Meaningful route numbers

[agentsteel53]

At one time, 338 extended well south of Animas. As far as I know, that stub is still a state highway.

certainly signed as such in Animas.  I've never driven it south of there.

[hm insulators]

NJ 139 is old US 1&9 Business.

holy shit old US 66 is now state highway 66

Arizona 66, for example, is a piece of old US 66.

[agentsteel53]

Texas 66, however, is completely unrelated.

[Brandon]

Then there's I-88 (W) in Illinois.  Why I-88 and not I-82, 84, or 86?  I strongly suspect IDOT and ISTHA chose the number due to when the number was applied to what had been IL-5 when they needed a number to get a 65 mph speed limit applied to the road.  The number was applied in 1988 after the NMSL had been modified in 1987 to allow for 65 mph speed limits on interstate highways only.  I-82 would have made more sense, IMHO.

[agentsteel53]

Then there's I-88 (W) in Illinois.  Why I-88 and not I-82, 84, or 86?  I strongly suspect IDOT and ISTHA chose the number due to when the number was applied to what had been IL-5 when they needed a number to get a 65 mph speed limit applied to the road.  The number was applied in 1988 after the NMSL had been modified in 1987 to allow for 65 mph speed limits on interstate highways only.  I-82 would have made more sense, IMHO.

84 already existed in two segments by then.  eastern (original to 1957) and western (1976 renumbering, I believe).  I don't think they wanted a precedent of three I-84s.

I-82 and I-86 would have been acceptable, creating a west and a midwest segment of each.  (New England I-86 was gone by then.)

I don't see, though, why I-82 is unambiguously better than I-88.  both fit the grid just fine, and neither has caused undue strain with other instances of the number (as I-86 would have done, because New York would have needed a third I-86 to fit between I-84 and I-88). 

the original I-82 (OR/WA) is a bit strained, but I can see them not wanting to renumber it when I-80N became I-84.

[Brandon]

I don't see, though, why I-82 is unambiguously better than I-88.  both fit the grid just fine, and neither has caused undue strain with other instances of the number (as I-86 would have done, because New York would have needed a third I-86 to fit between I-84 and I-88). 

Had the route of US-20 been turned into an interstate, as has been suggested in the past, I-82 on what is currently I-88 would've made the numbering work better.  Did Iowa ever have any plans for the US-20 corridor other than a freeway/expressway?

[roadman65]

The former US 611 in Pennsylvania branched off its parent where it duplexed with US 6.  The US 6 & 11 concurrency is nearby the diverge point, so it may be coincidence or not.

[Alps]

Also NM 2001 to the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

any meaning to NM-1113?  that is the only other four-digit that I know of.  it seems to be a continuation of NM-113, with a very short jog along NM-9.  NM does not like multiplexes, so they will sign the two halves with different numbers... but why bump to four digits?

hypotheses include:
1) "1113" fits into a standard three-digit number spacing scheme: Series C on the circle zia blank.
2) it's related to NM-113, and NM-213, 313, etc are taken elsewhere.
3) because Georgia/Alanland/New Mexico.

It can't be an extension of 113 because of the no-concurrency rule for New Mexico state highways. Why it couldn't just get another available 1xx number for NMDOT District 1 I don't know, since there are numerous instances throughout the state where almost-but-not-quite continuous roads change number. It's not like it goes anywhere where route number continuity is important. 

I don't see how the no-concurrency rule is violated, because 1113 is straight across from 113. From my page:
One of only three signed 4-digit routes in the state, leading to Playas. It started out as CR 113, numbered as an extension of NM 113 (which was already there to the right), but when the state took it over, for some reason instead of extending 113 southward, perhaps so that all of the mileage logs wouldn't have to be rewritten, they decided it was easier to give it a new number. Now, why something like 413 or 613 wouldn't have worked just fine is beyond me. The only other signed 4-digit routes are numbers of convenience: 2001 for the International Space Center (think Odyssey) and 6563 for the Solar Observatory (Balmer hydrogen transition in Ã...ngströms, which I wouldn't expect you to come up with). 5001 is unsigned, and may just be an internal designation.

[sp_redelectric]

Other than former alignments of U.S. routes (SR 99 and SR 10), WA has none.

What about SR 599 - connector between I-5 and SR 99 (otherwise an ordinary 5XX spur, but if numbered in sequence would be SR 517...)  Of course SR 410 is a former U.S. route...but overall Washington's secondary route numbering system is one of the most logical to begin with since you know what the parent route is.  Unlike Oregon...

The Boeing Freeway (SR 526) should really be renumbered to 7x7 or something. Doesn't fit the grid, but it passes right by the Boeing factory and was funded (partially) by the company.

I like it!  But SR 900 in Renton could also be renumbered (especially since it connects not just I-90, but also I-405 and I-5) and is close to the 737 plant...so renumber it 737, while SR 526 should be 747 since that plant was built for the 747 (and later used for 767, 777 and 787 fabrication).

