RIP-Rochester Inner Loop East

[cl94]

Can I just say, as a casual traveler to Rochester for family visits, that I never found the Inner Loop to be useful at all?

You can. But can I also say, as a once-lifelong resident, that I found it quite useful in several ways, albeit very specific ones. For example, when traveling from the SE part of the city, as I often was, to the NE quadrant of downtown, as I often was, the Inner Loop made for a handy bypass of the Broad St. and East Ave. intersections with Union St. (which served to replace the never-built connection between I-490 WB and the counter-clockwise Inner Loop).

(This did not work for the reverse commute, however; indeed, one of the loop's biggest drawbacks was the lack of certain connections in certain directions.)

Also, whenever I had an alignment or any work done on my car that would affect its handling, I would routinely take it out for a lap or two on the Inner Loop as a sort of test track.

I once drove out there with a friend of mine and we did time trials on the loop. This was several years ago.

[vdeane]

Can I just say, as a casual traveler to Rochester for family visits, that I never found the Inner Loop to be useful at all?

You can. But can I also say, as a once-lifelong resident, that I found it quite useful in several ways, albeit very specific ones. For example, when traveling from the SE part of the city, as I often was, to the NE quadrant of downtown, as I often was, the Inner Loop made for a handy bypass of the Broad St. and East Ave. intersections with Union St. (which served to replace the never-built connection between I-490 WB and the counter-clockwise Inner Loop).

(This did not work for the reverse commute, however; indeed, one of the loop's biggest drawbacks was the lack of certain connections in certain directions.)

Also, whenever I had an alignment or any work done on my car that would affect its handling, I would routinely take it out for a lap or two on the Inner Loop as a sort of test track.

I wouldn't be surprised if the lack of the I-490 WB to Inner Loop connection is ultimately what doomed that part of the loop.

[vdeane]

Now they're talking about removing still MORE of the Inner Loop...
http://therochesterian.com/2016/04/14/northern-inner-loops-problem/

[8.Lug]

Now they're talking about removing still MORE of the Inner Loop...
http://therochesterian.com/2016/04/14/northern-inner-loops-problem/

Yeah that's not gonna happen. MAJOR amount of traffic uses that section to get to/from the east side of the city. And a huge LOL to considering round-abouts. People love to blame Americans for not knowing how to drive, but the biggest problem to a round-about is our very large vehicles - and I'm not talking about our SUV's either. I'm talking about commercial vehicles. Our local delivery trucks are damn near the size of European long-haul lorries. And sorry, but there's no way a sleeper pulling a 40ft box is gonna navigate a sea of those stupid circles.

[vdeane]

Even more major amounts of traffic use the I-81 viaduct, and there's serious talk of removing that (and I suspect that it'll happen, due to the lack of money to rebuilt the viaduct).

As for your comments on roundabouts, that's what truck aprons are for.

[8.Lug]

As for your comments on roundabouts, that's what truck aprons are for.

That's great for single-lane roundabouts, but Main St is three lanes right there.

I don't know how to get a link to a zoomed-in area on google maps but here are the coordinates:
43°09'34.5"N 77°35'44.1"W

[vdeane]

Works for double lane too; the truck has to yield to all lanes (as do all other vehicles, for that matter) and vehicles entering the roundabout have to yield to the truck.  In any case, if the bike/ped advocates are driving this, don't be surprised if they do a road diet on Main Street as part of the project.

[8.Lug]

Three lanes per side. 7 lanes wide total with the center turn lane.

[vdeane]

Hence why they would want to do a road diet.  If they don't like the Inner Loop, do you think they like an expanse of pavement with three lanes each way and a turn lane?  Let's note that the AADT of Main St just west of the Inner Loop is less than what the AADT of Union St will be when the Inner Loop removal project is done, and Union St will only be two lanes wide (TOTAL).

[silverback1065]

Hence why they would want to do a road diet.  If they don't like the Inner Loop, do you think they like an expanse of pavement with three lanes each way and a turn lane?  Let's note that the AADT of Main St just west of the Inner Loop is less than what the AADT of Union St will be when the Inner Loop removal project is done, and Union St will only be two lanes wide (TOTAL).

I know nothing about this area's traffic patterns, but was this ever a highly used freeway ever?  I feel like this was never a good idea to build from day one.  Did this, or was this supposed to get a freeway number?  or does this have a secret number (unsigned but on the books as a number)?

[Roadgeek Adam]

NY 940T is the Inner Loop designation.

[cl94]

Here's a little bit of info: every limited-access highway in New York, regardless of who maintains it, has a number. This includes, but is not limited to, the three portions of the Thruway system without an Interstate designation, all limited-access parkways and certain at-grade parkways in New York City.

