What's the coolest interchange you know of?
I mean either cool to drive through, or just from the air. Something like two-lane ramps all over, or all the ramps merging into seven lanes.
Stub ends count, though they rarely are... ;)
Turcot (A-15/A-20/A-720) is pretty cool despite its sorry state.
I am sure there are much cooler, but I sort of like doing the exit to Groometown Road from any direction at the I-85/BUS-85/US-29/US-70/I-73/US-421/US-220/FUTURE I-73 interchange. I do it on a regular basis, and the ramps are among the longest I have seen. I have to check my odometer the next time, but I think you can end up doing 2+ miles on ramps before getting to actual Groometown road.
Specifically, look at the movement from I-85 South to Groometown. Long drive, then tight loop at the Y, then another long drive, then a merge with traffic, then another long drive...
Other than the loop, I can do the whole thing while driving about 75+
http://goo.gl/maps/GDHZl (http://goo.gl/maps/GDHZl)
the East LA interchange, specifically taking 5 southbound. 79mph around the 35 advisory curve just after 60 splits off.
note that this can only be done around 2am when the interchange is almost completely empty, and you have every lane at your disposal for maximum turning radius.
Being a Chicago native, this one's a no-brainer: The Circle Interchange! (where I-290 meets I-90/I-94)
I-605 and I-10 in Baldwin Park, Calif.
US (1)12 and M-52, Clinton, MI: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.076964,-84.012473&spn=0.014525,0.033023&gl=us&t=k&z=16
Forgot to give my own example. :P
http://goo.gl/maps/tfZgq (http://goo.gl/maps/tfZgq)
Even though it's mid-construction, it's got huge flyovers, and almost all of the ramps are two-lane or more.
I-95 and I-395 south of downtown Baltimore. I only like it because it's tangled with the MD 295 interchange to the left and the view from the light rail passing under it.
http://goo.gl/maps/s4spj
Quote from: NE2 on November 15, 2012, 11:55:04 AM
US (1)12 and M-52, Clinton, MI: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.076964,-84.012473&spn=0.014525,0.033023&gl=us&t=k&z=16
When are the HOV connectors going in?
I am partial to the Springfield Interchange in Virginia, partly because it's impressive to see but more so because it's near my house and so I regularly experience what a massive improvement it's been over the old design (prior to its completion, there were times when I'd start down the ramp onto the Beltway, see the stopped traffic, and cut a u-ie across the gravel area on the left of the ramp to head back and use an alternate route).
In this picture, south is at the top.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vamegaprojects.com%2Ftasks%2Frender%2Ffile%2F%3FfileID%3D3C4DECF0-F743-49C2-8B9949329BB74312%26amp%3Bext%3D.jpg&hash=1dba3dbb8cff5c0cc041c1976b3b5cf7df83b06e)
The Springfield Interchange in Virginia is definitely cool in my point of view. Here are a few more that I like...
-The former I-95/I-695 interchange northeast of Baltimore
-As Carl said, the Turcot Interchange in Montreal is really cool, despite being in such terrible condition
-The I-90/I-93 "Big Dig" interchange in Boston
-The Bruckner Interchange (I-95/I-278/I-295/I-678/Hutchinson River Parkway) in New York
-The New York Thruway exit 10 (US 9W) circular interchange in South Nyack, NY
-The windmill looking interchange between I-95 and US 6 in Providence
-The I-787 circle stack in Albany, NY
-The mess of ramps between I-95, I-295, I-495, US 202, and DE 141 south of Wilmington, DE
-Most of the interchanges in North Jersey are pretty cool and intricate
The interchange of I-70 and I-76 in Bedford County, Pa. :bigass:
Does anyone think the interchange of the Hollywood Freeway and the Harbor/Pasadena Freeway is cool or notable? I do, but I fear I may be the only one. :no:
Quote from: Federal Route Sixty-Nine on November 15, 2012, 04:19:25 PM
Does anyone think the interchange of the Hollywood Freeway and the Harbor/Pasadena Freeway is cool or notable? I do, but I fear I may be the only one. :no:
you mean the Four-Level? that's nothing; it's just the first stack interchange on the planet.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on November 15, 2012, 04:21:21 PM
Quote from: Federal Route Sixty-Nine on November 15, 2012, 04:19:25 PM
Does anyone think the interchange of the Hollywood Freeway and the Harbor/Pasadena Freeway is cool or notable? I do, but I fear I may be the only one. :no:
you mean the Four-Level? that's nothing; it's just the first stack interchange on the planet.
And still functioning in its original configuration after all these years!
From what I heard was the Four Level interchange in LA. I have driven through it years ago, but did not pay that close to attention, but the photos show it being cool!
The modified Springfield Interchange in VA is cool from the air.
Then one I saw on approach to Kansas City Airport, was a nice cloverleaf. I do not know what intersection it was, but it looked cool and it was east of the airport.
The most amazing is the Woodbridge, NJ tangle at the Garden State Parkway, US 9, NJ 440, and Industrial Avenue with its spaghetti type of setup. Even a local street (Smith Street) is used as movement from Industrial Avenue to US 9 North and NJ 440 Eastbound. Almost like a Breezewood, but Industrial Avenue is not a freeway though.
I like driving northbound through the northeastern corner of the Inner Dispersal Loop in Tulsa, the interchange between I-244/US 412 and I-444/US 75. It's sort of a stack with a bunch of weirdness.
Another vote for Springfield here.
The Springfield Interchange is pretty awesome, and probably my favorite, but there are others I'm also quite fond of, including:
-The Philadelphia Airport interchange on I-95 and PA 291: https://maps.google.com/?ll=39.879774,-75.24725&spn=0.011181,0.026157&t=k&z=16 Airport interchanges are just usually interesting as a general rule.
-Boston's South Bay Interchange between I-93 and I-90: http://goo.gl/maps/av9wB
-And the Logan Airport interchange across the harbor where I-90 ends at Logan International and MA 1A: http://goo.gl/maps/ryULk
-There's not much to the I-93/US 1 interchange, but it's ...interesting. Particularly because it's built over Boston Sand & Gravel and the approach tracks to North Station: http://goo.gl/maps/HPE2Z
-I-195 at MA 79 in Fall River is also pretty neat, mainly because 79 is a double-decker: http://goo.gl/maps/4RL2P
Massachusetts interchanges usually don't really compare to newer interchanges in other states (like the Springfield Interchange), but those are probably the most interesting in the eastern half of the state.
The Springfield Interchange is certainly worthy of mention here.
But metropolitan Los Angeles probably has the largest collection of "cool" interchanges.
I am especially partial to the interchange of I-110 (Harbor Freeway) and I-105 (Century or Glenn Anderson Freeway), also known as the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Harry_Pregerson_Interchange).
Interstates 75, 595 and FL 869/Sawgrass Expressway on the western edge of Sunrise, FL in Broward County. Free-flowing elevated 2- and 3-lane ramps, nearly all of which can be driven comfortably at 70 mph.
I like the I-355/I-88 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.816425,-88.040056&spn=0.037421,0.055189&t=k&z=14) interchange outside Chicago, mainly because the two freeways parallel each other (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.813716,-88.028576&spn=0.00942,0.013797&t=k&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.813716,-88.028576&panoid=pVLIxgg3bOPULTN7O7KxEQ&cbp=12,220.44,,1,0.35) for a while.
