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All the United States Arizona Green Valley I-19, America's Only Metric Interstate

I-19, America's Only Metric Interstate

After a short-lived attempt to bring America in line with the rest of the world, this road was left in metric.

Green Valley, Arizona

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Jared Steed
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I-19, America’s Only Metric Interstate   NicAgent on Wikipedia
I-19, America’s Only Metric Interstate   Ken Lund on Flickr
I-19, America’s Only Metric Interstate   Ken Lund on Flickr
I-19 signage.   WhiskeyBristles / Atlas Obscura User
A sajuaro cactus on the west side of I-19. I think it resembles Lisa Simpson!   bennettruthaz / Atlas Obscura User
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About

For better or worse, the United States remains one of only three countries that have not officially adopted the metric system. America’s refusal to adopt the metric system has not been for lack of trying, however.

In 1975, Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act, which declared metric as the preferred system of the United States. The U.S. Metric Board was created to implement this conversion. In keeping with this plan, road signs on Interstate 19, connecting Tucson, Arizona, to Nogales, Mexico, were changed so that distances were posted in kilometers. It remains to this day the only highway in America with distances posted solely in kilometers.

As might be expected, a number of motorists have been confused by the unique distances on the signs, and measures have been taken to replace the metric signs with ones with distances displayed in standard American units of measurement. Luckily, the road has been able to maintain its unique identity thanks to the efforts of locals who didn't want to have to change the signage and directions for their businesses. Presumably they were also dismayed at the thought of losing their singular speedway.

America’s metric experiment proved to be short lived. The Metric Conversion Act and U.S. Metric Board were dismantled only seven years after they were created. Forty years later, America remains committed to its customary system of measurement. However, if you are willing to give an inch and forget about miles, head to Interstate 19 and see what it is like to drive a few kilometers.

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Added By

steedjb

Edited By

revolg1, EricGrundhauser, WhiskeyBristles, bennettruthaz

  • revolg1
  • EricGrundhauser
  • WhiskeyBristles
  • bennettruthaz

Published

August 18, 2015

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  • http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2015/07/us/metric-road-american-story/?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool&iref=obinsite
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_19#History
  • https://www.google.com/maps/@31.3420516,-110.9428587,13.04z?hl=en
I-19, America's Only Metric Interstate
Interstate 19
Green Valley, Arizona, 85622
United States
31.773806, -111.031481
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Longhorn Grill and Saloon

Amado, Arizona

miles away

Titan Missile Museum

Green Valley, Arizona

miles away

ASARCO Mission Mine and Mineral Discovery Center

Sahuarita, Arizona

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Green Valley

Green Valley

Arizona

Places 2

Nearby Places

Longhorn Grill and Saloon

Amado, Arizona

miles away

Titan Missile Museum

Green Valley, Arizona

miles away

ASARCO Mission Mine and Mineral Discovery Center

Sahuarita, Arizona

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Green Valley

Green Valley

Arizona

Places 2

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