Daily conversation: What is the worst possible answer?

[kphoger]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

I-35S — current I-35 from Laredo to Dallas–Fort Worth metro area
I-230 — split through Dallas
I-620 — split through Fort Worth
I-35C — current I-35 between Dallas–Fort Worth and Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro areas
I-894 — split through Saint Paul
I-294 — split through Minneapolis
I-35N — current I-35 from Minneapolis–Saint Paul to Duluth

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Make one Locals and the other Express.

[kphoger]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Make one Locals and the other Express.

OK.  I-35 is locals, and I-35E and I-35W are express.

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Make one Locals and the other Express.

OK.  I-35 is locals, and I-35E and I-35W are express.

No 35 is Mainline 35W is Locals and 35E is Express so they don't have to change the signs. Do it Chicago style make 35E free.

[vdeane]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Build a new north-south interstate in between them and call it I-35C.

[kphoger]

No 35 is Mainline 35W is Locals and 35E is Express so they don't have to change the signs. Do it Chicago style make 35E free.

1.  Are you trying to win 'worst answer' by not knowing how to use punctuation?

2.  Are you trying to win 'worst answer' by suggesting a change that doesn't involve any signs changing?

3.  Are you trying to win 'worst answer' by suggesting I-35E isn't already free?

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

No 35 is Mainline 35W is Locals and 35E is Express so they don't have to change the signs. Do it Chicago style make 35E free.

1.  Are you trying to win 'worst answer' by not knowing how to use punctuation?

2.  Are you trying to win 'worst answer' by suggesting a change that doesn't involve any signs changing?

3.  Are you trying to win 'worst answer' by suggesting I-35E isn't already free?

There are toll express lanes on both I-35Es and both I-35Ws, 35W will change signs to say 35L, the punctuation thing is a habit.

[JayhawkCO]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Rename all the suffixed interstates I-343.

[kphoger]

Rename all the suffixed interstates I-343.

Gotta love that low-hanging fruit. 

[MikeTheActuary]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Two cage fights: a champion from Minneapolis vs a champion from St. Paul; and a champion from Dallas vs a champion from Ft. Worth.

In both fights, the victor gets I-35, and the loser gets BR 35.

[kphoger]

Two cage fights: a champion from Minneapolis vs a champion from St. Paul; and a champion from Dallas vs a champion from Ft. Worth.

In both fights, the victor gets I-35, and the loser gets BR 35.

You were on track for best possible answer right up until you said "BR 35".

[1995hoo]

Two cage fights: a champion from Minneapolis vs a champion from St. Paul; and a champion from Dallas vs a champion from Ft. Worth.

In both fights, the victor gets I-35, and the loser gets BR 35.

You were on track for best possible answer right up until you said "BR 35".

Now, had he also said the loser's route would be truncated to a spur such that there would be BS-35....

[Mapmikey]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Change all the lanes on 35E to run northbound and all of 35W to run southbound. Then drop the suffixes. And build some very long emergency crossovers across the new median.

[formulanone]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Renumber I-35 from Laredo to the Metroplex as a branch of I-69, since it approaches I-69W...that means I-69D will work for the I-35E side. Therefore, I-35W can amicably be renumbered I-069, as nature intended.

Minnesota's I-35 is truncated from the northern split and to be renumbered as Minnesota Trunk Highway 61, which will prevent confusion with any nearby U.S. Federalized Routes. Then, I-35W loses that designation since it snakes too much to be considered an interstate, as it is clearly not trustworthy. So I-35E becomes I-35 proper except that might change for the upcoming new beltway encircling Albert Lea.

As a sign of good faith, Kentucky will loan out FORMERLY banners for the renumbered section. They also propose it shall be renamed in honor of the Raspberry Berets who fought valiantly for second-hand stores, so as long as all little red Corvettes are allowed in the HOV lanes at all times. This new cross-regional alliance is a revolution; Georgia thinks it's a peach, Montana gives it the chef's kiss, and Maine will supply exit signs so you'll know where to gett off.

[kphoger]

Change all the lanes on 35E to run northbound and all of 35W to run southbound. Then drop the suffixes. And build some very long emergency crossovers across the new median.

oooooohhh! 

