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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: thenetwork on March 01, 2022, 10:40:52 PM

Title: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: thenetwork on March 01, 2022, 10:40:52 PM
I was driving quite a bit the last couple of days in Central Utah for work and it got me to thinking...

What are the most exciting ends to a single interstate and what are the most embarrassing? 

I'd have to nominate I-80 as the most exciting -- connecting/ending at or near 2 of America's most famous bridges:  The SF/Oakland Bay Bridge and the George Washington Bridge

As far as most embarrassing (not necessarily the LEAST exciting), I would have to nominate I-70:  Little fanfare on WB I-70 approaching I-15 and the original east end permanently ending at a u-ey in a Park N Ride in Baltimore.

Others?
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: SkyPesos on March 01, 2022, 10:45:05 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on March 01, 2022, 10:40:52 PM
As far as most embarrassing (not necessarily the LEAST exciting), I would have to nominate I-70:  Little fanfare on WB I-70 approaching I-15 and the original east end permanently ending at a u-ey in a Park N Ride in Baltimore.
Reminder that I-70 doesn't go to Baltimore, and that the park & ride doesn't count :sombrero:
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Dirt Roads on March 01, 2022, 10:50:06 PM
How about the left hand onramp from the end of I-66 dumping into the fast lane of southbound I-81 near Strasburg, Virginia?  Would this be exciting or embarrassing?
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: froggie on March 01, 2022, 11:01:29 PM
^ Neither, because you'll be too busy concentrating to avoid getting creamed by the truck next to you on 81.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Hobart on March 01, 2022, 11:44:31 PM
Interstate 180 in Illinois (which most people agree shouldn't really be an interstate as far as I know) starts at a trumpet interchange in the middle of nowhere, west of La Salle and Peru.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4003243,-89.384376,3a,75y,11.83h,93.11t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1scIRKMFue0BFWMjyUG3k_oQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DcIRKMFue0BFWMjyUG3k_oQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D15.325121%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

It ends after a diamond interchange in Hannibal, a town of 700. It goes through the interchange and just suddenly loses two lanes, reverting back to a two lane road.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2569159,-89.3196326,3a,24.9y,270.35h,92.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spXghjWTVLuVoEFjW8pKqlA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

In my opinion, it is remarkably dull, or embarrassingly boring, depending on how you look at it.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: gonealookin on March 01, 2022, 11:59:28 PM
There's not a heck of a lot going on in Henderson, NV, but at its other end I-11 ends at the O'Callaghan-Tillman Bridge just downstream from Hoover Dam.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Max Rockatansky on March 02, 2022, 12:31:58 AM
The view of I-280 approaching its end in downtown San Francisco is pretty spectacular:

https://flic.kr/p/TewE9N
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: MATraveler128 on March 02, 2022, 07:58:53 AM
The other I-180 in Wyoming is certainly embarrassing at both ends. It's just a boulevard into Downtown Cheyenne with a fancy shield. What a joke of an Interstate.

But I-55's northern end is exciting in the sense that you have a nice view of Lake Michigan.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: CardInLex on March 02, 2022, 10:05:55 AM
The I-71 ending in Louisville always strikes me as beautiful especially as the sun is setting and the stadium and bridge lights are lit, the sun is shining through the buildings.

This Streetview does not do it justice. https://goo.gl/maps/JR9QXxnKXuuFcRyN7
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: webny99 on March 02, 2022, 10:08:23 AM
Quote from: Dirt Roads on March 01, 2022, 10:50:06 PM
How about the left hand onramp from the end of I-66 dumping into the fast lane of southbound I-81 near Strasburg, Virginia?  Would this be exciting or embarrassing?

Quote from: froggie on March 01, 2022, 11:01:29 PM
^ Neither, because you'll be too busy concentrating to avoid getting creamed by the truck next to you on 81.

