Most Worthless Control Cities

[Flint1979]

On I-275 in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky are used as control cities instead of the cities along 71 and 75 (Dayton and Columbus north, Louisville and Lexington south). I don't get why they don't just use Louisville and/or Lexington for the southbound control cities, and Dayton and/or Columbus for northbound. 275's split from 74 west also uses Kentucky instead of Louisville and/or Lexington, but it uses Dayton at the split from 74 east, however, they could add Columbus for I-71 traffic.

Probably because when I-275 is going through Indiana it's only there for about four miles and has one interchange so using Ohio and Kentucky from that locale makes some sense as once you get on I-275 you will be in one of those two states when you reach the next interchange. As far as using Dayton, I-275 goes more toward the north east of it's interchange with I-74 and I-75 will connect you to Dayton which is the control city on I-75 NB. Going south Lexington might make some sense but not Louisville even though I-71 goes there.

Going to Louisville from there you could also take US-50 to US-421 to IN-62 to I-265 to I-65 to get to Louisville without having to backtrack to I-71/75.

[Chrysler375Freeway]

Also, I-275 in Knoxville, Tennessee simply uses Knoxville, omitting Chattanooga, even though along I-40 and Henley Ave at its south end, it displays Lexington, Kentucky as a control city. Why not use both Knoxville and Chattanooga as control cities along 275S?

[hbelkins]

Also, I-275 in Knoxville, Tennessee simply uses Knoxville, omitting Chattanooga, even though along I-40 and Henley Ave at its south end, it displays Lexington, Kentucky as a control city. Why not use both Knoxville and Chattanooga as control cities along 275S?

That one-lane ramp that you have to use to stay on I-75 south at I-640 is a bottleneck. If traffic is backed up there, and you want to continue on I-75 south to  Chattanooga or points beyond, sometimes it's faster to just stay on I-275 (former I-75).

In fact, I'd be in favor of putting I-75 back on its original routing.

[US20IL64]

Like Limon CO, on US 60 east in AZ, using Globe. Who goes there?
Although newer signs have Mesa-Globe.

Being from Chicagoland, Rockford for I-355 way down by I-80 is a bit much, maybe I-88? And I think IL-394 is a road to nowhere, maybe meant to stir up suburban development back then.

And I agree having both East St. Louis and St. Louis on mileage signs is outdated. I-55 signs have them 1 mile apart.
Like Gary IN, has declined in population. While St. Louis city has declined, STL County is still prominent.

[roadman65]

Like Limon CO, on US 60 east in AZ, using Globe. Who goes there?
Although newer signs have Mesa-Globe.

Being from Chicagoland, Rockford for I-355 way down by I-80 is a bit much, maybe I-88? And I think IL-394 is a road to nowhere, maybe meant to stir up suburban development back then.

And I agree having both East St. Louis and St. Louis on mileage signs is outdated. I-55 signs have them 1 mile apart.
Like Gary IN, has declined in population. While St. Louis city has declined, STL County is still prominent.

Limon is good on I-70 East from Denver, but west of Burlington Denver should be used and from Hays, Kansas west should be Goodland and Burlington west of Goodland.

[andrepoiy]

While not really worthless, I find it odd how Montréal is the primary control city on A-40 WB as far as Québec City when Trois-Rivières is between the two.

Yeah, Quebec seems to sign farther cities than Ontario.

For example on Highway 401, "Montreal" is only signed as a control east of Cornwall ON, while "Toronto" is only signed west of Kingston.

Meanwhile, Autoroute 20 going westbound is signed as "Toronto" in Montreal.

[Chrysler375Freeway]

I-475 in Toledo, Ohio utilizes Ann Arbor, Michigan as a control city but omits Detroit completely at the split between 23 and 475 in favor of Toledo, even though I-475 is a western bypass of the latter city, so wouldn't it make sense to not omit Detroit entirely if it is a western bypass of I-75 through Toledo?

[Flint1979]

I-475 in Toledo, Ohio utilizes Ann Arbor, Michigan as a control city but omits Detroit completely at the split between 23 and 475 in favor of Toledo, even though I-475 is a western bypass of the latter city, so wouldn't it make sense to not omit Detroit entirely if it is a western bypass of I-75 through Toledo?

