Thanks for watching. Let me know if you guys have spotted any other "Almost Interstates" for a potential Part 2. See More Commentary Videos Here: th-cam.com/play/PLnS3Ajs4YX_y7SG4bKBuqHcBmfOaOoIn4.html
Wisconsin-794 (mixed expressway/freeway/parkway short extension of I-794), 441 (Will be upgraded to full interstate standards soon, spur of I-41) Minnesota-610 (spur of US-10 technically but runs between I-94 and US-10 and is up to interstate standards except for probably it's merge into I-94 until it gets it's western extension)
I live in Holly Springs, NC and can confirm that the construction of the southern portion of NC 540 is continuing. It’s a fact I have to live with every day since they have gotten to the point of building overpasses and improving the infrastructure near the exits. Much of this work will continue past the 1st of the year which can’t come soon enough.
IIL 390 in Illinois does not have to connect to its parent route. It is connected to I-290. There are other examples of this in the New York and San Francisco areas.
When it was first built, IL-390's name was like an old Saturday Night Live sketch - The Elgin-O'Hare Expressway neither goes to Elgin nor O'Hare. Discuss. In its current state, 390 is closer to the airport than ever, it still falls several miles short of reaching Elgin.
This project, “Western Access to O’Hare Airport” was first proposed/started in 1970s (I-355 Tollway land acquisition started then). Since I live south of this area, I have watched the past 27 years of activity - which included O’Hare Modernization (decade long runway re-alignment). The I-480 Western Bypass has started with land acquisition (and I-294 Tollway widening project, ongoing).
You don't pronounce the last letter in Illinois... el-in-OY!! My state of birth, and also where I live...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I hate when people say Ell-In-NOISE, it's wrong, 100%
Worth noting that Maryland does sign its section of 295 at the northern end of the route. You are correct that the route is unsigned for most of its length in Maryland, as much of it is the federally maintained Baltimore-Washington Parkway. However, the B-W Parkway designation ends in northern Anne Arundel county, just south of Arundel Mills, and continues until it becomes a local Baltimore street, where the state designation ends. You can tell where it changes from federal to state because the signs change from brown to green.
Hey Mike! Additional observations: *Missouri: 370 St Peters *Texas: 130 around Austin; Famous for its 85 mph speed limit! *MD: 100 (most of it) Also, Baltimore Washington Pkwy has never allowed any type of trucks, even pick-ups with work bodies, and many bridges are low clearance. Thx!!
MoDot has decided not to request designations for either MO 370, which connects I-70 and 270, and it's newer sister, MO 364, which connects 270 with I-64 in western St. Charles County. Supposedly, IL 255 was planned to become a full freeway, following it's current terminus at US 67 in Godfrey north to I-72 at Jacksonville. Much of 67 is an expressway, but there's been no action on upgrading the road north in years.
Balt-Wash Pkwy- I drive Motorcoach and use the parkway all the time going to DC , they are allowed on it but like you said NO tractor-trailers. There are no low clearance issues as my height is just under 12'
The Baltimore Washington Parkway is a unit of the National Park Service, so that's an added complication along that route. DC 295 (the portion of that route that is within the District's boundary) is a mess -- narrow lanes, poorly designed and constructed ramps, poor roadbed and maintenance.
20:20 NY route 17 is another. Back in 1996 it was mostly freeway but had lights in Corning, and at that time a bypass was under construction. NY DOT eventually converted big chunks of 17 into I-86, but Wikipedia still shows almost half its length are still not done yet.
@@8bpianoplayer It's beautiful! But i did crash my car on it a few weeks ago on it because of black ice, hopefully it becoming an interstate will get it some lights.
In the 1960s and 1970s, MD 295 was once "temporary" I-95, as there was a lot of wrangling on how I-95 would go through the state. After today's I-95 connected Washington to Baltimore, the government tried to make MD 295 (the Baltimore-Washington Parkway) "truck free" for commuters (although buses were allowed. The ramps were all rather tight, and the deceleration/ acceleration were inadequate.
I live near Illinois State Route 255 and actually clicked on this video just to see if you included it and you did, which is great. I think it’s strange that the state of Illinois wouldn’t want State Route 255 to become an extension of Interstate 255 so that the state could receive federal interstate funding for it. I don’t understand why the state would want to pass up on federal funding like that. If I ran the state of Illinois, I would want as many of the state routes to be U.S. routes or interstates as possible in order to receive federal funding for them. There is also more prestige in being an interstate or U.S. route than in being a state route. Illinois State Route 255 is fully up to interstate standards. Also, as a friendly FYI, Illinois is pronounced as “Illinoy.” It rhymes with boy. It’s pronounced this way because it’s a French corruption of the Illini Native American word, Illiniwek.
Glad you mentioned Clark County 215. I live in Las Vegas and for the most part, the Beltway as we call it, has been upgraded to divided interstate standards. At the end of 2022, the complete interchange in the NE part of town will finally fully connect I-15 and the 215 up by the Speedway/Nellis AFB. The issue is the ongoing construction of the 215 interchange with highway 95 which is not going to be completed until 2024 which will FINALLY eliminate the last remaining stop light on the Beltway. Glad that I never have to go out to that side of town. The whole thing is an ongoing gravy train for Las Vegas Paving and they're no bid contracts. Once the last interchange is complete, they contemplate adding more lanes on the northern part of the beltway widening it to three lanes each direction.
I remember there was SOME talk about looping I-11 on that beltway to circumvent LV to the US95 interchange ... and then I-11 can continue northbound for Reno ... but now the plan is for I-11 to continue on US95 (including the portion that is now I-515) once that freeway is upgraded. which makes sense .... as Phoenix is listed as the control city for I-515/US93/US95 South.
Bit of background on IL-390 (as I've lived within a few miles of it most of my life): Was originally a freeway with two lanes of traffic in each direction called the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway, though the section that was built only connected Hanover Park to Itasca (the rest of the route was not only planned, but surveyed, my uncle worked for IDOT at the time and was part of that surveying team) as funding for construction and the purchase of land was never finalized. Around 2010, the expressway was handed over to the Illinois Tollway Department, who did admittedly make major renovations (additional lanes, interchange improvements, lighting improvements, ect.), as the first part of the massive I-490 project. It's been opening eastward exit by exit, there was a whole event when the exits to IL-83 opened. There's two major flaws with IL-390: It's the most expensive per-mile tollway in the country; and east of the old Elgin-O'Hare terminus at IL-53, the tollway has brute force replaced an existing relatively high speed (45mph) road in Thorndale Ave, pushing people either north to Devon, south to Irving Park Road (said route taking one past at least one, and potentially two) railroad crossings on a line frequented by both commuter and freight trains, and the impact in the form of extra traffic with no funding for that added wear and tear has seen a substantial increase.
And, This dimrod narrator doesn't know that the last letter in Illinois is not pronounced... el-in-OY!! My state of birth, and also where I live...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I hate when people say Ell-In-NOISE, it's wrong, 100%
Hey Mike, fabulous video! If you wanna do more research on this, here are some that you missed: - MO 364 in the St. Louis area - MO 370 in the St. Louis area - WI 441 in Appleton WI - WI 794 in Milwaukee - CA 110 past i10 in LA
The interesting thing about 441 in Appleton, is that 441 predates I-41. Because I-41 simply mirrors the route of US 41. So it was originally a US 41 auxiliary route lol. With all the recent reconstruction done (and a bit more to come), I do wonder if it will ever become I-441
Another one for Virginia: VA 164 between Chesapeake and downtown Portsmouth has been a full freeway for its entire existence, but it hasn't gotten its blue shield yet. A very recent one to add for North Carolina: the southernmost part of NC 147 has been renumbered as NC 885 to coincide with the addition of I-885 in Durham. My guess is that if NCDOT applies to get 540 converted to an Interstate upon its completion, the currently tolled portion of 885 will be included.
I’ll add my vote to the many previous comments about NY 17, aka the Quickway. In some places it’s officially marked as I86, in others as “future I86,” and in yet others there appear to be I86 signs shrouded in black plastic- some have been like that for years.
Seems to take forever to get from I-84 to Binghamton and I-81, lots of curves, speed limit constantly toggling between 55 & 65, but that all makes it a fun experience, particularly at night, and I'm normally the only vehicle in sight - and it's free.
For PA you forgot about a couple more almost-interstates: US-15 as the Future I-99 corridor, PA-28 the Allegheny Valley Expressway-Almost-Freeway, how it dips beneath traffic lights it used to run through and its strange and unpleasant partial interchange with I-276 & I-576, and PA-576 the partially completed Pittsburgh Southern Beltway
You also got 690 in Syracuse, 378 in Allentown, 289 in Burlington, VT and 576 in Pittsburgh. You could also do an almost US highways as well. You got rt. 3 in Massachusetts, 15 in New York, 33 in Virginia and 91 and 99 in California. I'm sure there are dozens of other examples.
Some of those are FORMER US highways. As it is now, states are doing more to delete US routes than to establish new ones. Typically they would have to be rather long intrastate routes, like M-28 in Michigan or long multi-state routes like 92 and 200 in the High Plains. Arkansas seems to be the only state adding or extending lots of US routes. Virginia is more likely to decommission US 60 east of Richmond than to raise VA-33 east of Richmond. When Arizona completes I-11 from the Colorado River to Phoenix, then say bye-bye to US 93 from just north of Las Vegas. Technically, US routes are also the state-route designation in California (thus US 50 is also CA-50 in California) and Pennsylvania (thus US 30 in Pennsylvania is also PA-30). This also holds in Indiana for two-digit routes (US 31 is effectively IN-31). It's not so in Illinois or Texas. Go figure.
I also heard that 495 was supposed to be a raised expressway over a few of the streets. The tunnel would have been a very interesting way between NJ and LI. Pennsylvania also has PA 378 which used to be I-378 right by the Lehigh Valley Airport... it was downgraded when was I-78 became US 22. There's also PA 309 and 611 which both used to be US Routes... 611 used to also go over the Columbia-Portland Bridge into NJ. In fact there was until recently a sign pointing US 611 over the bridge on the NJ side. 611 is now completely in PA, going through Portland itself.
If you really want to do a weird / non existent interstate try interstate / NY 878 (by JFK airport). Among other oddities only one mile is actual (unsigned) interstate 878; only the eastbound lanes were built. Most of the rest is signed state 878 and the Nassau Expressway but is a highway with traffic lights. The section by Rockaway Blvd. (Queens) was simply never built and you get lost, because the road goes where people don't (the Atlantic Beach Bridge to ?? - with sections missing).
@@kennypalermo9071 Dear Kenny: Sorry, no. 878 used to be a connector to part of Interstate 78. Interstate 78 was never built, so they changed the North Queens part (Clearview Expy) to interstate 295. The southern part was delisted/canceled. The Nassau Expy was then built piecemeal, with one part being every built every decade or so. They recently rebuilt the part between Rockaway Turnpike and Burnside Ave' which was a flood and pothole disaster. Who noses (!) what they will do next?
Oopsy...I just posted about 878 and 78. I didn't see these comments. I grew up a few miles away and used to play in the puddles along the right-of-way before it was finally built. The story of the ill-fated Nassau Expressway was a big part of my youth.
@@r.g.8977 I-78 was originally supposed to be extended across Manhattan (much like I-495) and the Williamsburg Bridge onto a series of circuitous routes in Brooklyn, Queens & the Bronx, including the I-878 connection. Though the Manhattan section was canceled and the other routes renumbered, unlike with I-495 New Jersey did not request the elimination of I-78 going to the Holland Tunnel -- even though it uses surface streets with traffic lights in Jersey City (12th Street EB, 14th Street WB) to reach the tunnel. Thus, the official end of I-78 is at the Manhattan entrance & exit ramps to the Holland Tunnel, the latter a near-circular roadway (called the Holland Tunnel Rotary though it's not quite a full circle) dispersing tunnel traffic over five separate exits. Still, the stub end of I-78 is one of only two 2di's in Manhattan today; I-95 (Trans-Manhattan Expressway) is the only one built as planned.
