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National Boards => Road Enthusiasts Meetings => Topic started by: SSOWorld on February 04, 2019, 09:25:29 PM

Title: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: SSOWorld on February 04, 2019, 09:25:29 PM
When: August 31 (Saturday of Labor Day weekend) - Lunch at 11:00 AM
Where: The Chancery Pub and Restaurant - 2100 E Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186 (https://goo.gl/maps/rzW5gtDCsusK7ekj8)

What:
Three major interchanges now completely rebuilt with massive construction south of town.  two interchanges accessible by foot(?) (Well not really - but one could walk under them).   Just a few items that can be captured in Milwaukee in August or September. 

I'm looking to do an initial scouting run in early May (Not the weekend of Providence) to locate relics.  It's time to think about the opportunity to visit beer city and enjoy some rebuilt interchanges and the roads between them.

Avoiding months up to August due to other meets in play, we'll be limited a bit by sun but I intend for lunch to be 11:30 am at a venue TBD.

Also: This gives folks an opportunity to detour to the Mighty Mac to walk it on Monday 9/2 (Labor Day)
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: mgk920 on February 04, 2019, 09:34:41 PM
I'll have to wait until after the week-by-week NFL schedule is announced before giving a preference.

I remember a roadmeet that was at Saz's State House back in the late 1990s.   :cool:

Mike
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: kevinb1994 on February 04, 2019, 09:43:24 PM
After reading about the climate up there, I decided on the two September dates.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: SSOWorld on February 04, 2019, 10:27:53 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on February 04, 2019, 09:34:41 PM
I'll have to wait until after the week-by-week NFL schedule is announced before giving a preference.

I remember a roadmeet that was at Saz's State House back in the late 1990s.   :cool:

Mike
Games are played on Sunday.  I chose 3 Saturdays 🙃
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: Alps on February 05, 2019, 07:24:09 PM
Unfortunately you ruled out Labor Day weekend, which would have been by far the easiest for me. The only other possibility is the other one you didn't list - 9/14.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: SSOWorld on February 05, 2019, 08:26:32 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 05, 2019, 07:24:09 PM
Unfortunately you ruled out Labor Day weekend, which would have been by far the easiest for me. The only other possibility is the other one you didn't list - 9/14.
Thought twice - votes can be changed.  Realization is I don't do much on Laborador Weekend

(https://i.imgflip.com/19ya06.jpg)
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: Alps on February 05, 2019, 10:54:28 PM
August 29 is a Thursday, eh?
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: A.J. Bertin on February 06, 2019, 08:39:53 PM
I'm very interested! I voted for Aug. 24 and Sept. 21.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on February 06, 2019, 10:48:39 PM
August 24 is the only one I know I can easily make. I already know I'm committed the day before 9/7, and I might have football broadcast commitments the other weekends. It wouldn't be impossible but would be extremely difficult to make the logistics work.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: cl94 on February 06, 2019, 11:45:54 PM
I'll put my name in as a "maybe". I was planning to do my late summer/early fall trip further west, but a trip to Milwaukee would allow me to bag 2-3 state high points and see a part of the country I don't have much experience with.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: MantyMadTown on February 07, 2019, 01:43:23 AM
I chose the two August dates–I want to make the road meet before classes start next fall.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: vdeane on February 07, 2019, 12:37:03 PM
Maybe for me, preferably not Labor Day weekend or an adjacent one.  That said, the proposed Montréal meet is my priority, but if that for some reason doesn't happen, this is a likely alternate.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: cl94 on February 07, 2019, 02:07:34 PM
Quote from: vdeane on February 07, 2019, 12:37:03 PM
That said, the proposed Montréal meet is my priority, but if that for some reason doesn't happen, this is a likely alternate.

