Portal:U.S. roads/Did you know/Recommend/2012

January 2012

 * ...that Virginia State Route 204 is the access road to George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Westmoreland County, Virginia?  V C  17:39, 6 December 2011 (UTC)
 * Feel free to push this to February if we have more than five options, given that is his month of birth.  V C  17:39, 6 December 2011 (UTC)
 * ...that Pennsylvania Route 152 was originally a pathway known as the Limekiln Road built in 1693 to transport lime from kilns in Upper Dublin Township?  Dough 48  72  16:38, 11 December 2011 (UTC)
 * ...that the northern terminus of Massachusetts Route 21 was truncated from Athol to Belchertown due to the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir?  Dough 48  72  20:34, 25 December 2011 (UTC)

February 2012

 * ...that a portion of the U.S. Route 222 freeway bypass north of Reading, Pennsylvania was once known as "The Road to Nowhere" as it was constructed before other sections of the bypass?  Dough 48  72  04:15, 11 January 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that the Amstutz Expressway section of Illinois Route 137 was used in the filming of the movies Groundhog Day and The Blues Brothers?  Dough 48  72  04:49, 11 January 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that the Merritt Parkway was named one of America's Most Endangered Historic Places in 2010?  Dough 48  72  05:46, 11 January 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that U.S. Route 56 was originally proposed by the Mid-Continent Diagonal Highway Association as U.S. Route 55 and was to connect New Mexico or Arizona with Manitowoc, Wisconsin?  Dough 48  72  22:48, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

March 2012

 * ...that Rolling Road in Baltimore County, Maryland is named for the now obsolete tobacco hogsheds being rolled to the port down the road?  Dough 48  72  19:05, 21 February 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that Utah State Route 901 is an unimproved road adopted into the state road network specifically to stop construction of a rail line to a proposed nuclear waste dump on Goshute tribal lands? Dave (talk) 22:00, 21 February 2012 (UTC)

Rolled over nominations

 * ...that U.S. Route 22 is with or near I-78 through New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the eastern U.S and that I-22 will be with or near U.S. Route 78 in Tennessee and Alabama in the central US once it is finished constructing. --Thebirdlover (talk) 00:58, 2 February 2012 (UTC)
 * I don't see anything remarkable about this phenomenon. I know that Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 40 are near each other along with Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 70.  Dough 48  72  04:45, 2 February 2012 (UTC)
 * Neat idea, but we should expand the list. –Fredddie™ 04:52, 2 February 2012 (UTC)

New nominations

 * ...that sightseers wishing to view the final launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2011 caused a 40 miles backup from Cape Canaveral on Florida State Road 528?  Dough 48  72  14:58, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that Florida State Road 528 was the site of a 40 mi backup near Cape Canaveral from sightseers wishing to view the final launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2011? flipping word order to put the subject up front...  Imzadi 1979  →   15:10, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
 * ... that U.S. Route 102 was the first US Highway designation to be decommissioned?  Imzadi 1979  →   15:10, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
 * ... that U.S. Route 63 and U.S. Route 163 are separated by 1000 miles?
 * I know this factoid isn't usable in its current form, as this isn't sourced in either article. However, I'm listing it as maybe somebody else has an idea of how to word this that could be used. Dave (talk) 20:25, 16 March 2012 (UTC)
 * Any map reference can be used to show this fact.  Dough 48  72  00:37, 17 March 2012 (UTC)


 * ...that the Route 4 bypass around Charlotte, North Carolina is numbered as such because the loop has a radius of about 4 mi?  Dough 48  72  03:37, 18 March 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that Maryland Route 135 once had a sign that suggested to truck drivers "If Brakes Fail Ditch Truck Immediately" on the highway's steep descent of Backbone Mountain.  V C  20:11, 23 March 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that Farm to Market Road 23 has not been extended, rerouted, or in any way changed for 70 years, to the month? Awardgive, the editor with the msitaken name. 08:02, 25 March 2012 (UTC)
 * Note: I would really like to get this shown on April 29, the 70th anniversary of the route's designation.
 * DYKs on the portal run for the whole month, with the exception of the April Fool's Day special edition that runs only for 24 hours. If you can expand the article a bit and clean it up, the suggested hook is doable. (TxDOT didn't exist in 1942; I think the agency was the Texas State Highway Department, or something similarly named. Either way, the article needs that fact corrected, and some sections could use a bit of expansion.)  Imzadi 1979  →   09:58, 25 March 2012 (UTC)
 * I really do not see that fact interesting as there have been many roads that have remain unchanged over several decades, such as Delaware Route 11.  Dough 48  72  14:32, 25 March 2012 (UTC)