Isn't that more like both exciting and embarassing than neither?  :-D
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: silverback1065 on March 02, 2022, 10:13:00 AM
I-65 just kind of dies at US12/20 in Gary.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: hobsini2 on March 02, 2022, 10:19:36 AM
I don't know about the southern end but I absolutely agree with Blue Outback on I-55's northern end at US 41 Desable Lake Shore Dr (especially the North LSD ramp) on the doorstep of Grant Park and McCormick Place.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: MATraveler128 on March 02, 2022, 10:24:42 AM
I personally really like the western terminus of the eastern I-84 in Scranton because it has an amazing view of the Poconos. It felt like a nice reward for clinching it.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: JayhawkCO on March 02, 2022, 10:37:21 AM
I-90 is pretty cool on the western side getting a cool view of the Seattle skyline, both stadia, and Puget Sound.  On the eastern side, views of downtown Boston before you head into the tunnels to get to Logan.

I-8 is boring on both ends.  A stoplight past San Diego and then the middle of nowhere in Casa Grande.

I-20 also boring on both ends.  Middle of nowhere Texas to middle of nowhere South Carolina.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: cockroachking on March 02, 2022, 10:39:08 AM
I-587 ends at roundabouts at both termini. That could be subjectively either exciting or embarrassing.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: HighwayStar on March 02, 2022, 10:45:38 AM
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 01, 2022, 10:45:05 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on March 01, 2022, 10:40:52 PM
As far as most embarrassing (not necessarily the LEAST exciting), I would have to nominate I-70:  Little fanfare on WB I-70 approaching I-15 and the original east end permanently ending at a u-ey in a Park N Ride in Baltimore.
Reminder that I-70 doesn't go to Baltimore, and that the park & ride doesn't count :sombrero:

Doing the Lord's work I see!
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: jmacswimmer on March 02, 2022, 11:01:28 AM
How about I-476's northern end?  Probably a combination of both...a bridge soaring 150' over Clarks Summit below, followed by a hairpin turn, followed by a toll plaza, followed by a tight trumpet that leads to another tight trumpet regardless of which ramp you take.

Quote from: Dirt Roads on March 01, 2022, 10:50:06 PM
How about the left hand onramp from the end of I-66 dumping into the fast lane of southbound I-81 near Strasburg, Virginia?  Would this be exciting or embarrassing?

Similarly, I-78 dumping into I-81 from the left at its western end.  (Though unlike I-66, I think more traffic is coming off I-78 here than coming down I-81 from the north.)

Quote from: SkyPesos on March 01, 2022, 10:45:05 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on March 01, 2022, 10:40:52 PM
As far as most embarrassing (not necessarily the LEAST exciting), I would have to nominate I-70:  Little fanfare on WB I-70 approaching I-15 and the original east end permanently ending at a u-ey in a Park N Ride in Baltimore.
Reminder that I-70 doesn't go to Baltimore, and that the park & ride doesn't count :sombrero:

Just to split a few more hairs: I think AASHTO had approved officially truncating I-70 to I-695 in anticipation of the Baltimore Red Line project that later wound up cancelled.  So if you count the 4-level symmetrical stack as the terminus, that's at least a bit more exciting than embarrassing  :-D
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: webny99 on March 02, 2022, 11:09:23 AM
Quote from: jmacswimmer on March 02, 2022, 11:01:28 AM
How about I-476's northern end?  Probably a combination of both...a bridge soaring 150' over Clarks Summit below, followed by a hairpin turn, followed by a toll plaza, followed by a tight trumpet that leads to another tight trumpet regardless of which ramp you take.

Yes, that's definitely one I'd consider both exciting and embarrassing in about equal measure.   :D
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: jaehak on March 02, 2022, 11:20:15 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 02, 2022, 10:19:36 AM
I don't know about the southern end but I absolutely agree with Blue Outback on I-55's northern end at US 41 Desable Lake Shore Dr (especially the North LSD ramp) on the doorstep of Grant Park and McCormick Place.

This would be my pick too. Bonus points for it appearing in the opening credits of Married With Children.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Henry on March 02, 2022, 11:32:52 AM
Quote from: jaehak on March 02, 2022, 11:20:15 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 02, 2022, 10:19:36 AM
I don't know about the southern end but I absolutely agree with Blue Outback on I-55's northern end at US 41 Desable Lake Shore Dr (especially the North LSD ramp) on the doorstep of Grant Park and McCormick Place.

This would be my pick too. Bonus points for it appearing in the opening credits of Married With Children.
And also, the original National Lampoon's Vacation.

I-95 is sort of a mixed bag because there's nothing special on the northern end other than crossing into Canada on another highway 95, but on the southern end there's the glitz and glamour that is Miami.

