No more than one conversation starter question per day.
Then we come up with the worst, least applicable, most inappropriate answer to the question.
If this were a music forum, then a conversation starter might be something like "Who in the 20th Century had the most beautiful voice?" Replies might include Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, and Yoko Ono—but certainly not Andrea Bocelli.
But of course, this is a roads forum, so the conversation starter should be road-related.
I know it's not quite tomorrow yet, but I'll get July 18 started off early with the first question. Remember, I'm only looking for bad answers!
Q: What stretch of Interstate could be removed from the system, and hardly anyone would miss it?
I-405 and the San Diego Freeway should converted to a surface boulevard with ample multi-use pedestrian features.
The entirety of the Capital Beltway around DC. DC area traffic is bad enough with it. Pure hell without it. :popcorn:
Interstate 95 was only finished a few years ago, so that means that clearly nobody would miss it if it were gone.
Interstate 99, because then everything written into highway law becomes null-and-void and then we reach absolute legislative chaos and we descend into anarchy, the route logs are burned ritually as sacrifices to the horrors of state representation, and the nation suffers from a constitutional crisis and is then swiftly taken over by the Decepticons in their quest for more Energon cubes...uh...or, maybe just more pork-and-beans and the number accidently winds up in California.
The piece of I-70 between where it turns south to Hancock MD and the ramps to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
The Mobile Tunnel and bay bridge on I-10 in Alabama are outdated and too unsafe. They have to go.
here's my attempt at stirring things up:
My great-great-grandfather, a haberdasher in Hartford, would have answered: New England Interstate 2, one of the main roads through that fine city. He really hated NE2 and would talk at length about how unpleasant NE2 is -- how an encounter with NE2 would always be the worst part of one's day. He used quite profane language when speaking of NE2, sometimes of actions that were, anatomically speaking, quite infeasible.
His most fondly remembered day, even outshining his wedding day and the birth of his son (different days, to be clear), was that day in 1927 when the highway department started mounting US 5 markers along the route. Finally, humanity's long nightmare was coming to an end. Finally, NE2 was gone.
Quote from: kurumi on July 18, 2025, 01:30:15 AMMy great-great-grandfather, a haberdasher in Hartford
Is that where hurricanes hardly ever happen?
Quote from: kurumi on July 18, 2025, 01:30:15 AMMy great-great-grandfather ... really hated NE2 and would talk at length about how unpleasant NE2 is -- how an encounter with NE2 would always be the worst part of one's day. He used quite profane language when speaking of NE2 ...
I can only imagine what he might have to say about what we commonly refer to as a SPUI.
Quote from: kurumi on July 18, 2025, 01:30:15 AM... actions that were, anatomically speaking, quite infeasible ... mounting US 5 markers ...
You're right, that is not anatomically feasible.
Quote from: kurumi on July 18, 2025, 01:30:15 AMMy great-great-grandfather, a haberdasher in Hartford
Quote from: pderocco on July 18, 2025, 02:23:32 AMIs that where hurricanes hardly ever happen?
And where's that soggy plain?
Quote from: kphoger on July 17, 2025, 10:50:32 PMJuly 18
Q: What stretch of Interstate could be removed from the system, and hardly anyone would miss it?
My own suggestion: I-90/94 in Chicago, between the Skyway and Mayfair, is basically duplicated by the L, so it can be removed. Take the unused maintenance funds and funnel them into CTA instead.
There is no need for Interstate 90 west of Chicago.
Quote from: Mav94 on July 18, 2025, 11:41:10 AMThere is no need for Interstate 90 west of Chicago.
US-20 will suffice to Rockford. West of Tomah, meh.
I-80 should be removed in Pennsylvania because it doesn't have any large cities that it serves.
Quote from: kphoger on July 17, 2025, 10:50:32 PMI know it's not quite tomorrow yet, but I'll get July 18 started off early with the first question. Remember, I'm only looking for bad answers!
Q: What stretch of Interstate could be removed from the system, and hardly anyone would miss it?
The I-76 Surekill Expressway.
The triple cantilever section of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Everyone who lives in the area wants the expressway gone, and nobody in their right mind uses it. There's too much traffic.
Decommissioning US routes is sensible and shows good DOT judgment.
The correct answer is any. Removing from the system doesn't mean anything except repairs don't get funded.
