Interstate 11

[vdeane]

Freight from Mexico has a perfectly good route already: I-19 to I-10.  As far as I'm concerned, the only need for I-11 is to connect Phoenix and Las Vegas.

[KG909]

They should just concurrent it with I-10 then renumber I-19 as I-11

[pumpkineater2]

As far as I'm concerned, the only need for I-11 is to connect Phoenix and Las Vegas.

I agree.

IMO, the ideal route for I-11 would be down U.S. 60 and then down AZ 101 to I-10. Only problem I see with that is that there is tons of development along that route, and I feel like all the old people in Sun City would be strongly opposed to a project with such magnitude as converting Grand Avenue into a freeway.

Another option is routing it along AZ 303, but that doesn't really connect Phoenix and Las Vegas very well IMO.

[swbrotha100]

As far as I'm concerned, the only need for I-11 is to connect Phoenix and Las Vegas.

I agree.

IMO, the ideal route for I-11 would be down U.S. 60 and then down AZ 101 to I-10. Only problem I see with that is that there is tons of development along that route, and I feel like all the old people in Sun City would be strongly opposed to a project with such magnitude as converting Grand Avenue into a freeway.

Another option is routing it along AZ 303, but that doesn't really connect Phoenix and Las Vegas very well IMO.

Based on all the current development, it would be difficult to convert US 60/Grand Ave southeast of Loop 303 into a freeway.

[NE2]

Based on all the current development, it would be difficult to convert US 60/Grand Ave southeast of Loop 303 into a freeway.

Not necessarily - most areas have either frontage or backage roads, so direct access could simply be closed. Some creativity might be required to make interchanges fit, but there's also room across the railroad for a parallel connection to roads without interchanges.

[swbrotha100]

If the I-11 concept was more of a reality 30 years ago, maybe it would have helped turn Grand Ave into something different than it currently is today.

http://wwwa.azdot.gov/projects/south-mtn-final-eis/smfeis_ch_1_purpose-and-need.pdf

One of the maps in this PDF file shows the proposal for the Grand Expressway back in 1985. It ended up not happening, and the best that we may see for awhile is grade separated interchanges scattered along Grand here and there.

[Grzrd]

A March 26 ADOT News Release announces that United States Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake have introduced legislation for a Congressional designation of I-11 from Wickenburg to the Mexican border, as well as "north through Nevada":

As planning for the Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor advances, Arizona Department of Transportation Director John Halikowski today expressed appreciation for the efforts of U.S. Senator John McCain and U.S. Senator Jeff Flake for their work to introduce the Intermountain West Corridor Development Act of 2015 to Congress.
The bill formally extends Interstate 11 from Wickenburg south through the Tucson area to Nogales, Arizona. Interstate 11 had previously received a congressional designation from Phoenix to Las Vegas. The Intermountain West Corridor Development Act would not only formally designate I-11 across Arizona from border to border by establishing a new international trade corridor, but would also extend the interstate north through Nevada as well, with plans to ultimately connect with existing high-priority corridors to the Canadian border. 
This act formalizes and reinforces ADOT's overall concept for Interstate 11 in Arizona. ADOT, through its two-year feasibility study, which was completed last fall, focused on and supported the concept of Interstate 11 that runs border to border throughout Arizona, beginning at the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge and ending at the Arizona-Mexico border ....
In December, the Arizona State Transportation Board took action to approve $15 million for the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, which will allow ADOT to begin an environmental study in the area between Nogales and Wickenburg. The Tier 1 EIS is expected to begin later this year and is estimated to take three years to complete.

The bill is known as S. 842 and here is a link to its text (as of the time of this post, the text has not yet been posted on Congress.gov)*:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/842/text

* The text is now posted on Congress.gov.

Maybe this is a strong signal regarding Congressional optimism that a long-term reauthorization will be passed before May 31. 

edit

Here is a snip of an interesting Interstate I-11 shield from a KLAS video linked on Nevada Senator Dean Heller's website (well, at least it is not neutered):

[vdeane]

The Arizona plan for taking I-11 to Nogales seems designed specifically as a way to backdoor kill the metric signage on I-19 (as replacing I-19 with I-11 would require bringing the exit numbers and mileposts in line with I-11, unless they plan to extend metric to Nevada, which I doubt).  Note that I'm opposed to interstates terminating in a multiplex, so keeping I-19 down the corridor if I-11 were extended is IMO not something that should be done.

I still don't think traffic warrants building a whole new freeway parallel to I-10 here, but if Arizona insists on doing that, maybe they could at least build a freeway connection to MX 15D?