Same thing with I-10: Jacksonville (FL's ugly stepchild of a city) on the eastern end, the Pacific Ocean (in Santa Monica) on the western end (and bonus, Route 66 used to end there too).
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: hotdogPi on March 02, 2022, 11:33:35 AM
I-89's southern end is also known as a shunpike.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: US20IL64 on March 02, 2022, 11:37:30 AM
Northern end of I-35 in Duluth MN, suddenly turns into an underground street, and then nothing.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: SkyPesos on March 02, 2022, 11:51:21 AM
I-71:

Northern end at I-90: Oh come on, you get a little glimpse of the skyline when it's about to enter downtown, and suddenly it turns into another interstate to continue the routing into downtown???
Southern end at I-64/65: Oh come on, you get a little glimpse of the skyline when it's about to enter downtown, and suddenly it turns into another interstate to continue the routing into downtown???
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: JayhawkCO on March 02, 2022, 11:53:51 AM
I-494/I-694.  Just turn into the other for no good reason?
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Rothman on March 02, 2022, 11:53:56 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on March 02, 2022, 11:37:30 AM
Northern end of I-35 in Duluth MN, suddenly turns into an underground street, and then nothing.
Well, a traffic light.

I like the drive through the depressed section.  I think they did a good job on it.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: jaehak on March 02, 2022, 11:56:45 AM
Quote from: Henry on March 02, 2022, 11:32:52 AM
Quote from: jaehak on March 02, 2022, 11:20:15 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 02, 2022, 10:19:36 AM
I don't know about the southern end but I absolutely agree with Blue Outback on I-55's northern end at US 41 Desable Lake Shore Dr (especially the North LSD ramp) on the doorstep of Grant Park and McCormick Place.

This would be my pick too. Bonus points for it appearing in the opening credits of Married With Children.
And also, the original National Lampoon's Vacation.

I thought it was in that too, but on my 11,000th viewing of that movie I realized it was the Dan Ryan and 55. Mentioned that in the video I made about it, minute and a half in or so. https://youtu.be/zXb82RGlMyo
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: SkyPesos on March 02, 2022, 11:58:25 AM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 02, 2022, 11:53:51 AM
I-494/I-694.  Just turn into the other for no good reason?
Could say the same about I-255/270 at both of their southern ends, but unlike 494/694, those two actually have a reason to be separate routes. I-270 continues east past its northern interchange with I-255, and 255 continues north past that interchange as IL 255, and you would be using 3 numbers instead of 2 (probably I-870 and an IL x67 number, assuming that a bump is avoided) if the beltway is under a single number
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: 1995hoo on March 02, 2022, 12:12:36 PM
The eastern end of I-66 might be one of the most embarrassing. After you go over the Roosevelt Bridge (itself an embarrassment, but it does give you a good view of the Lincoln Memorial and the Kennedy Center), the mainline briefly narrows to one lane as it leaves the bridge but then expands into an exceptionally wide tunnel with four lanes going each way....and immediately after that, the road ends at this sad scene (https://goo.gl/maps/jEmSwhn8XxSvjXEFA) (traffic going left is immediately dumped onto 27th Street NW (https://goo.gl/maps/QHy6dJYLEQDAbUnq9), traffic going right sees a ramp split where going left puts you on the Whitehurst Freeway and going right unceremoniously dumps you onto L Street NW (https://goo.gl/maps/vrzo7iH4aue3CCfQA)). At least they cleaned up the homeless encampment (https://goo.gl/maps/hNCAvPptt3CaZ5zL9) (which grew much bigger than is seen in that image), although the chain-link fence they used to block off the location is hideous.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: abefroman329 on March 02, 2022, 12:19:17 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 02, 2022, 12:12:36 PM
The eastern end of I-66 might be one of the most embarrassing. After you go over the Roosevelt Bridge (itself an embarrassment, but it does give you a good view of the Lincoln Memorial and the Kennedy Center), the mainline briefly narrows to one lane as it leaves the bridge but then expands into an exceptionally wide tunnel with four lanes going each way....and immediately after that, the road ends at this sad scene (https://goo.gl/maps/jEmSwhn8XxSvjXEFA) (traffic going left is immediately dumped onto 27th Street NW (https://goo.gl/maps/QHy6dJYLEQDAbUnq9), traffic going right sees a ramp split where going left puts you on the Whitehurst Freeway and going right unceremoniously dumps you onto L Street NW (https://goo.gl/maps/vrzo7iH4aue3CCfQA)). At least they cleaned up the homeless encampment (https://goo.gl/maps/hNCAvPptt3CaZ5zL9) (which grew much bigger than is seen in that image), although the chain-link fence they used to block off the location is hideous.
Speaking of embarrassing...way, way back before the days of Google Maps, when someone first told me how I could use Rock Creek Parkway as a shortcut to get from Rosslyn to Adams Morgan and points northwest, I very nearly ran my car off the road where the expressway ends at 27th St NW.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on March 02, 2022, 01:35:18 PM
I-394 heading into downtown Minneapolis is pretty cool, though locally nowhere near as iconic as the I-35W northbound approach at the Franklin overpass.

