AARoads Forum

EDIT: A Southern road meet is in the plans! I would like to meet with everyone in Shreveport or New Orleans (waiting on feedback to see where to put it.) Two possible plans are below.

1) If we meet in Shreveport, I would like to take a trip down US 71, stopping at the Bossier Parish Line, then in Coushatta at the Red River, down to Clarence for lunch at a barbecue place that's been there since the fourties, and over through Natchitoches and over to Mansfield, following US 171 back to Shreveport. All of the population areas have fast food and gas stations, as expected. It's a trip down two alignments of the old Jefferson Highway!

2) If we meet in New Orleans, I would like to travel up US 51, taking photos of abandoned highway chunks, and of course the southern terminus of US 51. We would go across the Manchac up to Kentwood, over on LA 10 to Mississippi, and then down US 11 across the 1920's Maestri bridge. Lunch and dinner could be planned in New Orleans or Slidell, and about two U.S. highway ends would be covered, along with two Interstate highway ends.

Both routes are VERY scenic, and photo stops would be a key part of the trip! Both are hilly, with North Louisiana having steep hills and valleys, while Southeast Louisiana has the lakes and swamps.

I'm now shooting for a September meet, instead of mid-fall, as it would interfere with Birmingham, two states over.

Let me know in the comments about any additional ideas!

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 05, 2012, 12:43:35 AM
Just wanted to gauge the opinion on a southern road meet. It would follow the old Jefferson Highway from New Orleans to Shreveport, the Dixie Overland Highway to US 29/31 to Pensacola, then back along the Old Spanish Trail. A shorter version would be Jeff Hwy to DOH to US 51 down to New Orleans, then over on 190 to US 11, south into New Orleans. I'm shooting for a Mid-October meet, so that the weather is crisp and cool. I have no maple syrup, like Steve, so I will supplement syrup with maps of the routes traveled from before the 1955 Louisiana renumbering, on full-size drafting paper.

If you are going to organize a meet, you will need to do the following:
1) locate somewhere folks can meet. Parking and available lunch should be preferable qualities.
2) Your trip should take only 3-5 hrs.
3) Have multiple stops along your tour. This allows for folks to re-orient themselves, stretch their legs, use facilities, and take photos.
I highly recommend that you re-examine your proposal if you wish others to tag along with you.

Also keep in mind the Birmingham, AL road meet is in mid October too.

Stick with Shreveport. New Orleans meet can wait till after the Huey Long Bridge rebuild is finished.

Weekend of Sept 7th, 14th or 21st would probably work for me  Shreveport would be no problem. New Orleans might be a stretch for me.

How about we set it for one of the first three weekends? An idea would be to head down US 71 to Coushatta instead of Clarence, over on the Red River bridge, then up to Shreveport. My original trek covered more of the Jefferson Highway, but with no stops, it takes 4 hours. Another viable option would be on US 80 into Texas, US 59 to Texarkana, then US 71 back down. Hopefully, by then, some sections of I-49 will be open, supposedly with the number 3290 as the route number.

Quote from: Grzrd on January 10, 2012, 06:20:00 PM
It looks like driving on the paved segments of I-49 North is an option if a Texarkana meet comes together.  Today, I spoke with Susan Stafford, a LaDOTD Public Information Officer.  She gave a tentative OK to the notion of meet attendees driving on the paved I-49 North, but there would be some bureaucratic prerequisites: (1) names of all attendees, (2) all attendees sign a liability waiver, (3) license plate numbers of all cars that will be driven on I-49 North, and (4) sufficient lead time to get (1)-(3) accomplished.  I told her a possible meet would occur sometime in the Spring to early Fall time frame, and provided a rough estimate of 10-12 attendees.

She was amused by the term "roadgeek", said that she has driven it herself 3 to 4 times, and that it is "really cool" to drive on the deserted interstate.  If a meet comes together, I would be happy to assist with the bureaucratic stuff associated with this beforehand.  If the general feeling is that the bureaucratic stuff would kill the fun, I would completely understand.

(above quote from 2012 meets? (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=5845.msg129818#msg129818) thread)

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 06, 2012, 11:56:51 PM
US 59 to Texarkana, then US 71 back down. Hopefully, by then, some sections of I-49 will be open, supposedly with the number 3290 as the route number.

If I-49 North is not open by then, my offer to help with coordination of driving on the unopened Segments A-D still holds - it's just that Shreveport would be the base instead of Texarkana.  Pick a date; I'll try to make it. If not, I can still help with the I-49 North part of it. 

Go for it!! Ms. Stafford is the one I usually contact to complain about the signs being messed up and the roads numbered wrong. I'm heading to the DOTD on Thursday to pick up the plans for I-49 North, since they're available for reprints.

