The Most Purposeless Interstates

[@ronschulz7557]

Here's the scoop on 675. About 40 years ago I75 had a draw bridge at Zilwaukee that would regularly stop traffic and cause long backups. While a new bridge was being built (took years and had lots of problems) 675 was put in to relieve traffic and it's still used as a detour for when the bridge needs maintenance.

[@uprebel5150]

The back up were insanely long on holiday weekends. In 1978 on Labor Day I didn't go to school until Wednesday that week because we didn't get home until around 2am and so did half of my class.

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

It's against the interstate rules to have a drawbridgede

[@wilsoncarlstedt8385]

@@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2 In the past the rule wasn't always upheld. I can think of 2 cases in Florida. I - 275 had drawbridges in both directions on the north side of the Sunshine Skyway (Between the mainland and the causeway to the Skyway proper), and in Jacksonville the I -95 Fuller Warren Bridge over the St Johns River was originally built as a drawbridge. Both were later replaced with fixed spans.

[@canoeguy]

​@@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2 I-95/495 Capital Beltway, the Wilson Bridge is a draw bridge across the Potomac

[@TimothyHester77NJ]

@@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2 It is indeed against the rules. Try telling that to I-280 on the Stickel Bridge between Newark and Harrison, NJ. Granted, that drawbridge has been semi-permanently closed by the Coast Guard for years from what I remember but it still has the active drawbridge signs posted.

[@QuarioQuario54321]

6:41 865 was originally part of 465 with mile markers starting at 900. It was somewhat confusing though, being referred to variously as the 465 connector or 465 dogleg. In 2002 they eased up the confusion with making it 865.

[@dylangehring]

Thank you. We also all can see the writing on the wall with Whitestown/suburban growth in that area... I am sure 865 will have a couple interchanges of its own before long

[@Irishfan]

It may get at least one interchange as development continues in the area.

[@rchlclr]

Hi, I live in Indiana and can explain 865. It used to be a part of 465, but that created more confusion because 465 is a loop and 865 is a spur off that loop. They changed the number to 865 about 20 years ago so that there would be no more confusion, particularly in 911 calls. Hope this helps!

[@edwardrhoads7283]

Plus zionsville and that area are massively growing so that spur is going to be sooooo much more important in the future. At some point I totally expect the area around 865 to grow up enough that you will need an exit.

[@c.t.turner2123]

Just call it U.S.52. 865 is co-signed as U S 52

[@biruss]

​@@c.t.turner2123it's funded by interstate funds

[@aimxdy8680]

⁠@@edwardrhoads7283I agree, Indy has grown so much that Carmel feels like a city than a town now. Just 20 years ago, Carmel was a few big fat stop lights and construction sites, now its full of office buildings even outside of Keystone, has its own highway, has penthouses for sale etc. Zionsville is getting that Carmel treatment of the present.

[@kneemeister]

Back in the day Before calling it 865 they just called it the 465 dog leg

[@MitchellSchultheis]

I-155 was built as a collaboration between MO and TN to have a direct connection between the two states. Also, I-69 is planned to use part of I-155 once it gets built, I-155 would be a direct connection between I-55 and I-69. An example of this happening before is the old I-164 in Evansville, IN. I-164 served as a connector between I-64 and Evansville but now is part of I-69 and will be extened into Kentucky once the new bridgte is built in Evansville.

[@kosjeyr]

As I'm just watching this vid I was gonna say that I155 will have more of a use once I69 is done in that area and if the entire route will ever be completed.

[@Manetho72]

I agree, I-155 is very important when you consider that it's the only bridge crossing of the Mississippi between Memphis, TN. and Cairo, IL. I lived in Memphis for 15 years and knew a lot of people in western Kentucky and western Tennessee (Fulton, Dyersburg, Martin, Murray, etc.) who regularly used that interstate to get to Interstate 55 to go north to St. Louis and south to Memphis. Also, this became a vital crossing in 2021 when the Hernando de Soto Bridge (1-40 Bridge, "M Bridge," "New Bridge") in Memphis was closed for several months. So I have to disagree with you on this one, Geography Beaver!

[@bluegrasspalms]

It's a very important road if you live in Western Kentucky

[@kimikriggs1966]

It’s also important for those in Pemiscot County that need access to a larger hospital.

[@Manetho72]

The northern Memphis metro area has also grown to include most of Tipton County all the way to Covington, or even Ripley. For all of those people traveling down 55 it's much easier, and quicker, to use 155 then to go all the way to Memphis and then back north on US 51.

[@UserName-ts3sp]

155 isnt bad. its a river crossing where there isnt one, and its supposed to connect to future I-69 too

[@Toothily]

Nice

[@tommyhunter1817]

^^^^^ THIS^^^^^. Mainly the connection to I-69 and being about half way between Memphis and Cairo.

