The nicest one that I know of is at the Creek and Muskogee Turnpikes in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=&q=broken+arrow&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Broken+Arrow,+Tulsa,+Oklahoma&ll=36.046288,-95.739155&spn=0.013394,0.041027&t=h&z=15 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=&q=broken+arrow&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Broken+Arrow,+Tulsa,+Oklahoma&ll=36.046288,-95.739155&spn=0.013394,0.041027&t=h&z=15)
It is huge and even has C/D lanes for both roads. It's very nice for a cloverleaf, but in the end it's still a cloverleaf.
Are there any bigger, nicer cloverleafs in your area?
Aaah, the cloverleaf, severely abused on Long Island.
Suffolk County Road 46 (William Floyd Pkwy.) at I-495 (Long Island Expwy.) Exit 68 in Yaphank, NY:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg819.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F2998%2Fcloverleafscr46i495.jpg&hash=fb192027e3a6d3d1a8f58eed463a11f1fbaeaf6d)
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=New+Orleans,+Orleans,+Louisiana&ll=29.997388,-90.154817&spn=0.005064,0.010568&t=h&z=17
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=New+Orleans,+Orleans,+Louisiana&ll=29.999209,-90.183227&spn=0.005064,0.010568&t=h&z=17
^ The only 2 cloverleaves in the area and the only 2 that I've seen where instead rising on an embankment, the leaves actually elevate on bridges as they approach the overpass.
Slussen, Stockholm.
Opened to traffic in 1935, it is claimed to be the first urban interchange in the world, and the first place where the concept of the cloverleaf was implemented. (the first full German cloverleaf opened in 1938) It has been modified over the years though. It precedes the first Swedish freeway by 18 years.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg841.imageshack.us%2Fimg841%2F8711%2Fslussen.jpg&hash=49009e1e4f64d269fa81f656daa58a62e3833bd8)
Quote from: Chris on July 18, 2010, 04:33:16 AM
Slussen, Stockholm.
Opened to traffic in 1935, it is claimed to be the first urban interchange in the world, and the first place where the concept of the cloverleaf was implemented. (the first full German cloverleaf opened in 1938) It has been modified over the years though. It precedes the first Swedish freeway by 18 years.
Wasn't the first cloverleaf in the US?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloverleaf_interchange
QuoteThe first cloverleaf interchange built in the United States was the Woodbridge Cloverleaf at Route 25 and Route 4 (now US 1/9 and Route 35) in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey.[4][5] It opened in 1929, and has been replaced with a partial cloverleaf interchange.[6] The original cloverleaf interchange was designed by the Rudolph and Delano building firm from Philadelphia, and was modeled after a plan from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Woodbridge cloverleaf (which no longer exists) was built in 1928 and is said to have been the first globally, but when it was about to be reconstructed, NJDOT apparently commissioned a team of historians to document it and it was found a cloverleaf in Buenos Aires had been built earlier. I have not seen any of the documentation arising from the NJDOT investigation and no specific location for the supposed Buenos Aires predecessor has been quoted in any of the Web material on their efforts I have seen.
I have seen material from the 1930's in archives in Britain which indicates that, at that time, British highway engineers believed the Woodbridge cloverleaf was the first globally. Of course they might have been wrong; this is why I want to see information on the possible Buenos Aires predecessor.
BTW, I don't think Slussen was a full cloverleaf when it opened in 1935, and it certainly is no longer one now because the layout was revised significantly in the late 1960's/early 1970's after Sweden changed from driving on the left to driving on the right. I actually made a special point of visiting Slussen when I was in Stockholm in 2005 and discovered that there are underground passages which do not show up well in aerial imagery.
I personally think the nicest cloverleaf is along I-95 at exits 9A-B for PA 420. It looks all even and symmetrical.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=essington,+pa&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.764224,78.662109&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Essington,+Pennsylvania&ll=39.870881,-75.301001&spn=0.007987,0.019205&t=h&z=16
How about this set of three cloverleafs near Hannover, Germany?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg39.imageshack.us%2Fimg39%2F6000%2Fhannoverj.jpg&hash=4a040a2628248f4f7c695e5f8d06f85500ae954b)
Illinois has some aesthetically pleasing ones from the air. Example, I-55 and I-80: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.486302,-88.19792&spn=0.011188,0.027466&t=k&z=16
The Victory Blvd. intherchange with California 170 in Van Nuys; some of the ramps are seperated by bridge:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=12372+Victory+Boulevard,+Van+Nuys,+CA&sll=34.186667,-118.401155&sspn=0.001593,0.003428&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=12372+Victory+Blvd,+North+Hollywood,+Los+Angeles,+California+91606&z=16
This cloverleaf in Valencia, Spain has a seasonal river running through the median.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg824.imageshack.us%2Fimg824%2F938%2Fvalenciah.jpg&hash=16d875a3ab4f9a9996562795bff524584a342bae)
How about this massive one in the UAE?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg801.imageshack.us%2Fimg801%2F4283%2F3231446057245a4a4fabb.jpg&hash=6bf11600eeafa78a61de435209ba1e7485fb8dc3)
It's still under construction at the time this photo was taken. The roundabout will be removed once complete.
