Vine Expressway I-76 (1965)

[route_82]

One of the vintage maps that caught my eye initially was this one.


--- Complete connection between Ben Franklin & Vine Expressway/I-95.


--- Potential spur directly into Center City.


--- Different ramp configuration at Broad.


--- Old configuration of I-76/I-676.

[NE2]

I don't quite get that spur into downtown. It looks like a trumpet interchange feeding into the rail tunnel south of Race; presumably it would have continued on its own aboveground?

[route_82]

I don't quite get that spur into downtown. It looks like a trumpet interchange feeding into the rail tunnel south of Race; presumably it would have continued on its own aboveground?

I was wondering that myself.  It seems like it was just a possible concept.  Not really shown as a definite.

[route_82]

The interesting part I see is that on this map I-95 is still elevated, not covered.  There is a ramp directly to Vine Street, and U-turn ramps below I-95.  Market Street also goes both ways over I-95 instead of just WB.

[PHLBOS]

The interesting part I see is that on this map I-95 is still elevated, not covered.

By the time those plans were drawn; the proposed tunnel version of I-95 was already dropped on the grounds that it would've been too expensive to build (even then).  BTW, the current 'bathtub' design of I-95 is actually located south of Market St., beyond what the posted plans show.

[route_82]

The interesting part I see is that on this map I-95 is still elevated, not covered.

By the time those plans were drawn; the proposed tunnel version of I-95 was already dropped on the grounds that it would've been too expensive to build (even then).  BTW, the current 'bathtub' design of I-95 is actually located south of Market St., beyond what the posted plans show.

Right, I was looking at the plan today and saw I didn't photograph the part I was talking about.  I'll try to get that tomorrow.  Would be cool if it also had I-695 through Washington Ave... but I don't think it goes that far.

[route_82]

Can I just say that I think the Vine Expressway should be renamed back to I-76.  The way it used to be.

I-76 should run through Center City and terminate at I-95 by the Ben Franklin Bridge.  That would be a much more fitting end.

Existing I-76 would be renamed back to I-676, which would run over the Walt Whitman Bridge into NJ.  Current I-676 in NJ would be renumbered Route 42... or I dunno, I-176 if they really needed to keep it an interstate for matching funding requests.  Ben Franklin Bridge would just retain US Route 30 as its primary route designation.  Ideally south of there it would become Route 42, all the way down, merging with I-676 after the Walt Whitman into a Route 42/I-676 designation.  Until I-295, where I-676 would drop off and Route 42 would continue on to the ACE (which could also have Route 42 attached to it, for one long route number to the shore).

I-76 has no business going into NJ and randomly terminating at I-295 in Bellmawr of all places.

The North-South Freeway currently has three designations, and then you have the ACE, That's four routes to get from Camden to Atlantic City.  It needs to be simplified.

[Kacie Jane]

I don't have a problem with I-76 "randomly" terminating at I-295, but all in all, that's a pretty good plan.  The only problem I see is that WB Vine St/676 shrinks to one lane just before the merge with the Schuyllkill.  That would need to be fixed before you turned it into the I-76 through route, but it looks like there's enough room to solve it simply by restriping.

[Beltway]

I-76 should be extended to Atlantic City, NJ.  Over NJ-42 and the AC Expressway.

[route_82]

I-76 should be extended to Atlantic City, NJ.  Over NJ-42 and the AC Expressway.

That would be my first choice as well, but I think there would need to be alot of reconstruction in various places to bring it up to interstate standards.
Without any major construction, the plan I suggested works best and consolidating numbers and routes.

[roadman65]

Only in the area of the AC Casino employee parking area would need to be improved for interstate standards.   If you end I-76 at the Garden State Parkway, that would be a great place to terminate it.  The GSP is a major N-S freeway in NJ and it would have merit to end there.

