Yet another COVID-19 thread, but this one is road-related.
I know some toll roads are going (or have gone) cashless, but have any roads closed completely (besides border crossings) due to COVID-19? For example, are the roads going through the WDW and Universal properties closed? I am wondering because in Universal's case, Universal Blvd bisects the property but is a through road that connects to public roads on both ends of the Universal property (Vineland Rd on the north end and I-4/International Dr on the south end)
Right now Washington's governor is using road usage statistics to support the supposition that we're not being socially distant enough. If you go for a drive and don't get out of your car near others, what's the harm?
Quote from: ErmineNotyours on March 20, 2020, 07:54:20 PM
Right now Washington's governor is using road usage statistics to support the supposition that we're not being socially distant enough. If you go for a drive and don't get out of your car near others, what's the harm?
Maybe it's like how when you drive into a fart, you can smell it.
A whole bunch of Park Service Roads just closed in California. Some notable highways like the Wawona Road and Generals Highway are closed to public use. No word on CA 190 thus far through Death Valley or even handy cut-offs like Pinto Basin Road.
We went into Shelter in Place in IllInois . Roads will remain open Tollway is I pass only. But they will take a pic of non I pass plates and send bill. Some construction started like 255 and 55 not clear what continues.
He seems happy about decline . Mass transit will run weekend schedule. Amtrak also reducing schedule. Lack of demand . Chicago roads are empty . You can look on Travel Midwest.
Quote from: ErmineNotyours on March 20, 2020, 07:54:20 PM
Right now Washington's governor is using road usage statistics to support the supposition that we're not being socially distant enough. If you go for a drive and don't get out of your car near others, what's the harm?
How many people do that, though? Most people are driving to get somewhere, not to see the road. Unless some people have started driving for the sake of seeing something that isn't their house, it's pretty much just us.
Quote from: 3467 on March 20, 2020, 09:05:38 PM
We went into Shelter in Place in IllInois . Roads will remain open Tollway is I pass only. But they will take a pic of non I pass plates and send bill. Some construction started like 255 and 55 not clear what continues.
He seems happy about decline . Mass transit will run weekend schedule. Amtrak also reducing schedule. Lack of demand . Chicago roads are empty . You can look on Travel Midwest.
ISTHA does not send bills. You have to pay online within 7 days.
Disney's roads are not closed.
Roads you will miss due to COVID-19:
For me, the Thruway between Rochester and Buffalo.
Ironic, I know, given all my complaining about it, but I used to use it all the time and now I won't be for at least a little while.
Quote from: webny99 on March 21, 2020, 01:32:11 PM
Roads you will miss due to COVID-19:
For me, the Thruway between Rochester and Buffalo.
Ironic, I know, given all my complaining about it, but I used to use it all the time and now I won't be for at least a little while.
Pretty much all the NPS roads I described above. Many of them were fun drives unto themselves. As far as I know the closure seen in California hasn't translated over to neighboring states.
Quote from: Brandon on March 20, 2020, 09:31:49 PM
Quote from: 3467 on March 20, 2020, 09:05:38 PM
We went into Shelter in Place in IllInois . Roads will remain open Tollway is I pass only. But they will take a pic of non I pass plates and send bill. Some construction started like 255 and 55 not clear what continues.
He seems happy about decline . Mass transit will run weekend schedule. Amtrak also reducing schedule. Lack of demand . Chicago roads are empty . You can look on Travel Midwest.
ISTHA does not send bills. You have to pay online within 7 days.
I accidentally used an I-Pass only lane last year on my way to a job interview. I realized my mistake and I paid online as soon as I got back home.
Key West is going into lockdown with non-residents banned, so I assume US 1 will be closed to non-residents possibly with some kind of staffed checkpoint.
US 158 and US 64 are closed at the Dare County border. No one in or out. Checkpoints included. These are by far the most extreme measures I've heard of anywhere in North America.
The CBBTs Driver Assistance program is cancelled until further notice.
Cape May-Lewes ferrry schedules have been shortened to two round-trips. No pedestrians. Only vehicles.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 21, 2020, 06:35:19 PM
Key West is going into lockdown with non-residents banned, so I assume US 1 will be closed to non-residents possibly with some kind of staffed checkpoint.
Monroe County usually gives you a resident card or essential personnel badge. I had to get one a couple years back when I ran security at a place in Key West in prep for a hurricane. It's really easy to turn people around at Florida City at the split between US 1 and Card Sound Road.
Some of these places are islands.
Quote from: webny99 on March 21, 2020, 01:32:11 PM
Roads you will miss due to COVID-19:
Are roads older than 70 or with underlying pavement conditions more susceptible?
Quote from: bandit957 on March 20, 2020, 08:00:05 PM
Quote from: ErmineNotyours on March 20, 2020, 07:54:20 PM
Right now Washington's governor is using road usage statistics to support the supposition that we're not being socially distant enough. If you go for a drive and don't get out of your car near others, what's the harm?
Maybe it's like how when you drive into a fart, you can smell it.
I don't think this has ever happened to me. They must have wound up in the slipstream around the car or sucked into the engine.
Quote from: ErmineNotyours on March 20, 2020, 07:54:20 PM
Right now Washington's governor is using road usage statistics to support the supposition that we're not being socially distant enough. If you go for a drive and don't get out of your car near others, what's the harm?
Control freaks want to control everything.
PennDOT has closed the I-279/I-579 HOV lanes because of Covid-19.
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2020/03/16/hov-lanes-closing-in-pittsburgh-and-ross-township/
Quote from: hbelkins on March 21, 2020, 09:42:18 PM
Quote from: webny99 on March 21, 2020, 01:32:11 PM
Roads you will miss due to COVID-19:
Are roads older than 70 or with underlying pavement conditions more susceptible?
Possibly. I've heard that the Old Town Road may be subject to closure, with a detour along the New Town Road, which is much younger and has better overall pavement conditions.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 21, 2020, 06:58:37 PM
US 158 and US 64 are closed at the Dare County border. No one in or out. Checkpoints included. These are by far the most extreme measures I've heard of anywhere in North America.
What about US-264? (However, that is only on the mainland part of Dare County and meets US-64 before crossing over to Kill Devil Hills).
Two things I am assuming (unless the US-158 checkpoints are past the Corolla turnoff):
1. Corolla residents are stuck as they're not in Dare County, but the only road connecting to it goes through Dare County.
2. Residents in southern mainland Currituck County (along US-158) currently have a much longer drive to do shopping as instead of being able to go to Walmart/Home Depot/Food Lion/Walgreens just after 158 crosses into Dare County and before (or at in the case of Walgreens) the Corolla turnoff, they would have to go all the way to either Elizabeth City or into Virginia to do selective shopping (there is a Food Lion in Grandy)
I'm assuming residents or those that live in a different county but work in Dare County (and vice versa) are allowed through.
^
Those living on the Corolla side of Currituck County are allowed to go through Dare County.
