Route numbers that actually mean something

[briantroutman]

I've never heard of the streetcar number reason for the Interstate number. As a long-time denizen of this forum, I think I've heard just about every reason to hate the route number, but that one is new to me.

It was mentioned in a New York Times article.

First, when he was told that the highway would officially be considered a "spur"  connecting I-76 and I-80 and would have to be named something like Interstate 876 or Interstate 280, he resisted because, he said, it was not "catchy."

So, reaching into his childhood memories of the old rickety street car, No. 99, that took people from his hometown of Glassport, Pa., to McKeesport, he wrote into law that it would be called I-99, believed to be the first time that was ever done.

[Mapmikey]

I can confirm that at one time, WV 44 was signed along former WV 65 (and at one time, a routing of US 119) westward from its current terminus to Holden.

Before the Logan bypass was built, US 119 ended in that area and was routed through Logan, rejoining the four-lane just south of Chapmanville. When that newest segment was built (and WV 73, as well), WV 44 was signed there. I have pictures somewhere. In later years, the designation was removed.

would love to see any pics as I have no map proof to put on my WV 44 page....

[hbelkins]

I can confirm that at one time, WV 44 was signed along former WV 65 (and at one time, a routing of US 119) westward from its current terminus to Holden.

Before the Logan bypass was built, US 119 ended in that area and was routed through Logan, rejoining the four-lane just south of Chapmanville. When that newest segment was built (and WV 73, as well), WV 44 was signed there. I have pictures somewhere. In later years, the designation was removed.

would love to see any pics as I have no map proof to put on my WV 44 page....

Heaven only knows where they are. I took them with a film camera, pre-digital, and have no idea where the prints or negatives are. And I can't find any evidence that I ever scanned them.

[Some one]

FM 518 between I-45 and SH 146 was redesignated as NASA Road 1 when the Johnson Space Center was opened.

Although not a number, Texas OSR is named after the Old San Antonio Road.

[Mapmikey]

I can confirm that at one time, WV 44 was signed along former WV 65 (and at one time, a routing of US 119) westward from its current terminus to Holden.

Before the Logan bypass was built, US 119 ended in that area and was routed through Logan, rejoining the four-lane just south of Chapmanville. When that newest segment was built (and WV 73, as well), WV 44 was signed there. I have pictures somewhere. In later years, the designation was removed.

would love to see any pics as I have no map proof to put on my WV 44 page....

Heaven only knows where they are. I took them with a film camera, pre-digital, and have no idea where the prints or negatives are. And I can't find any evidence that I ever scanned them.

Don't know if this is helpful but you did scan two photos in a nearby location in Dec 1997 and Nov 1998, posted on this page (2nd row) - http://www.millenniumhwy.net/signgoofs/wv/index.html

[lepidopteran]

On I-75 just north of Lexington, KY, the exit for the Kentucky Horse Park has state route 1973 on the sign.  As this is the only place I remember encountering a 4-digit route number on a BGS, I came to the conclusion a while ago that it was the year the horse park attraction opened.  But it looks like I was incorrect because (1) there are a lot of other 4-digit routes in the area, including others depicting recent years, and (2) googling indicates that the park didn't open until 1978.  I wonder how tricky it would have been to rename the route?

Was there a plan to name the section of I-70 running through St. Louis for baseball player Mark McGwire?  Back in 1998 he hit 70 home runs that season playing for the Cardinals, breaking Roger Maris' longstanding record of 62. (This was neck-and-neck with Sammy Sosa of the Cubs, who scored 66.)

[oscar]

Was there a plan to name the section of I-70 running through St. Louis for baseball player Mark McGwire?  Back in 1998 he hit 70 home runs that season playing for the Cardinals, breaking Roger Maris' longstanding record of 62. (This was neck-and-neck with Sammy Sosa of the Cubs, who scored 66.)

Five miles of I-70 were named for him. But after his admission of steroids use, the highway was re-named for Mark Twain.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Was there a plan to name the section of I-70 running through St. Louis for baseball player Mark McGwire?  Back in 1998 he hit 70 home runs that season playing for the Cardinals, breaking Roger Maris' longstanding record of 62. (This was neck-and-neck with Sammy Sosa of the Cubs, who scored 66.)

Five miles of I-70 were named for him. But after his admission of steroids use, the highway was re-named for Mark Twain.

Yet, Big Mac Land remains a prominent feature of Busch Stadium; even with the McDonald's partnership, the section is synonymous with McGwire for more than one reason.

[hbelkins]

On I-75 just north of Lexington, KY, the exit for the Kentucky Horse Park has state route 1973 on the sign.  As this is the only place I remember encountering a 4-digit route number on a BGS, I came to the conclusion a while ago that it was the year the horse park attraction opened.  But it looks like I was incorrect because (1) there are a lot of other 4-digit routes in the area, including others depicting recent years, and (2) googling indicates that the park didn't open until 1978.  I wonder how tricky it would have been to rename the route?

Was there a plan to name the section of I-70 running through St. Louis for baseball player Mark McGwire?  Back in 1998 he hit 70 home runs that season playing for the Cardinals, breaking Roger Maris' longstanding record of 62. (This was neck-and-neck with Sammy Sosa of the Cubs, who scored 66.)

Lots of 196x and 197x routes in the Lexington area. The first such one that caught my attention was KY 1974.

The KY 1973 (Ironworks Pike) exit was built at the same time the Horse Park was, IIRC. The whole segment of KY 1973 between KY 922 and I-75 was improved.