Then there's the insanely long ramp (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=38.489405,-89.955626&spn=0.019785,0.027595&t=m&z=15) from eastbound IL-13 to eastbound IL-15 in Belleville, IL, that almost nobody uses.
I was going to post Lower Wacker spilling out onto the Eisenhower, but what's going on there? What's on the map doesn't jive with my memory.
The south end of Wacker Drive is being rebuilt, it should be done by the end of the year. I'm not 100% certain, but from what I am aware of, its interchange at Congress should be in pretty much the same configuration as it was 'before'.
As for Wisconsin, I'd say that the state's coolest interchanges include the Marquette Interchange (US 41/I-43/94/794) and the just rebuilt Mitchell Interchange (US 41/I-43/94/(xx)/894) in Milwaukee and the Wausau Interchange (US 51/WI 29 NW split) in Wausau.
Mike
805/8 interchange in San Diego, CA. I always do freeway speeds regardless of which ramp I take. And for some reason, I get a kick out of watching the slower cars struggle to go up 805.
This one is among the coolest looking in Canada IMO:
Flyover ramps, cloverleaf loops, braided ramps... This one has everything!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.photosapience.com%2Fimages%2F20070518191559__5180266ed.jpg&hash=7791040c2308bcf61dd702e547ace8d9bb076abc)
Source: http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/05/looking_down_at_the_city/
(404-407 junction north of Toronto)
Dallas would like to think the "High 5" is pretty special. http://goo.gl/nwJop
Austin has this one at US183 and Loop 1 http://goo.gl/maps/OtSRm
everything just has to be bigger in Texas . . .
I loved the old Mix-master in downtown Ft. Worth. (Pre-2000) Full of left exits, sharp curves - very hazardous, but fascinating geometry. Elsewhere the intersections were usually generic stacks - the Mix-master was unique and fun.
Quote from: US81 on November 16, 2012, 06:17:44 PM
I loved the old Mix-master in downtown Ft. Worth. (Pre-2000) Full of left exits, sharp curves - very hazardous, but fascinating geometry. Elsewhere the intersections were usually generic stacks - the Mix-master was unique and fun.
http://www.texasfreeway.com/dallas/construction/completed/fw_mixmaster/fw_mixmaster_map.shtml
what a mess
Quote from: BiggieJohn on November 16, 2012, 06:36:28 PM
Quote from: US81 on November 16, 2012, 06:17:44 PM
I loved the old Mix-master in downtown Ft. Worth. (Pre-2000) Full of left exits, sharp curves - very hazardous, but fascinating geometry. Elsewhere the intersections were usually generic stacks - the Mix-master was unique and fun.
http://www.texasfreeway.com/dallas/construction/completed/fw_mixmaster/fw_mixmaster_map.shtml
what a mess
That's the new one...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.texasfreeway.com%2Fdallas%2Fhistoric%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2Fi35w_i30_fw_looking_s_july-1958.jpg&hash=b25fd25c78cf75714cfc501a70168470400ef839)
I like the I-280 / I-680 / US-101 interchange in San Jose, Calif. Fast, sweeping curves, almost all directional, some effort towards attractive structures.
Quote from: NE2 on November 16, 2012, 07:06:38 PM
That's the new one...
[img
Reminds me a little of the I-35W/I-820 interchange.
I vote for Springfield as well. I used to live in that area and moved out just before they started the project. It is a million times better.
Some other ideas:
- The I-295 and I-95 interchange north of Richmond with the sweeping curves
- The VA 895 and I-95 interchange over the river
One interchange I've always thought was cool isn't some sprawling tangle of ramps in a big city. Rather it's this little super two interchange in New London, Wisconsin (US 45 and WI 54).
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=44.40095,-88.73404&z=15&t=S (http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=44.40095,-88.73404&z=15&t=S)
It's got the Embarrass River meandering through it in such a way that the ramp terminals for the folded diamond are on opposite banks of the river. You can also see where US 45 and the NB exit ramp bridge over a now abandoned railroad. It just looks cool to see such a well engineered interchange for a 2 lane highway.
Three in CT:
1. The I-84/ CT 8 mixmaster in Waterbury, CT is a fun one. Both highways double decked with a bunch of left hand exits and movements from top to lower decks and vice versa.
2.the whole I-84/I-384/I-291/US 6/US 44/Buckland Hills area/Spencer St. complex in Manchester, CT.
3. I-91/I-95/CT 34 in New Haven. Of course it's a bloody nightmare with the Q-Bridge reconstruction, but it'll be pretty cool when finished
Quote from: JustDrive on November 15, 2012, 11:34:08 PM
805/8 interchange in San Diego, CA. I always do freeway speeds regardless of which ramp I take. And for some reason, I get a kick out of watching the slower cars struggle to go up 805.
That's worthy of mention, only because I-805 seems to tower so high over I-8 "down in the valley," quickly followed (when headed east) by the I-15/Ca. 15 interchange.
It's still
Ca. 15 south of I-8, right?
Quote from: cpzilliacus on November 17, 2012, 03:17:54 PM
It's still Ca. 15 south of I-8, right?
Yes, pending the reconfiguration of left exits at the CA 94 interchange and the widening of some narrow underpasses.
Reminds me a little of the I-35W/I-820 interchange.
[/quote]
How so?
[/quote]
The configuration. Left and right exits.
[/quote]
Now I understand! Yes, in that aspect I would agree. The (old) Mix-master felt very tight, compressed laterally but using more space vertically as opposed to the more lateral, more open feel of I-35W @ I-820 - at least in the older days when that area was rather rural. Maybe not so much now - definitely much less grass and more concrete (lots of concrete in the old Mix-master) in the views I see on-line.
Thanks.
I'm partial to the Ross Island Maze and the Fremont Stack here in Portland.
I think everything mentioned so far has been system to system, so let's have something a bit different:
Here's a built-out diamond roundabout interchange in Michigan:
http://goo.gl/maps/NIr5h
That's a parclo. And those roundabouts are a mess, as someone who's driven them.
Quote from: InterstateNG on November 18, 2012, 03:00:51 PM
That's a parclo. And those roundabouts are a mess, as someone who's driven them.
Derp! Good point. What do you think works/doesn't work well with them? Is there much big truck traffic, do they have to cross into multiple lanes?
I have no problems with roundabouts generally. Those in particular were not designed very well.
Quote from: kkt on November 16, 2012, 07:12:13 PM
I like the I-280 / I-680 / US-101 interchange in San Jose, Calif. Fast, sweeping curves, almost all directional, some effort towards attractive structures.
This.
As well as the I-28/US-101 interchange (The Alemany Maze) further up the road in San Francisco. The double-decker ramps is a reason why.
I'll vote for the Mound-Sandusky Interchange, version 3. When it gets built. Whenever that will be.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fvidthekid.info%2Fimghost%2Fmound-sandusky-v3.jpg&hash=433c4b776d7174f0cf72f3a751e336642c8af831)
Although, version 2 is cool, and so was version 1.
P.S. Apparently the bridges and retaining walls in that drawing weren't updated after some ramp geometries were changed.
Okay, so this isn't *technically* an interchange... it doesn't make it any less cooler (in my eyes). I'm referring to something that only someone who grew up in Jersey could appreciate. It's the lowly jughandle, brought to its ultimate form. Yes, I mean...