Quote from: Brandon on July 18, 2010, 09:27:49 AM
Illinois has some aesthetically pleasing ones from the air. Example, I-55 and I-80: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.486302,-88.19792&spn=0.011188,0.027466&t=k&z=16
DON'T mention the one at I-90/290/IL 53. ok?
:nod:
Anyways, I've always liked the one at I-39/80 - from a driving through perspective.
Also, aren't a couple of those autobahns near Hannover currently being chewed up by coal mining activity?
Mike
One of the largest cloverleaf interchanges I have ever seen is at I-84 and ID-55 in Meridian, Idaho. It is actually a paritial cloverleaf on the south side only, but is has a massive full circle cloverleaf as you go eastbound on I -84
Nicest? Well, it's definitely interesting.
Formerly, the highway was a left turn from south to west, and then during a 8-year span it gained spokes to the east and north.
I-69 @ US-127 near Lansing, MI:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Dewitt,+MI&sll=43.04023,-89.392482&sspn=0.012186,0.015728&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=DeWitt,+Clinton,+Michigan&ll=42.807114,-84.5119&spn=0.048927,0.095615&t=k&z=14
CA 237/Lawrence Expressway/Caribbean Drive interchange in Sunnyvale, CA.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sunnyvale,+CA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=51.04407,113.203125&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Sunnyvale,+Santa+Clara,+California&ll=37.409182,-121.998399&spn=0.006306,0.013819&t=h&z=17
How about consecutive exits on U.S. 101 at Tully Road and Capitol Expressway in San Jose, CA.
U.S. 101/Tully Road...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sunnyvale,+CA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=51.04407,113.203125&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Sunnyvale,+Santa+Clara,+California&t=h&ll=37.318281,-121.830482&spn=0.007782,0.013797&z=16
U.S. 101/Capitol Expressway...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sunnyvale,+CA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=51.04407,113.203125&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Sunnyvale,+Santa+Clara,+California&t=h&ll=37.303126,-121.816063&spn=0.007783,0.013797&z=16
Work has begun to replace the Tully Road interchange with a partial cloverleaf and there are plans to replace the Capitol Expressway interchange but there is no money for that project.
Quote from: myosh_tino on July 19, 2010, 03:42:51 PM
How about consecutive exits on U.S. 101 at Tully Road and Capitol Expressway in San Jose, CA.
Don't forget the one at Story Road, too!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Story+Rd+%26+Via+Ferrari,+San+Jose,+CA&sll=37.332733,-121.847048&sspn=0.009674,0.016608&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Story+Rd+%26+V%C3%ADa+Ferrari,+San+Jose,+Santa+Clara,+California+95122&ll=37.33519,-121.849129&spn=0.009674,0.016608&t=h&z=16
I like I-90 & I-29 (http://maps.google.com/?t=k&ll=43.612776,-96.770325&z=16) - dig those sweeping, constant radius turns.
Larger radius loops (http://maps.google.com/?ll=44.786952,-68.808339&t=k&z=16) might be nice, but hey, that'd start to make the land take pretty huge.
Edit: Nifty Historical Context: (http://docs.unh.edu/ME/bang55se.jpg) US2 gained spokes to the east and south, then moved back outta the interchange onto surface rd.
Still no full coolness points here for C/D lanes here though. :-\
Crack. (http://maps.google.com/?ll=41.908266,-71.511576&t=k&z=16)
Quote from: UptownRoadGeek on July 18, 2010, 04:17:10 AM
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=New+Orleans,+Orleans,+Louisiana&ll=29.997388,-90.154817&spn=0.005064,0.010568&t=h&z=17
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=New+Orleans,+Orleans,+Louisiana&ll=29.999209,-90.183227&spn=0.005064,0.010568&t=h&z=17
^ The only 2 cloverleaves in the area and the only 2 that I've seen where instead rising on an embankment, the leaves actually elevate on bridges as they approach the overpass.
Note the location of Independent Insurance Agents in the first link. I wonder what the map is trying to say...
Can't say there's a nice cloverleaf in my area. Nevada's never had more than a half-clover interchange.
