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I-540/Future I-49 Issues in NWA

Started by M86, March 10, 2014, 02:39:23 AM

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M86

I-540/US 71/Future I-49 has a speed limit of 70 from north of Exit 93 to north of the Fulbright Expressway exit (Exit 67).  Since this is an urban area, will the speed limit be reduced, eventually?  Please say yes. :)

And I am all for Interchange Sequence Signage along this route.  Section 2E.40 in the MUTCD.  Springfield, MO has it along the US 65 freeway there.

Also missing mileage distance signage along US 71/I-540/Future I-49.  Appropriate placeage (is that a word? :P ) would be on either side of AR 340/Lancashire Blvd and US 71.  And right after the MO/AR border.

Considering how long the urban part of I-540/Future I-49 Route is in NWA... I definitely think Interchange Sequence Signage is needed.











txstateends

\/ \/ click for a bigger image \/ \/

Anthony_JK

Sorry, but US 65 is not an Interstate highway, and Arkansas is not Missouri. Plus, FHWA rules mandate milepost-based exit signage, not sequential, for all Interstate highways. Sequential numberage is not an option.

US71

IIRC, US 65 in Missouri uses mileage based signage. Highest number I've seen is MM 83 near Buffalo.
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

M86

Quote from: Anthony_JK on March 10, 2014, 10:05:18 AM
Sorry, but US 65 is not an Interstate highway, and Arkansas is not Missouri. Plus, FHWA rules mandate milepost-based exit signage, not sequential, for all Interstate highways. Sequential numberage is not an option.

I never said it was.

In the MUTCD, it's an option, and there is guidance.  AHTD follows the MUTCD.

Brandon

#5
Quote from: M86 on March 10, 2014, 02:39:23 AM
I-540/US 71/Future I-49 has a speed limit of 70 from north of Exit 93 to north of the Fulbright Expressway exit (Exit 67).  Since this is an urban area, will the speed limit be reduced, eventually?  Please say yes. :)

Why?  70 mph is just fine for an urban freeway.

MDOT agrees with me: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.385442,-83.245726&spn=0.002302,0.005284&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=42.385437,-83.247003&panoid=-JfsEX27aeO4lpKfdyMScA&cbp=12,43.33,,1,0.77
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg

M86

Quote from: Brandon on March 12, 2014, 10:37:39 AM
Quote from: M86 on March 10, 2014, 02:39:23 AM
I-540/US 71/Future I-49 has a speed limit of 70 from north of Exit 93 to north of the Fulbright Expressway exit (Exit 67).  Since this is an urban area, will the speed limit be reduced, eventually?  Please say yes. :)


Why?  70 mph is just fine for an urban freeway.

MDOT agrees with me: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.385442,-83.245726&spn=0.002302,0.005284&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=42.385437,-83.247003&panoid=-JfsEX27aeO4lpKfdyMScA&cbp=12,43.33,,1,0.77

Fail... Those are Express Lanes... and you've never driven the speedway on I-540 in NWA.

My question was directed to AHTD to see if they will follow standards set by AHTD. 

I would love Express Lanes on I-540/Future I-49 in NWA.

trafficsignal

Could you point to specific standards?  Easy to say they are not following their standards without explaining why.

I think everyone is confused by the sequence signing vs. sequential numbering, you seem to be wanting the sequence signage like the link: https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.986591,-86.180878&spn=0.001052,0.614548&layer=c&cbll=39.924066,-86.202863&cbp=12,349.07,,0,0&t=m&z=11&panoid=ognBslG3A28U1Zv-T6D76g

Here, we're phasing these out and just posting the advance signage for any exit within the next 2-3 miles at the exit gore for the current exit. https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.923234,-86.118951&spn=0.000004,0.002401&layer=c&cbll=39.923323,-86.119269&cbp=12,122.65,,0,0&t=m&z=19&panoid=BCmHvXkRT-NcV6D7ppzNkA

I've driven on 540 around afternoon rush hour before - it felt a bit fast, I'd guess that rear-ends could be problematic, but I think once the 3rd lane is added and congestion is reduced that feeling would go away.  I'd guess that off-peak feels fine at 70.

Brandon

Quote from: M86 on March 13, 2014, 02:48:20 AM
Quote from: Brandon on March 12, 2014, 10:37:39 AM
Quote from: M86 on March 10, 2014, 02:39:23 AM
I-540/US 71/Future I-49 has a speed limit of 70 from north of Exit 93 to north of the Fulbright Expressway exit (Exit 67).  Since this is an urban area, will the speed limit be reduced, eventually?  Please say yes. :)


Why?  70 mph is just fine for an urban freeway.

MDOT agrees with me: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.385442,-83.245726&spn=0.002302,0.005284&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=42.385437,-83.247003&panoid=-JfsEX27aeO4lpKfdyMScA&cbp=12,43.33,,1,0.77

Fail... Those are Express Lanes... and you've never driven the speedway on I-540 in NWA.

My question was directed to AHTD to see if they will follow standards set by AHTD. 

I would love Express Lanes on I-540/Future I-49 in NWA.

