baffling interchanges

[johndoe]

Got another one, from a state known to build interchanges as interesting as those in California:

Michigan Avenue, Wyoming Street, and Ford Road at I-94, Detroit, Michigan:

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.325729,-83.159981&spn=0.009217,0.021136&t=h&z=16

Interesting that those extra two bridges weren't built as typical loop on-ramps.

It reminds me of one from ....Wisconsin? Or Minnesota? It was a nearly perpendicular crossing but had the extra two bridges for the on-ramps.  It allowed for 2 phase signals at the off-ramps and seemed pretty clever.  Anyone know where that is?

On the Florida "Echelon", I wonder if maybe they had trouble widening 203rd Street (due to railroad involvement) so they had to raise all the EB above the tracks.

[Indyroads]

How about the one near the Short Hills Mall in New Jersey? Depending on the maneuver you want, you might need to use as many as four loop ramps. (I'm sure part of this is due to the unbuilt road some distance to the northwest that would have handled some of the movements.)

http://binged.it/1fk16zs

There's also two completely missing movements there.

You can make the movements one requires using 4 of the loop ramps.

[tchafe1978]

Got another one, from a state known to build interchanges as interesting as those in California:

Michigan Avenue, Wyoming Street, and Ford Road at I-94, Detroit, Michigan:

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.325729,-83.159981&spn=0.009217,0.021136&t=h&z=16

Interesting that those extra two bridges weren't built as typical loop on-ramps.

It reminds me of one from ....Wisconsin? Or Minnesota? It was a nearly perpendicular crossing but had the extra two bridges for the on-ramps.  It allowed for 2 phase signals at the off-ramps and seemed pretty clever.  Anyone know where that is?

On the Florida "Echelon", I wonder if maybe they had trouble widening 203rd Street (due to railroad involvement) so they had to raise all the EB above the tracks.

Is this what you are referring to? This is at the interchange of I-894/43 and 27th St. on the south side of Milwaukee. WisDOT calls those U-ramps, and they eliminate the left turn onto the entrance ramp. The image is old, however, as this construction was completed 3 or 4 years ago.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/894+N+27th+St/@42.9622656,-87.9473176,676m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x88051bcca2f2fd7d:0x3bfb3746fddee6cd?hl=en

[johndoe]

That's the one!

[hbelkins]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8955423,-74.2534567,16z

[Charles2]

Two come to mind for me: the first is the I-20/59-I-65 interchange in downtown Birmingham, known to the locals as Malfunction Junction:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5208639,-86.8260208,17z/data=!4m2!5m1!1b1

The second is Spaghetti Junction in downtown Louisville, where I-65 junctions I-64 and I-71:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Interstate+64/@38.2583575,-85.7420688,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88448643a9eb4a9f:0xb44257182f46490c

Both of these interchanges are marvels to something, but I don't think it's modern engineering.   

[Alps]

Two come to mind for me: the first is the I-20/59-I-65 interchange in downtown Birmingham, known to the locals as Malfunction Junction:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5208639,-86.8260208,17z/data=!4m2!5m1!1b1

Wow, I never knew there was a second one of those. (I-695/I-95 north of Baltimore, since untangled)

[Alex4897]

Two come to mind for me: the first is the I-20/59-I-65 interchange in downtown Birmingham, known to the locals as Malfunction Junction:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5208639,-86.8260208,17z/data=!4m2!5m1!1b1

Wow, I never knew there was a second one of those. (I-695/I-95 north of Baltimore, since untangled)

I wasn't expecting that. Wow, I wouldn't have thought there was another outside Baltimore.

[jakeroot]

Two come to mind for me: the first is the I-20/59-I-65 interchange in downtown Birmingham, known to the locals as Malfunction Junction:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5208639,-86.8260208,17z/data=!4m2!5m1!1b1

Wow, I never knew there was a second one of those. (I-695/I-95 north of Baltimore, since untangled)

I wasn't expecting that. Wow, I wouldn't have thought there was another outside Baltimore.

I too have been left with my mouth gaping...I thought the Baltimore diverging junction was more of a one-off. Apparently no.

[Brandon]

Interesting...

I've seen that done without braiding the ramps.

Ford (I-94) and Lodge (M-10) Freeways, Detroit: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.359059,-83.076178&spn=0.004574,0.010568&t=h&z=17

Then there's braiding one of them, but not the other.

I-196 and US-131, Grand Rapids: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.972988,-85.676193&spn=0.009059,0.021136&t=h&z=16

Then there's this piece of shit which is baffling only because it has been kept as it is for so long for switching a major interstate from a freeway to a tollway.

Borman Expressway (I-80/94) and Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90): https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.58855,-87.232733&spn=0.01852,0.042272&t=h&z=15
And yes, I-80 has a mountable median through there: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.585597,-87.229815&spn=0.018521,0.042272&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.589106,-87.232983&panoid=Gai9zopsSGplAbocHXxQLA&cbp=12,345.02,,0,6.67

[hbelkins]

Isn't there a "diverging intersection" in North Carolina?

[Brandon]

Isn't there a "diverging intersection" in North Carolina?

Why, I do believe there is.

Charlotte, I-77 and I-81: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=35.273092,-80.844398&spn=0.010108,0.021136&t=h&z=16

[1995hoo]

Isn't there a "diverging intersection" in North Carolina?

Why, I do believe there is.

Charlotte, I-77 and I-81: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=35.273092,-80.844398&spn=0.010108,0.021136&t=h&z=16

It's fair to note that it's partially diverging in that I-77's carriageways cross but I-85's don't, whereas the Baltimore and Birmingham examples cited earlier have (or "had," in Baltimore's case) both roads' carriageways crossing over.

