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Breezewood

Started by theroadwayone, October 03, 2017, 02:10:45 AM

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In light of the threads about it, is it time we stopped beating a dead horse?

Yes
64 (47.1%)
No
72 (52.9%)

Total Members Voted: 136

thenetwork

The general consensus is saying that Breezewood is dying a slow death and the mom and pops are fewer and fewer and much of the I-70 pass through traffic doesn't stop, except for the red lights.

Do they think that if they DON'T redo the interchange and leave things status quo that Breezewood will return to the 60's-70's heyday again?

The old Penna Pike alignment-turned all-purpose trail is a popular attraction there, and there will always be a need for some services there between Hagerstown and Somerset, so let nature take its course, Breezewood would likely survive longer even with the redesign than a no-build option.


jeffandnicole

Quote from: thenetwork on November 18, 2024, 01:49:42 PMThe general consensus is saying that Breezewood is dying a slow death and the mom and pops are fewer and fewer and much of the I-70 pass through traffic doesn't stop, except for the red lights.

Do they think that if they DON'T redo the interchange and leave things status quo that Breezewood will return to the 60's-70's heyday again?

This is where people's fear of change rears its ugly head.  They're afraid it'll get even worse, even though it's clearly worse than what existed 10 years ago, which is worse than what's existed 20 years ago.  What they have now ain't working.

When traveling, people don't often stay at mom-and-pop motels.  They look for chains - hotels with names they recognize.  Restaurants may make out slightly better, but often because of locals.  Travelers on the road are looking for quick and easy places with names they recognize. 

The locals don't want motorists to avoid Breezewood altogether, but many other interchanges are flourishing with traffic that could easily bypass the area.  Those areas figured it out.

Also to factor in - Turnpikes have service plazas, and as noted on other threads in these forums, people like the convenience, even when they pay a premium.  So I-70 is where most of the traffic is generated from, and there would be some serious concern if they are easily able to access the Turnpike.

Breezewood had its heyday, and held onto it longer than most small towns that did well in the earlier ages of the automobile.  Unless some company decides to make it a base, Breezewood will be like one of many other towns of the past that succumbed to modern travel.

See also:  South of the Border.

roadman65

Well things come and go in life and Breezewood shouldn't be any different. At one time not having direct ramps between freeways was not a big deal. However times and people have changed

The motels and mom & pops are a thing of the past as things change not only, but the fact is the roach motels ruined it some for trust as well as today's average American isn't interested in owning small motels like our ancestors did.  However some immigrants are and with today's view of immigrants, many tend to avoid and patronize big names like Best Western or Choice brands or even Hilton/ Marriot brands. Not saying I agree with prejudices of people, but many trust well known corporations over individuals. Not to mention some motel owners like to burn incest in their offices with some being offended or intimidated being it's a foreign custom that mainstream America don't practice. However, I found an Econo Lodge privately owned, so you can't say that one is different now than others.

However things change and though I patronized some motels in Breezewood of both Corporate Ramada and private non corporate motels, the internet and apps have changed how I reserve a room than before. So I always end up at a corporate brand.

Being that traffic is an issue, I say it's long overdue for a brand new interchange and no crying for me it's gone. Although my days of driving the Penn Turnpike are over due to inflated tolls, it won't effect my driving through that town unless I'm using Route 30.

Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

Rothman

Have to say that I think that if the interchange is built that Breezewood itself would indeed suffer a little more.  When towns are bypassed, they typically do worse economically.

That said, the cost to our country due to keeping Breezewood around is just silly to keep paying at this point.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

MASTERNC

That Post-Gazette article brings up an interesting point.  I know it's not on a north-south highway, but Breezewood would be a good place for logistics operations.  You have trucks coming from the Midwest that could unload there on their way to the NY/Philly market for distribution down into the DC area.

Upshot is there is some potential for revival when you remove the traffic bottleneck.  Plus, as I have argued before, the varied food options could motivate some to exit rather than stick with the Burger King/Roy Rogers/Popeye's on the PA Turnpike.  I still wish Applegreen would do the same thing they've done in NY/NJ and add some new food options at the service plazas.

MikieTimT

Quote from: roadman65 on November 18, 2024, 05:58:14 PMNot to mention some motel owners like to burn incest in their offices with some being offended or intimidated being it's a foreign custom that mainstream America don't practice.

I for one am glad that it isn't customary in mainstream America to practice burning incest.  I am a little leery of traveling internationally now that I think on it more.

Rothman

Burning...incest...
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

GaryV

Quote from: Rothman on November 19, 2024, 10:43:30 AMBurning...incest...

Hanging's too good for them. Burn'em.

pderocco

Quote from: GaryV on November 19, 2024, 12:13:12 PM
Quote from: Rothman on November 19, 2024, 10:43:30 AMBurning...incest...

