Worst control city on an interstate in your state

[roadman65]

I really don't have to go too far to show where Mackinac Bridge is indeed a control city.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4259605,-83.8906179,3a,25.6y,338.88h,113.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4qxW7-ulwSxF1xM_hIsA0g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7390363,-84.0142302,3a,15y,61.26h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skZbIU1Rf3LHeNJzdWBbMfA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Unfortunately...

Interstate Control Cities

75

Miami,  Naples, Tampa,  Lake  City, Valdosta, Macon, Atlanta, Marietta, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Sault Ste Marie

Yeah well Mackinac Bridge is what's used north of Saginaw until you get across it, then Sault Ste. Marie is used.

It's the only crossing connecting both Michigan peninsulas.  It's worth noting.   Just like the Delaware Memorial Bridge in NJ on I-295.

[Flint1979]

I really don't have to go too far to show where Mackinac Bridge is indeed a control city.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4259605,-83.8906179,3a,25.6y,338.88h,113.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4qxW7-ulwSxF1xM_hIsA0g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7390363,-84.0142302,3a,15y,61.26h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skZbIU1Rf3LHeNJzdWBbMfA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Unfortunately...

Interstate Control Cities

75

Miami,  Naples, Tampa,  Lake  City, Valdosta, Macon, Atlanta, Marietta, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Sault Ste Marie

Yeah well Mackinac Bridge is what's used north of Saginaw until you get across it, then Sault Ste. Marie is used.

It's the only crossing connecting both Michigan peninsulas.  It's worth noting.   Just like the Delaware Memorial Bridge in NJ on I-295.

I agree it's a pretty good control city (that's what we have to call it since that is what we are talking about and it is listed just like a control city). If you are in the Lower Peninsula heading north of Saginaw and you see Mackinac Bridge you will automatically know what direction you are headed in, same with Saginaw as it is the first major city you come to along I-75. Saginaw isn't really a major city on a national level but in Michigan it's pretty well known. Bay City even sneaks in on one sign at the Zilwaukee exit.

[kphoger]

My point is only that "Mackinac Br" is not on the AASHTO list of control cities.

[Flint1979]

My point is only that "Mackinac Br" is not on the AASHTO list of control cities.

Then they need to update their list.

[kirbykart]

^Yes they are, by city size, recognition, and relative importance. If your state doesn't select control cities this way, they're doing it wrong.

No they are not. Also if a state doesn't do it the way you think that doesn't mean they are doing it wrong. The Mackinac Bridge isn't a city at all and is the control city on NB I-75 north of Saginaw, think you could do better there? I doubt it.

I could do better. St. Ignace (which is already used in some places). Mackinac Bridge is not a control city.

^Yes they are, by city size, recognition, and relative importance. If your state doesn't select control cities this way, they're doing it wrong.

I'd also like to tell you something else. Mount Pleasant is the largest city on US-127 north of Lansing, it is not the control city. Clare is the control city because it's at the junction of two US highways. That is how control cities are determined not by city size and beside the point the states choose the control cities.

   The point of control cities is to help people who are not from the area navigate more easily.  Therefore, larger and more recognizable cities should be chosen.

The point of control cities is to indicate destinations along the route. And btw, Mackinac Bridge most certainly is a control city.

Mackinac Bridge may be a control point used on signs, I never denied that. I only said that it is not a city.

[Flint1979]

^Yes they are, by city size, recognition, and relative importance. If your state doesn't select control cities this way, they're doing it wrong.

No they are not. Also if a state doesn't do it the way you think that doesn't mean they are doing it wrong. The Mackinac Bridge isn't a city at all and is the control city on NB I-75 north of Saginaw, think you could do better there? I doubt it.

I could do better. St. Ignace (which is already used in some places). Mackinac Bridge is not a control city.

^Yes they are, by city size, recognition, and relative importance. If your state doesn't select control cities this way, they're doing it wrong.

I'd also like to tell you something else. Mount Pleasant is the largest city on US-127 north of Lansing, it is not the control city. Clare is the control city because it's at the junction of two US highways. That is how control cities are determined not by city size and beside the point the states choose the control cities.

   The point of control cities is to help people who are not from the area navigate more easily.  Therefore, larger and more recognizable cities should be chosen.

The point of control cities is to indicate destinations along the route. And btw, Mackinac Bridge most certainly is a control city.

Mackinac Bridge may be a control point used on signs, I never denied that. I only said that it is not a city.

The Mackinac Bridge isn't a city? Thanks for clearing that up because no one said it was a city. I said that it is a control city which is what they are called.

[kirbykart]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

[Flint1979]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

No I don't think it's incorrect at all to call to control city.

[kirbykart]

^Then we'll have to agree to disagree. 

[kphoger]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

The official AASHTO list of control cities includes "1- 15" (which I assume is supposed to be "I-15") for I-70, "Canada" for I-81, and "IH 84" for I-86.