Ditto and ditto. Not only is Montréal closer, I could more easily do it as a (long) weekend and it'd likely end up being cheaper (as crazy as that sounds). That being said, Milwaukee intrigues me, as I haven't spent a ton of time in the Upper Midwest outside of Minneapolis.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: kevinb1994 on February 18, 2019, 03:44:43 PM
AFAIK the chances of us making it to this meet are quite low, as Milwaukee is close to Chicago and we feel as if it wouldn't make sense to venture further into the Old Northwest Territory.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: A.J. Bertin on April 16, 2019, 10:30:08 PM
It's been a couple months since anything regarding this Milwaukee meet has been discussed. I was just wondering... is it still on the table as a possibility for August or September?
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: Alps on April 16, 2019, 10:57:39 PM
I'm already flying into Milwaukee (planned) to drive the UP to and from the Mackinac Bridge walk, so I'm not doing that twice.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: A.J. Bertin on April 17, 2019, 01:19:56 PM
Quote from: Alps on April 16, 2019, 10:57:39 PM
I'm already flying into Milwaukee (planned) to drive the UP to and from the Mackinac Bridge walk, so I'm not doing that twice.

Understandable. It's too bad, though, that you weren't able to do the Mackinac Bridge walk on Labor Day before they changed the format of it.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: Alps on April 17, 2019, 02:20:19 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 17, 2019, 01:19:56 PM
Quote from: Alps on April 16, 2019, 10:57:39 PM
I'm already flying into Milwaukee (planned) to drive the UP to and from the Mackinac Bridge walk, so I'm not doing that twice.

Understandable. It's too bad, though, that you weren't able to do the Mackinac Bridge walk on Labor Day before they changed the format of it.
Wait... what? "Those who wish to, and if they begin the walk early enough, will have the option to continue across the entire bridge."
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: SSOWorld on April 17, 2019, 08:40:23 PM
Quote from: Alps on April 17, 2019, 02:20:19 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 17, 2019, 01:19:56 PM
Quote from: Alps on April 16, 2019, 10:57:39 PM
I'm already flying into Milwaukee (planned) to drive the UP to and from the Mackinac Bridge walk, so I'm not doing that twice.
Not likely


Understandable. It's too bad, though, that you weren't able to do the Mackinac Bridge walk on Labor Day before they changed the format of it.
Wait... what? "Those who wish to, and if they begin the walk early enough, will have the option to continue across the entire bridge."
The meet is still on the table, but I've been busy with work lately that I hadn't had time to initiate anything - I'm going to do a scouting trip this weekend.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - Aug/Sept
Post by: A.J. Bertin on April 17, 2019, 08:41:04 PM
Quote from: Alps on April 17, 2019, 02:20:19 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 17, 2019, 01:19:56 PM
Quote from: Alps on April 16, 2019, 10:57:39 PM
I'm already flying into Milwaukee (planned) to drive the UP to and from the Mackinac Bridge walk, so I'm not doing that twice.

Understandable. It's too bad, though, that you weren't able to do the Mackinac Bridge walk on Labor Day before they changed the format of it.
Wait... what? "Those who wish to, and if they begin the walk early enough, will have the option to continue across the entire bridge."

Oh my apologies... I guess I completely misunderstood what the new format was. I thought, starting in 2018, they were no longer allowing pedestrians to cross the entire bridge. Sorry for causing any confusion or worry! (I just looked at the website to verify what you've said.) The last time I did the Bridge Walk was in 2015 (in conjunction with the U.P. road meet that had taken place over the holiday weekend).
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: SSOWorld on April 22, 2019, 08:14:51 PM
August 31 it will be.  That is also Labor Day weekend and this gives attendees an opportunity to "Detour" to the Mighty Mac to walk it if they so wish.

August 24 is only 2 weeks off Pittsburgh and I don't want to crowd the meets particularly for those going to it from the coast.
The two latter September dates will have competition from football games for those into it.

I did not scout this weekend due to Spring springing (a.k.a. allergy flare ups), rescheduled for 5/11 (no traffic pun intended)
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: A.J. Bertin on April 22, 2019, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 22, 2019, 08:14:51 PM
August 31 it will be.  That is also Labor Day weekend and this gives attendees an opportunity to "Detour" to the Mighty Mac to walk it if they so wish.

Damn... that's the weekend of my 40th birthday. I'm hoping my husband throws me a 40th-birthday party on that exact date. Oh well!
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: Alps on April 22, 2019, 11:42:25 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 22, 2019, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 22, 2019, 08:14:51 PM
August 31 it will be.  That is also Labor Day weekend and this gives attendees an opportunity to "Detour" to the Mighty Mac to walk it if they so wish.