[@davestewart2067]

There were probably soil / geologic reasons to build 155 were it is, as well. Narrower floodplain perhaps, less importation of well drained subgrade, etc.

[@cwag]

I-155 is a vital link between Southeast Missouri and Northwest Tennessee. It links small rural communities to jobs as Dyersburg has several industries. It gives people access to healthcare as the rural Bootheel's hospitals have died and local doctors' offices closed. It is important in the transport of grain to conditioning plants and elevators, along with other goods heading across the Mississippi. It cut hours off travel bringing the only bridge between Cario, IL and Memphis, linking to US 412 to Jackson, TN then to US 45 into Mississippi. If I-69 is ever finished it will link to that as well. So I think you missed the mark on that one.

[@paulweston2267]

Absolutely right. Also, the bridges at Cairo are extremely narrow and dangerous.

[@Mussinsky1839]

As a cartographer, I have some supportive reasoning for Interstate 155. The reason being, is to serve as a short-cut from Sikeston, Missouri to Jackson, Tennessee, making travel more efficient for travel from west-central Tennessee over to St. Louis, and vice versa. It also serves as a truck route.

[@jz3572]

As a trucker, I prefer it to get past Memphis on 40w from Louisville, instead of losing time going through Nashville

[@Mussinsky1839]

@@jz3572 Excellent choice!

[@bcranford714]

I-155 came in handy when the bridge in Memphis on I-40 came apart

[@omegafalconoriginal]

AS 20 year veteran CDL OTR I'm guessing the video creator must not have thought about trucking as I love 155 it's saved me on southeast runs a bunch of times.

[@Mussinsky1839]

@@omegafalconoriginal I'm so glad a 'purposeless' interstate is being so purposeful for things such as trucking.

[@ShaggyRax]

I - 155 is vital for the whole Mid South area. When Memphis is dealing with traffic issues, the bridge over 155 is used a lot more. Also, it’s great for traffic moving from the east directly into the Ozarks region

[@Irishfan]

I-865 in Indianapolis originally was labeled as I-465 and remained that way for thirty to forty years. It was and is an interchange for traffic traveling on I-65 north of Indianapolis and traffic using the north leg of I-465. As a part of 465, it caused confusion for radio station traffic reports when locating accidents. It also became confusing for help to find stranded motorists with mechanical breakdowns. Since it was an interchange with I-65 it became confused with the interchange for the same two highways a few miles to, the south. So to prevent all the confusion INDOT redesignated it as I-865. So you got it wrong it makes more sense and it removes confusion.

[@rjmcallister1888]

I-155 will connect I-55 soon with I-69 at Dyersburg. I-69 will be a border-to-border freeway when complete. Also, the I-155 bridge is built to be earthquake-resistant, which the bridges at Memphis and Cairo are not. The next-nearest river crossings are nearly 70 miles north and 75 miles south. Indiana I-865 reduces traffic heading out of Indy towards Chicago that would otherwise have to use I-65, I-70 or I-74 through the city. I-465 IS the loop around Indy! 865 is a shortcut, and INDOT says, a necessary one. I agree, especially since there is no ramp from the 465 outer loop to 65 North. You need to study traffic patterns and planned growth before making improper assessments.

[@biruss]

And 465-65 is only partial service

[@trowwzers5057]

From Michigan, I-675 is much more important than you think. If there ever was an accident on I-75 on the Zilawaukee Bridge, the entire route would be shut down. If that happens, then you would have to go all the way to Bay City and take M-13 which is WAY OUT of the route. 675 basically is a detour and also relieves traffic during summer holidays I think I-75B in Bay City is super pointless though. Much more than I-675. It’s a one mile stretch that ends in a 30mph road. Really pointless

[@danieljackett4193]

The Business Route used to be a loop into Downtown Bay City using M-25 and (now) M-84

[@trowwzers5057]

@@danieljackett4193 the more I know. I think I-75B should be signed as US-10. It turns into US-10 after passing I-75 of which runs to the Clare area slightly passed US-127 (the freeway portions)

[@danieljackett4193]

@@trowwzers5057 when the US 10 freeway was completed between Bay City and Clare, and I-75 from Saginaw to Kawkalin US 10 turned south on I-75 for about 70 miles to Clarkston...In 1987, Michigan truncated US 10 to end where it does today

[@lancehammons5918]

Reason i155 is actually useful is due to the current construction of i69 in Tennessee It does serve a purpose of connecting nw Tennessee and sw Kentucky to Memphis and Little Rock w/o having to go thru many small towns It also serves as a backup river crossing if i57, i40, and i55 bridges get messed up

[@CaptAztek1001]

It’s also the only road connecting Missouri and Tennessee.