The interesting thing about PA581 was that I remember the interchange at I-81 existing back to the 1980's, but you could see the roadway ended at the end of the bridge. We always used to call it "the bridge that goes nowhere."
That part is literally one of the first freeways in the world. Since Pasadena hates freeways and there's no room to improve it I think the status quo will never change
@@horizonoftheeast it's also designated with several designations designed to preserve its historic nature. It wasn't an interstate when the system was created. They have made no effort to make it an interstate in the intervening decades. It will never be an interstate.
@@MileageMikeTravelsI would love to see a part 2. NY-690 is another one that I think you should talk about. As well as AZ-51 (formerly AZ-510) and AZ-210, WI-794, AL-759, NC-885, VT-289, PA-576, NC-140, MO-249, AR-440, VA-195, VA-164, VA-381, OK-344, and maybe RI-37 which was planned to be I-895. And maybe NY-281 if it counts
I've been on NY 390 and 590 in Rochester a handful of times, however the "almost interstate" I've traveled the most is Indiana 265. Strangely, despite being interstate standards, between the I-65 cloverleaf, and the I-71 cloverleaf, both states sign it as 'Indiana 265' and 'KY 841' respectively.
I travel IN-265 and KY-841 each day and wonder as well. That was the last part of 265 to be built, and strangely KY co-signs it as 841 the entire way, and I think the signing comes down to how it was paid for. But everyone refers to the entire thing as I-265.
@@ryan225360 590 I know was a lot of push back from local residents. It was close hence the ghost ramps on 104, but too much push back. That's also why they shortened down the roundabout.
There actually is a plan to convert SR15 to I15 after it's interchange with SR 94 is redone. That interchange is slated to be rebuilt once the HOV/Transit lanes are built in the median of SR94.
Wisconsin has two curious almost-Interstates: US 53 from Eau Claire to Superior, and WI 29 from Green Bay to Chippewa Falls. Neither is even limited-access from end to end, but both have many full-scale interchanges, and Wis/DOT clearly wants to eventually make them freeways. Wis/DOT has already converted US 51 into I-39, and US 41 into I-41.
I agree that 895/Pocahontas Pkwy is way under used and far too expensive but it does serve a purpose. The industrial south side of Richmond needed a way to connect to the airport, and to I-64 east as well as I-295, without having to go thru downtown and get caught up in all the traffic that already exists when you cross the James. I drive that bridge everyday for work. I make a drop at the airport and then I cross the toll bridge to make another drop off of 95. It's really just a way for freight to be moved without going downtown.
I'm surprised you didn't talk about I-265 in the Louisville area. Originally, I-265 was a two-segment beltway around the Louisville metro area, going from I-65 in southern Louisville, to I-71 in eastern Louisville as a north/south freeway. There was another part of I-265 across the river in Indiana, going from I-65 in Jeffersonville, to I-64 in New Albany as an east/west freeway. I-265 is concurrent with KY-841 in Louisville, and KY-841 was extended from the terminus of I-265 at I-71, to go from there to US-42 in the Prospect area of eastern Louisville. The freeway was also extended on the Indiana side from the terminus of I-265 at I-65, to the Utica area as SR-265. In 2016, the Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge was built to connect the two segments of I-265 finally between Utica and Prospect, but to this day, the two extensions on either side of the river plus the bridge itself is not signed as I-265, despite being built to interstate standards. The freeway runs signed as only KY-841 from I-71 to state line on the L&C Bridge, and then only as SR-265 from the state line on the bridge to I-65. What makes it even WEIRDER, is mile markers on the Indiana sign actually ARE signed as I-265. Google Maps has already jumped the gun and labeled the entire beltway as I-265. When I spoke with a social media rep for KYTC D5 on the matter, they said it wasn't signed yet just because it hadn't gotten around to it. I'm not sure if this is an issue with the federal system not getting around to approving the new signage, or if it's the states of Kentucky and Indiana not getting around the submitting that application. That being said, the whole beltway is usually just called "265" despite it technically not being in all areas.
I loved this video! I have a few things to add for your second vid as a fellow roadgeek: - NY-690 west of I-690 to Baldwinsville - I-481 in NY is going to become I-81 so it’ll be weird seeing NY-481 continue on as a spur. - NY-878 (which has part of I-878, the shortest interstate highway in the nation that no one knows about!) - PA-283 technically is actually PA-300 according to PennDOT - There is a PA-290 in Erie - PA-378 in Bethlehem! - PA-576 in Pittsburgh metro!
WI highway 441 creates a beltway around Appleton, and a recent project upgraded it entirely to interstate standards. I’ve often wondered if WIDOT has plans to get that updated to I 441.
Wisconsin had 36 years to get that done. Their failure is not anyone else’s failure. The Interstate Freeway act ended with the completion of I-70 through the Rockies. It was supposed to take 10 years. It took 36. But it’s done. Sorry Wisconsin forgot to add a few more roads, but 😢 boo hoo, what part about 90% paid for by the Feds didn’t they not understand in 1956? I mean, I wasn’t even born in 1956, but I understand when the Feds offer to pay for 90% you DONT FUCK THAT UP! Focus on that Asian chip making company building a plant there in Wisconsin. It will be your cash cow because you have access to big giant lakes and Arizona doesn’t. It takes water Arizona does not have to build those stupid chip making plants under construction in Arizona. Talk about the stupidest political financial disaster ever conceived… it takes more water than the Island of Taiwan is capable to produce which …where in the heck is Arizona gonna find it? It’s a no brainer… Wisconsin has been selected to be the new Asia within America. Get used to working all day under microscopes because the Dairy Cow is no longer your cash cow. Get used to a lot of Asian immigration as well.
I've wondered that too. At first, I thought they would've made it I-441 when they added I-41 to the system, but then that didn't happen. Then I thought they might make it I-441 after the reconstruction of the southern part, but then that didn't happen either. Now that they're reconstructing I-41 between Green Bay and Appleton (including the northern 41/441 interchange), I wonder if they'll apply for I-441 after that? But I'm not holding my breath lol
@@jaykebird2go I wish they would we only have three 3 di and 2 of them are very short. If 441 would become an interstate at 11 miles it would be our longest 3 di interstate.
CA-58 is another that is pretty close to Interstate standards as well. Caltrans is close to finishing the freeway through Bkersfield, and I believe they plan to extend to I-5, where it would likely end there for now. Minus some at-grade interchanges between Bakersfield and Barstow, the highway is close to being freeway standard and would like be an extension of I-40 if ever designated
I live in Las Vegas and there are 2 major reasons that CC-215 is not Interstate standard (but the county and state are now fixing it). The northern part of the loop had traffic lights and it ended at the I-15 ramps and a local street with a 4 way stop. The new interchange with 215 and I-15 is almost complete and will be done in 2023. The intersection with US-95 and 215 (called the Centennial Bowl) is under construction since 2012 with an estimated completion possibly by 2024. It's an entirely new interchange with at least 20 new bridges/overpasses connecting US-95 (Future I-11), CC-215 (Future I-215), and several local roads. This includes 3 decks of interchange with a 1/2 mile flyover, adding lanes to both freeways, plus HOV-only lanes and exits. You might have to do a drive of the newest built-from-scratch Interstate highway (I-11) and I-215 once it's handed over to the state.
I haven't been to the 15/215 interchange up north since the summer, but it seems like it's almost done like you said. I drove on the 215 the other day; they removed the at-grade intersection at Sky Pointe Dr, so now traffic flows freely instead of having to stop at a light. I hope they finish the Centennial Bowl before 2024, I'm tired of the poor connectivity, lol.
@M D I've been reading that the freeway part and ramps should be done by 2024 but the final things like Skye Pointe, Centennial Blvd, Oso Blanca, and the local streets might be 2025 or 2026.
MD 295 is signed as such from MD 175 north to I-85 in Baltimore; south of that it's the unnumbered Baltimore-Washington Parkway maintained by the National Park Service.
California route 210 is as of 2007 built to interstate standards from Ca 57 to Ca 259. The remainder from 259 to I-10 in Redlands is undergoing continuous construction to meet interstate standards and once completed, CalTrans expects to have the FHA approval to rename the highway as an interstate and have it added to the US interstate system
As someone who lives right off of NY-17, it really is an interesting situation. The governor just announced $1 billion in capital investment for upgrading the Orange-Sullivan portion to Interstate standards so it looks like movement is happening, at least soon
I've been on I-540/NC 540 multiple times. The DOT is currently working on the portion that will extend to I-40. It should be completed by the end of 2023. However, when 540 is completed; I think they should renumber it to I-287 because all the even x40's are taken and the only other Interstate in the Raleigh area is I-87 which intersects with I-540, so it would make sense to change it to I-287.
No. I 87 is just a small freeway connecting to Norfolk va in the future. I 40 is the main interstate and it should remain I 540 or bottom side should become I 640.
I expected you to talk about NY-17, which is in the process of being upgraded into I-86. The governor of NY just announced $1 billion in capital funding for the Orange-Sullivan portion of the roadway to be upgraded to Interstate standard. While it has already been re-signed in parts most of the roadway is still just NY-17
Question: You mentioned 581 being unsigned in Harrisburg, PA due to not meeting interstate standards. How in the heck did I-70/I-76 from Washington, PA all the way east past Breezewood up to around Willow Hill going to Harrisburg meet interstate criteria? It is very narrow through much of I-70, two lanes each way, lacking shoulders, and many merge points getting on to the interstate are extremely dangerous. I'm guessing it may have met old criteria and has since been grandfathered in, so once a blue shield is granted, it is not taken away?
GA 316 (connecting I-85 to Athens, GA called the University Parkway) is currently in the process of being upgraded to a limited access highway. There is also a very short limited access highway surrounding Athens, GA which connects to GA 316. There is also a limited access highway going straight north from Atlanta called GA 400, which was at one time proposed to be I-475. There is a multi-billion dollar federally funded project ongoing to rebuild the interchange between GA 400 and I-285.
In Massachusetts i495 the outer beltway around Boston ends at spur i195, ( from Providence RI). For the last 5 miles it becomes MA 25 until it reaches the Bourne Bridge to Cape Cod.
Here’s a good one: U.S. 17. In Northeastern part of NC and VA are currently being transformed to I-87 but once your in a decent North Carolina it turns back to regular U.S. hwy 17. Part of U.S. 17 is freeway in mrytle beach, wiliamston, Wilmington, even more areas are freeway’s. But most of the 4 lane road is not freeway in has occasional stop lights through towns, there’s also a stretch in Williamston and Newburn it’s just a 2 lane roadway, there’s been a lot of population between the eastern part of North Carolina and there needs to be a better route for this. Part of the issue is I-95 is the main North and south interstate in the eastern part of the U.S but the road is mostly crowded.
What a great channel with interesting content. Regarding 295 in Maryland: part of it is actually federally maintained. When you head north and meet the Maryland line, it's maintained by the National Park Service until the interchange with MD 175. The state takes over at that point, and the parkway is signed as MD 295 until it turns into Russell Street in Baltimore after passing under I-95.
Actually the B-W Parkway begins at US-50 New York Avenue. The portion of road north from DC-295 at the DC/MD line is MD 201 and there is an exit to B-W Parkway from MD 201.
@@jbgroup1 Oh yes, you're right. I forgot about that. I think that's why people often refer to that portion past NY Ave. as Kenilworth Ave. like the rest of MD 201 until it changes names to Edmonstron Road somewhere around Greenbelt.
@@kennypalermo9071 I don't know of an I-570 anywhere in Maryland unless I'm not aware of an unsigned stretch somewhere. But I-70 runs from Baltimore to Utah, so perhaps there's an I-570 somewhere further west?
