Page:A Study to Eliminate Cardinal Initials on Interstate Routes and Other Needed Changes in Interstate Route Numbering.pdf/6

6 There are several changes which both States desire to make in the numbering of Interstate routes in the St. Louis - East St. Louis area.

A summary of these is as follows.

"(a) With the completion of a proposed connection in the northwest quadrant of the area, the north leg of I-270 would be renumbered as I-70."

"(b) With the completion of a proposed connection in the northeast quadrant of the area, a complete loop route would exist on the west, south and east sides of the area and would be designated as I-270. This would eliminate routes I-244 and I-255."

"(c) Extend I-64 to the northwest starting at the junction with proposed I-70 and continue in a southeasterly direction through the downtown area of St. Louis to the connection with existing I-64 in East St. Louis."

It is believed these changes would provide more continuity in routes, relieve the downtown area of through traffic all resulting in im­proved traffic operations. These changes are recommended for approval at such time as the needed construction is completed.

Item #13 - Minnesota - Minneapolis - St. Paul Area

The only reasonable solution to eliminate the cardinal initials from the routes in this area is to renumber one of the routes as a loop designation. The length of I-35W through Minneapolis is 41.8 miles long and I-35E through St. Paul is 39.0 miles in length. It is also understood the alinement and geometries are somewhat more complicated along I-35W when compared to those of I-35E. It is believed that through traffic should travel the more direct and less confusing route; therefore, it is recommended that I-35E be renumbered as I-35 and I-35W be redesignated as I-235. It may be desirable to combine I-694 and I-494 into a single belt route.

Item #14 - Ohio - Akron

The State is contemplating the routing of I-77 over existing I-277. This would change the routing of I-77 from the downtown area to the west and south sides of the urban area and would create a short overlap section of I-77 and I-76 in the southwest quadrant. In addition the short north-south section of I-77 between existing I-277 and I-76 would be renumbered as I-277 and the overlap section of I-77 and I-76 from downtown westerly would be eliminated.