Or, you could make NJ 55 into I-76 and if NJ ever gets it finished to the Garden State Parkway near Cape May CH it could be a great interstate for the Cape May County Beaches that are quite popular destinations for PA residents.

[route_82]

Only in the area of the AC Casino employee parking area would need to be improved for interstate standards.   If you end I-76 at the Garden State Parkway, that would be a great place to terminate it.  The GSP is a major N-S freeway in NJ and it would have merit to end there.

Or, you could make NJ 55 into I-76 and if NJ ever gets it finished to the Garden State Parkway near Cape May CH it could be a great interstate for the Cape May County Beaches that are quite popular destinations for PA residents.

Route 55 is more N-S than E-W.

But, Route 42 isn't entirely interstate standard.  The original bridges need to be widened.  Ramp merges on 42 & ACE need to be extended.  And with the wetlands surrounding the ACE Park & Ride, it's highly unlikely that they'll ever widen it there.  They'd have to build a new Park & Ride elsewhere with connecting ramps and then rebuild the median.

[Alps]

I don't have a problem with I-76 "randomly" terminating at I-295, but all in all, that's a pretty good plan.  The only problem I see is that WB Vine St/676 shrinks to one lane just before the merge with the Schuyllkill.  That would need to be fixed before you turned it into the I-76 through route, but it looks like there's enough room to solve it simply by restriping.

There's no rule saying that needs to happen. Moreover, it won't affect traffic. People know which freeway and bridge they're taking regardless of the number attached.

[roadman65]

Only in the area of the AC Casino employee parking area would need to be improved for interstate standards.   If you end I-76 at the Garden State Parkway, that would be a great place to terminate it.  The GSP is a major N-S freeway in NJ and it would have merit to end there.

Or, you could make NJ 55 into I-76 and if NJ ever gets it finished to the Garden State Parkway near Cape May CH it could be a great interstate for the Cape May County Beaches that are quite popular destinations for PA residents.

Route 55 is more N-S than E-W.

But, Route 42 isn't entirely interstate standard.  The original bridges need to be widened.  Ramp merges on 42 & ACE need to be extended.  And with the wetlands surrounding the ACE Park & Ride, it's highly unlikely that they'll ever widen it there.  They'd have to build a new Park & Ride elsewhere with connecting ramps and then rebuild the median.

Look at I-78 east of the Schukyll River, I-68 in Cumberland, MD, and I-78 in Jersey City.  Those are not up to standards, yet interstates.  Then what about I-26 in TN that runs N-S then E-W?  Or even the NAFTA interstate in MI running E-W from Lansing to Port Huron?

Putting I-76 on NJ 55 would not be an issue.

[route_82]

Only in the area of the AC Casino employee parking area would need to be improved for interstate standards.   If you end I-76 at the Garden State Parkway, that would be a great place to terminate it.  The GSP is a major N-S freeway in NJ and it would have merit to end there.

Or, you could make NJ 55 into I-76 and if NJ ever gets it finished to the Garden State Parkway near Cape May CH it could be a great interstate for the Cape May County Beaches that are quite popular destinations for PA residents.

Route 55 is more N-S than E-W.

But, Route 42 isn't entirely interstate standard.  The original bridges need to be widened.  Ramp merges on 42 & ACE need to be extended.  And with the wetlands surrounding the ACE Park & Ride, it's highly unlikely that they'll ever widen it there.  They'd have to build a new Park & Ride elsewhere with connecting ramps and then rebuild the median.

Look at I-78 east of the Schukyll River, I-68 in Cumberland, MD, and I-78 in Jersey City.  Those are not up to standards, yet interstates.  Then what about I-26 in TN that runs N-S then E-W?  Or even the NAFTA interstate in MI running E-W from Lansing to Port Huron?

Putting I-76 on NJ 55 would not be an issue.

All of those interstates you speak of are "grandfathered in".  I believe performing any reconstruction nowadays triggers something... which is probably why they are hesitant to touch I-76 in any meaningful way.