The at-grade cloverleaf.
For those who aren't aware (and honestly, I'm pretty sure you all are):
http://goo.gl/maps/4wteQ
:bigass:
I'm not from Jersey but i appreciate the use of innovative intersections that eliminate left turns! I put the jughandle in the same category as the Continuous Flow Intersection in that they often only eliminate left turns from the main road but not the side street.
Quote from: tradephoric on November 20, 2012, 08:46:43 AM
I'm not from Jersey but i appreciate the use of innovative intersections that eliminate left turns! I put the jughandle in the same category as the Continuous Flow Intersection in that they often only eliminate left turns from the main road but not the side street.
My wife's not a fan of driving in Jersey. She may kill if she ever sees another "All Turns From Right Lane" sign.
Jersey Jughandles have caused her not to hate roundabouts or Texas frontage roads quite so badly.
Here one cool interchange from Down Under in Australia where M4(Western Motorway) meet the Western Sydney Orbital http://goo.gl/maps/zyv6i A deformed stack with a diamond interchange so close.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on November 15, 2012, 04:21:21 PM
Quote from: Federal Route Sixty-Nine on November 15, 2012, 04:19:25 PM
Does anyone think the interchange of the Hollywood Freeway and the Harbor/Pasadena Freeway is cool or notable? I do, but I fear I may be the only one. :no:
you mean the Four-Level? that's nothing; it's just the first stack interchange on the planet.
No offense my friend, but just because it was the first certainly doesn't belittle the fact that it is one cool interchange. When it first opened and you were going slow enough on the 101E, you could actually look down and see all levels, quite a site before the acre-gobbling new 300' sight distance interchanges.
Quote from: LA_MetroMan on November 25, 2012, 08:56:06 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on November 15, 2012, 04:21:21 PM
Quote from: Federal Route Sixty-Nine on November 15, 2012, 04:19:25 PM
Does anyone think the interchange of the Hollywood Freeway and the Harbor/Pasadena Freeway is cool or notable? I do, but I fear I may be the only one. :no:
you mean the Four-Level? that's nothing; it's just the first stack interchange on the planet.
No offense my friend, but just because it was the first certainly doesn't belittle the fact that it is one cool interchange. When it first opened and you were going slow enough on the 101E, you could actually look down and see all levels, quite a site before the acre-gobbling new 300' sight distance interchanges.
Def. "Hyperbole":...
Quote from: Compulov on November 20, 2012, 08:06:31 AM
Okay, so this isn't *technically* an interchange... it doesn't make it any less cooler (in my eyes). I'm referring to something that only someone who grew up in Jersey could appreciate. It's the lowly jughandle, brought to its ultimate form. Yes, I mean...
The at-grade cloverleaf.
For those who aren't aware (and honestly, I'm pretty sure you all are):
http://goo.gl/maps/4wteQ
:bigass:
I HATE jughandles... I grew up in Ocean County and have driven thru this intersection many times. In my opinion I would rather double left turn lanes all around.
Quote from: jwolfer on November 27, 2012, 11:56:52 AM
Quote from: Compulov on November 20, 2012, 08:06:31 AM
Okay, so this isn't *technically* an interchange... it doesn't make it any less cooler (in my eyes). I'm referring to something that only someone who grew up in Jersey could appreciate. It's the lowly jughandle, brought to its ultimate form. Yes, I mean...
The at-grade cloverleaf.
For those who aren't aware (and honestly, I'm pretty sure you all are):
http://goo.gl/maps/4wteQ
:bigass:
I HATE jughandles... I grew up in Ocean County and have driven thru this intersection many times. In my opinion I would rather double left turn lanes all around.
In order to do that, you need to have added signal phases, which decreases your green time on each approach. In order to then feed the same amount of traffic through, you need added lanes. Having more conflict points at the intersection and where the added lanes end leads to more accidents.
Quote from: Steve on November 27, 2012, 06:00:23 PM
Quote from: jwolfer on November 27, 2012, 11:56:52 AM
I HATE jughandles... I grew up in Ocean County and have driven thru this intersection many times. In my opinion I would rather double left turn lanes all around.
In order to do that, you need to have added signal phases, which decreases your green time on each approach. In order to then feed the same amount of traffic through, you need added lanes. Having more conflict points at the intersection and where the added lanes end leads to more accidents.
Wouldn't the fact that it's all right-hand turns and merges also reduce the severity of potential collisions? That is, more same-direction/sideswipe accidents and less t-bone and head-on collisions. Similar, I guess, to replacing a left turn at a 4-way intersection with a roundabout.
Growing up in Jersey, I don't have a problem with jughandles... I just hate roads where left turns are inconsistent, so unless you have a map or a gps (or know the area), you never know what lane you need to be in to make a left. Hooper and Bay are actually pretty good examples of inconsistent design in NJ.
Quote from: Compulov on December 07, 2012, 12:54:09 PM
Wouldn't the fact that it's all right-hand turns and merges also reduce the severity of potential collisions? That is, more same-direction/sideswipe accidents and less t-bone and head-on collisions. Similar, I guess, to replacing a left turn at a 4-way intersection with a roundabout.
Synthesis of the Median U-Turn Intersection Treatment, Safety, and Operational Benefits (FHWA-HRT-07-033) study states a 30% reduction in injury accidents compared to a conventional intersection (also, a 16% reduction in total accidents). A study by North Carolina State University states a 63% reduction in injury accidents when comparing a Superstreet to a conventional intersection.
Stumbled across this one that I thought you might find interesting. Aesthetically pleasing but I bet the weaving areas are nasty!
http://goo.gl/maps/ljqGv
And an offset SPUI, which I think has been discussed here before.
http://goo.gl/maps/VWazr
Quote from: johndoe on December 07, 2012, 04:08:02 PM
Stumbled across this one that I thought you might find interesting. Aesthetically pleasing but I bet the weaving areas are nasty!
http://goo.gl/maps/ljqGv
And an offset SPUI, which I think has been discussed here before.
http://goo.gl/maps/VWazr
Those are... ...interesting to say the least...
Quote from: johndoe on December 07, 2012, 04:08:02 PM
Stumbled across this one that I thought you might find interesting. Aesthetically pleasing but I bet the weaving areas are nasty!
http://goo.gl/maps/ljqGv
Wow... does that even have a name? If not, I herby declare that a "bowtie interchange".
Quote
And an offset SPUI, which I think has been discussed here before.
http://goo.gl/maps/VWazr
While that looks cool... I don't get it. I'm assuming there was a standard diamond there at one point (judging by the landscaping). Why couldn't they convert it to a regular SPUI? It looks like they had the room to build new ramps, was it easier/cheaper to build the crossover ramps than to expand the existing overpass to make the SPUI fit?
Quote from: Compulov on December 11, 2012, 04:42:29 PM
Quote from: johndoe on December 07, 2012, 04:08:02 PM
Stumbled across this one that I thought you might find interesting. Aesthetically pleasing but I bet the weaving areas are nasty!
http://goo.gl/maps/ljqGv
Wow... does that even have a name? If not, I herby declare that a "bowtie interchange".
That's exactly what it's called. US 9/US 44-NY 55 is the one I'm familiar with.
