What's the worst stretch of Interstate in the country? I nominate I-55 in Memphis and I-44 (Skelly Drive) in Tulsa.
Also, what's the Interstate that sucks the worst overall? I again nominate I-44. It's crooked in Missouri and much of it is just an upgraded US 66 and was built as an expressway. Crossing into Oklahoma, you must face the Will Rogers Turnpike, then the aforementioned Skelly Drive, then the Turner Dethpike, then the stretch in OKC where it exits off itself several times, then the Bailey Turnpike, then the stretch to Wichita Falls. I've never been on it, but I'm guessing the short Texas section of I-44 is probably in the best condition.
Every mile of interstate through Tulsa pretty much sucks. Beyond that, I-5 through Portland is kind of annoying.
From what I've seen though, the interstates in Oklahoma are the worst.
Surprised that I-278 hasn't gotten a mention yet...
I-95. Yes, 278 is pretty bad, but at least it isn't entirely missing for a stretch in New Jersey.
Not to nitpick, cause I mostly don't care, but isn't there a thread almost exactly like this already?
Despite that, I'll just go ahead and get the mandatory mentioning of I-70 between New Stanton & Washington, PA taken care of now.
I-5 South through downtown Seattle. Heading south from just north of town, you have a stretch of road without HOV lanes, multiple exit/entrances on the right side (5 within 2 miles), after which you have an exit for a highway (520, bad in its own right) with a left exit/entrance. 520's ramp to 5 South joins about 1/4th of a mile before a major avenue exit (Mercer), and I-5 south itself, while it picks up an HOV lane after this point, is whittled down to 2 thru lanes (3 lanes exiting) underneath the Convention center. Because of where it is, there's little hope for improvement with any of those things. It's awful and backs up regularly on weekdays and weekends.
I second I-70 between I-79 and the Ripoff as the worst stretch of interstate in the nation.
For worst overall, I'll nominate I-70, for the poor design/alignment in Kansas City (two areas with one lane mainline ramps), capacity issues across parts of Missouri, a somewhat bad stretch through Columbia, MO, another stretch with some capacity issues, poor design in the St. Louis area (one lane ramps for the PSB and issues for eastbound traffic downtown with several lanes quickly disappearing to accommodate traffic from the near-useless reversible lanes), poor general alignment in the St. Louis area (should stay on I-270, stretch into downtown should be an I-x70), a poorly built three miles when first entering Illinois, inaccurate exit numbers and mileage for most of Illinois, capacity issues and poor pavement in Indiana, one lane mainline in Columbus, the pathetic design through Wheeling, the above mentioned stretch in PA, Breezewood, a poorly designed interchange with I-68, and capacity issues in Maryland (stop and go around Hagarstown?)
Quote from: RustyK on May 20, 2010, 10:18:32 AM
I-5 South through downtown Seattle. Heading south from just north of town, you have a stretch of road without HOV lanes, multiple exit/entrances on the right side (5 within 2 miles), after which you have an exit for a highway (520, bad in its own right) with a left exit/entrance. 520's ramp to 5 South joins about 1/4th of a mile before a major avenue exit (Mercer), and I-5 south itself, while it picks up an HOV lane after this point, is whittled down to 2 thru lanes (3 lanes exiting) underneath the Convention center. Because of where it is, there's little hope for improvement with any of those things. It's awful and backs up regularly on weekdays and weekends.
Funny, I've never had any issues with the Mercer Shuffle. Of course, I wasn't driving, either...
I'll echo Corco about I-5 in Portland, though. Particularly from the Marquam to the Fremont Bridges.
I-280 through Newark, New Jersey.
Worst, overall? I-295 in New Jersey, though that will eventually get better.
Quote from: bugo on May 20, 2010, 02:58:48 AM
What's the worst stretch of Interstate in the country? I nominate I-55 in Memphis
I hate the intersection at Riverside Drive in which all traffic has to merge to the right lane and exit. That is, when traveling north. With so many big rigs, it has a tendency to back up quite far. In fact, the last time I drove through Memphis to get to Arkansas, I decided to take Riverside to I-40. I also could've chosen to go north on 240.
Quote from: golden eagle on May 21, 2010, 09:48:35 PM
Quote from: bugo on May 20, 2010, 02:58:48 AM
What's the worst stretch of Interstate in the country? I nominate I-55 in Memphis
I hate the intersection at Riverside Drive in which all traffic has to merge to the right lane and exit. That is, when traveling north. With so many big rigs, it has a tendency to back up quite far. In fact, the last time I drove through Memphis to get to Arkansas, I decided to take Riverside to I-40. I also could've chosen to go north on 240.
