Strange Route Termini

[oscar]

Doesn't really count, but I always thought it interesting how I-35 looks like it should be border-to-border, but it ends just shy of the Mexican border and then just ends in Duluth, MN with little fanfare.

IIRC, US-9 in New York is the same, it doesn't actually touch the Canadian border, instead ending just shy of it.

The north end of US 9 is within spitting distance of the I-87/A-15 border crossing, no need for separate border crossing facilities.

Same for US 75 in Minnesota, which ends at a closed border crossing, with cross-border auto/truck traffic diverted to the nearby I-29/MB 75 crossing (rail traffic still uses the old crossing).

[RobbieL2415]

I've always found freeways that end at intersections to be unusual.

I-89 eastern end NH 3A:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1718501,-71.5269131,3a,75y,107.85h,92.38t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1szfjJnDSCZGc0z5gSFtW7_w!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-2.3792326284496994%26panoid%3DzfjJnDSCZGc0z5gSFtW7_w%26yaw%3D107.8471336861057!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

I-393, same city: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N4xrekDfmCsJtfHw9

US 6 in Provincetown, MA, ends at its historical self.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0444838,-70.2091827,1791m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[PColumbus73]

When this intersection was reconfigured, they left a small stub of SC 403.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.300496,-80.0859495,3a,50.5y,-5.08h,80.7t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sJ0v8If3t7auhJHBDTtkDWw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D9.296767978452507%26panoid%3DJ0v8If3t7auhJHBDTtkDWw%26yaw%3D-5.08092337557559!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDExMS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA2N0gBUAM%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.3033411,-80.0868726,3a,75y,11.22h,84.7t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1smrppl43TBdHodede2e1cug!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D5.302515863736673%26panoid%3Dmrppl43TBdHodede2e1cug%26yaw%3D11.215015853303385!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDExMS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA2N0gBUAM%3D

[kphoger]

I've always found freeways that end at intersections to be unusual.

I-89 eastern end NH 3A:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1718501,-71.5269131,3a,75y,107.85h,92.38t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1szfjJnDSCZGc0z5gSFtW7_w!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-2.3792326284496994%26panoid%3DzfjJnDSCZGc0z5gSFtW7_w%26yaw%3D107.8471336861057!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Are you sure that's actually the terminus?  The zero-point mile marker is at the I-93 interchange.

I-393, same city: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N4xrekDfmCsJtfHw9

Likewise, are you sure?  The zero-point mile marker is at the I-93 interchange.

[Rothman]

Are I-37's end in Corpus Christi or I-69E's end in Brownsville strange, then?  I'm not so sure.

[WillWeaverRVA]

Are I-37's end in Corpus Christi or I-69E's end in Brownsville strange, then?  I'm not so sure.

By that logic, the northern end of I-95 would be strange since it technically ends at an at-grade intersection with itself at the border.

[wxfree]

On a consequent but unrelated topic, I've noticed that the Interstates approaching the Rio Grande end before the crossings.  The new (at the time) I-69 branches made that apparent.  I always assumed it was because the crossings didn't meet the standards.  There is a border check station on I-10 east of El Paso, but they built the open freeway roadway beside it, and it's occasionally open when the check station is closed.

Now I'm noticing that other highway designations end before the bridges.  Some of the minute orders describe an end at the border, and some don't.  On the Statewide Planning Map, the only highway (that I found) shown ending at the border is US 67 in Presidio.  Even where it's described as ending at the border, other roads end at the entrance to the crossing, according to the map.  The control sections are in the TL12-34 format, showing off-system toll roads.  As far as I know, they're all toll bridges run by local authorities.  That local jurisdiction, not a failure to meet standards, may be why the Interstates don't run halfway across the bridges, and is apparently the reason other highways, which don't have such standards, end short of the border.

These could qualify as strange termini.  Why do they end just short of the border instead of at it?  It's because the bridges are under local jurisdiction, apparently for tolling purposes.  There is special authorization for cities and counties to operate toll bridges across the border, separate from other toll authorities in the Texas Transportation Code.

[kphoger]

Now I'm noticing that other highway designations end before the bridges.  Some of the minute orders describe an end at the border, and some don't.  On the Statewide Planning Map, the only highway (that I found) shown ending at the border is US 67 in Presidio.

The only definition I've actually looked at is TX-255, and its southern terminus is "at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge at the Texas/Mexico border".

