I-93/I-95 Additional lane opens

[roadman]

Still, that was an idea. As for MA-213 they planed that to be an I-x93 but the FHWA said no to it so they gave it 213. I have no idea where 213 came from; maybe because it has a junction with 113.

Designating MA 213 as an Interstate would be logical, as it connects I-93 with I-495. However, while there has recently been some discussions about re-designating MA 213 as a child of I-93 (likely I-193 or I-393), I am not aware of any effort currently being made by MassDOT to formally present the request to AASHTO or FHWA at this time.

That having been said, I see two obstacles to AASHTO and FHWA granting an Interstate designation for 213, namely the interchanges at the end points.  The interchange at I-93 involves a very short weave section between traffic going from 213 west to I-93 south and traffic going from I-93 south to 213 east.  The interchange at I-495 involves a tight compound curve for traffic going from 213 west east to I-495 north.

[Alps]

I knew that before. It made me wonder why they didn't call it something else when they re-designated though.

The DPW may have wanted to maintain a connection between that highway and the old current MA 113.   In most other instances, it's the new road that gets the old number and the old road gets renumbered (examples: MA 203 was originally MA 3, MA 228 was originally MA 128, MA 225 was originally MA 25, etc.).

The difference in this case is that 113 still exists on both sides. Routing it onto and back off of 213 would be cumbersome.

[MVHighways]

I knew that before. It made me wonder why they didn't call it something else when they re-designated though.

The DPW may have wanted to maintain a connection between that highway and the old current MA 113.   In most other instances, it's the new road that gets the old number and the old road gets renumbered (examples: MA 203 was originally MA 3, MA 228 was originally MA 128, MA 225 was originally MA 25, etc.).

The difference in this case is that 113 still exists on both sides. Routing it onto and back off of 213 would be cumbersome.

Yeah. I live close to 113, thus my knowledge on it. 113 runs indirectly parallel to 213 for most of its length but I still don't see why it got numbered 213. AND I'M A LOCAL.

Still, that was an idea. As for MA-213 they planed that to be an I-x93 but the FHWA said no to it so they gave it 213. I have no idea where 213 came from; maybe because it has a junction with 113.

Designating MA 213 as an Interstate would be logical, as it connects I-93 with I-495. However, while there has recently been some discussions about re-designating MA 213 as a child of I-93 (likely I-193 or I-393), I am not aware of any effort currently being made by MassDOT to formally present the request to AASHTO or FHWA at this time.

That having been said, I see two obstacles to AASHTO and FHWA granting an Interstate designation for 213, namely the interchanges at the end points.  The interchange at I-93 involves a very short weave section between traffic going from 213 west to I-93 south and traffic going from I-93 south to 213 east.  The interchange at I-495 involves a tight compund curve for traffic going from 213 west to I-495 north.

Where'd you hear about the re-discussion? And it's 213 east to 495 north. For the onramp to I-93 south, they could probably do a small change to it or add new signage.

[roadman]

Every so often, the local MPO that includes MA 213 casually mentions the possibility of a re-designation for 213 (IIRC, the last time was about six years ago).  However, unlike with MA 24, there's been no serious effort on the part of MassDOT to study exactly what would be required to bring the road up to Interstate standards (perhaps because re-doing either or both of the end interchanges would require a $%!^load of money that MassDOT just doesn't have).

[MVHighways]

Every so often, the local MPO that includes MA 213 casually mentions the possibility of a re-designation for 213 (IIRC, the last time was about six years ago).  However, unlike with MA 24, there's been no serious effort on the part of MassDOT to study exactly what would be required to bring the road up to Interstate standards (perhaps because re-doing either or both of the end interchanges would require a $%!^load of money that MassDOT just doesn't have).

Hmm. Tomorrow I think I'll be on 213 end-to-end so I'll record it and post it here in realtime so you guys can actually SEE it. I know that you know, referring to everyone else.

[Alps]

Every so often, the local MPO that includes MA 213 casually mentions the possibility of a re-designation for 213 (IIRC, the last time was about six years ago).  However, unlike with MA 24, there's been no serious effort on the part of MassDOT to study exactly what would be required to bring the road up to Interstate standards (perhaps because re-doing either or both of the end interchanges would require a $%!^load of money that MassDOT just doesn't have).

Hmm. Tomorrow I think I'll be on 213 end-to-end so I'll record it and post it here in realtime so you guys can actually SEE it. I know that you know, referring to everyone else.

http://youtu.be/ndDbC0kHLwg

[MVHighways]

Darn it.


Hmm. Not to be offensive to anyone but I'll probably have a better result. PLUS I'll probably be in both directions.

[Alps]

Darn it.


Hmm. Not to be offensive to anyone but I'll probably have a better result. PLUS I'll probably be in both directions.

Oh, you can't do better than me. But you can always get the other direction.

[MVHighways]

Darn it.