Additionally, those living outside of Dare County but working in the county are also permitted.
The National Park Service closed several roads near the Tidal Basin in DC this weekend because too many people were coming to see the cherry trees. (We have the same type of tree in our backyard. Less spectacular setting. Much easier commute.)
Massachusetts the only thing that has changed that I know of is not HOV/Zipper lane on the Southeast Expressway stretch of I-93. Clearly no need for it right now, which is ironic given the highway is a mess normally most times of the day now.
Oodles of roads are closed at the Belgium/Netherlands border. These roads have been unimpeded since controls at that border were removed in the 1960s.
Mike
Quote from: ftballfan on March 22, 2020, 12:10:32 AM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 21, 2020, 06:58:37 PM
US 158 and US 64 are closed at the Dare County border. No one in or out. Checkpoints included. These are by far the most extreme measures I've heard of anywhere in North America.
What about US-264? (However, that is only on the mainland part of Dare County and meets US-64 before crossing over to Kill Devil Hills).
Two things I am assuming (unless the US-158 checkpoints are past the Corolla turnoff):
1. Corolla residents are stuck as they're not in Dare County, but the only road connecting to it goes through Dare County.
2. Residents in southern mainland Currituck County (along US-158) currently have a much longer drive to do shopping as instead of being able to go to Walmart/Home Depot/Food Lion/Walgreens just after 158 crosses into Dare County and before (or at in the case of Walgreens) the Corolla turnoff, they would have to go all the way to either Elizabeth City or into Virginia to do selective shopping (there is a Food Lion in Grandy)
I'm assuming residents or those that live in a different county but work in Dare County (and vice versa) are allowed through.
The checkpoint on US 158 is right where the Wright Memorial Bridge touches down in Kitty Hawk.
It's not "no one in or out", it's just restricted to Dare County residents, employees, and non-resident property owners. Only really excludes tourists. Corolla residents are allowed through.
Put the southernmost section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and I would presume Newfound Gap Road, on the list. (Link) (https://www.kentucky.com/news/coronavirus/article241489256.html#storylink=topdigest_latest)
Which is odd, because they're encouraging and allowing outdoor recreation and drives. Some communities here are doing "bear hunts" where families are being urged to drive around and spot stuffed animals in windows of residences, offices, and businesses.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 21, 2020, 07:02:42 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 21, 2020, 06:35:19 PM
Key West is going into lockdown with non-residents banned, so I assume US 1 will be closed to non-residents possibly with some kind of staffed checkpoint.
Monroe County usually gives you a resident card or essential personnel badge. I had to get one a couple years back when I ran security at a place in Key West in prep for a hurricane. It's really easy to turn people around at Florida City at the split between US 1 and Card Sound Road.
This appears to indeed be the plan. Checkpoints will be established on US 1 at MM 112.5 as well as on FL 905.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article241462451.html
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 25, 2020, 01:30:28 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 21, 2020, 07:02:42 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 21, 2020, 06:35:19 PM
Key West is going into lockdown with non-residents banned, so I assume US 1 will be closed to non-residents possibly with some kind of staffed checkpoint.
Monroe County usually gives you a resident card or essential personnel badge. I had to get one a couple years back when I ran security at a place in Key West in prep for a hurricane. It's really easy to turn people around at Florida City at the split between US 1 and Card Sound Road.
This appears to indeed be the plan. Checkpoints will be established on US 1 at MM 112.5 as well as on FL 905.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article241462451.html
Heh...I still have my hurricane card somewhere in the garage and wouldn't mind camping on parts of former FL 4A. Too bad I'm 2,400 miles away at the moment.
The two counties mentioned (Monroe FL and Dare NC) have plenty of experience setting up checkpoints, mostly for hurricanes.
Washington DC has shut down most roads south of Constitution Ave and west of 14th St, including the Arlington Memorial Bridge, during daylight hours in order to keep people from congregating near the cherry blossom trees. However, I think more roads in Washington DC close during government shutdowns than right now
Some rest areas and service plazas in PA were closed. But then truckers need places to eat and sleep as well so I think they reopened them.
Quote from: vdeane on March 20, 2020, 09:15:48 PM
Quote from: ErmineNotyours on March 20, 2020, 07:54:20 PM
Right now Washington's governor is using road usage statistics to support the supposition that we're not being socially distant enough. If you go for a drive and don't get out of your car near others, what's the harm?
How many people do that, though? Most people are driving to get somewhere, not to see the road. Unless some people have started driving for the sake of seeing something that isn't their house, it's pretty much just us.
Anyone who's going to work at an essential business (allowed), to the grocery store (allowed), to get a drive-through meal (allowed), to go to a park for exercise (allowed), to fill up with gas after having done all of those other allowed activities (allowed)...........
Quote from: kphoger on March 26, 2020, 09:29:45 PM
Quote from: vdeane on March 20, 2020, 09:15:48 PM
Quote from: ErmineNotyours on March 20, 2020, 07:54:20 PM
Right now Washington's governor is using road usage statistics to support the supposition that we're not being socially distant enough. If you go for a drive and don't get out of your car near others, what's the harm?
How many people do that, though? Most people are driving to get somewhere, not to see the road. Unless some people have started driving for the sake of seeing something that isn't their house, it's pretty much just us.
Anyone who's going to work at an essential business (allowed), to the grocery store (allowed), to get a drive-through meal (allowed), to go to a park for exercise (allowed), to fill up with gas after having done all of those other allowed activities (allowed)...........
I think the point was that us roadgeeks are the only ones that would drive somewhere just for the sake of it, not that we would be the only ones on the road (which clearly isn't the case due to the reasons you just outlined).
"Going for a drive" is also expressly permitted in some jurisdictions as a sanity activity. However, I'm not sure if it can be pursued as a secondary violation if you get stopped for speeding/seat belt/whatever and you're far from home or have no particular destination.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 27, 2020, 12:00:50 AM
"Going for a drive" is also expressly permitted in some jurisdictions as a sanity activity. However, I'm not sure if it can be pursued as a secondary violation if you get stopped for speeding/seat belt/whatever and you're far from home or have no particular destination.
Caltrans District 6 is actually promoting going for a drive as a way to stave off cabin fever.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 27, 2020, 12:00:50 AM
"Going for a drive" is also expressly permitted in some jurisdictions as a sanity activity. However, I'm not sure if it can be pursued as a secondary violation if you get stopped for speeding/seat belt/whatever and you're far from home or have no particular destination.
This is what I'm getting at. Unless a state declares martial law and suspends habeus corpus then there's no way to enforce it.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 27, 2020, 12:44:34 AM
This is what I'm getting at. Unless a state declares martial law and suspends habeus corpus then there's no way to enforce it.
Half the states have martial law now.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 27, 2020, 12:45:35 AM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 27, 2020, 12:44:34 AM
This is what I'm getting at. Unless a state declares martial law and suspends habeus corpus then there's no way to enforce it.
Half the states have martial law now.
