Sam Jones Expressway
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
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
All exits are unnumbered.
| County | Location | mi | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | Indianapolis | 0.000 | 0.000 | High School Road | Intersection |
  I-465 / I-64 | Exit 11 on I-465/I-64 | ||||
| Executive Drive | Interchange; no entrances to Sam Jones Expressway | ||||
| Lynhurst Drive | Interchange; westbound access via Bradbury Avenue | ||||
 I-70 – Indianapolis, St. Louis | 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.