Wisconsin notes

[20160805]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

That's kinda 'tarded, if you ask me.  I read once that the average moving speed on this section (i.e. when relatively free flowing) is 75 mph, so reducing the limit to that would mean the average person on that stretch of road is now going 20 mph over the limit.  Sounds like a huge cash cow for the cops with no benefit to Joe Traveler.

Please don't use that phrase.

I second that.  There's another young person on here that has used a similar phrase in recent days.

I'm barely young anymore, being 26 and all, and what's even wrong with it?  I never attached "re" to it; as such, it's not even a valid word.  Tard is a village in Hungary.  Also, you guys aren't the moderators, and besides, I've seen people use far worse words than "tard" or "retard" all over the place on here.

[thspfc]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

That's kinda 'tarded, if you ask me.  I read once that the average moving speed on this section (i.e. when relatively free flowing) is 75 mph, so reducing the limit to that would mean the average person on that stretch of road is now going 20 mph over the limit.  Sounds like a huge cash cow for the cops with no benefit to Joe Traveler.

Please don't use that phrase.

I second that.  There's another young person on here that has used a similar phrase in recent days.

I'm barely young anymore, being 26 and all, and what's even wrong with it?  I never attached "re" to it; as such, it's not even a valid word.  Tard is a village in Hungary.  Also, you guys aren't the moderators, and besides, I've seen people use far worse words than "tard" or "retard" all over the place on here.

Seriously? Just be a little bit considerate. Just because you didn't say "retarded"  doesn't mean that you weren't using the term in a manner that it was not meant to be used.

[MNHighwayMan]

We should probably retard this conversation and get back to talking about roads.

[DaBigE]

I would like to know why this is the main option versus HOV, HOT, or express lanes, especially since they're going to be redoing the median anyways if they do this project.

Because they don't have room to add any more permanent lanes, and outside of peak hours, the extra lanes aren't needed, therefore it's money that can be better spent elsewhere. They're only suggesting using the inside shoulder lanes part time because it's not an ideal situation from the safety perspective (little room for error next to a concrete barrier--look at the issues along the I-94 and I-39 construction zones). The Arboretum is a major pinch point, in addition to major interchange reconstruction that would need to occur if another lane was added to the outside. Most of the commuter traffic is single occupancy vehicles, so HOV wouldn't reduce congestion much and would only add to the weaving problems. HOT is out since that is political suicide. The governor has already closed the door to tolling during the next budget biennium. (Not to stray off-topic too far, but IMO, tolling will cost more money than it will bring in.)

One major challenge with the Beltline is that unlike many other urban freeways, the traffic is moving heavily in both directions, rather than one direction in the morning and another in the afternoon, because of all the commuting traffic to Epic in Verona, making many solutions impractical.

Not quite true. Traffic is heavier than non-peak hours, but there definitely is a directional bias depending on the time of day.

[20160805]

We should probably retard this conversation and get back to talking about roads.

Good idea.

A block or two of Prospect Avenue in Appleton closed yesterday morning; I'm not sure exactly what they're doing, but I saw a hole being dug in the pavement.

[SEWIGuy]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

That's kinda 'tarded, if you ask me.  I read once that the average moving speed on this section (i.e. when relatively free flowing) is 75 mph, so reducing the limit to that would mean the average person on that stretch of road is now going 20 mph over the limit.  Sounds like a huge cash cow for the cops with no benefit to Joe Traveler.

Please don't use that phrase.

I second that.  There's another young person on here that has used a similar phrase in recent days.

I'm barely young anymore, being 26 and all, and what's even wrong with it?  I never attached "re" to it; as such, it's not even a valid word.  Tard is a village in Hungary.  Also, you guys aren't the moderators, and besides, I've seen people use far worse words than "tard" or "retard" all over the place on here.

I simply asked you to be considerate. It is considered a dated and offensive word.

[20160805]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

That's kinda 'tarded, if you ask me.  I read once that the average moving speed on this section (i.e. when relatively free flowing) is 75 mph, so reducing the limit to that would mean the average person on that stretch of road is now going 20 mph over the limit.  Sounds like a huge cash cow for the cops with no benefit to Joe Traveler.