No they're not. Martial would imply the military is being used as law enforcement.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 27, 2020, 01:03:40 AM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 27, 2020, 12:45:35 AM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 27, 2020, 12:44:34 AM
This is what I'm getting at. Unless a state declares martial law and suspends habeus corpus then there's no way to enforce it.
Half the states have martial law now.
No they're not. Martial would imply the military is being used as law enforcement.
It's martial law without the military in some parts. Martial law lite essentially. Starting to feel that way from what I've heard from Chicago.
Quote from: JoePCool14 on March 27, 2020, 03:32:03 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 27, 2020, 01:03:40 AM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 27, 2020, 12:45:35 AM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 27, 2020, 12:44:34 AM
This is what I'm getting at. Unless a state declares martial law and suspends habeus corpus then there's no way to enforce it.
Half the states have martial law now.
No they're not. Martial would imply the military is being used as law enforcement.
It's martial law without the military in some parts. Martial law lite essentially. Starting to feel that way from what I've heard from Chicago.
Martial Law by definition requires use of the military to enforce order. If anything the way it was phrased in California as "Social Encouragement" seems to be the real enforcement people seem to be going with. You can see examples of it on social media platforms where people who go out and do stuff (okay or not) are usually hammered in the comments.
Quote from: vdeane on March 20, 2020, 09:15:48 PM
Quote from: ErmineNotyours on March 20, 2020, 07:54:20 PM
Right now Washington's governor is using road usage statistics to support the supposition that we're not being socially distant enough. If you go for a drive and don't get out of your car near others, what's the harm?
How many people do that, though? Most people are driving to get somewhere, not to see the road. Unless some people have started driving for the sake of seeing something that isn't their house, it's pretty much just us.
The original intent was not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Some people interpret this into not leaving your house, which is unacceptable.
WSDOT is delaying work on clearing snow over SR 20 and some other closed pass routes, so I guess that counts.
Quote from: texaskdog on March 27, 2020, 04:00:27 PM
The original intent was not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Some people interpret this into not leaving your house, which is unacceptable.
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
WSDOT is delaying work on clearing snow over SR 20 and some other closed pass routes, so I guess that counts.
Quote from: texaskdog on March 27, 2020, 04:00:27 PM
The original intent was not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Some people interpret this into not leaving your house, which is unacceptable.
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
Kind of case and point example of what I was referring to in my previous post about "Social Encouragement" being as a quasi-enforcement methodology for Stay-at-home orders.
When does work on reopening the North Cascades Highway usually start anyways? I know there has been a couple years when it hasn't closed at all given low snow totals. I drove it once in early 2015 and there was barely even snow at 5,000 feet above sea level.
I only leave the home when poo.
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
WSDOT is delaying work on clearing snow over SR 20 and some other closed pass routes, so I guess that counts.
Quote from: texaskdog on March 27, 2020, 04:00:27 PM
The original intent was not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Some people interpret this into not leaving your house, which is unacceptable.
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
Not if you're by yourself driving for the sake of driving. No state has really taken up that issue.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 27, 2020, 04:18:03 PM
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
WSDOT is delaying work on clearing snow over SR 20 and some other closed pass routes, so I guess that counts.
Quote from: texaskdog on March 27, 2020, 04:00:27 PM
The original intent was not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Some people interpret this into not leaving your house, which is unacceptable.
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
Not if you're by yourself driving for the sake of driving. No state has really taken up that issue.
I've seen people take issue with it plenty (I mean literally people and not government officials) on road related Facebook pages. Amusingly Caltrans District 6 recommended going for a drive as a way to stave off boredom on their Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/593909824019105/posts/2897747980301933/?d=n
The irony for me is that I didn't have anything really planned until Late April. All these people telling others not to do things (including driving) has only made me think about it more and given me ideas that I probably wouldn't have thought of otherwise. If I happen to find myself in a one-lane Forest Service Road in the short term it's probably because I was reminded about it on a Facebook group. I can always guarantee total isolation (far beyond social) on a nice remote roadway that nobody really knows about.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 27, 2020, 04:13:18 PM
I only leave the home when poo.
Well, I hope your local stores have TP in stock for you :-D
Quote from: webny99 on March 27, 2020, 06:49:34 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 27, 2020, 04:13:18 PM
I only leave the home when poo.
Well, I hope your local stores have TP in stock :-D
They should bring back splintered TP so people have a poor man's option that won't fly off the shelf in emergency situations.
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
If they want people to keep frequency and number of stores to a minimum, they're going to have to bring back ration coupons in order to keep the shelves from being picked clean. While I was able to do a lot more of my grocery shopping at Hannaford this week than in the prior two, it still wasn't everything. That would also enable the stores to close later (since there wouldn't be as much to restock), enabling greater social distancing.
Quote from: webny99 on March 27, 2020, 06:49:34 PM
Well, I hope your local stores have TP in stock for you :-D
We joked with people that we would bring packages of TP back from Mexico last week, because there was no shortage of it there. I'm sure we would have, too, if only we'd had any spare room in the vehicle. But, no, we had seven people in a seven-passenger vehicle, plus luggage and supplies (albeit with a rooftop cargo box).
At a Valero gas station on the west side of Wichita Falls (TX) on the way back, I even did a double-take when I saw a lady walking out of the convenience store with two bags of TP rolls. I came really close to going back in and buying some.
Our family is still flush with TP, having stocked up right before it started disappearing from the shelves. But I'm sure there are plenty of people we know who aren't so fortunate.
Washington Gov. Inslee explicitly mentioned "going for a drive" outside your local area as a thing not to do during the pandemic. If you are an asymptomatic carrier and stop for any reason (gas, food, bathroom), you could be bringing th virus to a vulnerable rural community that does not have adequate facilities to handle an outbreak. We've already seen it happen in Skagit County (and other people fleeing the metro area may be bringing it to other corners of the state).
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 10:47:03 PM
Washington Gov. Inslee explicitly mentioned "going for a drive" outside your local area as a thing not to do during the pandemic. If you are an asymptomatic carrier and stop for any reason (gas, food, bathroom), you could be bringing th virus to a vulnerable rural community that does not have adequate facilities to handle an outbreak. We've already seen it happen in Skagit County (and other people fleeing the metro area may be bringing it to other corners of the state).
See that's the thing, not all states under "stay at home" are sending the same message. As mentioned above there are actual agencies in California encouraging the practice of taking a drive. For reference when I did the Parkfield Grade a week before the shut down here I only encountered two other cars. That's a more of a "bag your own lunch" and "pee outside" kind of road. At least the way I see it there is a massive difference before driving out onto the true boondocks versus a town or city.
"Going for a drive" is an inherently nuanced topic.
If this wears on into summer, which seems likely, I may be heading for some outdoor activities, and not necessarily ones just around the corner, either. So say I go on a 2-3 hour trip, do some hiking in the mountains, and use a public restroom or gas station or two along the way. I don't see anything wrong with that, provided I'm feeling fine, sanitize often, and don't come in close contact with anyone at high risk before or afterwards.