Damn... that's the weekend of my 40th birthday. I'm hoping my husband throws me a 40th-birthday party on that exact date. Oh well!
SURPRISE!
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: A.J. Bertin on April 23, 2019, 06:48:57 AM
Quote from: Alps on April 22, 2019, 11:42:25 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 22, 2019, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 22, 2019, 08:14:51 PM
August 31 it will be.  That is also Labor Day weekend and this gives attendees an opportunity to "Detour" to the Mighty Mac to walk it if they so wish.

Damn... that's the weekend of my 40th birthday. I'm hoping my husband throws me a 40th-birthday party on that exact date. Oh well!
SURPRISE!

Haha... well, I'd really like to go to this meet if I can. Maybe I can gently ask my husband if my birthday gathering can be the previous weekend.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: jpi on April 23, 2019, 08:12:20 AM
If its 8/31 then I am out, got a toy show in Cartersville, GA that day.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: SSOWorld on June 16, 2019, 09:16:40 AM
Tour points update

The tour is roughly sketched and has 4 stops on it at this time. 

All stops will offer free parking.

* Hoan Bridge and Milwaukee Skyline: We will be parking underneath the bridge.  The Hank Aaron State Trail passes under it and provides access to Lakeshore State Park - which affords a pano opportunity for the downtown skyline along with the bridge (though the Summerfest site will be in between) and close encounters with the lake harbor and the Milwaukee River mouth.  This is on the north side of the river.  The south side is inaccessible as private land.

* St Paul Ave: Parking in a strategic location affords access to the underbelly of the Marquette Interchange as well as the north bridge of the 6th Street Viaduct.  The Intermodal Station will also be in the area.  I need to access the 6th street and Intermodal station for accessibility but the Interchange is pretty much open season (they didn't fence it off)

* The remnants of the Greenfield Interchange.  One of the shorter stops, but one of the few points of evidence left alone.  Two ramps had been used for bus access to a park and ride off 894.  They were closed and used for staging ground for the Mitchell Interchange rebuild, now they're abandoned.

* Zoo Interchange Access:  The interchange, rebuilt over 4 years, is accessible from underneath on the Hank Aaron State Trail.  Walking the trail will give us the underbelly of I-41, the system ramps, and old relics including a side road bridge and an abandoned railroad bridge.  The trail is our best option and, if you're brave, climb the painted rock slopes and get a shot of the rest of the interchange. I am not liable any injuries! In general, the government says the interchange is done "on time and on budget".  We can prove them wrong by going north on 41 out of the zoo - just use the middle lanes and pay attention!

Items to be decided: Lunch spot, Tour start point (where we're going to leave cars), pre-meet (Friday) and after-meet activity. I anticipate returning to the cars ~3 hours after tour start, assuming a 12:30-1:00 start, so those wishing to bail early can do so.

The Brew Crew are not in town as they are down the freeway playing the North-Siders in Wrigleyville, so a ballgame won't be possible as by the time they get back, many of us will have adjourned to the Mighty Mac.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: A.J. Bertin on June 16, 2019, 01:09:16 PM
I think I will be able to attend this meet. My husband will come with me, but he'll go off and do his own thing for a few hours while I'm on the tour. Because it's the weekend of a milestone birthday for me, I'm hoping that some of the road-meet attendees will be able to join the two of us that Saturday evening while we celebrate my birthday. Details and a possible invitation will be forthcoming. :)
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: Alps on June 16, 2019, 11:41:09 PM
I wish AJ Bomber's had enough room for us!
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: SSOWorld on June 16, 2019, 11:49:34 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 16, 2019, 11:41:09 PM
I wish AJ Bomber's had enough room for us!
(https://i.gifer.com/B6cX.gif)

Brandon had lunch for the Naperville meet at a spot smaller than this last year.  At this point we have 10 for a headcount (with a few maybes on the fence)

On my next scouting run, I'll check both of them out.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: A.J. Bertin on June 17, 2019, 08:20:11 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 16, 2019, 11:41:09 PM
I wish AJ Bomber's had enough room for us!

Funny coincidence with the name of this place. ;)
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: dvferyance on July 04, 2019, 07:43:30 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 16, 2019, 11:41:09 PM
I wish AJ Bomber's had enough room for us!
It's too bad Quaker Steak closed that would have been a great place and I know AJ really loves Quaker Steak.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: SSOWorld on August 02, 2019, 03:42:38 PM
I haven't forgotten this, just was busy with other priorities...

