Sam Jones Expressway (née 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.
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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.
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 at either end as well as a now-removed at-grade railroad crossing just east of its interchange with I-70.
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.