Quote from: Compulov on December 11, 2012, 04:42:29 PM
While that looks cool... I don't get it. I'm assuming there was a standard diamond there at one point (judging by the landscaping). Why couldn't they convert it to a regular SPUI? It looks like they had the room to build new ramps, was it easier/cheaper to build the crossover ramps than to expand the existing overpass to make the SPUI fit?
Well I don't know the history of the area but I can take a few guesses. Here's a picture from 1991.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.historicaerials.com%2Fapi%2Fimg-server.php%3Fop%3DfetchHistoricPhotograph%26amp%3Bbbox%3D-104.830046829146%2C39.7141533775422%2C-104.824254829146%2C39.7083613775422%26amp%3Byear%3D1991%26amp%3Bstamp%3Dtrue&hash=8cf2f64d948935bae8d545455da611c8c8b6d8d9)
On EarthExplorer the OSPI was there in 2002. So I'm guessing it went straight from an overpass to that design. (Notice the east frontage road got pushed out) My guesses on reasons they might have used this instead of normal SPUI:
1. They could utilize the existing bridge for "Alameda"
2. Better spacing between the three signals by pushing the interchange east
3. More efficient timing than normal SPUI (less clearance interval...lower cycle lengths...easier to coordinate)
4. More bike/ped friendly
I looked at the SPUI in Historic Aerials since I thought there was a diamond there at one time too, but johndoe beat me to posting. I looked in Street View as well, and my theory is that it was shifted to provide more space between the SPUI and South Potamac Street to the west. I don't understand why though, since the intersection of Abilene Street is just as close to the SPUI as South Potamac Street would have been, and based on the number of lanes, that side of the SPUI is busier.
The Carrollton Interchange in New Orleans (I-10/Carrollton Avenue/Airline Highway-Tulane Ave):
http://goo.gl/maps/pz54m (http://goo.gl/maps/pz54m)
Quote from: Michael on December 13, 2012, 05:31:08 PM
I looked at the SPUI in Historic Aerials since I thought there was a diamond there at one time too, but johndoe beat me to posting. I looked in Street View as well, and my theory is that it was shifted to provide more space between the SPUI and South Potamac Street to the west. I don't understand why though, since the intersection of Abilene Street is just as close to the SPUI as South Potamac Street would have been, and based on the number of lanes, that side of the SPUI is busier.
I actually live near that interchange, and what you might not be able to tell is that Abilene Street was rerouted farther east to make room for the interchange and its approaches on Alameda. The new routing of Abilene St follows the contours of the edge of the parking lot for the mall (bottom right corner) and follows a similar contour north of Alameda. My guess is because there was less displacement of the buildings east of I-225 than there would have been west of the highway. Probably doesn't matter in the long run, as traffic is still bad, and 225 is going to be widened again for additional lanes + light rail.
Calif state 57 at I-10 and Caif State 71, a stunning work of concrete and style, and damn fun to drive.
Truly motion in poetry.
Never been there, but this one must've been fun to engineer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hgrpix/8361530109 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hgrpix/8361530109)
Quote from: LA_MetroMan on January 08, 2013, 03:27:21 PM
Never been there, but this one must've been fun to engineer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hgrpix/8361530109 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hgrpix/8361530109)
where is that? all I can tell is that it's a toll connection
http://goo.gl/maps/TrL7A
Indiana Toll Road (I-90) at the north end of I-65 in Gary, IN.
That is one interesting toll setup.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on January 08, 2013, 04:38:22 PM
http://goo.gl/maps/TrL7A
Indiana Toll Road (I-90) at the north end of I-65 in Gary, IN.
Attaching the end of an interstate to a pre-existing interchange for Dunes Highway (US-12/20).
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on January 08, 2013, 04:38:22 PM
http://goo.gl/maps/TrL7A
Indiana Toll Road (I-90) at the north end of I-65 in Gary, IN.
Amusing how Google Maps helpfully points out that the Indiana Toll Road is a toll road.
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 08, 2013, 06:06:54 PM
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on January 08, 2013, 04:38:22 PM
http://goo.gl/maps/TrL7A
Indiana Toll Road (I-90) at the north end of I-65 in Gary, IN.
Amusing how Google Maps helpfully points out that the Indiana Toll Road is a toll road.
I agree it is amusing, but to be fair there are are toll roads which have free portions that are still considered part of the "toll road", like the Massachusetts Turnpike west of exit 6 (though you still take a ticket), in Newton, and around the Allston and Ted Williams tolls. Plus there are roads named "Turnpike" that aren't even tolled, like Newburyport Turnpike (US 1 between Danvers and Newburypot, MA), so the labeling can still be helpful to let you know whether you have to pay a toll or not on that stretch.
And it's also amusing that it's labeled "Indiana Toll Rd". Good old automatic abbreviations.
All good points. We have a couple of arterials here named "Turnpike" or "Pike" with no toll.
The Delaware Turnpike comes to mind as one that's signed as a toll road (at its northern end) when really only the one tiny piece that crosses the Maryland state line is tolled.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on January 08, 2013, 09:36:36 PM
like the Massachusetts Turnpike west of exit 6 (though you still take a ticket), in Newton, and around the Allston and Ted Williams tolls.
To be fair, it's only free to passenger cars; all others still pay a toll.
This 5-leg spaghetti interchange near Shanghai:
http://goo.gl/maps/NOMR4 (http://goo.gl/maps/NOMR4)
Or how about this turbine interchange with 12 through lanes in Dubai?
http://goo.gl/maps/q6i7u (http://goo.gl/maps/q6i7u)
And this extremely short offramp in suburban Naples, Italy.
http://goo.gl/maps/jFVUb (http://goo.gl/maps/jFVUb)
The roadways swap directions here for a toll plaza within an interchange in Milan, Italy
http://goo.gl/maps/IpBtK (http://goo.gl/maps/IpBtK)
Quote from: Chris on January 09, 2013, 11:32:16 AM
This 5-leg spaghetti interchange near Shanghai:
http://goo.gl/maps/NOMR4 (http://goo.gl/maps/NOMR4)
Or how about this turbine interchange with 12 through lanes in Dubai?
http://goo.gl/maps/q6i7u (http://goo.gl/maps/q6i7u)
And this extremely short offramp in suburban Naples, Italy.
http://goo.gl/maps/jFVUb (http://goo.gl/maps/jFVUb)
The roadways swap directions here for a toll plaza within an interchange in Milan, Italy
http://goo.gl/maps/IpBtK (http://goo.gl/maps/IpBtK)
The second one looks like the Circle interchange on steroids. The fourth one looks interesting to say the least.
Quote from: deanej on January 09, 2013, 11:31:59 AM
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on January 08, 2013, 09:36:36 PM
like the Massachusetts Turnpike west of exit 6 (though you still take a ticket), in Newton, and around the Allston and Ted Williams tolls.
To be fair, it's only free to passenger cars; all others still pay a toll.
That is true of the portion west of exit 6, however the other portions I mentioned are free to all traffic (between exits 16 and 17, between exits 24 and 25, and between exit 26 and MA 1A.
Quote from: Steve on December 11, 2012, 09:03:15 PM
Quote from: Compulov on December 11, 2012, 04:42:29 PM
Quote from: johndoe on December 07, 2012, 04:08:02 PM
Stumbled across this one that I thought you might find interesting. Aesthetically pleasing but I bet the weaving areas are nasty!
http://goo.gl/maps/ljqGv
Wow... does that even have a name? If not, I herby declare that a "bowtie interchange".
