Control Cities

[TheStranger]

golden eagle: I think "Los Angeles" as I-15's control city from Las Vegas south dates to when US 91 (which DID run into Los Angeles County, ending in Long Beach) was on much of that route. 

[Scott5114]

Okay, here's a stumper:

There is a truly massive sign going on I-44 EB as you approach St. Louis which reads:


But then when you get to I-270, the control cities are Chicago and Memphis. The direction the sign above indicates is signed with "Memphis"... if you follow the route to "Chicago", you will go the long way around the city and through some of St Louis County's more populated areas! 

[agentsteel53]

golden eagle: I think "Los Angeles" as I-15's control city from Las Vegas south dates to when US 91 (which DID run into Los Angeles County, ending in Long Beach) was on much of that route. 

that is correct.  Similarly, on US-395 in the Owens Valley, one can still find the distance to San Diego, even though the route was truncated at Hesperia in 1972.  Hell, you can still find Los Angeles, which was never a US-395 destination ... US-6 was multiplexed along 395 to Brady, and then it ran down state route 14 to I-5 to I-110 down to Long Beach, and that explains Los Angeles.  Except for the distance sign that is north of Bishop, which was never US-6, but still shows the US-6 control city.  That appears to just have been an acknowledgement lots of people drive between LA and Tahoe.

a bad control city choice is I-805 southbound.  Northbound it is Los Angeles, which is fine, as it is a bypass of San Diego.  Southbound, however, there is no control city.  Not San Ysidro, which is the southernmost US town where 805 rejoins 5 to go into Mexico.  Certainly not Tijuana, BC, because the US is rather shy about acknowledging Mexican destinations.  They do so on the distance signs (Tijuana and even Ensenada are shown on I-805 southbound) but Tijuana is just not on the list of Approved Control Cities (tm) despite the fact that a lot of vehicles use 805 to get between Tijuana and US cities north of San Diego.

[Terry Shea]

Okay, here's a stumper:

There is a truly massive sign going on I-44 EB as you approach St. Louis which reads:


But then when you get to I-270, the control cities are Chicago and Memphis. The direction the sign above indicates is signed with "Memphis"... if you follow the route to "Chicago", you will go the long way around the city and through some of St Louis County's more populated areas! 

Uh, that's why it says "Metro Area Bypass".  Bypasses are seldom the most direct route and seldom, if ever, go through the heart of a major city.  They're designed to make access to suburban areas easier and to alleviate traffic along the main 2-digit route through town.  That doesn't mean there won't be a lot of traffic along the bypass.

These bypasses are usually more or less circular in nature so if a traveler exits for gas or to get something to eat and then has to re-enter the freeway the general directional heading can get somewhat skewed.  That's why they use large control cities such as Chicago and Memphis which are easily recognizable, rather than smaller towns along the route.  That being said, the sign is poorly worded and a bit confusing due in no small part to the bypass changing route numbers.

[Scott5114]

No, no, no, Terry, that's not what I'm saying. I understand and expect that the bypass is longer. The thing here is, I-270 and I-255 together make a somewhat-beltway around St. Louis. (If I remember right, they don't quite meet up on the Illinois side.) The route described by the sign in the picture takes you the short way around the beltway. However, when you get to the actual I-270 intersection, the long way around town is signed as "Chicago"–the opposite direction as the large sign in the picture says!

[hbelkins]

I'd hazard a guess that Logan is used because the WV 73/WV 10/WV 80 corridor between 119 and US 52 at Gilbert is on the National Highway System.

Logan is also the biggest town between Charleston and the Kentucky state line, although the combo of Williamson, WV/South Williamson and associated towns, KY is probably bigger.

Although not listed on the interstate guide signs, Logan and Williamson are used as the southern destinations on WV 10 (skipping West Hamlin or Hamlin) and US 52 (skipping Ft. Gay and Kermit) respectively. Since my Elkins ancestors are from the Hamlin area, I take that omission on the I-64 guide sign personally. 

There are some scary stretches along WV 10 between Logan and Man (where WV 80 intersects). In some places the road is barely one lane wide, with a rock wall on one side and a sheer dropoff on the other. Still, I've often found it faster to take US 119 to Logan and then WV 10 and WV 80 to Gilbert to connect with US 52, than to take US 52 direct from Williamson to Gilbert.