[@KatTheFoxtaur]

Correction at 1:42: Actually, I-790 is never part of the NY Thruway (I-90)! I've driven through there annually to visit family in Rochester, and drove through there just a couple weeks ago to attend a convention in Toronto. For the entire length, the highway is a completely separated road and is never actually concurrent with the Thruway. The single Thurway interchange to the east of Leland Ave has the only on/off ramps for the Thruway in this area; and as a matter of fact, there is NO direct access to I-790 from the Thruway at all. The only access tp I-790 from the Thruway (via Exit 31 from either direction) is to take N Genessee St north, turn right onto Auert Ave, and then turn onto the on-ramp for I-790 WB. Now, I personally think they should have just simply designated it as NY-12. However, if they were to convert the Arterial Highway to interstate standards and designate it as I-790 (which I hope they do), then it would make a LOT more sense. Btw, love your videos! :3

[@YetAnotherGeorgeth]

Utica is dying because they have never heard of Steamed Hams

[@mbdg6810]

Ha lol

[@davidkurvach3993]

Interstate 155 allows traffic to bypass Memphis while access western Kentucky from I-55. I have a lot of drivers that uses this spur to move oil from Louisiana to southern Indiana. It will also feed I-69 whenever TennDot completes it... but it did serve as a connection from I-55 to the Purchase Parkway (much of which is now I-69) and I-24.

[@PrivateIdaho24-7-52]

The more bridges over the Mississippi River the better. When the big one hits, maybe one of the bridges will not get destroyed. Since I-55 provides a way over the river and serves as a short cut, it does in fact serve a purpose.

[@Joe-Exit]

I see what your saying about I-155. I've used that highway to bypass Memphis when driving from Louisville, KY to Texas. Going down US 51 from Dyersburg to Memphis has to many lights. And it will eventually connect with I-69. I'm glad it's there.

[@killbot7205]

BEAVER YOU COVERING THE POINTLESS HIGHWAYS IN UPSTATE NY IS SO VALIDATINNG I DROVE THROUGH UTICA AND ROME NOT SO LONG AGO

[@stemlator]

I live in the Missouri Bootheel so I'm a frequent user of I-155 when going to Tennessee. Prior to I-155 and the Caruthersville Bridge being built, a ferry to the south carried road traffic across the Mississippi River between Cottonwood Point, MO and Heloise, TN, where it followed SR-104 to Dyersburg, TN. This ferry went out of service after completion of the bridge. Another ferry continues to run between Dorena, MO and Hickman, KY. US 412 is routed along the entire length of I-155. At the western terminus of I-155, US 412 continues as a divided highway to Kennett, MO, where it then becomes a two-lane road until crossing the St. Francois River into Arkansas and becomes a four-lane highway again. At the eastern terminus of I-155, US 412 continues SE to Jackson, TN and I-40. Those not exiting to stay on 412 follow US 51 to Fulton, KY where it becomes I-69.

[@mikejacobs7464]

I’ve used I-865 several times going to and from I-465 east around Indianapolis. I don’t have a problem with the designation it’s a to Dayton/ Cincinnati going east and a to Chicago coming from the east. BTW It’s also co-signed as US-52.

[@nlpnt]

Even more perplexing about Saginaw is why the GM Powertrain (formerly Saginaw Steering Gear) plant is almost dead center in the middle of the loop, rather than right beside it where it'd be if the loop was built for direct industrial-plant access.

[@lcfrss174]

675 serves a great purpose. If you have nvr driven over the zilwaukee bridge, drive it, u will see one important reason. Also. 675 connects the major hospitals in town instead of emergency vehicles getting off in zilwaukee or getting off on the Sandusky exit. When I was living in Alpena and my dad had to be transported to St Mary's after suffering a widow maker, I understood the use of 675. Also. The traffic in Carrollton and Saginaw townships would make it more crazy if 675 wasn't there. Not to mention kochville and titabawasee as well

[@CajunGators]

I-345 in Dallas unsigned. Should just be 45 or part of 75.

[@reedermh]

I-45 should be extended all the way to the Oklahoma border (and in the future beyond that).

[@CajunGators]

@@reedermh Might as well. It’s the same road to me coming from Houston.

[@tns22x]

Correction on I-790: the part that turns to the east is not I-90, it’s a separate road on the outside of I-90. I-90 is the thruway and has its only exit for Utica east of the 790 bridge so 790 turns east to meet I-90 there. Only eastbound I-790 has a direct connection to I-90 though, you have to take a couple surface streets to get to westbound 790 from 90.

[@tomfields3682]

Yes, one is tolled the other is not.

