Alright, people know that I've thrown around the idea of a Western NY meet while I am up here in Tonawanda (until mid-August, when I voyage to IL for grad school).
I've have had interest for a road meet in Niagara Falls and Buffalo. I was at the 2008 meet in Buffalo, which didn't cover much of Niagara Falls, but did of Route 219 construction, which was big at the time.
Rather than set a date or a restaurant, I want to see what the interest is and when.
I'm definitely interested. Either Buffalo or Rochester would be of interest. I'd also be up for a two-day meet covering both cities. My schedule for the rest of the summer is pretty open, although ideally I'd prefer to have the weekend of 7/11 available.
It depends on when and where, but I am interested! Been thinking about it for a bit.
I'd be in if I'm available. I'll have most dates for the rest of the summer set by the end of the weekend, so I'll be able to say when "for sure" I'm free in a couple of days.
I'm interested and free for most of the summer, but won't be a definite until the details are meted out.
7/18 would be the best weekend for me.
The weekends of 7/11, 8/8, and 8/15 are definitely no good for me.
That said even if this is on a weekend where I'm free I don't know if I'd go. My girlfriend definitely would not be able to come with me and it's far enough away as to be a three day commitment at minimum. Three days which, given my intent on taking a professional certification exam this fall, probably should be spent studying.
There's a good chance I'm not going to any roadmeets until after then, even if they are closer to home.
That would be fun! Let me know when and I will see what I can do :)
I'm not opposed to any weekend of the 11th, 18th or 25th. So, do people want a mini-meet or the full scale thing? There definitely is the demand.
I'd be in.
I'm definitely up for the full thing.
I also tend to jump at any chance of going to Duff's.
If I'm available, full thing. Why not?
Eastern Hills and Dick Road Duff's can both handle groups. Neither is far from the oldest button copy sign on the Thruway (assuming they haven't yet removed it) or the monotube.
Yeah, I might be interested to get some wings at Duff's depending on the weekend
I'm up for a regular roadmeet in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area. There's essentially been two Rochester meets in the past five years, and I see the area all the time, so it holds less interest for me, but I'd still likely attend. Either is possible to do while spending a weekend at my parents' house.
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 20, 2015, 02:06:43 PM
Yeah, I might be interested to get some wings at Duff's depending on the weekend
I guess we have to do the Duff's vs. Anchor Bar fight. If we do Duff's, I'd lean toward the Transit Road (NY 78 one). As for Anchor Bar, self-explanatory.
Also, Cody's meet is on July 25, so here's the following date options:
July 11
July 18
August 1
August 8.
I'll keep July 25, but I don't like conflicting road meet days.
Those are good dates.
Who HASN'T been to a road meet?
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 20, 2015, 07:00:17 PM
Those are good dates.
Who HASN'T been to a road meet?
Approximately 99.999997931359115856553317797564% of the world's population at the time of this post
I'm up for the Anchor Bar as well, but wherever's fine by me.
I've been to one meet and it was years ago on Long Island.
Doug and I are preoccupied on the 11th, though he'd have a far better chance of making it to Buffalo than I would.
Dang, it'd be great to see Doug again.
11th and 18th work here, but I'd like to know which pretty soon so I can plan around it. August is crazy for me with grad school visits and likely a vacation.
Would people be up for July the 18th?
Sounds like an open date for me.
What's the itinerary?
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 21, 2015, 08:30:13 PM
Sounds like an open date for me.
What's the itinerary?
I have some basics in right now:
LaSalle Expressway stub
Skyway, because Skyway
Cleveland Drive bridge construction
A quick tour through Love Canal to see a piece of history and some really abandoned urban roads.
There will be more, including some bridge photography (especially a beautiful place of the South Grand Island).
Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on June 21, 2015, 08:23:18 PM
Would people be up for July the 18th?
Yep. I'll clear my schedule.
Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on June 21, 2015, 08:35:45 PM
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 21, 2015, 08:30:13 PM
Sounds like an open date for me.
What's the itinerary?
I have some basics in right now:
LaSalle Expressway stub
Skyway, because Skyway
Cleveland Drive bridge construction
A quick tour through Love Canal to see a piece of history and some really abandoned urban roads.
There will be more, including some bridge photography.
Other suggestions are abandoned NY 263 in Amherst (well, not entirely abandoned, but vehicles are banned) and the Peace Bridge project. While in Niagara Falls, the Robert Moses roundabout (just opened, not entirely finished) and I-190/NY 265 construction at the power project are practically right there.
I just literally was in that roundabout twice today, so I have no opposition.