The only good cloverleaf is a dead cloverleaf.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 23, 2010, 02:36:23 AM
The only good cloverleaf is a dead cloverleaf.
Don't tell Minnesota that. ;)
Someone already mentioned the one I first thought of in Lansing.
Wisconsin's nicest cloverleaf is in Sheboygan at I-43 and WI 23.
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=43.75479312532119~-87.76973247528076&lvl=15&sty=a&where1=Sheboygan%2C%20WI (http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=43.75479312532119~-87.76973247528076&lvl=15&sty=a&where1=Sheboygan%2C%20WI)
Although, the state's newest cloverleaf at US 53 & WI 29 in Lake Hallie is not too shabby. Very unique shape at least.
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=44.89191737338034~-91.41382925212383&lvl=15&sty=a&where1=Lake%20Hallie%2C%20WI (http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=44.89191737338034~-91.41382925212383&lvl=15&sty=a&where1=Lake%20Hallie%2C%20WI)
The nicest cloverleaf is one with little to no truck traffic using the loops and either an extended merging lane for the loops or a C-D lane setup.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 23, 2010, 02:36:23 AM
The only good cloverleaf is a dead cloverleaf.
What about this one? :-P
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=35.218592,-97.484887&spn=0.008835,0.01796&t=k&z=16
any that have the same width of roads intersecting each other, thereby providing complete four-way symmetry?
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 24, 2010, 12:37:28 AM
any that have the same width of roads intersecting each other, thereby providing complete four-way symmetry?
I-69 and I-94, Marshall, Michigan:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.297358,-84.997294&spn=0.011047,0.027466&t=k&z=16
Full C/D lanes on both interstates as well.
Quote from: Brandon on July 24, 2010, 07:22:27 AMI-69 and I-94, Marshall, Michigan:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.297358,-84.997294&spn=0.011047,0.027466&t=k&z=16
Full C/D lanes on both interstates as well.
Beauty!
Is this (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=52.290777,-1.935412&spn=0.00253,0.009012&t=k&z=18) the only cloverleaf to have two lanes on all the ramps?
Quote from: algorerhythms on July 24, 2010, 12:17:47 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 23, 2010, 02:36:23 AM
The only good cloverleaf is a dead cloverleaf.
What about this one? :-P
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=35.218592,-97.484887&spn=0.008835,0.01796&t=k&z=16
I see what you did there. :happy:
That one is going to be replaced by a SPUI in the next few years. No matter how pleasing it is from the eye, it needs to die; check out the awesome weaving that occurs at the frontage roads. ODOT tried to block it on the east side of the intersection with that white floppy thing barrier, so to go from NB I-35 to the NB E frontage road (i.e. go to Walmart) one must turn right, use the parking lot of Super 8 as a roundabout, and go back through the intersection. As the loop ramps go, the SB-to-EB movement is particularly bad as sight lines go; fender benders happen there all the time. And you can see how skanky the bridge looks from space.
(Hey, and it looks like they updated the imagery in Norman. Cool. Maybe they'll show my place of employment as complete now...it's been shown in the under-construction state since 2006...)
Quote from: Brandon on July 24, 2010, 07:22:27 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 24, 2010, 12:37:28 AM
any that have the same width of roads intersecting each other, thereby providing complete four-way symmetry?
I-69 and I-94, Marshall, Michigan:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.297358,-84.997294&spn=0.011047,0.027466&t=k&z=16
Full C/D lanes on both interstates as well.
That reminds me of the US 131/M-6 interchange... which also includes ramps to and from 68th Street.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Wyoming,+MI&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=64.409204,65.654297&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Wyoming,+Kent,+Michigan&ll=42.848912,-85.678425&spn=0.029733,0.032058&t=h&z=15
Quote from: Brandon on July 24, 2010, 07:22:27 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 24, 2010, 12:37:28 AM
any that have the same width of roads intersecting each other, thereby providing complete four-way symmetry?
I-69 and I-94, Marshall, Michigan:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.297358,-84.997294&spn=0.011047,0.027466&t=k&z=16
Full C/D lanes on both interstates as well.
uh oh, that is slanted. I want to see one that is completely perpendicular! yep, I'm demanding for sure.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 24, 2010, 06:24:58 PM
That one is going to be replaced by a SPUI in the next few years. No matter how pleasing it is from the eye, it needs to die; check out the awesome weaving that occurs at the frontage roads. ODOT tried to block it on the east side of the intersection with that white floppy thing barrier, so to go from NB I-35 to the NB E frontage road (i.e. go to Walmart) one must turn right, use the parking lot of Super 8 as a roundabout, and go back through the intersection. As the loop ramps go, the SB-to-EB movement is particularly bad as sight lines go; fender benders happen there all the time. And you can see how skanky the bridge looks from space.
