Monroe Chat

Is there an update on when the interchange is going to be complete?

what does SPUI stand for?

Single-point urban interchange I believe. I've read quite a bit about it, but I'm still not entirely sure how it works.

The biggest advantage to the SPUI is that it allows for simultaneous left-hand turns. What that means is that north-south and east-west traffic can make their lefts at the same time. The traditional "diamond" interchange with lights at either end of the intersection requires a rotational left-turn or only one direction at a time.

While the added traffic flow potential is seen as a HUGE advantage, the lack of these intersections (this is the second in Ohio) doesn't produce much familiarity, so they can be confusing for drivers. The potential for confusion is a minimum for Monroe, as the Cinci visitors will come from W-63 and not use the SPUI or N-75 where they will have an unobstructed on-ramp to the mall, traders world, etc. The Middie/Dayton visitors will have a time as people are used to a light at the top of the ramp, and there won't be one there for their left turn, so that left will probably be an issue as people find the light and make the turn.

Most of the lefts from N-75 to W-63 will be us townies, so once you do it once or twice, it will be pretty easy and quickly become routine. The lefts from 63 won't be confusing, as the single point light for 63 travelers will be right in front of them. It's the "catty-corner-ness" of the light for the interstate ramps that will be unfamiliar and a little confusing for people.

Let's hope there is some help for us SPUI dummies when it does go operational! (and before the weather starts to turn)

I think the SPUI will be near completion before November. Just a hunch I have.

Hmm I see...interesting. Any dates, Bob?

As long as no one goes over their line, it should prove to be a pretty nice interchange.

The roads and interchange should be completed by the end of this construction season, landscaping etc wont be done until next year but traffic flow should be restored before the Thanksgiving/Christmas Holiday season.

You will be amazed at how much better traffic will flow across this exit. I will take some getting use to but it will be worth it in the end.

SPUI's are no big deal they have them where I am at in Florida and they are quite easy to navigate through. The light may be a bit long but it does alllow traffic to flow very nicely. I have been down here all parts of the year and you know the Tampa area is quite congested and there are rarely any accidents or traffic back ups at the SPUI's...

When is this construction session planned to end?

I was not criticizing the SPUI, or trying to say it was a bad idea.
I helped put in a few, and did some research on them with some civil engineers when I was at U of MO. Was just trying to translate what we found onto the the interchange here in Monroe.

Like anything new there will be a learning curve. A couple of the early ones around St. Louis have added lights to the "off-ramps" of the highways, basically where the 2 white cars are in queue in Bob's first pic on both ramps. People kept creeping into traffic waiting their turn.

They do move a TON of traffic.

That must have been the case with a couple of them I was looking at - there were more lights than what I think is planned for ours which was why I was confused.