Heh. I've been working on the funding for the "Buffalo Gateway" project (https://www.dot.ny.gov/nygateway). Might be too traumatic to go visit the site. :D
Quote from: Rothman on June 21, 2015, 09:09:34 PM
Heh. I've been working on the funding for the "Buffalo Gateway" project (https://www.dot.ny.gov/nygateway). Might be too traumatic to go visit the site. :D
It's a mess. Plain and simple. And thanks to the NIMBYs, they can't do what is really needed (tear down a couple blocks of slums, expand the plaza, and build a new NB span).
It should be noted that the 2004 Buffalo road meet did go into Niagara Falls, NY. We covered Love Canal, the LaSalle Expressway eastern stub end and the Robert Moses State Parkway near the Whirlpool Rapids when we went into Niagara County. I'd say some things have changed between then and now.
There is the 219 stub that's in Springville.
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 21, 2015, 10:27:36 PM
There is the 219 stub that's in Springville.
That was covered in the 2008 meet (the construction of 219), but that's a deep trip into Erie County.
I have created a facebook event for the meet: https://www.facebook.com/events/1449610322009052/
The official details:
2015 Buffalo/Niagara Falls Road Meet
Saturday, July 18, 2015 - 12 PM
Buffalo Brewpub
6861 Main Street (NY 5)
Williamsville, NY 14221
We will go to Duff's or Anchor Bar (will be by consensus) after the meet. I wanted to have the meet at a true Brewpub.
Yeah, US 219 is a good 45 minutes out of the way unless you wanted to hit up the Zoar Valley Road reconstruction or the construction in Irving as well (the latter of which is quite a hike from US 219). Beautiful area I love driving in, but it is quite far and most of the recent activity is up north. Good for a side trip if you want a fun, scenic drive, but make sure your brakes are good for Zoar Valley Road.
I will note that, within the past year, the LaSalle Expressway got parkway-style shields as part of a major region-wide sign replacement and only a couple of the old square ones remain, both located on NY 384 by I-190. No pictures of those online. Robert Moses also got a small realignment near the Discovery Center.
There's also a really old NY Thruway trailblazer assembly on Fillmore Ave and William St ;-)
Oh hey, an entire meet got set up while I wasn't around to comment. Yeah, if it's not early August, forget me.
Thanks for setting it up, Adam.
Quote from: Rothman on June 21, 2015, 11:29:24 PM
Thanks for setting it up, Adam.
No problem, I wasn't expecting such an interest.
Quote from: AlpsOh hey, an entire meet got set up while I wasn't around to comment.
I think you'll survive...
As for the meet, consider me doubtful, but I'm not going to rule it out entirely.
The Buffalo Bisons are in town that weekend for a 6:05 start...
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 22, 2015, 10:30:15 AM
The Buffalo Bisons are in town that weekend for a 6:05 start...
I couldn't guarantee that we'd be able to be at the restaurant at 6:05, so I think that we'd be unable to get the Bisons game by 6:05.
You could if we skipped the traditional lunch gathering and went straight to the tour...
So only the tour for those of us not into sports? I think I'm partial to the lunch/dinner idea myself...
Already got my route in planned out. It's a good chance to clinch NY 33, NY 193, and more of NY 5.
If we're doing the Skyway, the Mile Strip Expressway shouldn't be far out of the way.
Mile Strip is 10 minutes from the skyway. There are the two Mile Strip Rd stubs to look at as well. It's an interesting area because you can tell where the expressway would've ran and the U.S. 62 intersection ROW, but is now just an arterial street.
I am into sports and lunch/dinner is fine with me just because it'll cost less. Well, that and I refuse to pay for parking, as NFTA employees ride mass transit for free... :spin:
The events link doesn't work for me. Facebook says it's unavailable.
QuoteSo only the tour for those of us not into sports?
Nothing stopping people from getting together beforehand or afterwards to do whatever sort of meal is desired. I am increasingly of the mindset that road meets operate better and with more flexibility when there ISN'T a formal lunch or dinner.
Quote from: Rothman on June 22, 2015, 10:05:18 PM
The events link doesn't work for me. Facebook says it's unavailable.
Because it seemed to auto set to Private. You're going to have to add me unless someone tells me how to fix that.
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 22, 2015, 09:31:26 PM
Mile Strip is 10 minutes from the skyway. There are the two Mile Strip Rd stubs to look at as well. It's an interesting area because you can tell where the expressway would've ran and the U.S. 62 intersection ROW, but is now just an arterial street.
I have the basic route put down right now, southernmost we go is Ohio Street/NY 5.
Quote from: vdeane on June 22, 2015, 09:07:55 PM
So only the tour for those of us not into sports? I think I'm partial to the lunch/dinner idea myself...
