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Using the 'parallel' definition, most interstate highways could be defined as redundant, since most interstate highways run parallel to an older highway. Examples: I-71 in Ohio (parallel to Ohio 3); I-79 in Pennsylvania (parallel to U.S. 19); the Pennsylvania Turnpike (parallel to U.S. 30).
Etc.
A lot of the interstates in Eastern PA are pointless.
84 north of 80, really?
I can get off 80 around Scranton and go 81, 380, and 476. There's not enough people to justify that many extensions.
A lot of the interstates in Eastern PA are pointless.
84 north of 80, really?
I can get off 80 around Scranton and go 81, 380, and 476. There's not enough people to justify that many extensions.
I-84 is a direct link between Pennsylvania and New England, so it has an important purpose. It avoids New York (City) and northern New Jersey without going too far out of the way like I-88 through upstate New York.
I-380 is a shortcut between I-80 and I-81 that saves a lot of time. It also gives people in northern New Jersey quicker access to upstate New York, and vice versa.
I-476 is a direct connection between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Allentown/Bethlehem and Philadelphia, which are three major population centers in Pennsylvania.
Comparing MSAs, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is slightly larger than Youngstown and slightly smaller than Toledo, so if those two MSAs deserve good Interstate access, then so does Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
We have a couple of road projects in Virginia that are controversial.
The proposed Coalfields Expressway in SW VA is criticized by many as destroying the environment and mostly benefitting coal companies (there's a long thread about it, here on the city-data "West Virginia" forum).
Also, the state plans to build a 55 mile toll road between Petersburg VA and Suffolk VA which would parallel existing US 460, and carry only a projected 5,000 - 6,000 vehicles a day, not enough to cover expenses. The money would be better spent improving transportation in VA's horrendously jam-packed D.C. suburbs. For instance, on another Potomac River crossing (either between Leesburg and Poolesville, or between Woodbridge and Indian Head).
And I question that it was worth building a 4-mile long bridge over Albemarle Sound near Edenton, NC. Building bridges is so very expensive, and this bridge is in a rural area with little traffic.
I-84 is a direct link between Pennsylvania and New England, so it has an important purpose. It avoids New York (City) and northern New Jersey without going too far out of the way like I-88 through upstate New York.
I-380 is a shortcut between I-80 and I-81 that saves a lot of time. It also gives people in northern New Jersey quicker access to upstate New York, and vice versa.
I-476 is a direct connection between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Allentown/Bethlehem and Philadelphia, which are three major population centers in Pennsylvania.
Comparing MSAs, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is slightly larger than Youngstown and slightly smaller than Toledo, so if those two MSAs deserve good Interstate access, then so does Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
What do Toledo and Youngstown have to do with the discussion? Were they mentioned somewhere and I missed it? If so, 76 and 80 run through Youngstown, I don't exactly see how they're "pointless." Route 11 could be considered pointless. 75 and 80 run through Toledo. In Toledo's case, US 23 is pretty "pointless."
As far as Scranton goes, 84 is pretty pointless. Take 80 to get on 95. If we're talking about pointless highways here, that certainly fits the bill. It runs right along side 80. If we are going to make points of why each interstate is important, than everyone could make an argument for each one someone thinks is pointless. 80 through Scranton is obviously important and it "deserves" it I guess (didn't know metros deserved interstates). Travel 80 sometime and notice how there are three extensions south of Scranton. 81 and 380 are pointless. You could easily link up with 80 via 476, but really with the other two... pointless.
As far as Scranton goes, 84 is pretty pointless. Take 80 to get on 95. If we're talking about pointless highways here, that certainly fits the bill. It runs right along side 80.
Not really. I-80 ends in New Jersey; I-84 goes into New England. As for I-95, you realize that you're trying to tell people to get between Pennsylvania and New England using the Cross-Bronx Expressway, right? That's one of the most congested segments of highway in the entire United States.
I-84 is not only the most direct connection between Pennsylvania and New England, but it also provides east/west highway access to Hartford, CT and the northern fringe of the New York metropolitan area.
And though it's not a long-distance Interstate, it does have long-distance significance. Need to get from Boston to Pittsburgh? Take I-90 west, I-84 west, I-81 south, I-80 west, I-99 south and U.S. 22 west. And if you want to get from Boston to Washington DC without dealing with New York or Philadelphia traffic, just take I-90 west, I-84 west, I-81 south, I-70 east and I-270 south.
As for I-81 being "pointless," you need to take a look at a topographic map of Pennsylvania to figure out why it's aligned the way it is.
I've never even been to NV - - but just looking at a map, I wonder if an interstate ought to be built between Las Vegas and Reno -- now that the population has grown so large in recent years.
When Las Vegas residents have business in their state capitol, is it so very far away that they normally fly instead of drive ? Guess it's a similar situation with So. Calif. and their very distant capitol of Sacramento.
Last edited by slowlane3; 03-25-2013 at 05:23 PM..
Michigan is terrible. For example, Traverse City area to Mackinac Bridge, the shortest, quickest route is about 20 miles of a poorly-marked county road. Sault Ste Marie across to Wisconsin is all 2-lane, with serious mile-wasting right angles.
1) But, looking at my map, US 31 all the way, appears to be the only feasible route from Traverse City to Mackinac Bridge. I don't see any possible short-cuts like you mention -- a couple of lakes seem to be in the way of building any short-cut.
2) From Sault Ste Marie to Wisconsin also appears on the map to be pretty direct, although there's one sharp angle (US Route 2 an SR 77 or SR 117) where it seems worthwhile to build a diagonal cut-through. I wonder why the highway department has never done this.
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