Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourian
A friend of mine tells me that control cities are determined by spurs and major junctions in those cities, not just them passing through a city is enough.
So if you are in Birmingham you see Gadsden and Tuscaloosa because of the fact they have interstate spurs. We used to see Nashville on 65 North until 565 was finished and Huntsville annexed some land out to the interchange. Tupelo or Jasper dont have an interchange with 22 so it defaults to Memphis being the end point.
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They are
typically determined based on interchanges with other interstates.
Growing up in Decatur (when I was cognizant of hwy signage in the late 90s) , even NASHVILLE was listed as the control city for I-65N. Which, btw, if you're going by interchanges both Huntsville and Decatur should be listed as control on I-65 since I-565 extends into the city limits of Decatur. Another weird thing is if you're leaving the Chattanooga area, Birmingham is the control, not Gadsden. Also, on I-85N from Montgomery, Atlanta is the control not Columbus (but my personal thoughts behind that are explained later in this response in the form of I-20/59-459 signage).
Also, there's a control sign for New York City on I-95N in Baltimore...?
I don't think there is actually a set standard for what determines a control city. I think it is mostly based on what would be considered in the best interest of the traveler. IE: why put directions on a sign for a city that would be more easily accessible via a different route. A prime example of this is if you're driving on I-20/59 toward Dtwn Bham near the interchange I-459. If you've ever driven the route, you'll notice that there isn't a sign for Montgomery via I-459. That is because Montgomery is more easily/quickly accessible via US and State routes emanating from Tuscaloosa and a few points eastward.
The reason I think it's odd that Memphis is the control instead of Tupelo is because Tupelo is a major midway stop between the cities with a major highway interchange. Even Jasper, AL has a series of major interchanges along the bypass that Future 22 created around the city.
Economically it makes perfect sense. Advertising a direct connection to one of the world's largest shipping hubs encourages more thru-traffic. Not to mention the transport upgrade of having a fully modern interchange that connects to that fully modern hub. It also increases outsiders views of connectivity, and yadda yadda yadda.
Btw, to be my own ombudsmen, it is worth noting that the interchange with US 78S in Memphis signs Birmingham as the destination, not Tupelo.
Anyways, mountains out of mole hills.