[@MikeV8652]

I've used Interstate 155 for travel between the Ohio and the Southwest. Coming down across Kentucky and into Tennessee, it was great to get across to the west side of the Mississippi River and head on down to Little Rock etc., while missing underdeveloped US 51 south of Dyersburg and all of Memphis. I've wondered, though, about the upturn to Hayti at the west end. The highway seems to be designed better for NW-SE travel than for NE-SW travel.

[@marcberm]

I think the main reason most interstates that shouldn't exist do, is that the more feet of road a state can designate an interstate, the fewer feet of road need to be the exclusive problem of the state or city government.

[@AEMoreira81]

Or it was part of a longer highway that was cancelled. But then that begs the question: why an I-97 when one could just number it 795? (It wouldn’t connect to I-95 directly but it would connect to 695 and 595, which do. I-97 isn’t just a one-state interstate highway, but a one-county interstate highway (that replaced a large portion of MD Route 3).

[@jaimerosado3896]

As a city worker myself (NYC), I have to disagree with you. In NYC all stretches of interstate are maintained by the city with 2 exceptions. 1 A two mile stretch of I-95 in the Bronx between Pelham Parkway and the Bronx-Westchester County border. This stretch is part of the New York State Thruway system and as such is maintained by the state. 2 The other exception are the tolled bridge and tunnel crossings. They are maintained by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority(MTA) which many people think is a city agency, but actually a state agency.

[@marcberm]

By "exclusive problem of the state or city government" I mean financially. Most of the Interstate highway network is maintained by state departments of transportation or similar bodies already, so nothing new there. The lion's share of financial support however comes from federal matching highway dollars (though in a handfull of cases, tolls in lieu of the federal funds).

[@abrahamwarner4408]

The I-97 designation is wasted on what could have easily just been a continuation of I-895 in Baltimore.

[@calvinsmith6681]

I can’t imagine Saginaw without I-675. Just because it doesn’t encircle the city doesn’t mean that it’s not useful. The historical context of the interstate, the drawbridge over the Saginaw River on I-75, which you did not include, would have told you why they built it and why it still exists today. Even though the drawbridge has long been replaced, traffic in Saginaw would be even worse without I-675.

[@d-dubbexperience]

790 is proposed to extend along the NY49 and NY365 corridor to serve as a loop for Rome NY. The current short span was created early to assist the state in replacing the bridges over the Mohawk river and Erie canal.

[@Noone9227]

How did you miss I-180 in Illinois, which spurs from I-80 into a very small town? It was an interstate highway built for one steel company that closed shortly after.

[@CaptAztek1001]

He has an entire video dedicated to it.

[@u.s.6909]

Interesting enough I used Interstate 155 while driving from Austin TX to Hopkinsville, KY. Seems like a connector for Interstate 55 to Imterstate 69.

[@AeroGuy07]

I like I-155, it allows me to bypass Nashville and Memphis. Having been stuck in major traffic jams in both cities, I'll take the detour through SW Kentucky and NW Tennessee every time.

[@JAldrich73]

I have used I-155 to bypass Memphis to the east as well.

[@504ever4]

Where are you going to and from when you do that? That seems like a very specific traffic pattern.

[@AeroGuy07]

@@504ever4 From SW Ohio to I-40 or I-30.

[@JAldrich73]

@@504ever4 For me, I was traveling from St Louis to the Shiloh National Military Park, Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, and NW Alabama (Florence - Muscle Shoals)

[@blakeh95]

Fun fact, I-155 *was* supposed to go to my hometown of Jackson, Tenn. For bonus points, you might note that it hits US-412. US-412 is an interesting US route, because it is *not* associated with its implied parent route US-12.

[@Irishfan]

US and state routes don't have the same numbering system as the Interstate routes.the two digit highways are not parent highways to spurs and loops. They are actually independent highways. There are a lot more US routes than interstates, so they use more numbers. Since there are more than 99 US routes, some of them have three digit numbers.

[@godozo]

The scoop on I-865: It was originally labeled as I-465 and was an original part of the bypass - unlike the stretch of I-465 that goes south from there to I-65. As others have pointed out, it was part of I-465 for so long despite its existence causing problems, and the I-865 designation was done to make things easier for the people there. I-675 has been noted, with the caveat that there were a few places where they routed Interstates over Drawbridges because those things were already there and Saginaw was one of those places. As it happened, not only did the drawbridge cause delays when drawn, but that stretch of interstate went from 6 lanes to 4 lanes on both sides thanks to the drawbridge, causing delays even when there was no river traffic. (and as for the Zilwaukee Bridge, that has its OWN history.) As for I-790, that was built back when Utica was a bit more active and there were laws against Freeways directly interfacing with Tollways. Hence the odd ramps that go to the next exit to the east - that was the Utica interchange from the New York Thruway back when I-790 was built (and why that odd stretch of 790 still exists).

