AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: Roadgeekteen on April 22, 2021, 11:58:04 PM

Title: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: Roadgeekteen on April 22, 2021, 11:58:04 PM
Inspired by this in Myanmar
(https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2017/06/23/14/naypyitaw-1.jpg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75)
What 6+ lane roads are the emptiest/least traveled, at least compared to others?
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: Big John on April 23, 2021, 12:16:48 AM
WI 145 (Fond du Lac Freeway) in NW Milwaukee.   It was never completed and the 6-lane part carries an AADT of about 23,000.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: JoePCool14 on April 23, 2021, 07:45:42 AM
The Elgin O'Hare Tollway could probably classify. It's been a while since I've been down it, but I always remember it being fairly empty because of the tolls. Most of the road is 6 lanes, except at the ends. This may change when I-490 is completed.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: jeffandnicole on April 23, 2021, 08:21:09 AM
Many wouldn't think of it, but the short stretch of the 12 lane wide, dual-dual section of the NJ Turnpike below Exit 6 is massively overbuilt for the amount of traffic it normally sees. 
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: Crown Victoria on April 23, 2021, 09:23:29 AM
The six-lane section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike from the Ohio line to the New Castle interchange has an AADT of about 25,000.

The six-lane stretch between the Blue Mountain and Carlisle interchanges has an AADT of about 24,000.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: webny99 on April 23, 2021, 09:56:46 AM
There are basically no examples in NY. Everything with six lanes is either urban or suburban. The only exception being possibly I-87 north of Albany. That can be fairly empty at times, but still plenty busy most of the time.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: JayhawkCO on April 23, 2021, 10:57:20 AM
I think it was posted in another thread here recently, but I-15 near the CA/NV border.  On weekends, it's needed, but on a random Wednesday it looks pretty wide open.

Chris
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: tolbs17 on April 24, 2021, 09:57:49 AM
I-26 in Mars Hill is empty.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: skluth on April 24, 2021, 11:34:21 AM
The I-710 stub north of I-10 on the east edge of LA
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: roadman65 on April 24, 2021, 11:44:14 AM
The NJ Turnpike north of Exit 17 on the Eastern Spur is overrated.  However, that was built before the Western Spur took away traffic from it in 1970 in what was warranted prior to that year. 

What I don't understand is why the Western Spur, built to replace the eastern spur as the through route, was only made for 4 lanes north of Exit 16W instead of 6.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: 3467 on April 24, 2021, 06:25:21 PM
I can think of three more in Illinois. The Chicago Skyway and the stretch of 55 between Lincoln and Springfield. Both are right at the 30000 mark which does justify it. The skyway like the EO seem emptier because they are surrounded by much busier roads.
Right now the new 6 lane section of 74 in the Quad Cities seems empty. Since parts are going to 8 it might be the lead there with about 70000.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: ibthebigd on April 24, 2021, 07:56:15 PM
Versailes Rd in Lexington Kentucky comes to mind.

It's by Keeneland Horse Track that's only open like 6-8 weeks a year.

SM-G950U

Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: ET21 on April 26, 2021, 01:29:04 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on April 23, 2021, 07:45:42 AM
The Elgin O'Hare Tollway could probably classify. It's been a while since I've been down it, but I always remember it being fairly empty because of the tolls. Most of the road is 6 lanes, except at the ends. This may change when I-490 is completed.

Yup was just on it recently and its still relatively empty. West of 290 is used more but even during the height of rush hour its still light
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: JoePCool14 on April 26, 2021, 04:36:20 PM
Quote from: 3467 on April 24, 2021, 06:25:21 PM
I can think of three more in Illinois. The Chicago Skyway and the stretch of 55 between Lincoln and Springfield. Both are right at the 30000 mark which does justify it. The skyway like the EO seem emptier because they are surrounded by much busier roads.

The Skyway is so empty because of the insane and unjustifiable tolls for what leads to little benefit. This also somewhat applies to the EOE, but the nearby I-90 is also tolled.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 26, 2021, 08:47:06 PM
Detroit
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: JayhawkCO on April 27, 2021, 02:35:14 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 22, 2021, 11:58:04 PM
Inspired by this in Myanmar

Is that the highway in Naypyitaw I assume?  If it is, I've been on that highway.  Just looked at the OP for the first time.

Chris
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: SoDakInterstateEnthusiast on April 27, 2021, 07:50:54 AM
Quote from: jayhawkco on April 27, 2021, 02:35:14 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 22, 2021, 11:58:04 PM
Inspired by this in Myanmar

Is that the highway in Naypyitaw I assume?  If it is, I've been on that highway.  Just looked at the OP for the first time.

Chris

Where on earth are the people in that city?
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: thspfc on April 27, 2021, 07:56:33 AM
Quote from: SoDakInterstateEnthusiast on April 27, 2021, 07:50:54 AM
Quote from: jayhawkco on April 27, 2021, 02:35:14 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 22, 2021, 11:58:04 PM
Inspired by this in Myanmar

Is that the highway in Naypyitaw I assume?  If it is, I've been on that highway.  Just looked at the OP for the first time.

