State capitals not served by an interstate hwy

[urbanjim]

Five U.S. state capitals are still not served by the interstate highway system: Juneau, AK; Dover, DE; Jefferson City, MO; Carson City, NV; and Pierre, SD. Do these cities need interstate access? Here's my take:

In the case of Juneau, pop. 32,000, there is good reason for the absence of an interstate highway. The area is surrounded by mountains and the inside passage of Alaska. It is completely inaccessible by road from other parts of the state. The Juneau area can be reached only by air or by sea.

Dover, pop. 35,000, could feasibly be served by an interstate. Such a highway could begin at I-95 southwest of Wilmington and go south to Dover. From Dover, the interstate could take one of two routes. One: it could turn west, cross Chesapeake Bay, and connect to Annapolis. The other: it could continue south to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel and end in Norfolk.

Pierre, pop. about 14,000, is the second least populous state capital in the nation. And since there are no highly-populated places in this region to connect to, I see little need for a new highway. Besides, Pierre is already about 30 or so miles from the nearest interstate, so it seems to be adequately served.

Carson City, pop. 58,000, is situated east of Lake Tahoe. Mountain ranges impede easy access to the city from most directions. But there are passages which lead through to the desert. Just to the north, I-80 runs east and west through Reno. Besides Reno, there are no other major cities in the region to connect to.
A few hundred of miles to the southeast, however, sits Las Vegas. I suppose it wouldn't be unthinkable to construct an interstate highway across the desert connecting Reno and Carson City to Las Vegas. Maybe call it the "Casino Causeway."

Jefferson City, pop. 40,000, is the capital of the most populous state among the five (Alaska, Delaware, S. Dakota, Nevada, and Missouri.) In fact, Missouri's population is greater than the total of the other four states combined. I think that shows Jefferson City's need for better interstate access.
The closest interstate to Jefferson City runs through nearby Columbia, served by I-70, which runs east and west through that city. A north-south interstate could be built that would directly serve Jefferson City. Such a highway could begin where I-72 ends at Hannibal; go southwest through Mexico, Missouri; intersect I-70 just east of Columbia; continue south to Jefferson City; then go southwest past Lake of the Ozarks to Springfield. This highway could also be extended south to Branson, but to go much futher would present a challenge (due to the Ozark Mountains.)

In sum, I believe that Dover, Carson City, and Jefferson City could and should be served by interstate highways. Of course, the likelihood of this actually happening is probably slim to none.

[xzmattzx]

Unmarked I-580, which heads south from Reno, is being extended into Carson City.

[ChrisZwolle]

I don't think it's that important that they aren't served by Interstates, their population is low, and there are dozens of places of the same size that are not served by Interstates.

Dover is served by an expressway to the I-95, Jefferson City is connected with 4 lane roads (both partially up to interstate standards) to the I-70 (US 54 and US 63), Carson City gets an freeway to Reno, Pierre is connected by completely oversized US 83 to I-90. (i mean 4 lanes for 2000 vehicles a day? What is up with that).

[Bori427]

Dang you know so much about roads!!!

[TalB]

It does make sense for Juneau not to have any interstate highways by it since Alaska doesn't border any other states, but I don't get why Honolulu, located on the island of Ohau, has three interstate highways when it's practically 3,000 miles from the mainland.

[urbanjim]

Originally Posted by TalB

It does make sense for Juneau not to have any interstate highways by it since Alaska doesn't border any other states, but I don't get why Honolulu, located on the island of Ohau, has three interstate highways when it's practically 3,000 miles from the mainland.

You have to remember, interstates don't always connect states together. Look at any American metro area and you'll find interstates which link the city to its suburbs, or serve as links between suburbs. Oahu's interstates do exactly that; they link Honolulu with the surrounding area.

[xzmattzx]

Originally Posted by urbanjim

You have to remember, interstates don't always connect states together. Look at any American metro area and you'll find interstates which link the city to its suburbs, or serve as links between suburbs. Oahu's interstates do exactly that; they link Honolulu with the surrounding area.

Still, I think he's referring to the fact that they are called Interstates. The name implies that they are roads that connect states to each other.

[ChrisZwolle]

There are lot's of Interstates which do not enter other states. Even 1 and 2 digit ones, like the I-4 in Florida, I-49 in Louisiana or the I-45 and I-27 in Texas.

[urbanjim]

Our interstate system was designed as a limited-access system of highways linking the states to one another. Actually, the original purpose of the system was to move our military personnel quickly and efficiently from one part of our nation to another. If there were ever a war in our homeland, the interstates would be utilized primarily for military transport.
Of course, during peace time, the system is intended for use by military and civilians alike. In fact, the general public has embraced our interstates to such an extent that many of us can barely imagine long-distance road travel without them.
In regards to those shorter auxiliary interstates which are found within metro areas: These sections of highway frequently exist within one state only (as is the case in Hawaii.) Even so, they often help to link airports, military bases, and other assets that are vital to national security. And during peace time, they serve to help alleviate urban traffic conjestion. They are still an important part of the overall highway system.

[kevinkagy]

I-395 in Miami, goes from Dowtown to Miami Beach, and doesn't go to any other state. It's basically the length of a bridge and then ends, it's very short.

[ChrisZwolle]

Most 3-digit interstates run only in one state. But there are also a lot of interstate 3-digit interstates, like in New York, or other metro's near state borders. Some even go into three states (like the I-275 around Cincinnati).

There can be multiple 3-digit interstates with the same number, though not in one state.

[TalB]

The US highways were the original interstate system, though they are mostly local roads rather than expressways.

[centralcali19]

kind of out of topic, but i live in the largest city in the U.S. without a Interstate, with 500,000 in the city and 1.1 million in the metro area...Fresno, California. Guess how Fresno feels without no interstate..!lol..those capitals are pretty small.

[ChrisZwolle]

Fresno has the state route 99 More or less parallel to the I-5.

There are thoughts about renumbering it into I-7 or I-9.

[urbanjim]

Back in the 1950's and 1960's when much of the nation's interstate system was built, not many people expected central California to experience such growth. The focus was linking together the then-three major California cities, and linking those cities to the other states.
Now, the central valley of the state is served only by I-5, which bypasses Fresno but serves the Stockton and Bakersfield areas. Fifty years ago, who knew that Fresno would one day become a highly populated place?
The central valley is flanked by mountain ranges on two sides, making it highly unlikely that an interstate will ever be built from Fresno to the Pacific or to Nevada. Like Chriszwolle said, an interstate running roughly parallel to I-5 through the Fresno area might be the most logical plan.

[gars129]

What other large cities are not served by Interstates.

[urbanjim]

^Anchorage, Alaska (282,813); Lubbock, Texas (212,169); and Brownsville, Texas (172,437) are three.

[ChrisZwolle]

Lubbock is served by Interstate 27 to Amarillo.

[urbanjim]

Originally Posted by Chriszwolle

Lubbock is served by Interstate 27 to Amarillo.

Now I see that. It almost looks like a portion of Texas Rte. 87 was upgraded to interstate status.

[Bori427]

Anchorage has expressways/freeways...