Why is the I-75 median so wide south of Dayton?

[TempoNick]

Why is the I-75 median so wide south of Dayton? Is there an engineering reason for this, such as needing the extra median for water to collect? See:

https://www.facebook.com/KelleyKingWDTN/posts/pfbid0XQeFkWxPouypXAGPaY8cweuWnZkHXqMPDze4uwBrMrJSTENgH35JNTRkTkofHheCl

[seicer]

Interstate 75 was designed for express/local lanes in several areas (mileposts approximate):

• Milepost 14 in Sharonville to Milepost 24 in Liberty Township
• Milepost 38 in Franklin to Milepost 48 in West Carrollton

Similarly, Interstate 271 has express/local lanes from Interstate 480 near Macedonia to Interstate 90 in Wickliffe. Interstate 90 was designed for express/local lanes, never built, from Interstate 271 east Milepost 200 at Painesville.

[TempoNick]

Of course, I've driven through there, but I've never really viewed things from that angle. I didn't realize it was so wide. I thought they were showing a picture of maybe Atlanta at first.

[The Ghostbuster]

Hopefully, future reconstruction projects will be implemented to eliminate the unnecessary space in the medians of those portions of the freeways.

[michiganguy123]

Why is the I-75 median so wide south of Dayton? Is there an engineering reason for this, such as needing the extra median for water to collect? See:

https://www.facebook.com/KelleyKingWDTN/posts/pfbid0XQeFkWxPouypXAGPaY8cweuWnZkHXqMPDze4uwBrMrJSTENgH35JNTRkTkofHheCl

These huge medians are everywhere in Michigan with uncut trees, very nice because the trees block highbeams.

[mgk920]

I agree that it is reserved space for an undefined future upgrade to the highway.

Mike

[GCrites]

Wasn't there also talk of a passenger rail corridor in the median at some point?

[theline]

Why is the I-75 median so wide south of Dayton? Is there an engineering reason for this, such as needing the extra median for water to collect? See:

https://www.facebook.com/KelleyKingWDTN/posts/pfbid0XQeFkWxPouypXAGPaY8cweuWnZkHXqMPDze4uwBrMrJSTENgH35JNTRkTkofHheCl

These huge medians are everywhere in Michigan with uncut trees, very nice because the trees block highbeams.

I always assumed that medians in wooded areas are extra wide to be less disruptive to animal and plant life. That perhaps the impact is lower if there are two narrower swaths cut through the woods instead of a single wider swath. Can anyone back me up on this?

[JREwing78]

I always assumed that medians in wooded areas are extra wide to be less disruptive to animal and plant life. That perhaps the impact is lower if there are two narrower swaths cut through the woods instead of a single wider swath. Can anyone back me up on this?

That may well have something to do with it. You also tend to find these sections of freeway in areas where right-of-way is relatively cheap to purchase. A wide and/or wooded median also tends to collect wayward vehicles before they have a chance to interact with oncoming traffic, without requiring a median barrier. They also make snow removal simpler, providing ample storage space.

Obviously, in a rural area like northern Michigan, there is no need for local/express lanes, and will never be in the foreseeable future. One could argue that such wide medians are not necessary in these areas, but their presence is welcome for the aforementioned reasons.

[Bitmapped]

If you are in an area with flat or rolling terrain, where you don't have a need for lots of blasting and large fills, I would think having a spread median where each side could follow its own vertical alignment would offer significant savings on earthwork costs. The extra ROW expense in a rural area could easily be mitigated by cheaper construction costs.

[KelleyCook]

I always assumed that medians in wooded areas are extra wide to be less disruptive to animal and plant life. That perhaps the impact is lower if there are two narrower swaths cut through the woods instead of a single wider swath. Can anyone back me up on this?

Possibly a side benefit, but I think it was simply because a single carriageway traversing through the woods was significantly better looking.

Evidenced by this paragraph on Chris Bessert's site

... Parade Magazine, cooperating with the Bureau of Public Roads in holding a competition to select America's finest new scenic highways. In an October 1963 issue of Parade, the 22.5-mile segment of I-75 from Vanderbilt to Indian River (part of the so-called "Ohio-to-Soo Freeway" as it was often referred to then) was selected as that year's finest example of a "driver's road" for scenery, speed and safety from across the country. The award was officially called the "Parade Magazine Scenic Highway Award" for 1964 ...

[mgk920]

Interstate 75 was designed for express/local lanes in several areas (mileposts approximate):

• Milepost 14 in Sharonville to Milepost 24 in Liberty Township
• Milepost 38 in Franklin to Milepost 48 in West Carrollton

Similarly, Interstate 271 has express/local lanes from Interstate 480 near Macedonia to Interstate 90 in Wickliffe. Interstate 90 was designed for express/local lanes, never built, from Interstate 271 east Milepost 200 at Painesville.

I agree here, just like with I-90 and 271 east of Cleveland, OH, it makes the highway that much easier and less expensive to up grade at an indeterminate time in the future.

Mike

[triplemultiplex]

I always assumed that medians in wooded areas are extra wide to be less disruptive to animal and plant life. That perhaps the impact is lower if there are two narrower swaths cut through the woods instead of a single wider swath. Can anyone back me up on this?

I would argue the opposite, actually.  The remaining woodland between the carriageways is of limited utility and by using more r/w, that's less habitat available to wildlife, in most cases.  The presence of r/w fencing and the danger in crossing the highway for wildlife means that wide median is not readily accessible.  So in practice, the extra-wide median is going to take away more habitat than a facility with a more standard median separation.

They did the wide medians back in the day because land was cheaper and it makes the highway prettier.

[DJStephens]

   The general trend of design, is downwards. Becoming regressive, and in some instances  such as in New Mexico, Vermont, and other locales that practice "practical design" downright dangerous.  This regression or "fall off" in design, leads to higher fatalites due to crossover wrecks on "flush median" jobs.  Many crow about Texas, but have seen a lot of their more recent work up close and personal. Meaning since the ascent of Rick Perry.  Very poor execution, lack of foresight and or planning, and piecemealing is clearly apparent.   So much money, and so much wasted.   Meaning in El Paso and the oil fields. 
   Personally would pay a higher fuel tax, to maintain standards.   Most do not share that viewpoint.