[briantroutman]

The former US 611 in Pennsylvania branched off its parent where it duplexed with US 6.  The US 6 & 11 concurrency is nearby the diverge point, so it may be coincidence or not.

Only an intentional coincidence in that PA 611 used to be US 611, and of course US 11 was its parent.

[roadfro]

It was one of only three state routes not renumbered in 1976 (although 291 was proposed to replace the number), each of these routes do not conform to the clustering-by-county route numbering pattern implemented that persists to this day.

the other two are NV-28 and NV-88, correct?

NV-28 is interesting because California numbered a road on their side in 1953 as CA-28 to be a continuation of NV-28.  then NV returned the favor in 1976 by not renumbering their road.

CA-266 was designated in 1968, and NV-266 appears to have been numbered to match it in 1976.  a nice coincidence, since 266 fits Nevada's new scheme.

as for NV-8A and NV-34, those are officially off the books then?  I was up in Vya the other day and saw many old, and not-so-old, NV-8A and NV-34 shields, which would require a completely separate post to attempt to document - there are at least five different variants.

Slightly de-railing:

Yes, 28 & 88 are the other two.

You mentioned 28 renumbering on CA side. Nevada renumbered what had been SR 37 to SR 88 by 1957, so they repaid the favor to Caltrans twice.

SR 8A and SR 34 have been officially off the books since 1976 renumbering project wrapped up (so around 1982, according to old maps). NDOT likely abandoned/relinquished the roads as they were without removing signs or other features. But please feel free to expand on this point in Pacific Southwest

[iowahighways]

Had the route of US-20 been turned into an interstate, as has been suggested in the past, I-82 on what is currently I-88 would've made the numbering work better.  Did Iowa ever have any plans for the US-20 corridor other than a freeway/expressway?

Yes, during the 1960s and 1970s Iowa had plans to make the entire US 20 corridor a freeway, but budget and other concerns put the kibosh on that idea. The freeway segments that exist now -- the Sioux City bypass and the stretch from IA 17 to IA 38 -- will be the only freeway segments of US 20 in Iowa, at least for the foreseeable future. (Commentary on Iowa's abandoned 1968 freeway and expressway plans can be found here.)

[Kacie Jane]

What about SR 599 - connector between I-5 and SR 99 (otherwise an ordinary 5XX spur, but if numbered in sequence would be SR 517...)

Also I-705.  It's likely just a coincidence, since when it was numbered, 105, 305, and 505 were all already taken by state routes, but it's neat how it fits both the interstate numbering system with the parent at the end, and the state numbering system with the parent at the beginning, since it's a continuation of SR 7.

[The High Plains Traveler]

Also NM 2001 to the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

any meaning to NM-1113?  that is the only other four-digit that I know of.  it seems to be a continuation of NM-113, with a very short jog along NM-9.  NM does not like multiplexes, so they will sign the two halves with different numbers... but why bump to four digits?

hypotheses include:
1) "1113" fits into a standard three-digit number spacing scheme: Series C on the circle zia blank.
2) it's related to NM-113, and NM-213, 313, etc are taken elsewhere.
3) because Georgia/Alanland/New Mexico.

It can't be an extension of 113 because of the no-concurrency rule for New Mexico state highways. Why it couldn't just get another available 1xx number for NMDOT District 1 I don't know, since there are numerous instances throughout the state where almost-but-not-quite continuous roads change number. It's not like it goes anywhere where route number continuity is important. 

I don't see how the no-concurrency rule is violated, because 1113 is straight across from 113. From my page:
One of only three signed 4-digit routes in the state, leading to Playas. It started out as CR 113, numbered as an extension of NM 113 (which was already there to the right), but when the state took it over, for some reason instead of extending 113 southward, perhaps so that all of the mileage logs wouldn't have to be rewritten, they decided it was easier to give it a new number. Now, why something like 413 or 613 wouldn't have worked just fine is beyond me. The only other signed 4-digit routes are numbers of convenience: 2001 for the International Space Center (think Odyssey) and 6563 for the Solar Observatory (Balmer hydrogen transition in Ã...ngströms, which I wouldn't expect you to come up with). 5001 is unsigned, and may just be an internal designation.

I thought you decimated my argument, since I haven't driven NM-9 as far as this point, and didn't research this point from Google Maps (until now) when doing my New Mexico Highways Page.  But...look at this intersection. It's actually not straight through (notwithstanding the pictured sign). There is a definite offset to the intersection, which makes it a micro-concurrency. OK, a pico-concurrency. That said, I think your hypothesis that the state didn't want to reset reference points to reflect a new southern terminus makes sense. The southern extension appears to go to a smelter at Playas.

