NY State's maximum speed limit is 65 mph, yet this was never implemented in long island after the national 55 mph limit was repealed in 1987. The Long Island Expressway, Sunrise Highway, and a couple of the North-South Parkways could easily have a 65+ mph speed limit. Here's how they should increase:
Long Island Expressway: 65 mph East of Exit 40W
75 mph in suffolk county if Senate Bill 3268 ever passes.
Sunrise Highway: 65 mph the entire length of the Expressway section; 75 mph east of the Sagikos PKWY if SB-3268 ever passes.
Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway: 65 mph Entire Length
Sagikos Parkway/Robert Moses Causeway: 65 mph
Southern State Parkway: Most Likely would leave as is, maybe it could handle 65-75 toward the very eastern end past Exit 40, but you can barely go 60 around most curves. Same with the northern state, a 2 lane windy road that doesn't straighten out until around Exit 40 so the higher speed limit would only be helpful for maybe 10 miles or so.
I'm surprised that 2 lane narrow, unpaved roads upstate like I-84 can be 65 mph, but a 4 lane, perfectly straight, smooth interstate like 495 can't be 65? Makes no sense.
For awhile, you had to pay to go over 55 MPH, at least downstate. I-84 is definitely paved, however, and especially west of the Thruway is pretty straight.
And what is this Senate Bill 3268 you speak of? I did a quick search and found something completely not-road related:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s3268
Quote from: shadyjay on August 14, 2021, 04:39:38 PM
And what is this Senate Bill 3268 you speak of? I did a quick search and found something completely not-road related:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s3268
From the 2015-2016 session, would authorize NYSDOT to post speed limits up to 75 mph on interstate highways.
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2015/s3268
That's an odd place to start 65 on the LIE, given the proximity of exits 40 and 41 while 39 and 40 are four miles apart.
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 14, 2021, 12:25:08 PM
Sagikos Parkway/Robert Moses Causeway: 65 mph
Honestly the Sagtikos has so much traffic I think it would just be best to leave it at 55, especially with the hill over the rail road tracks by the Pine Aire Dr exit. Not to mention the parkway system's infamous short exit and entrance ramps as well.
Quote from: vdeane on August 14, 2021, 11:51:53 PM
That's an odd place to start 65 on the LIE, given the proximity of exits 40 and 41 while 39 and 40 are four miles apart.
That's when it becomes the straightest, although I wouldn't mind if it became 65 after 39 or even 37 for that matter.
Quote from: chrisdiaz on August 15, 2021, 03:01:56 AM
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 14, 2021, 12:25:08 PM
Sagikos Parkway/Robert Moses Causeway: 65 mph
Honestly the Sagtikos has so much traffic I think it would just be best to leave it at 55, especially with the hill over the rail road tracks by the Pine Aire Dr exit. Not to mention the parkway system's infamous short exit and entrance ramps as well.
I agree, in spite of the surprising distance between other interchanges and Pine Aire Drive. Robert Moses Causeway on the other hand I'd be willing to consider for a speed limit raise.
I still want to see Maryland/DC/Virginia style supplemental LIRR station signs approaching the Pine Aire Drive exit though.
Why is it when we get one forum spammer under control another one pops up...
We need a Mike all-in-one thread dropped into Fictional.
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 14, 2021, 12:25:08 PM
Sagikos Parkway/Robert Moses Causeway: 65 mph
Southern State Parkway: Most Likely would leave as is, maybe it could handle 65-75 toward the very eastern end past Exit 40, but you can barely go 60 around most curves. Same with the northern state, a 2 lane windy road that doesn't straighten out until around Exit 40 so the higher speed limit would only be helpful for maybe 10 miles or so.
I disagree (and I do not drive the state parkways all that often on Long Island, as I do not live there).