I mentioned this exact same intersection in the "worst designed expressways/roads" thread too. I knew people who always went I-40/I-240 just in order to avoid that exit. I've known people too who the first time they encountered that exit ended up on Crump Blvd. or Riverside Dr. depending on which way they were heading on I-55 and had to turn around and figure out how to get back on I-55.
Quote from: huskeroadgeek on May 21, 2010, 10:24:47 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on May 21, 2010, 09:48:35 PM
Quote from: bugo on May 20, 2010, 02:58:48 AM
What's the worst stretch of Interstate in the country? I nominate I-55 in Memphis
I hate the intersection at Riverside Drive in which all traffic has to merge to the right lane and exit. That is, when traveling north. With so many big rigs, it has a tendency to back up quite far. In fact, the last time I drove through Memphis to get to Arkansas, I decided to take Riverside to I-40. I also could've chosen to go north on 240.
I mentioned this exact same intersection in the "worst designed expressways/roads" thread too. I knew people who always went I-40/I-240 just in order to avoid that exit. I've known people too who the first time they encountered that exit ended up on Crump Blvd. or Riverside Dr. depending on which way they were heading on I-55 and had to turn around and figure out how to get back on I-55.
I never knew why the intersection was designed that way.
Quote from: akotchi on May 21, 2010, 09:33:34 PM
Worst, overall? I-295 in New Jersey, though that will eventually get better.
I respectfully disagree, I-295 is definitely not the worst interstate in New Jersey. I'd give that honor to Interstate 78 from my experiences on both of them.
I say the worst stretch of Interstate is I-76 between I-277 and I-77 (the Kenmore Leg) in Akron for the two lanes (each way) and the fact that I-76 must exit itself at the beginning and end of the Kenmore Leg. Not to mention the congestion in rush hour just to stay on I-76.
I nominate I-84 from Hartford CT to Danbury CT. What a mismash of curves and bends.
Definitely I-55 in western Memphis. The simply fact you have to exit (both ways) to stay on I-55 and avoid winding up on a city street as bad.
I-80/I-29 in Council Bluffs is bad. You must cross traffic to stay on the same route (I-80 WB to the left, after joining on the right).
I-35 from Dallas to San Antonio. The frontage roads make this road heavily congested and cluttered with local traffic/businesses.
Sykotyk
I 40 from Needles to the Colorado River (California) is in horrible shape. I was there last week and couldn't believe the condition of the road. Maybe it is a heat related problem or more likely, it is a low priority corner of the state.
Seriously, what was with the spacing?
Quote from: Mr_Northside on May 20, 2010, 10:08:29 AMDespite that, I'll just go ahead and get the mandatory mentioning of I-70 between New Stanton & Washington, PA taken care of now.
The stretch of it between the state line and Breezewood is a close second. I don't particularly know WTF was up with PennDOT engineers around the time 70 was built. No other Interstate in PA is like it. It can't possibly be actually up to interstate standards, I'd think those two stretches should have "TO I-70" shields on them - kinda like the Franconia Notch Parkway in NH, which is signed "TO I-93" for its entire length.
Most of the ramps on those stretches make the ramps on the Spaulding Turnpike (NH 16) seem generous.
Quotekinda like the Franconia Notch Parkway in NH, which is signed "TO I-93" for its entire length.
Drop the "TO"...it's regular I-93.
Half the freeways (both Interstates and non-Interstates) in the Los Angeles/San Diego corridor. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
I-55 thru south Jackson MS is in pretty poor condition, both pavement and design wise
(in contrast to most other freeways in MS that I have experienced)
I'll nominate I-84 in West Hartford/Hartford (CT) and I-95 in Fairfield/New Haven County (CT)
I-84: left exits, numerous sharp curves, high volume of traffic, weaving
I-95: EXTREMELY HIGH VOLUME OF TRAFFIC, 50 exits in 48 miles
I-84 is really bad indeed; I remember always managing to take that left-exit exit-only somewhere westbound in Hartford, like every single damn time in 2003.
Quote from: njroadhorse on May 22, 2010, 02:06:17 PM
Quote from: akotchi on May 21, 2010, 09:33:34 PM
Worst, overall? I-295 in New Jersey, though that will eventually get better.
I respectfully disagree, I-295 is definitely not the worst interstate in New Jersey. I'd give that honor to Interstate 78 from my experiences on both of them.
