Closed Exits

[Brandon]

Wasn't there an exit along the Chicago Skyway which was closed for some time in the 80s before it was totally removed???  I seem to remember a creepy looking abandoned exit when I went through there in the late 80's/early 90s.

A few were removed, including the Michigan Avenue/Indiana Avenue ramp.  That one included a large bridge over the railroad tracks similar to the Stony Island Avenue ramp.  The others removed were just small slip ramp type ramps.  I don't remember all of them off-hand.  There's little sign of them currently.

The Michigan/Indiana ramp (not Wabash, SPUI) was the original (1957) terminus of the Skyway until the Ryan was finished in 1962.

[Brandon]

Wasn't there an exit along the Chicago Skyway which was closed for some time in the 80s before it was totally removed???  I seem to remember a creepy looking abandoned exit when I went through there in the late 80's/early 90s.

Indiana and WabashMichigan Avenues. There's still a median on the one-way Indiana Avenue where the ramp touched down.

FTFY. You can see parts of what used to be an overpass over 67th Street in that location here. http://goo.gl/maps/zRkj4

That's for the railroad, and, IIRC, predates the Skyway.  These were long, soaring truss bridges.

Here's some more on them:

Former Skyway Exit/Entrance Ramps at Forgotten Chicago.

Historic American Engineering Record.

[6a]

One I've always wondered about is SB Alum Creek to WB I-270 in Columbus. Is it closed, or was it never finished?

[NE2]

Is it closed, or was it never finished?

Probably the latter. It looked about the same in 1971: http://www.historicaerials.com/aerials.php?scale=4&lat=39.873&lon=-82.935&year=1971

[Bigmikelakers]

On CA-91, the Coal Canyon Rd exit was closed back in 2003. I believe it is a wildlife crossing today.

[Jardine]

A subset of the OP are closed weigh stations and their associated ramps.  I-29 south of Missouri Valley Iowa/Hiway 30 a couple of miles are two closed truck weigh stations. One of the structures has been demolished, but the on and off ramps remain.  I think the IaDOT might use them for logistics areas.

[cpzilliacus]

When Md. 200 (ICC) was extended from its interim eastern terminus at Md. 28 (Norbeck Road) to its new (and current, as of today) interim eastern terminus at I-95 in 2011, the "exit" at Md. 28 was removed and the associated traffic signal was dismantled and taken away.  It is almost invisible today, though it can still be seen in Google here "exiting" from the eastbound side of Md. 200.

[lepidopteran]

If we're including closed rest areas, there was a pair of them on I-71 about 20 miles southwest of Columbus, OH.  Someone told me they were closed due to prostitution activity going on there, but I think it was more likely the sprawling development in the Grove City area that made other "rest" options available.  Also, there was a rather steep incline to access the area on the SB side.  The ramps, now reduced to dirt paths, are still readily visible.
https://www.google.com/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d5589!2d-83.1780545!3d39.8172118!2m1!1e3&fid=7

There is also an abandoned rest area on I-70 EB near St. Clairsville, OH.  Not sure if it's barricaded off, and GSV shows heaps of gravel on the parking area, but the pavement seems to be fully intact.  I have a distant memory, unconfirmed, that at one time you had to exit at the rest area and follow a long C/D-type road in order to get off at Mall Rd./Banfield Rd.  Again, I think they closed this one due to nearby commercial development.

[vtk]

If we're including closed rest areas, there was a pair of them on I-71 about 20 miles southwest of Columbus, OH.  Someone told me they were closed due to prostitution activity going on there, but I think it was more likely the sprawling development in the Grove City area that made other "rest" options available.  Also, there was a rather steep incline to access the area on the SB side.  The ramps, now reduced to dirt paths, are still readily visible.
https://www.google.com/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d5589!2d-83.1780545!3d39.8172118!2m1!1e3&fid=7

I've always wondered why that was closed. I don't think it's because of Grove City business, because that didn't start blowing up until the 90s and I'm pretty sure the rest area was closed long prior. Considering the spacing of rest areas along I-71, I think a rest area here makes more sense than the one in Jeffersonville.  (On the other hand, with the NB rest area at the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge temporarily closed, we might as well have one halfway between Cincinnati and Columbus...)

[1995hoo]

Regarding rest areas, there's a never-opened rest area on westbound I-66 east of Linden, Virginia. I don't know how to post a map link when using an iPad, so I'll edit this later unless someone beats me to it. Driving west you pass what looks like an exit ramp that's blocked off with a "Road Closed" gate, then a few second later another such ramp rejoins the road. Looking at the satellite view reveals a parking area set up like one for a rest area. The rest area facilities were never constructed.


Edited to add: Found the map link in the "Abandoned Freeways" thread: http://maps.google.com/?ll=38.909018,-78.026705&spn=0.006387,0.016512&t=k&z=17&vpsrc=6

[jeffandnicole]

Just this morning, the closed NB Rest Area on I-295 in NJ is now signed with a black on gray "Springfield Yard" sign.  The main entrance is blocked by a jersey barrier (a modified ramp exists where traffic used to exit the rest area).  And thru the trees, you can see the old building still intact.  Maybe DOT will use this for a sub-yard, such as for snow/salting operatings or the like in the future...

[cpzilliacus]

Regarding rest areas, there's a never-opened rest area on westbound I-66 east of Linden, Virginia. I don't know how to post a map link when using an iPad, so I'll edit this later unless someone beats me to it. Driving west you pass what looks like an exit ramp that's blocked off with a "Road Closed" gate, then a few second later another such ramp rejoins the road. Looking at the satellite view reveals a parking area set up like one for a rest area. The rest area facilities were never constructed.