[Flint1979]

So I'm just wondering, did they miss Mackinac Bridge? I'm not understanding why it's skipped in the log. I mean honestly Sault Ste. Marie isn't a bad choice for the control city as far south as Saginaw, everyone pretty much knows where it is but if we are going by cities near US highway interchanges then going north of Saginaw it would go Bay City (which is really close to Saginaw and both are part of the Tri-Cities) at US-10, Grayling at US-127, Mackinaw City at US-23 and 31, St. Ignace at US-2, Sault Ste. Marie at the end of the route. MDOT didn't choose them this way so it's Mackinac Bridge and Sault Ste. Marie going north of Saginaw.

[Flint1979]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

The official AASHTO list of control cities includes "1- 15" (which I assume is supposed to be "I-15") for I-70, "Canada" for I-81, and "IH 84" for I-86.

It doesn't include Interstate 57 for I-24 in Illinois. Honestly I wouldn't be against using Sault Ste. Marie as a control city as far south as Saginaw btw.

[Terry Shea]

I really don't have to go too far to show where Mackinac Bridge is indeed a control city.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4259605,-83.8906179,3a,25.6y,338.88h,113.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4qxW7-ulwSxF1xM_hIsA0g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7390363,-84.0142302,3a,15y,61.26h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skZbIU1Rf3LHeNJzdWBbMfA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I miss the old Mackinac Bridge control city sign just south of the Zilwaukee Bridge that fooled some people, including one of my nephew's, into thinking that the Zilwaukee Bridge was the Mackinac Bridge!

[Scott5114]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

Word of God–the MUTCD–calls it a "control city".

[Terry Shea]

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.8570045,-84.7323209,3a,18.8y,80.16h,97.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxOc7UZIu_4-YLsGq1YXVwQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

St. Ignace has a downtown?

[Terry Shea]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

Word of God–the MUTCD–calls it a "control city".

Could MUTCD and AASHTO have different definitions of "Control City"?

[Scott5114]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

Word of God–the MUTCD–calls it a "control city".

Could MUTCD and AASHTO have different definitions of "Control City"?

No. It's the MUTCD's world, AASHTO is just living in it.

[Terry Shea]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

Word of God–the MUTCD–calls it a "control city".

Could MUTCD and AASHTO have different definitions of "Control City"?

No. It's the MUTCD's world, AASHTO is just living in it.

Right, but if AASHTO doesn't have it listed, could it be because they don't consider a non-city to be a "Control City"?

[ibthebigd]

Ashland Kentucky on I-64. Should be Huntington WV.

SM-G996U

[roadman65]

Clinton and Newark in NJ are not on the list last time I checked, but NJDOT uses them on I-78 in NJ..

[Flint1979]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

Word of God–the MUTCD–calls it a "control city".

Could MUTCD and AASHTO have different definitions of "Control City"?

No. It's the MUTCD's world, AASHTO is just living in it.

Right, but if AASHTO doesn't have it listed, could it be because they don't consider a non-city to be a "Control City"?

They have I-15 listed for I-70 and we all know that I-15 isn't a city.

[Flint1979]

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.8570045,-84.7323209,3a,18.8y,80.16h,97.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxOc7UZIu_4-YLsGq1YXVwQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

St. Ignace has a downtown?

They are probably referring to State Street along the lakefront.

[Flint1979]

I really don't have to go too far to show where Mackinac Bridge is indeed a control city.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4259605,-83.8906179,3a,25.6y,338.88h,113.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4qxW7-ulwSxF1xM_hIsA0g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7390363,-84.0142302,3a,15y,61.26h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skZbIU1Rf3LHeNJzdWBbMfA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I miss the old Mackinac Bridge control city sign just south of the Zilwaukee Bridge that fooled some people, including one of my nephew's, into thinking that the Zilwaukee Bridge was the Mackinac Bridge!

Oh wow those two bridges look nothing alike. Mackinac Bridge is still the control city for NB I-75 starting at MM 149. I remember back in the day at the US-10 and I-75 interchange they had Standish for NB I-75 and Flint and Detroit for SB I-75, it was switched probably 20 years ago to Mackinac Bridge for NB and Saginaw for SB.

[kirbykart]

Ashland Kentucky on I-64. Should be Huntington WV.

SM-G996U

Yuck. Reminds me of awful ones like Marietta, Ohio (where?) and Mount Airy, North Carolina. The Appalachian-Ohio Valley region in general has some awful controls.

[kphoger]

If it is not a city then it would be incorrect to call it a control city, wouldn't it? I call it a control point.

Word of God–the MUTCD–calls it a "control city".

Could MUTCD and AASHTO have different definitions of "Control City"?

No. It's the MUTCD's world, AASHTO is just living in it.

Is there a readily available online version of the List of Control Cities for Use in Guide Signs on Interstate Highways?

For what it's worth, the MUTCD states...

Chapter 2E – Guide Signs – Freeways and Expressways

§2E.13 – Designation of Destinations

Support:

04 – ... Control cities on freeway guide signs are selected by the States ...