Please don't use that phrase.

I second that.  There's another young person on here that has used a similar phrase in recent days.

I'm barely young anymore, being 26 and all, and what's even wrong with it?  I never attached "re" to it; as such, it's not even a valid word.  Tard is a village in Hungary.  Also, you guys aren't the moderators, and besides, I've seen people use far worse words than "tard" or "retard" all over the place on here.

I simply asked you to be considerate. It is considered a dated and offensive word.

I've already moved on.  And I can think of 20 words off the top of my head that are more offensive than any form of that one.

[Rothman]

The 26-year old has a lot of growing up to do.

[SEWIGuy]

State Budget signed which increases funds for roads. However studies for  the I-41 expansion between Green Bay and Appleton along with the Southern Bridge in Brown County were taken out by the governor. Thoughts?

I thought it was overkill to expand I-41 the whole way however I do support expanding it from the eastern curve to the northern 441 interchange.

I drove that section of I-41 in June, and even in the middle of the day Thursday it was congested. Not bumper to bumper, but a little slow. I'm in favor of 6 lanes.

The east-west part across Appleton through Kaukauna especially, volume-related slowdowns are fast becoming S.O.P. on it.



Mike

And Outagamie County wanting to reduce the speed limit there to 55 MPH.

That's kinda 'tarded, if you ask me.  I read once that the average moving speed on this section (i.e. when relatively free flowing) is 75 mph, so reducing the limit to that would mean the average person on that stretch of road is now going 20 mph over the limit.  Sounds like a huge cash cow for the cops with no benefit to Joe Traveler.

Please don't use that phrase.

I second that.  There's another young person on here that has used a similar phrase in recent days.

I'm barely young anymore, being 26 and all, and what's even wrong with it?  I never attached "re" to it; as such, it's not even a valid word.  Tard is a village in Hungary.  Also, you guys aren't the moderators, and besides, I've seen people use far worse words than "tard" or "retard" all over the place on here.

I simply asked you to be considerate. It is considered a dated and offensive word.

I've already moved on.  And I can think of 20 words off the top of my head that are more offensive than any form of that one.

But you haven't modified your original post.  And it's irrelevant if there are more offensive words.

[skluth]

And it's irrelevant if there are more offensive words.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This. Arguing whether it's less offensive doesn't change that it's offensive.

[Alps]

The point has been made. While we all have freedom of speech in here, we should avoid using derogatory terms and acknowledge when we do so. Let's move back to roads, all. Thanks.

[mgk920]

We should probably retard this conversation and get back to talking about roads.

Good idea.

A block or two of Prospect Avenue in Appleton closed yesterday morning; I'm not sure exactly what they're doing, but I saw a hole being dug in the pavement.

What part?  The City of Appleton just reopened the part by Elm St Wednesday evening after they finally were able to clear out that large tree that was blown over in Saturday's storm.

The part from the railroad by Outagamie St to almost I-41 is being prepped for a major rebuild that is scheduled for next year.



Mike

[JREwing78]

If folks are curious how the I-39/90 expansion between Madison and Beloit is going, WisDOT has been very active on its Facebook page for the project, at https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinI3990Project/. There are a lot of pictures of construction progress, and WisDOT representatives have been answering lots of questions about the project.

For those who love looking at construction work, it's been quite a time to live in southern Wisconsin.

[thspfc]

Goodness, when is that project going to be done. For the last 10 years, even before the project started, that road has been a nightmare.

[The Ghostbuster]

I wish they were reconstructing the Beltline Interchange (Exit 142 A-B) with Interstates 39/90 to a different configuration. Even after they do reconstruct it, the US 12/18 EB-to-Interstate 39 North/Interstate 90 West ramp will still be on the left hand side. I would have preferred all ramps being on the right hand side, not to mention all the roads being three lanes in each direction through the interchange. However, I should probably just be grateful that the Beltline Interchange is being reconstructed with the existing 30/90 project, and not being deferred to whenever Interstate 39/90 will be reconstructed north of Exit 142AB.