Hanging's too good for them. Burn'em.

It would be more humane to use an incesticide.

jeffandnicole

Quote from: MASTERNC on November 19, 2024, 08:56:21 AMThat Post-Gazette article brings up an interesting point.  I know it's not on a north-south highway, but Breezewood would be a good place for logistics operations.  You have trucks coming from the Midwest that could unload there on their way to the NY/Philly market for distribution down into the DC area.

Upshot is there is some potential for revival when you remove the traffic bottleneck.  Plus, as I have argued before, the varied food options could motivate some to exit rather than stick with the Burger King/Roy Rogers/Popeye's on the PA Turnpike.  I still wish Applegreen would do the same thing they've done in NY/NJ and add some new food options at the service plazas.

I've mentioned here myself for Breezewood to have life, it needs to find a company or industry that would be a draw. But in order to do that, you need a population of potential employees nearby to support it.

Here's the funny thing about a logistics operation - they already have the best setup.  Trucks are forced off the highway.  Land is available.  Trucks literally go past the point they would need to pull into.  And unlike what people are thinking, it's normally not jammed in the area.

roadman65

Another thing to consider is that other things have changed that we think nothing of. Service stations for one. Used to be with two bays for repairs and now we buy gaps from convenience stores. 

No more auto repairs in the station and, of course, no more being greeted by an attendant ( unless you live in NJ).
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

Rothman

Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 19, 2024, 06:56:10 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on November 19, 2024, 08:56:21 AMThat Post-Gazette article brings up an interesting point.  I know it's not on a north-south highway, but Breezewood would be a good place for logistics operations.  You have trucks coming from the Midwest that could unload there on their way to the NY/Philly market for distribution down into the DC area.

Upshot is there is some potential for revival when you remove the traffic bottleneck.  Plus, as I have argued before, the varied food options could motivate some to exit rather than stick with the Burger King/Roy Rogers/Popeye's on the PA Turnpike.  I still wish Applegreen would do the same thing they've done in NY/NJ and add some new food options at the service plazas.

I've mentioned here myself for Breezewood to have life, it needs to find a company or industry that would be a draw. But in order to do that, you need a population of potential employees nearby to support it.

Here's the funny thing about a logistics operation - they already have the best setup.  Trucks are forced off the highway.  Land is available.  Trucks literally go past the point they would need to pull into.  And unlike what people are thinking, it's normally not jammed in the area.

When it comes to logistics, I'm thinking the preferred location for Megalopolis distribution is still to the east along the I-81 corridor, where they've been building distribution centers now for decades.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

Bitmapped

Quote from: Rothman on November 19, 2024, 10:31:21 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 19, 2024, 06:56:10 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on November 19, 2024, 08:56:21 AMThat Post-Gazette article brings up an interesting point.  I know it's not on a north-south highway, but Breezewood would be a good place for logistics operations.  You have trucks coming from the Midwest that could unload there on their way to the NY/Philly market for distribution down into the DC area.

Upshot is there is some potential for revival when you remove the traffic bottleneck.  Plus, as I have argued before, the varied food options could motivate some to exit rather than stick with the Burger King/Roy Rogers/Popeye's on the PA Turnpike.  I still wish Applegreen would do the same thing they've done in NY/NJ and add some new food options at the service plazas.

I've mentioned here myself for Breezewood to have life, it needs to find a company or industry that would be a draw. But in order to do that, you need a population of potential employees nearby to support it.

Here's the funny thing about a logistics operation - they already have the best setup.  Trucks are forced off the highway.  Land is available.  Trucks literally go past the point they would need to pull into.  And unlike what people are thinking, it's normally not jammed in the area.

When it comes to logistics, I'm thinking the preferred location for Megalopolis distribution is still to the east along the I-81 corridor, where they've been building distribution centers now for decades.
Indeed, there have been a huge number of new distribution centers going up along I-81 around Hagerstown and into Pennsylvania in just the last two or three years. Those locations seem preferable to Breezewood - closer north/south access, possibility of rail access if needed, and more flexible east-west access without paying tolls.

The Ghostbuster

I doubt Breezewood will become a ghost town, even if the direct connection between Interstates 70 and 76 are constructed. I'm sure Breezewood will adapt, just like other towns that have been bypassed in the past have adapted. I will not deny that adaptation may be painful.

Rothman

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on November 20, 2024, 12:24:05 PMI doubt Breezewood will become a ghost town, even if the direct connection between Interstates 70 and 76 are constructed. I'm sure Breezewood will adapt, just like other towns that have been bypassed in the past have adapted. I will not deny that adaptation may be painful.

Eh, more cases of bypassed towns hurting more than adapting by far.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

1995hoo

Some writer for the Washington Post suggested that the Penn State–Maryland game be played in Breezewood with Phantom Fireworks as the sponsor.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.



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