[@aimxdy8680]

Zionsville is literally booming in population, so 865 will have heavy demand very soon.

[@zimz1096]

with 865, i think even though it doesn’t have any exits, it’s too long to not have a number.

[@andrewhanson4416]

As a Michigander here 675 servers of a good purpose not only a way into downtown Saginaw to many of the hospitals in the area and downtown plus the best detour if I 75 is closed at the zilwaukee bridge because without 675 there is not a good way around it

[@lil5713]

NYC area interstes need to be renumbered IMO. A lot of them are also glorified exit ramps as well.

[@depeeper218]

That's only because they were unfinished. I-695 is a glorified exit ramp however.

[@narlex634]

I-865 is actually helpful getting to my grandmas house

[@davidtosh7200]

I think that 25 miles of I-14 should be I-135 instead, which connect from I-35 in Belton (Temple) Texas to Copperas Cove Texas, home of the Fort Hood Air Force Base, and besides, I-14 will never be in Alabama and Georgia.

[@paulbrower]

I-155 is the only connection between two fairly-large states (Missouri and Tennessee) with a shared border. About halfway between Cairo and Memphis it is very useful, and will be even more useful as a connection between three small Arkansas cities (Blytheville, Jonesboro, and Paragould) with I-69 into Kentucky and I-40 toward Nashville. More roads in this fast-growing area might yet be built, and that bridge will have made those highways useful.

[@TheRoadGeek266]

I know another useless interstate I-587 is a spur route to Kingston in New York. This highway does not make any sense because 1, it has roundabouts, and 2, it is concurrent with NY-28. 3, it only runs through for two miles. They should keep the NY-28 designation but delete I-587 in Kingston, New York.

[@ericmorgan4717]

Interstate 155 will eventually Connect I 55 with the future I 69. If I'm coming East from Little Rock and I need to go to Louisville,. It makes a lot more sense to take 40 to 55 to 155 to us 51 (future 69) and follow that up to eddyville ky and across instead of having to deal with nashville and memphis.

[@isaacyitzshaknorales2137]

I'm surprised I-345 in Dallas didn't make the list. I figured why not extend I-45 or US-75? Redundant and unnecessary. Plus, it is unsigned.

[@smflatt]

Back a couple of decades or so, I drove a truck for a living. I-155 was important to us. Without it, loads to and from northern TN and southern KY would require a long route around and add a lot of miles to the journey. In my opinion, it does serve a very important purpose.

[@BitmappedWV]

I-480N is an internal ODOT designation. It's not intended for public use. It has a designation for recordkeeping purposes as it's too long for what ODOT would consider to be a ramp.

[@josephprice4095]

I-579 in downtown Pittsburgh makes no sense. It connects the Liberty Bridge from the south to I-279 to the north but there aren't any real exits or service aside from a glorified exit ramp.

[@brentvance3958]

Wrong. I work in Dyersburg, TN and 155 is for truckers to get to Dyersburg and Jackson. Cuts out over 80 miles.

[@alexanderkvenvolden4067]

I-155 I kinda get. I wouldn't call it purposeless because it only exists to connect two other interstates. As for placement, it really depends on the factors. Maybe it was less expensive to put it father from major population centers, but serving a minor city would be a nice extra. It's also not going to be bogged down with local traffic as it would if it were in a population center. It also depends on anticipated travel patterns. S-shaped drives (north, west, north, for example) aren't really affected much by the placement, but U-shaped drives (north, west, south) are. I'm sure optimizing some U-shaped drives was a factor considered along with cost and minor connections.

[@tomfields3682]

That seems wrong. The fact that it is numbered 155 and not 255 or 455 or 655 etc tells me it is a spur of 55, not a connection to another interstate. Are you aware of the interstate numbering scheme? Three digit numbers indicate the road is a branch of a major interstate.if the first digit is odd, it's a spur of that interstate, i.e It ends away from the interstate. If it's even itis a road that eventually loops back to the interstate of which it's numbered.

[@TheSonicsean]

I go on I-480 all the time and that stretch you mentioned is basically an exit to merge to I-271 North. Since 480 proper continues to the East (after it combines with 271 South) I guess they had to give that long exit some designation.

[@bulbman256]

I always thought that I-155 was built to connect to future I-69 in Tennessee whenever they get around to building their section.

[@samferguson9238]

155 is fine. I don’t know if you’ve seen the bridges that cross the Mississippi and Ohio in Cairo, Illinois, but yikes.

[@luckystrike1151]

Can you make a video about purposeless US Routes? There are a ton that still exist for some reason, with many running concurrent with Interstate Routes.

[@calebharper1590]

If you read about I-155 you might get am understanding why it was there and read about US 412.