There’s some “could be interstates“ around the Puget Sound region in WA state. WA-512 from I-5 in Lakewood to WA-167 in Puyallup, then I-167 up to Renton where it ends at I-405. Could be I-305 In Tacoma, WA-16 from I-5 up to Bremerton where it meets WA-3 then continue on WA-3 up north to where the freeway ends at Poulsbo. Could be I-105. WA-520 in Seattle right at I-5 through the new floating toll bridge into Bellevue/ Kirkland, past I-405 & eastward to Redmond where the freeway ends. All this is interstate standards IMO, could be I-505. In Everett, US-2 beginning at I-5 past Snohomish, freeway end there but construct an extension out to Monroe & end at WA-522 interchange (should change WA-522 to US-2). Then that could be I-905. Now many of these areas would have to upgrade to interstate standards (build several overpasses, new lanes, better on/off ramps, etc). The cities, counties & state should all push for these upgrades as this region has rapidly grown throughout the years. Could help traffic in these areas IMO.
Really interesting video. You mention interstate standards numerous times and I didn't see a video in your playlists which explains these. Would you consider putting together a video detailing this? Thanks for your efforts!
Who the Hell cares lmfao people in different parts of the country say shit differently. It’s not a big deal. If that’s painful to you, you must have a very easy life hahaha
24:00 - Re - NY 787 - The road known as Cohoes Boulevard has been notorious for pedestrian incidents with the at-grade intersections. Considering the state has spent millions to raise the crosswalks, lower the speed limit to 40 and add small S curves to the roadway to try to get people to slow down rather than try to separate the grade crossings, there definitely is 0 plan to extend 787 up to the Mohawk River.
States can always make applications to have roads added to the system, and to grant waivers on improvements for older, existing highways. That's been done a few times with the early freeways and turnpikes in the East, and to ensure connectivity on questionable routes to eliminate gaps. The classic one is the I-70/76 and US 30 interchange on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Breezewood. Always fun to drive.
I'm seeing a lot of comments about NY 17 which is being upgraded to Interstate standards. When 17 is finally upgraded, it'll change to I-86. The highways he's referencing in the video are essentially keeping the same number for now.
Just for your reference: Illinois is NOT pronounced "illa-noise". It is "illa-noy". Now that this is cleared up, IL-255 exists to connect the StLouis Metro-East with long planned US-67 freeway north to Moline. If you look at US-67 you will see that IDOT has been slowly upgrading it to interstate standards in bits and pieces all the way to the Quad-Cities. As for IL-390, one must remember that this highway had no numerical designation for nearly 20 years. It will stay IL-390 for posterity because it was planned to connect with the South Elgin Expressway (US-20) and reconnect with I-90 west of Elgin. While IDOT owns all the ROW to make it interstate grade they don't have the funding to get it done between Hanover Park to East Elgin. ISTHA is currently looking to extend the west terminus of IL-390 from Lake Street to County Farm Road.
This dimrod narrator doesn't know that the last letter in Illinois is not pronounced... el-in-OY!! My state of birth, and also where I live...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I hate when people say Ell-In-NOISE, it's wrong, 100%
One example of an almost interstate that you missed here is actually New York State Route 135 (The Seaford - Oyster Bay Expressway) which currently runs from Seaford to Syosset. The Interstate 287 Beltway was supposed to continue on a bridge from I-95 (The New England Thruway) to Oyster Bay before curving to the south to meet NY Route 135's current terminus, and take over the route designation through to its current southern terminus at Merrick Road. A further extension south to the Wantagh State Parkway near Jones Beach has land cleared and graded for an expressway extension, but I am not aware of any plans at this time to actually build it.
It is, infact half of I-495 was signed as MA-25. In the 60s MA-25 ran from the interchange with MA-24 in Ranyham to US-6 in Buzzards Bay. A bypass of 7 miles was later constructed around the Buzzards Bay Cranberry Bogs in the 80s after I-495 was signed.
@@endangerednayla What I had heard was that for some reason that large curve around Buttermilk Bay did not meet interstate standards. I find that to be hogwash. BTW, what held up the construction of MA 25 in that stretch was the lawsuit that Hope Ingersoll, the owner of the farm that the highway goes through. The details of that lawsuit are in this Wikipedia article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Route_25 After the 11-mile link of I-495 was completed between I-95 and MA 24, I-495 signage replaced MA 25 signage up to the junction with I-195. That change went along quietly. Contrast that with I-95 overalpping MA 128. The people driving along 128 did not want the 128 signs to disappear as that stretch of highway is still referred to this day as Route 128 instead of I-95, even on traffic reports.
Seems Caltrans District 11 was eager to get SR-905 in SD upgraded to I-905 because, before the permanent freeway was even completed adjacent to the old expressway, there was a I-905 shield or two incorrectly placed on I-5 near the interchange with SR-905. Unfortunately, those perfectionists did eventually "fix" that issue.
They forgot a sign. There's still a "I-905 ➡" sign with a shield on Del Sol Blvd just west of Picador in south SD. It's visible on Google Earth/Maps Street View.
US 31 from Indianapolis to South Bend is also an almost interstate that connects I-465 to I-90. I have no idea if it'll ever be an interstate, but it sure as heck looks like one.
I’ve only been on a small portion of US 31 on a handful of occasions whenever I’ve gone to Carmel on the 146th St. exit (never been north of there) but I’ll say, it definitely has that interstate vibe to me. SR 37 is starting to become like that now from I-69 around Fishers to Noblesville in some areas. There’s been construction for a couple years on the 146th St. interchange there as well, I still remember when that used to be a normal light.
They are definitely upgrading parts of this road to at least expressway standards. There’s two sections of this route that are at Indiana interstate speed limits also which is notable. The portion around Kokomo and the portion from US30 north into south bend is 65MPH rather than the standard 60. Also I’ve noticed construction south of Kokomo to make some sort of bridge or exit of some kind over an exposed railroad track that goes a-crossed US31. One more note is there’s one more exposed set of rail road tracks north near Plymouth Indiana. This road is littered with exits, and random crossing points for traffic onto side roads through out the entirety besides for these two seconds I mentioned above, and the part around Carmel. Interesting road indeed, and as a truck driver I really wish it WAS an interstate.
One more that could be added for New York is NY-17, which is in the process of being converted to I-86. Some parts of it however most likely won't be converted for quite a while.
Not sure if these were mentioned in the comments - NY has a few others, like NY 878 from the Atlantic Beach Bridge to the Rockaway Turnpike near JFK Airport. It is a small portion of the ill-fated Nassau Expressway, only a couple of parts of which were built. I grew up a few miles away and lived through the long, storied history and partial construction of those segments. In fact, the entire story of what was to be I-78 around NYC and all the 3-digit signed interstates which exist today with X78 as their designation (278, 478, 678), intended to connect to a parent 78 and which do not, could fill a book. I moved to Florida in 2011 where we have a bunch. Near me is the Sawgrass Expressway, signed as state 869. It has been upgraded to interstate standards and is a toll road. It was originally intended to connect 75 and 95, despite the X69 numbering.
ARDOT is preparing to commit funds to extend I-49 south from I-40 at Alma across the Arkansas River to connect to AR 549 at Barling; once that happens, I expect AR 549 will officially become I-49. (Other past AR 549s in Bella Vista & the Texarkana area were later renumbered I-49. I-49 still must be completed from south of Fort Smith to north of Texarkana; much like I-69, that may not happen in my lifetime.) There are a few other "almost interstates" in AR (and in part TX) that this video missed: * His depiction of AR 530 omits the other part of AR 530, also a two-lane part of the future extension of I-530 to I-69, from AR 35 northwest of Monticello to US 278 west of Monticello. (It was built before the section south of Pine Bluff that he mentioned.) * The first two lanes of Future I-69 are now open as US 278 Bypass around the southeast side of Monticello, similar to AR 530. * AR 440 is a northern extension of I-440 beyond I-40 to end on the US 67/167 freeway between Sherwood & Jacksonville, northeast of Little Rock. I-440 signage was not pursued then because US 67 was not an interstate, but since then... * Congress has designated US 67 from I-40 in North Little Rock to Walnut Ridge as Future I-57. It's unclear if it will become I-57 once the sub-interstate grade stretch thru Jacksonville is widened & upgraded (construction set to begin any day now -- the rest of the route is interstate grade except possibly one short bridge), or will wait for the completion of I-57 from Walnut Ridge north along US 67 to Poplar Bluff, MO, then east along US 60 to the I-55/57 interchange at Sikeston. Once US 67 becomes I-57, I expect AR 440 will finally become part of I-440. * And finally, there is the short southern segment of the Texarkana Loop; the Texas stretch is signed as Loop 151 (the original number of the entire Loop in Texas), while the Arkansas stretch was likewise originally AR 245. When what is now I-49 (then AR 549) was built south of Texarkana, it was unknown which side of the Loop would eventually carry I-49; so its interchange with then-AR 245 was built so the Loop was the main route while AR 549/I-49 traffic could go either way. Eventually, FHWA chose the AR side of the Loop except for a rerouting thru a full freeway-to-freeway interchange with I-30 to end at US 71/59 north of Texarkana. Upon its completion, the rerouted part along with AR 245 from there to AR 549 became part of AR 549 (which in turn became I-49 a few weeks later); the last mile of AR 245 from I-49 to the state line became AR 151 to match TX Loop 151. (The bypassed, non-freeway section of AR 245 was given to the city, now called Four States Fair Blvd.) Most of the Texas Loop became first US 59 in the 1990's, then I-369 shortly after I-49 arrived. As TX plans to extend I-369 south along US 59 to meet I-69, that leaves the remaining TX Loop 151 / AR 151 as an "almost interstate"; it's been suggested as I-149 but that's not likely to happen.
Love your vids!! Florida is full of Limited Access highways, and, because of tolls to fund and maintain, won’t become Interstates. Here’s a LIST:::> *Jacksonville: 9B and 23 *Orlando: 429, 528, 417 *Tampa: Selmon Expressway, Sun Coast Parkway (589) *Miami: Palmetto (826), Dolphin (836), Gratney (924), Don Shula (874), Snapper Creek Xway (878), Airport Xway (112) So, yeah, Plenty!!
Same thing with Oklahoma. They have a half dozen Turnpikes that function as interstates but are not named so. Only recently has Oklahoma enumerated these Turnpikes. Creek: 364, Muskogee: 351, Indian Nation: 375. The Kilpatrick and Kickapoo Turnpike don't currently have numbers.
Also most of the toll roads here in Florida are run by agencies like Central Florida Expressway Authority for the toll roads in Orlando Metropolitan Area. Those toll roads (FL 528, FL 408, FL 417, FL 414, FL 429) were never going to be part of the interstate highway system from the get go.
Here in Central New York Interstates 481 and 690 are Interstates for part of their route and State Highways for the rest... (interstate 481 from Nedrow NY to North Syracuse NY and State Route 481 from North Syracuse NY to Oswego NY... Interstate 690 from East Syracuse NY to Warner NY and State Route 690 from Warner's NY to just North of Baldwinsville NY)..
Ohio does not have odd number auxiliary routes. I kind of wished Dayton, Ohio had U.S. 35 converted to Interstate 575. But west of the city it's a highway with stop lights and partial freeway. They added additional lanes from Interstate 75 to Interstate 675. East of Beavercreek, they decided on R-cuts which which are temporary.
