Breezewood

[theroadwayone]

I know how to fix it.  Just make I-76 into I-70 and renumber the rest.

Then that would give I-70 the proper terminus at I-95 it deserves.

[Alps]

I know how to fix it.  Just make I-76 into I-70 and renumber the rest.

I-68 gets extended, I-270 and I-370 become I-268 and I-368, and I-70 (degraded) becomes I-168?

[texaskdog]

I know how to fix it.  Just make I-76 into I-70 and renumber the rest.

I-68 gets extended, I-270 and I-370 become I-268 and I-368, and I-70 (degraded) becomes I-168?

Problem solved

[theroadwayone]

I know how to fix it.  Just make I-76 into I-70 and renumber the rest.

I-68 gets extended, I-270 and I-370 become I-268 and I-368, and I-70 (degraded) becomes I-168?

Problem solved

And I'd suppose that all the I-x76s become I-x70s. As of now, to travel the hypothetical I-70 on the Turnpike, from New Stanton to Valley Forge (or vice versa,) would cost a car $31.85 cash or $22.80 EZ-Pass. (Those are going to go up to $33.80 and $24.17, respectively, about a week from now.)

[jwolfer]

Or maybe a more likely reason -- the toll road authority wants to keep traffic on the toll road on the toll road!.  Of course, this does inconvenience travelers at Fort Pierce, where the toll facility diverges to the NW from its largely parallel (some might say redundant!) to I-95 alignment south of there.

There seemed to be plenty of traffic on both when I  last visited the Sunshine State (many years ago).

2016 FDOT traffic data AADT --
I-95 south of the Fort Pierce crossing -- 74,500
Turnpike south of the Fort Pierce crossing -- 40,300
I-95 has 6 lanes there and the Turnpike has 4 lanes.

Those figures, taken in a relative sense, would make a lot of sense -- more aggregate traffic on the free 6-lane road with considerably more exits (as CPZ noted), with a not unexpected drop in usage for the lower-capacity toll facility -- but one with lower potential for congestion because of both the toll aspect as well as less access points.  Functionally, drivers who don't have need to use the interim local exits provided by I-95 but not by the Turnpike -- and who place value on the prospect of having a free-flowing facility -- can utilize the Turnpike for just that purpose.  In effect, although the facilities are physically separated, a parallel "premium" express route.

Turnpike volume north of the Fort Pierce crossing is nearly the same as to the south of it.

I-95 would naturally have the higher volume as it serves the entire east coast of Florida as well as the entire eastern seaboard.

The Turnpike merely connects south Florida with the central and western part of the state.  I am surprised that it carries the high volume it does at Fort Pierce.

The Florida Turnpike has quite a bit of out of state and commercial traffic. The turnpike along with 75 is the direct route from Atlanta area, the Midwest and West to Miami... Much more than intrastate traffic

Z981

[cpzilliacus]

I know how to fix it.  Just make I-76 into I-70 and renumber the rest.

Then that would give I-70 the proper terminus at I-95 it deserves.

Nope.  The interchange at I-76 and I-95 in Philadelphia is missing several movements, and besides, I-76 runs across the bridge into New Jersey where it goes away at NJ-42, with no access to the NJ-700 part of the New Jersey Turnpike.

[cpzilliacus]

I know how to fix it.  Just make I-76 into I-70 and renumber the rest.

I-68 gets extended, I-270 and I-370 become I-268 and I-368, and I-70 (degraded) becomes I-168?

I've a better idea.  Re-route I-70 eastbound down the Mon Valley Expressway (currently PA-43) into West Virginia (requires some upgrading of the  interchange at WV-43 and present I-68), then east on present I-68 back onto original I-70 at Hancock.  I-70 from Hancock to Breezewood can be I-970, and the far western part of I-68 in West Virginia can be I-170 or I-270.

This deprives the PTC of a lot of truck toll  revenue (though they still get some on the Mon Valley), hurts the Wilt family in Breezewood and their allies, and gives businesses along present-day  I-68 in Western  Maryland more customers.

[Beltway]

Turnpike volume north of the Fort Pierce crossing is nearly the same as to the south of it.
I-95 would naturally have the higher volume as it serves the entire east coast of Florida as well as the entire eastern seaboard.
The Turnpike merely connects south Florida with the central and western part of the state.  I am surprised that it carries the high volume it does at Fort Pierce.