Quote from: US20IL64 on March 02, 2022, 11:37:30 AM
Northern end of I-35 in Duluth MN, suddenly turns into an underground street, and then nothing.

A big drop-off into a Great Lake on your right seems pretty exciting to me.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: bassoon1986 on March 02, 2022, 01:36:41 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 02, 2022, 10:19:36 AM
I don't know about the southern end but I absolutely agree with Blue Outback on I-55's northern end at US 41 Desable Lake Shore Dr (especially the North LSD ramp) on the doorstep of Grant Park and McCormick Place.
I-55's southern end may not be "city-exciting"  but it's definitely memorable as an elevated swamp highway transitioning into I-10 east.

The rural western interstates may not have embarrassing ends, they are just extremely remote. But I-20's western end qualifies. It doesn't truly exit to I-10 eastbound (obviously because traffic counts would be so minimal) but instead U-turns to return that direction.


iPhone
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: HighwayStar on March 02, 2022, 02:12:13 PM
To add a few more

I-95 de facto ends twice in the DC area. In the northern case it dead ends into a park and ride (the ultimate form of shame for an interstate). On the southern end it is effectively I-395 which dead ends into NY Avenue.

I-189 in VT is another example, it effectively ends at US 7 without going anywhere, though you do get to see the ghost ramps of failure.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: skluth on March 02, 2022, 02:47:06 PM
The former west of of I-64 was exciting in that you watched the Arch get closer as you approached the Mississippi River. This is followed by the unpleasant excitement of suddenly finding yourself moving through a spaghetti of freeways coming into the left lane of I-55/I-70. Don't blink because you might have to deal with more traffic coming in from the left off IL 3. Make a wrong choice and you're embarrassingly in East St Louis. Actually, just I-64 formerly ending in ESL was embarrassing.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: cwf1701 on March 02, 2022, 06:05:35 PM
How about the northern end of I-69/eastern end of I-94? Both interstates end approaching the Blue Water Bridge going into Canada
I-96 in Detroit you are looking at the Bridge to Canada as you approach I-75.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: ilpt4u on March 02, 2022, 10:03:13 PM
I always thought Chicago's I-290's/Eisenhower Expressway's Eastern End is pretty cool - traveling "thru"  the Old Post Office Building and then over a Drawbridge, to the Exit to Lower Wacker Drive, then transition onto the South Loop Blvd of Congress Parkway aka Ida Wells Drive - I think it is a pretty unique way for an Interstate to end. Throw in the Jayne Byrne Circle Interchange with I-90/94/Kennedy Expressway/Ryan Expressway as well as part of the ending features to I-290
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: jaehak on March 03, 2022, 11:40:27 AM
Quote from: bassoon1986 on March 02, 2022, 01:36:41 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 02, 2022, 10:19:36 AM
I don't know about the southern end but I absolutely agree with Blue Outback on I-55's northern end at US 41 Desable Lake Shore Dr (especially the North LSD ramp) on the doorstep of Grant Park and McCormick Place.
I-55's southern end may not be "city-exciting"  but it's definitely memorable as an elevated swamp highway transitioning into I-10 east.