A great video for us highway nerds. I think there are other almost-interstates around the country that are not numbered as such, but should be considered almost-interstates. One example I have driven on is LA- 3132 in Shreveport, LA, and called the Terry Bradshaw Freeway, which is like an extension of I-220. I used to do a lot of New Orleans to Dallas trips, and this was the road to take to go from I-49 to I-20 in the southwest of the city. It seems that it will be upgraded eventually once I-49 & I-69 are complete. Another example is Business US 90 in New Orleans which goes from I-10 to across the river (The Crescent City Connection) and then along the main route between West Bank communities, and known as the West Bank Expressway. It connects to US 90 proper, and for the portion of it that is an interstate-grade viaduct, it is silently signed as I-910. And eventually, US 90 up to Business US 90 is to be part of I-49 - which will then continue along the West Bank Expressway to hook up with I-10 - which will curiously be signed as I-49 South from Morgan City, LA to New Orleans even as it goes in a northeast direction. And similar to the case of Brooklyn interstate that was turned into a boulevard, there is a section of I-10 just east of downtown New Orleans - that currently is a very ugly viaduct in the median (or "neutral ground" as it called in New Orleans) of Claiborne Ave that had obliterated the black neighborhood anchored by it - that will be razed, upgrading the current Claiborne Ave from being a shadow-cursed service road back to a nice wide boulevard (although the beautiful century-old oak trees that had been there will not come back), and with an extension of that boulevard to close to where I-10 connects to the I-610 eastern terminus. Speaking of I-610, that is to be come the I-10, with I-49 being the other part of the current I-10 from current Business US 90 (discussed earlier) up to the current I-610 western terminus, becoming just simply I-10 west of that.
In the near future, I-81 will shift over I-481. From what I understand, The current I-81 in Syracuse will become Business 81. Apparently the elevated parts are to be torn down and become a surface road. Phoenix Arizona is a curious one, loop 101, 202 and 303. I'm surprised that they haven't received X10 route number
I've been driving VA 895 since I was a kid.. I remember it being built. It's super convenient for me and I drive it regularly. I have an EZ Pass, but I've noticed lately that at night cars back up at the toll plaza. No idea why. It's a fun road to drive on though.
WI-441 should be upgrade to I-441 in Appleton Wisconsin. I-14 should extend from western Texas to Las Cruces New Mexico, since it will take 4 hours to get to the nearest interstate highway in southeastern New Mexico, and New Mexico is fairly the fastest growing state.
WI- Route 794 is basically an extension of Interstate 794 going through Milwaukee’s bay view neighborhood and southeastern suburbs before ending near the airport. It’s not up to freeway standards and is more built like a parkway with ramps. There is a random stop light located midway through the route so that drivers going southbound can have access to a major street without a full on ramp. It will never be interstate standard for that reason. Plus rumor have it that interstate 794 will be replaced with a parkway in full in the near future.
You forgot Indiana 912, the infamous Cline Avenue! I always wondered why it wasn't designated as "I-690," since it starts and stops being a 4-lane freeway at the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) from Whiting to Gary, but continues south as a 4-lane roadway. Then the viaduct collapse happened and the rebuilt section is now just a two-lane toll road, so I don't wonder about it anymore. 🐰
Highway 50 in California is essentially a freeway until you hit Placerville and brilliantly they installed traffic lights. And the city refused to allow for a bypass of town center since it would "affect local business"
quick note on NY 787/I 787 in upstate NY. I 787 actually crosses the bridge over the Hudson; the signs stop where the bridge meets the surface streets, while NY 7 continues. there has never been a plan for NY 787 to ever be brought up to Interstate status that i'm aware of.
In Mississippi there's a MS 601 proposed freeway that was meant to continue a proposed Interstate 310 from the port of Gulfport to I-10. the MS 601 proposal was to continue a freeway north and connect to US 49, possibly near Wiggins to the north as a bypass of the heavy traffic of US 49 in Gulfport. The other benefit being that a controlled access bypass of US 49 would let them enact a contraflow plan in case of a hurricane evacuation. So far nothing has happened other than MS buying the land for Interstate 310 (but not using it at all), but the Interstate 14 plan has renewed interest because it includes designating US 49 from Gulfport to Hattiesburg a High Priority corridor.
There are 2 in Wisconsin that come to mind. Wis 794 in Mikwaukee is the Lake Pkwy and is an extension of I-794. There is a proposal from an environmental group to have I-794 downgraded to a boulevard. There other is Wis 441 in Appleton. This dates back to when I-41 was just US 41. There are plans to upgrade the freeway to Interstate Standard. This could become I-441.
Likely not I-441, just because the first digit is only supposed to be even if it's a beltway/bypass/loop, spur routes get odd numbered first digit, so it could be something like 341 or 541
@@kennypalermo9071 Currently, there are 3 Aux Interstates in Wisconsin. 535 in Superior. 794 & 894 in Milwaukee. Wis 30 in Madison is not an Interstate Standard freeway. Otherwise I could see that as I-390. Wis 172 in Green Bay between I-41 and I-43 could potentially become an Aux Interstate. I've seen some people wanting to call it I-243 or I-443. I would go with 443 because Hwy 243 already, although small and on the other side of the state, exists. Wisconsin does not duplicate numbers. There are no Wis Hwy 43, 90 & 94. Hwy 39 and US 41 are grandfathered in.
99 is ranked the most deadly highway in America. It averages almost 3 deaths per mile. Was built in 1920s with sharp curves little merge space no guardrails no lighting and potholes that will break an axle. Then factor in its mostly a two lane with a million vehicles using it.
Regarding my former home state of Maryland: 1. When I lived there (in the DC area, not Baltimore area), most of the Baltimore Beltway was I-695, but the southeastern portion around the Key Bridge, which was the last segment opened, was MD-695. Is it now, finally, I-695, or is this a candidate for a Part 2 video? 2. Regarding MD-295, I always figured that the Baltimore-Washington Parkway didn't get an Interstate highway designation because commercial vehicles were banned on part of it. This was only my thought; I don't know if such a rule exists. Are there any Interstate highway segments that ban commercial vehicles? I also don't know if the B-W Parkway still bans commercial vehicles on any part of it. The highways mentioned in this video that I have been on are DC/MD 295, PA 283, and NJ/NY 495. Maybe the one near Albany, too.
I was told that Missouri sometimes signs state routes with the same numbering of Interstate routes... not just to indicate they're extensions, but that they're state-level spurs of interstates... yes, spur-routes of spur-routes, basically... it *kinda* makes sense, since you can tell drivers "ehh, just stay on Highway 370." "doesn't the shield change?" "yeah, the white shield section is state-funded and the blue shield section is an interstate that gets federal funding. same roadway since they directly lead into each other"... "okay..."
Oh man Texas is FULL of them tbh. 290 between Houston and Austin has 2 segments you go into a town for a traffic light or three otherwise it’s practically an interstate. 288 and 71 as well. Texas state highways are probably my favorite I think? Cali’s are also good.
NJ 495 connects from NJ Turnpike and goes through the Lincoln Tunnel. At the NY end it is unsigned NY 495. It was intended to extend cross Manhattan to I-495. BTW many years ago, the part of I-495 that are in Nassau and Suffolk counties were signed as NY 495. My suggestions for almost interstates are FL 836 (Should be I-395) and FL 112 (which is an outlier for a state road that should be reserved for North Florida area and should be I-195)
Another example in Illinois is Illinois rt 6 in Peoria, which extends I-474 to the north of Peoria, but the northern bypass never was continued on the East side of the river to connect to I-74 near Morton. It also was planned to connect to I-180 farther north along the Illinois 29 corridor, which would take it to I-80, so it could have been designated I-474 or I-180, depending on which plan would get finished. It's may happen eventually, but no time soon.
You missed NY-17/US-6 also signed as “Future I-86” in Orange County NY between I-84 and I-87. Google Maps and Apple Maps are pushing the envelope and showing it as I-86.
You missed VA-195 in downtown Richmond VA. However Virginia is really good at building or upgrading state routes to Interstate Standards. You could do a whole video on Virginia routes that were built or upgraded to Interstate Standards. Here's my list VA-288, VA-150, VA-76, VA-28 between US-29 & VA-7, VA-267, VA-7 between VA-28 and Leesburg, VA-267.
In the San Francisco East Bay from Oakland to Walnut Creek there is a freeway which is numbered I-980 for its initial two miles in Oakland and then CA 24 for the rest of the route. CA 24 is plenty Interstate standard so I don't know why they don't call the whole thing I-980. The change in designation can be confusing even for long time residents.
CA-905 already has its blue shield, kind of. Someone at Caltrans must have jumped the gun and put up an Interstate 905 guide sign years ago off one of its side streets.
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Thanks for watching. Let me know if you guys have spotted any other "Almost Interstates" for a potential Part 2.
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GA-400 is a good one. Was partially tolled in the past now its just a freeway starting at I-85 heading north into the ATL suburbs.
Wisconsin-794 (mixed expressway/freeway/parkway short extension of I-794), 441 (Will be upgraded to full interstate standards soon, spur of I-41)
Minnesota-610 (spur of US-10 technically but runs between I-94 and US-10 and is up to interstate standards except for probably it's merge into I-94 until it gets it's western extension)
The Taconic State Parkway (NY-987G) is a 104 mile decided highway from Westchester County to an interchange with I-90 in the town of Chatham, NY
MO-370 in the St. Louis area. Seems like it's up to interstate standards but doesn't have the blue shield.
@@aaronolp2118 I was going to say the same thing! MO-364 is another one in the area that seems worthy of the blue shield.
I live in Holly Springs, NC and can confirm that the construction of the southern portion of NC 540 is continuing. It’s a fact I have to live with every day since they have gotten to the point of building overpasses and improving the infrastructure near the exits. Much of this work will continue past the 1st of the year which can’t come soon enough.
IIL 390 in Illinois does not have to connect to its parent route. It is connected to I-290. There are other examples of this in the New York and San Francisco areas.
When it was first built, IL-390's name was like an old Saturday Night Live sketch - The Elgin-O'Hare Expressway neither goes to Elgin nor O'Hare. Discuss. In its current state, 390 is closer to the airport than ever, it still falls several miles short of reaching Elgin.
It technically will be connected to 90 once 490 is built
This project, “Western Access to O’Hare Airport” was first proposed/started in 1970s (I-355 Tollway land acquisition started then).
Since I live south of this area, I have watched the past 27 years of activity - which included O’Hare Modernization (decade long runway re-alignment). The I-480 Western Bypass has started with land acquisition (and I-294 Tollway widening project, ongoing).
In my wild dreams, I can envision IL 394 eventually being extended into Indiana and becoming a southward extension of I-41.
You don't pronounce the last letter in Illinois... el-in-OY!! My state of birth, and also where I live...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I hate when people say Ell-In-NOISE, it's wrong, 100%
Worth noting that Maryland does sign its section of 295 at the northern end of the route. You are correct that the route is unsigned for most of its length in Maryland, as much of it is the federally maintained Baltimore-Washington Parkway. However, the B-W Parkway designation ends in northern Anne Arundel county, just south of Arundel Mills, and continues until it becomes a local Baltimore street, where the state designation ends. You can tell where it changes from federal to state because the signs change from brown to green.
Hey Mike! Additional observations:
*Missouri: 370 St Peters
*Texas: 130 around Austin; Famous for its 85 mph speed limit!
*MD: 100 (most of it)
Also, Baltimore Washington Pkwy has never allowed any type of trucks, even pick-ups with work bodies, and many bridges are low clearance.
Thx!!
MoDot has decided not to request designations for either MO 370, which connects I-70 and 270, and it's newer sister, MO 364, which connects 270 with I-64 in western St. Charles County. Supposedly, IL 255 was planned to become a full freeway, following it's current terminus at US 67 in Godfrey north to I-72 at Jacksonville. Much of 67 is an expressway, but there's been no action on upgrading the road north in years.
Balt-Wash Pkwy- I drive Motorcoach and use the parkway all the time going to DC , they are allowed on it but like you said NO tractor-trailers. There are no low clearance issues as my height is just under 12'
The Baltimore Washington Parkway is a unit of the National Park Service, so that's an added complication along that route. DC 295 (the portion of that route that is within the District's boundary) is a mess -- narrow lanes, poorly designed and constructed ramps, poor roadbed and maintenance.
Also MO-364
130 around Austin is nearly 200 miles south of its would-be parent route.
20:20 NY route 17 is another. Back in 1996 it was mostly freeway but had lights in Corning, and at that time a bypass was under construction. NY DOT eventually converted big chunks of 17 into I-86, but Wikipedia still shows almost half its length are still not done yet.
Yeah, a lot of it from Binghamton to Harriman is close, but not signed yet. Should be done by the end of the decade.