[@nolantherailfan5048]

We could use more rail lines

[@mikeritzy33]

Actually as a trucker, 155 is far from useless. It allows a nice crossing on thru routes that you don’t necessarily see.

[@aaronw1997]

2:57 well I figure that’s the closest my area will ever be to being featured on this channel 😂. Shoutout to Cairo, my dad’s hometown

[@glennpritchard8546]

I-155 will serve as a connection for I-55 and I-69 when 69 is complete

[@Jaze327]

Future video ideas...I-535 in Duluth MN or the lack of an interstate between the Twin Cities and St. Louis.

[@Manetho72]

The Avenue of the Saints is intended to upgraded to freeway standards at some point, but they just finished the four lane in 2006 to it will be awhile.

[@jlvvv4]

You should cover I-124 in Chattanooga. Now, it is unsigned and i don’t know if you count Unsigned highway designations. Basically, US 27 comes into I-24 (exits later on rossvile blvd but who cares) and for some reason the stretch from the interchange to the Tennessee river was unsigned but designated as I-124.

[@history_leisure]

Newborn-Dyersberg has the only other Amtrak station besides Memphis in TN at the moment (and thus least used). Amtrak usage seems to be going up a bit since COVID but I don't think an interstate spur is helping

[@ASMRPeople]

Yeah a lot of small spur routes don't need to be interstates. In grand rapids we have M6 a highway that essentially bypass grand rapids. Although it's a michigan highway it complies with all interstate rules, but it certainly makes things easier that they don't call it i596 or something.

[@bennorwood8433]

I come from West to the sea and I can tell you none of the towns are important in that area and they happen to be on the worst Tennessee towns list if you look them up

[@JacksonMarvel]

Hi Beaver. I grew up in Zionsville Indiana where I865 runs through. I believe that stretch is designated to give for the opportunity of exit ramps. Growing up there every so often there was a big hoopla about people proposing a partial exit at Ford Road and a full exit at 875 East/Cooper Road. I would argue that the adjacent section of Interstate 65 is more useless or just poor planning initially. The 2 mile stretch south of the 90 degree curve should have just had two Interstate designations for a short jolt.

[@LiquidRadio]

535 between Duluth, MN and Superior, WI.

[@moxi_floxi]

There are way more people from Indiana in these comments than I ever would have expected

[@BertiferousRex]

So Interstate 790 is not concurrent with I-90. It runs on either side of it. That being said it's just a glorified exit ramp between I-90 (which it doesn't directly connect to) and downtown, completely concurrent with 5 or 8/12 depending on which leg you are in. 790 should be rerouted down the Utica/Rome Expressway (downgraded to NY790 as needed) and replace the numbers on that which are also a confusing mess.

[@BertiferousRex]

Also, it recently UPGRADED the North-South Arterial Highway (5-8-12) to be more interstate standard (not sure if it is fully). The first traffic light used to be much closer, and the old road was kind of a mess. Utica also has gotten less bad recently.

[@sstrange1973]

So I-865 came about because the route used to be called I-465 E-W and caused confusion with people who didn't know they were supposed to turn onto I-465 N-S when going around the city. Add no exits to turn around and lots of people used median turnarounds which are dangerous. INDOT decided to just name the route to clear up the confusion about 20 years ago. To be honest, it should have an interchange on it as the area to the north is rapidly developing.

[@ReallyBadDriving]

One interesting thing about I-790 is that you can get from I-790 onto I-90 just fine but you can't get onto I-790 from I-90 without having to make a few right turns and sit at a traffic light. I-790 is weird like that.

[@frankmerrill2366]

It's weird that here in Chicago, there's no direct connection between The Edens Expressway (I-94 heading "East" but is more due south at that point) and I-90 westbound. To get from one to the other requires some rather convoluted travel along some heavy-trafficked and painfully-slow city streets, and multiple traffic lights.

[@cfergusn]

I-155 is the future I-69.... or at least that was the plan.

[@SeanA099]

This reminds of a place that actually made the correct decision. North of DC is I-270 running between I-495 and Frederick, MD. It has two connections, one to the south and one to the east. Only one is actually designated as an interstate, the other is simply referred to as a 1.7 mile spur

[@TimothyHester77NJ]

I know exactly where you’re talking about. That is a strange signage situation. One of those two spurs was originally designated as I-279 and the other was part of the now-defunct I-70S (which used to be ALL of current I-270 and then went onto the Beltway and was supposed to. Ranch off into the District around Bethesda).

[@russsyracuse8143]

I always enjoy your videos, but you're mistaken about I675. Having lived not too far from Saginaw all my life, I've always found it to be very useful. It would be sorely missed if it weren't there.

