Coolest Interchanges

[Chris]

This 5-leg spaghetti interchange near Shanghai:
http://goo.gl/maps/NOMR4

Or how about this turbine interchange with 12 through lanes in Dubai?
http://goo.gl/maps/q6i7u

And this extremely short offramp in suburban Naples, Italy.
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

[ftballfan]

This 5-leg spaghetti interchange near Shanghai:
http://goo.gl/maps/NOMR4

Or how about this turbine interchange with 12 through lanes in Dubai?
http://goo.gl/maps/q6i7u

And this extremely short offramp in suburban Naples, Italy.
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

The second one looks like the Circle interchange on steroids. The fourth one looks interesting to say the least.

[deathtopumpkins]

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.

[Dr Frankenstein]

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.

[Brandon]

The roadways swap directions here for a toll plaza within an interchange in Milan, Italy
http://goo.gl/maps/IpBtK

EZ-Pass would go a long way to fixing this one.  Just sayin'. 

[LA_MetroMan]

And this extremely short offramp in suburban Naples, Italy.
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)

[ftballfan]

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

[nwi_navigator_1181]

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. (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.

[roadman65]

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.

[kphoger]

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

[johndoe]

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" http://goo.gl/maps/PtZa9

[deathtopumpkins]

Your first link doesn't work, fyi.

[Alps]

Your first link doesn't work, fyi.

they all work for me?

[kphoger]

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" 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).

[english si]

And speaking of long things in Kansas..I nominate this for "the most efficient bridge ever made" 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.

[Molandfreak]

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

[Alps]

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/

[Molandfreak]

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

[Alps]

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

WHICH INTERCHANGE??

HERE: https://maps.google.com/?ll=44.860158,-93.393188&spn=0.015453,0.036478&t=h&z=15

[Molandfreak]

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

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.

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? If not, I have access to an old map that might explain the design a little better and why it was built that way.



Update: I've found a vid that could explain the situation : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-hbT7LegQk

[Brandon]

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

[nwi_navigator_1181]

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-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...

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.

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.

[1995hoo]

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.

[roadman65]

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.

[kphoger]

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

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.

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? If not, I have access to an old map that might explain the design a little better and why it was built that way.



Update: I've found a vid that could explain the situation : 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?