I-295 was horrible pavement-wise in Burlington County. They are in the process of rebuilding that section. When complete, almost all of I-295 will have been rebuilt or repaved. I-78 isn't that bad, its quite a bit nicer to drive then I-80 in NJ. Less curves and not as many hills. They also repaved almost all of it west of the GSP.
Honestly, I have nothing against left-exits. Sure, if you're not expecting them and if they're not obviously well, they can be disconcerting, but other than that, they can be useful if well designed. Exits 299B on I-5 and 1A and 3 on I-405 spring to mind -- all are obvious and well signed; and I-405s became better signed with the new MUTCD requirements.
Quote from: shadyjay on June 17, 2010, 11:46:16 PM
I'll nominate I-84 in West Hartford/Hartford (CT)
I-91, too, to a lesser degree. Or better yet, the pile of ramps that passes for an interchange between the two.
Now which is worse, that interchange or the one between 84 and 8 in Waterbury? Hmm....
Quote from: Duke87 on June 18, 2010, 07:34:55 PM
Quote from: shadyjay on June 17, 2010, 11:46:16 PM
I'll nominate I-84 in West Hartford/Hartford (CT)
I-91, too, to a lesser degree. Or better yet, the pile of ramps that passes for an interchange between the two.
Now which is worse, that interchange or the one between 84 and 8 in Waterbury? Hmm....
Regarding I-91, its nothing compared to how it was in the early 90s. 2 narrow lanes each way, in the dark. Construction everywhere which greatly improved things. Though they did take down the ramps/lighting that would've been the soutwestern quadrant start of I-291.
On to the I-91/I-84 and the I-84/CT 8 interchange.... hmmmm.... that's a tough one. Back in the late 80s, the I-84/I-91 interchange was considered the worst in the country due to lack of many crucial ramps between the two interstates. A trek from I-84EB to I-91NB was not as seemless as it is today, and involved a romp down local streets and entering on the left side of 91NB while traffic is trying to exit to 84WB to enter more city streets. So when the 84EB->91NB flyover opened, it was BIG news. Traffic moves pretty good on 91NB through the interchange now, and SB is bad at rush hour but other times its ok. Now the I-84/CT 8 interchange isn't a traffic nightmare per say, but more of a logistical nightmare, with its plethora of left exits and entrances coupled with 2 double decked roadways (and local exits in there too). Any replacement of that interchange would be quite the undertaking. How 'bout replacing it with a big "stack"?
Quote from: Bickendan on June 18, 2010, 05:04:24 PM
Honestly, I have nothing against left-exits. Sure, if you're not expecting them and if they're not obviously well, they can be disconcerting, but other than that, they can be useful if well designed. Exits 299B on I-5 and 1A and 3 on I-405 spring to mind -- all are obvious and well signed; and I-405s became better signed with the new MUTCD requirements.
You sound like you have never had the joy of getting on an interstate and having to weave over to the far side of the highway to take a left hand exit in about a mile in heavy traffic. Case in point is the exit in the St. Louis area from WB I-70 to SB I-170 if one is entering I-70 from Hanley or New Florrissant Roads)
- Go down and access I-170 via MO 115 instead? That takes one through the intersection where a few years ago the city of Bel Ridge was deliberately tampering with the stoplight to generate red light tickets by changing the light to red when it was too late for motorist to stop.
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 18, 2010, 11:15:28 PM
Quote from: Bickendan on June 18, 2010, 05:04:24 PM
Honestly, I have nothing against left-exits. Sure, if you're not expecting them and if they're not obviously well, they can be disconcerting, but other than that, they can be useful if well designed. Exits 299B on I-5 and 1A and 3 on I-405 spring to mind -- all are obvious and well signed; and I-405s became better signed with the new MUTCD requirements.
You sound like you have never had the joy of getting on an interstate and having to weave over to the far side of the highway to take a left hand exit in about a mile in heavy traffic. Case in point is the exit in the St. Louis area from WB I-70 to SB I-170 if one is entering I-70 from Hanley or New Florrissant Roads)
- Go down and access I-170 via MO 115 instead? That takes one through the intersection where a few years ago the city of Bel Ridge was deliberately tampering with the stoplight to generate red light tickets by changing the light to red when it was too late for motorist to stop.
I'd argue then that those exits are poorly spaced. While I haven't been to that part of Missouri, there is a similar instance on I-35W in Minneapolis, where it's forbidden during rush hour to make said manoeuver from Diamond Lake Road (exit 12B) to eastbound MN 62 (exit 11B), making it tough to get to the airport.