[Grzrd]

The bill is known as S. 842 and here is a link to its text (as of the time of this post, the text has not yet been posted on Congress.gov):
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/842/text

The text of the bill is now posted on Congress.gov.  Regarding the route designation between Wickenburg and Nogales, there is plenty of "wiggle room" to choose between existing interstates or new alignments:

SEC. 2. Findings.
Congress finds that– ....
(4) the establishment of Interstate Route 11 from the State of Arizona-Mexico border through the State of Nevada and, ultimately integrating into existing high priority corridors of the National Highway System leading to the Canadian border, would enhance the economic vitality of the Western United States.
SEC. 3. Route designation.
Section 1105 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2031) is amended–
(1) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (68) (105 Stat. 2032; 119 Stat. 1213) and inserting the following:
"(68) The Washoe County Corridor and the Intermountain West Corridor shall generally follow–
"(A) in the case of the Washoe County Corridor, along Interstate Route 580/United States Route 95/United States Route 95A, from Reno, Nevada, to Las Vegas, Nevada; and
"(B) in the case of the Intermountain West Corridor, from the vicinity of Las Vegas extending north along United States Route 95, terminating at Interstate Route 80." ; and
(2) in subsection (e)(5)–
(A) in subparagraph (A) (109 Stat. 597; 118 Stat. 293; 119 Stat. 1213), in the first sentence–
(i) by inserting "subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of subsection (c)(26),"  after "(c)(20)," ; and
(ii) by striking "and subsection (c)(57)"  and inserting "subsection (c)(57), and subsection (c)(68)(B)" ; and
(B) in subparagraph (C)(i) (109 Stat. 598; 126 Stat. 427), in the last sentence by inserting ", and subsection (c)(68)(B), extending south from the vicinity of Wickenburg to Interstate Route 10 and continuing south toward the Tucson vicinity to the Nogales, Arizona region, establishing an international trade corridor by employing Interstates in existence on the date of enactment of the Intermountain West Corridor Development Act of 2015 or new alignments to be determined through appropriate studies, and extending north from the vicinity of Las Vegas along United States Route 95, following alignments to be determined by further study, terminating at Interstate Route 80," after "subsection (c)(26)" .

[Bickendan]

While I remain unconvinced that I-11 needs to go to Reno, I do welcome the extension and hope US 95 doesn't get screwed over in the process.

Or 93 between Vegas and Wickenburg, for that matter.

[kkt]

But I-580 doesn't meet US 95 or US 95A.  We need to crowdsource maps for Congress!

[roadfro]

But I-580 doesn't meet US 95 or US 95A.  We need to crowdsource maps for Congress!

That has been a source of confusion for me. Perhaps they are referring to selecting one of those three potential north/south corridors as where the I-11 route will go to terminate at I-80...?


EDIT: Made my second sentence make more sense...

[kkt]

Perhaps they'll be 11E, 11W, and 11C.

[mgk920]

A couple of years ago I pondered where I'd put an 'I-11' crossover between the US 95 and US 385/I-580 corridors and determined, with my admittedly limited knowledge of the area while using air photos, that it could be between somewhere just south of Yerington (NV 208 area) and the Walker Lake/Hawthorne area.

Mike

[roadfro]

Perhaps they'll be 11E, 11W, and 11C.

Oh, god no... 

A couple of years ago I pondered where I'd put an 'I-11' crossover between the US 95 and US 385395/I-580 corridors and determined, with my admittedly limited knowledge of the area while using air photos, that it could be between somewhere just south of Yerington (NV 208 area) and the Walker Lake/Hawthorne area.

Made a fix for you...

Yeah, there's not really a good place for I-11 to cut west towards Reno. Your route following the US 95 Alt and SR 208 corridors is probably easiest, but that goes much further south than desired. I'd maybe take it further north along US 95/US 95 Alt and cut west along (and/or slightly south of) the US 50 corridor. That still has its challenges and is also a bit out of the way, but could provide better service to the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center/USA Parkway (where Tesla is going).

[kkt]

Agreeing with Roadfro.  From Las Vagas to Reno, the route US 95 to Fallon, then Alt US 50 to Fernley, then I-80 is the shortest way.  As well as the fastest.  Besides, 208 is over some mountainous territory, which means higher construction cost, lower speed limits, and more gas consumed going over it.  I-11 would follow US 95 all the way from L.V. to I-80, with a 3di from Fallon to Fernley.

[mgk920]

Perhaps they'll be 11E, 11W, and 11C.

Oh, god no... 

A couple of years ago I pondered where I'd put an 'I-11' crossover between the US 95 and US 385395/I-580 corridors and determined, with my admittedly limited knowledge of the area while using air photos, that it could be between somewhere just south of Yerington (NV 208 area) and the Walker Lake/Hawthorne area.

Made a fix for you...