[Alps]

Also NM 2001 to the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

any meaning to NM-1113?  that is the only other four-digit that I know of.  it seems to be a continuation of NM-113, with a very short jog along NM-9.  NM does not like multiplexes, so they will sign the two halves with different numbers... but why bump to four digits?

hypotheses include:
1) "1113" fits into a standard three-digit number spacing scheme: Series C on the circle zia blank.
2) it's related to NM-113, and NM-213, 313, etc are taken elsewhere.
3) because Georgia/Alanland/New Mexico.

It can't be an extension of 113 because of the no-concurrency rule for New Mexico state highways. Why it couldn't just get another available 1xx number for NMDOT District 1 I don't know, since there are numerous instances throughout the state where almost-but-not-quite continuous roads change number. It's not like it goes anywhere where route number continuity is important. 

I don't see how the no-concurrency rule is violated, because 1113 is straight across from 113. From my page:
One of only three signed 4-digit routes in the state, leading to Playas. It started out as CR 113, numbered as an extension of NM 113 (which was already there to the right), but when the state took it over, for some reason instead of extending 113 southward, perhaps so that all of the mileage logs wouldn't have to be rewritten, they decided it was easier to give it a new number. Now, why something like 413 or 613 wouldn't have worked just fine is beyond me. The only other signed 4-digit routes are numbers of convenience: 2001 for the International Space Center (think Odyssey) and 6563 for the Solar Observatory (Balmer hydrogen transition in Ã...ngströms, which I wouldn't expect you to come up with). 5001 is unsigned, and may just be an internal designation.

I thought you decimated my argument, since I haven't driven NM-9 as far as this point, and didn't research this point from Google Maps (until now) when doing my New Mexico Highways Page.  But...look at this intersection. It's actually not straight through (notwithstanding the pictured sign). There is a definite offset to the intersection, which makes it a micro-concurrency. OK, a pico-concurrency. That said, I think your hypothesis that the state didn't want to reset reference points to reflect a new southern terminus makes sense. The southern extension appears to go to a smelter at Playas.

To me, the main thing that doesn't make sense is failing to use another available number before breaking 1000.

[vtk]

To me, the main thing that doesn't make sense is failing to use another available number before breaking 1000.

While 1000 itself may have disadvantages in fitting the number on the sign, 1113 can almost certainly fit just as easily as any 3-digit number, and it's probably more memorable than something like 813. 

This reminds me of an experiment I considered recently, where I would [technical description deleted] come up with a list of route numbers sorted from most to least memorable.  I suspect several 4-digit entries would appear before the 3-digit ones are exhausted.

[agentsteel53]

5001 is unsigned, and may just be an internal designation.

I believe I have a photo somewhere of this being signed.  it is in Farmington, correct? 

[The High Plains Traveler]

5001 is unsigned, and may just be an internal designation.

I believe I have a photo somewhere of this being signed.  it is in Farmington, correct? 

I believe it's signed as U.S. 64, and the route of 64 through downtown is Business 64. I think 5001 is derived from a San Juan County designation (maybe what it was called before the state took it over), as that county uses a systematic 4-digit numbering scheme. The most unusual thing is that the 5001 designation is shown on the official state highway map.

[agentsteel53]

I think 5001 is derived from a San Juan County designation (maybe what it was called before the state took it over), as that county uses a systematic 4-digit numbering scheme.

quite likely.  I have plenty of photos of 5xxx county pentagons.  I looked and could not find a photo of a zia 5001, but I am pretty sure I saw one.

(because New Mexico.)

[NYhwyfan]

Don't think this has been mentioned yet

North Dakota Highway 1804 and Highway 1806

Numbered to reflect the years of Lewis and Clark's travels through the area. The highways travel along the Missouri River, 1804 along the north side and 1806 on the south side
http://maps.google.com/?ll=47.542237,-101.732712&spn=0.2452,0.617294&t=m&z=11

[NE2]

From the first post in the thread...

Some examples I can think of include North Dakota Highways 1804 and 1806 which represent the years Lewis and Clark traveled through the state

[amroad17]

How about NY 695, which connects I-690 and NY 5 west of Syracuse.

[kphoger]

From the first post in the thread...

Some examples I can think of include North Dakota Highways 1804 and 1806 which represent the years Lewis and Clark traveled through the state

Oh, yeah, well......that......

[OCGuy81]

Some state highways in California are meant to reflect the US routes that they once carried, such as CA-60 and CA-99. 

Now how about US-491?  It's significant because people wanted to be rid of the 666 designation, IIRC.

[US81]

Some state highways in California are meant to reflect the US routes that they once carried, such as CA-60 and CA-99. 

Now how about US-491?  It's significant because people wanted to be rid of the 666 designation, IIRC.

Texas has done this as well.

As to US 491, I can't speak to that - but as fun as it was for me, my mother was terrified. Rode lying down in the backseat with a cloth over her face. She, at least, thought the 666 designation was appropriate.  :-)