Interstate business routes

[7/8]

I-94 BL in Port Huron, MI is my only clinch so far (Travel Mapping link).

[Strider]

What is up with these interstate business loops? It's either surface street like I-526 Business Spur or full on freeway (Capital City Freeway - I-80 Business Loop)

Full freeway Interstate BLs are quite rare.  I think you can count all of the extant examples on one hand, not including ones that are concurrent with mainline Interstates.

We just eliminated Green 40 from the Salem Parkway freeway in Winston-Salem recently, and there was another short-lived Green 40 freeway in Greensboro (converted back to I-40 soon after).  It's odd to me that both of these changes occurred after major improvements to the older freeways.  [And I shouldn't forget that we've still got Green 85 in Greensboro, much of which is multiplexed with I-40 down the middle of Death Valley].

Unfortunately, Green 85 will not be for long. After the Urban Loop is finished, they will remove both Green 85's from Lexington-High Point AND the one through Greensboro. Both routings will be just US 29 (and US 70) in some segments.

[Terry Shea]

BS-I-196 in Wyoming, MI has to be the dumbest business route ever.  Especially since they lopped off about half of it in 2017.  You can't access it from WB I-196, but if you access it from EB I-196 you can't return to EB-I-196, only WB I-196.  Prior to 2017, the route ended at US-131, and even though it was signed as a business spur, most people and several map makers assumed it continued north on US-131 to reconnect with I-196.  Now, the route ends at the Wyoming/Grand Rapids border, about 2 miles short of US-131 and requiring turns onto 2 different streets, without aid of highway markers to get to US-131.   http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/MichHwysBus96-496.html

[Bickendan]

There's the very colorful Business Route I-90s in Moses Lake, Washington.

And then there's a Interstate Business Route 30 off US 30 in St. Hellens, Oregon.

...

Looks like I'm driving up to St Helens to field check this. Very certain that's neither AASHTO nor ODOT sanctioned, though that is a nice shield.

[Avalanchez71]

The I-24 Business Loop in Paducah, KY was formerly named DOWNTOWN LOOP in lieu of BUSINESS LOOP.  It was longer was well.  It has been cut back.  It is actually signed decently well.

[Takumi]

I've only clinched I-85 Business as a driver, and W-S I-40 Business as a passenger (technically I also have the Greensboro one as well, but not while it actually existed.)

I've always thought that if Virginia really wanted to add a business interstate, it could do a business spur of I-264 to the oceanfront.

[Avalanchez71]

The signs on these business routes just keep dwindling over the years.  It is hard to find the way in Tifton, GA, Cordele, GA is down to one sign I believe.  The Adel-Sparks, GA one is gone.

[hbelkins]

The I-24 Business Loop in Paducah, KY was formerly named DOWNTOWN LOOP in lieu of BUSINESS LOOP.  It was longer was well.  It has been cut back.  It is actually signed decently well.

The "downtown loop" used to extend all the way east to the US 68 exit. It was shortened when the new Husband Road exit (KY "mumble" XXXX) was built.

The "downtown loop" wasn't all that consistently signed, and for awhile signs were posted for both "downtown" and "business" before the conversion to "business" was completed.

I have a photo of a "downtown loop" sign somewhere in my collection. It was taken ages ago and I think by the Sony Mavica digital camera I had that saved images on a floppy.

[Avalanchez71]

The I-24 Business Loop in Paducah, KY was formerly named DOWNTOWN LOOP in lieu of BUSINESS LOOP.  It was longer was well.  It has been cut back.  It is actually signed decently well.

The "downtown loop" used to extend all the way east to the US 68 exit. It was shortened when the new Husband Road exit (KY "mumble" XXXX) was built.

The "downtown loop" wasn't all that consistently signed, and for awhile signs were posted for both "downtown" and "business" before the conversion to "business" was completed.

I have a photo of a "downtown loop" sign somewhere in my collection. It was taken ages ago and I think by the Sony Mavica digital camera I had that saved images on a floppy.

Do you think the newer Husband Road alignment of BUS LOOP I-24 makes more sense than the former alignment?

[Dirt Roads]

The I-24 Business Loop in Paducah, KY was formerly named DOWNTOWN LOOP in lieu of BUSINESS LOOP.  It was longer was well.  It has been cut back.  It is actually signed decently well.

