Though extremely rare, there have been instances where an at-grade railroad crossing was placed on a limited-access highway instead of the usual overpass or underpass. The most well-known example was the crossing for the Columbia Terminal Railroad on US-63 just north of Columbia, MO. That railroad crossing was replaced in 2011 with a brand-new overpass. At one point there was even a railroad crossing on an Interstate. A segment of I-94 built in 1959 north of Albion, MI had an at-grade crossing that included railroad crossing signals that supposedly had to activated by a train crew manually. My guess is the track crossing I-94 was a branch line and not part of the railroad's mainline since the article said the tracks served the Springport Elevator. In any case this at-grade crossing isn't present on modern-day I-94 since the branch line was abandoned in 1968 and the crossing paved over some time afterwards.
I wonder what railroad was operating the tracks from lbion to Springport in the 1960s? The article said the tracks were originally built for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, though that railroad was defunct since 1914 and became part of the NYC.
http://www.albionmich.com/history/histor_notebook/080727.shtml
I can think of two such places in Michigan where there were/are at grade crossings. One was on US-23 south of Milan where the Ann Arbor crossed, which I believe was originally intended to be an interstate but was left designated a US highway. That one was long ago bridged.
One still remains; that being where the MMRR crosses US-127 west of Ashley. It's a divided highway and marked 'exempt' due to very little rail traffic. IIRC, the railroad must stop and flag the crossing there.
On another note, there are still places with drawbridges on interstate highways but an effort is being made to eliminate them. One is the Steel Bridge in Portland, OR and really snarls auto traffic when it's opened for ships.
Norm
Roads designated by US and a number are not part of the Interstate Highway System. Interstate highways were built to very specific standards with mostly Federal money. They did not allow at grade crossings of even roads, much less railroads. There were specifications for curves, overhead clearances, and pavement construction. The image posted here does not appear to be an Interstate Highway.
As time has passed, some pre existing roads have been "upgraded" and given an after the fact interstate designation. Some of those do not meet Interstate standards. State Route 17 in New York is such a road. It is being upgraded to become I-86. One of the things being removed during the upgrade is a grade level RR crossing in the Middletown area. Some local roads that connect to Interstate Highways have Interstate signs directing drivers to the Interstate, but are not actually part of the system.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Phoebe Vet is right...INTERSTATE highways cannot be so designated unless strict clearances and guidelines are in place. This includes separate direction lanes, minimum overpass heights, no intersecting roads, no traffic signals, and no railroad crossings. NY four lane highway 17 from Suffern to the PA line west of Jamestown. Intersecting roads are being cut off or grade separated with traffic lights eliminated, bridges heightened, and rail lines removed, and speed limits at 65 mph, all to achieve interstate status as I86. It is costing NY taxpayers a fortune and is taking almost 8 years so far to achieve. It is nice to be able to sail along at full gallop and be able to make it from Owego to Salamanca in less than two hours now and many are looking forward to a 2 hour drive to New York City from Binghamton. It is hoped that these improvements will bring more tourists through our beautiful Southern Tier counties while luring truckers off I80 in PA and maybe even getting them off the NY Thruway. We will soon be enjoying all these blessings along with more polluted air, noisier traffic, and congestion.
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Why not allow grade crossings on interstates?
While it didn't cross the Interstate itself, the Illinois Central's since-abandoned ex-CA&E (Cook County and Southern) line in Westchester IL crossed the eastbound offramp and westbound onramp on I-290 just west of Mannheim Rd at grade.
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey people have to be aware there are two interstate highways designated I-95. One is that part of the New Jersey Turnpike that runs down the east side of the Delaware river. The second I-95 runs down the west side of the Delaware river in Pennsylvania. Why these two different highways are both designated as I-95 I don't know but it can be confusing to drivers.
Bucyrus Why not allow grade crossings on interstates?
Safety. Speed. No impediments to moving traffic. Separation of Interstate traffic and all other road and rail traffic. In the Interstate Highway legislation or whatever rules.
I-95 is a continuous highway. But instead of designating the whole of the NJTPK as I95 the Pike becomes I295 and I95 crosses to serve Philadelphia./ It is probably political rather than have any transportation reason..
Once Upon A Time... LION was stationed at Miramar Naval Air Station. The main road from the base met the Interstate at a right angle at grade .
