http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2013/10/bonus-us-35-is-emblematic-of-our.html
US 35 ends at I-64. What's the fuss?
That two-lane section between Buffalo and Henderson that hasn't been replaced/bypassed yet.
The 12 mile gap in 35 is a deathroad. The issue is that WV saw this coming for decades and did nothing. If you look at a map of Ohio, you see that three four lane routes eventually funnel into Point Pleasant, and end up on the 2 lane of 35, going down to 64 and then south on 77. Plus you have the issue of the massive Toyota plant, served by the road. Anyone could see this coming as the various roads in Ohio were completed in the 90s and the traffic volumes grew and grew.
Meanwhile the state government fiddled. Building, under one governor from Fairmont, a total rebuild of that dying town's interstate access; and now under another from Logan, a four lane to absolutely nowhere from one dying town in Logan county to the next. Plus Corridor H, which, while important, will never have the traffic volumes of 35.
So tons of tourists and tons of trucks end up on a rural 12 road designed for local traffic only, and used by farmers on tractors. Massive numbers of accidents.
When the turnpike tolls were (illegally) continued on the paid off turnpike back in the 80s, the local state senator (then a very powerful pol) was told that the excess would be spent on 35 (of course, they instead did all of the things outlined in the devastating Legislative Auditor's report of that corrupt agency). Then a few years ago there was a crazy (and probably illegal) idea to finish the 12 miles and toll the whole 40 miles (which would place a toll on a road build from general gas tax money) which almost went through, until the turnpike's $150K/year manager overplayed his cards and announced the toll, which was ridiculously high. Toyota killed that one by itself.
The answer is, of course, to simply build the road. Free, and with the regular gas tax money currently used on other, far less important projects.
Quote from: SP Cook on October 22, 2013, 07:27:51 AM
If you look at a map of Ohio, you see that three four lane routes eventually funnel into Point Pleasant,
You're right:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FljaE7fC.png&hash=d2818b8c61452f8ec45f02af9e30f3895420a656)
Oopsie, I made a strawman. US 33 feeds into I-77 and Corridor D feeds into Corridor D. And it's not like Corridor D empties a bunch of traffic onto US 35 at Jackson; on the contrary, there's more traffic on US 35 northwest of Jackson than on the part leading up to the bridge in either state. (The bridge itself has more, but that's expected because bridges are choke points.)
Quote from: hbelkins on October 21, 2013, 09:53:23 PM
That two-lane section between Buffalo and Henderson that hasn't been replaced/bypassed yet.
Well the article misled me, then. Now it makes sense.
Quote from: NE2 on October 22, 2013, 08:58:05 AM
Quote from: SP Cook on October 22, 2013, 07:27:51 AM
If you look at a map of Ohio, you see that three four lane routes eventually funnel into Point Pleasant,
You're right:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FljaE7fC.png&hash=d2818b8c61452f8ec45f02af9e30f3895420a656)
Oopsie, I made a strawman. US 33 feeds into I-77 and Corridor D feeds into Corridor D. And it's not like Corridor D empties a bunch of traffic onto US 35 at Jackson; on the contrary, there's more traffic on US 35 northwest of Jackson than on the part leading up to the bridge in either state. (The bridge itself has more, but that's expected because bridges are choke points.)
I suspect US 23 is the other route he's referring to, since it intersects 35 at Chillicothe. I haven't compared mileage and travel times between Charleston and Columbus lately, but my first instinct would be 64 to 35 to 23 over 77 to 33.
Of course I never really thought that 77 to 271 to 90 would be a better route from Charleston to Erie than staying on 79 the whole way.
Of course people that don't just want to argue understand that 23 to 35 is the link from Columbus; 35 from Dayton, and 32 to 35 from Cincinnati. Three four lanes with massive truck traffic dumping onto an inadequate rural 2 lane with deadly consequences.
Perhaps the relatives of those killed will see the humor in your posts, I really don't.
Quote from: SP Cook on October 23, 2013, 01:08:45 PM
Perhaps the relatives of those killed will see the humor in your posts, I really don't.
won't someone please think of the children!?
Quote from: SP Cook on October 23, 2013, 01:08:45 PM
Of course people that don't just want to argue understand that 23 to 35 is the link from Columbus
Ever hear of US 33?
Quote from: SP Cook on October 23, 2013, 01:08:45 PM
32 to 35 from Cincinnati.
Sup AA Highway.
Quote from: SP Cook on October 23, 2013, 01:08:45 PM
Perhaps the relatives of those killed will see the humor in your posts, I really don't.
Perhaps those killed are in heaven right now laughing because there's nothing better to do in that hellhole.
Anyway, you should probably be complaining about Porkidor H in reference to funding for US 35.
Quote from: NE2 on October 23, 2013, 01:37:12 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on October 23, 2013, 01:08:45 PM
Of course people that don't just want to argue understand that 23 to 35 is the link from Columbus
Ever hear of US 33?
That's what I was thinking. Though FWIW, a general "Columbus, OH to Charleston, WV" Google directions search lists 35 as the top choice for being all of 1 mile and 2 minutes shorter than 33. Of course it depends on which part of Columbus or Charleston you're going to/from.
I know 33 would be my choice. While it has more miles of 2 lane than 35, it's much better quality 2 lane than what this 12 mile section of 35 sounds like. Plus 23 from Chillicothe to Columbus has a lot of lights and the speed trap known as South Bloomfield.
Quote from: NE2 on October 23, 2013, 01:37:12 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on October 23, 2013, 01:08:45 PM
32 to 35 from Cincinnati.
Sup AA Highway.
Two lanes for most of its length, a lot hillier, traffic lights around Maysville and a speed trap that's signed only for a 55 mph maximum.
Quote
Anyway, you should probably be complaining about Porkidor H in reference to funding for US 35.
It's 80 percent federally funded vs. mostly state funding for US 35, hence the former toll proposal that got shot down.
I don't know why the local lawmakers objected to tolls. Most local traffic is going to use old 35 instead of the new road. Trucks would be the primary toll-payers.
QuoteTwo lanes for most of its length, a lot hillier, traffic lights around Maysville and a speed trap that's signed only for a 55 mph maximum.
Perhaps, but well-engineered for a 2-lane highway. Plus as I recall it has a few hill-climbing lanes.
QuoteIt's 80 percent federally funded vs. mostly state funding for US 35, hence the former toll proposal that got shot down.
More like 100% vs 80%. Recent Federal law changes allow the states to use Federal funds 100% for ARC corridor projects. Meanwhile, US 35 is on the National Highway System so WVDOH could use Federal NHS funds to pay for 80% of US 35 projects.
Quote from: hbelkins on October 23, 2013, 03:27:55 PM
Quote from: NE2 on October 23, 2013, 01:37:12 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on October 23, 2013, 01:08:45 PM
32 to 35 from Cincinnati.
Sup AA Highway.
Two lanes for most of its length, a lot hillier, traffic lights around Maysville and a speed trap that's signed only for a 55 mph maximum.
Yes. You are exactly correct. I do the Cincinnati (living in the eastern Suburbs) to Charleston, WV drive a handful of times per year. The AA has its own issues .... much as I despise the section of 35 in WV, it's still a case where 32 to 35 is preferable to the AA.
US-35 in WV from Point Pleasant to Buffalo simply needs to be upgraded to 4 lanes. It is what it is. High traffic corridor and it's particularly dangerous as it is now.
Quote from: froggie on October 25, 2013, 04:33:48 PM
QuoteTwo lanes for most of its length, a lot hillier, traffic lights around Maysville and a speed trap that's signed only for a 55 mph maximum.
Perhaps, but well-engineered for a 2-lane highway. Plus as I recall it has a few hill-climbing lanes.
[/quote]
Meh. I'd rather go out of the way to be able to cruise at a steady 70-75 MPH than to have to worry about getting behind slow traffic, trucks, traffic lights, low speed limits, etc of the shorter road.
Quote from: keithvh on November 13, 2013, 06:54:31 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on October 23, 2013, 03:27:55 PM
Quote from: NE2 on October 23, 2013, 01:37:12 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on October 23, 2013, 01:08:45 PM
32 to 35 from Cincinnati.