[Rothman]

On a consequent but unrelated topic, I've noticed that the Interstates approaching the Rio Grande end before the crossings.  The new (at the time) I-69 branches made that apparent.  I always assumed it was because the crossings didn't meet the standards.  There is a border check station on I-10 east of El Paso, but they built the open freeway roadway beside it, and it's occasionally open when the check station is closed.

Now I'm noticing that other highway designations end before the bridges.  Some of the minute orders describe an end at the border, and some don't.  On the Statewide Planning Map, the only highway (that I found) shown ending at the border is US 67 in Presidio.  Even where it's described as ending at the border, other roads end at the entrance to the crossing, according to the map.  The control sections are in the TL12-34 format, showing off-system toll roads.  As far as I know, they're all toll bridges run by local authorities.  That local jurisdiction, not a failure to meet standards, may be why the Interstates don't run halfway across the bridges, and is apparently the reason other highways, which don't have such standards, end short of the border.

These could qualify as strange termini.  Why do they end just short of the border instead of at it?  It's because the bridges are under local jurisdiction, apparently for tolling purposes.  There is special authorization for cities and counties to operate toll bridges across the border, separate from other toll authorities in the Texas Transportation Code.

I tend to think of strange of not being common.

[oscar]

Now I'm noticing that other highway designations end before the bridges.  Some of the minute orders describe an end at the border, and some don't.  On the Statewide Planning Map, the only highway (that I found) shown ending at the border is US 67 in Presidio.

The only definition I've actually looked at is TX-255, and its southern terminus is "at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge at the Texas/Mexico border".

FWIW, Travel Mapping has TX 255's southern terminus at the FM 1472 intersection, stopping short of the bridge's toll plaza (SB) and the port of entry building (NB).

TM also has I-69W's western terminus at the last exit before the bridge's toll plaza. That bridge is truck-only, and auto traffic must use that exit to return east on I-69W. Last I was there, in 2014 on a Sunday afternoon, the bridge was closed even for trucks (I think because traffic was so low on Sunday afternoons -- the bridge was open to trucks that morning).

[kphoger]

The only definition I've actually looked at is TX-255, and its southern terminus is "at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge at the Texas/Mexico border".

FWIW, Travel Mapping has TX 255's southern terminus at the FM 1472 intersection, stopping short of the bridge's toll plaza (SB) and the port of entry building (NB).

Then TM is out of date.  FM-255 (at one point designated UM-255) existed from FM-1472 to the border bridge beginning in 1989.  When the Camino Colombia Toll Road was numbered in 2004, it was given the number TX-255.  Thus, the southern terminus of TX-255 and the northern terminus of FM-255 were both at the FM-1472 junction beginning in 2004.  But then, the nest year after TX-255 was numbered, it subsumed FM-255.  Thus, FM-255 has not existed, and TX-255 has had its southern terminus at the border bridge, for more than twenty years now.  Note, however, that signage in the field was never updated to reflect this change, and the bit of TX-255 south of FM-1472 remains erroneously signposted as FM-255.

[pderocco]

I've always found freeways that end at intersections to be unusual.

I-89 eastern end NH 3A:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1718501,-71.5269131,3a,75y,107.85h,92.38t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1szfjJnDSCZGc0z5gSFtW7_w!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-2.3792326284496994%26panoid%3DzfjJnDSCZGc0z5gSFtW7_w%26yaw%3D107.8471336861057!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Are you sure that's actually the terminus?  The zero-point mile marker is at the I-93 interchange.

NH DOT GIS shows it as an I-89 ramp, part of the Interstate system.

https://hub.arcgis.com/datasets/NHGRANIT::nh-dot-roads/explore?location=43.170968%2C-71.528244%2C18.60

I-393, same city: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N4xrekDfmCsJtfHw9

Likewise, are you sure?  The zero-point mile marker is at the I-93 interchange.

This is called the I-393 Connector, but it is classified as minor arterial, concurrent with US-202.

All that said, I don't find freeways ending at intersections to be particularly unusual. In SoCal, I-8 in San Diego, CA-163 in San Diego, CA-125 in Santee, I-105 in Norwalk, I-710 in Alhambra, I-110 in San Pedro. Maybe it's less common in some other states as a matter of policy.

[Quillz]

Are I-37's end in Corpus Christi or I-69E's end in Brownsville strange, then?  I'm not so sure.

By that logic, the northern end of I-95 would be strange since it technically ends at an at-grade intersection with itself at the border.

