Breezewood-type situations

[Eth]

no freeway connection from I-271 to it's parent?  wow

No full freeway connection – or rather, no full interchange.  71 NB to 271 NB and 271 SB to 71 SB are full-freeway ramps, but there are no ramps from SB 71 to NB 271 or SB 271 to NB 71.  What I find odd at that interchange is the SB 271 "ramp" to 71 SB is signed as an exit, even though there are no other choices whatsoever.

Funny we're discussing this today, as I just drove through there last night...

This is a pretty common phenomenon.  I know of at least four of these in metro Atlanta:
* I-75/I-675 (SB->NB movement via GA 138)
* I-75/I-575 (SB->NB movement via Barrett Pkwy or Chastain Rd)
* I-85/I-985 (SB->NB movement via GA 20)
* I-85/GA 400 (SB->NB movement via Sidney Marcus Blvd/Buford Hwy/Cheshire Bridge Rd)

[Beltway]

There are a number of places where there are no full freeway-to-freeway connections. I-81 at I-88 in New York, I-64 at I-70 and I-55 in Missouri, I-271 at I-71 in Ohio, and plenty more. Should they all be fixed?

That depends on whether it causes a true network gap. 

I-81 at I-88 in New York has 3 of the 4 needed ramps, so one more needs to be built. 

I-271 at I-71 in Ohio has southerly ramps, and based on the network layout, it is questionable whether northerly ramps are needed.  Physically it would be easy enough to build them.

[agentsteel53]

This is a pretty common phenomenon.  I know of at least four of these in metro Atlanta:
* I-75/I-675 (SB->NB movement via GA 138)
* I-75/I-575 (SB->NB movement via Barrett Pkwy or Chastain Rd)
* I-85/I-985 (SB->NB movement via GA 20)
* I-85/GA 400 (SB->NB movement via Sidney Marcus Blvd/Buford Hwy/Cheshire Bridge Rd)

lots of these in California - if the two freeways are roughly parallel, the turnaround is rarely built.  for example, you cannot switch directions at the north end of I-805 - either from 5 north to 805 south, or 805 north to 5 south.  both ends of 405 in Los Angeles are like that as well.

one that I just discovered today - you cannot go from westbound 134 to southbound 101.  they are, apparently, considered sufficiently parallel.  (it's about a 60 degree angle)  that said, you can go from 5 to 710 completely, despite it being a nearly identical angle.

[vtk]

In that same area, there is no direct connection from I-271 north to I-77 south, is there?

I didn't notice at the time but correct, there are no NB to SB or SB to NB ramps at that interchange.  Nearest freeways to make those connections are I-76 and I-480, I think.

[PurdueBill]

No full freeway connection – or rather, no full interchange.  71 NB to 271 NB and 271 SB to 71 SB are full-freeway ramps, but there are no ramps from SB 71 to NB 271 or SB 271 to NB 71.  What I find odd at that interchange is the SB 271 "ramp" to 71 SB is signed as an exit, even though there are no other choices whatsoever.

Funny we're discussing this today, as I just drove through there last night...

Similar with the northern end of Mass. I-495 and I-495; no NB-SB direct access either way.  Signage directs such traffic (probably not all that much of it) to use Route 110, which has full interchanges with both 95 and 495.  495 doesn't have an exit number for the default onto 95 though, as 271 does for its default onto 71 SB (which I wish was Exit 0 but Ohio doesn't do that).

Also similar to I-865 and I-65 north of Indy; no NB-EB or WB-SB access, but no one would make those moves anyway.  They don't actually number the default of 865 WB to 65 NB, but one sign (common near Indy where a SR or US route joins 465 and virtually disappears for the duration) reads "US 52 West follow I-865 to Exit 0".  There is no signed Exit 0 (or any other exit number for that matter) on 865.

