Worst interstate ever

[hbelkins]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

[hotdogPi]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

At least they connect to the main system. The ones in Hawaii (and currently I-2) do not.

[agentsteel53]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

I hate to express myself so bluntly, but: yawn.

this discussion again?  I have more well-reasoned conversations about the interstate system with people who have no interest at all in roads.

"but there's interstates in Hawaii."
"it's a system built to particular standards, from funds allocated through specific laws.  and the system's formal name includes the word 'defense'.  lots of military relevance to the Hawaii routes."
"oh.  cool.  so is it true that every so often they build the road straight for five miles so that planes can land on it?"
"nah.  never was part of the plan.  US 40 in eastern Maryland, maybe, before they put in a dividing median.  I'll have to get back to you on that."

speaking of which - did we ever find out an answer to that for sure?

[US 41]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

At least they connect to the main system. The ones in Hawaii (and currently I-2) do not.

The ones in Hawaii will never connect to the main system either.

[Brandon]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

At least they connect to the main system. The ones in Hawaii (and currently I-2) do not.

The ones in Hawaii will never connect to the main system either.

Now I-2 on the other hand...

[FightingIrish]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

At least they connect to the main system. The ones in Hawaii (and currently I-2) do not.

The ones in Hawaii will never connect to the main system either.

What if they build a really long bridge?

[1995hoo]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

At least they connect to the main system. The ones in Hawaii (and currently I-2) do not.

The ones in Hawaii will never connect to the main system either.

Time to buy a Dutton and carry lots of extra gas cans!

[Alps]

While this thread's still crackin', I took a look at how many different freeways are part of the 53-mile I-278:
* Union Freeway (late 1960s)
* Goethals Bridge (1920s)
* Staten Island Expressway and Lower Gowanus (early 1960s)
* Upper Gowanus (early 1940s)
* Lower BQE (1950s)
* Kosciuszko Bridge (1939)
* Upper BQE (1960)
* Grand Central Parkway, Triboro Bridge (1930s)
* Bruckner Expressway (1960s)

Nine different freeways in 53 miles.

[jakeroot]

^^ In short, that's why the Northeast makes me want to hang myself over a ledge and let go. Of course, they're all historical names but for anyone not from the area, it's needlessly confusing and history for the sake of history (my opinion).

[kendancy66]

I spent my teenage years growing up near Winston-Salem.  I never understood that the original I-40 through downtown there was mostly only 4 lanes.  I thought that it was way underpowered and a disgrace of an interstate.  However, I now see that this type of freeway exists in a lot of bigger cities, so it doesn't feel as bad

[Strider]

I spent my teenage years growing up near Winston-Salem.  I never understood that the original I-40 through downtown there was mostly only 4 lanes.  I thought that it was way underpowered and a disgrace of an interstate.  However, I now see that this type of freeway exists in a lot of bigger cities, so it doesn't feel as bad

Yeah, however they're rebuilding (or plan on to rebuild) that section of original 40 through downtown W-S. How they are planning to do that is beyond me. There is NO room for widening or something like that. But, yes this type of freeway exists everywhere.

[Brandon]

^^ In short, that's why the Northeast makes me want to hang myself over a ledge and let go. Of course, they're all historical names but for anyone not from the area, it's needlessly confusing and history for the sake of history (my opinion).

And you'd be wrong.  I suspect I-278 actually changes roads completely at those points.

Here's something similar for I-94 in Illinois:

Tri-State Tollway
Edens Spur
Edens Expressway
Kennedy Expressway
Dan Ryan Expressway
Bishop Ford Freeway
Kingery Expressway

I-94 leaves the Tri-State Tollway in Deerfield.  That continues as I-294.  It then takes the short Spur over to the Edens Expressway which started as US-41 just north of there.  I-94 then follows the Edens south to the Kennedy Junction where it meets I-90 which is already the Kennedy Expressway (since Rosemont).  I-94 then follows the Kennedy to the Circle where it becomes the Dan Ryan Expressway (with I-90).  I-94 then follows the Ryan south to the Split where the Ryan takes a turn to the west and becomes I-57.  I-94 then becomes the Bishop Ford Freeway at this point.  I-94 then follows the Bishop Ford down to I-80 and I-294.  At I-80 it leaves the Bishop Ford (which continues as IL-394) and follows I-80 out of Illinois on the short Kingery Expressway.