The split between I-475 and US-23 isn't within Toledo city limits and I-475 takes you back to Toledo and ends there so using Toledo makes sense. I-475 isn't heading toward Detroit at all really between US-23 and I-75.

[Chrysler375Freeway]

I-469 in Indiana has no control cities, none whatsoever, completely omitting Lansing and Indianapolis at the major junctions between US 24 and US 30. They should at least use Lansing and Indianapolis.

[Chrysler375Freeway]

Sharon, PA on I-80 is barely a blip.  Should really be Youngstown, OH

Pretty much all of I-80 east of Youngstown is full of useless controls.  Dubois, Bloomsburg, Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, and Netcong come to mind. Hazleton would be too if it weren't for the 81 junction.

I-94 in Michigan (west of Detroit) simply uses Detroit and Chicago at major junctions, completely omitting cities such as Ann Arbor, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. The other cities I mentioned should also be paired with Chicago and Detroit on the guide signs.

[Mark68]

Limon used by KDOT going west from Hays, KS.  Considering you have Denver, or Burlington across the state line from Kanorado, that is off  kilt for a city going west from anywhere in Kansas, especially from Hays. 

I can see it being used out of Denver going eastward, due to no real good places in Eastern Colorado and Topeka and Kansas City are way too far away at that point. Being it's the first place going east, it seems appropriate in that usage, but west of Hays you even have Goodland, Oakley, and even Colby which have just as much significance as Limon.  Plus its not even a major freeway junction like Benson is in NC, or even two major N-S meeting the interstate, so what significance is Limon to someone heading west across the Plains?

Limon, period, is a worthless control city--whether signed by KDOT or CDOT.

[hotdogPi]

Limon, period, is a worthless control city--whether signed by KDOT or CDOT.

I'm disappointed that Costa Rica doesn't have Street View except for photospheres.

[hbelkins]

I-475 in Toledo, Ohio utilizes Ann Arbor, Michigan as a control city but omits Detroit completely at the split between 23 and 475 in favor of Toledo, even though I-475 is a western bypass of the latter city, so wouldn't it make sense to not omit Detroit entirely if it is a western bypass of I-75 through Toledo?

Does anyone use I-475 to bypass I-75 through Toledo? If I was driving straight through to Detroit on I-75, I wouldn't.

[Rothman]

I-475 in Toledo, Ohio utilizes Ann Arbor, Michigan as a control city but omits Detroit completely at the split between 23 and 475 in favor of Toledo, even though I-475 is a western bypass of the latter city, so wouldn't it make sense to not omit Detroit entirely if it is a western bypass of I-75 through Toledo?

Does anyone use I-475 to bypass I-75 through Toledo? If I was driving straight through to Detroit on I-75, I wouldn't.

If headed to Ann Arbor and environs, yes.

[Chrysler375Freeway]

Sharon, PA on I-80 is barely a blip.  Should really be Youngstown, OH

Pretty much all of I-80 east of Youngstown is full of useless controls.  Dubois, Bloomsburg, Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, and Netcong come to mind. Hazleton would be too if it weren't for the 81 junction.

I-275 in the Cincinnati area at numerous junctions simply says Kentucky as a control city for either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, instead of Louisville or Lexington.

[Flint1979]

I-475 in Toledo, Ohio utilizes Ann Arbor, Michigan as a control city but omits Detroit completely at the split between 23 and 475 in favor of Toledo, even though I-475 is a western bypass of the latter city, so wouldn't it make sense to not omit Detroit entirely if it is a western bypass of I-75 through Toledo?

Does anyone use I-475 to bypass I-75 through Toledo? If I was driving straight through to Detroit on I-75, I wouldn't.

No it adds 7 more minutes and miles to your trip if you are heading to Detroit. If you are heading to Flint though it saves you 27 miles and minutes to take I-475 and US-23. Even if you are going to Holly or anywhere in that area it's still quicker to take US-23 to Grange Hall Road. For one thing if you are going north of Detroit, I-75 is a mess in Oakland County where it's been under construction for the past 5-6 years so you have to keep that in mind as well. I'd say Clarkston is about the border between taking I-75 and another route, south of Clarkston it would be quicker to take I-75 the whole way, north of Clarkston there are other routes you can use.