That's exactly what it's called. US 9/US 44-NY 55 is the one I'm familiar with.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Poughkeepsie,+%C3%89tat+de+New+York,+%C3%89tats-Unis&hl=fr&ie=UTF8&ll=41.702348,-73.935982&spn=0.005647,0.009645&sll=45.558042,-73.730303&sspn=0.677891,1.234589&oq=Poughke&hnear=Poughkeepsie,+Comt%C3%A9+de+Dutchess,+%C3%89tat+de+New+York,+%C3%89tats-Unis&t=m&z=17
US 9/US 44/NY 55 is different in that the ramps are in the median. That means two short weaving sections in each direction on US 9.
I've driven through this thing twice (once through on US 9, and once from 44 EB to 9 NB). It was scary both times.
Quote from: Chris on January 09, 2013, 11:32:16 AM
The roadways swap directions here for a toll plaza within an interchange in Milan, Italy
http://goo.gl/maps/IpBtK (http://goo.gl/maps/IpBtK)
EZ-Pass would go a long way to fixing this one. Just sayin'. :sombrero:
Quote from: ftballfan on January 09, 2013, 02:42:57 PM
Quote from: Chris on January 09, 2013, 11:32:16 AM
And this extremely short offramp in suburban Naples, Italy.
http://goo.gl/maps/jFVUb (http://goo.gl/maps/jFVUb)
The second one looks like the Circle interchange on steroids. The fourth one looks interesting to say the least.
The extremely short off-ramp in Milan would fit well into the Avenue 60 on/off of the Arroyo Seco Parkway/Freeway. (Cal-110)
Some interesting ones in Michigan:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=43.172165,-86.198773&spn=0.017871,0.042272&t=k&z=15 - I-96, US-31, BUS US-31, and two local roads get involved in Muskegon
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=43.074437,-86.073139&spn=0.00895,0.021136&t=k&z=16 - I-96, M-104, and 112th Ave in Nunica (this interchange is being reconfigured into two separate interchanges [112th gets a diamond and there will be ramps going to 120th Ave which will lead to a new bridge over the Grand River in three to four years and allow access to M-104 from EB I-96 and M-104 traffic access to WB I-96])
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=43.030628,-85.800605&spn=0.008956,0.021136&t=k&z=16 - I-96, M-11, and 8th Ave near Marne (this interchange is Exit 24 eastbound and Exit 25 westbound despite this interchange being less than a mile east of Exit 23 and the two halves being within a half mile of each other)
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=43.018015,-85.667396&spn=0.017791,0.042272&t=k&z=15 - I-96, US-131, and M-37 in Walker and Grand Rapids. Multiple left exits and entrances, WB I-96 drops to one lane for a short section, and lots of traffic
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.972784,-85.672009&spn=0.004451,0.010568&t=k&z=17 - Actually two separate interchanges on I-196 in Grand Rapids that are both crazy. At the exit on the right, only one of the four ramps does not involve a left exit or entrance. The interchange on the left is all kinds of crazy. US-131 crosses over itself, I-196 is on two different levels, left exits and entrances galore, short spaced to another interchange on US-131, and very sharp curves on the ramps
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.965617,-85.705065&spn=0.004451,0.010568&t=k&z=17 - I-196 and M-45 in Grand Rapids. Left entrances on both directions of I-196, somewhat free-flowing despite M-45 being a surface street, and missing movements
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.915578,-85.761337&spn=0.00891,0.021136&t=k&z=16 - I-196 and M-11 in Grandville. Westbound has a left exit that seems free-flowing and roads that turn into freeway ramps (three of the five ramps, including both entrance ramps, are continuations of other roads)
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.905347,-85.776336&spn=0.008912,0.021136&t=k&z=16 - I-196, M-121, and Baldwin St in Grandville. The Baldwin St ramps were just added recently so traffic to Jenison could avoid Chicago Dr and railroad tracks. And throw in a left entrance at Chicago Dr to make it more interesting
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.847087,-85.669928&spn=0.01784,0.042272&t=k&z=15 - US-131, M-6, and 68th St in Cutlerville. This is a standard cloverleaf (with C-D roads on both freeways) with a diamond appended to the southern end. However, it is not complete as it is missing a ramp from the SB C-D road to 68th St (there IS a ramp from 68th St to the NB C-D road, allowing access from 68th St to WB M-6 [there is no access from WB M-6 to 68th St])
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.718579,-84.659572&spn=0.017877,0.042272&t=k&z=15 - I-96 and I-496 (west) west of Lansing. The ramps are VERY long
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.726177,-84.49894&spn=0.017875,0.042272&t=k&z=15 - I-496, US-127, Trowbridge Rd, and Kalamazoo St in East Lansing
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on January 08, 2013, 04:38:22 PM
http://goo.gl/maps/TrL7A
Indiana Toll Road (I-90) at the north end of I-65 in Gary, IN.
Especially considering that the 90-65 transition was made with a traffic light. I saw the work as it was being done in 2003. The outcome is more than impressive.
Just south of that, I like the work that was done to the entire I-65/80/94/Central Avenue network. First, the preexisting Northwest Connector (ramps from I-80/94 east to I-65 south and from I-65 north to I-80/94 west): this is one of these unique situations where a railroad track cuts between two interstate highways. The connector was built with that in mind. Once a choke point during rush hour, the ramps have been fixed to facilitate two lanes of traffic until after completing the merge to their respective mainlines.
As for the rest of it...the transitions for the remaining movements have been modified with C/D ramps extending all the way to Central Avenue (or starting from Central if you're driving westbound). They fixed the movements to eliminate weaving for much safer transitions, including moving the I-65 South to Ridge Road exit a mile north to keep those away from incoming I-80/94 traffic.
I also like how they built a flyover ramp while keeping the interchange two-level. You can see this entire system here. (https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.564633,-87.301011&spn=0.018431,0.038581&t=h&z=15) (Scroll down a little to see the Ridge Road ramp.)
Further west is the made over transition connecting Torrence Avenue (Illinois 83/U.S. 6), 159th Street (also U.S. 6), the Tri- State Tollway (I-294), the Bishop Ford (Illinois 394/I-94), and the Kingery Expressway (I-80/94). A SPUI followed by a triple stack interchange with high speed flyovers. Take a look at this map. (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Lansing,+IL&hl=en&ll=41.577411,-87.570863&spn=0.018427,0.038581&sll=41.564633,-87.301011&sspn=0.018431,0.038581&t=h&hnear=Lansing,+Cook,+Illinois&z=15)
I know this has been said, but the Springfield, VA interchange is now neater than ever. For decades that was a nightmare as traffic on I-95 SB backed up due to the choke of a mainline into a small ramp.
Now with the new flyovers, traveling I-95 SB through there is better than ever! No long lines along the Beltway, and just one smooth flow!
I thought I mentioned it as well cause, with all of that done, it is one of the coolest for me.
Speaking of long ramps, here is how Wichita worked the interchange of I-135/US-81/K-15, K-96, Hydraulic, and 29th St North around a freight yard:
http://goo.gl/maps/Zi0JL
Quote from: kphoger on January 14, 2013, 10:43:43 AM
Speaking of long ramps, here is how Wichita ...