[empirestate]

Here's a little bit of info: every limited-access highway in New York, regardless of who maintains it, has a number.

With one exception...who can guess it?



iPhone

[cl94]

Here's a little bit of info: every limited-access highway in New York, regardless of who maintains it, has a number.

With one exception...who can guess it?



iPhone

Damn. Forgot about that one. Yes, I know what it is. I'll let someone else guess it. Hint: it is not maintained by a local municipality.

[mariethefoxy]

JFK Expressway maintained by the Port Authority.

[NE2]

JFK Expressway maintained by the Port Authority.

And the Lincoln Tunnel Expressway (Dyer Avenue?).

[vdeane]

Isn't that modern-day NY 495?

[NE2]

Isn't that modern-day NY 495?

Nope - the expressway continues to 31st Street (and is about 7 blocks long after the 34th Street ramps leave).

[Alps]

Isn't that modern-day NY 495?

Nope - the expressway continues to 31st Street (and is about 7 blocks long after the 34th Street ramps leave).

Is NY 495 defined continuously along 34th St.?

[cl94]

Isn't that modern-day NY 495?

Nope - the expressway continues to 31st Street (and is about 7 blocks long after the 34th Street ramps leave).

Is NY 495 defined continuously along 34th St.?

No, at least not according to traffic data reports and the Official Description. Discontinuous between the tunnels.

[Alps]

Isn't that modern-day NY 495?

Nope - the expressway continues to 31st Street (and is about 7 blocks long after the 34th Street ramps leave).

Is NY 495 defined continuously along 34th St.?

No, at least not according to traffic data reports and the Official Description. Discontinuous between the tunnels.

Where does one find the Official Description?

[NE2]

Where does one find the Official Description?

http://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/oom/transportation-systems/repository/2012%20tour-bk.pdf

I 495 Queens-Midtown Tunnel on Long Island Expressway to Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I 278) and Van Wyck Expressway (I 678) on Long Island Expressway to Riverhead (NY 25) — Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. (also see NY 495)

NY 495 Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I 278), Van Wyck Expressway (I 678) — Queens County. (also see I 495)

In other words, the Lincoln Tunnel is unnumbered.

[cl94]

Where does one find the Official Description?

http://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/oom/transportation-systems/repository/2012%20tour-bk.pdf

I 495 Queens-Midtown Tunnel on Long Island Expressway to Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I 278) and Van Wyck Expressway (I 678) on Long Island Expressway to Riverhead (NY 25) — Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. (also see NY 495)

NY 495 Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I 278), Van Wyck Expressway (I 678) — Queens County. (also see I 495)

In other words, the Lincoln Tunnel is unnumbered.

I think one of the logs lists the tunnel as NY 495. In case of discrepancy, the log is typically "correct" regarding secret designations.

[empirestate]

Where does one find the Official Description?

http://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/oom/transportation-systems/repository/2012%20tour-bk.pdf

I 495 Queens-Midtown Tunnel on Long Island Expressway to Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I 278) and Van Wyck Expressway (I 678) on Long Island Expressway to Riverhead (NY 25) — Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. (also see NY 495)

NY 495 Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I 278), Van Wyck Expressway (I 678) — Queens County. (also see I 495)

In other words, the Lincoln Tunnel is unnumbered.

I think one of the logs lists the tunnel as NY 495. In case of discrepancy, the log is typically "correct" regarding secret designations.

I would say the inventory file, rather than the route log. The most recent still lists NY 495 on the Lincoln Tunnel and to 34th Street.
https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-services/highway-data-services/inventory-listing

[Roadrunner75]

Where does one find the Official Description?

http://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/oom/transportation-systems/repository/2012%20tour-bk.pdf

I 495 Queens-Midtown Tunnel on Long Island Expressway to Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I 278) and Van Wyck Expressway (I 678) on Long Island Expressway to Riverhead (NY 25) – Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. (also see NY 495)

NY 495 Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I 278), Van Wyck Expressway (I 678) – Queens County. (also see I 495)

In other words, the Lincoln Tunnel is unnumbered.

I think one of the logs lists the tunnel as NY 495. In case of discrepancy, the log is typically "correct" regarding secret designations.

I would say the inventory file, rather than the route log. The most recent still lists NY 495 on the Lincoln Tunnel and to 34th Street.
https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-services/highway-data-services/inventory-listing

I remember years ago (maybe in the 90s) that NY 495 was actually signed in Manhattan (NY shield and not interstate) - I believe actually along 42nd St. and not 34th St.  I can't find any evidence of this on the internet, but I remember seeing at least one or two reassurance shields somewhere in Midtown.  It could have been 34th, but I don't recall.  I remember being surprised to see them.