Recent posts

#1

Off-Topic / Re: Buc-ees outside of Texas.

Last post by Road Hog - Today at 11:14:54 PM

I first visited a Buc-ee's in Madisonville in 2015. It was the Friday before Christmas and the joint was packed. I took two steps in and did an immediate about-face. No beaver nuggets for me that day.

I got one closer to me in Melissa now on Future I-45. I'm due to buy another T-shirt soon and I might get a tank of their ethanol-free gas.

#2

Mid-South / Re: Texas

Last post by Road Hog - Today at 11:06:13 PM

I don't know what the advantage is of a turbine as opposed to a 4-level stack. You need lots more real estate for it and more piers to install since piers aren't being shared. It's "innovative" and "looks purty" but that's about it.

#3

Southeast / Re: I-55 Bridge in Memphis

Last post by vdeane - Today at 10:53:33 PM

And Arkansas likely won't extend that third lane much past the first exit, since ultimately there is a duplex with 40 up ahead.

Exit 3B would seem to be a nice place to end it, since that's where US 70 merges in with the West Memphis traffic.

#4

Off-Topic / Re: Atlantic Coast Fall Line

Last post by Road Hog - Today at 10:49:18 PM

Here is a map showing the fall line not only along the Atlantic Seaboard but also the Gulf Coast (which is not as well known, probably because river navigation became less important in 1800s settlement):

#5

Northeast / Re: NYC Roads

Last post by vdeane - Today at 10:48:20 PM

I guess the people calling for this are forgetting that we have cars so we can go faster than horses and buggies. That and not having to leave horse or other animal shit on the streets. Are they seriously trying to bring us back to 19th Century speed limits?

It's not so much as they forgot as they view the proliferation of cars as a mistake which they seek to undo.

#6

General Highway Talk / Re: How are 3 digit interstate...

Last post by vdeane - Today at 10:43:00 PM

On thing that's worth noting is that 3di numbers don't duplicate within a state, and I-495 exists in both MD and VA (and a tiny piece of DC).  Thus, I-295 for Richmond, I-495 for DC, and I-695 for Baltimore was somewhat dictated by the fact that I-495 exists.

#7

Sports / Re: Arizona Coyotes players ap...

Last post by Max Rockatansky - Today at 10:42:49 PM

Here's the Delta Center in Salt Lake City during an LA Kings preseason game last year. From what I understand, the NHL team will likely close off the seats at either end of the upper level because you can't see the goal at your end of the ice from up there.

This is similar to the situation at the Footprint Center in Phoenix (America West Arena at the time) that prevented the Coyotes from remaining there in 1998.

American West was by far the better venue to attend compared to Glendale Arena.  The seating at America West raised more abruptly and had way better views.  America West was also way more loud and lively. 

#8

Traffic Control / Re: Unique, Odd, or Interestin...

Last post by Rothman - Today at 10:30:38 PM

Can't remember if anyone posted these before, but the entrance overhead guidance signs to a Petro truck stop that proclaims itself as a welcome center just north of Waterloo, NY:

#9

Off-Topic / Re: Business Marquees which fe...

Last post by Road Hog - Today at 10:27:14 PM

Used to drive past this one almost every day for about six years.

#10

Great Lakes and Ohio Valley / Re: Michigan Notes

Last post by Rothman - Today at 10:24:43 PM

What's the highest speed someone has blown past a state trooper without getting pulled over?

I *have* done 85 in a 70 and had MSP *try* to pull me over. It was just before an exit where the road went downhill out of sight of the officer. I took the exit. The trooper didn't. My driving record didn't get more points on it that day.

Lucky! I was in a similar situation on NY 104 once, definitely speeding but don't remember my speed. I saw the cop pull out behind me, but far enough back that I wasn't sure if he was after me or not. I sure didn't bother to find out, and bailed at the next exit as soon as I got around the bend and out of his view. I turned right ASAP and wound my way back to the highway on backroads just to be sure. A hair raising experience to be sure.

Driving sure seems simpler staying within 10 mph of the speed limit.  Now if only the northeast would raise its speed limits so I could go exactly the speed limit (without substantially affecting my travel time) and make it simpler still; while most places won't pull you over for 5-7 over, some do, and that's even more common with cameras.

They raise the speed limit, people will go 10+ over that...hence the biggest reason why the speed limits are kept low up here.

When Michigan increased speed limits to 75mph in the rural areas, most people still only do 80mph. The speed limits were supposed to be set to 80mph because everyone is driving that speed already but was changed in order for the bill to be passed.
80mph is like the perfect speed for a freeway, any higher and fuel efficiency greatly decreases. Speeds are pretty much the same on the 70 and 75mph sections, both speed limits, the normal flow is 80mph

I agree with the 80mph speed being perfect, but Michiganders are silly.  

Have to say that the higher speeds I hit do take a toll on my mileage.  I do wonder what the magic speed is where you get somewhere faster without incurring additional gas stops.