I would agree that a distinction needs to be made based on what your destination is and what you plan to do there. It doesn't seem like a wise time to travel to a large city for any reason, but I don't see anything wrong with enjoying nature/recreation in a rural area while maintaining social distancing. How far away from home you do so is not a particularly relevant piece of information; I imagine many of us will be looking for a chance to escape our own neighborhoods before too many more months pass.
Quote from: webny99 on March 28, 2020, 12:49:08 AM
"Going for a drive" is an inherently nuanced topic.
If this wears on into summer, which seems likely, I may be heading for some outdoor activities, and not necessarily ones just around the corner, either. So say I go on a 2-3 hour trip, do some hiking in the mountains, and use a public restroom or gas station or two along the way. I don't see anything wrong with that, provided I'm feeling fine, sanitize often, and don't come in close contact with anyone at high risk before or afterwards.
I would agree that a distinction needs to be made based on what your destination is and what you plan to do there. It doesn't seem like a wise time to travel to a large city for any reason, but I don't see anything wrong with enjoying nature/recreation in a rural area while maintaining social distancing. How far away from home you do so is not a particularly relevant piece of information; I imagine many of us will be looking for a chance to escape our own neighborhoods before too many more months pass.
The catch is that is you're from an area with a large outbreak (which I am, given that I live near NYC), it may make sense to avoid going to rural areas so that the people there aren't exposed to any risk from me. Also, I've been avoiding public restrooms for the last 2-3 weeks, and it's hard to do that if you're out all day.
NYC is experimenting with closing some streets in order to make it easier for people to practice social distancing while walking: https://patch.com/new-york/new-york-city/nyc-street-closures-begin-friday-help-stop-coronavirus-spread
Quote from: vdeane on March 27, 2020, 09:13:02 PM
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
If they want people to keep frequency and number of stores to a minimum, they're going to have to bring back ration coupons in order to keep the shelves from being picked clean. While I was able to do a lot more of my grocery shopping at Hannaford this week than in the prior two, it still wasn't everything. That would also enable the stores to close later (since there wouldn't be as much to restock), enabling greater social distancing.
Since rationing was implemented where I live and reduced the maximum occupancy of all stores by 90%. I used to go to the grocery store once a week and buy 5 gallons of milk. Now I have to go everyday due to the limits. And as I can't find any, I now have to go to multiple stores to get it. My grocery store visits are definitely up 20x as a result of this crises. I've noticed as stores put more things on the purchase limits, nearly every customer seems to buy those items while they're in stock, its just making the problem worse. Unfortunately human psychology just exacerbates the problem the more rationing that is implemented. I know my neighbors are now travelling out of county for grocery store shopping since the restrictions the government imposed make it so difficult, and neighboring counties without the rules have many less issues.... how's that supposed to help contain the spread of the virus?
Quote from: UCFKnights on March 28, 2020, 01:04:12 PM
Quote from: vdeane on March 27, 2020, 09:13:02 PM
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
If they want people to keep frequency and number of stores to a minimum, they're going to have to bring back ration coupons in order to keep the shelves from being picked clean. While I was able to do a lot more of my grocery shopping at Hannaford this week than in the prior two, it still wasn't everything. That would also enable the stores to close later (since there wouldn't be as much to restock), enabling greater social distancing.
Since rationing was implemented where I live and reduced the maximum occupancy of all stores by 90%. I used to go to the grocery store once a week and buy 5 gallons of milk. Now I have to go everyday due to the limits. And as I can't find any, I now have to go to multiple stores to get it. My grocery store visits are definitely up 20x as a result of this crises. I've noticed as stores put more things on the purchase limits, nearly every customer seems to buy those items while they're in stock, its just making the problem worse. Unfortunately human psychology just exacerbates the problem the more rationing that is implemented. I know my neighbors are now travelling out of county for grocery store shopping since the restrictions the government imposed make it so difficult, and neighboring counties without the rules have many less issues.... how's that supposed to help contain the spread of the virus?
For the minority of people, it can present issues. Most people aren't buying 5 gallons of milk, for example. After shopping last week, I haven't had to go all week, except to pick up another gallon of milk, ironically, but I can do that in a nearby convenience store without an issue.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 28, 2020, 01:23:01 PM
Quote from: UCFKnights on March 28, 2020, 01:04:12 PM
Quote from: vdeane on March 27, 2020, 09:13:02 PM
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
If they want people to keep frequency and number of stores to a minimum, they're going to have to bring back ration coupons in order to keep the shelves from being picked clean. While I was able to do a lot more of my grocery shopping at Hannaford this week than in the prior two, it still wasn't everything. That would also enable the stores to close later (since there wouldn't be as much to restock), enabling greater social distancing.
Since rationing was implemented where I live and reduced the maximum occupancy of all stores by 90%. I used to go to the grocery store once a week and buy 5 gallons of milk. Now I have to go everyday due to the limits. And as I can't find any, I now have to go to multiple stores to get it. My grocery store visits are definitely up 20x as a result of this crises. I've noticed as stores put more things on the purchase limits, nearly every customer seems to buy those items while they're in stock, its just making the problem worse. Unfortunately human psychology just exacerbates the problem the more rationing that is implemented. I know my neighbors are now travelling out of county for grocery store shopping since the restrictions the government imposed make it so difficult, and neighboring counties without the rules have many less issues.... how's that supposed to help contain the spread of the virus?
For the minority of people, it can present issues. Most people aren't buying 5 gallons of milk, for example. After shopping last week, I haven't had to go all week, except to pick up another gallon of milk, ironically, but I can do that in a nearby convenience store without an issue.
From talking with neighbors, it sounds like I'm far from alone in massively increasing my grocery store visits as a result of the rationing policies. I know its anecdotal, but the lines at the grocery stores and completely empty shelves on literally every item that has a "quantity limit" seem to provide more evidence, and I've been told one county over where they aren't implementing such policies its not nearly as bad. While people are obeying the order for the most part with everything else, grocery stores and Walmarts and the like are clearly just way more crowded then usual.
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
WSDOT is delaying work on clearing snow over SR 20 and some other closed pass routes, so I guess that counts.
Quote from: texaskdog on March 27, 2020, 04:00:27 PM
The original intent was not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Some people interpret this into not leaving your house, which is unacceptable.
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
The official CDC/HHS guidelines say otherwise.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 28, 2020, 09:39:22 PM
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
WSDOT is delaying work on clearing snow over SR 20 and some other closed pass routes, so I guess that counts.
Quote from: texaskdog on March 27, 2020, 04:00:27 PM
The original intent was not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Some people interpret this into not leaving your house, which is unacceptable.
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
The official CDC/HHS guidelines say otherwise.
Guidance is usually a minimum standard.