Reminds me of one of our cloverleafs (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Patrick+Henry+Mall,+Newport+News,+VA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.817312,107.138672&ie=UTF8&hq=Patrick+Henry+Mall&hnear=Patrick+Henry+Mall,+Newport+News,+Virginia+23602&ll=37.116175,-76.502223&spn=0.005031,0.013078&t=k&z=17). Ours may be fuglier (15-mph loop ramps :ded: ), but it also has terrible weaving issues (usually both roads are backed up), and has to deal with intense maneuvers to enter a wal-mart. They added barriers where the WB-NB ramp merges on preventing you from cutting across traffic to make the first left, encouraging you to do the exact same thing at the second left (because somehow that's better).
I personally despise cloverleafs and think they are a plague upon society that best be eliminated. Every single interchange along this stretch of I-64 is a tight cloverleaf.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 24, 2010, 06:24:58 PM
Quote from: algorerhythms on July 24, 2010, 12:17:47 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 23, 2010, 02:36:23 AM
The only good cloverleaf is a dead cloverleaf.
What about this one? :-P
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=35.218592,-97.484887&spn=0.008835,0.01796&t=k&z=16
I see what you did there. :happy:
That one is going to be replaced by a SPUI in the next few years. No matter how pleasing it is from the eye, it needs to die; check out the awesome weaving that occurs at the frontage roads. ODOT tried to block it on the east side of the intersection with that white floppy thing barrier, so to go from NB I-35 to the NB E frontage road (i.e. go to Walmart) one must turn right, use the parking lot of Super 8 as a roundabout, and go back through the intersection. As the loop ramps go, the SB-to-EB movement is particularly bad as sight lines go; fender benders happen there all the time. And you can see how skanky the bridge looks from space.
(Hey, and it looks like they updated the imagery in Norman. Cool. Maybe they'll show my place of employment as complete now...it's been shown in the under-construction state since 2006...)
Hmm... I've always gone straight at the light and made a U-turn at 24th Ave. Probably illegal, but it works. Thinking of SPUIs, I noticed yesterday that the SPUIs on I-70 in Frederick, MD, are finally complete. It's only been about 15 years or so.
Quote from: algorerhythms on July 25, 2010, 11:49:15 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 24, 2010, 06:24:58 PM
Quote from: algorerhythms on July 24, 2010, 12:17:47 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 23, 2010, 02:36:23 AM
The only good cloverleaf is a dead cloverleaf.
What about this one? :-P
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=35.218592,-97.484887&spn=0.008835,0.01796&t=k&z=16
I see what you did there. :happy:
That one is going to be replaced by a SPUI in the next few years. No matter how pleasing it is from the eye, it needs to die; check out the awesome weaving that occurs at the frontage roads. ODOT tried to block it on the east side of the intersection with that white floppy thing barrier, so to go from NB I-35 to the NB E frontage road (i.e. go to Walmart) one must turn right, use the parking lot of Super 8 as a roundabout, and go back through the intersection. As the loop ramps go, the SB-to-EB movement is particularly bad as sight lines go; fender benders happen there all the time. And you can see how skanky the bridge looks from space.
(Hey, and it looks like they updated the imagery in Norman. Cool. Maybe they'll show my place of employment as complete now...it's been shown in the under-construction state since 2006...)
Hmm... I've always gone straight at the light and made a U-turn at 24th Ave. Probably illegal, but it works. Thinking of SPUIs, I noticed yesterday that the SPUIs on I-70 in Frederick, MD, are finally complete. It's only been about 15 years or so.
You can also go up 24th Ave to Hemphill and go in that way, which probably the most legal method, but takes the longest. You can also turn around in the Hobby Lobby parking lot or something.
Quote from: Truvelo on July 24, 2010, 02:46:49 PM
Is this (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=52.290777,-1.935412&spn=0.00253,0.009012&t=k&z=18) the only cloverleaf to have two lanes on all the ramps?
I have never seen anything like that.
This one is beautifully symmetric:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmidimagic.sgc-hosting.com%2Fintclov2.jpg&hash=866b43fa0f73f4a0bdded3e1fa4a36eaf954f490)
It is at the junction of US-31 and US-24 near Peru Indiana, and was built less than 10 years ago.
Before this was built, there was a twisted trumpet there that was part of a highway that lost federal funding. It was originally intended to be a cloverturbine interchange, but they never finished it. Two bridges were there that never had any traffic on them. They were demolished to make the current interchange.
This one nearby to me, with PA 33 and US 22 is the nicest and biggest in the area: http://goo.gl/maps/INeS0 although during peak hours there is problems with weaving.