May 2012

 * ...that Idaho State Highway 1, U.S. Route 2, U.S. Route 95, Washington State Route 20, and Washington State Route 31 make up the U.S. portion of the International Selkirk Loop, the only international scenic byway in North America? Awardgive, the editor with the msitaken name. 01:04, 3 April 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that Farm to Market Road 742, located in Waco, Texas, is officially just 1/8 of a mile long? Awardgive, the editor with the msitaken name. 01:12, 3 April 2012 (UTC)
 * There is nothing special about this, there are even shorter routes.  Dough 48  72  01:17, 3 April 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that Ranch to Market Road 187 was the site for filming portions of the 2011 film Seven Days in Utopia? - Awardgive, the editor with the msitaken name. 01:47, 3 April 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that in 2011 the entire length of U.S. Route 30 was mislabeled as being concurrent with Quebec Route 366?  Dough 48  72  01:52, 6 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Is this even in the article? --Rschen7754 05:57, 12 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Yes.  Dough 48  72  14:39, 12 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I'd hold of for AFD next year. To be honest, I'm a little opposed to wikipedia mentioning map errors, especially in Google Maps. But I'll admit this is a major oops. Dave (talk) 17:05, 19 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I already nominated a variant for AFD.  Dough 48  72  19:53, 19 April 2012 (UTC)


 * ...that the Gila River Native Americans opposed the naming of Arizona State Route 347 after actor John Wayne because he had appeared in movies where he killed Native Americans? &mdash;  P C  B  05:48, 12 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I like it. Dave (talk) 17:05, 19 April 2012 (UTC)


 * ...that in 1821, the Maryland General Assembly conscripted several banks to fund the construction of a turnpike between Boonsboro and Hagerstown along what is now U.S. Route 40 Alternate between Hagerstown and Frederick?  V C  21:08, 24 April 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that U.S. Route 160 was satirized in a song popularized by C. W. McCall, where he humorously describes an out-of-control truck's descent from Wolf Creek Pass, describing it as "37 miles 'o hell" Dave (talk) 20:38, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Rolled over nominations

 * ...that Parley's Canyon, which carries Interstate 80 across the Wasatch Mountains, is named for Parley P. Pratt, a polygamist Mormon leader who was murdered by the ex-husband of his 12th wife? Dave (talk) 17:05, 19 April 2012 (UTC)
 * I know this may need work, as the fact is actually mentioned in the article on Pratt, not on Interstate 80, but still this may be workable. Dave (talk) 17:05, 19 April 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that U.S. Route 6 in Ohio crosses the Black River on the Charles Berry Bridge, the second-largest bascule bridge in the world?  Theking 17825  05:03, 28 April 2012 (UTC)

New nominations

 * ...that the proposed Texas State Highway Spur 1966 connecting to the University of Texas at El Paso campus was numbered in honor of the 1966 NCAA championship of the 1965–66 Texas Western Miners men's basketball team?  Dough 48  72  16:27, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * ... that the Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan follows the shore of Whitefish Bay and provides access to the Point Iroquois Lighthouse (pictured)?
 * ...that U.S. Route 11 near Hagerstown, Maryland, has been relocated and placed in a tunnel in separate projects to lengthen the runway at Hagerstown Regional Airport?  V C  23:00, 31 May 2012 (UTC)

July 2012

 * ... that a roadtrip along U.S. Route 50 in Nevada was the inspiration for Stephen King's novel Desperation? Dave (talk) 18:46, 27 June 2012 (UTC)
 * I know US-50 in NV has been done a couple of times over the years in the portal. However, it's been a while and I don't think this factoid was ever used. Dave (talk) 18:46, 27 June 2012 (UTC)
 * ... that in 1976, the now former M-147 was described as "the second shortest highway on Michigan's state highway system, but for those who travel it one way, M-147 is the longest road in the world"?  Imzadi 1979  →   15:01, 30 June 2012 (UTC)
 * To save the project members time, M-147 used to be the designation for the connector road to the State Prison of Southern Michigan outside of Jackson.  Imzadi 1979  →   15:01, 30 June 2012 (UTC)