It's no different than a US highway or state route following different streets through a city.

[TEG24601]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

At least they connect to the main system. The ones in Hawaii (and currently I-2) do not.

The ones in Hawaii will never connect to the main system either.

What if they build a really long bridge?

It is funny you mention that.  There were plans drawn up in 60s, 70s, and even into the late 80s to build a series of artificial Islands to connect Hawaii to San Diego.  Some were Rail, some were highways.

[Bickendan]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

At least they connect to the main system. The ones in Hawaii (and currently I-2) do not.

The ones in Hawaii will never connect to the main system either.

What if they build a really long bridge?

It is funny you mention that.  There were plans drawn up in 60s, 70s, and even into the late 80s to build a series of artificial Islands to connect Hawaii to San Diego.  Some were Rail, some were highways.

I fail to see what could go wrong there...

[Bickendan]

^^ In short, that's why the Northeast makes me want to hang myself over a ledge and let go. Of course, they're all historical names but for anyone not from the area, it's needlessly confusing and history for the sake of history (my opinion).

And you'd be wrong.  I suspect I-278 actually changes roads completely at those points.

Here's something similar for I-94 in Illinois:

Tri-State Tollway
Edens Spur
Edens Expressway
Kennedy Expressway
Dan Ryan Expressway
Bishop Ford Freeway
Kingery Expressway

I-94 leaves the Tri-State Tollway in Deerfield.  That continues as I-294.  It then takes the short Spur over to the Edens Expressway which started as US-41 just north of there.  I-94 then follows the Edens south to the Kennedy Junction where it meets I-90 which is already the Kennedy Expressway (since Rosemont).  I-94 then follows the Kennedy to the Circle where it becomes the Dan Ryan Expressway (with I-90).  I-94 then follows the Ryan south to the Split where the Ryan takes a turn to the west and becomes I-57.  I-94 then becomes the Bishop Ford Freeway at this point.  I-94 then follows the Bishop Ford down to I-80 and I-294.  At I-80 it leaves the Bishop Ford (which continues as IL-394) and follows I-80 out of Illinois on the short Kingery Expressway.

It's no different than a US highway or state route following different streets through a city.

Look at SoCal freeways as a minor example. Offhand:
I-5 - Montgomery Frwy
San Diego Frwy ( -> I-405)
Santa Ana Frwy ( -> US 101)
Golden State Frwy ( -> CA 99)
West Side Frwy

I-10 - Santa Monica Frwy
Golden State Frwy
San Bernardino Frwy ( -> I-215?)
Redlands Frwy

I-15 - Wabash Frwy
Escondido Frwy ( -> I-215)
Corona Frwy ( discontinuous -> CA 71)
Ontario Frwy
Barstow Frwy ( <- I-215)

CA 60 - Pomona Frwy
Moreno Valley Frwy

CA 91 - Redondo Beach Frwy
Artesia Frwy
Riverside Frwy ( -> I-215)

US 101 - Santa Ana Frwy ( <- I-5)
Hollywood Frwy ( -> CA 170)
Ventura Frwy ( <- CA 134)
El Camino Real
Bayshore Frwy
James Lick Frwy ( -> I-80)
Central Frwy

I/CA 110 - Harbor Frwy
Pasadena Frwy/Arroyo Seco Pkwy

I-215 - Escondido Frwy ( <- I-15)
Moreno Valley Frwy
Riverside Frwy ( <- CA 91)
San Bernardino Frwy (?) ( <- I-10)
Barstow Frwy ( -> I-15)

(And in Portland, I-5 -
Baldock Frwy
Eastbank Frwy
Minnesota Frwy)

[Molandfreak]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

At least they connect to the main system. The ones in Hawaii (and currently I-2) do not.

The ones in Hawaii will never connect to the main system either.

What if they build a really long bridge?

It is funny you mention that.  There were plans drawn up in 60s, 70s, and even into the late 80s to build a series of artificial Islands to connect Hawaii to San Diego.  Some were Rail, some were highways.

nice.