The southern end of 55 is pretty cool and unique. I was on it as a kid during one of my first big trips and it still sticks out in my mind.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: invincor on March 03, 2022, 11:54:46 AM
The most impressive one I've seen personally is the north end of I-75 in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.  It ends at customs just as you get to the International Bridge that takes you into Canada, and that bridge is over the Soo Locks and the St. Mary's River, a key point in the St. Laurence Seaway taking shipping east and west from Lake Superior into Lake Huron and eventually out to the Atlantic Ocean.  The sheer amount of commerce passing through that one area both east-west and north-south is staggering to think about.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: skluth on March 03, 2022, 12:14:56 PM
The south end of I-41 ends embarrassingly with a small sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4957791,-87.9507015,3a,75y,181.44h,84.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZS6R0wEfzsbCPaNrF9sKbQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) along the side of the interstate while I-94 continues on to Chicago and Detroit.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: MinecraftNinja on March 03, 2022, 01:41:27 PM
I-93's south terminus is better the it's north terminus.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Rothman on March 03, 2022, 07:01:34 PM
Quote from: MinecraftNinja on March 03, 2022, 01:41:27 PM
I-93's south terminus is better the it's north terminus.
How do you figure?

I remember when the north terminus was finally completed.  It's actually a calm little spot in northern VT.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: fillup420 on March 03, 2022, 08:10:00 PM
I-40 hits a school zone right after its eastern terminus
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: GenExpwy on March 04, 2022, 02:59:31 AM
Quote from: skluth on March 03, 2022, 12:14:56 PM
The south end of I-41 ends embarrassingly with a small sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4957791,-87.9507015,3a,75y,181.44h,84.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZS6R0wEfzsbCPaNrF9sKbQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) along the side of the interstate while I-94 continues on to Chicago and Detroit.

Also interesting: Exit 1A for county route A1.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Hobart on March 04, 2022, 01:08:58 PM
This recently got promoted to an end with the creation of I-880 in Iowa, and the truncation of I-680 back to this cloverleaf (on paper, some of the signs are still up saying it continues).

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3546346,-95.899134,3a,15y,63.81h,88.06t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sZ4iCwCCTVdqw7dPz-HtRTw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DZ4iCwCCTVdqw7dPz-HtRTw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D354.71976%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Interstate 680 just kind of... stops at a cloverleaf at I-29 and immediately runs into a railroad crossing without gates before turning into a two-lane road into Crescent, Iowa. It's abrupt, which I guess can mean exciting, but it's mostly an embarrassing way to end an interstate. No build up, no nothing, just, "get on this loop ramp to take I-29 to I-880, or quickly slow down from interstate speeds so you don't lose your lunch going over the somewhat poorly maintained railroad crossing".
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: TheGrassGuy on March 04, 2022, 05:53:05 PM
I-229's northern terminus (South Dakota) used to be a dirt road
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: DandyDan on March 05, 2022, 06:34:08 AM
I personally would find the north end of Iowa's I-380 embarrassing, as it ends at a traffic light for a rather inconsequential intersection in Waterloo.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Ted$8roadFan on March 05, 2022, 06:36:52 AM
Quote from: Rothman on March 03, 2022, 07:01:34 PM
Quote from: MinecraftNinja on March 03, 2022, 01:41:27 PM
I-93's south terminus is better the it's north terminus.
How do you figure?

I remember when the north terminus was finally completed.  It's actually a calm little spot in northern VT.

Agreed, 93'e in Vermontis prettier than it's southern ending in 95 (tho the latter is much improved from before).
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: roadman65 on March 05, 2022, 08:45:28 AM
The north segment end of I-69 at. I-465 is embarrassing as it suddenly defaults into Binford Blvd.


Then the north end of I-65 used to have a stoplight at it, but they did improvements to remedy that one.

Both ends of I-99 of course with the way they exchange with other interstates is embarrassing.

I-95 in Miami has a neat terminus.

I-4 in Tampa with the poorly designed Malfunction Junction is embarrassing.

I-35 in Laredo, should connect to the International Bridge and not default into city streets.  Chalk one up to Texas, but at least I-45 in Galveston ends Gracefully.