No, you failed.  As in, you failed to look at other freeways in the area.  See below.  Plus, regarding "speedways", I've driven in both Chicago and Detroit.  The average speed around Chicago is about 70 mph in the 55 zones.  It's usually 80-85 in the 70 zones in the Detroit area.  There's a joke about the area: Speed limit is 70, traffic is whizzing by a Michigan State Trooper with his radar on at 85.  Why?  He's only looking for people doing triple digits.

M-10: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.464547,-83.229772&spn=0.004598,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.464702,-83.230004&panoid=5LGmUX-HRQagWY1tEBuwwA&cbp=12,319.21,,0,2.83

I-96 (east of the local/express section): https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.378574,-83.146365&spn=0.004605,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.378574,-83.146365&panoid=JSTotCi0HDdjz0mhfsySAg&cbp=12,184.63,,0,-0.09

I-94: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.27483,-83.204511&spn=0.001631,0.002642&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=42.275013,-83.204356&panoid=Voye4yg4dhDPZvjnw_7lpQ&cbp=12,36.77,,0,4.57

I-75: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.237232,-83.202242&spn=0.004615,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.237296,-83.202176&panoid=0r9wVQkA9cUjHqH01QG36Q&cbp=12,215.8,,0,7.13

I-275: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.467396,-83.43186&spn=0.004598,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.46722,-83.431857&panoid=nBTI6zl7891wLABV0NhP9w&cbp=12,186.56,,0,-1.74

I-696: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.474843,-83.188916&spn=0.004598,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.47481,-83.188812&panoid=2FMaMrQin99SNKKyFj7-Uw&cbp=12,107.18,,1,-0.73

As you can see, 70 mph is just fine for urban freeways.  Why some other states can't figure this out is beyond me.
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg

M86

#9
Quote from: Brandon on March 13, 2014, 04:03:03 PM
Quote from: M86 on March 13, 2014, 02:48:20 AM
Quote from: Brandon on March 12, 2014, 10:37:39 AM
Quote from: M86 on March 10, 2014, 02:39:23 AM
I-540/US 71/Future I-49 has a speed limit of 70 from north of Exit 93 to north of the Fulbright Expressway exit (Exit 67).  Since this is an urban area, will the speed limit be reduced, eventually?  Please say yes. :)


Why?  70 mph is just fine for an urban freeway.

MDOT agrees with me: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.385442,-83.245726&spn=0.002302,0.005284&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=42.385437,-83.247003&panoid=-JfsEX27aeO4lpKfdyMScA&cbp=12,43.33,,1,0.77

Fail... Those are Express Lanes... and you've never driven the speedway on I-540 in NWA.

My question was directed to AHTD to see if they will follow standards set by AHTD. 

I would love Express Lanes on I-540/Future I-49 in NWA.

No, you failed.  As in, you failed to look at other freeways in the area.  See below.  Plus, regarding "speedways", I've driven in both Chicago and Detroit.  The average speed around Chicago is about 70 mph in the 55 zones.  It's usually 80-85 in the 70 zones in the Detroit area.  There's a joke about the area: Speed limit is 70, traffic is whizzing by a Michigan State Trooper with his radar on at 85.  Why?  He's only looking for people doing triple digits.

M-10: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.464547,-83.229772&spn=0.004598,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.464702,-83.230004&panoid=5LGmUX-HRQagWY1tEBuwwA&cbp=12,319.21,,0,2.83

I-96 (east of the local/express section): https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.378574,-83.146365&spn=0.004605,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.378574,-83.146365&panoid=JSTotCi0HDdjz0mhfsySAg&cbp=12,184.63,,0,-0.09

I-94: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.27483,-83.204511&spn=0.001631,0.002642&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=42.275013,-83.204356&panoid=Voye4yg4dhDPZvjnw_7lpQ&cbp=12,36.77,,0,4.57

I-75: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.237232,-83.202242&spn=0.004615,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.237296,-83.202176&panoid=0r9wVQkA9cUjHqH01QG36Q&cbp=12,215.8,,0,7.13

I-275: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.467396,-83.43186&spn=0.004598,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.46722,-83.431857&panoid=nBTI6zl7891wLABV0NhP9w&cbp=12,186.56,,0,-1.74

I-696: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.474843,-83.188916&spn=0.004598,0.010568&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.47481,-83.188812&panoid=2FMaMrQin99SNKKyFj7-Uw&cbp=12,107.18,,1,-0.73

As you can see, 70 mph is just fine for urban freeways.  Why some other states can't figure this out is beyond me.

Calm down.  I was only asking if I-540 in NWA will eventually have a reduced speed limit since it qualifies as an urban area... The same as Little Rock Urban Interstates.  That's great that Michigan has those speed limits... More power to ya!

And as for the "standards" from the other poster, I was referring to the speed limits in AR.