Quote from: NE2 on July 18, 2025, 07:50:52 PMThe correct answer
That's great and all, but I'm looking for the worst possible answer.
Quote from: kphoger on July 17, 2025, 10:50:32 PMQ: What stretch of Interstate could be removed from the system, and hardly anyone would miss it?
I-70 between Denver and Silverthorne. Loveland Pass and US-40 can suffice. Both are very easy to drive in bad weather, sometimes they even attempt to plow the snow!
Quote from: kphoger on July 18, 2025, 09:50:34 AMMy own suggestion: I-90/94 in Chicago, between the Skyway and Mayfair, is basically duplicated by the L, so it can be removed. Take the unused maintenance funds and funnel them into CTA instead.
It also has bypass options using I-80 and I-294 or I-355.
My answer: I-80/I-94 between IL 394 and the interchange with the Toll Road. Everyone can just use the Skyway and Toll Road, IN 912, and/or one of the paralleling US routes. No one seems to have any trouble cutting over to I-65 from I-57 either.
Quote from: kphoger on July 18, 2025, 08:54:20 PMQuote from: NE2 on July 18, 2025, 07:50:52 PMThe correct answer
That's great and all, but I'm looking for the worst possible answer.
I would argue the NE2 is accurate though, now that I think about it. There's a difference between removing something from the system and blowing up the road. I think basically everyone here is giving answers for the latter.
Nuking a road from orbit probably would not be ideal for maintenance.
I've inadvertently gotten in trouble for this before (now I'm 100% at fault). The worst possible answer is:
QuoteThe portion of I-70 that goes to Baltimore.
I-695 southeast of Baltimore. (Too soon?)
I dunno if it's open to just anyone to ask a daily question, but if so, here's one for July 19:
Instead of a control city, it would make navigation easier if every guide sign had ________.
A QR code to the town's Wikipedia article
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 19, 2025, 02:41:36 AMI dunno if it's open to just anyone to ask a daily question, but if so, here's one for July 19:
Instead of a control city, it would make navigation easier if every guide sign had ________.
Mayor's names.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 19, 2025, 04:30:24 AMQuote from: Scott5114 on July 19, 2025, 02:41:36 AMI dunno if it's open to just anyone to ask a daily question, but if so, here's one for July 19:
Instead of a control city, it would make navigation easier if every guide sign had ________.
Mayor's names.
The mayors of the towns the roads lead to, or just anyone who has been a mayor somewhere?
Limón
Distance to I-86.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 19, 2025, 02:41:36 AMInstead of a control city, it would make navigation easier if every guide sign had ________.
Not existed. Everyone's using their phones or GPS, why bother spending the money to maintain guide signs?
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 19, 2025, 02:41:36 AMI dunno if it's open to just anyone to ask a daily question, but if so, here's one for July 19:
Instead of a control city, it would make navigation easier if every guide sign had ________.
Rhyming cockney slang.
A "you are here" map like the ones often found in rest areas.
Zip codes.
The local High School sport mascots/nicknames
Quote from: formulanone on July 19, 2025, 09:23:34 AMThe local High School sport mascots/nicknames
There are a number of intersections in Oklahoma where you'd end up with
← Bulldogs
Bulldogs →
On the other hand..."US-69/US-75 north, Wampus Cats".
Toss up between the nearest private landing strip or nearest residential subdivision (name).
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 19, 2025, 09:35:57 AMQuote from: formulanone on July 19, 2025, 09:23:34 AMThe local High School sport mascots/nicknames
There are a number of intersections in Oklahoma where you'd end up with
← Bulldogs
Bulldogs →
On the other hand..."US-69/US-75 north, Wampus Cats".
Wampus Cats...that's a new one.
One that stuck with me for years was New Braunfels H.S. Unicorns.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 19, 2025, 02:41:36 AMI dunno if it's open to just anyone to ask a daily question, but if so, here's one for July 19:
Instead of a control city, it would make navigation easier if every guide sign had ________.
A 5-second tiktok video (audio at max volume), of some influencer doing a selfie at the destination
Quote from: Dirt Roads on July 18, 2025, 10:27:55 PMI've inadvertently gotten in trouble for this before (now I'm 100% at fault). The worst possible answer is:
QuoteThe portion of I-70 that goes to Baltimore.
Raises an interesting question,
can you remove something that doesn't exist?