Technically the Interstate ENDED just before the base and RESUMED just after the base, but you could not know that unless you were trying to make a LEFT TURN onto the base.
Who knows what is there now: The JARHEADS took over that base a long time ago.
ROAR
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Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I wish it were as simple as you describe, Henry.
If you drive on the New Jersey Turnpike you will see those blue shield interstate signs that say I-95.
I-295 is a completely different "interstate" highway. It is completely in New Jersey. In south Jersey it runs parallel to I-95 (the New Jersey Turnpike). I-295 has no tolls so many people prefer it, especially today because there have been multiple toll increases in recent years. In Hamilton, NJ I-295 turns west and, in Ewing, becomes I-95, crosses the Delaware River at Scudders Falls and turns south following the west bank of the Delaware.
I-195 is an east west "interstate" completely within the state of New Jersey too. It runs off I-295 in Hamilton and goes to the shore at Belmar.
John
On a trip across Michigan in 1965, I came upon the crossing in question. I clearly recall that the road was marked “I-94.” There were large warning signs in advance of the crossing, as well as the flashers shown in the photo.
In West Texas there are numerous intersections on I-10 and I-20 to allow ranch and oil well access. They are signed with the usual diamond shaped warning sign with a cross in the middle.
There are exceptions to every rule.
John Timm
John WR I wish it were as simple as you describe, Henry. If you drive on the New Jersey Turnpike you will see those blue shield interstate signs that say I-95. I-295 is a completely different "interstate" highway. It is completely in New Jersey. In south Jersey it runs parallel to I-95 (the New Jersey Turnpike). I-295 has no tolls so many people prefer it, especially today because there have been multiple toll increases in recent years. In Hamilton, NJ I-295 turns west and, in Ewing, becomes I-95, crosses the Delaware River at Scudders Falls and turns south following the west bank of the Delaware. I-195 is an east west "interstate" completely within the state of New Jersey too. It runs off I-295 in Hamilton and goes to the shore at Belmar. John
Maps are screwy and not easy to follow...I'm looking at the Rand McNally atlas and you can't define how 95 crosses to PA except to go via 295 north at some point and at some point 295 becomes 95. In effect, it doesn't make sense except to surmise that I95 is to shadow US Route 1 all the way from Key West FL to Houlton, ME. But the "I" designation does bring in more Federal money for its upkeep. I95 also is the Maine Turnpike, the NH Turnpike, and several other pikes and roads in various states in addition to the NJ Tpk to the G. Washington Bridge. I87 works south to north as the NYS Thruway to Albany then the toll free Northway to Rouses Point and the Canadian border. The NYS Thruway west of Albany as a handoff from the Mass. Turnpike. Etc. Crazy but some politician probably understands it in dollars and sense.
One exception to the interstate standards was a drawbridge on I-10 in Mississippi. The bridge was built over the waterway that had Saturn 5 rockets shipped from the Stenis center to Cape Canerval. The rockets were shipped upright for structural reason so the draw which I estimate only had a 60 ft wide opening. A few years ago the draw was removed and paved over.
Yet another grade crossing that existed on a limited-access highway in Michigan was on U.S. 131, west of Kalamazoo and north of I-94. This was the former NYC system branch to South Haven from Kalamazoo, which (IIRC) survived until the advent of Conrail. I was actually stopped by a train using it once. The line was eventually replaced by the Kal-Haven Trail. Fortunately the trail ends west of the highway, with street connections into Kalamazoo.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
henry6Maps are screwy and not easy to follow..
Henry,
I agree that maps do not necessarily reflect the terrain. And it also occurs to me that the I-95 signs posted on the New Jersey Turnpike may not be really accurate. None the less they are there.
If I put a sign in front of my house that says "I-95" do you think I can get the Federal Government to pay part of my property tax?
Limited access highways are not all Interstate highways...as was noted only "I" designated are Interstate and "U.S." designated are national highways. It is permissible to have grade crossings on U.S. highways and other limited access roads but not on Interstate designated roads.
henry6 It is permissible to have grade crossings on U.S. highways and other limited access roads but not on Interstate designated roads.
Well yes. But, as Lion has pointed out, it is also possible to simply drop the "interstate" designation for a short distance and then resume it again. Since for a mile or so there is no actual designation there is no interstate highway although most drivers will not know that.