[@eboulangerie89]

Supposedly, I-155 was supposed to be "Interstate 24W," traveling between Hayti, MO and Jackson, TN (via Dyersburg). The bridge was proposed before this though, as there was not one anywhere near here (as you alluded to). The road and bridge were built in the 70's to Dyersburg but then the I-24W thing was dropped and route truncated. Looking at old USGS quad maps, It was called I-155 already by that point. As others have stated, US 412 was not a thing until the 80's, and technically this kind of "fulfilled" a Dyersburg to Jackson link; the road is an expressway with interchanges at major crossings, but it's not a freeway. Now the thing I want to point out is that many people are commenting on I-69; this was only a thing in the 2000's. I-69 or it's routing through TN was not even thought of until the past 20-25 years. It just so happens to have worked out that the 30 miles of US 51 east of I-155 was built as a freeway, the 5 miles north of Union City was built as a freeway, and the Kentucky parkways are freeways. (If you ask me, the entirety of I-155 should be designated as I-69 and then duplexed on the west side, then building a bridge which would extend I-269 west to connect to I-555 but that'll never happen). So with that being said: I agree that I-155 probably shouldn't have been a designation. It was probably due to the bridge being built with federal funds and the mileage dedicated to each state for interstate highways. Either this or lobbying to get an "interstate" into NW TN. However, I don't agree with it not being needed. Living in Memphis, I see a lot of traffic on this road sometimes and it is nice to take I-55 in Arkansas over to Dyersburg/point north instead of US 51.

[@kevinrussell3501]

The US 412 corridor between I-35 through Tulsa to Springdale, AR is being pushed to become an interstate. I doubt they would run it past there but maybe one year in the far future, connect all this up. It would be a very useful corridor but over very rough terrain

[@eboulangerie89]

@@kevinrussell3501 That would be cool...or even if they could extend it east from there and connect it to I-555 near Jonesboro (since it's like 10 miles away) that would be great. I-57 will also eventually pass near that same point, too. Part of why I don't go past Jonesboro and into the Ozarks is because of the lack of 4-lane highways.

[@schalitz1]

Saginaw sees quite a bit of traffic passing through in the summer on their way to the UP.

[@jamesnigh9065]

I -555 is now part of a larger corridor 8 using US 412 designation that is slated to connect Oklahoma to Tennessee and will likely get major upgrades over time so it should be viewed as a long term relief route for I 40 that will allow cross country traffic to avoid the Memphis area. It also will allow I 69 traffic to connect from Kentucky to I 55 once the Union City bypass is completed as Tennessee does not plan to connect from I 155 to Memphis for some time

[@jeremydee5424]

What about I-229 in Sioux Falls SD??

[@spikerlj]

I-480N interchange with I-271N is awful. I drive it daily

[@trmbn65]

You can thank the turnpike.

[@ethan_blais]

I-790 actually doesn't share any road with I-90. In fact, I-90 only has one exit in the Utica area (exit 31), which is located at the eastern side of Utica and it's where I-790 actually starts. I-790 runs parallel to I-90 for a moment before splitting off and heading south. As for the interchange where I-790 heads south, that interchange never touches I-90. This interchange serves NY-49 while I-90 goes straight through. Therefore, the I-790 designation is correct.

[@CurtisKolbe]

I-75 in Saginaw was a drawbridge until the late 80's I-675 was built as a bypass

[@danieljackett4193]

I-675 exists now to relieve traffic on the Zilwaukee Bridge from those who live between Toledo and Flint who have weekend cabins in the sparsely populated Northern Michigan As for I-865, it used to be part of I-465 so those coming/going to Chicago have access to I-465

[@That_TS_STEM_Nerd_13]

Any Portlanders think there should be a I-605 as a loop around the Portland Metro?

[@irvingjohnson9244]

I agree for sure.

[@Quaza57]

as of now yes I-155 is kinda pointless but in the near future like end of 2023 I-155 will be part of I-69 after TN extends 69 to meet with 155 (according to TDOT website segment 8) also 155 is part of the U.S. 412 which connects Jackson TN at i-40 to Dyersburg where i-155 starts

[@transitcaptain]

The whole idea of urban freeways is crazy. They really shouldn't exist and people should be able to use public transit instead.

[@stevepalmberg5905]

😂

[@tomfields3682]

Exactly. The original expressways were designed to connect cities, not to penetrate them. E.g, the NY State Thruway connects the largest cities in the state, but does not enter the city limits of NYC, Albany, Rochester or Buffalo, to name a few.