Both SB-NB movements at 77 and 271 are directed to use OH 176/Wheatley Rd. to get it done; both involve taking that exit off I-77 SB and reversing course (then staying on 77 if coming from 271, or immediately taking the 77 NB exit for 271 NB if coming from 77 SB).  NB-SB movements are more convoluted and involve cutting the corner of the triangle using 176/Wheatley and Brecksville Rd. in a manner like 495/95 Mass.; but the 77/271 situation is stranger because the Brecksville Rd. interchange itself is incomplete too!

[hbelkins]

Isn't there a missing movement at the northern I-65/I-465 interchange in Indy?

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I-480 WB to I-71 NB and I-71 SB to I-480 EB lack direct connections (have to use the Jennings Freeway for both)
There is no connections for I-271 NB to I-480 EB and I-480 EB to I-271 SB.
I-670 EB to Oh 315 SB requires drivers to go through a traffic light at Dublin Rd (US 33). 315 NB to I-670 WB requires drivers going through three traffic lights along US 33.

[vtk]

If we're going to bring up partial interchanges in Columbus, there's a pair at the west end of I-670.  There's no ramp from EB (unsigned) US 33T to WB I-670, or from EB I-670 to WB (unsigned) US 33T.*  Also, there's no ramp from WB I-70 to EB I-670 or WB I-670 to EB I-70.  And unlike I-271, I-670's west end doesn't have an exit number.  For that matter, I-670's east end doesn't have exit numbers either, and that's a full interchange...

*US 33T is a kind of alternate US 33 that runs along I-670 from almost its western end to Dublin Rd at the Spring-Sandusky Interchange (exit 2A).  The westernmost part of US 33T which is not also I-670 is signed as (EB) an entrance to I-670 EB, and (WB) exit 1A to US 33.  Some older maps may show that portion as US 33F or Future US 33.

[kphoger]

SAINT JOSEPH, MISSOURI

At the interchange of two freeways, US-36 & I-229, there is a stoplight on the mainline of US-36.
US-36 is a freeway for 4.5 miles west of this point, and for 7.7 miles east of this point.

[TheStranger]

An Ohio example I had not noticed before: OH 126 at I-71 in Cincinnati:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Cincinnati,+Hamilton,+Ohio&hl=en&ll=39.227034,-84.36337&spn=0.025332,0.045362&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=52.505328,92.900391&vpsrc=6&geocode=FY6qVAId7HL2-g&hnear=Cincinnati,+Hamilton,+Ohio&t=h&z=15

West of I-71 and on the short stretch to OH 3/US 22, all junctions off of OH 126 are limited-access...but at I-71, there are grade-level ramps with lights.

[roadman65]

Orlando, FL where EB FL 528 uses Consulate Drive and US 17, 92, and 441 to access the FL Turnpike.  Also, the FL Turnpike at the same intersection has two Breezewoods at Exit 254 and 255 to get to WB FL 528.  The Sun Pass only 255 ramp has a signal where this ramp becomes the on ramp to FL 528 and the former uses Consulate Drive as well.

[TheStranger]

Found one over in Goldsboro, NC (while looking at the city on Google Maps as a result of reading about the new bypass route) -

The existing US 13/US 70 bypass of town (a freeway from Marshall Street to Pizza Inn Lane) comes within one block of I-795 (at two separate points!) but any connection from I-795 south to US 13 north/US 70 east requires a stoplight:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=35.394892,-78.006449&spn=0.022075,0.038238&sll=35.396956,-78.005977&sspn=0.022074,0.038238&vpsrc=6&mra=mr&t=h&z=15

[roadman65]

How about from WB I-78 to I-476 and the NE PA TPK EXT near Allentown, PA? It uses PA 309 (that is freeway) to Tilghman Street (a surface street) and then into the trumpet to trumpet Lehigh Valley Interchange from a slip ramp.

[mightyace]

^^^

Well, you CAN take PA 309 North up to US 22 West and get on that way.  It is a little longer, but it is all freeway.

[Henry]

Can't believe no one mentioned the I-85/NC 16 junction in Charlotte! Depending which way you travel on NC 16, the transition from Brookshire Boulevard to the Brookshire Freeway occurs southeast of I-85, where you encounter a SPUI.