Sup AA Highway.
Two lanes for most of its length, a lot hillier, traffic lights around Maysville and a speed trap that's signed only for a 55 mph maximum.
Yes. You are exactly correct. I do the Cincinnati (living in the eastern Suburbs) to Charleston, WV drive a handful of times per year. The AA has its own issues .... much as I despise the section of 35 in WV, it's still a case where 32 to 35 is preferable to the AA.
US-35 in WV from Point Pleasant to Buffalo simply needs to be upgraded to 4 lanes. It is what it is. High traffic corridor and it's particularly dangerous as it is now.
It sounds like it is a lot like the busy US highways of the past like the infamous US 66 and other highways that were later bypassed by freeways: way too much traffic for capacity. The roads were choked with traffic back then, and they were not fun at all.
35 isn't "choked with traffic" per se. It's traffic volumes are well within the capacity range of a 2-lane road. The problems are the higher-than-normal volume of trucks and the horrid safety record of the existing road.
Other than the apparent issue with the curve at the WV 869 bridge, there really aren't any major geometric deficiencies with the existing 2-lane US 35. The road is basically flat and straight. Widening the shoulders, building some turn lanes, and perhaps including a narrow like 4-foot median could probably address all of the major issues with the current road. The problem is basically with people making ill-advised passes and pulling out in front of other cars.
To be frank, I'm not sure why WVDOH doesn't just dualize on the existing alignment north of the WV 869 bridge. It seems like it would be a lot cheaper than building in the hills further in from the river like the other new 4-lane parts.
Quote from: Bitmapped on November 20, 2013, 10:41:45 PM
To be frank, I'm not sure why WVDOH doesn't just dualize on the existing alignment north of the WV 869 bridge. It seems like it would be a lot cheaper than building in the hills further in from the river like the other new 4-lane parts.
It's been awhile since I have been on that stretch, but how much would ROW acquisition and relocation costs, plus utility relocation costs, impact a financial decision vs. buying mostly wooded, unoccupied tracts and building there? Plus, there would either have to be a series of frontage roads built, or the road would not be "partially-controlled access" like most of the other modern four-lanes in West Virginia since there would be private access drives for homes and businesses. And I'd guess the speed limit would be 55, not 65, on such a road.
Quote from: hbelkins on November 21, 2013, 12:06:28 PM
Quote from: Bitmapped on November 20, 2013, 10:41:45 PM
To be frank, I'm not sure why WVDOH doesn't just dualize on the existing alignment north of the WV 869 bridge. It seems like it would be a lot cheaper than building in the hills further in from the river like the other new 4-lane parts.
It's been awhile since I have been on that stretch, but how much would ROW acquisition and relocation costs, plus utility relocation costs, impact a financial decision vs. buying mostly wooded, unoccupied tracts and building there? Plus, there would either have to be a series of frontage roads built, or the road would not be "partially-controlled access" like most of the other modern four-lanes in West Virginia since there would be private access drives for homes and businesses. And I'd guess the speed limit would be 55, not 65, on such a road.
There's some stuff along the road, but most of it is farmland. A lot of the rest is small houses or trailers you could buy out fairly cheaply.
I've seen in some places where WVDOH has built tiny stubs that basically just serve to give a driveway access to the highway along Corridors G and L. As long as there aren't a ton of them in an area, I don't think it would affect the speed limit. If you had a cluster of homes to save, build a single access road.
While the land further inland is cheaper, it's fairly rugged. The earthmoving and bridge costs more than eat up anything saved in RoW costs.
It appears a Public Private Partnership will be used to finish US 35: http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201311260023 (h/t Bitmapped).
Quote from: codyg1985 on November 26, 2013, 01:04:35 PM
It appears a Public Private Partnership will be used to finish US 35: http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201311260023 (h/t Bitmapped).
The road is not going to be tolled. I haven't seen any specific details but based on what's been said previously, it seems the deal is going to be for the private partner to build and finance the highway in exchange for fixed payments from WVDOH. The Corridor H 2020 people want the same arrangement used on that highway.
WVDOH used GARVEE bonds to pay for the rest of US 35 but I believe the state has tapped out its allocation.
FWIW, WVDOH says there is no funding deal or specific plans to start construction as of yet. http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201311260023
Note the original link now contains a totally different story, more accurate than the one that appeared in the print edition and was contained in the original link.
All that happened was the Putnam County Commission, which has no authority over the matter, passed a resolution supporting the idea and the paper's reporterete lacked the basic civics knowledge to understand that and they went with a "US 35 construction starts in April", which got picked up by the rest of the state's media. Such as here:
http://wvmetronews.com/2013/11/26/putnam-commission-funding-plan-for-u-s-route-35/ (http://wvmetronews.com/2013/11/26/putnam-commission-funding-plan-for-u-s-route-35/)
Reality is its just a resolution from a powerless body "supporting" the idea. The DOH, which has the jurisdiction, quickly corrected the story.
The bill in question authorizes the state, more or less, to build roads on credit. A contractor and a bank can make a proposal to build a road, which the state can accept or reject. The state would then repay the bank with interest. No proposal has been made, let alone accepted. And the bill would probably be subject to state Constitutional challenge, as the state is not permitted to borrow money.
Picture relevant.
(https://scontent-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10881501_10155075390035697_1211296281984711355_n.jpg?oh=e3825b43bea1d431884178d3a6bbd5fb&oe=55A61231)
What was the holdup?
My guess would be farm equipment. I got caught up in a similar backup caused by a combine the only time I've ever driven that stretch of road.
Idiot super trucker not paying attention to what he was doing smacked a left-turning car from behind. I didn't get to see the car, but a tow guy went by with the truck and it didn't look all that badly damaged, but it was probably worse than it looked. Chatter on the CB indicated that the car was properly mangled.
I sat long enough (30 minutes off-duty) to reset my 8-hour clock.
Those are the issues. Trucks. Farmers. Motorists.
The fact is many of today's truckers and motorists simply do not know how to drive an ordinary two lane rural road. We are past the point where it really is necessary very much, and it is a skill that people have never learned. And the ag equipment. This is as close as WV comes to farm country. Lots of slow moving tractors have to use the road to get from plot to plot. There is no alternative or back road (which is why just twinning the existing road won't work).
Quote from: hbelkins on October 20, 2013, 04:52:14 PM
http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2013/10/bonus-us-35-is-emblematic-of-our.html
Why are the paragraphs in this piece all very short?
Quote from: GCrites80s on April 01, 2015, 03:58:05 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on October 20, 2013, 04:52:14 PM
http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2013/10/bonus-us-35-is-emblematic-of-our.html
Why are the paragraphs in this piece all very short?
Because West Virginia.
Surber was a horrid columnist who was canned not too long ago for comparing people in Ferguson, Missouri to animals: http://wvmetronews.com/2014/10/30/charleston-newspaper-fires-columnist-surber-over-inexcusable-comments/
He had other run-ins as well, and this was just the tip.
Lexington's Bizzack Construction is the low bidder for an "everything except paving" contract for the remaining 14 mile deathroad gap in US 35. Construction will start, probably, Spring 16 and finish Fall 18. Bizzack's contract includes design, grading, drainage and all bridge work, leaving out only paving, guardrailing and signage.
Paving work will be bid later. Assuming no hicups, it should follow on in construction season of 19, meaning the road should be open in late 19 or early 20.
Ha. That's probably payback for Kanawha Stone coming in here and taking away a project in Bizzack's territory a few years ago -- the second, stimulus-funded portion of the KY 15 four-laning in Breathitt County. Bizzack had done the first section but Kanawha Stone came in and underbid them on the second section.
Not surprising that they didn't include paving. In Kentucky, Bizzack no longer paves and I don't think Mountain Enterprises is a Bizzack subsidiary anymore. They subcontract paving to whichever company has the blacktop plant monopoly in that particular county.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 20, 2015, 05:04:59 PM
Ha. That's probably payback for Kanawha Stone coming in here and taking away a project in Bizzack's territory a few years ago -- the second, stimulus-funded portion of the KY 15 four-laning in Breathitt County. Bizzack had done the first section but Kanawha Stone came in and underbid them on the second section.