There’s signs on NY-17 that say “Future I-86”.
NY 17 is one of those highways I'd like to see you drive, Mike. I've always wondered about that drive...
@@8bpianoplayer It's beautiful! But i did crash my car on it a few weeks ago on it because of black ice, hopefully it becoming an interstate will get it some lights.
@@thomasmarley3646 The stretch near the Elmira Airport gets really bad, I remember passing about 4-5 cars in the ditch just in that area one time.
In the 1960s and 1970s, MD 295 was once "temporary" I-95, as there was a lot of wrangling on how I-95 would go through the state. After today's I-95 connected Washington to Baltimore, the government tried to make MD 295 (the Baltimore-Washington Parkway) "truck free" for commuters (although buses were allowed. The ramps were all rather tight, and the deceleration/ acceleration were inadequate.
I live near Illinois State Route 255 and actually clicked on this video just to see if you included it and you did, which is great.
I think it’s strange that the state of Illinois wouldn’t want State Route 255 to become an extension of Interstate 255 so that the state could receive federal interstate funding for it.
I don’t understand why the state would want to pass up on federal funding like that. If I ran the state of Illinois, I would want as many of the state routes to be U.S. routes or interstates as possible in order to receive federal funding for them.
There is also more prestige in being an interstate or U.S. route than in being a state route.
Illinois State Route 255 is fully up to interstate standards.
Also, as a friendly FYI, Illinois is pronounced as “Illinoy.” It rhymes with boy. It’s pronounced this way because it’s a French corruption of the Illini Native American word, Illiniwek.
As far as I know there isn't any Federal funding for additions to the interstate system. I looked into it a while ago.
Glad you mentioned Clark County 215. I live in Las Vegas and for the most part, the Beltway as we call it, has been upgraded to divided interstate standards. At the end of 2022, the complete interchange in the NE part of town will finally fully connect I-15 and the 215 up by the Speedway/Nellis AFB. The issue is the ongoing construction of the 215 interchange with highway 95 which is not going to be completed until 2024 which will FINALLY eliminate the last remaining stop light on the Beltway. Glad that I never have to go out to that side of town. The whole thing is an ongoing gravy train for Las Vegas Paving and they're no bid contracts. Once the last interchange is complete, they contemplate adding more lanes on the northern part of the beltway widening it to three lanes each direction.
I remember there was SOME talk about looping I-11 on that beltway to circumvent LV to the US95 interchange ... and then I-11 can continue northbound for Reno ... but now the plan is for I-11 to continue on US95 (including the portion that is now I-515) once that freeway is upgraded. which makes sense .... as Phoenix is listed as the control city for I-515/US93/US95 South.
Bit of background on IL-390 (as I've lived within a few miles of it most of my life): Was originally a freeway with two lanes of traffic in each direction called the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway, though the section that was built only connected Hanover Park to Itasca (the rest of the route was not only planned, but surveyed, my uncle worked for IDOT at the time and was part of that surveying team) as funding for construction and the purchase of land was never finalized. Around 2010, the expressway was handed over to the Illinois Tollway Department, who did admittedly make major renovations (additional lanes, interchange improvements, lighting improvements, ect.), as the first part of the massive I-490 project. It's been opening eastward exit by exit, there was a whole event when the exits to IL-83 opened.
There's two major flaws with IL-390: It's the most expensive per-mile tollway in the country; and east of the old Elgin-O'Hare terminus at IL-53, the tollway has brute force replaced an existing relatively high speed (45mph) road in Thorndale Ave, pushing people either north to Devon, south to Irving Park Road (said route taking one past at least one, and potentially two) railroad crossings on a line frequented by both commuter and freight trains, and the impact in the form of extra traffic with no funding for that added wear and tear has seen a substantial increase.
And, This dimrod narrator doesn't know that the last letter in Illinois is not pronounced... el-in-OY!! My state of birth, and also where I live...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I hate when people say Ell-In-NOISE, it's wrong, 100%
Hey Mike, fabulous video! If you wanna do more research on this, here are some that you missed:
- MO 364 in the St. Louis area
- MO 370 in the St. Louis area
- WI 441 in Appleton WI
- WI 794 in Milwaukee
- CA 110 past i10 in LA
I was also thinking about MO 364 & 370.
And VT 289! That’s an interesting one…
The interesting thing about 441 in Appleton, is that 441 predates I-41. Because I-41 simply mirrors the route of US 41. So it was originally a US 41 auxiliary route lol. With all the recent reconstruction done (and a bit more to come), I do wonder if it will ever become I-441
Good suggestions
Yeah, watched this to see if MO 370 was on the list. Used to drive it to work, looks like a duck, quacks like duck.
Another one for Virginia: VA 164 between Chesapeake and downtown Portsmouth has been a full freeway for its entire existence, but it hasn't gotten its blue shield yet.
A very recent one to add for North Carolina: the southernmost part of NC 147 has been renumbered as NC 885 to coincide with the addition of I-885 in Durham. My guess is that if NCDOT applies to get 540 converted to an Interstate upon its completion, the currently tolled portion of 885 will be included.
Also VA 195 in downtown Richmond
I’ll add my vote to the many previous comments about NY 17, aka the Quickway. In some places it’s officially marked as I86, in others as “future I86,” and in yet others there appear to be I86 signs shrouded in black plastic- some have been like that for years.
He's referring to highways that would keep the same number if changed to/from interstate status.
Seems to take forever to get from I-84 to Binghamton and I-81, lots of curves, speed limit constantly toggling between 55 & 65, but that all makes it a fun experience, particularly at night, and I'm normally the only vehicle in sight - and it's free.
For PA you forgot about a couple more almost-interstates: US-15 as the Future I-99 corridor, PA-28 the Allegheny Valley Expressway-Almost-Freeway, how it dips beneath traffic lights it used to run through and its strange and unpleasant partial interchange with I-276 & I-576, and PA-576 the partially completed Pittsburgh Southern Beltway
You also got 690 in Syracuse, 378 in Allentown, 289 in Burlington, VT and 576 in Pittsburgh.
You could also do an almost US highways as well. You got rt. 3 in Massachusetts, 15 in New York, 33 in Virginia and 91 and 99 in California. I'm sure there are dozens of other examples.
378 was an interstate until they rerouted I-78 to the south of Allentown/Bethlehem. Then it was decommissioned and became PA Rt 378.
Some of those are FORMER US highways.
As it is now, states are doing more to delete US routes than to establish new ones. Typically they would have to be rather long intrastate routes, like M-28 in Michigan or long multi-state routes like 92 and 200 in the High Plains. Arkansas seems to be the only state adding or extending lots of US routes.
Virginia is more likely to decommission US 60 east of Richmond than to raise VA-33 east of Richmond. When Arizona completes I-11 from the Colorado River to Phoenix, then say bye-bye to US 93 from just north of Las Vegas.
Technically, US routes are also the state-route designation in California (thus US 50 is also CA-50 in California) and Pennsylvania (thus US 30 in Pennsylvania is also PA-30). This also holds in Indiana for two-digit routes (US 31 is effectively IN-31). It's not so in Illinois or Texas. Go figure.
Yes definitely 576. And almost us highways is definitely something he should consider!
Route 3 running between Quincy and the Sagamore Bridge to Cape Cod should be renamed I-393, although maybe it's not quite interstate standard.
164 in virginia, 370, 364, and 249 in missouri, 549 in arkansas (will become a part of interstate 49,) 295 in NC, etc
Thanks for the explanation on 470 in Colorado. First time I needed to take it 4 years ago, I was looking for the blue shield.
As someone from Richmond I can confirm almost nobody uses 895
Also there’s another almost interstate on the outer part of Staunton called 262
I also heard that 495 was supposed to be a raised expressway over a few of the streets. The tunnel would have been a very interesting way between NJ and LI.
Pennsylvania also has PA 378 which used to be I-378 right by the Lehigh Valley Airport... it was downgraded when was I-78 became US 22.
There's also PA 309 and 611 which both used to be US Routes... 611 used to also go over the Columbia-Portland Bridge into NJ. In fact there was until recently a sign pointing US 611 over the bridge on the NJ side. 611 is now completely in PA, going through Portland itself.
If you really want to do a weird / non existent interstate try interstate / NY 878 (by JFK airport). Among other oddities only one mile is actual (unsigned) interstate 878; only the eastbound lanes were built. Most of the rest is signed state 878 and the Nassau Expressway but is a highway with traffic lights. The section by Rockaway Blvd. (Queens) was simply never built and you get lost, because the road goes where people don't (the Atlantic Beach Bridge to ?? - with sections missing).
NY-878 was used to be upgraded as Interstate 878!
@@kennypalermo9071
Dear Kenny:
Sorry, no. 878 used to be a connector to part of Interstate 78. Interstate 78 was never built, so they changed the North Queens part (Clearview Expy) to interstate 295. The southern part was delisted/canceled. The Nassau Expy was then built piecemeal, with one part being every built every decade or so. They recently rebuilt the part between Rockaway Turnpike and Burnside Ave' which was a flood and pothole disaster. Who noses (!) what they will do next?
I was actually about to type this, assuming 878 was overlooked, or just unknown.
Oopsy...I just posted about 878 and 78. I didn't see these comments. I grew up a few miles away and used to play in the puddles along the right-of-way before it was finally built. The story of the ill-fated Nassau Expressway was a big part of my youth.
@@r.g.8977 I-78 was originally supposed to be extended across Manhattan (much like I-495) and the Williamsburg Bridge onto a series of circuitous routes in Brooklyn, Queens & the Bronx, including the I-878 connection. Though the Manhattan section was canceled and the other routes renumbered, unlike with I-495 New Jersey did not request the elimination of I-78 going to the Holland Tunnel -- even though it uses surface streets with traffic lights in Jersey City (12th Street EB, 14th Street WB) to reach the tunnel. Thus, the official end of I-78 is at the Manhattan entrance & exit ramps to the Holland Tunnel, the latter a near-circular roadway (called the Holland Tunnel Rotary though it's not quite a full circle) dispersing tunnel traffic over five separate exits. Still, the stub end of I-78 is one of only two 2di's in Manhattan today; I-95 (Trans-Manhattan Expressway) is the only one built as planned.
The interesting thing about PA581 was that I remember the interchange at I-81 existing back to the 1980's, but you could see the roadway ended at the end of the bridge. We always used to call it "the bridge that goes nowhere."
I think you missed I-110 in Los Angeles. From US 101 to Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. I know the very northern end is NOT Interstate standards.
Yeah I noticed that one once I was editing already. I spotted 364 and 370 in St. Louis later as well. Might have to do a part 2 later.
That part is literally one of the first freeways in the world. Since Pasadena hates freeways and there's no room to improve it I think the status quo will never change
@@horizonoftheeast it's also designated with several designations designed to preserve its historic nature.
It wasn't an interstate when the system was created. They have made no effort to make it an interstate in the intervening decades. It will never be an interstate.
@@MileageMikeTravelsI would love to see a part 2. NY-690 is another one that I think you should talk about. As well as AZ-51 (formerly AZ-510) and AZ-210, WI-794, AL-759, NC-885, VT-289, PA-576, NC-140, MO-249, AR-440, VA-195, VA-164, VA-381, OK-344, and maybe RI-37 which was planned to be I-895. And maybe NY-281 if it counts
I've been on NY 390 and 590 in Rochester a handful of times, however the "almost interstate" I've traveled the most is Indiana 265. Strangely, despite being interstate standards, between the I-65 cloverleaf, and the I-71 cloverleaf, both states sign it as 'Indiana 265' and 'KY 841' respectively.
I drive 390 and 590 daily and constantly wonder why they’re not signed as interstates.
I travel IN-265 and KY-841 each day and wonder as well. That was the last part of 265 to be built, and strangely KY co-signs it as 841 the entire way, and I think the signing comes down to how it was paid for. But everyone refers to the entire thing as I-265.
