So I took a trip along US-6 from Hartford to Providence. As I drove I thought what could've been. I think of it as a major thoroughfare between two cities, and what is currently there is barely a compromise. Maybe 80-20. Starting out on I-84 to I-384 and a nice 8-lane highway that eventually ends up as a 2-lane US-6.
I've noticed CT DOT recently added turn-lanes for pretty much all the side streets between the end of I-384 and the Willimantic Bypass. However, there are no passing zones but there were 10' shoulders the whole way. I did notice a few "KEEPHEADLIGHTS on for SAFETY" signs. I moved at a pretty good clip, CT never posts side roads higher than 50mph. I did think what if I was behind a slow driver ....but I wasn't.
I then got to the western JCT of US-6 and CT-66, nice and big but I heard rumors that CT DOT wants to replace it with a roundabout. If it comes to fruition, what a blow to traffic flow. Isn't this supposed to be a main artery??
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7363%2F11140399435_6e9c3af1f5.jpg&hash=745a29b068ebaefbf9a83baea9e45dbc12c27003)
The Willimantic Bypass, moved along but went by way too quickly. East of there US-6 is 4-lanes with turn-lanes and 10' wide shoulders. A couple of slow vehicle lanes as well.
The only area I had to slow down was in Brooklyn where the speed was reduced to 35-40mph. After that, back to 50mph and a divided arterial in Killingly and a series of ramps with I-395.
I had the worst time in RI as a once 4-lane US-6 is now two-lanes from the State Line to just west of I-295.
Around Johnston it was 4-lanes with not many turn-lanes for the shopping centers. Then I hit I-295 and US-6A.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.staticflickr.com%2F5491%2F11141361863_1f6c8af4b6.jpg&hash=068f931f0f0f6cdca580d416295975a125663ce1)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.staticflickr.com%2F5494%2F11141254964_f1296b395f.jpg&hash=dc13986a9db780453abb46dbd57306b0530afa5d)
Overall, not a bad trip as I was at 50mph most of the way but still think CT could've added median barriers in spots and added more lanes in spots too. Of course the expressway would be ideal.
Of possible interest: http://www.kurumi.com/roads/ct/44ways.html
Any goodies in Providence? I'll be there tomorrow and want to snap some signs
Quote from: doofy103 on December 22, 2013, 08:34:36 PM
Any goodies in Providence? I'll be there tomorrow and want to snap some signs
I think anywhere you turn will be good. Stick around the former I-195 viaduct, try to follow US 1, 1A, 6, and 44 through town - where 44 is a one-way pair, both directions have signs.
As of the Goog's August 2012 photos, there's still a brickshitter on Harris Avenue southbound at the onramp to US 6 west south of Atwells Avenue. Don't look it up; the surprise will be better.
Unfortunately it looks like all the Downtown Ring Roads shields are gone.
Quote from: doofy103 on November 30, 2013, 08:19:15 PM
I then got to the western JCT of US-6 and CT-66, nice and big but I heard rumors that CT DOT wants to replace it with a roundabout. If it comes to fruition, what a blow to traffic flow. Isn't this supposed to be a main artery??
How about moving US 6 a little bit to the north so that US 6 and CT 66 don't directly touch each other anymore and adding a freeway exit on US 6 that would lead to a traffic light on CT 66? That way, you can proceed straight onto the Willimantic Bypass from US 6 without going through any lights or around any circles.
It always appeared to me (and Kurumi's site confirms) that the most direct route between Hartford and Providence is I-84 -> CT 74 -> US 44 -> CT/RI 101 -> US 6. How much usage does this route see vis-a-vis using US 6 without variation?
Quote from: Urban Prairie Schooner on December 23, 2013, 01:46:29 PM
It always appeared to me (and Kurumi's site confirms) that the most direct route between Hartford and Providence is I-84 -> CT 74 -> US 44 -> CT/RI 101 -> US 6. How much usage does this route see vis-a-vis using US 6 without variation?
I usually go that way, except most of it (CT 74/US 44/RI 101) is all 2 lanes with the exception of a few climbing lanes. Only slowdown is through Dayville when you encounter a few shopping centers and I-395, but it's 45 MPH on CT 74 and 50 for most of the rest of the way.
Quote from: Urban Prairie Schooner on December 23, 2013, 01:46:29 PM
It always appeared to me (and Kurumi's site confirms) that the most direct route between Hartford and Providence is I-84 -> CT 74 -> US 44 -> CT/RI 101 -> US 6. How much usage does this route see vis-a-vis using US 6 without variation?