Not surprising that they didn't include paving. In Kentucky, Bizzack no longer paves and I don't think Mountain Enterprises is a Bizzack subsidiary anymore. They subcontract paving to whichever company has the blacktop plant monopoly in that particular county.
DOH wasn't even accepting bids for paving at this letting. It's generally standard practice for them to split grade/drain from paving.
Quote from: Bitmapped on May 22, 2015, 12:04:45 AM
DOH wasn't even accepting bids for paving at this letting. It's generally standard practice for them to split grade/drain from paving.
Kentucky generally includes surfacing in grade and drain contracts, although there have been exceptions.
So will this complete the work within West Virginia?
Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on May 22, 2015, 08:14:25 PM
So will this complete the work within West Virginia?
Once they do the paving contract.
I'm surprised no one else posted this. The end of two lane hell is in sight!
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Final Stretch of US Route 35
http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/Ground-Breaking-Ceremony-Set-for-Final-Stretch-of-US-Route-35--332620731.html
Well it's about time!
They still have to let the contract to pave it.
QuoteHowever, the state still has to find a contractor to pave the road once construction is complete. A project with an estimated $70M dollar price tag.
The Department of Transportation looks to have a contractor picked sometime before the project is finished.
If that happens, the paving project could be completed sometime in spring 2019.
Quote from: codyg1985 on October 15, 2015, 04:23:20 PM
They still have to let the contract to pave it.
Very true, but grading and bridge work do take some time, and perhaps with China's economy tanking, the price of asphalt will go down, and it won't quite cost $70M.
Quote from: wriddle082 on October 15, 2015, 04:07:24 PM
I'm surprised no one else posted this. The end of two lane hell is in sight!
"In sight" means, according to the article you linked, not until spring 2019 (when paving would be completed).
If West Virginia is anything like Kentucky, there will be only one bidder for paving unless they do "pavement alternatives" and allow for both asphalt and concrete to be considered. It being West Virginia, I'd expect concrete.
Hi, all. Does anyone know if/when the US 35 construction in WV is/will be completed? We're heading to Hilton Head this summer and thought about going that way from Central Ohio instead of taking 33 to 77. I've heard horror stories about the two-lane stretch of US 35 in WV, and don't need to get stuck in traffic. US 33 isn't too bad, but a good portion southeast of Athens is two lanes, and invariably we get stuck behind someone driving way under the speed limit. If US 35 is complete then we can go that way.
Quote from: Crowbar on January 18, 2018, 10:27:53 AM
Hi, all. Does anyone know if/when the US 35 construction in WV is/will be completed? We're heading to Hilton Head this summer and thought about going that way from Central Ohio instead of taking 33 to 77. I've heard horror stories about the two-lane stretch of US 35 in WV, and don't need to get stuck in traffic. US 33 isn't too bad, but a good portion southeast of Athens is two lanes, and invariably we get stuck behind someone driving way under the speed limit. If US 35 is complete then we can go that way.
US 35 is not complete. I honestly haven't heard horror stories about the traffic for the not-all-that-long portion between the two four-lane sections.
As for US 33, the two-lane portion is of recent vintage with good sight lines, so traffic moves well on it.
The 2-lane section of 35 will not be replaced for several years. While it is inadequate and thus dangerous, traffic flows at a reasonable safe speed. Unless there is an accident or weather, there is no "traffic horror story", just 12 miles of rural 2 lane farm country road. You need to pay attention, brake check tailgaters/don't tailgate, and just ride it out and not pass no matter how much you want to.
The new 4-lane is generally a totally new road being built a few hundred yards south of the current road (which will become a local road for local residents when the new one is completed) and not what HB calls a "Virginia Twin". Construction does not impact the current road's flow.
My friend mentioned how they tried coming back from NC using 35, and they got stuck for over an hour due to an accident up the road - they ended up turning around and going back to 64 and going up 33.
Don't mind using 33 - figured taking 35 would be a nice change of pace. We have two little kids with us, and my wife, to be blunt, is a PITA when it comes to traffic. If we get stuck behind someone using 35, she'll bitch about why I didn't go down 33. If they were finished with 35, then I'd take that as it would be 4 lane all the way.
Thanks.
Use Waze. If there's something blocking the two-lane portion of 35, take WV 62 (which was the route of US 35 up until the Silver Bridge collapse) on the other side of the Kanawha River, and cross at Buffalo onto the new US 35 segment.
http://wvmetronews.com/2019/04/19/paving-contract-awarded-for-route-35-gap-project/
Final paving contract awarded, to WV Paving. Completion in October 2020 (just before Election Day).
IMHO, long past due. The existing road is simply dangerous.
<edit> WV Paving, sorry.
Quote from: SP Cook on April 22, 2019, 11:44:29 AM
http://wvmetronews.com/2019/04/19/paving-contract-awarded-for-route-35-gap-project/
Final paving contract awarded, to WV Paving. Completion in October 2020 (just before Election Day).
IMHO, long past due. The existing road is simply dangerous.
<edit> WV Paving, sorry.
If I get to go to the Portsmouth meet, I intend to go take a look at the construction on this project. I figure most of the county roads that turn westward off existing US 35 will run through the work zone.
Certainly. A turn away from the river (left if NB, right if SB) on any CR will within a half mile or so bring you to either a bridge which will carry the new 35 high above you, or a future at grade intersection with the new route.
They are all ways long past due.
Is there a recent map of where the new U.S. 35 will be?
https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/Highways-Projects/US_35/Pages/US35Maps.aspx
Sad to say this is from the CURRENT projects page at the WV DOH. Note that the maps are from 2009. In any event all the colors except red are open, the red section is the one that the paving contract was just awarded for. Pretty much they just went about a half mile west and built the new road. The old road will remain as WV 817 for local traffic.
The projects page has projects on it that have been finished for more than 10 years and does not have newer projects on it at all. How hard is it to update a web page?
About damn time!
Quote from: hbelkins on April 22, 2019, 01:43:55 PM
If I get to go to the Portsmouth meet, I intend to go take a look at the construction on this project. I figure most of the county roads that turn westward off existing US 35 will run through the work zone.
I will be using the US-35 corridor on my July trip to NW Indiana, and be able to view the project.
Quote from: Beltway on April 25, 2019, 01:22:15 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 22, 2019, 01:43:55 PM
If I get to go to the Portsmouth meet, I intend to go take a look at the construction on this project. I figure most of the county roads that turn westward off existing US 35 will run through the work zone.
I will be using the US-35 corridor on my July trip to NW Indiana, and be able to view the project.
Thanks Beltway!! Will be using this route in September to see my step son in Indy.
US 35 videos:
https://www.facebook.com/scott.brewer.925/videos/2966572213380061/?t=1
Quote from: SP Cook on April 22, 2019, 02:25:16 PM
Certainly. A turn away from the river (left if NB, right if SB) on any CR will within a half mile or so bring you to either a bridge which will carry the new 35 high above you, or a future at grade intersection with the new route.
What would be the three or four best county routes from which to access this project? Are there going to be grade-separated interchanges or at-grade intersections for these routes?
Giving some serious thought to running up there this weekend to take a look.
Any button copy left on US 35 between Jackson and the river?
A view of the US Route 35 expressway at the Interstate 64 interchange. US Route 35 ends just south at Teays Valley Road.
