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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
I-26 in Mars Hill is empty.
The I-710 stub north of I-10 on the east edge of LA
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Detroit
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
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?
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?
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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/
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
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