There is also one on the eastbound side of I-66 between I-81 and the U.S. 340/U.S. 522 interchange at Front Royal (Google here).  For many years it was not used (and had signage inside the rest area from the late 1970's or early 1980's), but has recently morphed into a trucks-only rest area with no facilities.

[Alps]

Just this morning, the closed NB Rest Area on I-295 in NJ is now signed with a black on gray "Springfield Yard" sign.  The main entrance is blocked by a jersey barrier (a modified ramp exists where traffic used to exit the rest area).  And thru the trees, you can see the old building still intact.  Maybe DOT will use this for a sub-yard, such as for snow/salting operatings or the like in the future...

Is Springfield like Washington, Union, and Franklin?

[mrsman]

For much of the 1980's and the 1990's, the Winnetka Avenue exit of the CA-118 freeway was built, but closed to traffic.  This was because after the freeway was designed but before the freeway was built, the area on Winnetka Avenue between Devonshire and the 118 freeway became part of a gated community known as Monteria Lake. 

The Winnetka Ave exit reopened when significant development occurred north of the freeway.  Winnetka Avenue in this area has since been renamed Porter Ranch Drive.

[shadyjay]

While technically not an exit, CT 9 NB in Middletown no longer allows motorists to legally make the left turn onto Miller/Bridge Streets.  It's never been an interchange, but rather an intersection.  The former sign saying MILLER/BRIDGE STs <-- has been replaced with a "EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY" sign.  The only way to legally access those streets now is from the southbound lanes.  NB, the route is Exit 18, then reverse direction back south.

Can't say I blame ConnDOT for closing the NB turn.  Back when I commuted that way, I'd see school busses make that left turn across 3 lanes of traffic going ~ 60 mph.  Sure, the posted speed there is 45, but noone goes it, unless the light at "Exit" 16 is red.

[jp the roadgeek]

While technically not an exit, CT 9 NB in Middletown no longer allows motorists to legally make the left turn onto Miller/Bridge Streets.  It's never been an interchange, but rather an intersection.  The former sign saying MILLER/BRIDGE STs <-- has been replaced with a "EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY" sign.  The only way to legally access those streets now is from the southbound lanes.  NB, the route is Exit 18, then reverse direction back south.

Can't say I blame ConnDOT for closing the NB turn.  Back when I commuted that way, I'd see school busses make that left turn across 3 lanes of traffic going ~ 60 mph.  Sure, the posted speed there is 45, but noone goes it, unless the light at "Exit" 16 is red.

Can cars legally make the left turn out of there onto CT 9 NB?  I did it once.  No signs saying I couldn't

[NE2]

Can cars legally make the left turn out of there onto CT 9 NB?  I did it once.  No signs saying I couldn't

The Goog shows a pavement marking with a right turn arrow. I don't know if that's regulatory in Connecticut, especially since it could be covered with snow.

[shadyjay]

You cannot legally make the move between CT 9 NB and Miller/Bridge Sts.  The change was made only in the past year or so. 
Looks like Google Streetview has the signage/pavement markings.

[Bruce]

Seatac Airport (in Seattle) has lots of closed ramps along the freeway leading to the main terminal from SR 518. The Port rebuilt the airport to include light rail in the median of the freeway. The list of ramps include:

• A closed ramp from "the freeway" (it doesn't have a number) going south to Air Cargo Rd. The only remnant is the newer grass. It was replaced with a left-side ramp towards S 170th (which itself used to be a right-hand entrance to the freeway. (http://goo.gl/RD4qSx)

I managed to get a nice picture of the closed northbound lanes while riding the Link from SeaTac.

[golden eagle]

I remember a closed exit on I-10 in New Orleans East. I believe it's still standing.

[ET21]

Newest closed exit on Westbound 290 in Chicago, Morgan Street

[JMoses24]

As of tonight, closed ramps at Ohio State Route 32 and I-275 in Cincinnati. Both are loop ramps, southbound to eastbound and northbound to westbound movements. However, at the present time the other two ramps at this cloverleaf remain in place.

[jakeroot]

West of Seatac Airport near Seattle, the junction between SR 509 and S 176th was opened around 2002, but was closed just after 2009. This corresponds miraculously well with the construction of Seatac's third runway. My presumption is that it was opened for construction access. I'm surprised WSDOT hasn't torn down the massive wall that bars residents from using the ramps. Seems like it would be at least somewhat useful.

[Brandon]

Newest closed exit on Westbound 290 in Chicago, Morgan Street

As far as I've seen, that's temporary.

[ET21]

Newest closed exit on Westbound 290 in Chicago, Morgan Street

As far as I've seen, that's temporary.

It's a complete demolition, least for the substructure. Whether they bring it back I didn't see anything
From Travel Midwest:

CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that weather permitting, a new lane pattern is scheduled to be installed on EB I-290 between Racine and Peoria Streets beginning Wednesday, February 19, 2014.

The lane pattern will allow for the continued demolition of the remaining bridge substructure at Morgan Street. Lane closures for this work will begin at 8 p.m. By at 5 a.m. Thursday morning, all four EB lanes will be shifted to the south.  The left lane will take motorists onto Congress Parkway. Motorists will use the next adjacent lane to access the ramp to the NB Kennedy Expressway. The two right lanes will access the SB Dan Ryan Expressway.

Motorists can expect delays during times when the lane closures are in effect and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signing in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

Find details on other construction projects in IDOT's District 1 at www.dot.state.il.us. Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www.travelmidwest.com.