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130319530_10108464348130420_3092360720843586860_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=bj7ePQ5rFsAAX-jKhS7&_nc_oc=AQk7cXC4pj9YGFf9Y_KXjZlQMVQF7W1Ix71e8Ntfk2_mUI15sPr-pkya_b7WfcP58TE&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=5019852c7a0f1b57de700fba17fed9d5&oe=5FF316CE)
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130249719_10108464348095490_8526889407044447345_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=tvqCMotSvvMAX_UIO6O&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=0ee0924872c38f2d8d2f883d28dad164&oe=5FF07D77)
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130291379_10108464348100480_5463842682164545646_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=DKpUE3rrDiAAX_Ou8rf&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=bd34215fe8f4621501653b898959339c&oe=5FF18F53)
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130190975_10108464348549580_1506010890567188567_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=xvdilSFnqc8AX-O_iiF&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=23a42d5bbd225f7345b8476d3a9d899c&oe=5FF384D6)
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130132856_10108464348694290_3940320366443877101_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=Jyl75NnLwjEAX8lbEdt&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=f42d03559687b0f46745cde3fa9ebcc6&oe=5FF07289)
TOP: US Route 35 south to Interstate 64 east; MIDDLE: US Route 35; BOTTOM: Interstate 64
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130084121_10108464348454770_6675503409868117759_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=3gIea1U4F8cAX-qngzS&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=2aa6d8a58700b085526de01e7e53d249&oe=5FF1E206)
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/129900217_10108464348529620_2036456881225882505_o.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=k4kxjZttHY8AX843Qhs&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=8c17bd6d30a0b3839dc83609a77ec3e8&oe=5FF109B4)
This is the future US Route 35 interchange with WV Route 817 / To WV Route 869. For a few years, mainline US Route 35 descended down a curvy, steep grade to the old alignment, now signed as WV Route 817.
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130187041_10108464348749180_8262919292916269249_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=eE1qzriaQCoAX_pIFDk&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=97aef35d03fc3282316fae83b72f40be&oe=5FF324F3)
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(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/129867002_10108464349093490_7318089984076469206_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=kT9csXZ2KuAAX8MPBvR&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=81158fa794f88304b799b1ee8d91a062&oe=5FF0D5CC)
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Quote from: seicer on December 05, 2020, 09:53:47 PM
A view of the US Route 35 expressway at the Interstate 64 interchange. US Route 35 ends just south at Teays Valley Road.
Wow, great pix. The first two are what my old backyard looks like now.
The pavement on US 35 looks awful. It didn't hold up well at all.
In that last photo, the two-lane road to the right ... does it go under a big concrete box culvert or does it end there? Hard to tell from the photo.
And in the first ones ... There's an overhead for the left turn onto westbound 64 over the opposing lanes of traffic on the connector from US 35 to Teays Valley Road? That's ... unusual.
Quote from: hbelkins on December 06, 2020, 09:28:43 PM
The pavement on US 35 looks awful. It didn't hold up well at all.
I'll post up new photos of the northern segment tomorrow. The section from Henderson south for 8.5 miles was built in three segments and opened in c. 2000 and 2009-10 and it's a crapshoot. The asphalt is in godawful condition and the concrete is relatively good where it's not cracked from extensive settling. There is the start of joint delamination throughout so this will be a maintenance issue in the future. The portion from Buffalo south opened ... c. 2008-09 (?) and is equally rough. I'm not sure if it's the fill being used (light on rocks, heavy on clay?) but there is excessive settling throughout this project that hasn't occurred on roads like Corridor H or Corridor G.
QuoteIn that last photo, the two-lane road to the right ... does it go under a big concrete box culvert or does it end there? Hard to tell from the photo.
And in the first ones ... There's an overhead for the left turn onto westbound 64 over the opposing lanes of traffic on the connector from US 35 to Teays Valley Road? That's ... unusual.
It ends - it's a side road for basically a hunting camp or house and the grades up to it are something like 15% or 20%. The end gives a great overlook of the future interchange. As for the first photo - the overhead gantry is for Teays Valley Road and is the end of US 35 technically. I always wondered if the highway will be extended south to US 119 in the future.
Quote from: hbelkins on December 06, 2020, 09:28:43 PM
<snipped>
And in the first ones ... There's an overhead for the left turn onto westbound 64 over the opposing lanes of traffic on the connector from US 35 to Teays Valley Road? That's ... unusual.
Quote from: seicer on December 06, 2020, 10:24:45 PM
<snipped>
As for the first photo - the overhead gantry is for Teays Valley Road and is the end of US 35 technically. I always wondered if the highway will be extended south to US 119 in the future.
My folks got copies of DOH plans for extension of US-35 to where it used to end, connecting such that it extends the west end of four-lane US-60 where Main Street and Winfield Road (WV-817) all come together. US-35 was planned to cross Teays Valley Road on an overpass and at the top of the grade Hedrick Road would be connected to a loopback to Teays Valley Road that went right through my folks house. The cattle farm straight ahead (owned by an older friend that grew up there) has been targeted by Target (pun not intended), but most of the proposed improvements would be in the future US-35 easements. Putnam officials tend to think that the DOH plans were to appease St. Albans politicians who were losing the US-35 designation. Nobody believed that there was any chance this would ever get constructed.
From there, it isn't much of a stretch to extend it to US Route 119 at Alum Creek. Just getting it to US Route 60 is half the battle.
We drove on West Virginia's US-35 on October 1 en route to Dayton and we were surprised at how many "Bump" or "Dip" or similar signs there were on the northern four-lane portion. It didn't seem like all that old of a road (I see seicer's comments about when it was built) that it should have been in that sort of condition.
This is a view of US Route 35 8½ miles from WV Route 2 and Henderson, and where the northern four-lane expressway ties into the old route along the Kanawha River. This section of highway was built/opened in 2010.
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130505461_10108467625138270_4967475036437247090_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=84fv8Gu4kykAX_rVtpI&_nc_oc=AQmnZ_IbYb06e1UIxsAGw6O4hIfZBlW2oXEs9BmetsUWpA85YSeA9F0dxfJP_Zr7Qiw&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=8c10cff8f9c0179ea3d5fee434cfe942&oe=5FF5BB46)
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The latest (and last) segment to open is between this point and the future Buffalo interchange, a distance of roughly 16 miles. It is set for completion in mid-2021.
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130702333_10108467625098350_6645082940730395966_o.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=Q-aWA3RSmiEAX9CEroZ&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=62b0381e5e74d0342c1978ac57fdf98f&oe=5FF29207)
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(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/129721466_10108467625233080_4912766368322055630_o.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=G7sVclPgyV4AX9re6GF&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=a6f8dadf9325053d46e689dfb83dbad0&oe=5FF4F3FA)
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^ In the 2nd set of pics, what's the plan for the half mile segment of 4 lane between new and old 35 once the new section is open?
I am assuming it will be converted into a local road. An intersection to it is being graded out.
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 07, 2020, 08:35:13 AM
We drove on West Virginia's US-35 on October 1 en route to Dayton and we were surprised at how many "Bump" or "Dip" or similar signs there were on the northern four-lane portion. It didn't seem like all that old of a road (I see seicer's comments about when it was built) that it should have been in that sort of condition.
A lot of newer DOH projects have had issues with slips. The completed section of the King Coal Highway in Mingo County is rife with them, and WV 43 has some issues as well.
None quite compares to the part of Corridor G (US 119) near Chief Logan that park, where the median barrier is about a foot shorter than it should be because DOH added asphalt to the travel lanes to correct a slip but didn't redo the Jersey barrier: https://goo.gl/maps/r7mJdhDAT8GRsJFn6
Checked out the work on Saturday. (See my Five-state road trip (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=29426.msg2620790#new) post for details.) Looks like there will be only one access point along the new route. All the other county roads I drove up were bridged over. I didn't go up three roads which looked to be really minor in nature.
A post upthread said the work was supposed to be done last fall. They obviously missed that deadline. Any updates on a completion date? Looked to me like all they lack is the final surface (it's asphalt) and tying in to the existing four-lane at each end.
I plan to go check it out again when it's open to traffic.
They now have WV 817 concurrently signed with US 35. Last time I was there, it wasn't signed concurrently; WV 817 ended at the intersection near the Buffalo Bridge and apparently picked back up again as a separate segment near Pt. Pleasant. All they'll have to do now is remove the US 35 signs and reposition the WV 817 signs on the posts when the new route opens.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 31, 2021, 08:07:48 PM
They now have WV 817 concurrently signed with US 35. Last time I was there, it wasn't signed concurrently; WV 817 ended at the intersection near the Buffalo Bridge and apparently picked back up again as a separate segment near Pt. Pleasant. All they'll have to do now is remove the US 35 signs and reposition the WV 817 signs on the posts when the new route opens.
