Temporary fixes that just became permanent

[GenExpwy]

This?

It's interesting that there's one right on I-390, given how I tend to think of Québec with those things.

Probably just left in place as an emergency cross-over.   We have a few in NJ - The most obvious are the crossovers at the Delaware Memorial Bridge to allow both directions to use one of the bridges:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6821672,-75.4980044,394m/data=!3m1!1e3

The thing was built – gosh, how long ago? 15 or 20 years maybe? – for the project to put blacktop on top of the original Portland cement concrete between exits 5 and 6 (with two-way traffic on one side while they worked on the other). The crossovers near exit 6 were properly removed, so this one has always seemed bizarre.

By comparison, this crossover area at exit 3 was built 5 years ago for the two-year concrete reconstruction between Wayland and Cohocton. When it wasn't removed I thought "oh no, not again"  – but the following year it was reused for the re-decking of the bridges over CR 90 (seen here), which probably saved a little money.

So maybe they kept the Dansville crossover in anticipation of a bridge project that still hasn't happened.

[CoreySamson]

TX-288 just north of the 610 interchange looked like this for years until the toll lane project started. Why they ran 288 the way they did instead of running it through the middle just seems temporary (and it kinda was, but this existed for so long that I think it qualifies for the thread).

[jeffandnicole]

This?

It's interesting that there's one right on I-390, given how I tend to think of Québec with those things.

Probably just left in place as an emergency cross-over.   We have a few in NJ - The most obvious are the crossovers at the Delaware Memorial Bridge to allow both directions to use one of the bridges:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6821672,-75.4980044,394m/data=!3m1!1e3

This is a concept that, while true at one point, the DRBA long abandoned the thought for anything but the most ultra-serious need.

When the 2nd Delaware Memorial Bridge was opened, it had 2 way traffic to allow the original bridge to be rehabbed.  When both bridges were fully opened, the crossovers were fully designed to allow traffic to switch between the 2 bridges at a moment's notice, including full overhead signage.  However, that was all removed in the 1990's.   In the aerial view above, you can see all signage has been removed.  There's a concrete jersey barrier preventing a smooth transition.  On the bridge, the lane indicator lights have been removed for contraflow traffic: https://goo.gl/maps/73TmWbrvkfPcpeZk9 .

I think the most obvious example of the DRBA having no interest in temporary traffic diversions was in 2016, when 3 lanes were shut down to replace 3 cables that were deemed an immediate priority.  They could've gone 2+2 on one bridge to close down the affected bridge, but didn't.  Adding to this since these bridge were fully open, the Commodore Barry Bridge was built, which can serve to detour traffic away from the Delaware Memorial Bridge as well

So with all of this in mind, the only reason why the DRBA would want to put 2 way traffic on one bridge would be in the event of a massive bridge failure to 1 of the 2 bridges.  And even that won't be a quick changeover...no doubt they would want to make sure the usable bridge is safe, and will probably need temp jersey construction barriers across the bridge to separate the 2 way traffic.

It should also be noted that other than when the 2nd bridge first opened, I've never seen any evidence that the crossovers were ever used.

Also, here's one on I-195, that could serve as an emergency crossover for evacuations from the shore using both roadways (even has the "Emergency Crossover" sign):
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1825594,-74.5611523,3a,46.7y,325.89h,92.59t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soMMBpRbKVe8cG24us6ib1A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

A complementary crossover on 138 between the GSP & 18 was built around the same time as well.

[PurdueBill]

This?

It's interesting that there's one right on I-390, given how I tend to think of Québec with those things.

Probably just left in place as an emergency cross-over.   We have a few in NJ - The most obvious are the crossovers at the Delaware Memorial Bridge to allow both directions to use one of the bridges:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6821672,-75.4980044,394m/data=!3m1!1e3

Also, here's one on I-195, that could serve as an emergency crossover for evacuations from the shore using both roadways (even has the "Emergency Crossover" sign):
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1825594,-74.5611523,3a,46.7y,325.89h,92.59t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soMMBpRbKVe8cG24us6ib1A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Would this one count? 