August 2012

 * ... that the first carpool lanes in Orange County, California were opened on SR 55 in 1985? --Rschen7754 04:26, 5 July 2012 (UTC)
 * ... that Maryland Route 378 in Ocean City is entirely one-way northbound?  V C  14:44, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
 * I would also mention that it is concurrent with northbound MD 528.  Dough 48  72  15:22, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
 * I wouldn't. that ruins the "surprise" factor of the hook.  Imzadi 1979  →   15:30, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
 * But it is also interesting to mention that all of MD 378 is concurrent with MD 528. Maybe reword it to say ...*that all of Maryland Route 378 in Ocean City follows one-way northbound Maryland Route 528?  Dough 48  72  15:51, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Let's stick with the original, it's better. It's more hook-y.  Imzadi 1979  →   15:54, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Plus, if you think northbound MD 528 is concurrent with MD 378, you are flat out wrong.  V C  00:08, 31 July 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that roughly 2% of the United States annual coal supply is extracted from the corridor of Utah State Route 10? Dave (talk) 18:17, 18 July 2012 (UTC)
 * ... M-55 boasted signs at the Cadillac, Michigan, city limits proclaiming the city home of Paul McMullen, a runner who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics?
 * Just in case someone wanted something Olympic-themed... the article doesn't mention it of course, and the signs came down after M-55 was re-routed to follow the freeway in 2000 instead of Division Street into downtown, but they were there every time I drove through Cadillac during my days attending Ferris State University. If someone can think of a similar situation in another location, go for it!  Imzadi 1979  →   15:52, 22 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Insert 1500-meter before runner and we are good.  V C  00:08, 31 July 2012 (UTC)
 * ... that U.S. Route 178 provides access to the highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras Mountain?  V C  00:08, 31 July 2012 (UTC)

Rolled over nominations

 * ...that the Davison Freeway in Detroit, Michigan was the first urban, depressed freeway in the United States?  Dough 48  72  00:50, 16 July 2012 (UTC)
 * I would prefer we not run two DYKs from the same state. The Olympic one should take precedence. Can we save this one for next month?  V C  00:08, 31 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Fine with me.  Dough 48  72  00:26, 31 July 2012 (UTC)

New nominations

 * ...that the first roundabout constructed in St. Mary's County, Maryland, was at the junction of Maryland Route 234 and Maryland Route 238?  V C  02:58, 21 August 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that the first callboxes in San Diego County, California were on California State Route 52 near Convoy Street in 1988? --Rschen7754 02:59, 21 August 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that South Carolina Highway 700 connects Charleston with Wadmalaw Island, the site of the only working tea plantation in the United States?  V C  23:10, 30 August 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that it took two years to restore U.S. Route 90 in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina in 2005?  Dough 48  72  23:52, 30 August 2012 (UTC)

October 2012

 * ...that Route 17 in New Jersey was renumbered from Route 2 in 1942 to match New York State Route 17 and provide a single number for military caravans during World War II?  Dough 48  72  00:45, 2 September 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that Pennsylvania Route 163 never strays more than 250 ft from the Mason–Dixon Line?  V C  14:37, 29 September 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that critic H. L. Mencken panned the proposed renaming of Wilkens Avenue in Baltimore as Sunset Boulevard in 1932?  V C  04:34, 30 September 2012 (UTC)

November 2012

 * ...that the construction of the Hampstead Bypass along Maryland Route 30 was delayed in the 1990s due in part to a habitat of bog turtles?  V C  22:28, 28 October 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that the only state-numbered highways shorter than one mile (1.6 km) in the Massachusetts highway system are Route 15 and Route 108, which are extensions of the same-numbered highways in Rhode Island and New Hampshire, respectively?  V C  22:28, 28 October 2012 (UTC)
 * ...that Interstate 75 (pictured crossing the Mackinac Bridge) is the only highway on both of Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas?
 * Actually, I'd vote for the night pic as selected pic. Dave (talk) 03:41, 29 October 2012 (UTC)
 * I prefer the barge pic out of the two because it shows the actual roadway.  Dough 48  72  15:47, 29 October 2012 (UTC)
 * Suggested rephrasing: that Interstate 75 (pictured crossing the Mackinac Bridge) is the only highway that exists on both the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan?
 * I can't decide which photo I like better, but leaning towards the night one at the moment. --  LJ  ↗  08:17, 30 October 2012 (UTC)

December 2012

 * ...that the Interstate 49 designation between I-44 in Joplin, Missouri, and I-435 in Kansas City becomes official at 12 noon on December 12, 2012?  V C  03:59, 29 November 2012 (UTC)
 * This would be more relevant for the news section.  Dough 48  72  21:13, 30 November 2012 (UTC)


 * ...that Route 54 passes the stone boundary marker denoting the junction of the Transpeninsular Line and the southern end of the Mason–Dixon Line between Mardela Springs, Maryland, and Delmar, Delaware?  V C  04:20, 29 November 2012 (UTC)