Quote from: UCFKnights on March 28, 2020, 03:24:29 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 28, 2020, 01:23:01 PM
Quote from: UCFKnights on March 28, 2020, 01:04:12 PM
Quote from: vdeane on March 27, 2020, 09:13:02 PM
Quote from: Bruce on March 27, 2020, 04:06:38 PM
You should not be leaving your home unless it's for essential work, grocery shopping (kept to a bare minimum in terms of frequency and number of stores), and exercise while practicing social distancing. Doing otherwise puts the entire community in danger.
If they want people to keep frequency and number of stores to a minimum, they're going to have to bring back ration coupons in order to keep the shelves from being picked clean. While I was able to do a lot more of my grocery shopping at Hannaford this week than in the prior two, it still wasn't everything. That would also enable the stores to close later (since there wouldn't be as much to restock), enabling greater social distancing.
Since rationing was implemented where I live and reduced the maximum occupancy of all stores by 90%. I used to go to the grocery store once a week and buy 5 gallons of milk. Now I have to go everyday due to the limits. And as I can't find any, I now have to go to multiple stores to get it. My grocery store visits are definitely up 20x as a result of this crises. I've noticed as stores put more things on the purchase limits, nearly every customer seems to buy those items while they're in stock, its just making the problem worse. Unfortunately human psychology just exacerbates the problem the more rationing that is implemented. I know my neighbors are now travelling out of county for grocery store shopping since the restrictions the government imposed make it so difficult, and neighboring counties without the rules have many less issues.... how's that supposed to help contain the spread of the virus?
For the minority of people, it can present issues. Most people aren't buying 5 gallons of milk, for example. After shopping last week, I haven't had to go all week, except to pick up another gallon of milk, ironically, but I can do that in a nearby convenience store without an issue.
From talking with neighbors, it sounds like I'm far from alone in massively increasing my grocery store visits as a result of the rationing policies. I know its anecdotal, but the lines at the grocery stores and completely empty shelves on literally every item that has a "quantity limit" seem to provide more evidence, and I've been told one county over where they aren't implementing such policies its not nearly as bad. While people are obeying the order for the most part with everything else, grocery stores and Walmarts and the like are clearly just way more crowded then usual.
I wasn't talking about the purchase limits that some stores have implemented. I'm talking about bonafide ration books (https://ameshistory.org/content/world-war-ii-rationing-us-homefront), like what was used in World War II. No getting around the limit by going out more often or to different stores with those things!
I've had to massively expand the amount of grocery store visits I do too, but not because of purchase limits or to stock up - instead, it's just because the shelves are bare, and I can't find everything I need for my normal weekly (well, every six days, because that's how long a carton of eggs lasts me) grocery run in one store anymore due to the hoarders. Seriously people, if we all do our part, supply chains won't break down, and if you get quarantined, simply have a friend bring you groceries or have them delivered (unfortunately, though, at least one local grocery store had to discontinue delivery service so they could reassign those people to help restock the shelves to deal with the panic buyers... so congratulations hoarders, you're not only hindering the abilities of regular people to find things, you've made it impossible for socially isolated quarantined people to get food!). No need to panic buy and hoard.
The state's orders override what the CDC recommends. We know our situation better than them (especially since they are being held back from doing the right thing because of the current administration).
Instead of road closures, WSDOT has cancelled all work on its road projects in the state despite being cleared as an essential activity. A few other major public construction jobs have resumed but with stricter cleaning guidelines (which still aren't enough, going by the concerns raised by workers and unions).
Can't think of which North Carolina county it is, but the one that borders Tennessee that has state line crossings on US 129 and the Cherohala Skyway has placed physical concrete barriers on both roads.
None in Arkansas, to my knowledge
Quote from: hbelkins on March 29, 2020, 11:08:34 PM
Can't think of which North Carolina county it is, but the one that borders Tennessee that has state line crossings on US 129 and the Cherohala Skyway has placed physical concrete barriers on both roads.
This one (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Swain+County,+NC/@35.5663173,-83.5723325,9.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x88594a51ef5f81fd:0xbf2082587c2808cd!8m2!3d35.4328955!4d-83.4643551!5m1!1e1)? Or maybe this one (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Graham+County,+NC/@35.3419428,-83.9503803,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x885ec63993270be7:0xc3f7f7aca1088d5e!8m2!3d35.3634623!4d-83.804868!5m1!1e1).
Each county contains one of the crossings you mention. Looking at it a little more closely, though, both of the
closures are in Graham County. The problem is that the closure on US 129 is not at the Tennessee line. It's at the Little Tennessee River crossing, the other side of which is actually Swain County NC, not Tennessee. So you could simply do this (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/35.4446479,-83.9381243/US-129,+Robbinsville,+NC+28771/@35.4515245,-83.9119252,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x885ebe3cb015cfcd:0xcac8560b96f4bd56!2m2!1d-83.9209214!2d35.4737796!3e0!5m1!1e1), catch US 129 on the other side of the closure, and still use the US 129 crossing from NC into Tennessee.
Minnesota has none. Some residents of Cook County have asked for a closure of MN 61 at the Lake County line as it's possibly the only passable road into the county this time of year, but the county commissioners say they don't have the authority.
Although now that I think about it Minneapolis has closed some streets to encourage distancing amongst walkers.
Quote from: vdeane on March 28, 2020, 10:46:35 PM
I wasn't talking about the purchase limits that some stores have implemented. I'm talking about bonafide ration books (https://ameshistory.org/content/world-war-ii-rationing-us-homefront), like what was used in World War II. No getting around the limit by going out more often or to different stores with those things!
Looking through that page, I can't imagine anything like that working these days. You're...supposed to declare how much sugar you have to the Ration Board so they can start you off with fewer stamps if you already have some? What would they do if you say "I have no sugar", come to your house and dig around in the cabinets? Same goes with the "detached coupons are VOID" that is repeated on every one of those–can't imagine a modern store would turn down a sale because detached coupons are supposed to be void. It'd be too much of a hassle to argue with the customer, especially if management made it known that they wouldn't support a cashier trying to enforce the restriction.
I guess back then people were more concerned about following the rules and not as much about maximizing the amount of sugar they owned.
Montgomery County, Maryland, will close a portion of Sligo Creek Parkway to provide more recreational space: https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2020/03/montgomery-co-closing-part-of-sligo-creek-pkwy-for-more-recreation-space-during-virus-shutdown/
CT 160 and 148 are closed at the ferry crossings:
Quote from: CTDOT e-Alert: News from the Connecticut Department of Transportation
Connecticut River Ferry Service Suspended
Posted on March 30 , 2020
Service on the two Connecticut River ferries -- between Glastonbury and Rocky Hill, and Chester and Hadlyme -- has been suspended indefinitely during the Coronavirus COVID-19 crisis. The service typically operates from April 1 to November 30 each year. Check back for service updates.
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 30, 2020, 04:33:21 AMSame goes with the "detached coupons are VOID" that is repeated on every one of those–can't imagine a modern store would turn down a sale because detached coupons are supposed to be void. It'd be too much of a hassle to argue with the customer, especially if management made it known that they wouldn't support a cashier trying to enforce the restriction.
