01:03:27 PM
IN 25 isn't quite a freeway but is a 60-mph dual carriageway expressway until it approaches the roundabout at old 25 just north of I-65.  One could go continuously from US 35 NB east of Logansport onto 24/35 onto 25 SB staying on the same 60 mph dual carriageway until hitting the roundabout, so it is possibly a surprise, although the requisite warning signage is in place.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: 1995hoo on September 05, 2016, 02:09:39 PM
How about something the A92 near Kirkcaldy? It's not signed as a motorway west of there, though it rides a lot like one. Heading east you see warning signs for a roundabout and then a BGS for the Redhouse Roundabout. The A92 continues as a dual-carriageway with at-grade intersections and a couple of more roundabouts until it becomes a two-lane road north of the roundabout at the A914 east towards St. Andrews.

https://goo.gl/maps/RctxPgQ1JCD2
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: dvferyance on September 05, 2016, 03:17:07 PM
Quote from: PurdueBill on September 05, 2016, 01:03:27 PM
IN 25 isn't quite a freeway but is a 60-mph dual carriageway expressway until it approaches the roundabout at old 25 just north of I-65.  One could go continuously from US 35 NB east of Logansport onto 24/35 onto 25 SB staying on the same 60 mph dual carriageway until hitting the roundabout, so it is possibly a surprise, although the requisite warning signage is in place.
I know this is kind of off topic but why are highways sometimes referred to as carriageways? Makes no sense to me we haven't had carriages since the days of my great grandparents.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: jakeroot on September 05, 2016, 05:54:24 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on September 05, 2016, 02:09:39 PM
How about something the A92 near Kirkcaldy? It's not signed as a motorway west of there, though it rides a lot like one. Heading east you see warning signs for a roundabout and then a BGS for the Redhouse Roundabout. The A92 continues as a dual-carriageway with at-grade intersections and a couple of more roundabouts until it becomes a two-lane road north of the roundabout at the A914 east towards St. Andrews.

https://goo.gl/maps/RctxPgQ1JCD2

Dual carriageways terminating at roundabouts are exceptionally common in the UK. If there wasn't already a rule, I'd suggest that the OP disqualify the UK (probably France as well) due to the high number of roundabouts in general.

Motorways that terminate at roundabouts include the M4, the M65, the M8 in Scotland, the M180, the M181, the M50, the M49; the list goes on and on and on.

If you just look at dual carriageways in general (70 mph unless posted otherwise), I mean...fuck, the vast majority (all?) end at roundabouts, or it becomes single carriageway. Without knowing for sure, I'd reckon the UK bans signals on dual carriageways, opting for roundabouts instead (which I think is just fine).

Quote from: dvferyance on September 05, 2016, 03:17:07 PM
I know this is kind of off topic but why are highways sometimes referred to as carriageways? Makes no sense to me we haven't had carriages since the days of my great grandparents.

The carriageway is the roadway itself. There isn't really an equivalent in US English ("roadway" is the closest synonym I can think of), so many in the US have adopted the term "carriageway" to describe the road itself: single-carriageway means no center divider (generally one lane each direction). Dual-carriageways have a central reservation (err, median) separating the directions. The equivalent of "dual-carriageway" in US English is "divided highway". I can't think of a synonym for "single-carriageway".
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: vdeane on September 05, 2016, 06:07:56 PM
NY 590 ends at a roundabout.  We can count NY 85 as well (though it's only two lanes wide at that point, there aren't any intersections or driveways between there and when it becomes a four lane divided highway).  Also A-31.

Quote from: SignGeek101 on September 05, 2016, 07:51:27 AM
A few examples from me:

ON 406's south end.

A-73 (though that one will probably be extended south).
A-410, A-610 in Sherbrooke. They're spur routes off of A-10, but still freeways.
While A-73 is ultimately planned to extend to Maine, I don't think MTQ is actually going to do it unless Maine decides to upgrade US 201 to a freeway.  While it would be logical to extend it to QC 173 at the southern end of Saint-Georges so that through traffic doesn't have to take a roundabout (pun not intended) route on QC 204, I don't think it's on MTQ's todo list.

