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[TempoNick]

Last night, I noticed that there were long runs of solid white lines separating the lanes, being painted along i-670 in the downtown area (instead of the dashed lines that are normal). Was there anything in the news or anything from ODOT about that? I think we can make an educated guess about why they're doing that, but I'm still curious. I wonder if they are ever going to be able to straighten that road out.

Construction zone. Supposed to encourage drivers to not change lanes through there.

Got it. Must be the work they are doing to replace the lights through there with LEDs. I thought it was more of a permanent thing because of all the congestion downtown.

Also interesting that they held off on changing the lighting and then all of a sudden they're changing everything. I was very surprised when both the South freeway and the new I-70 segments downtown opened up with sodium vapor lights. What a waste to throw all that out. They are practically brand new.

And what's with that ramp from I-71 southbound to I-70 eastbound? They had to have more room for another 15 ft. I don't know what they were thinking.

Edit: I noticed they were also working on the retaining walls driving through there tonight I'd love somebody to describe and discuss the engineering behind that.

[PurdueBill]

Also interesting that they held off on changing the lighting and then all of a sudden they're changing everything. I was very surprised when both the South freeway and the new I-70 segments downtown opened up with sodium vapor lights. What a waste to throw all that out. They are practically brand new.

In Akron on the I-76/77 overlap, they installed all new high-mast sodium lighting atop the newly constructed median wall in late 2020, except at the very ends of the project area where single-light sodium lights were put up (similar to ones that ODOT has used for years).  This was after ODOT had already been converting to LED in many places, including the nearby West Akron/Fairlawn stretch of I-77 whose sodium lights from 2007 were all converted already.  A year after the new median wall was built, parts of it were demolished (and new light poles and new blue mile marker signs) gone with it for the construction adjacent--poor planning for sure.  By late winter just now, the sodium lights were all replaced with LED--who knows why such new fixtures were replaced so soon, or actually put up in the first place.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

And what's with that ramp from I-71 southbound to I-70 eastbound? They had to have more room for another 15 ft. I don't know what they were thinking.

Edit: I noticed they were also working on the retaining walls driving through there tonight I'd love somebody to describe and discuss the engineering behind that.

There is to be a new road/ramp from I-71 SB to I-70 EB. If one travels Parsons Ave. over I-70, one will see the "tunnel/culvert" to the east, that will funnel traffic (someday) between the two.

If you need to, you can pick up the discussion on this project here:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=5293.msg2542591#msg2542591

[TempoNick]

And what's with that ramp from I-71 southbound to I-70 eastbound? They had to have more room for another 15 ft. I don't know what they were thinking.

Edit: I noticed they were also working on the retaining walls driving through there tonight I'd love somebody to describe and discuss the engineering behind that.

There is to be a new road/ramp from I-71 SB to I-70 EB. If one travels Parsons Ave. over I-70, one will see the "tunnel/culvert" to the east, that will funnel traffic (someday) between the two.

If you need to, you can pick up the discussion on this project here:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=5293.msg2542591#msg2542591

I'm glad. With all that work being done, it would sicken me to have something like that there permanently. Thanks for the info.

[carbaugh2]

Ohio is planning to rebuild or revamp all of its rest areas. The total cost is not known at press time, but refreshing state facilities has been an underlying theme of the DeWine administration.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/05/ohio-will-rebuild-and-revamp-33-highway-rest-areas-in-the-next-four-years-gov-mike-dewine-says.html

[Buck87]

That's good to hear. A lot of our rest area's are pretty dated.

[seicer]

Not all of the rest areas, just 30 of them. Here is what one of those refurbished ones looks like: https://vimeo.com/ohiotransportation/review/822095659/931b02f531. 50 others will receive branding updates.

I am glad Ohio is investing in these rest areas at a time when some states have been eliminating them. They provide a safe spot for motorists to sleep (especially if you are federally mandated to pull over and rest), a clean place to use the restroom (except for you, I-78 Welcome Center), and a place to learn more about the state.

I remember a time when Ohio had primitive rest areas on many of its state roads. There was a primitive one we'd use a lot traveling north towards Jackson on OH 93 that was removed about 10 years ago (https://goo.gl/maps/Dec4GmQ4cbLb4uu19), and these roadside outhouses on OH 140 (https://goo.gl/maps/CyGpC7NAhzk82RdY6). Then there were the literal outhouses on US 23 in Wakefield (https://goo.gl/maps/EusjBV2aCvxUYTo79). They were torn down around 2000 when they were replaced with a modern facility with indoor plumbing. The rest area signs for years had the word "MODERN" attached to the top.

[sprjus4]

Not all of the rest areas, just 30 of them. Here is what one of those refurbished ones looks like: https://vimeo.com/ohiotransportation/review/822095659/931b02f531. 50 others will receive branding updates.

I am glad Ohio is investing in these rest areas at a time when some states have been eliminating them. They provide a safe spot for motorists to sleep (especially if you are federally mandated to pull over and rest), a clean place to use the restroom (except for you, I-78 Welcome Center), and a place to learn more about the state.