Already got my route in planned out. It's a good chance to clinch NY 33, NY 193, and more of NY 5.
If we're doing the Skyway, the Mile Strip Expressway shouldn't be far out of the way.
We're clinching the 198 and most of the 33 on the meet, don't take them yet. As for 179, we'll see. I haven't set it in stone yet.
As for the game. I have the 18th for Columbus@Buffalo. Cheapest tickets are $12. If we want to do this, we can do the game, then go to Anchor Bar if people want.
This game is also a Fireworks night game.
So, would people be up for ballgame, fireworks and Anchor Bar?
Unfortunately, I will probably not be able to attend this meet. My July weekend calendar is nearly booked with other commitments.
While the 18th is the only July Saturday that I don't have a prior commitment nor an event planned; Buffalo's just a little too far for me to do a day-trip (at least by car: roughly 6-1/2 hours one-way).
I'll have to see whether or not Sunday July 19 is clear (for my return-drive).
Quote from: vdeane on June 22, 2015, 09:07:55 PM
So only the tour for those of us not into sports? I think I'm partial to the lunch/dinner idea myself...
Already got my route in planned out. It's a good chance to clinch NY 33, NY 193, and more of NY 5.
If we're doing the Skyway, the Mile Strip Expressway shouldn't be far out of the way.
Yeah, I'm not into sports either, and I'm definitely up for clinching some more routes during the game. How about also the Aurora Expressway (NY 400)? It's not every day that you get to drive on a highway named after Sleeping Beauty!
Yes, part of my Future I-86 plan (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=15666.0). That's a pleasant road to drive on.
I think for me I am probably more interested in seeing the game than I am in clinching the highways. I formerly lived in Hamilton, ON so I have had the opportunity to drive of Buffalo's expressway mileage on numerous occasions. I would understand if there is little interest in the game, but in reality, I am less inclined to attend if nobody else wants to go to the game.
Yeah, I don't know if I'd make the game, but I'd look forward to a meal and the tour.
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 23, 2015, 08:52:16 PM
I think for me I am probably more interested in seeing the game than I am in clinching the highways. I formerly lived in Hamilton, ON so I have had the opportunity to drive of Buffalo's expressway mileage on numerous occasions. I would understand if there is little interest in the game, but in reality, I am less inclined to attend if nobody else wants to go to the game.
Honestly, right now, consensus seems against, no offense.
I'm strongly considering this. I'm just trying to work it out into a very long day trip. I don't have the extra money for a motel room and I need to be at home on Sunday. I have too much work to do at home and can't be stuck spending half of Sunday driving home.
If I do go, (and it's a big maybe right now) I would only be interested in a meal and road tour. A game and beers sound tempting, but it chews up way too much precious time.
I was on the fence, but my girlfriend really wants to see Niagara Falls, so it's a go. Is anyone willing to share a room with us?
No baseball for us, though.
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on June 29, 2015, 09:53:25 AM
No baseball for us, though.
It looks like that's not going to happen, so no worries.
Due to unplanned things getting in the way, we're going to have to skip this one, unfortunately. :(
Even thought it's right in my back yard, sorry I can't go. Weather permitting, we have a major weekend expressway closure planned for the next 2 weekends. Any of you guys thinking of working for D.O.T. might want to stop by and see what kind of life you have (or don't).
Quote from: CANALLER on July 07, 2015, 10:54:51 AM
Even thought it's right in my back yard, sorry I can't go. Weather permitting, we have a major weekend expressway closure planned for the next 2 weekends. Any of you guys thinking of working for D.O.T. might want to stop by and see what kind of life you have (or don't).
Heh. My DOT career doesn't really get affected by such things. I suppose it'd be different if I volunteered for the STICC.
I should have the road meet guide up tomorrow, I need to make a couple route adjustments and time to sit down and fix it.
Here it is.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fmdkc8t4e7te642/buffalo%20meet%20guide.docx?dl=0
Feel free to suggest any changes.
Thanks for putting this together.
No clinch of the small portion of the Robert Moses State Parkway between I-190 and the LaSalle Expressway? Other than that, looks great! I'll adapt my drive in as needed to clinch some things that I want.
Quote from: vdeane on July 10, 2015, 03:28:19 PM
No clinch of the small portion of the Robert Moses State Parkway between I-190 and the LaSalle Expressway? Other than that, looks great! I'll adapt my drive in as needed to clinch some things that I want.
We are doing that section.