Lyon_Wonder Though extremely rare, there have been instances where an at-grade railroad crossing was placed on a limited-access highway instead of the usual overpass or underpass. The most well-known example was the crossing for the Columbia Terminal Railroad on US-63 just north of Columbia, MO. That railroad crossing was replaced in 2011 with a brand-new overpass. At one point there was even a railroad crossing on an Interstate. A segment of I-94 built in 1959 north of Albion, MI had an at-grade crossing that included railroad crossing signals that supposedly had to activated by a train crew manually. My guess is the track crossing I-94 was a branch line and not part of the railroad's mainline since the article said the tracks served the Springport Elevator. In any case this at-grade crossing isn't present on modern-day I-94 since the branch line was abandoned in 1968 and the crossing paved over some time afterwards. I wonder what railroad was operating the tracks from lbion to Springport in the 1960s? The article said the tracks were originally built for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, though that railroad was defunct since 1914 and became part of the NYC. http://www.albionmich.com/history/histor_notebook/080727.shtml
Johnny
When it was originally constructed, what is now the Baltimore Beltway or I695 had the Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad cross it at grade near Linthicum - subsequently this crossing was replaced with a overpass that maintains the grade line. In the original configuration, it was downhill to the crossing in both directions. B&A traffic, when the grade crossing existed was one round trip freight train a day to freight customers to the South of the roadway, as the B&A had ceased passenger operations prior to the construction of the highway. Existence of this crossing may even pre-date the legislation forming the Interstate Highway system in 1956.
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henry6INTERSTATE highways cannot be so designated unless strict clearances and guidelines are in place. This includes separate direction lanes, minimum overpass heights, no intersecting roads, no traffic signals, and no railroad crossings
That really isn't 100% true. If you drive north on I-15 from Cedar City Utah, several service roads coming out of private ranches intersect at grade. there are even warning signs to alert motorists to the potential hazard.
Convicted One If you drive north on I-15 from Cedar City Utah, several service roads coming out of private ranches intersect at grade. there are even warning signs to alert motorists to the potential hazard.
And speaking of Nevada, they have 70 mph highways with grade crossings, and we have all been told that poses absolutely no safety issue whatsoever.
Used to be a bunch of crossings on I41 between Fond Du Lac and Green Bay
Bucyrus Convicted One If you drive north on I-15 from Cedar City Utah, several service roads coming out of private ranches intersect at grade. there are even warning signs to alert motorists to the potential hazard. And speaking of Nevada, they have 70 mph highways with grade crossings, and we have all been told that poses absolutely no safety issue whatsoever.
Oh for the love of god.... don't start this again.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
zugmannOh for the love of god.... don't start this again.
Unless there are tank cars sitting on the crossing where the safety appliances have been shunted....at night....where the grade is just slightly above eye level of oncoming motorists driving too fast for prevailing conditions.
That's why people driving cars need to wear the "super-duper-aweomsely-miracle-mystical-ptc-allknowing-allseeing-brainwave-reading cap"* !!
*coming to stores soon.
When I drive from St. Louis to Milwaukee, I usually take I-39 north from Bloomington to Beloit, then I-43 into Milwaukee. This is to avoid the Chicago traffic.
Somewhere along I-43 is a grade crossing, which always puzzled me. I don't know the railroad, but I discovered that 43 was not built as an Interstate. We have a similar situation here in St. Louis, where US40 was designated as I-64, but there are no crossings.
This may be more common than we realize.
I43 between Milwaukee and Beloit was built as State hwy 15
zugmannAnd speaking of Nevada, they have 70 mph highways with grade crossings, and we have all been told that poses absolutely no safety issue whatsoever.
Ditto North Dakota. I-94 and I-29 are intersection free, but US 2, 83, and 85 are divided highway 70 mph with intersections.
Convicted One henry6INTERSTATE highways cannot be so designated unless strict clearances and guidelines are in place. This includes separate direction lanes, minimum overpass heights, no intersecting roads, no traffic signals, and no railroad crossings That really isn't 100% true. If you drive north on I-15 from Cedar City Utah, several service roads coming out of private ranches intersect at grade. there are even warning signs to alert motorists to the potential hazard.
Here in Texas, Interstate 35 at one time had one of the few at-grade railroad crossings in the Interstate Highway System. The crossing was removed during the 1970s.
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