A-410 is actually a stub diamond interchange without roundabouts on the ramps.  It's intended to extend east (to QC 108 east of Lennoxville), but who knows if/when that will happen.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: english si on September 05, 2016, 06:58:44 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on September 05, 2016, 05:54:24 PMMotorways that terminate at roundabouts include the M4, the M65, the M8 in Scotland, the M180, the M181, the M50, the M49; the list goes on and on and on.
It's about 50-50 on ones that end at roundabouts and ones that don't.
QuoteIf you just look at dual carriageways in general (70 mph unless posted otherwise), I mean...fuck, the vast majority (all?) end at roundabouts, or it becomes single carriageway. Without knowing for sure, I'd reckon the UK bans signals on dual carriageways, opting for roundabouts instead (which I think is just fine).
I believe it's roads above 50mph (and that might be inclusive), though exemptions are allowed - eg if there's some sort of physical thing that means traffic won't be doing the speed limit (eg signalised roundabouts)
QuoteThe carriageway is the roadway itself.
yes - it doesn't include the pavements sidewalks
QuoteI can't think of a synonym for "single-carriageway".
Undivided highway?
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cl94 on September 05, 2016, 09:10:09 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

FTW. That roundabout is its only connection to the rest of the Interstate system.

Quote from: vdeane on September 05, 2016, 06:07:56 PM
NY 590 ends at a roundabout.  We can count NY 85 as well (though it's only two lanes wide at that point, there aren't any intersections or driveways between there and when it becomes a four lane divided highway).


Quote from: SignGeek101 on September 05, 2016, 07:51:27 AM
ON 406's south end.

Beat me to these 4...

US 6 on Cape Cod
MA 28 in Bourne falls under the same category as NY 85

Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: RobbieL2415 on September 05, 2016, 10:38:01 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.
This one takes the cake.  Western end is a rotary, eastern end is a signalized intersection.  Is it the only 3DI not to directly end at its parent?
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cl94 on September 05, 2016, 10:43:42 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on September 05, 2016, 10:38:01 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.
This one takes the cake.  Western end is a rotary, eastern end is a signalized intersection.  Is it the only 3DI not to directly end at its parent?

No. I-790 is another. Technically ends at Leland Avenue (NY 5). Getting to I-790 from I-90 requires going through a signalized intersection.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: vdeane on September 06, 2016, 01:07:24 PM
While the freeway ends at Leland Ave, I think it's just NY 5 at that point, with I-790 taking the ramps to the Thruway (of course, that doesn't help the other direction; Region 2 really should have connected everything to the Thruway properly when they built the modern I-790).
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: JCinSummerfield on September 06, 2016, 01:30:07 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on September 05, 2016, 11:46:07 AM
A roundabout at the terminus of US10 in Midland, MI was completed in July, 2014.  This mishap happened in December 2015

When did US-10 ever terminate in Midland, MI?  Current end is I-75 in Bay City.  Certainly no roundabout there.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cl94 on September 06, 2016, 01:39:39 PM
Quote from: vdeane on September 06, 2016, 01:07:24 PM
While the freeway ends at Leland Ave, I think it's just NY 5 at that point, with I-790 taking the ramps to the Thruway (of course, that doesn't help the other direction; Region 2 really should have connected everything to the Thruway properly when they built the modern I-790).

Of course, that's debatable, as the end sign and last RM heading EB are well after the Thruway ramp departs.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: catch22 on September 06, 2016, 02:30:29 PM
Quote from: JCinSummerfield on September 06, 2016, 01:30:07 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on September 05, 2016, 11:46:07 AM
A roundabout at the terminus of US10 in Midland, MI was completed in July, 2014.  This mishap happened in December 2015

When did US-10 ever terminate in Midland, MI?  Current end is I-75 in Bay City.  Certainly no roundabout there.

Probably meant to say Business US-10 here (just a guess on my part):

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6113901,-84.2143007,17.5z
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: 7/8 on September 06, 2016, 02:36:49 PM
If we include super twos, then Waterloo Region has one. Hwy 85 goes from a four-lane divided highway to a super two, becoming RR 85. Then it meets a roundabout at RR 17 (with no intersections or interchanges along this segment).
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cl94 on September 06, 2016, 03:09:16 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on September 06, 2016, 02:36:49 PM
If we include super twos, then Waterloo Region has one. Hwy 85 goes from a four-lane divided highway to a super two, becoming RR 85. Then it meets a roundabout at RR 17 (with no intersections or interchanges along this segment).

Given that NY 85 and MA 28 are on the list, I'd say it's worth including.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: bzakharin on September 06, 2016, 03:26:48 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 05, 2016, 10:43:42 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on September 05, 2016, 10:38:01 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.
This one takes the cake.  Western end is a rotary, eastern end is a signalized intersection.  Is it the only 3DI not to directly end at its parent?