Back in the day when SNAP benefits were called "food stamps" but were actually issued in books of "food coupons," loose coupons were not supposed to be accepted by retailers. Cash change was also not supposed to be given back, although I think that pertained to bills and not coins. Many times I saw cashiers take the coupon book and detach the coupons to cover the cost of the food. And some stores actually used chips, similar to gambling chips, to give back as change to be used as store credit. I'm presuming that the majority of the coupons in the books were $1 denomination to more readily allow stores to accept "correct change" (rounded to the nearest dollar) and not have to deal with giving change back.
But yes, most retailers I remember did require the coupons not to be detached from the booklet.
We can add Exit #380 (US-17) on I-95 in Florida to the list of roads being closed.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/03/29/screening-checkpoint-at-florida-georgia-border-slows-traffic/
This (https://www.ktlo.com/2020/03/30/peel-ferry-operations-adjusting-for-covid-19-safety/) came across my newsfeed just now:
Peel Ferry (Bull Shoals Lake) will only operate 6-9 am and 3-6 pm M-F and will be closed on weekends.
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on March 30, 2020, 08:41:45 PM
We can add Exit #380 (US-17) on I-95 in Florida to the list of roads being closed.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/03/29/screening-checkpoint-at-florida-georgia-border-slows-traffic/
I've been pondering if FDOT has anyone posted on FL 2 west of Jacksonville. It wouldn't be all that difficult for someone to get into Florida through the Okefenokee Swamp if they knew the area. There are a lot of little minor roads that cross the state line the further west you go. I can't imagine all of them would be manned or have a closure.
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
But that would require you not listen to your GPS or app...the horror.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 30, 2020, 11:08:28 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
But that would require you not listen to your GPS or app...the horror.
Just to be clear, I only dislike the checkpoints. People know that they should practice social distancing. It will be our own damn faults if we don't do that.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 11:13:22 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 30, 2020, 11:08:28 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
But that would require you not listen to your GPS or app...the horror.
Just to be clear, I only dislike the checkpoints. People know that they should practice social distancing. It will be our own damn faults if we don't do that.
I despise them, but as a former Floridian I know damn well that there are a lot of ways into the state aside I-10, I-75, and I-95. Even out in California I could real off a list of bypasses of Agricultural Inspection Stations which likely will be handy very soon.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
I had been thinking about this... and this seems like a simple way to bypass them. Exit the interstate at the last exit, and re-enter the interstate at the first exit on the other side, almost like bypassing a toll. Is the state cracking down on this?
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 30, 2020, 11:21:43 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
I had been thinking about this... and this seems like a simple way to bypass them. Exit the interstate at the last exit, and re-enter the interstate at the first exit on the other side, almost like bypassing a toll. Is the state cracking down on this?
Apparently, US 17 is closed at the FL-GA state line.
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on March 30, 2020, 11:45:11 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 30, 2020, 11:21:43 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
I had been thinking about this... and this seems like a simple way to bypass them. Exit the interstate at the last exit, and re-enter the interstate at the first exit on the other side, almost like bypassing a toll. Is the state cracking down on this?
Apparently, US 17 is closed at the FL-GA state line.
Mike
Then get off at GA 40 and go down US 301.
Quote from: mgk920 on March 30, 2020, 11:45:11 PM
Apparently, US 17 is closed at the FL-GA state line.
Mike
From what I heard, the first exit in Florida to US-17 was closed, but not the road itself.
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 30, 2020, 11:56:38 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on March 30, 2020, 11:45:11 PM
Apparently, US 17 is closed at the FL-GA state line.
Mike
From what I heard, the first exit in Florida to US-17 was closed, but not the road itself.
Even if US 17 was closed it is pretty easy to find a way around the obstruction by going out of your way to almost every surface highway to the west. Even if they ended up with checkpoints I would imagine that they would be infinitely more tame than trying to enter on an Interstate. The freight will likely most stick to the Interstates and normal drivers can't read a map to save their lives...or get out of a long line.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 31, 2020, 12:44:53 AM
The freight will likely most stick to the Interstates and normal drivers can't read a map to save their lives...or get out of a long line.
Trucks are allowed to "bypass" the checkpoint whereas cars have to go through.
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 31, 2020, 12:46:18 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 31, 2020, 12:44:53 AM
The freight will likely most stick to the Interstates and normal drivers can't read a map to save their lives...or get out of a long line.
Trucks are allowed to "bypass" the checkpoint whereas cars have to go through.
Yes, hence the incentive for them to stay on the main route. Nonetheless with that volume of a back up they won't get through smooth sailing either. I would imagine some of the more savvy truckers will make their way to surface roads also.
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 30, 2020, 11:21:43 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
I had been thinking about this... and this seems like a simple way to bypass them. Exit the interstate at the last exit, and re-enter the interstate at the first exit on the other side, almost like bypassing a toll. Is the state cracking down on this?
Whether that's a good option depends in part on how long the backup is. Might have to exit earlier than the last exit if you don't want to get stuck in traffic. Same concept, though.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
Provided they are open
Quote from: US71 on March 31, 2020, 02:31:07 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
Provided they are open
In the case of Florida they seem to be according the 511 site:
https://fl511.com/
Quote from: US71 on March 31, 2020, 02:31:07 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
Provided they are open
Realistically, unless either the only routes between two states involve crossing a waterway or the border is really short, how practical is it to try to close every road? That is, you could block the crossings between Virginia and Maryland easily enough, but Virginia and North Carolina, or Maryland and Pennsylvania, would present a far more difficult conundrum. In Florida's case, it's true that there are only limited roads crossing into Georgia on the east side of the Okefenokee swamp and that going around to the west of the swamp requires going way out of your way, but there are considerably more roads crossing the state line on that side. It just doesn't seem likely to be practical to close them all because of the need for law enforcement to continue to perform other functions elsewhere.
My sister and I were texting the other day about how we'd heard national parks were closed due to the virus, but a lot of state parks have remained open. Our family, even while under state-issued home-quarantine after returning from Mexico, went hiking over the week-end at a nearby state park, for example. Exercise such as hiking is specifically allowed under both the statewide stay-at-home order and our previously issued home-quarantine guidelines. So we took advantage of that fact, went over to El Dorado State Park, and kicked the cabin fever in the butt a little bit. My sister was saying she and her husband (residents of the northern suburbs of Des Moines, IA) might go hiking at Ledges State Park soon, now that they know it's still open.
So I was wondering after this conversation with her: are the roads into any national parks closed?
Quote from: kphoger on March 31, 2020, 09:33:02 PM
My sister and I were texting the other day about how we'd heard national parks were closed due to the virus, but a lot of state parks have remained open. Our family, even while under state-issued home-quarantine after returning from Mexico, went hiking over the week-end at a nearby state park, for example. Exercise such as hiking is specifically allowed under both the statewide stay-at-home order and our previously issued home-quarantine guidelines. So we took advantage of that fact, went over to El Dorado State Park, and kicked the cabin fever in the butt a little bit. My sister was saying she and her husband (residents of the northern suburbs of Des Moines, IA) might go hiking at Ledges State Park soon, now that they know it's still open.