@@ryan225360 590 I know was a lot of push back from local residents. It was close hence the ghost ramps on 104, but too much push back. That's also why they shortened down the roundabout.
There actually is a plan to convert SR15 to I15 after it's interchange with SR 94 is redone. That interchange is slated to be rebuilt once the HOV/Transit lanes are built in the median of SR94.
I had heard that there was a project on deck for converting CA15 to I-15.
Wisconsin has two curious almost-Interstates: US 53 from Eau Claire to Superior, and WI 29 from Green Bay to Chippewa Falls. Neither is even limited-access from end to end, but both have many full-scale interchanges, and Wis/DOT clearly wants to eventually make them freeways. Wis/DOT has already converted US 51 into I-39, and US 41 into I-41.
Once up to Interstate standards, I've often thought that WI-29 would be a great I-96, even if it can't connect with the Michigan segment.
I agree that 895/Pocahontas Pkwy is way under used and far too expensive but it does serve a purpose. The industrial south side of Richmond needed a way to connect to the airport, and to I-64 east as well as I-295, without having to go thru downtown and get caught up in all the traffic that already exists when you cross the James. I drive that bridge everyday for work. I make a drop at the airport and then I cross the toll bridge to make another drop off of 95. It's really just a way for freight to be moved without going downtown.
14:23 Also NC-140 in Wilmington too, it once was I-140 but was given NC-140 for some reason
I'm surprised you didn't talk about I-265 in the Louisville area. Originally, I-265 was a two-segment beltway around the Louisville metro area, going from I-65 in southern Louisville, to I-71 in eastern Louisville as a north/south freeway. There was another part of I-265 across the river in Indiana, going from I-65 in Jeffersonville, to I-64 in New Albany as an east/west freeway. I-265 is concurrent with KY-841 in Louisville, and KY-841 was extended from the terminus of I-265 at I-71, to go from there to US-42 in the Prospect area of eastern Louisville. The freeway was also extended on the Indiana side from the terminus of I-265 at I-65, to the Utica area as SR-265. In 2016, the Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge was built to connect the two segments of I-265 finally between Utica and Prospect, but to this day, the two extensions on either side of the river plus the bridge itself is not signed as I-265, despite being built to interstate standards. The freeway runs signed as only KY-841 from I-71 to state line on the L&C Bridge, and then only as SR-265 from the state line on the bridge to I-65. What makes it even WEIRDER, is mile markers on the Indiana sign actually ARE signed as I-265. Google Maps has already jumped the gun and labeled the entire beltway as I-265. When I spoke with a social media rep for KYTC D5 on the matter, they said it wasn't signed yet just because it hadn't gotten around to it. I'm not sure if this is an issue with the federal system not getting around to approving the new signage, or if it's the states of Kentucky and Indiana not getting around the submitting that application.
That being said, the whole beltway is usually just called "265" despite it technically not being in all areas.
The entire saga of the "east end bridge" is a story of its own!
Ah, the infamous Gene Synder "Syndway"...roflmbo
I loved this video! I have a few things to add for your second vid as a fellow roadgeek:
- NY-690 west of I-690 to Baldwinsville
- I-481 in NY is going to become I-81 so it’ll be weird seeing NY-481 continue on as a spur.
- NY-878 (which has part of I-878, the shortest interstate highway in the nation that no one knows about!)
- PA-283 technically is actually PA-300 according to PennDOT
- There is a PA-290 in Erie
- PA-378 in Bethlehem!
- PA-576 in Pittsburgh metro!
Ah yeah, I forgot about NY690...
I wonder if NY481 will be renumbered once I-481 goes away.
WI highway 441 creates a beltway around Appleton, and a recent project upgraded it entirely to interstate standards. I’ve often wondered if WIDOT has plans to get that updated to I 441.
Wisconsin had 36 years to get that done. Their failure is not anyone else’s failure. The Interstate Freeway act ended with the completion of I-70 through the Rockies. It was supposed to take 10 years. It took 36. But it’s done. Sorry Wisconsin forgot to add a few more roads, but 😢 boo hoo, what part about 90% paid for by the Feds didn’t they not understand in 1956? I mean, I wasn’t even born in 1956, but I understand when the Feds offer to pay for 90% you DONT FUCK THAT UP!
Focus on that Asian chip making company building a plant there in Wisconsin. It will be your cash cow because you have access to big giant lakes and Arizona doesn’t. It takes water Arizona does not have to build those stupid chip making plants under construction in Arizona. Talk about the stupidest political financial disaster ever conceived… it takes more water than the Island of Taiwan is capable to produce which …where in the heck is Arizona gonna find it? It’s a no brainer… Wisconsin has been selected to be the new Asia within America. Get used to working all day under microscopes because the Dairy Cow is no longer your cash cow. Get used to a lot of Asian immigration as well.
I thought that would happen in 2018 when the construction was done. It should be I-441 we don't have many 3 di interstates.
I've wondered that too. At first, I thought they would've made it I-441 when they added I-41 to the system, but then that didn't happen. Then I thought they might make it I-441 after the reconstruction of the southern part, but then that didn't happen either. Now that they're reconstructing I-41 between Green Bay and Appleton (including the northern 41/441 interchange), I wonder if they'll apply for I-441 after that? But I'm not holding my breath lol
@@jaykebird2go I wish they would we only have three 3 di and 2 of them are very short. If 441 would become an interstate at 11 miles it would be our longest 3 di interstate.
I'm thinking that the Outagamie County section is still substandard, likely due to shoulder widths.
CA-58 is another that is pretty close to Interstate standards as well. Caltrans is close to finishing the freeway through Bkersfield, and I believe they plan to extend to I-5, where it would likely end there for now. Minus some at-grade interchanges between Bakersfield and Barstow, the highway is close to being freeway standard and would like be an extension of I-40 if ever designated
I live in Las Vegas and there are 2 major reasons that CC-215 is not Interstate standard (but the county and state are now fixing it). The northern part of the loop had traffic lights and it ended at the I-15 ramps and a local street with a 4 way stop.
The new interchange with 215 and I-15 is almost complete and will be done in 2023.
The intersection with US-95 and 215 (called the Centennial Bowl) is under construction since 2012 with an estimated completion possibly by 2024. It's an entirely new interchange with at least 20 new bridges/overpasses connecting US-95 (Future I-11), CC-215 (Future I-215), and several local roads. This includes 3 decks of interchange with a 1/2 mile flyover, adding lanes to both freeways, plus HOV-only lanes and exits.
You might have to do a drive of the newest built-from-scratch Interstate highway (I-11) and I-215 once it's handed over to the state.
I haven't been to the 15/215 interchange up north since the summer, but it seems like it's almost done like you said. I drove on the 215 the other day; they removed the at-grade intersection at Sky Pointe Dr, so now traffic flows freely instead of having to stop at a light. I hope they finish the Centennial Bowl before 2024, I'm tired of the poor connectivity, lol.
@M D I've been reading that the freeway part and ramps should be done by 2024 but the final things like Skye Pointe, Centennial Blvd, Oso Blanca, and the local streets might be 2025 or 2026.
MD 295 is signed as such from MD 175 north to I-85 in Baltimore; south of that it's the unnumbered Baltimore-Washington Parkway maintained by the National Park Service.
California route 210 is as of 2007 built to interstate standards from Ca 57 to Ca 259. The remainder from 259 to I-10 in Redlands is undergoing continuous construction to meet interstate standards and once completed, CalTrans expects to have the FHA approval to rename the highway as an interstate and have it added to the US interstate system
Great video! In NY, the biggest highway that isn't an interstate is NY17/I86. That's worth a separate video all by itself.
I'm hearing a lot about it. I"ll have to add it to the list.
As someone who lives right off of NY-17, it really is an interesting situation. The governor just announced $1 billion in capital investment for upgrading the Orange-Sullivan portion to Interstate standards so it looks like movement is happening, at least soon
@@cypothingy you can thank the casino in part. I'm wondering how they plan to address the steep gradients in Sullivan County.
It’s interesting how that road evolved from an old two-lane route, in bits and pieces.
I've been on I-540/NC 540 multiple times. The DOT is currently working on the portion that will extend to I-40. It should be completed by the end of 2023.
However, when 540 is completed; I think they should renumber it to I-287 because all the even x40's are taken and the only other Interstate in the Raleigh area is I-87 which intersects with I-540, so it would make sense to change it to I-287.
No. I 87 is just a small freeway connecting to Norfolk va in the future. I 40 is the main interstate and it should remain I 540 or bottom side should become I 640.
I expected you to talk about NY-17, which is in the process of being upgraded into I-86. The governor of NY just announced $1 billion in capital funding for the Orange-Sullivan portion of the roadway to be upgraded to Interstate standard. While it has already been re-signed in parts most of the roadway is still just NY-17
Ditto I wish I read your comment before I asked more or less the same thing.
Any word on when they’re going to begin widening that section to three lanes? It’s gonna have a huge impact on my commute for a while. 😂
Question: You mentioned 581 being unsigned in Harrisburg, PA due to not meeting interstate standards. How in the heck did I-70/I-76 from Washington, PA all the way east past Breezewood up to around Willow Hill going to Harrisburg meet interstate criteria? It is very narrow through much of I-70, two lanes each way, lacking shoulders, and many merge points getting on to the interstate are extremely dangerous. I'm guessing it may have met old criteria and has since been grandfathered in, so once a blue shield is granted, it is not taken away?
GA 316 (connecting I-85 to Athens, GA called the University Parkway) is currently in the process of being upgraded to a limited access highway. There is also a very short limited access highway surrounding Athens, GA which connects to GA 316.
There is also a limited access highway going straight north from Atlanta called GA 400, which was at one time proposed to be I-475. There is a multi-billion dollar federally funded project ongoing to rebuild the interchange between GA 400 and I-285.
In Massachusetts i495 the outer beltway around Boston ends at spur i195, ( from Providence RI). For the last 5 miles it becomes MA 25 until it reaches the Bourne Bridge to Cape Cod.
Here’s a good one: U.S. 17. In Northeastern part of NC and VA are currently being transformed to I-87 but once your in a decent North Carolina it turns back to regular U.S. hwy 17. Part of U.S. 17 is freeway in mrytle beach, wiliamston, Wilmington, even more areas are freeway’s. But most of the 4 lane road is not freeway in has occasional stop lights through towns, there’s also a stretch in Williamston and Newburn it’s just a 2 lane roadway, there’s been a lot of population between the eastern part of North Carolina and there needs to be a better route for this. Part of the issue is I-95 is the main North and south interstate in the eastern part of the U.S but the road is mostly crowded.
What a great channel with interesting content. Regarding 295 in Maryland: part of it is actually federally maintained. When you head north and meet the Maryland line, it's maintained by the National Park Service until the interchange with MD 175. The state takes over at that point, and the parkway is signed as MD 295 until it turns into Russell Street in Baltimore after passing under I-95.
Actually the B-W Parkway begins at US-50 New York Avenue. The portion of road north from DC-295 at the DC/MD line is MD 201 and there is an exit to B-W Parkway from MD 201.
@@jbgroup1 Oh yes, you're right. I forgot about that. I think that's why people often refer to that portion past NY Ave. as Kenilworth Ave. like the rest of MD 201 until it changes names to Edmonstron Road somewhere around Greenbelt.
@@rksdhs Is I-570 a highway ever existed?
@@kennypalermo9071 I don't know of an I-570 anywhere in Maryland unless I'm not aware of an unsigned stretch somewhere. But I-70 runs from Baltimore to Utah, so perhaps there's an I-570 somewhere further west?
@@rksdhs Where was I-570 by?
VA-785 is another little-known one, mainly because it runs completely concurrent with US-29.
There’s some “could be interstates“ around the Puget Sound region in WA state.
WA-512 from I-5 in Lakewood to WA-167 in Puyallup, then I-167 up to Renton where it ends at I-405. Could be I-305
In Tacoma, WA-16 from I-5 up to Bremerton where it meets WA-3 then continue on WA-3 up north to where the freeway ends at Poulsbo. Could be I-105.