No. I-790 is another. Technically ends at Leland Avenue (NY 5). Getting to I-790 from I-90 requires going through a signalized intersection.
There are many interstates that don't *end* at the parent. Just in my area, I-287 ends at I-95 at both ends, but has a multiplex with I-87. I-195 interchanges with I-95 in the middle, but ends at I-295 at one end. I-495 is not connected to I-95 except via I-695.

There are also ones that never connect to their parent except by an unrelated Interstate. E.g. I-278, which only connects to I-78 via I-95
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: froggie on September 07, 2016, 08:40:31 AM
Some of these examples are traffic circles, not roundabouts.  Yes, there's a difference...
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: jakeroot on September 07, 2016, 08:05:14 PM
Quote from: froggie on September 07, 2016, 08:40:31 AM
Some of these examples are traffic circles, not roundabouts.  Yes, there's a difference...

That's what I've been thinking. The OP needs to clarify whether or not traffic circles count -- I don't think they should.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: Buffaboy on September 07, 2016, 08:38:19 PM
My favorite: NY-179 at NY-5.

Disclaimer: it's a rotary
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: Duke87 on September 07, 2016, 09:04:21 PM
Quote from: peterj920 on September 05, 2016, 01:36:33 AM
In my opinion, I don't think it's a good idea to have a roundabout at the end of a high speed roadway since people don't expect to see a roundabout on a road signed at 65 mph in a rural setting.

People won't expect a traffic signal, either. Or anything else that impedes them from continuing to travel straight ahead at freeway speeds. Which is why any such instance needs plenty of warning signage.

The US 53 example does not strike me as particularly heinous. It is at the point where the divided highway ends, and on top of that it is located directly past the interchange with I-94, which runs parallel to undivided US 53... thereby meaning that only local traffic is going to go through that roundabout.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on September 08, 2016, 03:59:13 AM
The east end of the US 2 freeway in Superior, WI was rebuilt into a roundabout last year. But the speed limit drops to 35 before you reach the roundabout.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: froggie on September 08, 2016, 08:09:49 AM
QuoteThe east end of the US 2 freeway in Superior, WI was rebuilt into a roundabout last year. But the speed limit drops to 35 before you reach the roundabout.

One could also argue that that isn't a freeway but instead a glorified bridged access ramp to/from I-35...
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: machias on September 08, 2016, 12:50:18 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 05, 2016, 10:43:42 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on September 05, 2016, 10:38:01 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.
This one takes the cake.  Western end is a rotary, eastern end is a signalized intersection.  Is it the only 3DI not to directly end at its parent?

No. I-790 is another. Technically ends at Leland Avenue (NY 5). Getting to I-790 from I-90 requires going through a signalized intersection.

Actually, while I-790 doesn't connect to I-90, it actually ends at the Genesee Street overpass. The portion from the overpass to Leland Ave is considered a ramp.

Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cl94 on September 08, 2016, 12:51:58 PM
Quote from: upstatenyroads on September 08, 2016, 12:50:18 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 05, 2016, 10:43:42 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on September 05, 2016, 10:38:01 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.
This one takes the cake.  Western end is a rotary, eastern end is a signalized intersection.  Is it the only 3DI not to directly end at its parent?

No. I-790 is another. Technically ends at Leland Avenue (NY 5). Getting to I-790 from I-90 requires going through a signalized intersection.

Actually, while I-790 doesn't connect to I-90, it actually ends at the Genesee Street overpass. The portion from the overpass to Leland Ave is considered a ramp.

That's even less logical.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: Rothman on September 08, 2016, 12:54:26 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 08, 2016, 12:51:58 PM
Quote from: upstatenyroads on September 08, 2016, 12:50:18 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 05, 2016, 10:43:42 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on September 05, 2016, 10:38:01 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.
This one takes the cake.  Western end is a rotary, eastern end is a signalized intersection.  Is it the only 3DI not to directly end at its parent?

No. I-790 is another. Technically ends at Leland Avenue (NY 5). Getting to I-790 from I-90 requires going through a signalized intersection.

Actually, while I-790 doesn't connect to I-90, it actually ends at the Genesee Street overpass. The portion from the overpass to Leland Ave is considered a ramp.

That's even less logical.