[johndoe]

Cool, thanks for showing.  I think what "baffles" me about this one is why the WB I-85 to SB I-77 movement is two lanes, since it merges to one before merging onto SB I-77.  Why spend that extra money on bridges, etc?

[amroad17]

Two come to mind for me: the first is the I-20/59-I-65 interchange in downtown Birmingham, known to the locals as Malfunction Junction:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5208639,-86.8260208,17z/data=!4m2!5m1!1b1

The second is Spaghetti Junction in downtown Louisville, where I-65 junctions I-64 and I-71:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Interstate+64/@38.2583575,-85.7420688,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88448643a9eb4a9f:0xb44257182f46490c

Both of these interchanges are marvels to something, but I don't think it's modern engineering.   

In the case of the Louisville I-64/65/71 interchange, the marvel is that KYDOT seemed to fit most of this within three city blocks.  This is being rectified a bit as road work is going on at this interchange.  Not sure how it is supposed to look when completed as I saw this last Tuesday while riding to Jeffersonville, IN.

[froggie]

Two come to mind for me: the first is the I-20/59-I-65 interchange in downtown Birmingham, known to the locals as Malfunction Junction:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5208639,-86.8260208,17z/data=!4m2!5m1!1b1

Wow, I never knew there was a second one of those. (I-695/I-95 north of Baltimore, since untangled)

I wasn't expecting that. Wow, I wouldn't have thought there was another outside Baltimore.

I too have been left with my mouth gaping...I thought the Baltimore diverging junction was more of a one-off. Apparently no.

FYI, at one point in the late 1950s, something similar was proposed at I-94/US 12 (now I-394) in Minneapolis, MN.  For better or worse (better IMO), it didn't get built that way.


Regarding baffling interchanges, here's one on I-495 in Lawrence, MA that I got to experience on Monday.  BTW, a couple of the ramps go UNDERNEATH the I-495 mainline on the bridge over the Merrimack River.

[theline]

Borman Expressway (I-80/94) and Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90): https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.58855,-87.232733&spn=0.01852,0.042272&t=h&z=15
And yes, I-80 has a mountable median through there: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.585597,-87.229815&spn=0.018521,0.042272&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.589106,-87.232983&panoid=Gai9zopsSGplAbocHXxQLA&cbp=12,345.02,,0,6.67

It should be noted that the ramp carrying I-80 WB from the Toll Road to the Borman has been demolished. I-80 has been detoured several miles to the west to travel I-65 south to the Borman. The interchange is every bit as baffling. I-80 mainline traffic has to cover a snaking pattern to reach I-65.

I've not heard of any plans to replace the ramp. If someone has word on this, I'd like to hear it.

[doorknob60]

The intersection of I-105 and Coburg Rd. in Eugene, OR is a weird mess of one way roads, depending on where you're trying to go. https://www.google.com/maps/@44.0609916,-123.0801497,17z?hl=en

To get from 105 WB to MLK Jr Blvd EB (like going to Autzen Stadium from I-5), you have to take the Coburg Rd. exit, go on the northbound half of the ramp (even though MLK is south of 105), go straight through the interchange along Southwood Ln. (a one way) parallel to the freeway, then turn left on Club Rd., then turn right on MLK. To get from Coburg Rd. Northbound to 105 WB (admittedly not that useful of a movement, but not useless), you need to turn right onto MLK, right onto Club Rd., then left on the freeway ramp. Just a weird setup all around. Although, the traffic is pretty awful through here, and it might be worse if all movements were funneled directly onto Coburg Rd.

[hobsini2]

I always thought this one was a bit crazy since they re did it. I-294 at IL 50 Cicero Ave, IL 83 127th St. in Alsip.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6628349,-87.7334501,15z?hl=en

[Brandon]

Borman Expressway (I-80/94) and Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90): https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.58855,-87.232733&spn=0.01852,0.042272&t=h&z=15
And yes, I-80 has a mountable median through there: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.585597,-87.229815&spn=0.018521,0.042272&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.589106,-87.232983&panoid=Gai9zopsSGplAbocHXxQLA&cbp=12,345.02,,0,6.67

It should be noted that the ramp carrying I-80 WB from the Toll Road to the Borman has been demolished. I-80 has been detoured several miles to the west to travel I-65 south to the Borman. The interchange is every bit as baffling. I-80 mainline traffic has to cover a snaking pattern to reach I-65.

I've not heard of any plans to replace the ramp. If someone has word on this, I'd like to hear it.

A new ramp is supposed to be built be the end of 2015.

[theline]

Thanks, Brandon. Any word on who's paying for the ramp? I thought that was in question because it connects the ITR with roads that are under INDOT control. As a Hoosier taxpayer, I'm hoping the concessionaire picks up at least some of the bill.

[OCGuy81]

It should be noted that the ramp carrying I-80 WB from the Toll Road to the Borman has been demolished. I-80 has been detoured several miles to the west to travel I-65 south to the Borman. The interchange is every bit as baffling. I-80 mainline traffic has to cover a snaking pattern to reach I-65.

I've not heard of any plans to replace the ramp. If someone has word on this, I'd like to hear it.

Never been through this area.  I-90 EB onto I-65 SB looks really confusing.  A big 360 basically?

[froggie]

Never been through this area.  I-90 EB onto I-65 SB looks really confusing.  A big 360 basically?

Basically, yes....as is the reciprocal (NB 65 to WB 90).

[amroad17]

You should have seen this interchange before it was reconstructed to what it is currently.  The old interchange involved a traffic light.

[hbelkins]

There are some pretty convoluted interchanges along US 460 in the Christiansburg/Blacksburg area. The exit off I-81 has two separate ramps to US 11/Business 460, the "bump" interchange between regular and Business 460 is fairly complex, and then there's the 460/Business 460/Smart Road interchange.