The Florida Turnpike has quite a bit of out of state and commercial traffic. The turnpike along with 75 is the direct route from Atlanta area, the Midwest and West to Miami... Much more than intrastate traffic

Definitely aware that the Turnpike connects westerly I-10 and northerly I-75 to south Florida, it is the most direct route.

However a large portion of the Turnpike (and its tolls) can be avoided by taking the Beeline to I-95 or by taking I-10 to I-295 to I-95, when heading to south Florida.  There is some distance penalty but all in all those routes are competitive and take some of the traffic that would be on the Turnpike.

[Beltway]

I've a better idea.  Re-route I-70 eastbound down the Mon Valley Expressway (currently PA-43) into West Virginia (requires some upgrading of the  interchange at WV-43 and present I-68), then east on present I-68 back onto original I-70 at Hancock.  I-70 from Hancock to Breezewood can be I-970, and the far western part of I-68 in West Virginia can be I-170 or I-270.
This deprives the PTC of a lot of truck toll  revenue (though they still get some on the Mon Valley), hurts the Wilt family in Breezewood and their allies, and gives businesses along present-day  I-68 in Western  Maryland more customers.

Some truckers complain about the steep grades on I-68, to the point where it sounds like they would rather pay the tolls on the PA Turnpike to get the shallower grades.

[theroadwayone]

I know how to fix it.  Just make I-76 into I-70 and renumber the rest.

I-68 gets extended, I-270 and I-370 become I-268 and I-368, and I-70 (degraded) becomes I-168?

I've a better idea.  Re-route I-70 eastbound down the Mon Valley Expressway (currently PA-43) into West Virginia (requires some upgrading of the  interchange at WV-43 and present I-68), then east on present I-68 back onto original I-70 at Hancock.  I-70 from Hancock to Breezewood can be I-970, and the far western part of I-68 in West Virginia can be I-170 or I-270.

This deprives the PTC of a lot of truck toll  revenue (though they still get some on the Mon Valley), hurts the Wilt family in Breezewood and their allies, and gives businesses along present-day  I-68 in Western  Maryland more customers.

And what becomes of I-70 from PA-43 to New Stanton?

[theroadwayone]

I know how to fix it.  Just make I-76 into I-70 and renumber the rest.

Then that would give I-70 the proper terminus at I-95 it deserves.

Nope.  The interchange at I-76 and I-95 in Philadelphia is missing several movements, and besides, I-76 runs across the bridge into New Jersey where it goes away at NJ-42, with no access to the NJ-700 part of the New Jersey Turnpike.

Then if we're making the turnpike east of New Stanton I-70, and all the I-x76s I-x70s, then since I-276 would become I-270, the two highways could swap numbers. There, problem solved.

[cpzilliacus]

Some truckers complain about the steep grades on I-68, to the point where it sounds like they would rather pay the tolls on the PA Turnpike to get the shallower grades.

They can keep using it.

[theroadwayone]

Some truckers complain about the steep grades on I-68, to the point where it sounds like they would rather pay the tolls on the PA Turnpike to get the shallower grades.

They can keep using it.

That way they have a choice of a route that's more direct, and free of charge, but full of steep grades, and one that's flatter, but longer and charges a toll.

[cpzilliacus]

That way they have a choice of a route that's more direct, and free of charge, but full of steep grades, and one that's flatter, but longer and charges a toll.

The I-68 route probably has more steep grades, especially climbing to and descending from the Allegheny Plateau (especially eastbound between WV-43 (Exit 10) and Coopers Rock (Exit 15), ascending; and eastbound between MD-546 (Exit 29) and Cumberland (Exit 43A) descending).

The Penn Pike has one tough grade, that being east of the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel (descending eastbound and ascending westbound).

[Chris19001]

That way they have a choice of a route that's more direct, and free of charge, but full of steep grades, and one that's flatter, but longer and charges a toll.

Ahh, what exactly would stop said truckers/drivers from using it presently?  Are the signs what you view as the impediment from people using it?  (I'm sure the truckers at least are well aware of their most efficient routes)

[Beltway]

Some truckers complain about the steep grades on I-68, to the point where it sounds like they would rather pay the tolls on the PA Turnpike to get the shallower grades.

They can keep using it.