The "downtown loop" used to extend all the way east to the US 68 exit. It was shortened when the new Husband Road exit (KY "mumble" XXXX) was built.

The "downtown loop" wasn't all that consistently signed, and for awhile signs were posted for both "downtown" and "business" before the conversion to "business" was completed.

I have a photo of a "downtown loop" sign somewhere in my collection. It was taken ages ago and I think by the Sony Mavica digital camera I had that saved images on a floppy.

That's wild.  I didn't realize that there were any Green BLs that ventured so far away from the Interstate alignment.  Since it really does run downtown, that's got to add a lot of extra time to a trip.  Any others that venture this far off the mainline?

[pderocco]

The old routing of US-80 east of El Cajon, CA, which runs parallel to I-8, is labeled "Hwy Eight Business", "Hwy 8 Bus.", or "Hwy 8 Buss", but there are no shield signs, just street signs. And it's less than three miles long. Yet Google shows it with a green 8 shield.

[kphoger]

The old routing of US-80 east of El Cajon, CA, which runs parallel to I-8, is labeled "Hwy Eight Business", "Hwy 8 Bus.", or "Hwy 8 Buss", but there are no shield signs, just street signs. And it's less than three miles long. Yet Google shows it with a green 8 shield.

But it's officially designated as I-8(BL), correct?

[hbelkins]

The I-24 Business Loop in Paducah, KY was formerly named DOWNTOWN LOOP in lieu of BUSINESS LOOP.  It was longer was well.  It has been cut back.  It is actually signed decently well.

The "downtown loop" used to extend all the way east to the US 68 exit. It was shortened when the new Husband Road exit (KY "mumble" XXXX) was built.

The "downtown loop" wasn't all that consistently signed, and for awhile signs were posted for both "downtown" and "business" before the conversion to "business" was completed.

I have a photo of a "downtown loop" sign somewhere in my collection. It was taken ages ago and I think by the Sony Mavica digital camera I had that saved images on a floppy.

Do you think the newer Husband Road alignment of BUS LOOP I-24 makes more sense than the former alignment?

Probably -- there was very little business along the eastern part of that downtown loop. The new routing is a more accurate representation of what a green interstate should be.

[Bickendan]

There's the very colorful Business Route I-90s in Moses Lake, Washington.

And then there's a Interstate Business Route 30 off US 30 in St. Hellens, Oregon.

...

Looks like I'm driving up to St Helens to field check this. Very certain that's neither AASHTO nor ODOT sanctioned, though that is a nice shield.

Field checked and clinched. Now to see if it should be added to TM, and as what... US 30B or I-30 BL? :lol:

[Avalanchez71]

The I-24 Business Loop in Paducah, KY was formerly named DOWNTOWN LOOP in lieu of BUSINESS LOOP.  It was longer was well.  It has been cut back.  It is actually signed decently well.

The "downtown loop" used to extend all the way east to the US 68 exit. It was shortened when the new Husband Road exit (KY "mumble" XXXX) was built.

The "downtown loop" wasn't all that consistently signed, and for awhile signs were posted for both "downtown" and "business" before the conversion to "business" was completed.

I have a photo of a "downtown loop" sign somewhere in my collection. It was taken ages ago and I think by the Sony Mavica digital camera I had that saved images on a floppy.

That's wild.  I didn't realize that there were any Green BLs that ventured so far away from the Interstate alignment.  Since it really does run downtown, that's got to add a lot of extra time to a trip.  Any others that venture this far off the mainline?

Check out the I-90 Business Loop in Rapid City, SD.  I clinched that one.  There are parts were it is signed well then there are parts where can miss your turn as the signs are placed strangely.

It runs from Black Hawk to the eastern side of Rapid City.  The route from Black Hawk into town is along an older alignment of US 14.

[pderocco]

The old routing of US-80 east of El Cajon, CA, which runs parallel to I-8, is labeled "Hwy Eight Business", "Hwy 8 Bus.", or "Hwy 8 Buss", but there are no shield signs, just street signs. And it's less than three miles long. Yet Google shows it with a green 8 shield.

But it's officially designated as I-8(BL), correct?