Can you explain this one? I'm looking at Google Maps and I don't quite see it.

[DandyDan]

I've always found freeways that end at intersections to be unusual.

I-89 eastern end NH 3A:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1718501,-71.5269131,3a,75y,107.85h,92.38t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1szfjJnDSCZGc0z5gSFtW7_w!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-2.3792326284496994%26panoid%3DzfjJnDSCZGc0z5gSFtW7_w%26yaw%3D107.8471336861057!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

I-393, same city: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N4xrekDfmCsJtfHw9

US 6 in Provincetown, MA, ends at its historical self.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0444838,-70.2091827,1791m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

You can add the north end of Iowa's I-380 in Waterloo to that list.

[WillWeaverRVA]

Are I-37's end in Corpus Christi or I-69E's end in Brownsville strange, then?  I'm not so sure.

By that logic, the northern end of I-95 would be strange since it technically ends at an at-grade intersection with itself at the border.

Can you explain this one? I'm looking at Google Maps and I don't quite see it.

You get one last opportunity to make a u-turn right at the border.

[Rothman]

Now I'm noticing that other highway designations end before the bridges.  Some of the minute orders describe an end at the border, and some don't.  On the Statewide Planning Map, the only highway (that I found) shown ending at the border is US 67 in Presidio.

The only definition I've actually looked at is TX-255, and its southern terminus is "at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge at the Texas/Mexico border".

FWIW, Travel Mapping has TX 255's southern terminus at the FM 1472 intersection, stopping short of the bridge's toll plaza (SB) and the port of entry building (NB).

TM also has I-69W's western terminus at the last exit before the bridge's toll plaza. That bridge is truck-only, and auto traffic must use that exit to return east on I-69W. Last I was there, in 2014 on a Sunday afternoon, the bridge was closed even for trucks (I think because traffic was so low on Sunday afternoons -- the bridge was open to trucks that morning).

I simply don't trust TM for official route designations.  The endpoints on there are for simplicity's sake, not accuracy's.  I've found a small bunch over the years that have been corrected, but I've stopped reporting differences I've found otherwise, since I've found the community behind TM is less picky than I am when it comes to clinching routes (e.g., Interstate truck routes aren't all included due to some argument about whether they're in the "alignment" of the main route...but sometimes I think it's more about those who are well on their way to clinching the system not wanting to clinch additional mileage in areas they've already been ).  Heck, sometimes DOTs even have contradictory information on where routes end (looking at you, MoDOT).

Anyway, if one is looking specifically for where routes end to the inch, they have to look much more deeply than TM and be prepared for official sources needing a whole lot of scrutiny.

[74/171FAN]

I simply don't trust TM for official route designations.  The endpoints on there are for simplicity's sake, not accuracy's.  I've found a small bunch over the years that have been corrected, but I've stopped reporting differences I've found otherwise, since I've found the community behind TM is less picky than I am when it comes to clinching routes (e.g., Interstate truck routes aren't all included due to some argument about whether they're in the "alignment" of the main route...but sometimes I think it's more about those who are well on their way to clinching the system not wanting to clinch additional mileage in areas they've already been ).  Heck, sometimes DOTs even have contradictory information on where routes end (looking at you, MoDOT).

Anyway, if one is looking specifically for where routes end to the inch, they have to look much more deeply than TM and be prepared for official sources needing a whole lot of scrutiny.

Well I would rather it be reported and I tell you "no" than you not report it.

Having stated that, you did convince me to fix the north end of I-476 years ago.  We will see if the Scranton Beltway project changes anything there.

[thenetwork]

OH-291 in Middleburg Hts., Ohio ends "somewhere" between Bagley and Fowles Road.

Once upon a time there was a sign near this last reassurance shield that said OH- 291 ends "in o.x miles", but nothing is posted once you get there in either direction.


https://maps.app.goo.gl/9i1vAR4tpYJgu7g77?g_st=ac

[wanderer2575]

Are I-37's end in Corpus Christi or I-69E's end in Brownsville strange, then?  I'm not so sure.

By that logic, the northern end of I-95 would be strange since it technically ends at an at-grade intersection with itself at the border.

Can you explain this one? I'm looking at Google Maps and I don't quite see it.

You get one last opportunity to make a u-turn right at the border.

I don't see that either.  The possible U-turn points are either signed Do Not Enter or are blocked with a physical barrier.