Zoom in and see the truck that didn't handle the ramp very well....

This is the one!  Bet they never thought they'd be immortalized in aerial view. 

It seems like there are more rollovers there than there should be.  The curvature was nice back when temporarily the exit to I-95 NB was to the left off of US 1 NB, using the existing SB ramp and overpass, but that was when southbound was closed for a couple years and detoured onto US 1 from Exit 50 southward.  The temporary NB connection, before work started to connect to 128, was a lot smoother curve. 

[1995hoo]

This?

It's interesting that there's one right on I-390, given how I tend to think of Québec with those things.

Probably just left in place as an emergency cross-over.   We have a few in NJ - The most obvious are the crossovers at the Delaware Memorial Bridge to allow both directions to use one of the bridges:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6821672,-75.4980044,394m/data=!3m1!1e3

....

In a similar vein to that, for many years Route 236 just west of Annandale, Virginia, had these paved crossovers blocked with jersey walls on either side of the Beltway overpass: https://goo.gl/maps/yMKfRLeYYXfFXPtS8 (it should be showing you the 2008 Street View; if not, click into that year). You can click ahead to the other side of the overpass to see the other one. Those were there because sometime back in the 1980s there was one of a series of fiery crashes involving an overturned tanker truck going to or from the tank farm in Fairfax City and the fire was intense enough that one of the bridges had to be closed for repairs. After the repair was done, they simply blocked the crossovers with barriers and left them there for almost 30 years until the overpasses were replaced as part of the HO/T lanes project on the Beltway. During that construction, they built larger crossovers for a while as all traffic used one bridge while the other was demolished, then after that all traffic used the new bridge while they repeated the process. After it was all done, they finally removed the crossovers and paved median altogether.

[PHLBOS]

Would this one count? 

Zoom in and see the truck that didn't handle the ramp very well....

This is the one!  Bet they never thought they'd be immortalized in aerial view.

Such must've just recently happen.  When I first made that post, the previous aerial view showed little or not traffic. 

It seems like there are more rollovers there than there should be.  The curvature was nice back when temporarily the exit to I-95 NB was to the left off of US 1 NB, using the existing SB ramp and overpass, but that was when southbound was closed for a couple years and detoured onto US 1 from Exit 50 southward.  The temporary NB connection, before work started to connect to 128, was a lot smoother curve.

Historic Aerials for that area circa 1978 shows the old/temporary connection as well as what would've been the original ramp connections, including a flyover ramp, to I-95 (then not fully built).

[STLmapboy]

This section of Buttermilk Rd in Tuscaloosa.

[SSR_317]

When the 55 Freeway was expanded in 2002, the Meats Avenue bridge in Orange, California was rebuilt.  There were plans to add a freeway interchange there, and thus the rebuilt bridge was wider than was necessary for traffic crossing over the freeway.  The need for a new interchange has never materialized, so 18 years later the southern side of the bridge remains unused.

Given the current "craze" to re-brand, is there any future plan to change Meats Avenue to "Proteins Avenue"? 

[RobbieL2415]

US 9's alignment onto the GSP at Somers Point/Beasley's Point was intended to be temporary, as the Beasley's Point Bridge, a private bridge, was closed in 2004 due do being in poor condition. The owner's didn't want to sink any money into it, so it was left to rot and the alignment truly became permanent when the bridge was demolished c. 2016.

No big loss, IMO.

[mrsman]

US 9's alignment onto the GSP at Somers Point/Beasley's Point was intended to be temporary, as the Beasley's Point Bridge, a private bridge, was closed in 2004 due do being in poor condition. The owner's didn't want to sink any money into it, so it was left to rot and the alignment truly became permanent when the bridge was demolished c. 2016.

No big loss, IMO.

Is this section of the GSP toll? 

[RobbieL2415]

Yes, southbound there's a toll plaza.
The old bridge was tolled also.