I wouldn't mind a response from AHTD on my other questions.  :)

AHTD

Will check to see if any discussion is underway about reducing the speed limit once the Interstate is widened here. Also, might be worth checking to see if truck traffic will be restricted to the center and right lanes.
Travel and construction information available at www.idrivearkansas.com

M86

Quote from: AHTD on March 16, 2014, 09:29:18 PM
Will check to see if any discussion is underway about reducing the speed limit once the Interstate is widened here. Also, might be worth checking to see if truck traffic will be restricted to the center and right lanes.

AHTD, the 70 MPH is a safety issue.  I love driving fast... but when you have an Interstate like 540 that is severely underserved, and traffic counts are approaching 100k, and several accidents daily.  I have never seen a road that has the amount of accidents that I-540 does in NWA...

On a different note, I'd like to see this:

https://www.arkride.com/public/Home.aspx

But in NWA.  The ride-share program would be so beneficial.

Brandon

Quote from: M86 on March 19, 2014, 02:20:59 AM
Quote from: AHTD on March 16, 2014, 09:29:18 PM
Will check to see if any discussion is underway about reducing the speed limit once the Interstate is widened here. Also, might be worth checking to see if truck traffic will be restricted to the center and right lanes.

AHTD, the 70 MPH is a safety issue.  I love driving fast... but when you have an Interstate like 540 that is severely underserved, and traffic counts are approaching 100k, and several accidents daily.  I have never seen a road that has the amount of accidents that I-540 does in NWA...

Again, the speed limit probably isn't the issue here.  Other, far more urban freeways have a 70 mph limit.  And, if the accidents are small fender-benders from slow moving traffic, changing the speed limit will not have any affect on them.
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg

M86

Quote from: Brandon on March 19, 2014, 03:27:58 PM
Quote from: M86 on March 19, 2014, 02:20:59 AM
Quote from: AHTD on March 16, 2014, 09:29:18 PM
Will check to see if any discussion is underway about reducing the speed limit once the Interstate is widened here. Also, might be worth checking to see if truck traffic will be restricted to the center and right lanes.

AHTD, the 70 MPH is a safety issue.  I love driving fast... but when you have an Interstate like 540 that is severely underserved, and traffic counts are approaching 100k, and several accidents daily.  I have never seen a road that has the amount of accidents that I-540 does in NWA...

Again, the speed limit probably isn't the issue here.  Other, far more urban freeways have a 70 mph limit.  And, if the accidents are small fender-benders from slow moving traffic, changing the speed limit will not have any affect on them.

My last post was stupid... I'll say that.  My original intent was asking if AHTD plans to drop the speed limit on I-540 since it's considered an "urban" interstate now.

A lower speed limit won't fix issues.  I've been a lot of places, but none piss me off more than I-540 in Northwest Arkansas... and the tailgating! /rant

Arkansastravelguy

I don't think it will matter what the speed limit is. Nobody does 60 in the widening construction or at Don Tyson Pkwy


iPhone

US71

Quote from: Arkansastravelguy on May 07, 2014, 01:32:01 AM
I don't think it will matter what the speed limit is. Nobody does 60 in the widening construction or at Don Tyson Pkwy


Same on 540 at Fort Smith. Hardly anyone obeys the speed limit and those who do, are darn near run off the road.
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

robbones

Quote from: US71 on May 07, 2014, 11:17:53 AM
Quote from: Arkansastravelguy on May 07, 2014, 01:32:01 AM
I don't think it will matter what the speed limit is. Nobody does 60 in the widening construction or at Don Tyson Pkwy


Same on 540 at Fort Smith. Hardly anyone obeys the speed limit and those who do, are darn near run off the road.

Problem with society today. Everybody is in a hurry to get nowhere. I drive a truck for a living and I can't tell you how many near accidents I've been in because some idiot who doesn't care cuts within inches in front of me and I have to hit the brakes. It ain't easy trying to stop 75,000 + lbs real quick. Also some a**holes that drive trucks do cut cars off as well.

US71

Quote from: robbones on May 07, 2014, 01:25:42 PM
Quote from: US71 on May 07, 2014, 11:17:53 AM
Quote from: Arkansastravelguy on May 07, 2014, 01:32:01 AM
I don't think it will matter what the speed limit is. Nobody does 60 in the widening construction or at Don Tyson Pkwy


Same on 540 at Fort Smith. Hardly anyone obeys the speed limit and those who do, are darn near run off the road.

Problem with society today. Everybody is in a hurry to get nowhere. I drive a truck for a living and I can't tell you how many near accidents I've been in because some idiot who doesn't care cuts within inches in front of me and I have to hit the brakes. It ain't easy trying to stop 75,000 + lbs real quick. Also some a**holes that drive trucks do cut cars off as well.

No one has said, but I suspect the cattle truck at 40/540 last weekend was going too fast for the ramp when it tipped (though personally, I think that ramp needs to go a different direction besides a hard U Turn).
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Arkansastravelguy

I haven't been on 540 since the construction I may go check it out next week


iPhone

US71

#19
I just received a message on Facebook that both Northbound lanes of 540 are now open. Southbound is still restricted to one lane.

CORRECTION:
Two lanes are open SB Kelley Hwy to Rogers Ave (AR 22).
NB both lanes are open from the Arkansas River Bridge to I-40.
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast



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