Sam Jones Expressway
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Sam Jones Expressway (formerly Airport Expressway) is a 4-lane divided highway with partial access control (urban expressway) in the city of Indianapolis. Renamed in 2007 to honor a deceased local civic leader, it is approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) in length and connects Raymond Street (at Holt Road) to High School Road just west of I-465 at the former passenger terminal at Indianapolis International Airport. Since November 11, 2008, the new passenger terminal is accessed via exit 68 on I-70.
Routing
The eastern end of the Sam Jones Expressway is at the signalized intersection of South Tibbs Avenue and Raymond Street.[1] If one continues eastbound beyond this point, the road officially becomes known as Raymond Street. The western endpoint is a signalized "T" intersection on the grounds of the Indianapolis International Airport, at the former main entrance to the now-abandoned passenger terminal. Between these two points are traffic interchanges with I-70 (partial), Lynhurst Drive (full), Executive Drive (partial), and I-465/I-74 (full). There is also a grade separation at Roena Street.
Legal status
The Sam Jones Expressway is not an Interstate Highway, nor is it signed as a U.S. or state highway. It exists as a sub-standard freeway only between I-465 and I-70. It is properly named and classified as an expressway because it contains stoplights east of I-70 and west of Executive Drive; as well as a now-removed at-grade railroad crossing just east of its interchange with I-70.
Renaming
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/IND-Midfield-Side-01202008.jpg/200px-IND-Midfield-Side-01202008.jpg)
The opening of the Col. H. Weir Cook Terminal at the Indianapolis International Airport on November 11, 2008, means the Sam Jones Expressway is no longer a direct route for reaching the airport terminal from any location. This prompted the city to rename the Airport Expressway as the Sam Jones Expressway in June 2007.
Major intersections
![]() | This section is missing mileposts for junctions. |
The entire route is in Indianapolis, Marion County. All exits are unnumbered.
mi | km | Destinations | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.000 | 0.000 | High School Road | Intersection | ||
![]() ![]() | Exit 11 on I-465/I-74 | ||||
Executive Drive | Interchange; no entrances to Sam Jones Expressway | ||||
Lynhurst Drive | Interchange; westbound access via Bradbury Avenue | ||||
![]() | Exit 75 on I-70; directional access (eastbound to eastbound and westbound to westbound) only | ||||
Tibbs Avenue | Intersection at end of expressway; road continues eastbound as Raymond Street | ||||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |
References
- ^ "Google Maps Street View". Retrieved 28 May 2011.