[Terry Shea]

No, no, no, Terry, that's not what I'm saying. I understand and expect that the bypass is longer. The thing here is, I-270 and I-255 together make a somewhat-beltway around St. Louis. (If I remember right, they don't quite meet up on the Illinois side.) The route described by the sign in the picture takes you the short way around the beltway. However, when you get to the actual I-270 intersection, the long way around town is signed as "Chicago"–the opposite direction as the large sign in the picture says!

Looking at my Atlas the shortest route into Illinois is indeed as the sign states I-270 South to I-255 east.  It looks to be about 10 miles to the Illinois border.  I'm not sure which direction you're referring to as the long way around town-as it looks to be fairly close either way around the beltway, and a bit difficult to determine because I-270 and I-255 meet back with I-55/70 at different points.  Incidently, I-270 and I-255 do indeed meet up on the Illinois side (well north of where I-255 meets I-55/70).  There was a gap there at one time I believe but it was filled in quite a few years ago.

[Scott5114]

I'm referring to taking I-270 around the west and north sides of the metro, and crossing into Illinois at Chain of Rocks as "the long way around".

[SSOWorld]

How about this for a control city - Auto Mall

[Scott5114]

How about this for a control city - Auto Mall

Does it automatically buy products for you?

[SSOWorld]

How about this for a control city - Auto Mall

Does it automatically buy products for you?

lol
ya wish

[Big Dave]

I find it annoying that in the Chicago area many times they use control "states" like Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa.  The only cities ever shows seem to be Memphis, Rockford, and Detroit.  Chicago has two Interstates that go to the Quad Cities and nowhere does it ever mention them.  Also, I don't like the use of Eau Claire west of Madison on I90/94.  I would rather see Minneapolis or maybe "Twin Cities."  Shall I keep going?  I don't like Michigan seems to just glaze over lots of the small town in the UP on their green milage signs, only noting the ones that are incorporated.  This is especially bad alone US 41 from Houghton to Marquette and M-28 from Covington to the Seney Stretch.  Oh, and one more thing, Wisconsin really lacks consistency on its milage signs, both in getting the numbers to match up in either direction AND in putting the same town on consistently in the same direction.  This is especially maddening north of Green Bay on US 141.

[golden eagle]

I find it annoying that in the Chicago area many times they use control "states" like Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa.  The only cities ever shows seem to be Memphis, Rockford, and Detroit.  Chicago has two Interstates that go to the Quad Cities and nowhere does it ever mention them.  Also, I don't like the use of Eau Claire west of Madison on I90/94.  I would rather see Minneapolis or maybe "Twin Cities."  Shall I keep going? 

Very true about Chicago and using states as control cities. If I'm geographically stupid, how do I know if the highway I'm taking will take me to Madison or Milwaukee? But then again, if I were that stupid, I probably shouldn't be driving.

I've seen signs for Detroit and Rockford, but only when I'm in the suburbs. Actually, when approaching I-80/94 from Calumet Avenue in northwest Indiana, they only use Detroit for the eastbound control city. I guess Indiana's DOT forgets that I-80 exists and I don't see South Bend used as a control city.

My guess is that Eau Claire is used because it's the next city of any real significant size, but I would think at least Eau Claire could share control city status with St. Paul/Minneapolis. BTW, what control city is used west of Eau Claire? Also, is La Crosse and Wausau used as a control city west of Madison since 90, 94 and 39 triplex with each other around Madison?

[Scott5114]

My guess is that Eau Claire is used because it's the next city of any real significant size, but I would think at least Eau Claire could share control city status with St. Paul/Minneapolis. BTW, what control city is used west of Eau Claire? Also, is La Crosse and Wausau used as a control city west of Madison since 90, 94 and 39 triplex with each other around Madison?

Master son, Dan, and I didn't go too far north of Madison on the triplex, but all the signage I saw just said "Wis Dells".

[SSOWorld]

Eau Claire is significant enough for a control city - and it's used after the Dells (along with on I-94 at the Badger)  After which St. Paul is the Control City.  La Crosse is used for I-90 (mainly after the split) and Wausau for I-39 (also mainly after the split).