True indeed, but my comment was prompted by the proposal to reroute I-70 along I-68 and a segment of I-79 or PA-43, to avoid the PA Turnpike.  Both routes are available for motorists today, the question would be what is the utility of such a rerouting.

[Brandon]

Some truckers complain about the steep grades on I-68, to the point where it sounds like they would rather pay the tolls on the PA Turnpike to get the shallower grades.

They can keep using it.

True indeed, but my comment was prompted by the proposal to reroute I-70 along I-68 and a segment of I-79 or PA-43, to avoid the PA Turnpike.  Both routes are available for motorists today, the question would be what is the utility of such a rerouting.

So the anal-retentive roadgeek can get I-70 off Breezewood's surface streets.

[Beltway]

Some truckers complain about the steep grades on I-68, to the point where it sounds like they would rather pay the tolls on the PA Turnpike to get the shallower grades.

They can keep using it.

True indeed, but my comment was prompted by the proposal to reroute I-70 along I-68 and a segment of I-79 or PA-43, to avoid the PA Turnpike.  Both routes are available for motorists today, the question would be what is the utility of such a rerouting.

So the anal-retentive roadgeek can get I-70 off Breezewood's surface streets.

Even if I-70 was separated from the PA Turnpike, and I-170 was designated between Hancock, MD and Breezewood, a freeway-to-freeway interchange should still be built, IMHO.  That would still be the preferred Interstate route between Baltimore/Washington to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, etc.

[empirestate]

What's most interesting about Breezewood to me is how universally despised it seems to be among our ranks here. Yes, it breaks the rules, but the two most interesting things about the Interstate system are 1) its rules, and 2) the exceptions to its rules. In fact, that kind of sums up the appeal of roads and travel in general for me: the unique places, the oddities. The things that, were it not for the Internet, we would have just discovered along our own way, and that now, thanks to the Internet, we can discover all the more easily. I'm always a bit caught off guard by how much of a minority view point mine seems to be with respect to curiosities like Breezewood.

[US 89]

What's most interesting about Breezewood to me is how universally despised it seems to be among our ranks here. Yes, it breaks the rules, but the two most interesting things about the Interstate system are 1) its rules, and 2) the exceptions to its rules. In fact, that kind of sums up the appeal of roads and travel in general for me: the unique places, the oddities. The things that, were it not for the Internet, we would have just discovered along our own way, and that now, thanks to the Internet, we can discover all the more easily. I'm always a bit caught off guard by how much of a minority view point mine seems to be with respect to curiosities like Breezewood.

I don’t actually think Breezewood is as despised as you seem to think. Yes, the opinions posted regarding it are generally negative, but that’s because it is probably the single most-talked-about topic on this forum. There are at least five or six threads dedicated to Breezewood, and people get tired of hearing about it again and again.

[Alps]

people get tired of hearing about it again and again.

[theroadwayone]

When you drive I-70 west into Breezewood, there's a sign that says, "I-70 West: Follow the PA Turnpike West to New Stanton." I don't know why someone 84 miles to the west hasn't put up the converse sign, "I-70 East: Follow the PA Turnpike East to Breezewood."

[empirestate]

What's most interesting about Breezewood to me is how universally despised it seems to be among our ranks here. Yes, it breaks the rules, but the two most interesting things about the Interstate system are 1) its rules, and 2) the exceptions to its rules. In fact, that kind of sums up the appeal of roads and travel in general for me: the unique places, the oddities. The things that, were it not for the Internet, we would have just discovered along our own way, and that now, thanks to the Internet, we can discover all the more easily. I'm always a bit caught off guard by how much of a minority view point mine seems to be with respect to curiosities like Breezewood.

I don't actually think Breezewood is as despised as you seem to think. Yes, the opinions posted regarding it are generally negative, but that's because it is probably the single most-talked-about topic on this forum. There are at least five or six threads dedicated to Breezewood, and people get tired of hearing about it again and again.

Hmm, well how about I-99? I have pretty much the same view on that subject.

[kphoger]

Hmm, well how about I-99? I have pretty much the same view on that subject.

Most people want Breezewood rebuilt.  Most people want a different number on I-99.
Which one of those two things characterizes your view on both?

[empirestate]

Hmm, well how about I-99? I have pretty much the same view on that subject.

Most people want Breezewood rebuilt.  Most people want a different number on I-99.
Which one of those two things characterizes your view on both?

Neither of them.