[TheStranger]

Look at SoCal freeways as a minor example. Offhand:

US 101 - Santa Ana Frwy ( <- I-5)
Hollywood Frwy ( -> CA 170)
Ventura Frwy ( <- CA 134)
El Camino Real
Bayshore Frwy
James Lick Frwy ( -> I-80)
Central Frwy

I don't know much in common use it has ever been, but the section of 101 from SJ to Gilroy that was never part of Bayshore Highway IIRC is "South Valley Freeway", while most people consider the James Lick name as one of those honorary monikers and think of 101 to the Central Freeway/80 as the north extent of Bayshore.  (Pretty neat how except for James Lick, all of the names you listed ARE in somewhat common use).

Could even argue that after the Central Freeway, 101 and its named freeways remain closely tied together: Presidio Parkway/Doyle Drive, Redwood Highway.

Some more California examples:

I-280: (680 ->) Sinclair Freeway (name not really commonly noted by public)
Junipero Serra Freeway (-> Route 1)
Southern Freeway
Southern Embarcadero Freeway (name not in common use)/280 Extension

I-580: (unnamed route along the Hoffman Boulevard corridor)
Eastshore Freeway
MacArthur Freeway
(no common use names to I-5)

I-880:
Nimitz Freeway
Cypress Freeway (name not in regular use since 1997, though was in the media constantly during the realignment project)

I-80:
San Francisco Skyway/James Lick Skyway
Eastshore Freeway

[jakeroot]

^^ In short, that's why the Northeast makes me want to hang myself over a ledge and let go. Of course, they're all historical names but for anyone not from the area, it's needlessly confusing and history for the sake of history (my opinion).

I suspect I-278 actually changes roads completely at those points...

If that's the case, then I recede my previous point.

In Western Washington, where I'm from, freeways are not named. We have a couple exceptions (Boeing Freeway, Valley Freeway), but neither are signed, and the latter isn't even official...

It's no different than a US highway or state route following different streets through a city.

In Seattle, a freeway is a number (SR 520, SR 167, SR 512), but when it becomes an at-grade boulevard or road, it becomes "Rainier Ave", "Meridian", and so on.

For example, when directions are being given, my mom will often say "Take SR 167 to Rainier Ave S", even though they are the same thing.

My point being, it is different than US highway/State Route going through a city on surface streets, because at least in my area, no one (other than the acutely aware) is aware that States Routes also run on surface streets.

EDIT:

Tri-State Tollway
Edens Spur
Edens Expressway
Kennedy Expressway
Dan Ryan Expressway
Bishop Ford Freeway
Kingery Expressway

What the f*** is the point of all those names?

[vdeane]

And you'd be wrong.  I suspect I-278 actually changes roads completely at those points.

Many of them are at bridges.  Gowanus/BQE may or may not count as changing roads.  BQE/Grand Central Parkway definitely counts.

[Bickendan]

Look at SoCal freeways as a minor example. Offhand:

US 101 - Santa Ana Frwy ( <- I-5)
Hollywood Frwy ( -> CA 170)
Ventura Frwy ( <- CA 134)
El Camino Real
Bayshore Frwy
James Lick Frwy ( -> I-80)
Central Frwy

I don't know much in common use it has ever been, but the section of 101 from SJ to Gilroy that was never part of Bayshore Highway IIRC is "South Valley Freeway", while most people consider the James Lick name as one of those honorary monikers and think of 101 to the Central Freeway/80 as the north extent of Bayshore.  (Pretty neat how except for James Lick, all of the names you listed ARE in somewhat common use).

I did miss the South Valley portion. It's something like this, right?
El Camino Real ( -> Bus US 101/CA 82)
South Valley Frwy ( -> CA 85)
Bayshore Frwy

[Zzonkmiles]

Any interstate in Hawaii is the worst considering they're all intrastates.

Well, what about I-4, I-97, I-87, I-27 and a few other intrastate Interstates?

At least they connect to the main system. The ones in Hawaii (and currently I-2) do not.

The ones in Hawaii will never connect to the main system either.

What if they build a really long bridge?

It is funny you mention that.  There were plans drawn up in 60s, 70s, and even into the late 80s to build a series of artificial Islands to connect Hawaii to San Diego.  Some were Rail, some were highways.