Speaking of long Kansas ramps... here is a 2.5 mile braided adventure: http://goo.gl/maps/Dxn0k
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:FqLNLEw0eSAJ:www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/pdf/%25E2%2580%259CTunnel%2520to%2520Nowhere%25E2%2580%259D%2520Opens%2520to%2520I-35%2520Traffic%2520in%2520Johnson%2520County.pdf+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjgoHG1heXOfQFDwaVwGggcT5rzgrn0MsADFrUL-fcMtwDVOsmVy9D5uPXMR7XxC5FNjwrnZOY6dEXsbyEP0BBhAiUuwAwdHKCMROSmkvTXo7GIAp-xEYbZRlOZMNBEq-cAcBoi&sig=AHIEtbQR5_ADRRawSvqWzWbe2DU_MKbEMw
(So KDOT themselves call this a "tunnel to nowhere"...interesting press move haha)
And speaking of long things in Kansas..I nominate this for "the most efficient bridge ever made" :-P http://goo.gl/maps/PtZa9
Your first link doesn't work, fyi.
Quote from: johndoe on January 15, 2013, 08:51:26 PM
Quote from: kphoger on January 14, 2013, 10:43:43 AM
Speaking of long ramps, here is how Wichita ...
Speaking of long Kansas ramps... here is a 2.5 mile braided adventure: http://goo.gl/maps/Dxn0k
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:FqLNLEw0eSAJ:www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/pdf/%25E2%2580%259CTunnel%2520to%2520Nowhere%25E2%2580%259D%2520Opens%2520to%2520I-35%2520Traffic%2520in%2520Johnson%2520County.pdf+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjgoHG1heXOfQFDwaVwGggcT5rzgrn0MsADFrUL-fcMtwDVOsmVy9D5uPXMR7XxC5FNjwrnZOY6dEXsbyEP0BBhAiUuwAwdHKCMROSmkvTXo7GIAp-xEYbZRlOZMNBEq-cAcBoi&sig=AHIEtbQR5_ADRRawSvqWzWbe2DU_MKbEMw
(So KDOT themselves call this a "tunnel to nowhere"...interesting press move haha)
And speaking of long things in Kansas..I nominate this for "the most efficient bridge ever made" :-P http://goo.gl/maps/PtZa9
A good friend of mine was actually involved in the Tunnel to Nowhere. I found out because his wife mentioned that he stops every so often to look at road features, and specifically mentioned that location. They were sort of amazed that my wife and I actually knew where it was (we'd seen in before and thought it was sort of funny).
Quote from: johndoe on January 15, 2013, 08:51:26 PMAnd speaking of long things in Kansas..I nominate this for "the most efficient bridge ever made" :-P http://goo.gl/maps/PtZa9
Doesn't beat this one: http://goo.gl/maps/ucDzK
That embankment doesn't reach the roadway, just masks the fact that there's a bridge behind there not a motorway on an embankment. Oh, and they had to actually build the embankment!
And the junction they built the OTT bridge (and pedestrian subways under landscaped space for slip roads) isn't going to use the future proofing at all now, 30 years on.
Here's perhaps the un-coolest interchange ever built. I hope MN-DOT fired the guy who designed this (unless it was still County 18 at the time). Since been replaced: http://goo.gl/maps/S1tq2
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 17, 2013, 10:17:47 PM
Here's perhaps the un-coolest interchange ever built. I hope MN-DOT fired the guy who designed this (unless it was still County 18 at the time). Since been replaced: http://goo.gl/maps/S1tq2
The zoomout leaves something to be desired. Which one is it/
Quote from: Steve on January 17, 2013, 10:34:25 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 17, 2013, 10:17:47 PM
Here's perhaps the un-coolest interchange ever built. I hope MN-DOT fired the guy who designed this (unless it was still County 18 at the time). Since been replaced: http://goo.gl/maps/S1tq2
The zoomout leaves something to be desired. Which one is it/
Yeah, that got replaced this year! The street view is what I'm talking about, one time on my way back from a trip to Brainerd, traffic was backed up a mile and a half thanks to those stupid stoplights :angry:
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 17, 2013, 10:44:42 PM
Quote from: Steve on January 17, 2013, 10:34:25 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 17, 2013, 10:17:47 PM
Here's perhaps the un-coolest interchange ever built. I hope MN-DOT fired the guy who designed this (unless it was still County 18 at the time). Since been replaced: http://goo.gl/maps/S1tq2
The zoomout leaves something to be desired. Which one is it/
Yeah, that got replaced this year! The street view is what I'm talking about, one time on my way back from a trip to Brainerd, traffic was backed up a mile and a half thanks to those stupid stoplights :angry:
WHICH INTERCHANGE??
HERE: https://maps.google.com/?ll=44.860158,-93.393188&spn=0.015453,0.036478&t=h&z=15
Quote from: Steve on January 17, 2013, 11:08:24 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 17, 2013, 10:44:42 PM
Quote from: Steve on January 17, 2013, 10:34:25 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 17, 2013, 10:17:47 PM
Here's perhaps the un-coolest interchange ever built. I hope MN-DOT fired the guy who designed this (unless it was still County 18 at the time). Since been replaced: http://goo.gl/maps/S1tq2
The zoomout leaves something to be desired. Which one is it/
Yeah, that got replaced this year! The street view is what I'm talking about, one time on my way back from a trip to Brainerd, traffic was backed up a mile and a half thanks to those stupid stoplights :angry:
WHICH INTERCHANGE??
HERE: https://maps.google.com/?ll=44.860158,-93.393188&spn=0.015453,0.036478&t=h&z=15
The one you see on the street view at 169 and 494, not the one on the map zoomed out. :paranoid:
Access to I-494 from 169 was made via two traffic lights on a partial-cloverleaf interchange prior to this year around june. In addition, there was one more traffic light for accessing a side road on 169. That's three at-grade traffic lights in the middle of what is otherwise a freeway for several miles. This was a major headache any time of day, but in rush hour it was known to cause two-mile backups.
Does this help? :hmmm: If not, I have access to an old map that might explain the design a little better and why it was built that way. :D
Update: I've found a vid that could explain the situation :biggrin: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-hbT7LegQk
Quote from: ftballfan on January 12, 2013, 10:59:46 AM
Some interesting ones in Michigan:
Damn, I love MDOT! They come up with imaginative solutions to interchange problems that IDOT can't even dream of.
Here's a few in my neck of the woods that haven't been mentioned yet:
I-55 and I-355 with Joliet Road, Bolingbrook: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.703486,-88.029628&spn=0.016629,0.042272&t=k&z=15
I-80 and Center Street, Joliet: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.513542,-88.095932&spn=0.008339,0.021136&t=k&z=16
I-80, I-294, I-94, and IL-394, South Holland: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.579562,-87.578244&spn=0.016661,0.042272&t=k&z=15
I-55, I-294, Wolf Road, and Joliet Road with the Hinsdale Oasis just to the north, Indian Head Park: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.76555,-87.898049&spn=0.016613,0.042272&t=k&z=15
I-90 and I-94 (Ryan Expy and Skyway), Chicago: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.776289,-87.626835&spn=0.004153,0.010568&t=k&z=17
I-55, I-90/94, Cermak, Canalport, and other streets, Chicago: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.846275,-87.636309&spn=0.008296,0.021136&t=k&z=16
Quote from: Brandon on January 18, 2013, 09:38:55 AMDamn, I love MDOT! They come up with imaginative solutions to interchange problems that IDOT can't even dream of.
