News:

why is this up in the corner now

Main Menu

I-61...anything new?

Started by golden eagle, September 03, 2009, 08:33:41 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

golden eagle

This is the proposed Jackson-to-Gulfport interstate that is expected to parallel U.S. 49. Talk about the interstate circulated a few years, but since Katrina, I haven't heard or read any new news about it.

I don't see why this interstate couldn't be built. It would become another badly-needed hurricane evacuation route and an alternative to the ever-growing number of traffic lights that have popped up on 49 between Florence and Hattiesburg. But I-61 can't be built, can changing 49 to a limited-access freeway work?


Bryant5493

I'm not all too familiar with the section of U.S. 49 north of U.S. 98, but the portion south of U.S. 98 could be easily converted to a full freeway, as there isn't too much growth between Hattiesburg and S.R. 67. I'm not sure what the traffic counts are... if they would be high enough to have the route considered for a freeway upgrade.


Be well,

Bryant
Check out my YouTube page (http://youtube.com/Bryant5493). I have numerous road videos of Metro Atlanta and other areas in the Southeast.

I just signed up on photobucket -- here's my page (http://s594.photobucket.com/albums/tt24/Bryant5493).

Stephane Dumas

I spotted on MS DOT, the project study of a relief route known as MS-601 who's planned to be a full freeway, maybe I-61 could be part of it
http://www.gomdot.com/Home/Projects/Studies/Southern/SR601/Home.aspx

Bryant5493

^^ Good info.


Be well,

Bryant
Check out my YouTube page (http://youtube.com/Bryant5493). I have numerous road videos of Metro Atlanta and other areas in the Southeast.

I just signed up on photobucket -- here's my page (http://s594.photobucket.com/albums/tt24/Bryant5493).

froggie

I've never heard a specific number applied to the Jackson-Gulfport Interstate...just that MDOT and the Legislature have desired an Interstate along the corridor.  It was included in MDOT's Vision 21 plan passed by the Legislature in 2002.  The MS 601 freeway project is part of that.

US 49 traffic is fairly heavy overall.  It averages about 20K ADT between Jackson and Hattiesburg...a bit lower around the mid-10s between Hattiesburg and Wiggins...then back up to close to 20K between Wiggins and the north side of Gulfport.  Not necessarily enough to justify a full freeway, though definitely enough to justify improvements to the existing 4-lane.

golden eagle

Quote from: Stephane Dumas on September 04, 2009, 07:09:29 PM
I spotted on MS DOT, the project study of a relief route known as MS-601 who's planned to be a full freeway, maybe I-61 could be part of it
http://www.gomdot.com/Home/Projects/Studies/Southern/SR601/Home.aspx

Thanks for finding that! From what I can recall, the Gulfport-to-Wiggins link is expected to be the first leg of the future I-61. I haven't heard of any concrete plans for anything north of Wiggins.  

agentsteel53

#6
why not call it I-63?  Miss has US-61 as a very prominent route, so to have both US-61 and I-61 would be a clash.

even a southern segment of I-57 would make more sense.
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

froggie

I-63 (or I-61 for that matter) is being touted for the proposed West Alabama Interstate (the one that, as proposed, would generally parallel US 43).

What makes even more sense as an Interstate number is an odd I-x55...

golden eagle

That'd be a long 3-digit interstate.

florida

An even-numbered I-x55 would make more sense since it would bypass having to meet I-55 in Louisiana. Kind of like I-675 in Atlanta providing an easier jaunt onto I-285 for interests on I-20 eastbound.
So many roads...so little time.

golden eagle

Or x20, since I don't think it has been determined whether the proposed interstate would end at I-20 or at I-55.

froggie

QuoteThat'd be a long 3-digit interstate.

Long, yes.  But not unprecedented (I-476 PA, for example).

QuoteAn even-numbered I-x55 would make more sense since it would bypass having to meet I-55 in Louisiana. Kind of like I-675 in Atlanta providing an easier jaunt onto I-285 for interests on I-20 eastbound.

Except that the south end may not be at I-10, but south of I-10.  In such a case, an odd 3-digit number would be appropriate...

QuoteOr x20, since I don't think it has been determined whether the proposed interstate would end at I-20 or at I-55.

There's that possibility too.  But I see this more as a spur route off I-55 for those coming from further north (i.e. Memphis/St. Louis/Chicago) heading to the Mississippi coast instead of New Orleans...

golden eagle

I'm going off of fuzzy memory, but when talk of an I-61 first came about, I thought central Mississippi transportation commissioner Dick Hall said it would end at Richland, thus it would end at I-20. Of course, that doesn't mean the terminus would end there. Perhaps, a better terminus would be for I-61 to end at the proposed Airport Parkway. At the southern end, I'd rather for it to end at U.S. 90 than at I-10.

florida

Quote from: froggie on September 05, 2009, 10:07:11 AM

QuoteAn even-numbered I-x55 would make more sense since it would bypass having to meet I-55 in Louisiana. Kind of like I-675 in Atlanta providing an easier jaunt onto I-285 for interests on I-20 eastbound.

Except that the south end may not be at I-10, but south of I-10.  In such a case, an odd 3-digit number would be appropriate...

If there's still a clean slate down there from Katrina, then it would be easier to have it end south of I-10.
So many roads...so little time.

froggie

QuoteIf there's still a clean slate down there from Katrina, then it would be easier to have it end south of I-10.

There isn't a "clean slate", so to speak, but the "Port of Gulfport connector" has long been planned and is thus far the only segment funded for construction.

I've read state documents that list said connector as "I-310", although such a number has not (to my knowledge) been approved by either MDOT or FHWA.  MDOT is labeling it as MS 601.



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.