I-70 to Baltimore does not exist, but cannot be removed, and therefore exists. Schrodinger's Highway.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 19, 2025, 02:41:36 AMJuly 19:
Instead of a control city, it would make navigation easier if every guide sign had ________.
The same, but in braille.
Quote from: jlam on July 19, 2025, 02:46:21 AMA QR code
Ooooooohhhhhhhh....... Can't really beat that one.
A QR code to an image of a guide sign. (The correct guide sign, mind you, not some random one from elsewhere.)
Cardinal directions and only cardinal directions (well, exit numbers would still be there). Just have to memorize the whole highway system.
Ad space for local businesses.
Quote from: kphoger on July 19, 2025, 02:46:54 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on July 19, 2025, 02:41:36 AMJuly 19:
Instead of a control city, it would make navigation easier if every guide sign had ________.
The same, but in braille.
Quote from: jlam on July 19, 2025, 02:46:21 AMA QR code
Ooooooohhhhhhhh....... Can't really beat that one.
A QR code to an image of a guide sign. (The correct guide sign, mind you, not some random one from elsewhere.)
Download the app to read this BGS-QR code!Tolls are cashless, payment only accepted with our
TollKeen app. The only payment accepted is
Qash_it, which has a 5% surcharge if you link it to a credit card. If you choose to park at our
Sir Vice Arias, make sure to download the
ParKingdom app, which accepts
Trypcoin for convenience, though a 4.99% surcharge applies (4.25% if part of our
Big Sur Network of automation-fee collection clubs).
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 18, 2025, 10:20:15 PMNuking a road from orbit probably would not be ideal for maintenance.
But it's the only way to be sure.
Quote from: kkt on July 19, 2025, 08:25:11 PMQuote from: Max Rockatansky on July 18, 2025, 10:20:15 PMNuking a road from orbit probably would not be ideal for maintenance.
But it's the only way to be sure.
I-405 would probably just stow away onto the Sulaco...
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 19, 2025, 02:41:36 AMJuly 19:
Instead of a control city, it would make navigation easier if every guide sign had ________.
... spoken destinations over loudspeaker, kind of like a train station. Instead of "the Wolverine to Detroit will be departing on track 9, with service to Hammond, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and intermediate stops"—it would be more like this:
"Interstate 70 eastbound to Topeka exits to the right at Exit 95A, continuing to Kansas City, Columbia, Wentzville, Saint Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Wheeling, Washington (Pennsylvania), New Stanton, Breezewood, Hancock, Hagerstown, Washington (D.C.), and intermediate cities. Interstate 70 westbound to Hays will exit to the right in one quarter-mile at Exit 95B, continuing to Limon, Denver, Grand Junction, and Interstate 15, with connecting service to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego."
All you need to do is slow down and roll down your window.
other CrAIg cities
Quote from: kphoger on July 19, 2025, 08:35:31 PMAll you need to do is slow down and roll down your window.
"Please stand clear of the doors".
July 20:
Why do Interstate and US numbered routes use even numbers to denote east-west routes and odd numbers to denote north-south routes and not the other way around?
Quote from: Scott5114 on Today at 02:23:40 AMJuly 20:
Why do Interstate and US numbered routes use even numbers to denote east-west routes and odd numbers to denote north-south routes and not the other way around?
At the time the system was invented, there were more known odd numbers than even numbers. Since the country was wider left-right than up-down, they would need more numbers to fill in the numerous roads that would be built.
The average American is positively terrified of prime numbers. Sure, they can handle 15 minutes or so of driving on US 17 or I-89, but hours, or even days? Good heavens, no. Prime numbers are easily avoidable in the urban agglomerations to the east, but when road tripping west, there can often be no other choices. They can be heading down the same road for hours on end. Rather than risk motorists getting stuck on unsettling odd primes such as I-5 or US 67 whilst heading west, they can stick to good ol' I-10 or US 66.
Numbering the freeways heading north through California as I-5 and US 101 rather than nice round numbers like I-1 or I-9 and US 105 was a ruse by Big California to get people to take CA 1.
Quote from: Scott5114 on Today at 02:23:40 AMJuly 20:
Why do Interstate and US numbered routes use even numbers to denote east-west routes and odd numbers to denote north-south routes and not the other way around?
US history and Manifest Destiny involved westward expansion. So anyone who wanted to go north–south was "odd."