[Occidental Tourist]

When the 55 Freeway was expanded in 2002, the Meats Avenue bridge in Orange, California was rebuilt.  There were plans to add a freeway interchange there, and thus the rebuilt bridge was wider than was necessary for traffic crossing over the freeway.  The need for a new interchange has never materialized, so 18 years later the southern side of the bridge remains unused.

Given the current "craze" to re-brand, is there any future plan to change Meats Avenue to "Proteins Avenue"? 

No, but a recent perusal of OCTA's website shows that the on-ramp project isn't dead.  It's programmed to be built in 2055.

[hbelkins]

Isn't there a Bailey bridge or some sort of temporary structure on one of the NH/VT river crossings that has more or less become permanent?

[JCinSummerfield]

I believe there are some that were put up during construction on US-23 northbound near US-30 that became permanent.

[Roadgeekteen]

COVID masks and social distancing

Masks and distancing are dying out at least in my area.

[SectorZ]

COVID masks and social distancing

Masks and distancing are dying out at least in my area.

Went to the Square One Mall in Saugus this weekend and that place can move your thinking on whether masks are dying out.

The same goobers will literally stand 6 inches from you, so distancing is dead...

[JoePCool14]

COVID masks and social distancing

Masks and distancing are dying out at least in my area.

Went to the Square One Mall in Saugus this weekend and that place can move your thinking on whether masks are dying out.

The same goobers will literally stand 6 inches from you, so distancing is dead...

Yeah, it depends on the area. People haven't "social distanced" for a long time now (many months). Probably close to 50% of customers at my store still wear masks, even though I'm guessing 100% of them are vaccinated.

[Max Rockatansky]

COVID masks and social distancing

Masks and distancing are dying out at least in my area.

Went to the Square One Mall in Saugus this weekend and that place can move your thinking on whether masks are dying out.

The same goobers will literally stand 6 inches from you, so distancing is dead...

Yeah, it depends on the area. People haven't "social distanced" for a long time now (many months). Probably close to 50% of customers at my store still wear masks, even though I'm guessing 100% of them are vaccinated.

Locally in Fresno probably about 80% of people don't wear masks or adhere to anything COVID protocol related.  Was a complete 180 degree turn when we visited Oakland and the Bay Area last weekend for an A's game.

[Rothman]

Around my area, I assume those still wearing masks are those that cannot or refuse to get vaccinated.

[jemacedo9]

Do we really have to turn this thread into a mask debate/discussion/recap/etc?

[Rothman]

Do we really have to turn this thread into a mask debate/discussion/recap/etc?

Too late.

[ethanhopkin14]

These are part of my everyday commute, all on US-290/SH-71 west of Austin:

Where the freeway ends and traffic is diverted onto an exit ramp.  This used to be stripped as one lane, then some TxDOT official moved out that way and decided it needed to be two lanes years after it should have been.

This stupid continuous-flow intersection and this equally stupid one were built by TxDOT 10000000% knowing they were temporary, despite their polished and aesthetically pleasing design.  These examples are of course in the course of the US-290 freeway extension that first was mentioned and began displacing businesses in the mid 1980s (including the "vacant" parking areas in the second link which are actually footprints of old buildings).  The end of the freeway was built 23 years ago and the continuous-flow intersections were built about 2015.  This is the reason I want an interstate to run along the SH-71/US-290 corridor.  Planning an interstate may actually get the freeway projects that we have been in huge need of, that have been planned since the 80s, actually built!  I hate this part of my commute.  It is so half assed it makes me sick. 

[Roadgeekteen]

Around my area, I assume those still wearing masks are those that cannot or refuse to get vaccinated.

Not the case I don't think.

Do we really have to turn this thread into a mask debate/discussion/recap/etc?

That's what happens when all the other covid threads get locked

[Rothman]

Around my area, I assume those still wearing masks are those that cannot or refuse to get vaccinated.

Not the case I don't think.

Why not?

[hotdogPi]

Around my area, I assume those still wearing masks are those that cannot or refuse to get vaccinated.

Not the case I don't think.

Why not?

Those that are waiting, yes. Those that refuse, no.