I-14 west end has a sign saying it continues along US 190 instead of and END assembly as it does end there.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: thenetwork on March 24, 2022, 01:12:41 AM
Probably one of the most pathetic ends to any notable Interstate is the western terminus of the western segment of I-76:

Traveling west on the last few miles, the upcoming exits BGS does not mention a junction or merge with I‐70 west, in fact there is NO mention of I-70 until it merges with I-70 at the Wadsworth Interchange -- on a reassurance shield next to the END I-70 assembly!!!
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: JoePCool14 on March 24, 2022, 11:09:19 AM
Quote from: skluth on March 03, 2022, 12:14:56 PM
The south end of I-41 ends embarrassingly with a small sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4957791,-87.9507015,3a,75y,181.44h,84.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZS6R0wEfzsbCPaNrF9sKbQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) along the side of the interstate while I-94 continues on to Chicago and Detroit.

The sign on the right is now gone. If the one on the left goes, I don't think IDOT will bother to replace it.

Quote from: GenExpwy on March 04, 2022, 02:59:31 AM
Also interesting: Exit 1A for county route A1.

The 41 also looks like A1 if you don't look too closely at it!
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Chris19001 on March 24, 2022, 12:37:27 PM
I-370 in Maryland.  Now you see it, now you don't...
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: SkyPesos on March 24, 2022, 01:15:13 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on March 24, 2022, 01:12:41 AM
Probably one of the most pathetic ends to any notable Interstate is the western terminus of the western segment of I-76:

Traveling west on the last few miles, the upcoming exits BGS does not mention a junction or merge with I‐70 west, in fact there is NO mention of I-70 until it merges with I-70 at the Wadsworth Interchange -- on a reassurance shield next to the END I-70 assembly!!!
The eastern end of I-76 isn't that much better. Suddenly you onto NJ 42 (and eventually the ACE).
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: JayhawkCO on March 24, 2022, 02:09:17 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 24, 2022, 01:15:13 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on March 24, 2022, 01:12:41 AM
Probably one of the most pathetic ends to any notable Interstate is the western terminus of the western segment of I-76:

Traveling west on the last few miles, the upcoming exits BGS does not mention a junction or merge with I‐70 west, in fact there is NO mention of I-70 until it merges with I-70 at the Wadsworth Interchange -- on a reassurance shield next to the END I-70 assembly!!!
The eastern end of I-76 isn't that much better. Suddenly you onto NJ 42 (and eventually the ACE).

Nor the eastern end of western I-76. I-80 in the middle of nowhere.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: StarlightRunner on March 31, 2022, 07:38:28 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 24, 2022, 01:15:13 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on March 24, 2022, 01:12:41 AM
Probably one of the most pathetic ends to any notable Interstate is the western terminus of the western segment of I-76:

Traveling west on the last few miles, the upcoming exits BGS does not mention a junction or merge with I‐70 west, in fact there is NO mention of I-70 until it merges with I-70 at the Wadsworth Interchange -- on a reassurance shield next to the END I-70 assembly!!!
The eastern end of I-76 isn't that much better. Suddenly you onto NJ 42 (and eventually the ACE).

That interchange between 295 and 76 is a travesty. I say that as a local.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: MCRoads on March 31, 2022, 08:09:02 PM
Low hanging fruit: KS TPike at KS/OK state line.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: zachary_amaryllis on March 31, 2022, 09:01:41 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on March 24, 2022, 01:12:41 AM
Probably one of the most pathetic ends to any notable Interstate is the western terminus of the western segment of I-76:

Traveling west on the last few miles, the upcoming exits BGS does not mention a junction or merge with I‐70 west, in fact there is NO mention of I-70 until it merges with I-70 at the Wadsworth Interchange -- on a reassurance shield next to the END I-70 assembly!!!

The east end is no great shakes. just keep going straight and suddenly you're on 80. at least theres some warning, and the gsv / google earth shows them redoing that interchange, solving a weird TOTSO-like thing for 80 east
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: tsmatt13 on June 19, 2022, 05:39:15 PM
Some NJ examples for y'all.  :D

Most exciting: I-80 ends at I-95 right before the GWB.

Most embarrassing: I-278 pathetically ends at US 1-9 with a whimper near Elizabeth, with its WB lanes somehow squeezing into the middle of US 1-9 until it fades out of existence at a stoplight.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: hbelkins on June 19, 2022, 08:43:23 PM
Two I find embarrassing, not far from each other.

