Recent posts

#1

Canada / Re: Ontario's Highways

Last post by Chris - Today at 02:53:08 PM

A map showing the 110 km/h sections.

#2

General Highway Talk / Re: Routing Decisions that can...

Last post by StogieGuy7 - Today at 02:37:02 PM

It's no longer the case, but this thread made me think of the problem of passing through the Baltimore area up until the Fort McHenry Tunnel opened in November 1985. ....

Ah, the Harbor Tunnel! If you think that was bad, you should have seen it before the Key Bridge (RIP) was opened.  ....

I almost certainly experienced the Harbor Tunnel before the bridge opened, but I don't remember any such trips because the bridge opened just over two months before my fourth birthday.

It was right up there with the Cross-Bronx Expressway for being the worst part of our 8 hour trip. Especially recall being stuck down in the road cut just before/after you are in the tunnel. Could not see anything but the traffic and the smog coming from it. They had some pretty ancient (even for then) signage and lighting back then too - like elongated fluorescent lights, which I thought were pretty cool. 1950s vintage, I'd imagine.

#3

Southeast / Re: Interstate 73/74

Last post by NE2 - Today at 02:35:26 PM

FHWA requires full movement at all Interstate interchanges (with very few exceptions) hence the redundant ramps.

Is this something introduced in the last 15-20 years, in which the interstate-to-interstate connection must include direct ramps between all directions?

I ask this because I can think of many interstate-to-interstate junctions that don't have this, usually a bypass route and its parent (i.e. for a California example, I-405 and I-5 at both ends in Sylmar and Irvine respectively, in which Route 118 and Route 133 serve the missing movements nearby).

Texas is apparently allowed to cheat; there is no direct ramp from I-14 east (designated 2017) to I-35 south.

#4

General Highway Talk / Re: Road-Geeky Things Of The P...

Last post by mgk920 - Today at 02:09:58 PM

Where's George is still up and running.

But cash payments at tollgates are not so much. 

Mike

#5

Traffic Control / Re: Unique, Odd, or Interestin...

Last post by GaryA - Today at 01:45:47 PM

One of my favorite "downtown" signs was on I-880 in Hayward, CA:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UvkRaY93Z5Y2EKuE9

"A Street Downtown" - strikes me as almost poetic. It's since been replaced by signs reading simply "A Street" (well, duh, of course it's a street).

#6

Mid-South / I-610/I-69 interchange

Last post by longhorn - Today at 01:10:38 PM

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.7287857,-95.4603706,3a,68.3y,131.84h,105.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSjM7kYtYeFFDcaWJstkYLw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Google maps have updated this area in their maps. Looking at up I-610 what are the inside lanes for? The rest of the bridge supports are complete, so they are ramps for something.

#7

Southeast / Re: Interstate 73/74

Last post by Rothman - Today at 12:53:27 PM

I don't get the need for full access at all 3 interchanges.

I was wondering this as well. Who is going from I-40 westbound to I-74 westbound or eastbound, or I-74 (either direction) to I-40 EB? There are no plans to continue the beltway south/west, right? Seems like a massive interchange for very little traffic.

I agree... I can understand the ramps for redundancy, but 2 lane flyovers seem a bit excessive. Well... at least they will never be congested!

FHWA requires full movement at all Interstate interchanges (with very few exceptions) hence the redundant ramps.

When I-481 is converted to I-81, its connection from I-81 SB to BL-81 NB will no longer be direct as I-481 SB to I-81 NB is now, despite BL-81 still being limited access north of the interchange.

Of course, that will no longer be an interstate/interstate junction at that point.

Butbutbut...it's still an Interstate shield...it's just green...

I honestly would not be surprised if this regulation is the reason why keeping the freeway north of I-690 as a 3di was nixed (along with the plan to build the missing movements at the I-690 interchange).  Still don't know why it couldn't be a state route the whole way, however.  Region 3 just dodged the question when I asked.

Honestly, I think the option for 3dis was overlooked and then when considered, FHWA was already on board with BL-81 and NYSDOT didn't want to go back and fiddle with AASHTO and redrafting whatever documents already drafted.  So, a goof...that caused the federal share to go from 90 to 80...

#8

Southeast / Re: Interstate 73/74

Last post by vdeane - Today at 12:43:24 PM

I don't get the need for full access at all 3 interchanges.

I was wondering this as well. Who is going from I-40 westbound to I-74 westbound or eastbound, or I-74 (either direction) to I-40 EB? There are no plans to continue the beltway south/west, right? Seems like a massive interchange for very little traffic.

I agree... I can understand the ramps for redundancy, but 2 lane flyovers seem a bit excessive. Well... at least they will never be congested!

FHWA requires full movement at all Interstate interchanges (with very few exceptions) hence the redundant ramps.

When I-481 is converted to I-81, its connection from I-81 SB to BL-81 NB will no longer be direct as I-481 SB to I-81 NB is now, despite BL-81 still being limited access north of the interchange.

Of course, that will no longer be an interstate/interstate junction at that point.

I honestly would not be surprised if this regulation is the reason why keeping the freeway north of I-690 as a 3di was nixed (along with the plan to build the missing movements at the I-690 interchange).  Still don't know why it couldn't be a state route the whole way, however.  Region 3 just dodged the question when I asked.

#9

Traffic Control / Re: 1-2-3 Route number Additio...

Last post by hotdogPi - Today at 12:40:50 PM

1465 = VA 895 + US 360 + VA 150 + US 60 by 74/171FAN (I-95 NB at VA 895 EB (Exit 67A) in Richmond, VA)(https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10217882324570271&set=a.10217882434013007)

#10

Traffic Control / Re: Active highway shields tha...

Last post by Hunty2022 - Today at 12:19:37 PM

I've probably touched a couple US 50 shields in the Ocean City, MD area, plus maybe a couple for DE-1 and DE-54 in Fenwick Island.