Interstate 35W

Interstate 35W is the name of the western half of Interstate 35, which is used in two regions along its length. I-35 is a long north-south Interstate Highway having termini in Laredo, Texas and Duluth, Minnesota, and is the only existing Interstate highway to be 'split' into two separate interstates designated by location to serve different destinations. The reason for this is partly political, as both Minnesota and Texas have "twin cities" that each wanted Interstate 35 to themselves. Any alternate numbering scheme would likely cause "gaps" in the interstate, leading to confusion. The companion route to I-35W is the eastern Interstate 35E.

Related Topics:
Interstate 35 - Interstate Highway - Laredo, Texas - Duluth, Minnesota - Minnesota - Texas - Twin cities - Interstate 35E

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Perhaps though it should be said that the split of Interstate 35, is simply the only remnant of an older, clumsy-albeit-logical, system of directional suffixes. Interstate 135 in Kansas was also originally labeled I-35W. For the history of other suffixed routes, look particularly at Interstate 84 (former I-80N), Interstate 86 (former I-15E), Interstate 75 (part of which was I-75E), and Interstate 81 which once had I-81E, now numbered as the I-380 spur of Interstate 80. There were many others, however it was quickly seen that confusion reigned with branching directionally-suffixed routes that did not return to the parent. Since regardless of the route of I-35E or I-35W that one chooses, one eventually comes back to a unified I-35, the AASHTO committees allowed these to stay.

Related Topics:
Interstate 135 - Interstate 84 - Interstate 86 - Interstate 75 - Interstate 81 - Interstate 80 - AASHTO

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