It's especially nice compared to some nearby, such as this one with US 22 and PA 145: http://goo.gl/maps/g51ao
To make that second one worse, it's the highest volume interchange in the area, seeing nearly 100,000 cars a day, right next to one of the biggest malls in PA, and the highest speed on any of the 8 ramps is 25. Theres a construction project starting to make it into a parclo, which'll be a good improvement.
Due in part to the geometry, and in part to the surrounding terrain:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1092.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi410%2Fkphoger%2FKSA_cloverleaf.png&hash=706d55bba22cdb65539411709ea3e4b83936b575)
Jct. highways 40 and 75, Saudi Arabia
I-295 in NJ: Exit 47 & 52:
Exit 47: http://goo.gl/maps/GLjTT
Exit 52: http://goo.gl/maps/BRoAe (Although granted, it doesn't look all that beautiful from the air as the inner loops were being used for construction staging!)
Perhaps the only cloverleaf in Massachusetts that potentially qualifies as "nicest" is on Route 24 at I-495 in Raynham. Long distance between the northbound and southbound ramps (there's even a service plaza between the ramps to I-495 on the southbound side), and generally good curvature on all ramps.
I looked at that on aerial imagery. it seems the 24 sb to 495 nb (westbound, physically) ramp was once a RIRO - a 495 nb to 24 sb ramp also existed.
any history on this? was there ever an at-grade as well, or was that built as freeway from the beginning? (either as I-495, or as MA-25)
Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 26, 2012, 01:12:03 PM
I looked at that on aerial imagery. it seems the 24 sb to 495 nb (westbound, physically) ramp was once a RIRO - a 495 nb to 24 sb ramp also existed.
any history on this? was there ever an at-grade as well, or was that built as freeway from the beginning? (either as I-495, or as MA-25)
I don't see this RIRO.
The history I can find is that it was once a directional single Y, with 25 only going southeast from 24. 24 north went over 25 south about halfway between the current merge from the 495 south loop and the current bridge over 495. The wide median on 24 remains; the former route of 25 south is still partly graded north of Pleasant Street.
http://www.historicaerials.com/aerials.php?scale=2.62133569536361E-05&lat=41.945693868621&lon=-71.0226176473276&year=1971
Quote from: NE2 on September 26, 2012, 01:31:06 PM
I don't see this RIRO.
am I misinterpreting what I see here?
http://goo.gl/maps/rQWNA
two legs of a triangle of bare earth are the current 495, and the current 24sb to 495nb ramp. then the third leg looks like a deleted right-off.
I don't know. Looks coincidental.
Here's another from Michigan, this time in Metro Detroit, the I-75/M-59 interchange in Auburn Hills:
http://goo.gl/maps/gYhZy (http://goo.gl/maps/gYhZy)
This cloverleaf opened in 1964 when I-75 was built around Pontiac, however the interchange wasn't fully utilized until M-59 was completed here in 1967.
Quote from: Some_Person on September 26, 2012, 10:40:38 AM
Theres a construction project starting to make it into a parclo, which'll be a good improvement.
Nah, it should be a SPUI. That, and the interchange with PA 987 to the east, and with PA 100 to the west of the merge with 78. :nod:
I don't know that it is the "nicest" (and Maryland has been taking out loops from cloverleafs to eliminate the weaving problems associated with this type of interchange), but I believe this is the only one that remains, reasonably unmodified, from the 1964 completion of the Capital Beltway - at the Baltimore Washington Parkway (Google Maps here (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=greenbelt+maryland&hl=en&ll=38.991721,-76.886165&spn=0.009323,0.01605&safe=active&hnear=Greenbelt,+Prince+George%27s,+Maryland&gl=us&t=h&z=16)) in Greenbelt.
There was once a pretty textbook cloverleaf interchange on the Capital Beltway at U.S. 50 (Arlington Boulevard) in Falls Church, Virginia, but the interchange has been modified several times since its original construction (I believe it had C-D lanes on the Beltway from the beginning), especially by the 1980's construction of an interchange on U.S. 50 with the new Fairview Park Drive (Google Maps here (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=merrifield,+va&hl=en&ll=38.865776,-77.220218&spn=0.009339,0.01605&sll=38.991721,-76.886165&sspn=0.009323,0.01605&t=h&gl=us&hnear=Merrifield,+Fairfax,+Virginia&z=16)). And on further review, the interchange just to the west, at Va. 650 (Gallows Road) was also added at some point in the 1970's or 1980's (it was once an at-grade intersection),
I-495 east (south) of Route 24 was built as MA 25 originally, and the interchange at 24 was a wye. 495 to the west was built later and the wye became a cloverleaf. The ramp in question may appear to be RIRO at the 495 end, but if it were RIRO, wouldn't it need to be RIRO at the other end too? I think the clearing is for sight distance for merging; otherwise it would be a blind entry to 495.