Ouch. Unclinched again!
Quote from: Dirt Roads on June 01, 2021, 11:11:58 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on May 31, 2021, 08:07:48 PM
They now have WV 817 concurrently signed with US 35. Last time I was there, it wasn't signed concurrently; WV 817 ended at the intersection near the Buffalo Bridge and apparently picked back up again as a separate segment near Pt. Pleasant. All they'll have to do now is remove the US 35 signs and reposition the WV 817 signs on the posts when the new route opens.
Ouch. Unclinched again!
817 was co-signed with US-35 when I went to the New River Gorge back in July 2018, so it's been signed there for a while (and of course will stay as 817 after the alignment change of 35).
Quote from: I-55 on June 02, 2021, 07:06:19 PM
Quote from: Dirt Roads on June 01, 2021, 11:11:58 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on May 31, 2021, 08:07:48 PM
They now have WV 817 concurrently signed with US 35. Last time I was there, it wasn't signed concurrently; WV 817 ended at the intersection near the Buffalo Bridge and apparently picked back up again as a separate segment near Pt. Pleasant. All they'll have to do now is remove the US 35 signs and reposition the WV 817 signs on the posts when the new route opens.
Ouch. Unclinched again!
817 was co-signed with US-35 when I went to the New River Gorge back in July 2018, so it's been signed there for a while (and of course will stay as 817 after the alignment change of 35).
Another segment of WV-817 that was co-signed with US-35 was removed recently.
The co-signed segment near Henderson was removed ( https://goo.gl/maps/iybHZWf7cUmBxQGW8 ) in ~May 2018 when they rerouted it onto a new 2-lane road between those two intersections that parallels US-35. Kinda amazed that Google still doesn't show the new road yet, over 3 years later.
To my knowledge. WV 817 has never been signed from WV 2 at the intersection between the US 35 interchange and the Kanawha River bridge. Unless that signage has been added since I was last through there, it's signed only for "Henderson" and not any route number.
I find it hard to believe that the US 35 designation once spanned along WV 62 between Charleston and Point Pleasant, and went into Ohio via the original ill-fated Silver Bridge over the Ohio River. Now it is vacating the WV 817 corridor for a new four-lane corridor, whose "missing link" hopefully will be completed soon. Go figure!
Story today that the new highway will open by the end of August
https://wchstv.com/news/local/final-15-mile-stretch-of-us-35-upgrade-to-four-lanes-expected-to-be-completed-in-august
Just drove this section of US 35 going to and from Scout Camp with my son down in North Carolina.
The four lane bypass is sorely needed. While traffic moves smoothly on the two lane portion, there was so much of it that anyone living or working along that road would have difficulty simply turning on to the road.
Apple Maps now has the entire construction zone showing in it's satellite view. Google maps has bupkis.
WV DOT has changed the opening date to "sometime in October" .
Part of the issue has been, IMHO, the odd method in which the previous segments were done. In every other case I can think of, they built the new road a couple of hundred yards past what will be an exit, with traffic forced down what will someday just be an exit. Then when the next segment is finished, you just pull up the Jersey barriers and there you go.
Did not do that here. Both ends have long segments to tie into the old road, as if it was to be the permanent end, which was never the plan. The tie in at the Buffalo/Toyota bridge is done, which added time, but the one at the other end has not even started, at least a quarter mile of construction not even started.
Also, the state has decided to improve the Buffalo/Toyota Bridge exit. Was just going to be an at grade intersection, but will be reworked into an actual interstate type exit. Which is needed.
Quote from: SP Cook on July 28, 2021, 10:34:56 AM
WV DOT has changed the opening date to "sometime in October" .
Part of the issue has been, IMHO, the odd method in which the previous segments were done. In every other case I can think of, they built the new road a couple of hundred yards past what will be an exit, with traffic forced down what will someday just be an exit. Then when the next segment is finished, you just pull up the Jersey barriers and there you go.
Did not do that here. Both ends have long segments to tie into the old road, as if it was to be the permanent end, which was never the plan. The tie in at the Buffalo/Toyota bridge is done, which added time, but the one at the other end has not even started, at least a quarter mile of construction not even started.
Also, the state has decided to improve the Buffalo/Toyota Bridge exit. Was just going to be an at grade intersection, but will be reworked into an actual interstate type exit. Which is needed.
Hope it isn't too late in October. I'd planned to go up there and check out the completed section and make a little longer trip out of it, hoping it was at the peak of foliage season. Doubt I'll go to NRG and the Bridge Day crowd, but was thinking the Beckley/Princeton/Wytheville area for an overnight stay.
As best I could tell from my trip up that way a few weeks ago, there will be only one access point on the new section. I didn't drive up all the county roads running west off the existing route, because many of them were little one-lane gravel roads.
Looked like there was a bridge at the southern end to facilitate a grade-separated interchange.
I like the foilage to be down so that I can see old alignments better
https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Traffic-Flowing-Smoothly-on-Newly-Opened-US-35-Entrance-Ramp.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1tOxOy-a2UxK-RrgjyUqjs6E6GfbycX35cZsu3dYZhKQbdKQGJ4C-PySo
Small victory today, as the quirky connector at the south end of the construction is replaced with the ordinary on-ramp (which is what they should have done in the first place). The connector has been the site of a number of accidents.
Wonder when the mainline will finally open to traffic? I saw a WVDOT release that said there would be some work in a 60- to 90-day time frame to work on the connectors on either end.
Kentucky would get the grade and base surface done, then open the road and do final paving under traffic.
AFAIK, there is about 6 miles of final paving in one direction left, plus some signs, which is NBD.
The issue is the also odd junction at the north end. You can see it on the topographic overlay on Google Maps. I assume they are going to force traffic onto 817 further up the road (there is a junction about a mile away) and rework the lanes as quickly as possible. I really don't see any other way.
Quote from: SP Cook on September 10, 2021, 02:19:15 PM
AFAIK, there is about 6 miles of final paving in one direction left, plus some signs, which is NBD.
The issue is the also odd junction at the north end. You can see it on the topographic overlay on Google Maps. I assume they are going to force traffic onto 817 further up the road (there is a junction about a mile away) and rework the lanes as quickly as possible. I really don't see any other way.
From the satellite imagery on Google Maps, it looks like the new lanes are graded to just beyond the guardrail. I don't see why you would have to shut down this section of road entirely. At worst, it looks like you could shunt both directions onto one side while you tie in the other side.
I went up there (the northern end of the gap) and it is a mess. Major delays, as they try to work the new lanes in on the old construction, which will involve shifting everything to one side. There is also at least a quarter mile of new road that simply is not there, no prep at all.
There is no way they are going to be done in October
What's the latest on this? Are they making progress? Or do I need to postpone my trip to come drive the new road after Thanksgiving?
Last official announcement is "sometime between October 20th and Thanksgiving" .
I'm doubtful. The weird way the northern end, well, ended just made a mess that is taking a long time to fix.
The opening is a "moving target" .
https://wchstv.com/news/local/a-moving-target-wva-doh-says-us-35-completion-now-set-for-this-fall
Hope it happens by Thanksgiving. If the weather is good, I'm looking to go up there the first week of December as a 60th birthday present to myself.
Weather should cooperate considering real winter hasn't started until January 20th or later most recent years. And that's up here in Columbus!
And, finally.
https://www.wsaz.com/2021/11/05/ribbon-cutting-celebration-scheduled-final-section-us-35/
Veteran's Day.
Quote from: SP Cook on November 05, 2021, 03:49:30 PM
And, finally.
https://www.wsaz.com/2021/11/05/ribbon-cutting-celebration-scheduled-final-section-us-35/
Veteran’s Day.
Can't wait to see if WV-869 now gets signed along the segment US-35 vacates between the current southern end of the 4-lane and the Lower Buffalo Bridge (the bridge is currently WV-869, but unsigned).