I remember a time when Ohio had primitive rest areas on many of its state roads. There was a primitive one we'd use a lot traveling north towards Jackson on OH 93 that was removed about 10 years ago (https://goo.gl/maps/Dec4GmQ4cbLb4uu19), and these roadside outhouses on OH 140 (https://goo.gl/maps/CyGpC7NAhzk82RdY6). Then there were the literal outhouses on US 23 in Wakefield (https://goo.gl/maps/EusjBV2aCvxUYTo79). They were torn down around 2000 when they were replaced with a modern facility with indoor plumbing. The rest area signs for years had the word "MODERN" attached to the top.

I wouldn’t hold to much on Ohio for the I-78 rest area, especially since it’s not even in Ohio!

[TempoNick]

Ohio is planning to rebuild or revamp all of its rest areas. The total cost is not known at press time, but refreshing state facilities has been an underlying theme of the DeWine administration.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/05/ohio-will-rebuild-and-revamp-33-highway-rest-areas-in-the-next-four-years-gov-mike-dewine-says.html

Some of the rest stops in Iowa along I-80 and I-35 are extremely nice. Somebody from ODOT should take a trip. They also have free WI-FI, which is always nice

[TempoNick]

Not all of the rest areas, just 30 of them. Here is what one of those refurbished ones looks like: https://vimeo.com/ohiotransportation/review/822095659/931b02f531. 50 others will receive branding updates.

I am glad Ohio is investing in these rest areas at a time when some states have been eliminating them. They provide a safe spot for motorists to sleep (especially if you are federally mandated to pull over and rest), a clean place to use the restroom (except for you, I-78 Welcome Center), and a place to learn more about the state.

I remember a time when Ohio had primitive rest areas on many of its state roads. There was a primitive one we'd use a lot traveling north towards Jackson on OH 93 that was removed about 10 years ago (https://goo.gl/maps/Dec4GmQ4cbLb4uu19), and these roadside outhouses on OH 140 (https://goo.gl/maps/CyGpC7NAhzk82RdY6). Then there were the literal outhouses on US 23 in Wakefield (https://goo.gl/maps/EusjBV2aCvxUYTo79). They were torn down around 2000 when they were replaced with a modern facility with indoor plumbing. The rest area signs for years had the word "MODERN" attached to the top.

You ever see the movie "There's Something about Mary?" The US 33 rest stop between Columbus and Lancaster had a reputation of being a lot like that scene. It was eventually shut down. Those were the days, when Columbus and Lancaster had so much separation that you needed a rest stop between them.

I used to take a lot of trips out to the Upper Midwest. I've gotten a decent amount of shut eye on the I-74 rest stops in illinois. They really are necessary for drivers.

[seicer]

Ah, I found it on Historic Aerials just east of Waterloo. No way to share the link, as I don't tweet. It dates as far back as 1963 or at least when that stretch was four-laned, and it appears to have been demolished by 1994.

[vtk]

More rest areas are needed, IMO. If there's more than 45 miles between rest areas along a major route, there's a need for a rest area in the middle.

[sprjus4]

More rest areas are needed, IMO. If there's more than 45 miles between rest areas along a major route, there's a need for a rest area in the middle.

A rest area every 20 miles or so? It would be nice, but might be a bit much. I would be satisfied if every 50-60 miles or so, there’s a rest area.

[GCrites80s]

Not all of the rest areas, just 30 of them. Here is what one of those refurbished ones looks like: https://vimeo.com/ohiotransportation/review/822095659/931b02f531. 50 others will receive branding updates.

I am glad Ohio is investing in these rest areas at a time when some states have been eliminating them. They provide a safe spot for motorists to sleep (especially if you are federally mandated to pull over and rest), a clean place to use the restroom (except for you, I-78 Welcome Center), and a place to learn more about the state.

I remember a time when Ohio had primitive rest areas on many of its state roads. There was a primitive one we'd use a lot traveling north towards Jackson on OH 93 that was removed about 10 years ago (https://goo.gl/maps/Dec4GmQ4cbLb4uu19), and these roadside outhouses on OH 140 (https://goo.gl/maps/CyGpC7NAhzk82RdY6). Then there were the literal outhouses on US 23 in Wakefield (https://goo.gl/maps/EusjBV2aCvxUYTo79). They were torn down around 2000 when they were replaced with a modern facility with indoor plumbing. The rest area signs for years had the word "MODERN" attached to the top.

I'm pretty sure the new one was open in 1999 because I would have stopped at it when I started college and don't remember using the primitive one there. I remember it being a parking area for a while afterward though.

There was another primitive one north of Waverly as well that I remember still being open in 1997. It was really busy the last day I was there.

[GCrites80s]

Not all of the rest areas, just 30 of them. Here is what one of those refurbished ones looks like: https://vimeo.com/ohiotransportation/review/822095659/931b02f531. 50 others will receive branding updates.