Quote from: PurdueBill on September 26, 2012, 08:15:01 PM
I think the clearing is for sight distance for merging; otherwise it would be a blind entry to 495.
good call; that's a very logical explanation
This (https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.596157,-90.569862&spn=0.006194,0.014945&t=k&z=17) is one of my favorites, at least as far as cloverleaves go. It's also (almost) perfectly symmetric. (US-61 at I-80, Davenport)
Quote from: Roadsguy on September 26, 2012, 05:24:57 PM
Quote from: Some_Person on September 26, 2012, 10:40:38 AM
Theres a construction project starting to make it into a parclo, which'll be a good improvement.
Nah, it should be a SPUI. That, and the interchange with PA 987 to the east, and with PA 100 to the west of the merge with 78. :nod:
Yeah, I agree, on the 145 interchange a cloverleaf is basically unnecessary, as there was barely any room to fit one in, and 145 is not exactly an expressway, so any other interchange such as an SPUI like what you said could work. However, these are already the plans : http://www.145-22int.com/documents/final%20conditions%20-%20revised.pdf
Ramp B in that map has a yield sign normally, but always has people stopped bumper to bumper behind it as there is no acceleration lane and therefore almost never enough time to accelerate to 50-60 (limit is 55) and merge into traffic while you have people slowing to access 145 north, so this project seems like it could be a good improvement.
Not trying to be too off topic though, I think the Interstate 95/US 64 cloverleaf looks very nice as well: http://goo.gl/maps/CtJx9
This one south of there, with 95 and NC 24 looks almost completely symmetrical: http://goo.gl/maps/ZecPK
Well, if symmetry is the guide than this (http://goo.gl/maps/FzRaZ)is the finest cloverleaf ever. It was built in the mid-1960s and is now a menace 18-20 hours a day. I-494/35W. The fix to this includes maybe one N-W directional ramp as well as an extremely wide W-S loop bisected by the S-W ramp.
Quote from: The High Plains Traveler on September 26, 2012, 10:55:54 PM
Well, if symmetry is the guide than this (http://goo.gl/maps/FzRaZ)is the finest cloverleaf ever. It was built in the mid-1960s and is now a menace 18-20 hours a day. I-494/35W.
FYI, this link is broken unless you have some plugin installed. But despite the supposed perfectitude, the I-494/35W junction is objectively terrible. Rural-style cloverleaf on a major urban freeway junction? Grit your teeth because MnDOT is mumbling something about snowplows.
A great thread topic would be the "worst cloverleaf". Like the smallest, most brain-damaged deformed loop-ramp thing that benzoed-up 1950s traffic engineers could have conceptualized. Unfortunately, all the examples I could think of have been removed.
Quote from: flowmotion on September 27, 2012, 02:09:42 AM
Unfortunately, all the examples I could think of have been removed.
...including the cloverleaf at US 61/US 190? http://goo.gl/maps/xtaLt
It's weird, you have three interchanges in a row... Airline at Scenic, Airline at I-110, and Airline at Plank.
Quote from: mcdonaat on September 27, 2012, 03:31:00 AM
Quote from: flowmotion on September 27, 2012, 02:09:42 AM
Unfortunately, all the examples I could think of have been removed.
...including the cloverleaf at US 61/US 190? http://goo.gl/maps/xtaLt
It's weird, you have three interchanges in a row... Airline at Scenic, Airline at I-110, and Airline at Plank.
Exit: 10 MPH (http://maps.google.com/?ll=30.5092,-91.171385&spn=0.005019,0.010568&t=h&z=17)
Another worst: I-235 at Kellogg here in Wichita. Eventually they'll rebuild it.
Quote from: algorerhythms on September 27, 2012, 09:28:33 AM
Quote from: mcdonaat on September 27, 2012, 03:31:00 AM
Quote from: flowmotion on September 27, 2012, 02:09:42 AM
Unfortunately, all the examples I could think of have been removed.
...including the cloverleaf at US 61/US 190? http://goo.gl/maps/xtaLt
It's weird, you have three interchanges in a row... Airline at Scenic, Airline at I-110, and Airline at Plank.
Exit: 10 MPH (http://maps.google.com/?ll=30.5092,-91.171385&spn=0.005019,0.010568&t=h&z=17)
And that's a solid 10. I tried to navigate the exit at 15 MPH, almost left the roadway. It's almost like a compressed cloverleaf, and the first cloverleaf period in the state of Louisiana.
Looks like there used to be a slip ramp at the northwest quadrant from Monte Sano Ave.