Yep.  Any attempt to clinch it makes anyone wonder why the designation exists at all.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: jp the roadgeek on September 08, 2016, 01:11:08 PM
If we are counting traffic circles, then the Whitehead Highway's (formerly part of the proposed I-484) in Hartford, CT west end is Pulaski Circle (east end is I-91)
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cl94 on September 08, 2016, 01:13:49 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on September 08, 2016, 01:11:08 PM
If we are counting traffic circles, then the Whitehead Highway's (formerly part of the proposed I-484) in Hartford, CT west end is Pulaski Circle (east end is I-91)

I think we should count them. Quite common on older freeways out east and, in many ways, even more unexpected due to the fast speeds of intersecting traffic.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: bzakharin on September 08, 2016, 03:11:04 PM
The South end of the US 202/206 freeway section used to end in a traffic circle. Now that the US 202 flyover is built, though 206 still goes to the traffic circle, it is signed as an exit from 202, whose freeway portion now ends just beyond the traffic circle at a signal.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: Duke87 on September 08, 2016, 08:22:04 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 08, 2016, 12:51:58 PM
Quote from: upstatenyroads on September 08, 2016, 12:50:18 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 05, 2016, 10:43:42 PM
No. I-790 is another. Technically ends at Leland Avenue (NY 5). Getting to I-790 from I-90 requires going through a signalized intersection.
Actually, while I-790 doesn't connect to I-90, it actually ends at the Genesee Street overpass. The portion from the overpass to Leland Ave is considered a ramp.
That's even less logical.

This is most likely a vestige of the fact that originally I-790 followed a 2-lane roadway to the south of the Thruway which fed directly into the Thruway ramps (the current direct ramp from 790 to the Thruway is a remnant of this). In such a configuration it made some sense for 790 to end at Genesee Street because beyond there would have been NYSTA maintained roadway which predated 790's construction.

When the current straddling carriageway setup was built, whoever was doing the bookkeeping probably just didn't see fit to change the listed endpoint of I-790.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: Chris on September 13, 2016, 10:24:22 AM
The first generation of 'interchanges' between motorways in the Netherlands were roundabouts / traffic circles. Some had gas stations on it. The busiest interchange in the Netherlands was orginally built as a traffic circle in 1939.

The last motorway-to-motorway at-grade roundabout interchange in the Netherlands is currently being replaced with a new directional T interchange, near the town of Joure.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FSmxI3dp.jpg&hash=f471b50e9b89abce02f4896556f80c8a30ba1e9d)

Many autovías in Spain start or end at roundabouts, in particular urban / metropolitan autovías that do not carry a whole lot of through traffic. Like in the UK, some motorway-to-motorway interchanges in Spain also include roundabouts. For example the A-62/A-66 interchange in Salamanca is a roundabout.

R9 in Charleroi, Belgium is a one-way motorway, it basically functions like a giant roundabout around downtown with up to four lanes.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:23:42 AM
Quote from: peterj920 on September 05, 2016, 01:36:33 AM
I don't think this is very common, but US 53 is a freeway that ends at a roundabout in Eau Claire, WI.  US 10 in Marshfield is also a freeway/expressway that ends at a roundabout.  Changes were recently made to the US 53/Old Town Hall Rd roundabout which included adding rumble strips and installing a mound in the roundabout circle because there were a lot of crashes, I'm guessing because people don't expect to see a roundabout while driving down a freeway.  Before the roundabout, US 53 transitioned into a 2 lane rural roadway and the intersection was just a rural intersection.  A retail store was built in the area and developers wanted to develop the area, so a roundabout was built in anticipation of new development at the intersection.

In my opinion, I don't think it's a good idea to have a roundabout at the end of a high speed roadway since people don't expect to see a roundabout on a road signed at 65 mph in a rural setting. 

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/29178155080_88cd4ca655_k_d.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/29432435076_eef7657c19_k_d.jpg)

Here is an article on the recent improvements:
http://www.leadertelegram.com/News/Daily-Updates/2016/06/13/State-to-improve-U-S-53-roundabout.html

the freeway ends at i-94, besides if there is adequate signage, it doesn't matter.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:26:03 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

how is this allowed to be an interstate?
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 11:41:04 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:26:03 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

how is this allowed to be an interstate?

Why shouldn't it be?


iPhone
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 11:41:04 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:26:03 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

how is this allowed to be an interstate?

Why shouldn't it be?


iPhone

Better question: Why is Wyoming I-180 an Interstate?
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 01:46:55 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 11:41:04 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:26:03 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

how is this allowed to be an interstate?

Why shouldn't it be?


iPhone

Better question: Why is Wyoming I-180 an Interstate?

another good question that no one has given me a good answer to.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: jakeroot on September 13, 2016, 01:51:25 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 01:46:55 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 12:02:16 PM
Better question: Why is Wyoming I-180 an Interstate?

another good question that no one has given me a good answer to.