Yeah, there's not really a good place for I-11 to cut west towards Reno. Your route following the US 95 Alt and SR 208 corridors is probably easiest, but that goes much further south than desired. I'd maybe take it further north along US 95/US 95 Alt and cut west along (and/or slightly south of) the US 50 corridor. That still has its challenges and is also a bit out of the way, but could provide better service to the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center/USA Parkway (where Tesla is going).

I was actually thinking a bit farther south than US 95A, more on the lines of WNW from the mid-Walker Lake area to the East Walker River, then hitting NV 208 from the SE via that valley.

But yes, there is no really ideal routing in that area.

Mike

[Indyroads]

I-11 needs to initially be constructed in two sections.

1.) from Phoenix metro to north Las Vegas...

2.) from Winnemucca to west of Boise to connect to a planned Treasure Valley Bypass. from there the roadway can be extended northward as funds/needs permit.

Then the gap closure can begin for the two sections depending on the best routing. Likely this highway would travel through Fallon with feeder routes connecting to Carson City and Reno. A spur interstate from Fallon to Fernley could complete that link to avoid additional mileage backtracking as well.

There is a definite need for an interstate corridor along this section especially if central nevada wants to see some economic growth. In addition if properly constructed it could also help to alleviate some congestion on California highways.

[kkt]

I-11 needs to initially be constructed in two sections.

1.) from Phoenix metro to north Las Vegas...

2.) from Winnemucca to west of Boise to connect to a planned Treasure Valley Bypass. from there the roadway can be extended northward as funds/needs permit.

Then the gap closure can begin for the two sections depending on the best routing. Likely this highway would travel through Fallon with feeder routes connecting to Carson City and Reno. A spur interstate from Fallon to Fernley could complete that link to avoid additional mileage backtracking as well.

There is a definite need for an interstate corridor along this section especially if central nevada wants to see some economic growth. In addition if properly constructed it could also help to alleviate some congestion on California highways.

Have you been to central Nevada?  Or between Winnemucca and Boise?

[nexus73]

I-11 needs to initially be constructed in two sections.

1.) from Phoenix metro to north Las Vegas...

2.) from Winnemucca to west of Boise to connect to a planned Treasure Valley Bypass. from there the roadway can be extended northward as funds/needs permit.

Then the gap closure can begin for the two sections depending on the best routing. Likely this highway would travel through Fallon with feeder routes connecting to Carson City and Reno. A spur interstate from Fallon to Fernley could complete that link to avoid additional mileage backtracking as well.

There is a definite need for an interstate corridor along this section especially if central nevada wants to see some economic growth. In addition if properly constructed it could also help to alleviate some congestion on California highways.

Have you been to central Nevada?  Or between Winnemucca and Boise?

That is the very definition of the middle of nowhere...LOL!

Rick

[Bickendan]

I'd be very, very surprised if I-11 goes to Boise, as much as the lines on the paper look good. More than likely, it'll go Reno-Susanville-Klamath Falls-Bend-Redmond-[(Hermiston/Umatilla)-Tri Cities-Spokane-BC]/[Yakima-Wenatchee-(Osoyoos)]

[kkt]

I'd be surprised if it went to Reno and amazed if it went farther north than the Reno area or I-80. 

There's some demand for an east of the Cascades route, but the heavy traffic, especially trucks, is Weed-Bend, avoiding the high elevations and steep grades of I-5.  And honestly, 4 lanes would be enough for quite some time, a full freeway would be throwing money away.

[Bickendan]

I'd be surprised if it went to Reno and amazed if it went farther north than the Reno area or I-80. 

There's some demand for an east of the Cascades route, but the heavy traffic, especially trucks, is Weed-Bend, avoiding the high elevations and steep grades of I-5.  And honestly, 4 lanes would be enough for quite some time, a full freeway would be throwing money away.

Well, if the bill passes, it's not a question of if but when I-11 goes to Reno and toward Canada.

[jakeroot]

I'd be surprised if it went to Reno and amazed if it went farther north than the Reno area or I-80. 

There's some demand for an east of the Cascades route, but the heavy traffic, especially trucks, is Weed-Bend, avoiding the high elevations and steep grades of I-5.  And honestly, 4 lanes would be enough for quite some time, a full freeway would be throwing money away.

Well, if the bill passes, it's not a question of if but when I-11 goes to Reno and toward Canada.

The federal government would pay for the whole thing, right? I have a hard time believing either Oregon or Washington would pay for any new N/S freeways.

[NE2]

Uh guys, the bill only takes I-11 to I-80, "ultimately integrating into existing high priority corridors of the National Highway System leading to the Canadian border" (which is merely a 'finding', not part of the 'route designation'). And even that part isn't required to be built as a freeway any more than I-73/74 in West Virginia.