Here's a few in my neck of the woods that haven't been mentioned yet:
...
I-80, I-294, I-94, and IL-394, South Holland: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.579562,-87.578244&spn=0.016661,0.042272&t=k&z=15
Actually... :)
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181Further west is the made over transition connecting Torrence Avenue (Illinois 83/U.S. 6), 159th Street (also U.S. 6), the Tri- State Tollway (I-294), the Bishop Ford (Illinois 394/I-94), and the Kingery Expressway (I-80/94). A SPUI followed by a triple stack interchange with high speed flyovers. Take a look at this map.
It's good to know we're on the same page. That ramp system is boss. I've seen the others you mentioned and love the uniqueness of them.
Quote from: roadman65 on January 13, 2013, 04:30:29 PM
I know this has been said, but the Springfield, VA interchange is now neater than ever. For decades that was a nightmare as traffic on I-95 SB backed up due to the choke of a mainline into a small ramp.
Now with the new flyovers, traveling I-95 SB through there is better than ever! No long lines along the Beltway, and just one smooth flow!
I thought I mentioned it as well cause, with all of that done, it is one of the coolest for me.
I think the new HOV ramps that opened in November increase the coolness factor substantially. I posted an aerial picture of the interchange (prior to those ramps' opening, but after they were constructed) back on the first page of this thread. The long looping ramp that connects the I-95 portion of the HOV to the Beltway has, in my mind, almost a flying-saucer look to it when you see it from a distance.
I can certainly understand why people who aren't road aficionados or who feel strongly about preserving green space dislike interchanges like that one. I certainly can't dispute that it's a massive concrete-and-asphalt canyon. But it wasn't green space before and it's not like any serious green space was lost in the reconstruction.
I always liked the I-495 and I-278 interchange in Queens, NY the way that there is a short connector freeway between NB to EB and WB to SB that lies directly below I-495 for about a mile. Then at 48th Street the LIE mainline crosses above the whole 48th Street & LIE/ BQE connector interchange with 48th Street in the middle of the two freeways.
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 17, 2013, 11:33:53 PM
Quote from: Steve on January 17, 2013, 11:08:24 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 17, 2013, 10:44:42 PM
Quote from: Steve on January 17, 2013, 10:34:25 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on January 17, 2013, 10:17:47 PM
Here's perhaps the un-coolest interchange ever built. I hope MN-DOT fired the guy who designed this (unless it was still County 18 at the time). Since been replaced: http://goo.gl/maps/S1tq2
The zoomout leaves something to be desired. Which one is it/
Yeah, that got replaced this year! The street view is what I'm talking about, one time on my way back from a trip to Brainerd, traffic was backed up a mile and a half thanks to those stupid stoplights :angry:
WHICH INTERCHANGE??
HERE: https://maps.google.com/?ll=44.860158,-93.393188&spn=0.015453,0.036478&t=h&z=15
The one you see on the street view at 169 and 494, not the one on the map zoomed out. :paranoid:
Access to I-494 from 169 was made via two traffic lights on a partial-cloverleaf interchange prior to this year around june. In addition, there was one more traffic light for accessing a side road on 169. That's three at-grade traffic lights in the middle of what is otherwise a freeway for several miles. This was a major headache any time of day, but in rush hour it was known to cause two-mile backups.
Does this help? :hmmm: If not, I have access to an old map that might explain the design a little better and why it was built that way. :D
Update: I've found a vid that could explain the situation :biggrin: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-hbT7LegQk
I can't wait for the interchange project to be completed. What's the total number of roundabouts slated for construction at that interchange?
Md. 200 (ICC) Exit 16 at U.S. 29 (Columbia Pike) (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=silver+spring+md&hl=en&ll=39.077875,-76.952577&spn=0.009845,0.014248&safe=off&hnear=Silver+Spring,+Montgomery,+Maryland&gl=us&t=h&z=16) should qualify in the "cool" department. Especially the two flyovers in the middle, and the loop ramp in the southwest corner of the interchange.
What's going on with the satellite image out east of there? It looks like that section of ICC is not open, but at the same time is paved and striped to Virginia Manor Rd with a temporary end and a U turn lane. Do they really intend to segregate a 0.45 section to US 1 to be built last?
Quote from: deanej on January 18, 2013, 05:19:18 PM
What's going on with the satellite image out east of there? It looks like that section of ICC is not open, but at the same time is paved and striped to Virginia Manor Rd with a temporary end and a U turn lane. Do they really intend to segregate a 0.45 section to US 1 to be built last?
Good question.
You are correct regarding Md. 200 (currently). It is not open to traffic between U.S. 1 (Baltimore Avenue) and I-95 in Prince George's County. However, it is open to official (MdTA) traffic, because the MdTA has its Eastern [ICC] Operations Center in a large complex off of Virginia Manor Road just north of Cinder Road (here (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=laurel+md&hl=en&ll=39.06848,-76.883204&spn=0.009313,0.01929&safe=off&hnear=Laurel,+Prince+George%27s,+Maryland&gl=us&t=h&z=16)). The "road" that leads to Virginia Manor Road ends at-grade at a STOP sign north of where Md. 200 will run under Virginia Manor Road later this year. The access points to this road are all signed "FOR USE BY OFFICIAL AND AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY" (or something similar).
The rest of Md. 200 (including an at-grade intersection at U.S. 1) and a half interchange at Virginia Manor Road and the completion of the I-95 C-D lanes between Md. 200 and Md. 198 and an interchange at Contee Road, are all being built now by contractors working for Maryland SHA on Contract D/E. Should be complete by the end of calendar year 2013.
At one point, there was talk of Md. 200 only going as far as Virginia Manor Road to save money, but the bids came in low enough that all of master-planned Md. 200 will be done by the end of 2013.
Thanks for sharing the Minnesota example, really unique and interesting. This site has a lot of interesting visuals: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/169/performance.html
I was always fascinated by the US 50 & 301, MD 2, and MD 450 interchange. If you travel from MD 2 to WB MD 450 (that is straight through) you actually cross over the EB US 50 and MD 450 connector to MD 2 NB (also straight through from MD 450) and loop around to actually head into an at grade intersection with EB MD 450 to NB MD 2.
I have never seen an interchange set up like that, but the original NE interchange of I-95 and I-695 near Whitemarsh, MD, but both sides return to the original configuration at a second grade separation. I do not know if cool is the word to describe it, or not, but it definitely is impressive.
Even the way the stack set up is where the piers that support the ramps from SB MD 2 to EB US 50 and WB MD 450 are sitting ON TOP of the bridge below it carrying US 50 & 301 over NB MD 2. Most 3 levels have the piers in the corners or if its in the middle it usually rests to the side of the lowest grade unless its the NJ Turnpike at the Garden State Parkway and CR 514 intersection in NJ where the top CR 514 bridge's center piers rest on top of the Garden State Parkway's bridge's center pier in the middle of the NJT's inner roadway. This one has a pass under pier support in the middle of US 50 & 301 straddling NB MD 2. Its basically a bridge on a bridge!
Quote from: johndoe on January 18, 2013, 06:43:14 PM
Thanks for sharing the Minnesota example, really unique and interesting. This site has a lot of interesting visuals: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/169/performance.html
Awesome! Thanks for the link!
