Re: Interstates that may have been poorly routed (Long)


Scott M. Kozel wrote:
> H.B. Elkins <hbelkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> > Speaking of I-64, the alignments in West Virginia and Virginia are a prime
> > example of what you're talking about. Dipping 60 miles south on I-77, then an
> > eastward stretch and a 30-mile northward job on I-81, before heading southeast
> > again, is poor design.
> >
> > What should have been done was to have I-64 follow the alignment of I-79 east of
> > Charleston to near the US 19 exit at Sutton (Exit 57) then have the route head
> > southeast through the general vicinity of Webster Springs and Cass to Staunton,
> > Va., where it could pick up the current alignment east of I-81.
>
> I disagree. No such alignment was ever considered feasible, for several
> reasons. Those sections of WV and VA are some of the most remote and
> scenic areas of those states, with some of the highest and most rugged
> terrain in those states, and the amount of long curves and doglegs would
> be similar to or greater than the historical, saving little or no
> distance, and the historical puts 5 small cities along I-64 that would
> not be near a Sutton-Staunton route, which would serve no major towns
> between Sutton and Staunton.
>

The best routing of I-64 would have been what ended up being done in
Virginia and in West Virginia up to Sam Black Church (where the road
ended for many years). A straight line from Staunton to Charleston
simply was not feasable.

But the road should have continued to follow US 60 through to near
Charleston, only multiplexing with I-77 for a few miles.

And, I-79 should have followed what was eventually built as US 19-
Corridor L from Sutton to Beckley, with the corridor level road running
from Sutton down to Charleston. 90% of the thru traffic takes US 19-
Corridor L, not 79. And 79, between Charleston and Clarksburg,
finished in the late 70s, was 120 miles of construction, but only cut
30 miles off the existing (finished in the early 70s) I-77 to US 50 -
Corridor D.

This would have has I-64 cross I-79 near Hico in Fayette County.
Adding only 15 miles to a Sam Black Church to Beckley trip over what
ended up being built.

And, IMHO, I-64 should have crossed into Ohio from Huntington heading
to Cincinnati, and what became I-71 should have been I-64 from
Cincinnati to Louisville, with the Louisville to Lexington and
Lexington to Ashland routings covered by Kentucky toll roads, and a
Huntington to Ashland to Ironton 3di built.

SP Cook

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Interstates that may have been poorly routed (Long)
    ... > Speaking of I-64, the alignments in West Virginia and Virginia are a prime ... where it could pick up the current alignment east of I-81. ... Highland County VA is often called the "Little Switzerland", ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: New US 119 in Kentucky
    ... bypass would be difficult -- should it tie into I-64 west or town or the ... encouraging use of that word in place of "Corridor G". ... "Corridor G" means that shopping and residential area, ... which becomes Jefferson Road to I-64 at MP ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: Interstates that may have been poorly routed (Long)
    ... >>not be near a Sutton-Staunton route, which would serve no major towns ... I-64 leaves a lot to be desired. ... As someone who lives along the I-64 corridor, ... > Monterey to West Virginia and it is definitely not a preferred through route. ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: Interstates that may have been poorly routed (Long)
    ... >Terrain maps show plenty of areas that are over 5,000 feet altitude in ... I-64 leaves a lot to be desired. ... >worlds better than using the old non-Interstate routes in the corridor, ... most direct through route from Kentucky to Washington DC. ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: 1964 RAND MCNALLY ONLINE
    ... segments are errors or proposed alignments that were changed: ... I-64 is shown passign south of Mt. ... I-70 goes south of Greenup instead of the present northern alignment ...
    (misc.transport.road)