I don't know what it says in some musty book somewhere, but I don't see any signs on the ground other than the street signs.

[Avalanchez71]

The way Interstate Business signs are designated in California is just plain whacky anyway.  Look at the signpost near the exit of I-5 BL in Weed, CA.  Then other points have those supplemental signs that say Route 5 Business or the like.

[kphoger]

The old routing of US-80 east of El Cajon, CA, which runs parallel to I-8, is labeled "Hwy Eight Business", "Hwy 8 Bus.", or "Hwy 8 Buss", but there are no shield signs, just street signs. And it's less than three miles long. Yet Google shows it with a green 8 shield.

But it's officially designated as I-8(BL), correct?

I don't know what it says in some musty book somewhere, but I don't see any signs on the ground other than the street signs.

My point is that Google Maps shouldn't just designate a highway based on how good or bad the agency there is at signposting the route.

[SD Mapman]

The I-24 Business Loop in Paducah, KY was formerly named DOWNTOWN LOOP in lieu of BUSINESS LOOP.  It was longer was well.  It has been cut back.  It is actually signed decently well.

The "downtown loop" used to extend all the way east to the US 68 exit. It was shortened when the new Husband Road exit (KY "mumble" XXXX) was built.

The "downtown loop" wasn't all that consistently signed, and for awhile signs were posted for both "downtown" and "business" before the conversion to "business" was completed.

I have a photo of a "downtown loop" sign somewhere in my collection. It was taken ages ago and I think by the Sony Mavica digital camera I had that saved images on a floppy.

That's wild.  I didn't realize that there were any Green BLs that ventured so far away from the Interstate alignment.  Since it really does run downtown, that's got to add a lot of extra time to a trip.  Any others that venture this far off the mainline?

Check out the I-90 Business Loop in Rapid City, SD.  I clinched that one.  There are parts were it is signed well then there are parts where can miss your turn as the signs are placed strangely.

It runs from Black Hawk to the eastern side of Rapid City.  The route from Black Hawk into town is along an older alignment of US 14.

Currently most of the western half is unsigned-ish SD 231, DOT signs it as BL 90.

I've been on all the ones in SD and WY for sure, several others in various other states.

[hobsini2]

I personally think that Interstate Business Loops should be used more often especially for routes that go into a Downtown area or a busy local area. They signal to me that this route will go through a major district with services and then get back to the Interstate.
For example, I-80 could have a Bus Rt in Joliet along Center St and US 30 or I-90/94 near Wisconsin Dells could have the Bus Rt follow Dells Pkwy.

[roadman65]

I don't know why US 22 through Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton can't be BL I-78 being I-78 around the south of those cities lacks the necessities it needs for motorists.  At least US 22 interchanges have the main gas, food, and lodging facilities at exits along it.

[Avalanchez71]

I don't understand why they let the Business Loops in North Carolina go away and then sign the route as something way different.  Like US 421.  Business Loop I-40 made much more sense.

[ClassicHasClass]

The old routing of US-80 east of El Cajon, CA, which runs parallel to I-8, is labeled "Hwy Eight Business", "Hwy 8 Bus.", or "Hwy 8 Buss", but there are no shield signs, just street signs. And it's less than three miles long. Yet Google shows it with a green 8 shield.

But it's officially designated as I-8(BL), correct?

I don't know what it says in some musty book somewhere, but I don't see any signs on the ground other than the street signs.

I remember it being better signed in the past when I was a kid, though there weren't a large number of shields then either. But yet "BR 54" is still well signed by the City of El Cajon, sigh.

[Avalanchez71]

Looks like another Business Loop bites the dust.  They approved to delete I-44 Business Loop through Lebanon, MO.

[Dirt Roads]

I don't understand why they let the Business Loops in North Carolina go away and then sign the route as something way different.  Like US 421.  Business Loop I-40 made much more sense.

Specifically discussing the Green 40 in Winston-Salem, US-421 was multiplexed over almost the entire route since inception, except for the short stretch between the (now relocated) Colfax exit and I-40 between Winston and Greensboro.  Then US-421 was multiplexed onto I-40 through Greensboro in the late 1990s, meaning that the entirety of Green 40 through Winston-Salem was co-signed with US-421.  Not sure why NCDOT didn't decommission Green 40 back then.