[Flint1979]

Sharon, PA on I-80 is barely a blip.  Should really be Youngstown, OH

Pretty much all of I-80 east of Youngstown is full of useless controls.  Dubois, Bloomsburg, Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, and Netcong come to mind. Hazleton would be too if it weren't for the 81 junction.

I-275 in the Cincinnati area at numerous junctions simply says Kentucky as a control city for either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, instead of Louisville or Lexington.

I-275 in Cincinnati is a loop it doesn't take you to either Lexington or Louisville or really even in the direction of either city.

[SkyPesos]

Sharon, PA on I-80 is barely a blip.  Should really be Youngstown, OH

Pretty much all of I-80 east of Youngstown is full of useless controls.  Dubois, Bloomsburg, Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, and Netcong come to mind. Hazleton would be too if it weren't for the 81 junction.

I-275 in the Cincinnati area at numerous junctions simply says Kentucky as a control city for either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, instead of Louisville or Lexington.

Going to repost what I said about I-275 above, since it seems like you skipped past it, and why I don't like Louisville or Lexington as control cities on it.

Because I-275 is a terrible bypass for the city. I prefer how they do it now in a portion of the highway, with control routes. Like "275 east to OH 32", and "275 west to I-75" at the I-71 interchange, and the mention for the airport in the KY side.

[Chrysler375Freeway]

Sharon, PA on I-80 is barely a blip.  Should really be Youngstown, OH

Pretty much all of I-80 east of Youngstown is full of useless controls.  Dubois, Bloomsburg, Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, and Netcong come to mind. Hazleton would be too if it weren't for the 81 junction.

I-275 in the Cincinnati area at numerous junctions simply says Kentucky as a control city for either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, instead of Louisville or Lexington.

Going to repost what I said about I-275 above, since it seems like you skipped past it, and why I don't like Louisville or Lexington as control cities on it.

Because I-275 is a terrible bypass for the city. I prefer how they do it now in a portion of the highway, with control routes. Like "275 east to OH 32", and "275 west to I-75" at the I-71 interchange, and the mention for the airport in the KY side.

I-94 in Michigan west of Detroit completely ignores smaller major Michigan municipalities or those with major junctions (ignored both east and west of Detroit, i.e. I-196 in Benton Harbor, I-69 in Marshall, I-696 in Roseville-St. Clair Shores, etc.) it passes through or near on guide signs at major junctions (i.e. Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, etc.) instead opting for either Detroit or Chicago.

[hbelkins]

I-475 in Toledo, Ohio utilizes Ann Arbor, Michigan as a control city but omits Detroit completely at the split between 23 and 475 in favor of Toledo, even though I-475 is a western bypass of the latter city, so wouldn't it make sense to not omit Detroit entirely if it is a western bypass of I-75 through Toledo?

Does anyone use I-475 to bypass I-75 through Toledo? If I was driving straight through to Detroit on I-75, I wouldn't.

If headed to Ann Arbor and environs, yes.

I must not have made myself clear. I was talking about if you're going to Detroit or to another destination along I-75 before it reconnects with US 23.

[Flint1979]

I-475 in Toledo, Ohio utilizes Ann Arbor, Michigan as a control city but omits Detroit completely at the split between 23 and 475 in favor of Toledo, even though I-475 is a western bypass of the latter city, so wouldn't it make sense to not omit Detroit entirely if it is a western bypass of I-75 through Toledo?

Does anyone use I-475 to bypass I-75 through Toledo? If I was driving straight through to Detroit on I-75, I wouldn't.

If headed to Ann Arbor and environs, yes.

What are you talking about?

[Flint1979]

Sharon, PA on I-80 is barely a blip.  Should really be Youngstown, OH

Pretty much all of I-80 east of Youngstown is full of useless controls.  Dubois, Bloomsburg, Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, and Netcong come to mind. Hazleton would be too if it weren't for the 81 junction.

I-275 in the Cincinnati area at numerous junctions simply says Kentucky as a control city for either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, instead of Louisville or Lexington.

Going to repost what I said about I-275 above, since it seems like you skipped past it, and why I don't like Louisville or Lexington as control cities on it.