I do drive the federal parkways around Washington, D.C. quite frequently, and in many ways they are similar to the parkways of Long Island (though the bridges over the DC-area parkways are never as low as the ones on Long Island and in New York City and are usually high enough for double-deck Megabus units to pass under them with no problem). But the design of the parkways is not that different, especially in the interchanges - and in some places they tend to have plenty of trees on the median. People drive these roads as if they were freeways at speeds well above the usual 55 MPH posted limit, and the result is a lot of fatal and injury crashes - either into a tree or because of loss of control on an exit ramp.
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 14, 2021, 12:25:08 PM
I'm surprised that 2 lane narrow, unpaved roads upstate like I-84 can be 65 mph, but a 4 lane, perfectly straight, smooth interstate like 495 can't be 65? Makes no sense.
I am not aware of any part of I-84 that is not paved and is not at least four lanes divided. Please elaborate.
^ I believe he's referring to "two lanes" as one carriageway, so a total of 4 lanes.
I-84 is very terrainey and some spots between I-87 and I-684 are bumpy as can be.
Quote from: sprjus4 on August 15, 2021, 07:02:03 PM
^ I believe he's referring to "two lanes" as one carriageway, so a total of 4 lanes.
Reading what was written, my assumption was Super-2, and I am not aware of any that are left on Interstates save for I-93 in New Hampshire.
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 15, 2021, 07:45:10 PM
I-84 is very terrainey and some spots between I-87 and I-684 are bumpy as can be.
I have driven part of it recently (I-87 to U.S. 9 near Fishkill) and the only part that seemed especially bumpy was crossing the Hudson River on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, which is currently being fixed-up. Certainly does not compare to the worst of what I have experienced on freeways in (for example) Pennsylvania.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on August 15, 2021, 08:32:44 PM
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 15, 2021, 07:45:10 PM
I-84 is very terrainey and some spots between I-87 and I-684 are bumpy as can be.
I have driven part of it recently (I-87 to U.S. 9 near Fishkill) and the only part that seemed especially bumpy was crossing the Hudson River on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, which is currently being fixed-up. Certainly does not compare to the worst of what I have experienced on freeways in (for example) Pennsylvania.
I actually find bridges to be the best designed sections of Interstates because by definition they are virtually perfectly straight, but with all those grade changes simultaneously around curves I'm surprised every 10th car doesn't go flying off the mountain range even at 65.
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 16, 2021, 11:33:58 AM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on August 15, 2021, 08:32:44 PM
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 15, 2021, 07:45:10 PM
I-84 is very terrainey and some spots between I-87 and I-684 are bumpy as can be.
I have driven part of it recently (I-87 to U.S. 9 near Fishkill) and the only part that seemed especially bumpy was crossing the Hudson River on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, which is currently being fixed-up. Certainly does not compare to the worst of what I have experienced on freeways in (for example) Pennsylvania.
I actually find bridges to be the best designed sections of Interstates because by definition they are virtually perfectly straight, but with all those grade changes simultaneously around curves I'm surprised every 10th car doesn't go flying off the mountain range even at 65.
Highway engineers have a table/chart that tells you what the curve radius needs to be for a specific speed and grade change.
True, but that still doesn't change the fact that the Long Island Expressway is still a better limited access highway overall and should have a higher speed limit than I-84, whatever the I-84 speed limit ends up being.
Here's NYSDOT's official answer on why there are no limits higher than 55 on the island any more. I don't really buy it, I wonder what the real reason is:
(https://i.imgur.com/j32xRdC.png).
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 14, 2021, 12:25:08 PM
...if Senate Bill 3268 ever passes...
[...]
I'm surprised that 2 lane narrow, unpaved roads upstate like I-84 can be 65 mph, but a 4 lane, perfectly straight, smooth interstate like 495 can't be 65? Makes no sense.
Even if 75 mph became legal in NY, I doubt it would be posted in many places. If NYSDOT hasn't raised LI roads from 55 to 65, they're not going to jump it from 55 to 75.