WA-520 in Seattle right at I-5 through the new floating toll bridge into Bellevue/ Kirkland, past I-405 & eastward to Redmond where the freeway ends. All this is interstate standards IMO, could be I-505.
In Everett, US-2 beginning at I-5 past Snohomish, freeway end there but construct an extension out to Monroe & end at WA-522 interchange (should change WA-522 to US-2). Then that could be I-905.
Now many of these areas would have to upgrade to interstate standards (build several overpasses, new lanes, better on/off ramps, etc). The cities, counties & state should all push for these upgrades as this region has rapidly grown throughout the years. Could help traffic in these areas IMO.
Right, some of these could be interstates like I-105, I-305, I-505, or I-905 that could never be built throughout the world.
Really interesting video. You mention interstate standards numerous times and I didn't see a video in your playlists which explains these. Would you consider putting together a video detailing this? Thanks for your efforts!
Dear god man, the “s” in Illinois is freaking silent. That was so painful to listen to.
This right here! I love his videos but that “s” was hurting my ears.
😂 I'll remember it for the next Illinois related video.
On one hand, I was annoyed by it, but as a resident of Illinois, we deserve said disrespect. We earned it
@@qemdrive everyone knows it's "Ar-KAN-SAS"
Who the Hell cares lmfao people in different parts of the country say shit differently. It’s not a big deal. If that’s painful to you, you must have a very easy life hahaha
24:00 - Re - NY 787 - The road known as Cohoes Boulevard has been notorious for pedestrian incidents with the at-grade intersections. Considering the state has spent millions to raise the crosswalks, lower the speed limit to 40 and add small S curves to the roadway to try to get people to slow down rather than try to separate the grade crossings, there definitely is 0 plan to extend 787 up to the Mohawk River.
It won't count in the future as I heard that New York is making plans to demolish I-787
It's not a state route (It's a US highway) but US 31 has been proposed to be I-67. It isn't fully up to interstate standards currently though.
Please: the “s” is silent in Illinois. Butchered from the French.
An excellent video!
The gaps and quirks of the interstate highway system fascinate me to no end. Very cool!
States can always make applications to have roads added to the system, and to grant waivers on improvements for older, existing highways. That's been done a few times with the early freeways and turnpikes in the East, and to ensure connectivity on questionable routes to eliminate gaps. The classic one is the I-70/76 and US 30 interchange on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Breezewood. Always fun to drive.
Breezewood is a good one that I want to check out. Looks like it's going to be sometime next year though.
Ah, Breezewood:
"The Reno of the East"-yet the Commonwealth has never placed casinos there.
@@BrianSimm "The city that never sleeps(tm)"
the Breezewood Interchange ..... I've spent many a day driving through there when I lived in Chicago and had to drive to DC or VA.
I'm seeing a lot of comments about NY 17 which is being upgraded to Interstate standards. When 17 is finally upgraded, it'll change to I-86. The highways he's referencing in the video are essentially keeping the same number for now.
Thanks for the great video. Very informative and well produced.
I've got more miles on non interstate freeways than YOU do waffle stomping in the Petro showers, c'mon
Just for your reference: Illinois is NOT pronounced "illa-noise". It is "illa-noy". Now that this is cleared up, IL-255 exists to connect the StLouis Metro-East with long planned US-67 freeway north to Moline. If you look at US-67 you will see that IDOT has been slowly upgrading it to interstate standards in bits and pieces all the way to the Quad-Cities. As for IL-390, one must remember that this highway had no numerical designation for nearly 20 years. It will stay IL-390 for posterity because it was planned to connect with the South Elgin Expressway (US-20) and reconnect with I-90 west of Elgin. While IDOT owns all the ROW to make it interstate grade they don't have the funding to get it done between Hanover Park to East Elgin. ISTHA is currently looking to extend the west terminus of IL-390 from Lake Street to County Farm Road.
This dimrod narrator doesn't know that the last letter in Illinois is not pronounced... el-in-OY!! My state of birth, and also where I live...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I hate when people say Ell-In-NOISE, it's wrong, 100%
What an amazing amount of work you did for this. Well-spoken narration, too. Wow. Thanks, that was wonderful. Now, take a deep breath and relax.
The S in Illinois is silent.
There’s an expression. There ain’t no noise in Illinois.
One example of an almost interstate that you missed here is actually New York State Route 135 (The Seaford - Oyster Bay Expressway) which currently runs from Seaford to Syosset. The Interstate 287 Beltway was supposed to continue on a bridge from I-95 (The New England Thruway) to Oyster Bay before curving to the south to meet NY Route 135's current terminus, and take over the route designation through to its current southern terminus at Merrick Road. A further extension south to the Wantagh State Parkway near Jones Beach has land cleared and graded for an expressway extension, but I am not aware of any plans at this time to actually build it.
MA 25, an extension of I-495 beyond the intersection with I-195 in Wareham, I believe is built to interstate standards.
It is, infact half of I-495 was signed as MA-25. In the 60s MA-25 ran from the interchange with MA-24 in Ranyham to US-6 in Buzzards Bay. A bypass of 7 miles was later constructed around the Buzzards Bay Cranberry Bogs in the 80s after I-495 was signed.
@@endangerednayla What I had heard was that for some reason that large curve around Buttermilk Bay did not meet interstate standards. I find that to be hogwash. BTW, what held up the construction of MA 25 in that stretch was the lawsuit that Hope Ingersoll, the owner of the farm that the highway goes through. The details of that lawsuit are in this Wikipedia article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Route_25
After the 11-mile link of I-495 was completed between I-95 and MA 24, I-495 signage replaced MA 25 signage up to the junction with I-195. That change went along quietly. Contrast that with I-95 overalpping MA 128. The people driving along 128 did not want the 128 signs to disappear as that stretch of highway is still referred to this day as Route 128 instead of I-95, even on traffic reports.
Seems Caltrans District 11 was eager to get SR-905 in SD upgraded to I-905 because, before the permanent freeway was even completed adjacent to the old expressway, there was a I-905 shield or two incorrectly placed on I-5 near the interchange with SR-905. Unfortunately, those perfectionists did eventually "fix" that issue.
They forgot a sign. There's still a "I-905 ➡" sign with a shield on Del Sol Blvd just west of Picador in south SD. It's visible on Google Earth/Maps Street View.
US 31 from Indianapolis to South Bend is also an almost interstate that connects I-465 to I-90. I have no idea if it'll ever be an interstate, but it sure as heck looks like one.
I’ve only been on a small portion of US 31 on a handful of occasions whenever I’ve gone to Carmel on the 146th St. exit (never been north of there) but I’ll say, it definitely has that interstate vibe to me. SR 37 is starting to become like that now from I-69 around Fishers to Noblesville in some areas. There’s been construction for a couple years on the 146th St. interchange there as well, I still remember when that used to be a normal light.
I’ve heard an I-67 is planned somewhere here in Indiana
They are definitely upgrading parts of this road to at least expressway standards. There’s two sections of this route that are at Indiana interstate speed limits also which is notable. The portion around Kokomo and the portion from US30 north into south bend is 65MPH rather than the standard 60. Also I’ve noticed construction south of Kokomo to make some sort of bridge or exit of some kind over an exposed railroad track that goes a-crossed US31. One more note is there’s one more exposed set of rail road tracks north near Plymouth Indiana. This road is littered with exits, and random crossing points for traffic onto side roads through out the entirety besides for these two seconds I mentioned above, and the part around Carmel. Interesting road indeed, and as a truck driver I really wish it WAS an interstate.
US 41 is the same in many parts of Indiana.
@@shyman9023 Did they have I-67 in Indiana?
In North Carolina, I 140 starts at US 74 and goes north, though it's designated as East. Further up, it becomes NC 140.
One more that could be added for New York is NY-17, which is in the process of being converted to I-86. Some parts of it however most likely won't be converted for quite a while.
I'm seeing a lot of people mention this route in the comments. Sounds like it might warrant its own video.
US 93 in Arizona connects Phoenix to Las Vegas. It’s odd that these two large cities have no interstate connection
I use SC 277 fairly regularly! Glad you included it!
Not sure if these were mentioned in the comments - NY has a few others, like NY 878 from the Atlantic Beach Bridge to the Rockaway Turnpike near JFK Airport. It is a small portion of the ill-fated Nassau Expressway, only a couple of parts of which were built. I grew up a few miles away and lived through the long, storied history and partial construction of those segments. In fact, the entire story of what was to be I-78 around NYC and all the 3-digit signed interstates which exist today with X78 as their designation (278, 478, 678), intended to connect to a parent 78 and which do not, could fill a book. I moved to Florida in 2011 where we have a bunch. Near me is the Sawgrass Expressway, signed as state 869. It has been upgraded to interstate standards and is a toll road. It was originally intended to connect 75 and 95, despite the X69 numbering.
There is AR 549 near Fort Smith, Arkansas. Usually, highways need to connect to another interstate on the terminus to be signed as an interstate.
ARDOT is preparing to commit funds to extend I-49 south from I-40 at Alma across the Arkansas River to connect to AR 549 at Barling; once that happens, I expect AR 549 will officially become I-49. (Other past AR 549s in Bella Vista & the Texarkana area were later renumbered I-49. I-49 still must be completed from south of Fort Smith to north of Texarkana; much like I-69, that may not happen in my lifetime.)
There are a few other "almost interstates" in AR (and in part TX) that this video missed:
* His depiction of AR 530 omits the other part of AR 530, also a two-lane part of the future extension of I-530 to I-69, from AR 35 northwest of Monticello to US 278 west of Monticello. (It was built before the section south of Pine Bluff that he mentioned.)
* The first two lanes of Future I-69 are now open as US 278 Bypass around the southeast side of Monticello, similar to AR 530.
* AR 440 is a northern extension of I-440 beyond I-40 to end on the US 67/167 freeway between Sherwood & Jacksonville, northeast of Little Rock. I-440 signage was not pursued then because US 67 was not an interstate, but since then...
* Congress has designated US 67 from I-40 in North Little Rock to Walnut Ridge as Future I-57. It's unclear if it will become I-57 once the sub-interstate grade stretch thru Jacksonville is widened & upgraded (construction set to begin any day now -- the rest of the route is interstate grade except possibly one short bridge), or will wait for the completion of I-57 from Walnut Ridge north along US 67 to Poplar Bluff, MO, then east along US 60 to the I-55/57 interchange at Sikeston. Once US 67 becomes I-57, I expect AR 440 will finally become part of I-440.
* And finally, there is the short southern segment of the Texarkana Loop; the Texas stretch is signed as Loop 151 (the original number of the entire Loop in Texas), while the Arkansas stretch was likewise originally AR 245. When what is now I-49 (then AR 549) was built south of Texarkana, it was unknown which side of the Loop would eventually carry I-49; so its interchange with then-AR 245 was built so the Loop was the main route while AR 549/I-49 traffic could go either way. Eventually, FHWA chose the AR side of the Loop except for a rerouting thru a full freeway-to-freeway interchange with I-30 to end at US 71/59 north of Texarkana. Upon its completion, the rerouted part along with AR 245 from there to AR 549 became part of AR 549 (which in turn became I-49 a few weeks later); the last mile of AR 245 from I-49 to the state line became AR 151 to match TX Loop 151. (The bypassed, non-freeway section of AR 245 was given to the city, now called Four States Fair Blvd.) Most of the Texas Loop became first US 59 in the 1990's, then I-369 shortly after I-49 arrived. As TX plans to extend I-369 south along US 59 to meet I-69, that leaves the remaining TX Loop 151 / AR 151 as an "almost interstate"; it's been suggested as I-149 but that's not likely to happen.
@@mfarhanjamal They need to upgrade that one junction.
Love your vids!! Florida is full of Limited Access highways, and, because of tolls to fund and maintain, won’t become Interstates. Here’s a LIST:::>
*Jacksonville:
9B and 23
*Orlando:
429, 528, 417
*Tampa:
Selmon Expressway, Sun Coast Parkway (589)
*Miami:
Palmetto (826), Dolphin (836), Gratney (924), Don Shula (874), Snapper Creek Xway (878), Airport Xway (112)
So, yeah, Plenty!!