I am glad Ohio is investing in these rest areas at a time when some states have been eliminating them. They provide a safe spot for motorists to sleep (especially if you are federally mandated to pull over and rest), a clean place to use the restroom (except for you, I-78 Welcome Center), and a place to learn more about the state.

I remember a time when Ohio had primitive rest areas on many of its state roads. There was a primitive one we'd use a lot traveling north towards Jackson on OH 93 that was removed about 10 years ago (https://goo.gl/maps/Dec4GmQ4cbLb4uu19), and these roadside outhouses on OH 140 (https://goo.gl/maps/CyGpC7NAhzk82RdY6). Then there were the literal outhouses on US 23 in Wakefield (https://goo.gl/maps/EusjBV2aCvxUYTo79). They were torn down around 2000 when they were replaced with a modern facility with indoor plumbing. The rest area signs for years had the word "MODERN" attached to the top.

You ever see the movie "There's Something about Mary?" The US 33 rest stop between Columbus and Lancaster had a reputation of being a lot like that scene. It was eventually shut down. Those were the days, when Columbus and Lancaster had so much separation that you needed a rest stop between them.

I remember my folks used to bring that up in the years after it closed when we drove by. This was way before the movie came out.

[GCrites80s]

Ah, I found it on Historic Aerials just east of Waterloo. No way to share the link, as I don't tweet. It dates as far back as 1963 or at least when that stretch was four-laned, and it appears to have been demolished by 1994.

I wonder if 33 hung a right at Pickerington Road then hung a left on Winchester Road to get in to Carroll with a roadside stop at Lockville. That would have to have been at been before 1953 at least since 33 was on a high speed 2 lane alignment past Lockville that is in the same location as the 4 lane today.

[thenetwork]

More rest areas are needed, IMO. If there's more than 45 miles between rest areas along a major route, there's a need for a rest area in the middle.

It all depends...

Take 1975-ish for example on I-71 between Cleveland and Columbus.  There were 4-5 sets of rest areas, but the number of exits with 1 or more truck stops was noticeably less than  current day (usually a union 76, Sohio, or TA branded location back then).

When truck stops blossomed in the 90s and beyond, 76 disbanded, Sohio became BP, and you had new and larger Petros, Pilots, Flying J's and Loves occupying more exits. 

They provided better overnight parking and more amenities for truckers and passenger vehicles alike -- not to mention a Mickey D's or similar popping up at nearly every or every other exit along I-71. 

It made sense for Ohio to reduce the number of Rest Areas, as more drivers preferred stops with amenities the rest areas couldn't offer, and places that didn't look so desolate with no caretakers on duty.

[seicer]

Ah, I found it on Historic Aerials just east of Waterloo. No way to share the link, as I don't tweet. It dates as far back as 1963 or at least when that stretch was four-laned, and it appears to have been demolished by 1994.

I wonder if 33 hung a right at Pickerington Road then hung a left on Winchester Road to get in to Carroll with a roadside stop at Lockville. That would have to have been at been before 1953 at least since 33 was on a high speed 2 lane alignment past Lockville that is in the same location as the 4 lane today.

Can't even tell it's there today. It was plowed over for a farm field.

[GCrites80s]

You could well into the 2000s. The crossover for it is still there.

[dvferyance]

That's good to hear. A lot of our rest area's are pretty dated.

They should build a new set on I-77 by MM 91 where the abandoned weigh stations are. There was once a set a few miles south but was closed due to a new interchange.

[seicer]

Speaking of that... I've noticed that some former weigh stations and a never-built rest area have been or will be converted into rest areas for truckers:

OH 7 at Tiltonsville: https://goo.gl/maps/HrpgCF8A5sHLsqMX8 ; never utilized rest area since c. 1977 when the expressway was built. Unmarked and not barricaded for years, I noticed they were working to convert the northbound rest area into a truck parking area. New lighting, infilling of the grassy strip, and trash cans. The southbound rest area may already be converted, but I haven't been through there in a while.

[TempoNick]

More rest areas are needed, IMO. If there's more than 45 miles between rest areas along a major route, there's a need for a rest area in the middle.

A rest area every 20 miles or so? It would be nice, but might be a bit much. I would be satisfied if every 50-60 miles or so, there’s a rest area.

We used to have them roughly every 30 miles but many of them were shut down. During my last trip out through Illinois and iowa, it seems like a lot of them still do follow that 30 mi pattern.

[GCrites80s]

Way less private sector out that way so the public sector has to make up for it.

[TempoNick]

Way less private sector out that way so the public sector has to make up for it.

True, but I had to spend a few hours of shut eye in the parking lot of a Pilot truck stop on Missouri 27. In fact, rest areas would be so desolate along those secondary roads that they would practically be worthless. I wouldn't feel safe.

[Rothman]

Way less private sector out that way so the public sector has to make up for it.

True, but I had to spend a few hours of shut eye in the parking lot of a Pilot truck stop on Missouri 27. In fact, rest areas would be so desolate along those secondary roads that they would practically be worthless. I wouldn't feel safe.

If you're in the middle of nowhere, there's no one to make you unsafe...