CT 74 is generally pretty lightly traveled. I get the feeling the unwashed masses are using I-384.
Ok, this time I'm going back to Providence. The signs on the Henderson Bridge still there?
and is this sign on 138 still there?
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=41.700233,-71.166183&spn=0.000004,0.002328&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.700233,-71.166183&panoid=5E4d_l0x9ASXiZe4y48unw&cbp=12,68.89,,0,10.16
Going up Sunday or Tuesday. Any other goodies to get?
Quote from: doofy103 on February 12, 2014, 12:21:09 PM
Ok, this time I'm going back to Providence. The signs on the Henderson Bridge still there?
and is this sign on 138 still there?
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=41.700233,-71.166183&spn=0.000004,0.002328&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.700233,-71.166183&panoid=5E4d_l0x9ASXiZe4y48unw&cbp=12,68.89,,0,10.16
Going up Sunday or Tuesday. Any other goodies to get?
I believe all of the signs are still there. If you're in Fall River, check to see if the paddle sign is still there under the 138/195 interchange. It had cut corners.
Quote from: Alps on February 12, 2014, 07:24:40 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 12, 2014, 12:21:09 PM
Ok, this time I'm going back to Providence. The signs on the Henderson Bridge still there?
and is this sign on 138 still there?
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=41.700233,-71.166183&spn=0.000004,0.002328&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.700233,-71.166183&panoid=5E4d_l0x9ASXiZe4y48unw&cbp=12,68.89,,0,10.16
Going up Sunday or Tuesday. Any other goodies to get?
I believe all of the signs are still there. If you're in Fall River, check to see if the paddle sign is still there under the 138/195 interchange. It had cut corners.
I believe there are state-named I-195 shields at the MA-81 junction. (Plymouth Ave.)
http://goo.gl/maps/ksKsZ
Quote from: agentsteel53 on February 12, 2014, 07:52:45 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 12, 2014, 07:24:40 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 12, 2014, 12:21:09 PM
Ok, this time I'm going back to Providence. The signs on the Henderson Bridge still there?
and is this sign on 138 still there?
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=41.700233,-71.166183&spn=0.000004,0.002328&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.700233,-71.166183&panoid=5E4d_l0x9ASXiZe4y48unw&cbp=12,68.89,,0,10.16
Going up Sunday or Tuesday. Any other goodies to get?
I believe all of the signs are still there. If you're in Fall River, check to see if the paddle sign is still there under the 138/195 interchange. It had cut corners.
I believe there are state-named I-195 shields at the MA-81 junction. (Plymouth Ave.)
http://goo.gl/maps/ksKsZ
That segment of Plymouth Ave is being reconstructed, which probably spells the end for those signs.
Quote from: spooky on February 13, 2014, 06:56:39 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on February 12, 2014, 07:52:45 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 12, 2014, 07:24:40 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on February 12, 2014, 12:21:09 PM
Ok, this time I'm going back to Providence. The signs on the Henderson Bridge still there?
and is this sign on 138 still there?
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=41.700233,-71.166183&spn=0.000004,0.002328&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.700233,-71.166183&panoid=5E4d_l0x9ASXiZe4y48unw&cbp=12,68.89,,0,10.16
Going up Sunday or Tuesday. Any other goodies to get?
I believe all of the signs are still there. If you're in Fall River, check to see if the paddle sign is still there under the 138/195 interchange. It had cut corners.
I believe there are state-named I-195 shields at the MA-81 junction. (Plymouth Ave.)
http://goo.gl/maps/ksKsZ
That segment of Plymouth Ave is being reconstructed, which probably spells the end for those signs.
I only found the one shown above when I was last there (apparently 12/1/07), so you may want to singularize your terminologies.
Finally got out there, I think there are under 10 button copy signs left in RI.
The pair at I-295 and US-6A, Henderson Bridge (although the one for S. Angell St @ the western end has been replaced), and the 3 on RI-138.
On I-195 EB, the Exit 1/4 mile sign was left and not replaced with the latest signage project. It looks non-reflective with lots of patches.
US-6, RI-10, RI-138, RI-4, I-95 and I-195 all have new signs.
The I-95 NB exit to I-195 still slows down with traffic. Wonder how that is during rush hour now?
Check out some photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98731835@N05/