Same thing with Oklahoma. They have a half dozen Turnpikes that function as interstates but are not named so. Only recently has Oklahoma enumerated these Turnpikes. Creek: 364, Muskogee: 351, Indian Nation: 375. The Kilpatrick and Kickapoo Turnpike don't currently have numbers.
Palmetto Expressway (FL 826) isn’t a toll road.
Also most of the toll roads here in Florida are run by agencies like Central Florida Expressway Authority for the toll roads in Orlando Metropolitan Area. Those toll roads (FL 528, FL 408, FL 417, FL 414, FL 429) were never going to be part of the interstate highway system from the get go.
@@ace20016 Will Florida expressways become interstates?
@@kennypalermo9071 99.9% no. Well except for FL 9B. That supposed to be future I-795.
Here in Central New York Interstates 481 and 690 are Interstates for part of their route and State Highways for the rest... (interstate 481 from Nedrow NY to North Syracuse NY and State Route 481 from North Syracuse NY to Oswego NY... Interstate 690 from East Syracuse NY to Warner NY and State Route 690 from Warner's NY to just North of Baldwinsville NY)..
Ohio does not have odd number auxiliary routes. I kind of wished Dayton, Ohio had U.S. 35 converted to Interstate 575. But west of the city it's a highway with stop lights and partial freeway. They added additional lanes from Interstate 75 to Interstate 675.
East of Beavercreek, they decided on R-cuts which which are temporary.
A great video for us highway nerds. I think there are other almost-interstates around the country that are not numbered as such, but should be considered almost-interstates. One example I have driven on is LA- 3132 in Shreveport, LA, and called the Terry Bradshaw Freeway, which is like an extension of I-220. I used to do a lot of New Orleans to Dallas trips, and this was the road to take to go from I-49 to I-20 in the southwest of the city. It seems that it will be upgraded eventually once I-49 & I-69 are complete.
Another example is Business US 90 in New Orleans which goes from I-10 to across the river (The Crescent City Connection) and then along the main route between West Bank communities, and known as the West Bank Expressway. It connects to US 90 proper, and for the portion of it that is an interstate-grade viaduct, it is silently signed as I-910. And eventually, US 90 up to Business US 90 is to be part of I-49 - which will then continue along the West Bank Expressway to hook up with I-10 - which will curiously be signed as I-49 South from Morgan City, LA to New Orleans even as it goes in a northeast direction.
And similar to the case of Brooklyn interstate that was turned into a boulevard, there is a section of I-10 just east of downtown New Orleans - that currently is a very ugly viaduct in the median (or "neutral ground" as it called in New Orleans) of Claiborne Ave that had obliterated the black neighborhood anchored by it - that will be razed, upgrading the current Claiborne Ave from being a shadow-cursed service road back to a nice wide boulevard (although the beautiful century-old oak trees that had been there will not come back), and with an extension of that boulevard to close to where I-10 connects to the I-610 eastern terminus. Speaking of I-610, that is to be come the I-10, with I-49 being the other part of the current I-10 from current Business US 90 (discussed earlier) up to the current I-610 western terminus, becoming just simply I-10 west of that.
In the near future, I-81 will shift over I-481.
From what I understand, The current I-81 in Syracuse will become Business 81. Apparently the elevated parts are to be torn down and become a surface road.
Phoenix Arizona is a curious one, loop 101, 202 and 303. I'm surprised that they haven't received X10 route number
It is pronounced "ill-eh-noy". The "S" silent.
The other 49 states deliberately mispronounce it because we like to ill-annoy all things Chicago.
@@jliller If you are ILL, you should call a MD.
Is no one gonna talk about CA-99? Quite the backbone of the state.
Great video! Virginia route 164 in my home area of Hampton Roads would be great for a part 2.
There are a couple of "Almost Interstates" in Vermont, VT 191 and VT 289
I've been driving VA 895 since I was a kid.. I remember it being built. It's super convenient for me and I drive it regularly. I have an EZ Pass, but I've noticed lately that at night cars back up at the toll plaza. No idea why. It's a fun road to drive on though.
I'll also add NY-17, which is partially developed into I-86 but a large portion remains NY-17
Thanks for your replies to my questions Mike!
When talking about Virginia, you forgot to mention VA route 164 and VA route 195
WI-441 should be upgrade to I-441 in Appleton Wisconsin. I-14 should extend from western Texas to Las Cruces New Mexico, since it will take 4 hours to get to the nearest interstate highway in southeastern New Mexico, and New Mexico is fairly the fastest growing state.
WI- Route 794 is basically an extension of Interstate 794 going through Milwaukee’s bay view neighborhood and southeastern suburbs before ending near the airport. It’s not up to freeway standards and is more built like a parkway with ramps. There is a random stop light located midway through the route so that drivers going southbound can have access to a major street without a full on ramp. It will never be interstate standard for that reason. Plus rumor have it that interstate 794 will be replaced with a parkway in full in the near future.
NY 690 in Syracuse is also another example of a state route extension of an interstate. It's a controlled access extension past I 90 to Baldwinsville
You forgot Indiana 912, the infamous Cline Avenue! I always wondered why it wasn't designated as "I-690," since it starts and stops being a 4-lane freeway at the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) from Whiting to Gary, but continues south as a 4-lane roadway. Then the viaduct collapse happened and the rebuilt section is now just a two-lane toll road, so I don't wonder about it anymore. 🐰
that Cline Avenue overpass ..... a WHOLE saga.
Highway 50 in California is essentially a freeway until you hit Placerville and brilliantly they installed traffic lights. And the city refused to allow for a bypass of town center since it would "affect local business"
quick note on NY 787/I 787 in upstate NY. I 787 actually crosses the bridge over the Hudson; the signs stop where the bridge meets the surface streets, while NY 7 continues. there has never been a plan for NY 787 to ever be brought up to Interstate status that i'm aware of.
Arkansas is also prioritizing I-57 over I-530
In Mississippi there's a MS 601 proposed freeway that was meant to continue a proposed Interstate 310 from the port of Gulfport to I-10. the MS 601 proposal was to continue a freeway north and connect to US 49, possibly near Wiggins to the north as a bypass of the heavy traffic of US 49 in Gulfport. The other benefit being that a controlled access bypass of US 49 would let them enact a contraflow plan in case of a hurricane evacuation. So far nothing has happened other than MS buying the land for Interstate 310 (but not using it at all), but the Interstate 14 plan has renewed interest because it includes designating US 49 from Gulfport to Hattiesburg a High Priority corridor.
There are 2 in Wisconsin that come to mind. Wis 794 in Mikwaukee is the Lake Pkwy and is an extension of I-794. There is a proposal from an environmental group to have I-794 downgraded to a boulevard.
There other is Wis 441 in Appleton. This dates back to when I-41 was just US 41. There are plans to upgrade the freeway to Interstate Standard. This could become I-441.
Likely not I-441, just because the first digit is only supposed to be even if it's a beltway/bypass/loop, spur routes get odd numbered first digit, so it could be something like 341 or 541
@@JeremysJourneys1 WI-441 begins and ends at I-41/US-41 forming a loop around Appleton to the east so I think this would qualify for even numbering
@@andrewschimberg8822 my bad I thought it was US-141 he was referring to. You're right that could easily be I-441
@@JeremysJourneys1 Are there other auxiliary interstates coming to Wisconsin?
@@kennypalermo9071 Currently, there are 3 Aux Interstates in Wisconsin. 535 in Superior.
794 & 894 in Milwaukee.
Wis 30 in Madison is not an Interstate Standard freeway. Otherwise I could see that as I-390.
Wis 172 in Green Bay between I-41 and I-43 could potentially become an Aux Interstate. I've seen some people wanting to call it I-243 or I-443. I would go with 443 because Hwy 243 already, although small and on the other side of the state, exists. Wisconsin does not duplicate numbers. There are no Wis Hwy 43, 90 & 94. Hwy 39 and US 41 are grandfathered in.
Same thing with CA-99 not being converted to an interstate from the split at I-5 to Sacramento and CA-58 not converting to extending I-40
99 is ranked the most deadly highway in America. It averages almost 3 deaths per mile. Was built in 1920s with sharp curves little merge space no guardrails no lighting and potholes that will break an axle. Then factor in its mostly a two lane with a million vehicles using it.
@@mike-sk2li not to mention the passing through small farm towns like Lodi, you see local farm traffic join the quasi freeway.
Regarding my former home state of Maryland:
1. When I lived there (in the DC area, not Baltimore area), most of the Baltimore Beltway was I-695, but the southeastern portion around the Key Bridge, which was the last segment opened, was MD-695. Is it now, finally, I-695, or is this a candidate for a Part 2 video?
2. Regarding MD-295, I always figured that the Baltimore-Washington Parkway didn't get an Interstate highway designation because commercial vehicles were banned on part of it. This was only my thought; I don't know if such a rule exists. Are there any Interstate highway segments that ban commercial vehicles? I also don't know if the B-W Parkway still bans commercial vehicles on any part of it.
The highways mentioned in this video that I have been on are DC/MD 295, PA 283, and NJ/NY 495. Maybe the one near Albany, too.
I was told that Missouri sometimes signs state routes with the same numbering of Interstate routes... not just to indicate they're extensions, but that they're state-level spurs of interstates... yes, spur-routes of spur-routes, basically... it *kinda* makes sense, since you can tell drivers "ehh, just stay on Highway 370." "doesn't the shield change?" "yeah, the white shield section is state-funded and the blue shield section is an interstate that gets federal funding. same roadway since they directly lead into each other"... "okay..."
Route 3 in Massachusetts should count as an "Almost Interstate"
Oh man Texas is FULL of them tbh. 290 between Houston and Austin has 2 segments you go into a town for a traffic light or three otherwise it’s practically an interstate. 288 and 71 as well. Texas state highways are probably my favorite I think? Cali’s are also good.
Texas is probably the King of Highways
NJ 495 connects from NJ Turnpike and goes through the Lincoln Tunnel. At the NY end it is unsigned NY 495. It was intended to extend cross Manhattan to I-495. BTW many years ago, the part of I-495 that are in Nassau and Suffolk counties were signed as NY 495. My suggestions for almost interstates are FL 836 (Should be I-395) and FL 112 (which is an outlier for a state road that should be reserved for North Florida area and should be I-195)
Another example in Illinois is Illinois rt 6 in Peoria, which extends I-474 to the north of Peoria, but the northern bypass never was continued on the East side of the river to connect to I-74 near Morton. It also was planned to connect to I-180 farther north along the Illinois 29 corridor, which would take it to I-80, so it could have been designated I-474 or I-180, depending on which plan would get finished. It's may happen eventually, but no time soon.
What about Florida Turnpike almost to be i91?
You missed NY-17/US-6 also signed as “Future I-86” in Orange County NY between I-84 and I-87. Google Maps and Apple Maps are pushing the envelope and showing it as I-86.
You missed VA-195 in downtown Richmond VA. However Virginia is really good at building or upgrading state routes to Interstate Standards. You could do a whole video on Virginia routes that were built or upgraded to Interstate Standards. Here's my list VA-288, VA-150, VA-76, VA-28 between US-29 & VA-7, VA-267, VA-7 between VA-28 and Leesburg, VA-267.
In the San Francisco East Bay from Oakland to Walnut Creek there is a freeway which is numbered I-980 for its initial two miles in Oakland and then CA 24 for the rest of the route. CA 24 is plenty Interstate standard so I don't know why they don't call the whole thing I-980. The change in designation can be confusing even for long time residents.
AZ 51 was originally I-510. And AZ 210 is a parkway in Tucson.
CA-905 already has its blue shield, kind of. Someone at Caltrans must have jumped the gun and put up an Interstate 905 guide sign years ago off one of its side streets.