I-26's western end in Tennessee. It's pretty scenery with all the mountains, but the route number designation just ends at an interchange with US 11W. The freeway continues as US 23 and a not-quite-hidden Tennessee state route (there are End I-26/Begin TN xxx and End TN xxx/Begin I-26 assemblies) until you get to the state line, where the route merges into the four-lane surface route that is US 23 in Virginia and old US 23 (TN 36) in Tennessee. It was the same way when it was I-181. It makes absolutely no sense for the interstate to not be designated along the entire freeway.

I-381 just seems to arbitrarily become VA 381 before the freeway ends and becomes a surface route. I can't remember if the transition point from interstate to Virginia state route is signed anymore or not; it was at one time.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: epzik8 on June 19, 2022, 09:55:50 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 01, 2022, 10:45:05 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on March 01, 2022, 10:40:52 PM
As far as most embarrassing (not necessarily the LEAST exciting), I would have to nominate I-70:  Little fanfare on WB I-70 approaching I-15 and the original east end permanently ending at a u-ey in a Park N Ride in Baltimore.
Reminder that I-70 doesn't go to Baltimore, and that the park & ride doesn't count :sombrero:
Bringing this thread full circle, the State Highway Administration inventories a tenth of a mile of I-70 within Baltimore city limits. I count the park and ride, and it's a legendary ending to a near-cross-country Interstate.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: thspfc on June 20, 2022, 11:35:03 AM
I-55's northern ending is exciting but its southern ending is about as boring as it gets.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Takumi on June 20, 2022, 12:52:17 PM
I-195 in Richmond simply stops being an interstate at some point, but continues being a freeway all the way to I-95. (VA 195's east end is arguably the most exciting, because you're in the air over downtown Richmond.)

I-264 in Virginia Beach has a pretty exciting east end to me. The freeway turns to surface streets and you're only a little ways from reaching the ocean.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: bwana39 on June 20, 2022, 05:00:18 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 02, 2022, 10:19:36 AM
I don't know about the southern end but I absolutely agree with Blue Outback on I-55's northern end at US 41 Desable Lake Shore Dr (especially the North LSD ramp) on the doorstep of Grant Park and McCormick Place.

The southern end is an anticlimactic merge with I-10 just outside of (rural town) Laplace LA.

Quote from: thspfc on June 20, 2022, 11:35:03 AM
I-55’s northern ending is exciting but its southern ending is about as boring as it gets.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Dirt Roads on June 20, 2022, 08:08:39 PM
Quote from: Takumi on June 20, 2022, 12:52:17 PM
I-195 in Richmond simply stops being an interstate at some point, but continues being a freeway all the way to I-95. (VA 195's east end is arguably the most exciting, because you're in the air over downtown Richmond.)

The Rosewood/City Stadium exit (eastbound only) on I-195 is the last exit before the mainline RMA tollgate.  Everything east of there is officially a Toll Road, therefore not part of the Interstate route.  The VDOT route log stated the same back in the 1980s, but I haven't seen an updated one in many years.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: pderocco on June 21, 2022, 02:04:06 AM
It's been mentioned, but I've always really liked the W end of I-10. You're driving along a rather ugly interstate through a crowded suburban area, you go into the McClure Tunnel, and you pop out on Pacific Coast Highway at the beach, seemingly in another world. Try it at dusk...
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: Henry on June 21, 2022, 01:50:59 PM
Quote from: Dirt Roads on June 20, 2022, 08:08:39 PM
Quote from: Takumi on June 20, 2022, 12:52:17 PM
I-195 in Richmond simply stops being an interstate at some point, but continues being a freeway all the way to I-95. (VA 195's east end is arguably the most exciting, because you're in the air over downtown Richmond.)

The Rosewood/City Stadium exit (eastbound only) on I-195 is the last exit before the mainline RMA tollgate.  Everything east of there is officially a Toll Road, therefore not part of the Interstate route.  The VDOT route log stated the same back in the 1980s, but I haven't seen an updated one in many years.
I-195/VA 195 could've very easily been an I-x64 too, because the north end is at the I-95/I-64 West interchange (albeit more of an offramp from I-64 than I-95), making it basically a third branch from the junction.
Title: Re: Most Exciting/Most Embarrassing Ends Of A Single Interstate
Post by: kirbykart on July 18, 2022, 06:30:05 PM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 02, 2022, 11:53:51 AM
I-494/I-694.  Just turn into the other for no good reason?
A similar thing happens with I-290 and I-395 in Massachusetts.