[WarrenWallace]

This is the preferred alternative for the Beltline interchange.
https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/wp-content/uploads/sites/145/I39-90US12-18intchgprefalt-Dec2018.pdf

[Revive 755]

This is the preferred alternative for the Beltline interchange.
https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/wp-content/uploads/sites/145/I39-90US12-18intchgprefalt-Dec2018.pdf

They couldn't get rid of the left exit from EB US 12 to NB I-39/WB I-90 and realign mainline EB US 12 to make any possible future upgrades easier?

[JREwing78]

This is the preferred alternative for the Beltline interchange.
https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/wp-content/uploads/sites/145/I39-90US12-18intchgprefalt-Dec2018.pdf

They couldn't get rid of the left exit from EB US 12 to NB I-39/WB I-90 and realign mainline EB US 12 to make any possible future upgrades easier?

We're lucky they're fixing NB I-39/90 - technically all they needed to do is make the far left lane the exit to the Beltline. They didn't *have* to realign the mainline.

[midwesternroadguy]

I wish they were reconstructing the Beltline Interchange (Exit 142 A-B) with Interstates 39/90 to a different configuration. Even after they do reconstruct it, the US 12/18 EB-to-Interstate 39 North/Interstate 90 West ramp will still be on the left hand side. I would have preferred all ramps being on the right hand side,

Casual observation indicates that the "mainline"  movement from EB US 12/18 may be traveling north to I-39/90 versus continuing east on 12/18.  Traffic volumes probably support that EB 12/18 toward Cambridge would be the exit from the major traffic movement.

[thspfc]

I've never had a problem with the Beltline interchange, but I avoid the Beltline like the plague during evening rush.

[SEWIGuy]

I wish they were reconstructing the Beltline Interchange (Exit 142 A-B) with Interstates 39/90 to a different configuration. Even after they do reconstruct it, the US 12/18 EB-to-Interstate 39 North/Interstate 90 West ramp will still be on the left hand side. I would have preferred all ramps being on the right hand side,

Casual observation indicates that the "mainline"  movement from EB US 12/18 may be traveling north to I-39/90 versus continuing east on 12/18.  Traffic volumes probably support that EB 12/18 toward Cambridge would be the exit from the major traffic movement.

According to the traffic count maps, at least on the day it was measured, more than twice as many vehicles entered onto I-39/90 (28,600) than west east on US-12/18 (13,100).

Look, they don't have a lot of money so they dealt with the most important movement that needed to be upgraded - NB I-39/90 to WB US-12/18.  And I would put getting rid of the damn cloverleafs as a higher priority than the EB US-12/18 to NB I-39/90 ramps.

[Mdcastle]

So what happened to the big plan for rebuilding Wisconsin Dells Parkway that they were studying about five years ago?

[thspfc]

So what happened to the big plan for rebuilding Wisconsin Dells Parkway that they were studying about five years ago?

Never heard about that. I don't think the Dells Pkwy needs that much work anyways.

[DaBigE]

So what happened to the big plan for rebuilding Wisconsin Dells Parkway that they were studying about five years ago?

Like many other study projects, when the study ended, it got shelved until design money becomes available/it becomes a programmed project.

Never heard about that. I don't think the Dells Pkwy needs that much work anyways.

Take a drive up there during the day anytime between now and Labor Day, and your opinion will change. The Ped Hybrid Signals improved the situation slightly for pedestrians, but left turns along the corridor are still a major headache/hazard.

[thspfc]

So what happened to the big plan for rebuilding Wisconsin Dells Parkway that they were studying about five years ago?

Like many other study projects, when the study ended, it got shelved until design money becomes available/it becomes a programmed project.

Never heard about that. I don't think the Dells Pkwy needs that much work anyways.

Take a drive up there during the day anytime between now and Labor Day, and your opinion will change. The Ped Hybrid Signals improved the situation slightly for pedestrians, but left turns along the corridor are still a major headache/hazard.

I drove it about a month ago, and it wasn't that terrible, but I guess I hit it at a good time.