That's a super-obvious candidate for at least a diamond, probably a SPUI.
Best or worst, depending on how you like to think of it:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.299699,-83.271486&spn=0.00396,0.008808&t=k&z=17
Quote from: Steve on September 27, 2012, 11:33:32 PM
Best or worst, depending on how you like to think of it:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.299699,-83.271486&spn=0.00396,0.008808&t=k&z=17
God damn that's tight. (and not in a good way)
I'm a big fan of this one in Homewood, Alabama.
https://maps.google.com/?ll=33.468268,-86.777974&spn=0.005499,0.008256&t=h&z=18
Probably functionally obsolete, but it's pretty and still better than having a traffic light at that intersection.
Quote from: Ga293 on September 28, 2012, 11:06:03 AM
I'm a big fan of this one in Homewood, Alabama.
https://maps.google.com/?ll=33.468268,-86.777974&spn=0.005499,0.008256&t=h&z=18
Probably functionally obsolete, but it's pretty and still better than having a traffic light at that intersection.
Your mention of the phrase
functionally obsolete reminded me of a cloverleaf in Emporia, Virginia, where U.S. 58 crosses I-95 (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=emporia,+va&hl=en&ll=36.702593,-77.549443&spn=0.009617,0.01929&sll=33.468268,-86.777974&sspn=0.003538,0.004823&t=h&hnear=Emporia,+Virginia&z=16) (I-95 Exit 11 in Virginia) which has
probably been made obsolete (and crash-prone) because of heavy truck traffic exiting and entering I-95 here.
Quote from: intelati49 on September 28, 2012, 12:02:23 AM
Quote from: Steve on September 27, 2012, 11:33:32 PM
Best or worst, depending on how you like to think of it:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.299699,-83.271486&spn=0.00396,0.008808&t=k&z=17
God damn that's tight. (and not in a good way)
Since it's Michigan, they could remove the loops with no loss of access.
Quote from: Ga293 on September 28, 2012, 11:06:03 AM
I'm a big fan of this one in Homewood, Alabama.
https://maps.google.com/?ll=33.468268,-86.777974&spn=0.005499,0.008256&t=h&z=18
Probably functionally obsolete, but it's pretty and still better than having a traffic light at that intersection.
a similar one in Greenwood, MS.
http://goo.gl/maps/Mq9La
I think the Greenwood is bigger, though.
Two along I-95 in Maryland:
I-95 at Md. 212 (Powder Mill Road) (Exit 29) (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=beltsville+md&hl=en&ll=39.050802,-76.930389&spn=0.009315,0.01929&sll=39.050819,-76.930518&sspn=0.01863,0.038581&t=h&hnear=Beltsville,+Prince+George%27s,+Maryland&z=16) in Prince George's County. Not at all symmetric, and the northbound side of I-95 has a C-D lane (which now extends north to the Md. 200 interchange).
I-95 at Md. 216 (Exit 35) (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=scaggsville,+maryland&hl=en&ll=39.129361,-76.863441&spn=0.018609,0.038581&sll=39.050802,-76.930389&sspn=0.009315,0.01929&t=h&hnear=Scaggsville,+North+Laurel,+Howard,+Maryland&z=15) in Howard County. Note how the ramp from southbound I-95 to westbound Md. 216 was modified to slow exiting traffic (not sure why that was needed).
And far to the south, in South Carolina (near Holly Hill), but still I-95:
I-95 at I-26 (I-95 Exit 86) (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=holly+hill,+sc&hl=en&ll=33.31848,-80.548067&spn=0.040093,0.077162&sll=33.151349,-80.310059&sspn=1.285398,2.469177&t=h&gl=us&hnear=Holly+Hill,+Orangeburg,+South+Carolina&z=14) in Orangeburg County. Curiously, even though I-26 is (in theory) an east-west Interstate, it runs more N-S here than I-95 does.
Quote from: intelati49 on September 28, 2012, 12:02:23 AM
Quote from: Steve on September 27, 2012, 11:33:32 PM
Best or worst, depending on how you like to think of it:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.299699,-83.271486&spn=0.00396,0.008808&t=k&z=17
God damn that's tight. (and not in a good way)
Giggity.
Giggity.
Goo.
Quote from: Steve on September 28, 2012, 06:58:20 PM
Quote from: intelati49 on September 28, 2012, 12:02:23 AM
Quote from: Steve on September 27, 2012, 11:33:32 PM
Best or worst, depending on how you like to think of it:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.299699,-83.271486&spn=0.00396,0.008808&t=k&z=17
God damn that's tight. (and not in a good way)
Giggity.
Giggity.
Goo.
TOIGHT LIKE A TOIGER!