The Minnesota one is cool, I must admit!
Quote from: kphoger on January 18, 2013, 03:22:05 PMWhat's the total number of roundabouts slated for construction at that interchange?
5 1/2? :-D
Just found this on Google Maps in Borger, Texas: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=35.661306,-101.399238&spn=0.006494,0.009645&t=h&z=17
I just noticed that Exit 5 on the Delaware Turnpike is cool the way you have an inside cloverleaf ramp from NB DE 141 & US 202 to I-95 NB. Because I-295 diverges from I-95 northbound just north of DE 141 on the right side, and the NB I-95 ramp to DE 141 North Merges with DE 141 just before it crosses the NB lanes of I-95, it has to exit from the left after the crossing to avoid weaving.
I have never seen a reverse cloverleaf ramp used, and one that loops in the median of a highway. I did see, however, the original NB I-95 to Inner I-495 in Springfield, VA have its cloverleaf ramp loop continue over I-495 and merge from the left due to the I-95 SB exit departing the Beltway where a proper merging area was needed. This, though, does not compare to this one although both are cool.
Quote from: roadman65 on February 14, 2013, 10:39:32 AM
I just noticed that Exit 5 on the Delaware Turnpike is cool the way you have an inside cloverleaf ramp from NB DE 141 & US 202 to I-95 NB. Because I-295 diverges from I-95 northbound just north of DE 141 on the right side, and the NB I-95 ramp to DE 141 North Merges with DE 141 just before it crosses the NB lanes of I-95, it has to exit from the left after the crossing to avoid weaving.
I have never seen a reverse cloverleaf ramp used, and one that loops in the median of a highway. I did see, however, the original NB I-95 to Inner I-495 in Springfield, VA have its cloverleaf ramp loop continue over I-495 and merge from the left due to the I-95 SB exit departing the Beltway where a proper merging area was needed. This, though, does not compare to this one although both are cool.
Actually, that wasn't the original design. Originally there was a single exit from I-95 to I-495 and the ramp split after you exited. The right-hand branch went to the Outer Loop and the left-hand branch joined the Inner Loop on the left in the same area where that later long loop ramp joined. The original design with the single exit didn't work well because of the volumes of traffic exiting onto the Beltway. Separating the two exits helped a bit, though as you know it didn't solve the problem.
Scott Kozel has a diagram and photo of the original interchange. I don't know if he's OK with embedding material from his site, so I'll just link it. In this illustration, I-95 South to/from Richmond is to the right, old I-95 (later I-395) is to the left, and the Beltway runs top-to-bottom (Wilson Bridge off the top, Tysons off the bottom).
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Springfield_Interchange_Orig_XL.jpg
Historic Aerials also lets you view how it evolved over the years (I've set it to start with 1964; in this image, I-95 runs top-to-bottom). You may need to zoom it out a little. Their images only go up to 2005, however.
http://www.historicaerials.com/aerials.php?scale=3.2E-05&lat=38.7897548661164&lon=-77.1765543906248&year=1964
So, its a second original, and YES it did not work, as many commuters had a nightmare at that location.
It must of been before my time, or too young for me to remember. The flyover helped out real well as I flew over the old ramps that had the two mile long backups that occurred at one time.
Quote from: roadman65 on February 14, 2013, 11:30:12 AM
So, its a second original, and YES it did not work, as many commuters had a nightmare at that location.
It must of been before my time, or too young for me to remember. The flyover helped out real well as I flew over the old ramps that had the two mile long backups that occurred at one time.
Yes, absolutely, that interchange is a prime example of a reconstruction that worked to solve traffic problems. I live a few miles east of there and so I drive through it frequently. I believe I mentioned earlier in this thread how prior to the rebuild, I'd often start down the ramp from Van Dorn Street (one exit east of Springfield) onto the Beltway, see it at a standstill, and cut a U-turn across a gravel area near the bottom of the ramp to go a different way.
Of course there are still traffic issues and sometimes traffic still backs up through the Springfield Interchange, the worst instance being during an ice storm a few years ago, but with the exception of that ice storm (when the overpasses froze) the backups are no longer because of that interchange's deficient design but rather due to other issues (construction downstream, lane drop further south on I-95, etc.).
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 14, 2013, 12:29:19 PM
the backups are no longer because of that interchange's deficient design but rather due to other issues (construction downstream, lane drop further south on I-95, etc.).
Sorry, but David Hume contradicted you clear back in the 18th Century:
Quote from: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding; Cause and Effect, Part 1
In a word, then, every effect is a distinct event from its cause. It could not, therefore, be discovered in the cause, and the first invention or conception of it, a priori, must be entirely arbitrary. And even after it is suggested, the conjunction of it with the cause must appear equally arbitrary, since there are always many other effects, which, to reason, must seem fully as consistent and natural. In vain, therefore, should we pretend to determine any single event, or infer any cause or effect, without the assistance of observation and experience.
Hence we may discover the reason why no philosopher, who is rational and modest, has ever pretended to assign the ultimate cause of any natural operation, or to show distinctly the action of that power, which produces any single effect in the universe. It is confessed, that the utmost effort of human reason is to reduce the principles, productive of natural phenomena, to a greater simplicity, and to resolve the many particular effects into a few general causes, by means of reasonings from analogy, experience, and observation. But as to the causes of these general causes, we should in vain attempt their discovery, nor shall we ever be able to satisfy ourselves, by any particular explication of them. These ultimate springs and principles are totally shut up from human curiosity and enquiry.
:evilgrin:
Anyone know of any heart shaped interchanges for valentine's day?
Quote from: kphoger on February 14, 2013, 02:31:40 PM
Sorry, but David Hume contradicted you clear back in the 18th Century:
"clear" is not the first word which comes to mind when reading 18th century English. it seems to me a lot of the writers were cashing out the fifty-cent words like they were gonna be devalued in a week!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn1%2F558028_3932392763299_644270277_n.jpg&hash=31ea3095a4b49f24726f9be4676b95334047b014)
With some Photoshop bullshitting, I can make a heart from this. (It's US-101 and Fair Oaks Ave.) Although, you can easily make a very phallic image from it.
Quote from: KEK Inc. on February 14, 2013, 04:56:06 PM
Although, you can easily make a very phallic image from it.
yeah, when I see an interchange with two cloverleaves, in consecutive quadrants... I think of a very particular anatomical construct.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on February 14, 2013, 05:03:35 PM
Quote from: KEK Inc. on February 14, 2013, 04:56:06 PM
Although, you can easily make a very phallic image from it.
yeah, when I see an interchange with two cloverleaves, in consecutive quadrants... I think of a very particular anatomical construct.
One of a peninsular quality.
The Micmac Parclo (http://goo.gl/maps/xBD16)
This was an at-grade rotary until the early 90's, and fans out to the widest stretch of highway in the Atlantic Provinces at 12 lanes.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on February 14, 2013, 05:03:35 PM
Quote from: KEK Inc. on February 14, 2013, 04:56:06 PM
Although, you can easily make a very phallic image from it.
yeah, when I see an interchange with two cloverleaves, in consecutive quadrants... I think of a very particular anatomical construct.
And on that note, we have this: http://goo.gl/maps/tZlF4
I'm sure men will find this one particularly horrifying: http://goo.gl/maps/Cvb3j
Not if you look at it from the other direction. Looks fine to me.
</state of denial>