I-84 meets interstate highway standards, not sure why you're ragging on I-84. I was on it yesterday east of the Hudson and it's a perfectly boring hilly drive. At least in Nassau, 495 has high traffic volumes and frequent interchanges so that'd be risky.
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 14, 2021, 12:25:08 PM
I'm surprised that 2 lane narrow, unpaved roads upstate like I-84 can be 65 mph, but a 4 lane, perfectly straight, smooth interstate like 495 can't be 65? Makes no sense.
Which specific segment of I-84 is unpaved?
Quote from: crispy93 on August 17, 2021, 02:18:30 PM
Here's NYSDOT's official answer on why there are no limits higher than 55 on the island any more. I don't really buy it, I wonder what the real reason is:
(https://i.imgur.com/j32xRdC.png).
I don't buy it either. At minimum, the eastern more rural portions of I-495 and NY-27 should be able to handle 65 mph.
Population density and traffic volumes should not have an effect on speed limits, IMO. It's one of these "nanny" state situations where they believe any urban area must be capped to 55 mph with no exceptions, even if the roadway can safely handle speeds much higher, and actual speeds are also much higher.
As for "operating speeds"... I find it hard to believe they're not in the 70+ mph range already. So that argument dies.
http://www.nycroads.com/roads/long-island/
The posted speed limit on I-495 in Nassau County was originally 60 mph, and in Suffolk County was 65 mph. They were lowered in 1974 due to the NMSL. So there's full precedent to increase speeds back up to 65 mph, as the roads previously handled those speeds, were engineered to handle those speeds, and already continue to handle those speeds when looking at actual 85% percentile speed data. Seems like a speed trap in my mind keeping at 55 mph for "safety".
Exactly, most people on 495 and Sunrise in Suffolk are doing 80-90 already. I don't agree with setting speed limits based on traffic density unless they are variable electronic signs. Otherwise, on days (or months during the peak of the pandemic last year) the roads are almost entirely empty, and it would be very safe to drive even triple digits at some points, but you would still be punished for it. I have driven in eastern Long Island in rush hour on weekdays, and in the middle of a sunny Saturday, traffic speed still average well over 70 mph. They act like Sunrise Highway out where it is 2 lanes isn't as "rural" as the thruway in Orange County, it looks like Kansas or Kentucky out there. And if 65 mph is soon risky on an 8 lane divided expressway, how on earth can routes like 110, 231, 347, or 454 be 55 mph?
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8763379,-72.553173,3a,37.5y,275.9h,84.49t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sflL_jxDnOvUnQC6Z_WRVgQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
I genuinely have a hard time believing this is "dangerous" at 70 mph. But apparently some "engineers" sure have no problem making you want to believe this :bigass:
Germany, has 3x fewer car accidents per capita as the United States, while having no speed limits on more than half of all its Autobahns. NY acts like driving over 60 mph is some death defying stunt or dangerous dare LOL. Well to be fair, I-95 in CT doesn't go up to 65 mph until east of New Haven anyway . Even Sunrise HWY all you would have to do is make it gradually drop on the western side as you approach the traffic signals, still would leave a total of 90 miles of highway (figure 45 each side) with a higher speed limit. What's even more idiotic is how the state legislature gets to determine these speeds and not the NYSDOT, and you can guess what type of cars those 70 yo legislators have...
The truth is despite the speed limit, most people are doing 70 anyway and even so the cops dont really patrol much at least on the northern parkway segment I drive on to work
Quote from: mariethefoxy on August 17, 2021, 05:09:40 PM
The truth is despite the speed limit, most people are doing 70 anyway and even so the cops dont really patrol much at least on the northern parkway segment I drive on to work
Hmm, my dad drives a segment of the northern state on his commute and he says there usually is a state trooper hiding in the bushes where it is 4 lanes and straight. Most cops I see are hiding behind overpasses on 495. Used to see 10-12 cops everytime I drive on the L.I.E, but now barely see any. God Bless the Waze App
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 17, 2021, 05:21:01 PM
Hmm, my dad ... says there usually is a state trooper hiding in the bushes where it is 4 lanes and straight.