Chris

Where on earth are the people in that city?
It looks like this giant slab of concrete is near the national capital or whatever they call it in Myanmar, so I presume it was built to accommodate large motorcades?
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: tradephoric on April 27, 2021, 01:16:54 PM
A number of wide 8-lane boulevards were build in Detroit throughout the mid-20s and 30s as part of the Proposed Super-Highway Plan for Greater Detroit released by the Rapid Transit Commission on April 10th, 1924.  At the time these boulevards cut through farmlands and developments sprung up along these Super-Highways upon completion as seen by this aerial view of Woodward Avenue near 14 Mile taken in the 1930s.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FDetroit%2F1930sWoodwardAvenearpontiaccopy_zpsc6561877.jpg&hash=f6156d8455b6ef2f6f6e182ac69a6d830b26371b)

Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: Scott5114 on April 27, 2021, 02:02:50 PM
Quote from: SoDakInterstateEnthusiast on April 27, 2021, 07:50:54 AM
Quote from: jayhawkco on April 27, 2021, 02:35:14 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 22, 2021, 11:58:04 PM
Inspired by this in Myanmar

Is that the highway in Naypyitaw I assume?  If it is, I've been on that highway.  Just looked at the OP for the first time.

Chris

Where on earth are the people in that city?

Being oppressed by the military that just overthrew their government, I'd imagine.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: westerninterloper on April 28, 2021, 01:14:53 AM
Quote from: tradephoric on April 27, 2021, 01:16:54 PM
A number of wide 8-lane boulevards were build in Detroit throughout the mid-20s and 30s as part of the Proposed Super-Highway Plan for Greater Detroit released by the Rapid Transit Commission on April 10th, 1924.  At the time these boulevards cut through farmlands and developments sprung up along these Super-Highways upon completion as seen by this aerial view of Woodward Avenue near 14 Mile taken in the 1930s.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi478.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr144%2Ftradephoric%2FTransportation%2520Pictures%2FDetroit%2F1930sWoodwardAvenearpontiaccopy_zpsc6561877.jpg&hash=f6156d8455b6ef2f6f6e182ac69a6d830b26371b)

These are still excellent ways to get around Detroit. The lights are synchronized, so you pass through the city at about 45 mph. I think as of last week I've travelled the length of just about all of them around and out of the city. The industrial architecture and infrastructure along these roads is monumental.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: kphoger on April 28, 2021, 09:45:13 AM
Quote from: westerninterloper on April 28, 2021, 01:14:53 AM
The lights are synchronized, so you pass through the city at about 45 mph.

Oh geez, now you've done it.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: jamess on April 28, 2021, 07:58:11 PM
This 12 (!) lane roadway has been empty since it was built around 2007.

https://goo.gl/maps/8GwGCMvKJbfivsh89

Oldest street view from 2009
https://goo.gl/maps/PhMQkmQVJAUPaSZ96
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: Roadgeekteen on April 28, 2021, 08:07:50 PM
Quote from: jamess on April 28, 2021, 07:58:11 PM
This 12 (!) lane roadway has been empty since it was built around 2007.

https://goo.gl/maps/8GwGCMvKJbfivsh89

Oldest street view from 2009
https://goo.gl/maps/PhMQkmQVJAUPaSZ96
What was it built for?
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: thspfc on April 28, 2021, 08:17:53 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 28, 2021, 08:07:50 PM
Quote from: jamess on April 28, 2021, 07:58:11 PM
This 12 (!) lane roadway has been empty since it was built around 2007.

https://goo.gl/maps/8GwGCMvKJbfivsh89

Oldest street view from 2009
https://goo.gl/maps/PhMQkmQVJAUPaSZ96
What was it built for?
I'm guessing it was going to be part of a Fresno beltway, but the beltway got cancelled.
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: Bruce on April 29, 2021, 03:38:01 AM
Quote from: thspfc on April 28, 2021, 08:17:53 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 28, 2021, 08:07:50 PM
Quote from: jamess on April 28, 2021, 07:58:11 PM
This 12 (!) lane roadway has been empty since it was built around 2007.

https://goo.gl/maps/8GwGCMvKJbfivsh89

Oldest street view from 2009
https://goo.gl/maps/PhMQkmQVJAUPaSZ96
What was it built for?
I'm guessing it was going to be part of a Fresno beltway, but the beltway got cancelled.

It's actually leading to an interchange with CA-99 (and an overpass over Cal HSR) that is expected to begin construction eventually: https://abc30.com/veterans-boulevard-fresno/5676943/
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: tradephoric on April 29, 2021, 11:11:40 AM
Quote from: kphoger on April 28, 2021, 09:45:13 AM
Quote from: westerninterloper on April 28, 2021, 01:14:53 AM
The lights are synchronized, so you pass through the city at about 45 mph.

Oh geez, now you've done it.

He's right you know :P
Title: Re: Emptiest 6+ lane roads
Post by: sprjus4 on April 29, 2021, 11:33:03 AM
Quote from: Bruce on April 29, 2021, 03:38:01 AM
Quote from: thspfc on April 28, 2021, 08:17:53 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 28, 2021, 08:07:50 PM
Quote from: jamess on April 28, 2021, 07:58:11 PM
This 12 (!) lane roadway has been empty since it was built around 2007.

https://goo.gl/maps/8GwGCMvKJbfivsh89

Oldest street view from 2009
https://goo.gl/maps/PhMQkmQVJAUPaSZ96
What was it built for?
I'm guessing it was going to be part of a Fresno beltway, but the beltway got cancelled.

It's actually leading to an interchange with CA-99 (and an overpass over Cal HSR) that is expected to begin construction eventually: https://abc30.com/veterans-boulevard-fresno/5676943/
https://www.fresno.gov/publicworks/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Veterans-Boulevard-Exhibit-Phase-2-Map.pdf