Is it incorrect to call a toll road a "freeway"?

[hbelkins]

The AA Highway meets the conventional definition of a Super 2, for reference.

If so, then just about all of Kentucky's new construction in the last 35 years meets that definition.

I always thought a Super-2 was a controlled-access (or limited-access, if you prefer) route like the eastern end of the Mountain Parkway, or the Daniel Boone Parkway for most of its length.

[kphoger]

Can anyone read the blade under the warning sign? My bad eyes make it out as "Temporary." If so, that may help explain.

It does say "TEMPORARY," but then it said that in 2005 too.  I think it is a figleaf to satisfy the FHWA requirement that driveways (or other at-grade accesses to Interstates) be temporary in character; i.e., there must be an intention to stop up the driveway or access at some point in the future, even if that time never arrives.

It said TEMPORARY back when I was in high school as well, since I specifically remember that intersection from a family vacation.  That would have been the mid- to late-1990s.  My dad made the comment clear back then that he doubted it was actually "temporary".  Guess he was right.

[kphoger]

What about the white sign in the median at the intersection?

Not sure.  It's different from the standard "KEEP OFF MEDIAN" sign.

[agentsteel53]

It said TEMPORARY back when I was in high school as well, since I specifically remember that intersection from a family vacation.  That would have been the mid- to late-1990s.  My dad made the comment clear back then that he doubted it was actually "temporary".  Guess he was right.

on a geological scale, all infrastructure is temporary.

[agentsteel53]

I know there are driveways with ranch gates in many places, like I-8 in Arizona, which are generally not mentioned.

approximately at mile 96.6 on I-8 is this ranch gate, with an implied at-gate crossing.  at least, there is at-grade left-turning traffic.

http://goo.gl/maps/NiIK1

[kphoger]

I know there are driveways with ranch gates in many places, like I-8 in Arizona, which are generally not mentioned.

approximately at mile 96.6 on I-8 is this ranch gate, with an implied at-gate crossing.  at least, there is at-grade left-turning traffic.

http://goo.gl/maps/NiIK1

Turn the pegman around, and you also see an "implied" U turn spot.

[agentsteel53]

Turn the pegman around, and you also see an "implied" U turn spot.

did not notice that one!  just where one could make a left turn directly in line with the ranch gate.

[Crazy Volvo Guy]

Depends on the toll road.  One with toll gates every few miles on the mainline?  That's not very free of at grade interruptions, now is it?  No, definitely not, so it's not a freeway.

One with a gate at each end and nothing in between, operating on the ticket system, or an all-electronic tollway?  Certainly qualifies as a freeway.

Remember, kids: the 'free' in 'freeway' refers to free as in freedom [from at-grade intersections/interruptions] not free as in beer.

[roadfro]

^ Actually the "free" refers to free-flowing traffic, not freedom from interruptions. Except for the toll barriers, a tollway remains free-flowing in normal operating conditions.