I fail to see what could go wrong there...

I'm all for a bridge connecting Honolulu with San Diego! Doesn't Washington have some floating bridges? They could use that engineering, right? Now, what to do about rest areas, gas, and distracted drivers driving over the bridge and into the water? These are the questions that keep me up at night!

And I don't mind intrastate interstates, especially if they connect two major interstates, such as I-16 (I-75/95) and I-45 (I-10/20).

[kkt]

I'm all for a bridge connecting Honolulu with San Diego! Doesn't Washington have some floating bridges? They could use that engineering, right? Now, what to do about rest areas, gas, and distracted drivers driving over the bridge and into the water? These are the questions that keep me up at night!

The bridge should incorporate gasoline and diesel pipelines!  At every artificial island, say every 10 miles or so, the bridge is anchored and there's a service plaza with food, and gas and diesel piped in.  Some of the gas and diesel are also piped to Hawaii, reducing gas prices there.  Some of the service plazas will also need hotels.  It will all be an extension of I-H3.

[myosh_tino]

I don't know much in common use it has ever been, but the section of 101 from SJ to Gilroy that was never part of Bayshore Highway IIRC is "South Valley Freeway", while most people consider the James Lick name as one of those honorary monikers and think of 101 to the Central Freeway/80 as the north extent of Bayshore.  (Pretty neat how except for James Lick, all of the names you listed ARE in somewhat common use).

I dunno, I've heard many traffic reporters use the James Lick Freeway quite often in their reports (especially on KCBS (740AM) and on KRON-4 TV).

I-880:
Nimitz Freeway
Cypress Freeway (name not in regular use since 1997, though was in the media constantly during the realignment project)

The name "Cypress Freeway" isn't something I hear very often even back in the 90's.  I know of the "Cypress Structure" which was the double-decked portion of I-880 that collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta quake.  I did not know the new alignment of I-880 was named the Cypress Freeway.

[SSOWorld]

^^ In short, that's why the Northeast makes me want to hang myself over a ledge and let go. Of course, they're all historical names but for anyone not from the area, it's needlessly confusing and history for the sake of history (my opinion).

I suspect I-278 actually changes roads completely at those points...

If that's the case, then I recede my previous point.

In Western Washington, where I'm from, freeways are not named. We have a couple exceptions (Boeing Freeway, Valley Freeway), but neither are signed, and the latter isn't even official...

It's no different than a US highway or state route following different streets through a city.

In Seattle, a freeway is a number (SR 520, SR 167, SR 512), but when it becomes an at-grade boulevard or road, it becomes "Rainier Ave", "Meridian", and so on.

For example, when directions are being given, my mom will often say "Take SR 167 to Rainier Ave S", even though they are the same thing.

My point being, it is different than US highway/State Route going through a city on surface streets, because at least in my area, no one (other than the acutely aware) is aware that States Routes also run on surface streets.

EDIT:

Tri-State Tollway
Edens Spur
Edens Expressway
Kennedy Expressway
Dan Ryan Expressway
Bishop Ford Freeway
Kingery Expressway

What the f*** is the point of all those names?

In the large cities most know the freeways and have referred to them by the names rather than the numbers.  LA and SF are notable exceptions.

In Southern California (in general) every numbered highway is referred to as "the 5", "the 2", "the 101", etc. Northern Calif - same, except chop off the "the".

[PColumbus73]

I spent my teenage years growing up near Winston-Salem.  I never understood that the original I-40 through downtown there was mostly only 4 lanes.  I thought that it was way underpowered and a disgrace of an interstate.  However, I now see that this type of freeway exists in a lot of bigger cities, so it doesn't feel as bad

Yeah, however they're rebuilding (or plan on to rebuild) that section of original 40 through downtown W-S. How they are planning to do that is beyond me. There is NO room for widening or something like that. But, yes this type of freeway exists everywhere.

I wouldn't mind seeing Business 40/US 421 rebuilt as an expressway/boulevard between MLK Drive and NC 150 (Peters Creek Pkwy). I think the segment between US 52 and at least Broad St could be rebuilt similar to US 17 in Charleston, SC, (aka The Crosstown) south/west of I-26 where there are signalized intersections but left (and some right) turns are prohibited.