So I was wondering after this conversation with her: are the roads into any national parks closed?
I listed some upthread in California. I'd imagine they've only gotten more strict by now. Usually NPS.gov is pretty on the spot with road closures on the park pages.
Quote from: kphoger on March 31, 2020, 09:33:02 PM
So I was wondering after this conversation with her: are the roads into any national parks closed?
Southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which goes to Great Smoky Mountains NP. I don't know if Newfound Gap Road (the link between US 441 at Cherokee and Gatlinburg) is physically barricaded off or not. Nor for the road through Mammoth Cave that connects separate segments of KY 70.
I'm seeing hints on GMaps Traffic that RI may be closing side streets near the border to funnel traffic onto SRs. But the coverage is spotty because of the decline in traffic.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on April 01, 2020, 04:22:22 PM
I'm seeing hints on GMaps Traffic that RI may be closing side streets near the border to funnel traffic onto SRs. But the coverage is spotty because of the decline in traffic.
Any examples? I could only find one closed near the CT border, and its been closed so long you can see it in Street View.
Quote from: SectorZ on April 01, 2020, 05:29:38 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on April 01, 2020, 04:22:22 PM
I'm seeing hints on GMaps Traffic that RI may be closing side streets near the border to funnel traffic onto SRs. But the coverage is spotty because of the decline in traffic.
Any examples? I could only find one closed near the CT border, and its been closed so long you can see it in Street View.
This one: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7400445,-71.7859243,16.88z/data=!5m1!1e1 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7400445,-71.7859243,16.88z/data=!5m1!1e1)
This one: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0152099,-71.5340758,17.5z/data=!5m1!1e1 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0152099,-71.5340758,17.5z/data=!5m1!1e1)
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on April 01, 2020, 05:35:32 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on April 01, 2020, 05:29:38 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on April 01, 2020, 04:22:22 PM
I'm seeing hints on GMaps Traffic that RI may be closing side streets near the border to funnel traffic onto SRs. But the coverage is spotty because of the decline in traffic.
Any examples? I could only find one closed near the CT border, and its been closed so long you can see it in Street View.
This one: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7400445,-71.7859243,16.88z/data=!5m1!1e1 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7400445,-71.7859243,16.88z/data=!5m1!1e1)
This one: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0152099,-71.5340758,17.5z/data=!5m1!1e1 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0152099,-71.5340758,17.5z/data=!5m1!1e1)
And both are closed in the Street View pix (the first one was the one I found earlier, and its from 2012).
Quote from: hbelkins on April 01, 2020, 01:17:25 PM
Quote from: kphoger on March 31, 2020, 09:33:02 PM
So I was wondering after this conversation with her: are the roads into any national parks closed?
Southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which goes to Great Smoky Mountains NP. I don't know if Newfound Gap Road (the link between US 441 at Cherokee and Gatlinburg) is physically barricaded off or not. Nor for the road through Mammoth Cave that connects separate segments of KY 70.
There appear to be a few other roads closed in that area according to Google Maps Traffic, such as TN-165/NC-143 at the state line, US-129 near Cheoah Dam (Tail of the Dragon appears open), and US-19/US-74 between Topton and Wesser in western NC
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 31, 2020, 03:48:46 PM
Quote from: US71 on March 31, 2020, 02:31:07 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
Provided they are open
In the case of Florida they seem to be according the 511 site:
https://fl511.com/
Kind of off-topic but that 511 site looks awesome. In my opinion, every state needs something like that.
Quote from: CoreySamson on April 04, 2020, 01:14:27 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 31, 2020, 03:48:46 PM
Quote from: US71 on March 31, 2020, 02:31:07 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on March 30, 2020, 10:58:25 PM
Life pro tip to avoid these checkpoints: enter the state from a surface road.
Provided they are open
In the case of Florida they seem to be according the 511 site:
https://fl511.com/
Kind of off-topic but that 511 site looks awesome. In my opinion, every state needs something like that.
Florida has a pretty good one, I like their phone system also. California also has an excellent QuickMap service but I've found the phone system to not really have up to date information.
Interestingly, Florida's 511 site looks nearly identical to NY's: https://511ny.org/
Quote from: vdeane on April 04, 2020, 09:50:10 PM
Interestingly, Florida's 511 site looks nearly identical to NY's: https://511ny.org/
Why interesting? Traffic.com was probably the consultant for both.
Quote from: ftballfan on April 01, 2020, 08:27:36 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 01, 2020, 01:17:25 PM
Quote from: kphoger on March 31, 2020, 09:33:02 PM
So I was wondering after this conversation with her: are the roads into any national parks closed?
Southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which goes to Great Smoky Mountains NP. I don't know if Newfound Gap Road (the link between US 441 at Cherokee and Gatlinburg) is physically barricaded off or not. Nor for the road through Mammoth Cave that connects separate segments of KY 70.
There appear to be a few other roads closed in that area according to Google Maps Traffic, such as TN-165/NC-143 at the state line, US-129 near Cheoah Dam (Tail of the Dragon appears open), and US-19/US-74 between Topton and Wesser in western NC
Per NCDOT, US 441 from BRP to Tenn is closed as is NC 128.
All the other closures in southwestern NC (including US 129 at state line) are checkpoints allowing only residents or otherwise allowable (perhaps commercial pass-through) entry into counties out there.
Because of a clustered outbreak at the ski resort there, CA 203 into Mammoth Lakes has been closed to all but permanent residents on the orders of the Mono County health department; their town hospital is inadequate to handle the issue, so affected persons are being moved to Reno or, in some cases, airlifted to other in-state hospitals. Ski season had already been underway there when the statewide shelter order was issued; some chose to stay there rather than return to homes in then-more-affected areas -- and that situation apparently resulted in viral spread locally. Not by any means a good situation in a relatively isolated (but intermittently heavily populated) area.
All of the roads into Gallup, New Mexico, have been closed to stop the uninhibited spread of the virus. It's described as "a crisis of the highest order."
The county has 1,116 positives out of 6,482 tests. With such a high positive rate, they're probably missing a lot. On April 20, they had a little over 400 cases. They have more confirmed cases than (and more than half as many deaths as) Bernalillo County, with nearly 10 times the population. They have a 1.56% infection rate in the county (I don't know how many of the cases are in the city, but it has less than a third of the county population). For comparison, New York City has a 2.1% infection rate, New York State is at 1.6% and New Mexico has a 0.18% rate.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/01/us/new-mexico-town-lockdown-coronavirus-trnd/index.html (https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/01/us/new-mexico-town-lockdown-coronavirus-trnd/index.html)
Edit: One news story mentions that I-40 is open to through traffic. Presumably, they've closed the exits.