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on November 08, 2021, 07:51:14 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on November 05, 2021, 03:49:30 PM
And, finally.
https://www.wsaz.com/2021/11/05/ribbon-cutting-celebration-scheduled-final-section-us-35/
Veteran's Day.
Can't wait to see if WV-869 now gets signed along the segment US-35 vacates between the current southern end of the 4-lane and the Lower Buffalo Bridge (the bridge is currently WV-869, but unsigned).
Hadn't thought about that, but wouldn't be surprised if it's just signed "To WV 62/To WV 812," given West Virginia's penchant for not signing numbered bridges.
Seems to me that it would be logical to straighten out the existing intersection near the bridge to make WV 817 a through route, and do a jughandle-type connection between WV 817 and the bridge approach route. It's oddly aligned now.
Quote from: hbelkins on November 09, 2021, 03:10:36 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on November 08, 2021, 07:51:14 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on November 05, 2021, 03:49:30 PM
And, finally.
https://www.wsaz.com/2021/11/05/ribbon-cutting-celebration-scheduled-final-section-us-35/
Veteran's Day.
Can't wait to see if WV-869 now gets signed along the segment US-35 vacates between the current southern end of the 4-lane and the Lower Buffalo Bridge (the bridge is currently WV-869, but unsigned).
Hadn't thought about that, but wouldn't be surprised if it's just signed "To WV 62/To WV 812," given West Virginia's penchant for not signing numbered bridges.
Seems to me that it would be logical to straighten out the existing intersection near the bridge to make WV 817 a through route, and do a jughandle-type connection between WV 817 and the bridge approach route. It's oddly aligned now.
It was a jughandle before they built the new alignment of US-35 there and tied it into the old road there. LOL!
Ceremony tomorrow:
https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/putnam_news/joint-ceremony-to-celebrate-veterans-completion-of-u-s-35/article_15d3aa4a-6033-5ea5-9e48-429484340908.html
The comments on Facebook are great. They allowed GIFs on one of the threads and it was a bunch of people posting roller coaster graphics - because that's pretty much what the pavement is like throughout the entire highway from I-64 to Point Pleasant.
Video.
https://governor.wv.gov/News/press-releases/2021/Pages/Governor-Justice-to-host-ribbon-cutting-celebration-for-final-section-of-US-35.aspx
Some more media.
https://wvmetronews.com/2021/11/10/u-s-35-the-long-road-to-completion/
Quote from: seicer on November 10, 2021, 09:26:33 AM
The comments on Facebook are great. They allowed GIFs on one of the threads and it was a bunch of people posting roller coaster graphics - because that's pretty much what the pavement is like throughout the entire highway from I-64 to Point Pleasant.
Saw in their bid lettings yesterday that they're going to resurface the portion between I-64 and WV 34.
My recollection of traveling the four-lane back in the spring is that the worst section is north of WV 34, not the part that first opened.
https://www.wsaz.com/2021/11/11/travelers-now-welcome-final-section-us-35/
Just got back from the opening ceremony. Typical political stuff, governor, both senators, the congresswoman, fed and state bureaucrats. The project manager (who is a friend of mine and is retiring next week) got a flag and a scroll. The bands from the two high schools involved (Winfield and Point Pleasant). Some Veteran's Day acknowledgement. Took about 40 minutes.
Ceremony was at the Plantation Road at-grade crossing, which is about 2 miles north of the former south end. Probably about 200 folks there, many band parents.
Waited around another 40 and was allowed to follow the governor and the cop cars up to the north end and then turn around and come back. Road, all asphalt, is in perfect shape, for now. Only a couple of minor at grade intersections, and a few driveway permit connections to private land.
They really are not quite done. The southbound lanes will open for real later today. This will allow the final work to remove the weird connection to the old road at the former north end, which should be done by the end of next week,
To answer the signage question, northbound the exit is signed "WV 817 - WV 62 -Buffalo - Eleanor" southbound is simply WV 62 - Buffalo - Eleanor" No use of the word "TO" and no mention of the bridge's route number. Also no signage for the Toyota plant, which you can get a view of southbound about a mile north of the exit. If you take exit signage points you to "WV 62". There is some reworking of the interchange between the old US 35 (now WV 817), the access road to the ramps, and the bridge, but that will probably be done next spring.
Thought about going, since I was off today, but didn't. Probably too big of a crowd for my liking. I know the WSAZ reporter and saw her preview earlier today; she was a frequent contact as she just started there a few months ago, transferring from WYMT in Hazard.
Still hopeful to drive it in a few weeks.
Apple Maps shows the new road (though they also retained the US-35 shield on the old road as well). Google Maps doesn't as of this writing.
Quote from: SP Cook on November 11, 2021, 02:17:55 PM
To answer the signage question, northbound the exit is signed "WV 817 - WV 62 -Buffalo - Eleanor" southbound is simply WV 62 - Buffalo - Eleanor" No use of the word "TO" and no mention of the bridge's route number. Also no signage for the Toyota plant, which you can get a view of southbound about a mile north of the exit. If you take exit signage points you to "WV 62". There is some reworking of the interchange between the old US 35 (now WV 817), the access road to the ramps, and the bridge, but that will probably be done next spring.
Thank you for the info. This will allow me to get the update for TM done in the next 24h.
I note the speed limit on US-35 once you cross the river into Ohio is 70 mph and in West Virginia it's been 65 on previously-existing the four-lane portions. Is there any possibility West Virginia might raise it to 70, or is the combination of it being a non-Interstate and having a few at-grade intersections enough for West Virginia to keep it at 65? I don't know what West Virginia law is nor whether their DOT has a specific policy on that sort of thing.
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 12, 2021, 09:43:17 AM
I note the speed limit on US-35 once you cross the river into Ohio is 70 mph and in West Virginia it's been 65 on previously-existing the four-lane portions. Is there any possibility West Virginia might raise it to 70, or is the combination of it being a non-Interstate and having a few at-grade intersections enough for West Virginia to keep it at 65? I don't know what West Virginia law is nor whether their DOT has a specific policy on that sort of thing.
I'm pretty sure it's a full freeway after you cross into Ohio, hence the 70 limit. But at some point NW of Rio Grande it starts having at-grade intersections so I'm thinking it slows down.
Quote from: wriddle082 on November 12, 2021, 10:17:18 AM
I'm pretty sure it's a full freeway after you cross into Ohio, hence the 70 limit. But at some point NW of Rio Grande it starts having at-grade intersections so I'm thinking it slows down.
It is. Oddly the section in question, Gallipolis to Rio Grande, has been down to a single lane with orange barrels and a 55 SL all summer and fall, despite no apparent work being done, nor needed.
As to WV policy, the Code of State Rules adopts the MUTCD, but this is ignored and no proper traffic studies have been done in decades. Obviously the SL on the interstates should be at least 80 in most rural areas, and the other four lanes should be raised as well.
It will be interesting to see how West Virginia's updated county maps for the county in question -- Putnam or Mason, I can't remember for sure -- mark the connector route from the new four-lane to the Buffalo bridge.
I drove from Jackson to Teays Valley on US 35 back in the spring. The non-freeway portions in Ohio had speed limits lower than 70, but I can't remember if they were signed 65, 60, or 55.
Quote from: hbelkins on November 12, 2021, 11:46:44 AM
I drove from Jackson to Teays Valley on US 35 back in the spring. The non-freeway portions in Ohio had speed limits lower than 70, but I can't remember if they were signed 65, 60, or 55.
I believe the arterial segments are posted at 60 mph, with 70 mph on the full freeway sections.
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 12, 2021, 09:43:17 AM
I note the speed limit on US-35 once you cross the river into Ohio is 70 mph and in West Virginia it's been 65 on previously-existing the four-lane portions. Is there any possibility West Virginia might raise it to 70, or is the combination of it being a non-Interstate and having a few at-grade intersections enough for West Virginia to keep it at 65? I don't know what West Virginia law is nor whether their DOT has a specific policy on that sort of thing.
The four lane highways are capped at 65 mph in West Virginia. There was originally a provision to permit 70 mph on them when the interstate speed limit was bumped to 75 mph, though it was removed from the final version of the bill due to safety concerns.