As for inconsistencies between directions - would you think one would use WIS 34 from NB I-39 to go to Wis Rapids?  http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=44.724418,-89.667664&spn=0.047079,0.154324&z=13

[Big Dave]

No, I understand your point about both Eau Claire and the WIS 34 business.  They seem to have got it right along I-43 whenit comes to Waterford, where SB I-43 traffic is directed to use WIS 83 south at Mukwonago and NB I-43 traffic is directed to use WIS 20 east.  I always thought that was kind of cool.  There are, however, striking omissions all over, one of the worst is that at the new US 53/WIS 29 interchange in Chippewa Falls, WIS 29 East is signed with a control city of Green Bay, which is fine, but I always thought there should be at least a mention of Wausau with its major junction with US 51.

[Scott5114]

Not having to do with control cities, but it's kinda odd that the green signage at I-43's southern terminus omits any mention of I-39. You would think that the extension of an interstate would be enough to warrant sign replacement.

[SSOWorld]

Not having to do with control cities, but it's kinda odd that the green signage at I-43's southern terminus omits any mention of I-39. You would think that the extension of an interstate would be enough to warrant sign replacement.

If you may recall, Scott - that was the case on the first sign on I-94 west into Madison as well.  The beltline had the same issue until the clearview signs were put up last year.

Many local signs don't even consider it - even in cities along US 51 where I-39 is marked (Steven Point, Wausau before the freeway reconstruction, Mosinee, Portage)

[flowmotion]

I find it annoying that in the Chicago area many times they use control "states" like Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa.

Given the specific geography of Chicago: the proximity of neighboring states, the large number of interstates with different control cities, and I-90/94 multiplexed running north-south through the city, I think this is one of the times for when rules are made to be broken.

Don't forget that control cities aren't just useful for through travelers, they also used by local drivers to select the correct freeway entrance. "Wisconsin" or "Indiana" have a much more direct meaning than "East" or "West".

[Brandon]

I agree about the use of states for control cities in the Chicago area.  They are most useful, IMHO.  FYI, "Iowa" is used for I-80 west in addition to "Wisconsin" and "Indiana".

I'm a little peeved about the I-355 ones.  They should "Schaumburg" and "New Lenox"/"Indiana" at I-55.  New Lenox for I-55 Sbd, and Indiana for I-55 Nbd.  "Schaumburg" should also be used at I-88 and even as far south as I-80.  It's a notable point in the Chicago area for all of the businesses there, and of course, Woodfield.

[leifvanderwall]

Well guy, my relatives are from New Lenox-Frankfort and many of them have gone to Lincoln Way High School. So thank you for acknowledging the area. I don't know what to do tell you. If you put New Lenox and Schaumburg as control cities you might as well consider Elk Grove Village, Homer Glen, and Lockport. Why not put "Lincoln Way High School" as a control city? I have actually driven I-355 and it's a great ride. The only conclusion I have is "To I-90" and "To I-80" Hey the Philly freeways like to use suburbs as control cities.

[Mike_OH]

I-64 East from I-75 in Lexington, KY has two control cities listed just for eastbound.  They are Winchester/Ashland.  I think Ashland shouldn't even be a control city.  It should be Huntington, WV or Ashland/Huntington if you're going to list two.  All interstate to interstate crossings in Lexington have two control cities for each direction.

[leifvanderwall]

You might as well make the control cities for I-64 eastbound Charleston, WV and Richmond, VA.

[hbelkins]

I-64 East from I-75 in Lexington, KY has two control cities listed just for eastbound.  They are Winchester/Ashland.  I think Ashland shouldn't even be a control city.  It should be Huntington, WV or Ashland/Huntington if you're going to list two.  All interstate to interstate crossings in Lexington have two control cities for each direction.

Yes, the first town served by the interstate and the distant control city. I rather like it like that. For most people in Lexington, the interstates don't go to Ashland, Louisville, Knoxville or Cincinnati. They go to Georgetown, Winchester, Frankfort and Richmond.

[leifvanderwall]

Different states do different things. Northern states like Illinois would have a state or the most major city. Southern states like Florida would list the very nearest city like at the I-4/I-75 jct. Ocala & Naples are listed instead of Atlanta and Miami.