Another edit: This map can show numbers by ZIP code. 87301 seems to include most of Gallup (population 21,678) and some outlying areas, and has 241 confirmed cases. Nearby, 87305 has another 132 and 87311 another 92.
https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html (https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html)
Quote from: wxfree on May 02, 2020, 10:03:34 PM
All of the roads into Gallup, New Mexico, have been closed to stop the uninhibited spread of the virus. It's described as "a crisis of the highest order."
Edit: One news story mentions that I-40 is open to through traffic. Presumably, they've closed the exits.
The "Riot Control Act" has been invoked. Really. Here's what NMRoads is showing for the area.
(https://i.imgur.com/QqKLIEv.png)
And here are the checkpoint locations:
(https://d3el53au0d7w62.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/01/G_jd_02may_Gallup_ckpoints-1-630x344.jpg)
And the Navajo Times is reporting that, although I-40 remains open to through traffic, US 491 does not ... and the barrier is just two miles short of Gallup, with officers forcing travelers on a lengthy detour on unmarked roads.
https://navajotimes.com/reznews/police-send-travelers-on-lengthy-detour-to-avoid-gallup/
QuoteNew Mexico State Police charged with keeping traffic out of Gallup are directing southbound travelers on U.S. Highway 491 on a 78-mile detour through the Navajo Nation, and, according to conversations overheard on the police scanner, some are getting lost.
From the state police checkpoint on 491, I-40 is less than two miles away, but through-travelers are told to go through Twin Lakes, Crownpoint and meet the interstate at Thoreau. The route requires knowledge of the reservation roads that often do not have road signs.
Quote from: Kniwt on May 03, 2020, 11:39:44 AM
And the Navajo Times is reporting that, although I-40 remains open to through traffic, US 491 does not ... and the barrier is just two miles short of Gallup, with officers forcing travelers on a lengthy detour on unmarked roads.
https://navajotimes.com/reznews/police-send-travelers-on-lengthy-detour-to-avoid-gallup/
QuoteNew Mexico State Police charged with keeping traffic out of Gallup are directing southbound travelers on U.S. Highway 491 on a 78-mile detour through the Navajo Nation, and, according to conversations overheard on the police scanner, some are getting lost.
From the state police checkpoint on 491, I-40 is less than two miles away, but through-travelers are told to go through Twin Lakes, Crownpoint and meet the interstate at Thoreau. The route requires knowledge of the reservation roads that often do not have road signs.
Looks like there is an escort plan in the works. Either way some of those BIA roads in the area are absolutely terrible and may require high clearance. Getting to I-40 for the sake of a long distance route isn't too bad if you know the State Highways in New Mexico and Arizona.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 03, 2020, 12:24:47 PM
Quote from: Kniwt on May 03, 2020, 11:39:44 AM
And the Navajo Times is reporting that, although I-40 remains open to through traffic, US 491 does not ... and the barrier is just two miles short of Gallup, with officers forcing travelers on a lengthy detour on unmarked roads.
https://navajotimes.com/reznews/police-send-travelers-on-lengthy-detour-to-avoid-gallup/
QuoteNew Mexico State Police charged with keeping traffic out of Gallup are directing southbound travelers on U.S. Highway 491 on a 78-mile detour through the Navajo Nation, and, according to conversations overheard on the police scanner, some are getting lost.
From the state police checkpoint on 491, I-40 is less than two miles away, but through-travelers are told to go through Twin Lakes, Crownpoint and meet the interstate at Thoreau. The route requires knowledge of the reservation roads that often do not have road signs.
Looks like there is an escort plan in the works. Either way some of those BIA roads in the area are absolutely terrible and may require high clearance. Getting to I-40 for the sake of a long distance route isn't too bad if you know the State Highways in New Mexico and Arizona.
If heading to I-40 westbound, NM/AZ 264 to US-191 should work, unless the checkpoint is north of NM 264.
From northwest New Mexico, one should probably just take NM 371 or US-550 if heading to Albuquerque or points east.
Quote from: ftballfan on May 04, 2020, 11:11:49 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 03, 2020, 12:24:47 PM
Quote from: Kniwt on May 03, 2020, 11:39:44 AM
And the Navajo Times is reporting that, although I-40 remains open to through traffic, US 491 does not ... and the barrier is just two miles short of Gallup, with officers forcing travelers on a lengthy detour on unmarked roads.
https://navajotimes.com/reznews/police-send-travelers-on-lengthy-detour-to-avoid-gallup/
QuoteNew Mexico State Police charged with keeping traffic out of Gallup are directing southbound travelers on U.S. Highway 491 on a 78-mile detour through the Navajo Nation, and, according to conversations overheard on the police scanner, some are getting lost.
From the state police checkpoint on 491, I-40 is less than two miles away, but through-travelers are told to go through Twin Lakes, Crownpoint and meet the interstate at Thoreau. The route requires knowledge of the reservation roads that often do not have road signs.
Looks like there is an escort plan in the works. Either way some of those BIA roads in the area are absolutely terrible and may require high clearance. Getting to I-40 for the sake of a long distance route isn't too bad if you know the State Highways in New Mexico and Arizona.
If heading to I-40 westbound, NM/AZ 264 to US-191 should work, unless the checkpoint is north of NM 264.
From northwest New Mexico, one should probably just take NM 371 or US-550 if heading to Albuquerque or points east.
Why not just close the exits off I-40 through Gallup?
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on May 04, 2020, 09:04:19 PM
Quote from: ftballfan on May 04, 2020, 11:11:49 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 03, 2020, 12:24:47 PM
Quote from: Kniwt on May 03, 2020, 11:39:44 AM
And the Navajo Times is reporting that, although I-40 remains open to through traffic, US 491 does not ... and the barrier is just two miles short of Gallup, with officers forcing travelers on a lengthy detour on unmarked roads.
https://navajotimes.com/reznews/police-send-travelers-on-lengthy-detour-to-avoid-gallup/
QuoteNew Mexico State Police charged with keeping traffic out of Gallup are directing southbound travelers on U.S. Highway 491 on a 78-mile detour through the Navajo Nation, and, according to conversations overheard on the police scanner, some are getting lost.
From the state police checkpoint on 491, I-40 is less than two miles away, but through-travelers are told to go through Twin Lakes, Crownpoint and meet the interstate at Thoreau. The route requires knowledge of the reservation roads that often do not have road signs.
Looks like there is an escort plan in the works. Either way some of those BIA roads in the area are absolutely terrible and may require high clearance. Getting to I-40 for the sake of a long distance route isn’t too bad if you know the State Highways in New Mexico and Arizona.
If heading to I-40 westbound, NM/AZ 264 to US-191 should work, unless the checkpoint is north of NM 264.
From northwest New Mexico, one should probably just take NM 371 or US-550 if heading to Albuquerque or points east.
Why not just close the exits off I-40 through Gallup?
They did. I-40 is still open to through traffic, but you aren't allowed to exit unless you actually live in Gallup