Quote from: hbelkins on November 12, 2021, 11:46:44 AM
It will be interesting to see how West Virginia's updated county maps for the county in question -- Putnam or Mason, I can't remember for sure -- mark the connector route from the new four-lane to the Buffalo bridge.
I drove from Jackson to Teays Valley on US 35 back in the spring. The non-freeway portions in Ohio had speed limits lower than 70, but I can't remember if they were signed 65, 60, or 55.
It's 60 mph, at least on the expressway section I drove on last summer between OH 32 and the WV border.
Quote from: wriddle082 on November 12, 2021, 10:17:18 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 12, 2021, 09:43:17 AM
I note the speed limit on US-35 once you cross the river into Ohio is 70 mph and in West Virginia it's been 65 on previously-existing the four-lane portions. Is there any possibility West Virginia might raise it to 70, or is the combination of it being a non-Interstate and having a few at-grade intersections enough for West Virginia to keep it at 65? I don't know what West Virginia law is nor whether their DOT has a specific policy on that sort of thing.
I'm pretty sure it's a full freeway after you cross into Ohio, hence the 70 limit. But at some point NW of Rio Grande it starts having at-grade intersections so I'm thinking it slows down.
Right, I didn't mean to imply it stays 70 mph all the way through Ohio. I recall it dropping to 60 at some point, though I don't recall the speed limits for the entire segment from the state line up to I-675 near Dayton (which is the part I travelled in October 2020).
For what it's worth, though, in Ohio at-grade intersections don't automatically disqualify a road from being posted at 70 mph. US-30 is an excellent example, although to be fair that road is a lot flatter and more wide-open than West Virginia's portion of US-35.
I was simply asking whether there's any possibility of West Virginia posting 70 mph on that road. Based on the various replies, it sounds like it's either unlikely or not permitted.
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 12, 2021, 11:59:19 AM
For what it's worth, though, in Ohio at-grade intersections don't automatically disqualify a road from being posted at 70 mph. US-30 is an excellent example, although to be fair that road is a lot flatter and more wide-open than West Virginia's portion of US-35.
IIRC, ODOT has said they wouldn't post higher than 60 mph on four lane divided highways that don't have limited access.
US-30 has at-grade intersections, though it's limited access throughout. However, there is the counter example being the western part of US-30 towards Indiana that has private driveways and holds 70 mph, so who knows.
That stretch of US-35 should realistically at least be 65 mph.
Quote from: sprjus4 on November 12, 2021, 12:01:58 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 12, 2021, 11:59:19 AM
For what it's worth, though, in Ohio at-grade intersections don't automatically disqualify a road from being posted at 70 mph. US-30 is an excellent example, although to be fair that road is a lot flatter and more wide-open than West Virginia's portion of US-35.
IIRC, ODOT has said they wouldn't post higher than 60 mph on four lane divided highways that don't have limited access.
US-30 has at-grade intersections, though it's limited access throughout. However, there is the counter example being the western part of US-30 towards Indiana that has private driveways and holds 70 mph, so who knows.
That stretch of US-35 should realistically at least be 65 mph.
Not just that. Most of OH 32 is 60 mph too, when it realistically could be at least 65.
Ohio is all over the place with no consistency. 55 to 70 MPH along US 52 between Portsmouth and Chesapeake despite it all being limited access, with and without interchanges and no private driveway access. OH 32 being entirely 60 MPH except for its westernmost segment despite it having a low AADT and widely spaced intersections and interchanges - especially in comparison to US 35 which is signed for 70 MPH in stretches although it has driveway connections.
West Virginia has been pretty uniform, on the other hand, with its speed limits. 65 MPH on four-lane corridor routes and on four-lanes with limited access; 70 MPH on interstates. 55 MPH elsewhere.
Quote from: seicer on November 12, 2021, 12:41:25 PM
OH 32 being entirely 60 MPH except for its westernmost segment despite it having a low AADT and widely spaced intersections and interchanges - especially in comparison to US 35 which is signed for 70 MPH in stretches although it has driveway connections.
I could be wrong, but I don't believe any stretch of US-35 with at grade connections is posted above 60 mph.
Quote from: seicer on November 12, 2021, 12:41:25 PM
OH 32 being entirely 60 MPH except for its westernmost segment despite it having a low AADT and widely spaced intersections and interchanges
Regarding the westernmost segment, you'll be lucky to go above 55 mph (posted speed limit) in some places, at least until ODOT removes all traffic lights between I-275 and Batavia.
Quote from: sprjus4 on November 12, 2021, 11:53:59 AM
The four lane highways are capped at 65 mph in West Virginia. There was originally a provision to permit 70 mph on them when the interstate speed limit was bumped to 75 mph, though it was removed from the final version of the bill due to safety concerns.
Actually, no "bill" sets any maximum SL for such roads in WV. Rather, WVC 17C-6-1, states:
(d) The speed limit on controlled access highways and interstate highways, where no special hazard exists that requires a lower speed, shall be not less than fifty-five miles per hour and the speed limits specified in subsection (b) of this section do not apply.
While WVC 17C-6-2 states that:
Whenever the state road commissioner shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any speed limit set forth in this article is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of a highway, said commissioner may determine and declare a reasonable and safe speed limit thereat which shall be effective at all times or during hours of daylight or darkness or at such other times as may be determined when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected at such intersection or other place or part of the highway.
Quote from: SkyPesos on November 12, 2021, 12:19:12 PM
Not just that. Most of OH 32 is 60 mph too, when it realistically could be at least 65.
I can't speak to the whole thing, but I know that at least portions of the OH 32 where I've seen plans showed a 100 km/h design speed which is about 62mph. I'd love to see a 65mph speed limit, but I don't know that ODOT's going to do that given the design speed.
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 12, 2021, 11:59:19 AM
I was simply asking whether there's any possibility of West Virginia posting 70 mph on that road. Based on the various replies, it sounds like it's either unlikely or not permitted.
There is no possibility. Nothing legally forbids it but WVDOH does not sign any road with at-grade intersections higher than 65mph.
Quote from: Bitmapped on November 12, 2021, 06:59:08 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on November 12, 2021, 12:19:12 PM
Not just that. Most of OH 32 is 60 mph too, when it realistically could be at least 65.
I can't speak to the whole thing, but I know that at least portions of the OH 32 where I've seen plans showed a 100 km/h design speed which is about 62mph. I'd love to see a 65mph speed limit, but I don't know that ODOT's going to do that given the design speed.
The design speed could be some arbitrary number set by engineers when designing the road, but if the ground reality is that the roadway can safely handle 65 mph or 70 mph, that should be the speed limit.
I just took my first drive (south to north) on the new section.
AWESOME!
The asphalt had on one or two rough transitions from asphalt to bridge. The ride was smooth,as well as minimal steep grades. They are still finishing up the north end transition, but that was not a problem at 5:30 am.
Nice job by the contractors!
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 11, 2021, 07:36:10 PM
Apple Maps shows the new road (though they also retained the US-35 shield on the old road as well). Google Maps doesn't as of this writing.
Google has screwed up royally. It now shows the old US 35 as being "closed" and the new road not at all. Current "scoreboard" signs on I-64 and US 35 now read "GPS NAV ERROR US 35 and WV 817 ARE OEPN" . Using it to create a route will detour motorists, depending on their settings, to things like the AA, or Corridor B - Portsmouth Bypass.
Quote from: SP Cook on November 16, 2021, 10:47:08 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 11, 2021, 07:36:10 PM
Apple Maps shows the new road (though they also retained the US-35 shield on the old road as well). Google Maps doesn't as of this writing.
Google has screwed up royally. It now shows the old US 35 as being "closed" and the new road not at all. Current "scoreboard" signs on I-64 and US 35 now read "GPS NAV ERROR US 35 and WV 817 ARE OEPN" . Using it to create a route will detour motorists, depending on their settings, to things like the AA, or Corridor B - Portsmouth Bypass.