[Max Rockatansky]

AZ 238 ends at the small community of Mobile west of Maricopa.  There is a substantial dump site but not much else in Mobile.  The road continues west of Mobile now as Maricopa County Route 238 and was only modernized this century.  It used to be a haggard and poorly maintained dirt road west to Gila Bend.

[kphoger]

I would rather it be reported and I tell you "no" than you not report it.

OK, then.  This is my reporting it:

TM is out of date.  FM-255 (at one point designated UM-255) existed from FM-1472 to the border bridge beginning in 1989.  When the Camino Colombia Toll Road was numbered in 2004, it was given the number TX-255.  Thus, the southern terminus of TX-255 and the northern terminus of FM-255 were both at the FM-1472 junction beginning in 2004.  But then, the nest year after TX-255 was numbered, it subsumed FM-255.  Thus, FM-255 has not existed, and TX-255 has had its southern terminus at the border bridge, for more than twenty years now.  Note, however, that signage in the field was never updated to reflect this change, and the bit of TX-255 south of FM-1472 remains erroneously signposted as FM-255.

TX-255 goes all the way to the border bridge.  It looks like it doesn't matter to you that FM-255 no longer exists, though, because I'm not seeing FM routes anywhere in TM.  Maybe I missed it.

I don't care about TM, but there you go.  You can fix it, or you can tell me no.

[WillWeaverRVA]

Are I-37's end in Corpus Christi or I-69E's end in Brownsville strange, then?  I'm not so sure.

By that logic, the northern end of I-95 would be strange since it technically ends at an at-grade intersection with itself at the border.

Can you explain this one? I'm looking at Google Maps and I don't quite see it.

You get one last opportunity to make a u-turn right at the border.

I don't see that either.  The possible U-turn points are either signed Do Not Enter or are blocked with a physical barrier.

Never mind, I misremembered.

[kphoger]

This is my reporting it:

TM is out of date.  FM-255 (at one point designated UM-255) existed from FM-1472 to the border bridge beginning in 1989.  When the Camino Colombia Toll Road was numbered in 2004, it was given the number TX-255.  Thus, the southern terminus of TX-255 and the northern terminus of FM-255 were both at the FM-1472 junction beginning in 2004.  But then, the nest year after TX-255 was numbered, it subsumed FM-255.  Thus, FM-255 has not existed, and TX-255 has had its southern terminus at the border bridge, for more than twenty years now.  Note, however, that signage in the field was never updated to reflect this change, and the bit of TX-255 south of FM-1472 remains erroneously signposted as FM-255.

TX-255 goes all the way to the border bridge.

In case you need documentation:

Route Name:
FM0255

Order:
11

Title:
Minute Order 110127, dated 06/30/2005; DesLtr 2-2005, dated 07/07/2005

Description:
Cancelled. (Webb County) At district's request, FM 255 redesignated as an extension of SH 255, from the intersection of FM 1472 westward to its terminus at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge at the Texas/Mexico border, a distance of approximately 0.94 mile.
Route Name:
SH0255

Order:
2

Title:
Minute Order 110127, dated 06/30/2005; DesLtr 2-2005, 07/07/2005

Description:
Camino Columbia Toll Road, from the intersection of FM 1472 and FM 255, to its terminus at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge at the Texas/Mexico border, a distance of approximately 22 miles. (Webb County) (New Description) At district's request, FM 255 redesignated as an extension of SH 255, from the intersection of FM 1472 (urban road) westward to its terminus at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge at the Texas/Mexico border, a distance of approximately 0.94 mile.

[hbelkins]

If the signage is to be believed, WV 31 ends a block short of WV 16 in Harrisville.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/X5aQCNwCdmHvKpbe6

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LZHALmhasGjVwLoA7

https://maps.app.goo.gl/P9ACon2myt3kzoi66

[Dirt Roads]

If the signage is to be believed, WV 31 ends a block short of WV 16 in Harrisville.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/X5aQCNwCdmHvKpbe6

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LZHALmhasGjVwLoA7

https://maps.app.goo.gl/P9ACon2myt3kzoi66

Not surprisingly, the current WVDOH Ritchie County map (northern portion) doesn't disagree with your finding.  That's because it uses an old-fashioned "ringed circle" to represent the county seat, which just happens to show up right in the middle of downtown Harrisville obscuring the intersections.  But the map can be interpreted as WV-31 ending at CR-5 (Main Street).