Because I-275 is a terrible bypass for the city. I prefer how they do it now in a portion of the highway, with control routes. Like "275 east to OH 32", and "275 west to I-75" at the I-71 interchange, and the mention for the airport in the KY side.

I-94 in Michigan west of Detroit completely ignores smaller major Michigan municipalities or those with major junctions (ignored both east and west of Detroit, i.e. I-196 in Benton Harbor, I-69 in Marshall, I-696 in Roseville-St. Clair Shores, etc.) it passes through or near on guide signs at major junctions (i.e. Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, etc.) instead opting for either Detroit or Chicago.

The states choose the control cities so MDOT is the one that chooses the control cities in Michigan, ODOT does in Ohio and KYTC does in Kentucky. What Ohio and Kentucky choose to use as control cities on I-275 around Cincinnati has nothing to do with what MDOT chooses to use as control cities on I-94. Chicago is the third largest city in the country and I-94 goes through it I don't see anything wrong with using Chicago. Most traffic on I-94 is heading to either Detroit or Chicago and those cities in Michigan are used at secondary interchanges.

[Chrysler375Freeway]

On I-275 in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky are used as control cities instead of the cities along 71 and 75 (Dayton and Columbus north, Louisville and Lexington south). I don't get why they don't just use Louisville and/or Lexington for the southbound control cities, and Dayton and/or Columbus for northbound. 275's split from 74 west also uses Kentucky instead of Louisville and/or Lexington, but it uses Dayton at the split from 74 east, however, they could add Columbus for I-71 traffic.

Because I-275 is a terrible bypass for the city. I prefer how they do it now, with control routes. Like "275 east to OH 32", and "275 west to I-75" at the I-71 interchange, and the mention for the airport in the KY side.

Speaking of bypasses, the Eastern Bypass is planned as a true bypass for Cincinnati, like I-840 south of Nashville, but that's for another topic. There may already be a topic about the Cincy EB, so I won't go into full detail here.

[Chrysler375Freeway]

Sharon, PA on I-80 is barely a blip.  Should really be Youngstown, OH

Pretty much all of I-80 east of Youngstown is full of useless controls.  Dubois, Bloomsburg, Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, and Netcong come to mind. Hazleton would be too if it weren't for the 81 junction.

I-275 in the Cincinnati area at numerous junctions simply says Kentucky as a control city for either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, instead of Louisville or Lexington.

Going to repost what I said about I-275 above, since it seems like you skipped past it, and why I don't like Louisville or Lexington as control cities on it.

Because I-275 is a terrible bypass for the city. I prefer how they do it now in a portion of the highway, with control routes. Like "275 east to OH 32", and "275 west to I-75" at the I-71 interchange, and the mention for the airport in the KY side.

I-94 in Michigan west of Detroit completely ignores smaller major Michigan municipalities or those with major junctions (ignored both east and west of Detroit, i.e. I-196 in Benton Harbor, I-69 in Marshall, I-696 in Roseville-St. Clair Shores, etc.) it passes through or near on guide signs at major junctions (i.e. Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, etc.) instead opting for either Detroit or Chicago.

The states choose the control cities so MDOT is the one that chooses the control cities in Michigan, ODOT does in Ohio and KYTC does in Kentucky. What Ohio and Kentucky choose to use as control cities on I-275 around Cincinnati has nothing to do with what MDOT chooses to use as control cities on I-94. Chicago is the third largest city in the country and I-94 goes through it I don't see anything wrong with using Chicago. Most traffic on I-94 is heading to either Detroit or Chicago and those cities in Michigan are used at secondary interchanges.

Okay, I'll be willing to let 275 (OH-IN-KY) off because it passes through the states used for control cities. Also, at some point, it says Indianapolis, and I-74 goes to Indy. In Kentucky, it uses Airport, as it passes by the Cincinnati Metro region's airport. I'll let that slide. Columbus: connects via I-71. Dayton: connects via I-75.

[SkyPesos]

Speaking of bypasses, the Eastern Bypass is planned as a true bypass for Cincinnati, like I-840 south of Nashville, but that's for another topic. There may already be a topic about the Cincy EB, so I won't go into full detail here.

Not going to happen, at least on the Ohio side. ODOT dropped out of the project.