Couple suggestions to take in a couple little changes/new construction/interesting things and closer parking:
*I'd say Aero Drive between NY 78 and Wherle. Catches a pony truss bridge over Ellicott Creek, 2 newish roundabouts and the tunnel under the runway. Little longer, but more interesting than office parks.
*
Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on July 10, 2015, 03:35:38 PM
Quote from: vdeane on July 10, 2015, 03:28:19 PM
No clinch of the small portion of the Robert Moses State Parkway between I-190 and the LaSalle Expressway? Other than that, looks great! I'll adapt my drive in as needed to clinch some things that I want.
We are doing that section.
Not per the guide. Guide has us getting on at I-190. I'd suggest getting on the LaSalle at NY 265 or 77th St to grab it. We wouldn't be missing much by avoiding NY 384.
*There's a free parking lot on the Robert Moses Parkway just north of NY 104 at the Discovery Center. I typically park there when taking people to the Falls. The path connecting the lot with the falls runs along the abandoned section of the Parkway and under the Rainbow Bridge and might be the best place for bridge pictures. On a Saturday, it's probably our only chance at free parking (or parking together) anywhere near the Falls.
Other than that, it's great. Personally, I'd just use Upper Mountain Road the entire way between NY 104 and NY 93, but the only difference is the type of scenery.
Personally, I prefer NY 31 to Upper Mountain Rd for getting to NY 93 - because I need to clinch it. No other reason.
I defined my trip to the meet. It's longer than the original, but it should be great for clinching (when combined with the meet). I-490 and I-90 west to exit 48A, NY 77 south to NY 33, NY 33 to I-90, I-90 to NY 179, NY 179 to NY 5, NY 5 east to NY 77 (with a detour and U turn on NY 33 to clinch it (combined with the meet)), U turn, NY 93 north to NY 31, NY 31 to NY 78, NY 78 south to the restaurant. My drive back is probably just a relatively direct route from wherever we end up.
As bad luck would have it, it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to make it. Just got a financial screwball thrown at me on Friday that screwed everything up. I'll see if I can still work things out, but it's not likely at this point.
I too am not able to attend :( I do hope that everyone that does go will have a great time!
...and just as fickle as misfortune is fortune. I'm back in. Will be bringin' the missus.
Quote from: Rothman on July 13, 2015, 08:16:51 PM
...and just as fickle as misfortune is fortune. I'm back in. Will be bringin' the missus.
Good to know, I will be calling the restaurant on Thursday, which is usually what I do.
Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on July 13, 2015, 08:49:14 PM
Quote from: Rothman on July 13, 2015, 08:16:51 PM
...and just as fickle as misfortune is fortune. I'm back in. Will be bringin' the missus.
Good to know, I will be calling the restaurant on Thursday, which is usually what I do.
I'm in for good, +1.
My attendance was hingent on Doug attending...but since he's unable to go due to other commitments, I'll have to take a pass as well.
What's the head count now, anyway? :hmmm:
At the moment, 10.
That's a good number.
Meet guide redone, reservation made.
Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on July 16, 2015, 03:21:18 PM
Meet guide redone, reservation made.
Where's the new meet guide?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fmdkc8t4e7te642/buffalo%20meet%20guide.docx?dl=0
Adam,
Although I won't be able to make the meet; for curiousity, I read through the new itinerary.
Heads Up: Some of the text is either stretched or overprinting on top of other text making some lines not readable. You might want to recheck, reformat where applicable and reload the document.
Quote from: PHLBOS on July 17, 2015, 11:29:34 AM
Adam,
Although I won't be able to make the meet; for curiousity, I read through the new itinerary.
Heads Up: Some of the text is either stretched or overprinting on top of other text making some lines not readable. You might want to recheck, reformat where applicable and reload the document.
That's not the version I've printed. I just used this to share.
Last minute suggestion: Scajaquada/Elmwood bridge construction
Also, how long is it expected to be?
We're on our way. See you in a few hours.
Adam, I regret I can't come today as I have an unexpected trip to Letchworth this afternoon. I wish this could've been my first meet. I hope to see everyone another time and have fun!
Things went well today.
(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10325644_827348074030775_5558450874270505743_n.jpg?oh=e3d316409721206c8aaca51c18a4b649&oe=56140C7C)
Taken in front of the Buffalo Skyway on a humid, foggy afternoon in Buffalo:
Nate ____ (NY), Connor Lauzon (MA), Nick Dubanow (ON), Chris Jordan (NY), Valerie Deane (NY), Adam Moss (NY)
Not photographed: David Roth (NY) and his wife. He will have another picture taken up later I expect.
Here's a picture of the group at Love Canal. My wife's behind the camera.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/369/19819688876_0e90c75cf2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/wcp5ZJ)