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Started by hotdogPi, October 12, 2013, 04:50:12 PM

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roadman65

I didn't say the I-695 cancellation was the only reason. It was a factor yes, but not the only determination.

There were more reasons,  obviously that the dig was done.  I've seen articles on it at the time and I think it's common knowledge by now to pretty every user here why the Dig was initially started.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe


bob7374

Quote from: bob7374 on November 16, 2024, 06:24:00 PMMassDOT has advertised the MA 3 Braintree to Bourne sign replacement project. The winning bid will be announced on Jan. 7, 2025:
Here's the basic info from the Project Bidding info page:
Location: BOURNE - BRAINTREE - DUXBURY - HANOVER - HINGHAM - KINGSTON - MARSHFIELD - NORWELL - PEMBROKE - PLYMOUTH - ROCKLAND - WEYMOUTH
Description: Guide and Traffic Sign Replacement on a Section of Route 3
District: 5 Ad Date: 11/16/2024 Section Response: Const Project Value: $3,525,307.50
CDs, Plans & Specs Available: No
Federal Aid No.: HSI-003S(804)X Project Number: 610714 Project Type: Signing - Structural

I am hoping they at least update the I-93 exit signage northbound in Braintree to include US 1 which is on the other overhead signs approaching the MA 3 exit on I-93.
MassDOT has postponed the winning bid announcement a week to Jan. 14. I was able to locate the contract bid solicitation page at: https://www.commbuys.com/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?docId=BD-25-1030-0H100-0H002-109885&external=true&parentUrl=close

The Special Provisions document includes a list of repairs suggested for the retained overhead sign supports starting on p. 66. Do any of them indicate that the 40+ year old signs not replaced on the Washington Street ramps to I-93 during the previous sign replacement project will be replaced now?

bluecountry

Quote from: roadman65 on December 25, 2024, 01:01:58 PMI didn't say the I-695 cancellation was the only reason. It was a factor yes, but not the only determination.

There were more reasons,  obviously that the dig was done.  I've seen articles on it at the time and I think it's common knowledge by now to pretty every user here why the Dig was initially started.
Which is....

Ted$8roadFan

The old 1950s Central Artery was poorly designed and carried far too many vehicles than it was designed for.

Given the age and number of vehicles it carried, it was only a matter of time before the roadway would collapse on its own, if not subjected to permanent gridlock.

By the 1970s/80s, highway building as we knew it had  fallen out of favor due to the destructive impact on many dirty neighborhoods. Boston was the epicenter of opposition to new highways, so rebuilding the existing artery was a non-starter.

Tearing down the old viaduct and tunneling the highway underground was the right thing to do and has greatly improved life in the city. But it is worth noting that the novelty of building a tunnel through an old city and the resulting engineering challenges led to perpetual delays and cost overruns, creating controversies still felt today.

Ted$8roadFan

Unlike the New York Thruway, Chick-Fil-A will not be coming to the Mass. pike rest areas when they are reconstructed:

https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/chick-fil-a-will-not-be-able-bid-spot-mass-pike-service-plazas/GJ4A76LRBNAOFHSEPDD5XV3EXI/

As might be expected, their being closed on Sunday is a deal-breaker.

SectorZ

Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on January 07, 2025, 05:30:41 AMUnlike the New York Thruway, Chick-Fil-A will not be coming to the Mass. pike rest areas when they are reconstructed:

https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/chick-fil-a-will-not-be-able-bid-spot-mass-pike-service-plazas/GJ4A76LRBNAOFHSEPDD5XV3EXI/

As might be expected, their being closed on Sunday is a deal-breaker.

Given how much traffic is on that highway on Sundays, especially with people traveling long distances and likelier to stop for food, this makes sense.

I wish we could bring the Roy Rogers back and get rid of McDonald's.

The Ghostbuster

Will the McDonald's restaurants remain after the reconstruction of the Massachusetts Turnpike Service Areas?

Ted$8roadFan

Not sure, but the odds might be better now that Chick-Fil-A is out.

BTW, I'd also prefer Roy Roger's to come back.

Jim

I like Chick-fil-A a lot in general, but I do agree with the requirement here that restaurants in the service areas must be open 7 days.  I am rarely willing to pay the premium to buy food or fuel at service areas anywhere, so it wouldn't matter much to me in any case what's there and open/closed.  The CFA in Chicopee works just fine for me when traveling the Mass Pike (except on Sundays).
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Rothman

Quote from: Jim on January 07, 2025, 01:49:49 PMI like Chick-fil-A a lot in general, but I do agree with the requirement here that restaurants in the service areas must be open 7 days.  I am rarely willing to pay the premium to buy food or fuel at service areas anywhere, so it wouldn't matter much to me in any case what's there and open/closed.  The CFA in Chicopee works just fine for me when traveling the Mass Pike (except on Sundays).

Oof.  I find the traffic lights on MA 33 to be insufferable.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

SidS1045

Quote from: roadman65 on December 25, 2024, 06:42:10 AMThe Northeast Expressway was never continued because US 1 from Revere to Peabody already is limited access...
Well, yes and no.

US1 through that stretch is limited-access as far as intersecting roads are concerned, but it is definitely not built to any sort of standards even approaching that of an interstate.  It is littered with multiple businesses and malls, all of which have driveways to and from the highway.  Exiting one of those driveways to enter US1 requires nerves of steel, as the posted speed limit is 55.  As for those intersecting roads, too many of them intersect with US1 via a cloverleaf interchange, with acceleration and exit lanes in direct conflict with each other and STOP signs at the end of the ramps entering US1.  The rush hour backups on those ramps are legendary.  IIRC the road was built to those specs in the 1930's, when travel speeds were lower, traffic was far less dense and there were fewer businesses along the road.  Today that design is outdated and dangerous.
"A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." - Edward R. Murrow

The Ghostbuster

The unbuilt Northeast Expressway extension would have run through the Rumney Marsh Reservation and the Lynn Woods Reservation. While it likely would have been a critical link in the Boston freeway system, the environmental damage during construction, and from the existence of the roadway would likely have been too great to warrant such a project.

Ted$8roadFan

The impact from the unfinished Interstate 95 (Northeast Expressway) thorough Romney Marsh is still being remediated today.

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-12/rumney-report-12-2022-508.pdf

bob7374

#2613
MassDOT gave the Notice to Proceed for the MA 3 Sign Replacement project, Braintree to Plymouth on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Since this is in my backyard, I should be able to provide frequent updates. Hopefully the replacement for this will include a US 1 shield:


Meanwhile. MassDOT has advertised for the upcoming MA 146 sign replacement project, winning bid to be announced March 11:
Location: DOUGLAS - MILLBURY - NORTHBRIDGE - SUTTON - UXBRIDGE - WORCESTER
Description: Guide and Traffic Sign Replacement on a Section of Route 146
District: 9 Ad Date: 1/18/2025 Section Response: Const Project Value: $6,119,420.00
CDs, Plans & Specs Available: Yes
Federal Aid No.: HSI-003S(820)X Project Number: 610717 Project Type: Signing - Structural

Ted$8roadFan

I wonder if the new sign will also include Providence, RI for 93 to 95.



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