[vdeane]

^^^

Well, you CAN take PA 309 North up to US 22 West and get on that way.  It is a little longer, but it is all freeway.

Still have to leave the interstate system to make the connection.

[goobnav]

Partial Breezewood:

The north end of I-476 and I-81, you have to loop away from I-81 and then loop back on the entrance ramp to 476 south

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

It's not a surface street but, it is not a direct freeway to freeway connection.

[mightyace]

^^^

Uh, the Google link is bad.

Try this everyone: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.483843,-75.68121&spn=0.022006,0.014355&t=h&z=16

But, I don't see what the problem is it's a double trumpet!

Unless you were thinking of this:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.308116,-75.761247&spn=0.022066,0.014355&t=h&z=16

But that's not the end the turnpike.

[jdbx]

An example that always comes to mind for me is the connection between I-680 and I-880 in Fremont, CA via CA-262/Mission Blvd.  There are 2 stoplights on a road that is otherwise used as a direct connection between two major interstates, and also the most direct route from the East Bay to areas like Santa Clara.  Traffic always backs up horribly at these lights during rush-hour, and I have no idea why this was never built as a direct freeway-to-freeway connection, since it is less than 2 miles long.

http://g.co/maps/mbx89

[TheStranger]

An example that always comes to mind for me is the connection between I-680 and I-880 in Fremont, CA via CA-262/Mission Blvd.  There are 2 stoplights on a road that is otherwise used as a direct connection between two major interstates, and also the most direct route from the East Bay to areas like Santa Clara.  Traffic always backs up horribly at these lights during rush-hour, and I have no idea why this was never built as a direct freeway-to-freeway connection, since it is less than 2 miles long.

http://g.co/maps/mbx89

What's even more fascinating: though the at-grades were never closed off, Route 262 (former southern segment of Route 21) was originally planned as part of I-680 from 1956-1965!!!!

[jdbx]

http://g.co/maps/mbx89

What's even more fascinating: though the at-grades were never closed off, Route 262 (former southern segment of Route 21) was originally planned as part of I-680 from 1956-1965!!!!

In a related vein, I remember that up until about 10 years ago, there were the ghost ramps across the I-680 southbound lanes just north of the CA-262/Mission Blvd interchange.  They finally were demolished during the widening project when they added the southbound carpool lane.

[TheStranger]

In a related vein, I remember that up until about 10 years ago, there were the ghost ramps across the I-680 southbound lanes just north of the CA-262/Mission Blvd interchange.  They finally were demolished during the widening project when they added the southbound carpool lane.

Those were for the canceled Route 238 freeway that would've paralleled/replaced Mission Boulevard (current Route 238, historic Route 9) between 680 and where the MacArthur Freeway ends (580/238 junction).

880 probably wouldn't have needed as much widening as it has received, had 238 been constructed to provide a second Oakland-San Jose link.

[brad2971]

There's a developing Breezewood-type situation in Arizona: SR 85 is now freeway/expressway grade from I-10 to just north of Gila Bend. PHX-San Diego traffic is currently routed onto B-8 through Gila Benad, and current plans to construct the final 3 or so miles have been pushed back to at least 2030.

[agentsteel53]

current plans to construct the final 3 or so miles have been pushed back to at least 2030.

well, shit.  I use that route all the time and was pleased to see that so much of it had been upgraded.  I'd figured the last connector would be in place in the next year or two.

it looks like the connector which is signed as going to "8 east" serves a full interchange - namely, I can get on 8 west.  I am not sure what is faster: the business loop, signed at 35mph and heavily patrolled with cops, or the connector, which is a rural two-laner, but essentially going backwards, and then making up the mileage on I-8.

I get the idea that the business loop is slightly faster, but far more ornery, and I'll likely drive an extra 8 miles just to be able to keep going at over 60mph and not have to deal with traffic lights and cops.

[roadman65]

^^^

Well, you CAN take PA 309 North up to US 22 West and get on that way.  It is a little longer, but it is all freeway.

You can, but signage has you exit the 309 at Tilghman.