Well, it was built using federal interstate dollars. A better question is: why did the expressway receive federal funding? Was I-180 originally envisioned as grade-separated, before being downgraded?
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: jakeroot on September 13, 2016, 01:54:25 PM
Quote from: Chris on September 13, 2016, 10:24:22 AM
The last motorway-to-motorway at-grade roundabout interchange in the Netherlands is currently being replaced with a new directional T interchange, near the town of Joure.

I really like the way that the Netherlands has adopted spiral markings, even at the very largest of roundabouts. This marking method is what I'd like to see adopted in the US at large traffic circles, such as those in Massachusetts, that aren't already being changed to smaller roundabouts.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: mgk920 on September 13, 2016, 04:03:53 PM
The German A27 ends at a roundabout in Cuxhaven.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.8393957,8.732678,1915m/data=!3m1!1e3

Mike
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 06:00:56 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 01:46:55 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 11:41:04 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:26:03 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

how is this allowed to be an interstate?

Why shouldn't it be?


iPhone

Better question: Why is Wyoming I-180 an Interstate?

another good question that no one has given me a good answer to.

But my question is why wouldn't they be? In I-180's case, that's obvious: Interstate aren't supposed to have intersections. But what's the reason with I-587? What characteristics does it have that Interstates aren't "supposed to" have?
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 06:01:58 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 06:00:56 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 01:46:55 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 11:41:04 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:26:03 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

how is this allowed to be an interstate?

Why shouldn't it be?


iPhone

Better question: Why is Wyoming I-180 an Interstate?

another good question that no one has given me a good answer to.

But my question is why wouldn't they be? In I-180's case, that's obvious: Interstate aren't supposed to have intersections. But what's the reason with I-587? What characteristics does it have that Interstates aren't "supposed to" have?
What you just said, it has an at grade intersection, a roundabout
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: NE2 on September 13, 2016, 06:15:33 PM
How is a roundabout any more at-grade than, say, a RIRO?
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 07:11:52 PM
Quote from: NE2 on September 13, 2016, 06:15:33 PM
How is a roundabout any more at-grade than, say, a RIRO?

Even if we consider a roundabout to be at grade, there's a direct ramp from I-587 to I-87, so that puts it as being no worse than I-790 (actually, better because it directly connects at the terminus).
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 07:27:20 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 06:01:58 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 06:00:56 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 01:46:55 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 11:41:04 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:26:03 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

how is this allowed to be an interstate?

Why shouldn't it be?


iPhone

Better question: Why is Wyoming I-180 an Interstate?

another good question that no one has given me a good answer to.

But my question is why wouldn't they be? In I-180's case, that's obvious: Interstate aren't supposed to have intersections. But what's the reason with I-587? What characteristics does it have that Interstates aren't "supposed to" have?
What you just said, it has an at grade intersection, a roundabout

That's at the terminus; many Interstates end at at-grade junctions–including I-587, at its other end.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 08:22:16 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 07:27:20 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 06:01:58 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 06:00:56 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 01:46:55 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 11:41:04 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:26:03 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

how is this allowed to be an interstate?

Why shouldn't it be?


iPhone

Better question: Why is Wyoming I-180 an Interstate?

another good question that no one has given me a good answer to.

But my question is why wouldn't they be? In I-180's case, that's obvious: Interstate aren't supposed to have intersections. But what's the reason with I-587? What characteristics does it have that Interstates aren't "supposed to" have?
What you just said, it has an at grade intersection, a roundabout

That's at the terminus; many Interstates end at at-grade junctions–including I-587, at its other end.

His point is that it doesn't have an Interstate grade connection to its parent
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: NE2 on September 13, 2016, 10:08:31 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 08:22:16 PM
His point is that it doesn't have an Interstate grade connection to its parent
Neither does I-376. What, you thought the Monroeville interchange was built to modern Interstate standards?
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 10:09:30 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 08:22:16 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 07:27:20 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 06:01:58 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 06:00:56 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 01:46:55 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: empirestate on September 13, 2016, 11:41:04 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on September 13, 2016, 11:26:03 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 05, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
I-587.

how is this allowed to be an interstate?

Why shouldn't it be?


iPhone

Better question: Why is Wyoming I-180 an Interstate?

another good question that no one has given me a good answer to.