Catching up with the status of scouting for the meet.  I had to refrain from trips to scout during the last couple of weeks due to "car budgeting" (a.k.a. oil life) as I had my major driving trip the last two weeks to the Pacific and mountain northwest (which went very well and netted me I-94, I-82, Idaho's I-86, Washington State's Interstates and I-90).  The meet tour's major features and route are pretty much set up (see above), but I STILL need to select a lunch venue and car pool location.  The venue scout will not be until next week as I'm catching up at home from the trip.  However, to allow potential attendees a chance to book hotel preferences, I am already focusing on two points that will permit the booking at the most economical places rate-wise and that is along I-94 by US-18 (Bluemound Rd). There are several establishments there to choose from.  Alternate locations are available around the metro area such as downtown or by the airport - a Google (or your favorite) maps search will give you your answers.  Depending on the selection of a lunch venue, we'll be leaving cars at the park and ride nearest to that point.

(This is also cross-posted to the Facebook event page)
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: SSOWorld on August 08, 2019, 08:03:13 PM
Lunch Venue has been selected and updated within the OP.  I thought I had time this weekend to scout one - but lacking time and having known this as a familiar one and will give the opportunity to have hotels, lunch venue and park and ride nearby.  (The Greenfield one - now closed - was a venue for part II of the Chicago/Milwaukee meet in 08.)

I'll be plotting the route from there over the next 48 hours over the Goog.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: SSOWorld on August 25, 2019, 09:31:03 PM
Itinerary https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Su2OdYhlY9EsjtMkvW7Jat6Oj7lfn8eI

Itinerary is now available. I will bring a limited number of printouts. If you wish to print one for yourself (or load it onto a tablet/phone) feel free.

There are points to explore "on your own" at the end of the document.

Fair warning for those coming in from the south (Chicago and points east/south), there is a long stretch of narrow lanes (3 each directions) on the Interstate between Milwaukee and the Racine/Kenosha County lines that has seen jams and crashes. Seek alternate routes if able - this is prime opportunity to collect new route mileage. US-45 is to the west, WIS-31 and WIS-32 is to the East. I-90 to Madison from Beloit is just as bad. I-43 from Beloit to Milwaukee is pretty clear except by the interchange with I-90.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: SSOWorld on September 01, 2019, 09:14:32 PM
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48662392131_112df8bcbb_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h98tNT) (https://flic.kr/p/2h98tNT)

Meet photo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoworld/albums/72157710650182112 <-- the rest of the batch

Few things discovered - the abandoned abutment east of the zoo ramps to I-894, we thought it was old side road infrastructure, but it isn't. Its part of the old original street car system https://www.wuwm.com/post/look-back-milwaukees-original-streetcar-system#stream/0 (https://www.wuwm.com/post/look-back-milwaukees-original-streetcar-system#stream/0).  This crossing - in particular is a suburban line that went to Burlington and East Troy.  First throught given WisDOT's "leave no evidence behind" rule was that it should have been removed. Technically - not part of any contract, WisDOT or private (power lines) meant it was left there.

Some of the trail-side residents by the interchange (the trail runs under it) added some of their own exhibits which baffled many of us.

The old Greenfield Interchange that was abandoned is now being put up for sale by WisDOT - first used for bus access to the Interstate, then as a staging area for early stages of construction of I-94 South (namely the Mitchell Interchange and 27th St), it has been left unused outside being a sign farm of sorts.  It even has "cat's eyes" reflectors in it's pavement (a technology that was realized to have been useless in a snowplow world.)

And as a note, who'd not want to Bypass Chicago?

Enjoy!
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: hbelkins on September 02, 2019, 12:28:31 PM
Two Send Help signs!

And why was Chris not holding a picture of a cat? Meow.
Title: Re: The Milwaukee Road - August 31
Post by: J N Winkler on September 03, 2019, 11:08:19 PM
It sounds like a fun time was had by all.

I'm a little surprised by the report of a homeless encampment under and just east of the Marquette Interchange.  I didn't notice any tents when I visited in July 2017, though I did see patches of dead grass under the direct connector ramps that I suspected were the result of salt spray during the winter.  (I used St. Paul Avenue as a place to leave my car during the day, since it had lengths where parking was not metered.)