Request for Official AASHTO Approval to Remove I-296 Route Designation from All References While Retaining the Route as Part of the Interstate System
June 22, 1979
Mr. Henrik R. Stafseth
Executive Director
American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials
444 North Capitol, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Mr. Stafseth:
Request for Official AASHTO Approval to Remove I-296
Route Designations from All References While Retaining
the Route as Part of the Interstate System
The Michigan Department of Transportation is currently involved in a FHWA sponsored Positive Guidance Demonstration Project. As part of the project, some major freeway signing modifications were proposed on the eastbound I-96 freeway in advance of the major freeway split (I-96 and US-131/I-296) just east of the I-96/M-37 interchange near the city of Grand Rapids (see map).
In reviewing the proposed Positive Guidance plan with FHWA officials, it was agreed that we should eliminate the I-296 and M-37 route marker shields from the proposed overhead diagrammatic signing. The reasons for this are twofold. First, the length of the proposed diagrammatic signs would be substantially shortened. Second, the I-96 routing would not be confused with I-296. Ground mounted supplemental signs may then be used to guide the few motorists actually utilizing the I-296 and M-37 designations.
Upon further examination of the I-296 routing problem, it was concluded that the I-296 designation might be able to be eliminated completely from all references (signs and road maps). I-296 duals with US-131 for only a 3-mile segment (from I-96 southerly to I-196). The overwhelming majority of motorists using US-131/I-296 identify with US-131 rather than I-296. It is felt that the I-296 designation serves no useful purpose other than to designate an interstate routing. The attached letter of April 11, 1979, from the FWA's Office of Traffic Operations indicates the FHWA's position on the matter. Our department wholly agrees with the FHWA position to remove all I-296 references. We will remove all I-296 designations if the existing 3-mile section of US-131/I-296 could continue to remain officially as part of the interstate system. This would allow interstate funding to be applied to future upgrading projects along this roadway.
We are not aware of any regulations or policy statements which could be interpreted to prohibit the removal of all highway and map references to I-296 or where such removal would have any bearing on the retention of this route as part of the interstate system. Furthermore, the AASHTO policy on marking interstate highways in urban areas states they should "be carefully marked for the safety and convenience of the motoring public..."
Therefore, the Michigan Department of Transportation is requesting the approval of the AASHTO Executive Committee to remove all I-296 references while retaining the route as part of the official interstate system. It is felt that the I-296 designation removal in conjunction with the Positive Guidance Demonstration Project will significantly improve both the safety and operational characteristics in the vicinity of the I-96/US-131 interchange.
Sincerely,
John P. Woodford
Director
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