Hmm. Not to be offensive to anyone but I'll probably have a better result. PLUS I'll probably be in both directions.

Oh, you can't do better than me. But you can always get the other direction.

Oh, was that you? If so sorry about that. But I did get EB 213 today. As for WB 213 that was the plan but my mom ended up following a friend of hers (who HATES highways) to the Outback off exit 47/I-93 and she took the SIDE ROADS instead of 495. I lose my roadgeek status and a video at the same time. And then my mom's friend ended up giving me bull about the "dangers" of highways. -_-

To further add to the annoyance, I had to sit in the back for the millionth time because the front seat was (as always) filled with $#!*..

Shaky video...

While everyone was eating I went outside, took a walk and took a picture of this BGS at the 93 NB onramp off exit 47:



Well, the sign got "manipulated" by the flash. Here's how it ACTUALLY looks w/o flash:

[deathtopumpkins]

Please resize and/or crop pictures before posting them. 4608x2592 images cause severe page lag and can take a minute to load even on high-speed connections.

The forum guidelines suggest a maximum size of 800x600, with a link to the full-size image if necessary.

[MVHighways]

Done. (Hopefully the thing didn't screw up on me.)

Oh, and I don't think I-128 is coming any time soon unless they A) put it and I-28 in the South or B) have another I-238 scenario. B isn't happening because most of it is already in the Interstate system as 95. Sorry.

[deathtopumpkins]

Oh, and I don't think I-128 is coming any time soon unless they A) put it and I-28 in the South or B) have another I-238 scenario. B isn't happening because most of it is already in the Interstate system as 95. Sorry.

It's a joke. A combination of Interstate to satisfy the I-95 crowed and 128 to appease the locals.

[shadyjay]

It's a joke. A combination of Interstate to satisfy the I-95 crowed and 128 to appease the locals.

I like it!  128 can be posted on all BGSs and its still an interstate so there's no funding issues.  Plus, the new "BEGIN 128" sign in Canton already has a blue "BEGIN" plate. 

[PHLBOS]

The difference in this case is that 113 still exists on both sides. Routing it onto and back off of 213 would be cumbersome.

No more cumbersome than what the DPW did in their 1989 re-routing of US 1 between Boston and Dedham onto I-93 & I-95 (MA 128)... or what PennDOT did w/PA 332, 413 & 532 when the Newton (Bucks County) Bypass opened back in the 90s.

While everyone was eating I went outside, took a walk and took a picture of this BGS at the 93 NB onramp off exit 47:



Well, the sign got "manipulated" by the flash. Here's how it ACTUALLY looks w/o flash:

Got some adjacent contrasting Red-Light/Green Light action going on there for any traffic singal geeks. 

[bob7374]

I took a trip over to check out the new lanes earlier today. I've posted some photos and comments here:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2012/12/i-93i-95-new-lane-report.html

[KEVIN_224]

Awesome pictures! I see the ramp from I-93 South to I-95 South is now two lanes.

As for the "I-93 ENDS in 1 1/2 MILES" sign, that's been there for some time. Here's my picture of it from February 16, 2011:

[roadman]

Awesome pictures! I see the ramp from I-93 South to I-95 South is now two lanes.

As for the "I-93 ENDS in 1 1/2 MILES" sign, that's been there for some time. Here's my picture of it from February 16, 2011:

IIRC, the "I-93 Ends" sign was installed in late 2003.  Similar signs were posted approacing the ends of other Interstates and freeways within Massachusetts about the same time.

[southshore720]

I was under the impression that they were going to make the ramp from I-95N to I-93N (Exit 12) two lanes throughout.  Instead, they added a raised shoulder with traffic still forced to merge into one lane before entering I-93.  Will they tear this up once the "exit only" lane for Exit 2A opens?  This ramp creates HUGE bottlenecks!

[roadman]

I was under the impression that they were going to make the ramp from I-95N to I-93N (Exit 12) two lanes throughout.  Instead, they added a raised shoulder with traffic still forced to merge into one lane before entering I-93.  Will they tear this up once the "exit only" lane for Exit 2A opens?  This ramp creates HUGE bottlenecks!

The off-ramp from I-95N to I-93 N will become two lanes - the right lane will merge into the new "Exit Only" lane for Exit 2A, and the left lane will merge with the right travel lane from I-95 (MA 128) south.

This work is currently expected to be completed by early to mid-Spring of 2013 (weather permitting)

[southshore720]

Thanks Roadman, that's what I initially thought it to be...but the installation of the raised shoulder had me scratching my head.  Why not just put a jersey barrier up instead?  What a waste (and environmentally unfriendly to boot!)

[spooky]

I don't think that was intended to be a raised shoulder, it just happens to be final pavement on the widened portion of the ramp only. I assume that they will repave the rest of the ramp when they finalize the alignment with the widened I-93.