[wanderer2575]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Partial reroutings so each suffix has roughly the same length on each side of town.  It's all about equality!

Dallas/Fort Worth:
Northbound I-35W:

• Concurrent with eastbound I-20
• Northbound on what is now I-35E

Opposite for southbound I-35W

Northbound I-35E:

• Concurrent with westbound I-20
• Northbound on what is now I-35W

Opposite for southbound I-35E

Bonus:  Wrong-way concurrency of I-35E and I-35W with I-20

Minneapolis/St. Paul:
Northbound I-35W:

• Concurrent with eastbound I-494
• Northbound on what is now I-35E
• Concurrent with westbound I-694
• Northbound on what is I-35W

Opposite for southbound I-35W

Northbound I-35E:

• Concurrent with westtbound I-494
• Northbound on what is now I-35W
• Concurrent with eastbound I-694
• Northbound on what is I-35E

Opposite for southbound I-35E

Bonus:  Wrong-way concurrency of I-35E and I-35W with I-494, and the opposite wrong-way concurrency of I-35E and I-35W with I-694.

[TheCatalyst31]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Build a second parallel interstate alongside the current I-35 between Denton and Burnsville, so there's now a continuous I-35E and I-35W from Dallas-Fort Worth to the Twin Cities. Renumber the part south of Dallas-Fort Worth to I-35E and the part north of the Twin Cities to I-35W.

[xonhulu]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Leave the suffixed split routes where they are, but add ALT I-35W signage to run concurrent with I-35E, and add ALT I-35E signage to I-35W.

[pderocco]

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Face reality, and renumber I-35E in Minnesota and I-35W in Texas I-235. Roadgeeks might think that's the best possible answer, but the folks in St Paul and Fort Worth will think it's the worst possible answer.

[xonhulu]

20 AUG 2026
come
Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Re-orient the earth's axis of rotation so the North Pole is by Hawaii. Then I-35W can become I-35N and I-35E will be I-35S in both cities.

[kphoger]

Build a second parallel interstate alongside the current I-35 between Denton and Burnsville, so there's now a continuous I-35E and I-35W from Dallas-Fort Worth to the Twin Cities.

Now, that's the kind of answer I was hoping for!

Leave the suffixed split routes where they are, but add ALT I-35W signage to run concurrent with I-35E, and add ALT I-35E signage to I-35W.

I love how that fixes nothing.

Partial reroutings so each suffix has roughly the same length on each side of town.  It's all about equality!

Dallas/Fort Worth:
Northbound I-35W:

• Concurrent with eastbound I-20
• Northbound on what is now I-35E

Opposite for southbound I-35W

Northbound I-35E:

• Concurrent with westbound I-20
• Northbound on what is now I-35W

Opposite for southbound I-35E

Bonus:  Wrong-way concurrency of I-35E and I-35W with I-20

Minneapolis/St. Paul:
Northbound I-35W:

• Concurrent with eastbound I-494
• Northbound on what is now I-35E
• Concurrent with westbound I-694
• Northbound on what is I-35W

Opposite for southbound I-35W

Northbound I-35E:

• Concurrent with westtbound I-494
• Northbound on what is now I-35W
• Concurrent with eastbound I-694
• Northbound on what is I-35E

Opposite for southbound I-35E

Bonus:  Wrong-way concurrency of I-35E and I-35W with I-494, and the opposite wrong-way concurrency of I-35E and I-35W with I-694.

This, however, is the worst answer so far.


But I do have one more suggestion of my own...

20 AUG 2026

Propose a solution to the I-35/35E/35W mess in Dallas–Fort Worth and the Twin Cities.

Decommission both I-35Es and both I-35Ws, and turn all four freeways into at-grade stroads.

[kphoger]

21 AUG 2026

What online map site would be a good alternative to Google Maps?

[JayhawkCO]

21 AUG 2026

What online map site would be a good alternative to Google Maps?

Alta Vista Maps

[Mapmikey]

21 AUG 2026

What online map site would be a good alternative to Google Maps?

Goggle Maps - shows only insets though

ClosedStreet Maps - so I know exactly what ways I can't go

[1995hoo]

21 AUG 2026

What online map site would be a good alternative to Google Maps?

The Sword of Truth World Map.