What was essentially a lazy, rural US highway here 50 years ago has definitely 'grown up', becoming swamped in the urban morass of suburban Faifax County, Virginia. Arlington Boulevard (US 50) at the Capitol Beltway (I-495) is one of the more interesting crossroad freeway interchanges anywhere, with the true tangle of ramps both inside and outside of the cloverleaf loops needed to maintain access to the developing office/commercial 'park' areas next to the interchange. The local 'sideroad' accesses along US 50 include one full 'SPUI' (Single Point Urban Interchange) and a partial SPUI with the ramps interconnecting them to each other and to I-495 laid out to minimize crossover 'weaves'. On I-495 itself, there is a 'collector/distributer' lane arrangement for northbound traffic, this due to the close proximity of US 50 to Gallows Road, which also connects to US 50. The placement of these ramps is also slightly complicated by the high-energy power lines that parallel the 'Beltway' through the area.
For an KEWL look at this amazing highway location, the Microsoft Terraserver image is available HERE. Just pan the image one click to the east to see the rest of the easternmost sideroad interchange.
All for your daily commuting pleasure!!!
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Just follow this sign to make your OWN great signs!!!! |
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This page © Michael G. Koerner |
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