But my question is why wouldn't they be? In I-180's case, that's obvious: Interstate aren't supposed to have intersections. But what's the reason with I-587? What characteristics does it have that Interstates aren't "supposed to" have?
What you just said, it has an at grade intersection, a roundabout

That's at the terminus; many Interstates end at at-grade junctions–including I-587, at its other end.

His point is that it doesn't have an Interstate grade connection to its parent

Is that a requirement for being an Interstate? Again, I-587 isn't unique in that respect.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: vdeane on September 13, 2016, 10:21:38 PM
Quote from: NE2 on September 13, 2016, 10:08:31 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 13, 2016, 08:22:16 PM
His point is that it doesn't have an Interstate grade connection to its parent
Neither does I-376. What, you thought the Monroeville interchange was built to modern Interstate standards?
It's at least freeway-freeway.  I-587 requires traffic from I-87 to go through a roundabout.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: NE2 on September 13, 2016, 11:21:27 PM
Quote from: vdeane on September 13, 2016, 10:21:38 PM
It's at least freeway-freeway.  I-587 requires traffic from I-87 to go through a roundabout.
How is a roundabout not freeway-to-freeway? All you have to do is yield.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: empirestate on September 14, 2016, 10:38:21 AM
Quote from: NE2 on September 13, 2016, 11:21:27 PM
Quote from: vdeane on September 13, 2016, 10:21:38 PM
It's at least freeway-freeway.  I-587 requires traffic from I-87 to go through a roundabout.
How is a roundabout not freeway-to-freeway? All you have to do is yield.

And if it isn't, does that disqualify I-587 from being an Interstate?
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: national highway 1 on September 16, 2016, 07:41:55 AM
Northern end of the M1 Pacific Mwy at Beresfield, NSW
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.8138592,151.6351183,18.5z (https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.8138592,151.6351183,18.5z)
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: wanderer2575 on September 18, 2016, 01:09:25 AM
Western terminus of Autoroute 640 west of Montreal.

https://goo.gl/maps/rkJqYv4te5r
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: Beeper1 on September 18, 2016, 01:26:24 AM
MA-2 in Concord might count.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: BigRTM on October 02, 2016, 07:23:56 AM
The western end of SR-60 ends @ a roundabout in Clearwater Beach in FL.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: froggie on October 02, 2016, 08:26:18 AM
QuoteThe western end of SR-60 ends @ a roundabout in Clearwater Beach in FL.

But SR-60 isn't a freeway.  We're talking about freeways that end at roundabouts here.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: BigRTM on October 02, 2016, 09:02:02 AM
Quote from: froggie on October 02, 2016, 08:26:18 AM
QuoteThe western end of SR-60 ends @ a roundabout in Clearwater Beach in FL.

But SR-60 isn't a freeway.  We're talking about freeways that end at roundabouts here.

Oh yeah. Ha, was thinking of a highway instead of a freeway.
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: plain on October 03, 2016, 10:30:49 AM
I-70 in Maryland  :-D  or at least it might as well be
Title: Re: Freeways that end at roundabouts
Post by: mgk920 on October 03, 2016, 10:36:59 AM
Quote from: peterj920 on September 05, 2016, 01:36:33 AM
I don't think this is very common, but US 53 is a freeway that ends at a roundabout in Eau Claire, WI.  US 10 in Marshfield is also a freeway/expressway that ends at a roundabout.  Changes were recently made to the US 53/Old Town Hall Rd roundabout which included adding rumble strips and installing a mound in the roundabout circle because there were a lot of crashes, I'm guessing because people don't expect to see a roundabout while driving down a freeway.  Before the roundabout, US 53 transitioned into a 2 lane rural roadway and the intersection was just a rural intersection.  A retail store was built in the area and developers wanted to develop the area, so a roundabout was built in anticipation of new development at the intersection.

In my opinion, I don't think it's a good idea to have a roundabout at the end of a high speed roadway since people don't expect to see a roundabout on a road signed at 65 mph in a rural setting. 

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/29178155080_88cd4ca655_k_d.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/29432435076_eef7657c19_k_d.jpg)

Here is an article on the recent improvements:
http://www.leadertelegram.com/News/Daily-Updates/2016/06/13/State-to-improve-U-S-53-roundabout.html

An aside here, if I were the WisDOT highway Poo-Bah I would separate the US 53 freeway to the north from the existing US 53 highway to the south, feeding the freeway to the north directly into I-94 with direct free-flowing ramps and directly feeding the US 53 surface road (now 'street') to the south into surface streets to the north.  That ancient cloverleaf interchange is one of my top 'weak spots' in the entire Wisconsin transportation network.

Mike