Quote from: NE2 on September 28, 2012, 11:14:22 AM
Since it's Michigan, they could remove the loops with no loss of access.
Indeed. I see some Michigan lefts right there... Maybe it'd be too much traffic to funnel thru there, or too short a distance to weave across 4 lanes. Though ya could use the next M-Left about .2 mi farther on. I dunno man I didn't do it.
But the turns on those loop ramps are
wicked shaahp bub!
Quote from: intelati49 on September 28, 2012, 12:02:23 AM
Quote from: Steve on September 27, 2012, 11:33:32 PM
Best or worst, depending on how you like to think of it:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.299699,-83.271486&spn=0.00396,0.008808&t=k&z=17
God damn that's tight. (and not in a good way)
This one's also fairly tight:
http://goo.gl/maps/LQV4d
Quote from: PennDOTFan on September 29, 2012, 03:15:31 PM
Quote from: intelati49 on September 28, 2012, 12:02:23 AM
Quote from: Steve on September 27, 2012, 11:33:32 PM
Best or worst, depending on how you like to think of it:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.299699,-83.271486&spn=0.00396,0.008808&t=k&z=17
God damn that's tight. (and not in a good way)
This one's also fairly tight:
http://goo.gl/maps/LQV4d
The first one's the worst. All the ramps have the same radius.
Howabout this one?
http://goo.gl/maps/XbJLG
:nod:
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on September 29, 2012, 07:01:50 PM
Howabout this one?
http://goo.gl/maps/XbJLG
:nod:
Mike
that's ridiculous.
I feel bad for the person who wants to turn left. They have to stop at the intersection, go forward through the loop, and end up at another stop light.
Santa Clara County still has at least one with the right turns inside the (two-way surface street) loops, though none of the right turns are signed for use: https://maps.google.com/?ll=37.274966,-121.878746&spn=0.005506,0.008256&t=k&z=18
Weaving ahoy. At others the direct right turns have been removed.
Another tight cloverleaf (if you want to call it a real cloverleaf, that is):
http://goo.gl/maps/ZDfnj
I like how the "nicest cloverleaf" thread degenerated into the "nastiest cloverleaf" thread. I suppose that's just a function of cloverleaves!
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 30, 2012, 12:21:53 AM
I like how the "nicest cloverleaf" thread degenerated into the "nastiest cloverleaf" thread. I suppose that's just a function of cloverleaves!
What, the niceness of cloverleaves shown is inversely proportional to the number of people who come to their senses about cloverleaves looking nice?
This one (https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=33.804327,-118.206968&spn=0.003744,0.006899&t=k&z=17) is tight and a full cloverleaf.
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 30, 2012, 12:21:53 AM
I like how the "nicest cloverleaf" thread degenerated into the "nastiest cloverleaf" thread. I suppose that's just a function of cloverleaves!
I agree.
Nicely designed cloverleaves feature nice geometry, decent minimum speeds, enough capacity for a given area, C-D lanes are a plus.
Yuckily shaped ones? Stupidly small and tight and feature lots of weaving? At-grade ones that also feature stop lights? Sorry, bulldoze it and make it a regular intersection imo (or diamond interchange/something else).
I thought these are all out of style with today's drivers and the added motorists to the mix? I have not found any that are nice, but many that need replacing as soon as some money and demand is met. Weaving is the biggest issue with this type of facility except for the US 1 & 9 and NJ 35 interchange that had no merge areas that eliminated the problem, but even that one (NJs first cloverleaf I believe) was reconfigured when NJDOT replaced the US 1 & 9 Bridge over NJ 35 a few years ago. It is now a diamond with one cloverleaf ramp from NB US 1 & 9 to NB NJ 35 that causes no weave issues whatsoever.
There are two categories of "nice" - ones that function nicely (straight outer ramps, well curved inner ramps, good weaving areas) and ones that look interesting from a roadgeek perspective (unique designs, very old designs still around).
http://m.google.com/u/m/BRmT0r
Easily my favorite cloverleaf in the United States. ;)
Quote from: oldblue910 on October 19, 2012, 09:29:18 AM
http://m.google.com/u/m/BRmT0r
Easily my favorite cloverleaf in the United States. ;)
what freeway was never built through there?
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 19, 2012, 10:06:09 AM
what freeway was never built through there?
As far as I know, it was supposed to be a US 12 bypass of Clinton Village. I could be wrong though.
Dallas has this nice example just south of Love Field
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Dallas,+TX&hl=en&ll=32.816116,-96.842176&spn=0.005075,0.006845&sll=31.555134,-97.156219&sspn=0.465752,0.87616&oq=da&t=h&hnear=Dallas,+Texas&z=18