[@dylangehring]

I-865 in Indy is hugely important as it connects most of the population (north metro) to I-65 (the route to Chicago). I am CERTAIN it will have its own exits before long because suburban growth is angling that way. If it didn't have its own name already, a problem would emerge

[@shanehiggins4983]

The clip for Saginaw really shows that you don't understand the big picture. No one wants a divided highway with controlled access splitting the middle of the downtown of the city. That is called destruction, not progress

[@BeaverGeography]

Shane you are actually stupid wanted to let you know, plz respond

[@bradzeigler]

@@BeaverGeographymature response

[@americansmark]

You should do one on the Y bridge in Zanesville, Ohio. Connects US 40 to a city street with a low train bridge that gets hit several times per year. Crosses two rivers with a traffic light in the middle. It used to be a covered bridge.

[@tomsmith5584]

The reason I-480N exists is for contracting.

[@stogieguy7]

I’ve actually used I-355 on a trip from OK to PA via Jonesboro, AR. It connects you to various Kentucky parkways that take you through Elizabethtown, Lexington and I-64 which takes you east. It actually works.

[@grandelevatoroblox2]

I-175, I-375 In saint Pete’s. The 2 small roads just branch off I-275. They go less than 2 miles and connect literally nothing, except the stadium. Just make them state routes!

[@ourv9603]

SOMETIMES some public infrastructure is constructed in preparations for a new housing development, or a mega factory, or a military base or a power station which sometimes never happens. !

[@jaxspellinar]

For I-865, during the building of the interstate system, at least here in Michigan, there were a lot of TO (interstate) signs, where a section of road was listed as TO I-75 or CONNECTOR US-24. A few of these remain today, where you have a freeway piece that exists solely to take you to the actual freeway. Seems like you could mark it was TO I-65 or CONNECTOR I-65 and be done with it.

[@Stormy01]

I-345 in Downtown Dallas. It legit goes unsigned. It’s just a connection route from US-75 and I-45

[@wordawakeningny]

Great job Beaver. Enjoyed it!

[@criticallard2090]

Funny because I-155 is about to be extremely important in Tennessee. The state government in Tennessee is only bringing I-69 to I-155 until Federal funding comes. This means that travelers who want to strictly use the interstate (namely truckers) will have to take I-155 into Missouri and on to I-55. Plus, using that route is the only interstate route into Memphis from I-69 until completion. You forgot the biggest pointless name offender in America: I-238. I-38 does not exist at all. California just wanted to slap the former state route, SH 238, into an interstate. The FHWA said no, and suggested more realistic numbers, but California wouldn't have it. Thus, I-238.

[@natekidren]

I-155 for all intents and purposes DID need to be built, not only for the local area and its economy (people in both W TN and the MO Bootheel commuting for work, etc.) but also as an alternate route to cross the Mississippi for travel. It came in handy when the Memphis I-40 bridge had to be shut down during summer 2021 due to a complete break in the bridge, which caused bumper to bumper traffic in both directions when all traffic was directed to use the I-55 bridge. I know because I drove that route JUST to avoid being bumper-to-bumper in Memphis.

[@jlpack62]

Anyone else GoogleMapping all of these locations after he talks about them?

[@MrChilili]

Me

[@BrianJNelson]

Didn't have to google Saginaw. I've been there. It's not pointless, and it was built at a time when it was useful and needed. The use of it may have waned, but it was fine when it was made.

[@UserName-ts3sp]

ive taken 865. ya it’s just a long exit ramp, and at least it’s not what it used to be (465 dogleg)

[@noahbrody9852]

In my opinion, if you think it is useless just because "it is a glorified exit ramp and shouldn't be shielded as an interstate" then it is not useless.

[@edwardrhoads7283]

Yeah I think he should have named the video different. Which is a bit ironic seeing as most of his video is really about how interstates are mislabeled.

[@kevinrussell3501]

He never mentioned once that the interstate designation is usually for funding purposes. It's pretty crazy how many people find these highways particularly useful, in commuting and travel alike

[@wiltonater]

I-480 in Omaha doesn't need to be an interstate either. I could have have US-75 expressway/freeway with a 2 mile ramp into Iowa to go to I-29. US-75 is Kennedy Freeway then turns into the Ford Expressway & then keeps going North.

[@sawblade5]

You completely ingnored the history of why I-865 exists in the first place. It w a s actually designed as part of I-465 up to 20 years ago but the route numbering caused confusion over the years so they got them to give the route a new number. Also why didn't you cover I-180 in Illinois or the infamous I-180 in Wyoming?

[@jeffe9842]

If the I-865 designation were to be removed, this would leave the highway designated as US-52 which currently piggybacks on top of I-865. I don't see why this can't be done. Obviously, for bureaucrats, the easiest and most logical way is always the hardest. A point about I-180 in IL is that, as of a few years ago, it was the least traveled interstate in the country.

[@clewrslr]

I think that there isBi no sinage for I-480 North because it is I-480 West and it happens to run concurrently with I-271 North. But I could be mistaken. Doubtful though.