Anyone challenge Bel Ridge on their red light ticket shenanigans?
Hey Agent Steel, what was wrong with Sunny Union County?
Quote from: Bickendan on June 19, 2010, 01:34:52 AM
Anyone challenge Bel Ridge on their red light ticket shenanigans?
Haven't heard anything more about it for years, but MoDOT supposedly locked the city out of the signal cabinet.
That's hilarious. I love MoDOT. :P
Quote from: Pilgrimway on May 22, 2010, 06:06:52 PM
I nominate I-84 from Hartford CT to Danbury CT. What a mismash of curves and bends.
I agree, the left hand exits are a pain, the number of exits are a pain, the pavement in Waterbury is a disaster, and the road needs to be widened from Waterbury to Danbury.
Quote from: shadyjay on June 18, 2010, 09:42:02 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on June 18, 2010, 07:34:55 PM
Quote from: shadyjay on June 17, 2010, 11:46:16 PM
I'll nominate I-84 in West Hartford/Hartford (CT)
I-91, too, to a lesser degree. Or better yet, the pile of ramps that passes for an interchange between the two.
Now which is worse, that interchange or the one between 84 and 8 in Waterbury? Hmm....
Regarding I-91, its nothing compared to how it was in the early 90s. 2 narrow lanes each way, in the dark. Construction everywhere which greatly improved things. Though they did take down the ramps/lighting that would've been the soutwestern quadrant start of I-291.
On to the I-91/I-84 and the I-84/CT 8 interchange.... hmmmm.... that's a tough one. Back in the late 80s, the I-84/I-91 interchange was considered the worst in the country due to lack of many crucial ramps between the two interstates. A trek from I-84EB to I-91NB was not as seemless as it is today, and involved a romp down local streets and entering on the left side of 91NB while traffic is trying to exit to 84WB to enter more city streets. So when the 84EB->91NB flyover opened, it was BIG news. Traffic moves pretty good on 91NB through the interchange now, and SB is bad at rush hour but other times its ok. Now the I-84/CT 8 interchange isn't a traffic nightmare per say, but more of a logistical nightmare, with its plethora of left exits and entrances coupled with 2 double decked roadways (and local exits in there too). Any replacement of that interchange would be quite the undertaking. How 'bout replacing it with a big "stack"?
Actually, the state DOT has a plan to replace the I-84/CT-8 interchange with a 4-level stack, but funding is the issue here. Waterbury is for it too! There were plans on the www.i84wins.com website but that has been taken down I believe.
The plans include:
A) 4-level stack leaving CT-8 where it is on the left of the river
or
B) 4-level stack moving CT-8 on the right of the river.
Both plans include widening I-84 by at least a lane and one of the plans even proposed 2-lane connections between the highways.
For awhile in VA I would have nominated I-295 SB(or EB) northwest of Richmond but that is slowly but surely being resurfaced
Quote from: 74/171FAN on June 21, 2010, 10:41:45 PM
For awhile in VA I would have nominated I-295 SB(or EB) northwest of Richmond but that is slowly but surely being resurfaced
Now that honor goes to I-95 southbound in Richmond. :P
The remaining concrete pavement is absolute hell on that stretch... almost compares to I-64 between I-564 and the HRBT in Norfolk. The new asphalt on 295 is NICE though!
I always thought the pavement on 64 was worse south of 564 than north of 564.
Quote from: sandiaman on June 19, 2010, 03:00:46 PM
Hey Agent Steel, what was wrong with Sunny Union County?
is there anything wrong with sunny Union County? If so, I do not know about it.
A couple of us mentioned I-55 in Memphis earlier. Really, the stretch of I-55 from I-240 to the I-40/55 split at West Memphis is bad, though you can blame the construction work for that.
Quote from: froggie on June 22, 2010, 07:24:59 AM
I always thought the pavement on 64 was worse south of 564 than north of 564.
I know it's bad south of it, but it might be worse and I've just only ever gotten a close look at the pavement north of it while sitting in traffic
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on June 22, 2010, 01:46:24 PM
Quote from: froggie on June 22, 2010, 07:24:59 AM
I always thought the pavement on 64 was worse south of 564 than north of 564.
I know it's bad south of it, but it might be worse and I've just only ever gotten a close look at the pavement north of it while sitting in traffic
Especially around Norwood Ave, the pavement below I-564 is god awful, ridden with potholes that rival craters, IIRC.