Of course they would be hiding where it's actually most safe to speed. They wouldn't, of course, patrol where it's
least safe to speed. Because speeding tickets aren't really about safety at all.
Exactly, if they cared about safety they would patrol the lower quality roads and sections of roads where even going the speed limit could be dangerous, but nope, hide on wide open straight aways where 80+ mph is more than reasonable, which almost causes accidents btw when everyone slams on their breaks at the last second after spotting them. People will say "Oh ya see that's why speeding is dangerous" LOL literally the enforcement of speeding causes some of the danger, nice circular reasoning beaurocrats!
Quote from: sprjus4 on August 17, 2021, 03:12:32 PM
As for "operating speeds"... I find it hard to believe they're not in the 70+ mph range already. So that argument dies.
Sounds like the "if we raise the speed limit, everyone will go even faster" fallacy.
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 17, 2021, 03:37:09 PM
Germany, has 3x fewer car accidents per capita as the United States, while having no speed limits on more than half of all its Autobahns. NY acts like driving over 60 mph is some death defying stunt or dangerous dare LOL. Well to be fair, I-95 in CT doesn't go up to 65 mph until east of New Haven anyway . Even Sunrise HWY all you would have to do is make it gradually drop on the western side as you approach the traffic signals, still would leave a total of 90 miles of highway (figure 45 each side) with a higher speed limit. What's even more idiotic is how the state legislature gets to determine these speeds and not the NYSDOT, and you can guess what type of cars those 70 yo legislators have...
The state legislature hasn't micro-managed 65 zones for close to two decades now.
That is indeed a fallacy. The only reason people go 10-20 over the speed limits in the first place is because they are so unreasonably low to begin with. If they were reasonable, people wouldn't even go 5 over because the extra 5 mph wouldn't be worth the ticket. Even on 80 mph roads most people drive in the 70s. Another example of circular reasoning...
Quote from: kphoger on August 17, 2021, 05:28:25 PM
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 17, 2021, 05:21:01 PM
Hmm, my dad ... says there usually is a state trooper hiding in the bushes where it is 4 lanes and straight.
Of course they would be hiding where it's actually most safe to speed. They wouldn't, of course, patrol where it's least safe to speed. Because speeding tickets aren't really about safety at all.
Yup. Artificially low limits on high quality roadways engineered for much higher speeds, safely, combined with heavy enforcement. Shouldn't even be legal, but that's a pipe dream.
Enforce areas with high accidents, low quality roadways, etc. But it seems thats
never where the police are, and is exactly where the dangerous driving mostly is happening.
Quote from: Mike2357 on August 17, 2021, 05:21:01 PM
Quote from: mariethefoxy on August 17, 2021, 05:09:40 PM
The truth is despite the speed limit, most people are doing 70 anyway and even so the cops dont really patrol much at least on the northern parkway segment I drive on to work
Hmm, my dad drives a segment of the northern state on his commute and he says there usually is a state trooper hiding in the bushes where it is 4 lanes and straight. Most cops I see are hiding behind overpasses on 495. Used to see 10-12 cops everytime I drive on the L.I.E, but now barely see any. God Bless the Waze App
the two big speed traps Ive noticed on the Northern State are, between Exit 31A and Exit 33, theres almost always a statie there somewhere, often times theyre hiding somewhere around the post avenue overpass, or between the offramp and onramp to and from wantagh parkway. The other big trap location is the ending part after the Sunken Meadow Parkway exit to 454, theres a wide median and lots of places for them to hide and people wind up getting tempted to speed up.
Other spots Ive seen them is by Exit 37A, the overpass was built with later expansion in mind and thusly they like to hide in that wide shoulder underneath 495. Another spot they sometimes are at is between Exit 39 and 40, those areas where theres a wide median between the two sides.