Seems to be a common occurrence. There's a lengthy work zone on I-24 in western Kentucky where one whole side of the route is closed and two-way traffic is being run on one carriageway. Google/Waze was reporting a complete closure of one direction of I-24, and at least two trucks followed online mapping services and used a small, narrow road with some sharp turns as an alternate route. One truck got stuck negotiating a turn and another overturned, causing major problems.
Quote from: SP Cook on November 16, 2021, 10:47:08 AMGoogle has screwed up royally. It now shows the old US 35 as being "closed" and the new road not at all. Current "scoreboard" signs on I-64 and US 35 now read "GPS NAV ERROR US 35 and WV 817 ARE OEPN" . Using it to create a route will detour motorists, depending on their settings, to things like the AA, or Corridor B - Portsmouth Bypass.
I asked Waze for directions from my location near Atlanta to Henderson, WV, and it said," Can't find a route. It looks like there's no way to drive there. Try a nearby location." So I did, and same for Point Pleasant. :clap:
Quote from: Tom958 on November 17, 2021, 04:19:17 AM
Quote from: SP Cook on November 16, 2021, 10:47:08 AMGoogle has screwed up royally. It now shows the old US 35 as being "closed" and the new road not at all. Current "scoreboard" signs on I-64 and US 35 now read "GPS NAV ERROR US 35 and WV 817 ARE OEPN" . Using it to create a route will detour motorists, depending on their settings, to things like the AA, or Corridor B - Portsmouth Bypass.
I asked Waze for directions from my location near Atlanta to Henderson, WV, and it said," Can't find a route. It looks like there's no way to drive there. Try a nearby location." So I did, and same for Point Pleasant. :clap:
Try Gallipolis and see what happens.
And the road is open in both directions, and most GPS companies seem to have fixed their issues, although the "scoreboards" still inform motorists that GPS is wrong. There are also reports of traffic, including truck traffic, still using WV 817 northbound (it is pretty much impossible to reach in southbound right now) which is obviously the result of cell phone addiction. Sad.
Anyway, the work at the (previous) north end continues, with about a third of a mile of northbound 35 still just not there, traffic is shifted to share the southbound lanes with a Jersey barrier, which is NBD. This does block what will be an at grade intersection with 817, which is also NBD. While the paving equipment is sitting there, apparently ready to go, the asphalt plants close soon, so I don't know. It is just dirt now.
Quote from: SP Cook on November 19, 2021, 08:43:51 AM
And the road is open in both directions, and most GPS companies seem to have fixed their issues, although the "scoreboards" still inform motorists that GPS is wrong. There are also reports of traffic, including truck traffic, still using WV 817 northbound (it is pretty much impossible to reach in southbound right now) which is obviously the result of cell phone addiction. Sad.
Anyway, the work at the (previous) north end continues, with about a third of a mile of northbound 35 still just not there, traffic is shifted to share the southbound lanes with a Jersey barrier, which is NBD. This does block what will be an at grade intersection with 817, which is also NBD. While the paving equipment is sitting there, apparently ready to go, the asphalt plants close soon, so I don't know. It is just dirt now.
Google Maps has it up and labeled correctly as US 35, old 35 is labeled as WV 817
Quote from: GreenLanternCorps on November 19, 2021, 10:48:09 AM
Quote from: SP Cook on November 19, 2021, 08:43:51 AM
And the road is open in both directions, and most GPS companies seem to have fixed their issues, although the "scoreboards" still inform motorists that GPS is wrong. There are also reports of traffic, including truck traffic, still using WV 817 northbound (it is pretty much impossible to reach in southbound right now) which is obviously the result of cell phone addiction. Sad.
Anyway, the work at the (previous) north end continues, with about a third of a mile of northbound 35 still just not there, traffic is shifted to share the southbound lanes with a Jersey barrier, which is NBD. This does block what will be an at grade intersection with 817, which is also NBD. While the paving equipment is sitting there, apparently ready to go, the asphalt plants close soon, so I don't know. It is just dirt now.
Google Maps has it up and labeled correctly as US 35, old 35 is labeled as WV 817
Any yet they still don't have the 'brand new' segment of WV-817 that has been open here since at least May '18........
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8162744,-82.1125834,16.75z
https://goo.gl/maps/Sjg3kB7coVEJ1Q6A8
I have posted my latest aerial taken of the new US 35 alignment in Mason and Putnam counties: https://bit.ly/32irB9q
Some highlights:
1. US 35 near the junction of Middle 9 Mile Rd. (CR 17/3) in Mason County. This segment was completed in 2010.
(https://i.imgur.com/evFHv9h.jpg)
2 and 3. US 35 at the former terminus near Beech Hill south of Henderson. This was built in 2010. The former four-lane connector to old US 35 is being rebuilt as a two-lane.
(https://i.imgur.com/jPPtv1O.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2kcCORW.jpg)
4. This is a view of the final segment of US 35 to be completed between Beech Hill in Mason County (finished in 2010) and Buffalo in Putnam County (finished in 2007).
(https://i.imgur.com/ocAzpIb.jpg)
5. This is a view of the US 35 bridges over Jerrys Run in Putnam County. Plantation Rd. (CR 9) is visible at left.
(https://i.imgur.com/Oahw2wG.jpg)
6-8. This is a view of US 35 at the new WV 62 interchange at Buffalo in Putnam County. Side note: I saw a lot of cars right of the fog line on the off-ramp that was once a part of the transition from the US 35 expressway to the old route. The striping hadn't been completely wiped clean near the transition to the new asphalt and I nearly made the same mistake myself!
(https://i.imgur.com/of9gKHT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XMRvYme.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/31dpHMW.jpg)
9 and 10. This is a view of US 35 at the WV 34 interchange near Winfield in Putnam County. This was completed around 2008.
(https://i.imgur.com/2CIeEjt.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tllGzsX.jpg)
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on November 20, 2021, 09:43:32 AM
Quote from: GreenLanternCorps on November 19, 2021, 10:48:09 AM
Quote from: SP Cook on November 19, 2021, 08:43:51 AM
And the road is open in both directions, and most GPS companies seem to have fixed their issues, although the "scoreboards" still inform motorists that GPS is wrong. There are also reports of traffic, including truck traffic, still using WV 817 northbound (it is pretty much impossible to reach in southbound right now) which is obviously the result of cell phone addiction. Sad.
Anyway, the work at the (previous) north end continues, with about a third of a mile of northbound 35 still just not there, traffic is shifted to share the southbound lanes with a Jersey barrier, which is NBD. This does block what will be an at grade intersection with 817, which is also NBD. While the paving equipment is sitting there, apparently ready to go, the asphalt plants close soon, so I don't know. It is just dirt now.
Google Maps has it up and labeled correctly as US 35, old 35 is labeled as WV 817
Any yet they still don't have the 'brand new' segment of WV-817 that has been open here since at least May '18........
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8162744,-82.1125834,16.75z
https://goo.gl/maps/Sjg3kB7coVEJ1Q6A8
Wow, it magically showed up in the last few days, however it's listed as 'Old US Hwy 35'. Funny, as that's a completely new segment of highway, and never part of US-35......
Interesting that WV still uses lighting under the BGS, based on supports for them in the pictures, when most states were done with them starting with sometime in the past decade.
(https://i.imgur.com/LqMLV70.png)
I always found it to be an oddity considering headlights reflect signs quite well these days. It's not the same as when we had button-copy. Even better, the state has been installing new LED lights for the signs.
Quote from: SkyPesos on November 23, 2021, 06:19:28 PM
Interesting that WV still uses lighting under the BGS, based on supports for them in the pictures, when most states were done with them starting with sometime in the past decade.
(https://i.imgur.com/LqMLV70.png)
Standard WVDOH practice continues to be to install lights on all BGS-style overhead signage, even things like listings up upcoming exits. The only case lighting doesn't get installed is for state line signs or if there is no commercial power nearby.
WVDOH omits the mounts for lights on state line signs, but any BGS gets them even if there is currently no lighting like this newer assembly on I-79 near Morgantown: https://goo.gl/maps/yV1CCoaNocQMkVns7