I'll check and see when I can request being off from work. I would say that September 14th would be the best date to schedule a meet. Texarkana is an awesome city, and even if it's going up US 71 first and then down through Texas, it would work. I just want to dip into Texas for a short distance, so that we all can question why Texas has 70MPH on their two-lanes, while Louisiana has 55MPH. I've also seen these neat concrete markers with the state names on them. Just let me get this warrant cleared before I give out my name and plate number!

^ I'll call her this week, try to get a sense that LaDOTD Legal is still on board, and tell her that we are aiming for early September.  I will update after I speak with her.

Also, in Texarkana, I would not mind driving the US 59/ Future I-x69 segment.  In about 18 months, it may hold the record for the signed disconnected "child" that is the greatest distance from its signed "parent".  :-D

My secondary reason for Arkansas is so that I can buy lotto tickets ^_^ too young here in Louisiana to get em. I-X69 would be awesome to drive, and for that matter, Texarkana could be a good place for a lunch break.

Shreveport would be too far away and too short notice to make. The New Orleans itinerary might be more doable.

The only problem about New Orleans is that it's all urbanized, and no true road geek stuff, in my opinion. The Rigolettes have been replaced, the Maestri bridge has lost any glory it had, and Mandeville is having more state highways removed per capita than any other city.

Just because it's "all urbanized" doesn't mean that there isn't road-worthy stuff to look at.  For examples, the new I-10/Causeway ramps, progress on the Huey Long Bridge, and plenty of old signs.

Also, the new Rigolets bridge was the site of a road meet back in 2008, but there were several who missed out on it then (thanks in part to Gustav).

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 09, 2012, 02:22:25 AM
The only problem about New Orleans is that it's all urbanized, and no true road geek stuff, in my opinion. The Rigolettes have been replaced, the Maestri bridge has lost any glory it had, and Mandeville is having more state highways removed per capita than any other city.

I always find road things to see and check out when in NO. Still working on clinching all of the surface routes for instance. US 61's south end is there. The circle interchange between Causeway Boulevard and Airline Highway, the Earhart Expressway (LA-3139), etc.

Lou and I rode over to New Orleans one afternoon in 2010 and opted for surface roads only through the city. Just stumbled across a few of these things doing that:

(//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/hayne_bl_app_lakefront_apt.jpg)

Taking LA 47 until its signage disappeared, Hayne Boulevard meets flyovers at Lakefront Airport connecting with adjacent Leon C. Simon Drive. Never knew about these until we rode this route.

(//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/leon_c_simon_dr_wb_at_press_dr.jpg)

Leon C. Simon Drive widens out to accommodate an unbuilt interchange with Press Drive. The mainline uses the ramps and stubs are visible.

(//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/gentilly_bl_wb_at_st_bernard_av.jpg)

City installed overheads for the five point intersection of St. Bernard, Desaix and Gentilly.

(//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/la-0047_eb_at_ihnc_br.jpg)

Movable span along LA 46 (St. Claude Avenue) over the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal. Dig the split lane configuration.

If I were to make it to one of your road meets, it would be the NO one. Shreveport is out of range.

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 09, 2012, 02:22:25 AM
The only problem about New Orleans is that it's all urbanized, and no true road geek stuff, in my opinion. The Rigolettes have been replaced, the Maestri bridge has lost any glory it had, and Mandeville is having more state highways removed per capita than any other city.

NOLA would be a little out of my range, but even urbanized areas have Road Geek stuff. You just have to look harder ;)

Like this somewhat complicated signal arrangement at Tulane & Broad Streets  http://goo.gl/maps/LCyX

Seems like New Orleans and Shreveport are the two things that people are split on. I would love to do a New Orleans meet whenever the HPL is finished, and snag photos of the ends of US highways (11, 51, and 61, along with the Jeff Hwy). Trips down Interstates 3-/5-/6-/910 would also be pretty nice, since each one is unique.

Segments B-D of I-49 North are not scheduled to be opened to traffic until Spring, which provides a good cushion of time to drive A-D. Maybe do NOLA in September and then gauge interest for Shreveport/Texarkana area for later in Fall or maybe even early Winter.

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 09, 2012, 01:53:27 PM
Seems like New Orleans and Shreveport are the two things that people are split on. I would love to do a New Orleans meet whenever the HPL is finished, and snag photos of the ends of US highways (11, 51, and 61, along with the Jeff Hwy). Trips down Interstates 3-/5-/6-/910 would also be pretty nice, since each one is unique.

Split the difference: meet in Alexandria :p

Quote from: US71 on July 09, 2012, 04:22:52 PM

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 09, 2012, 01:53:27 PM
Seems like New Orleans and Shreveport are the two things that people are split on. I would love to do a New Orleans meet whenever the HPL is finished, and snag photos of the ends of US highways (11, 51, and 61, along with the Jeff Hwy). Trips down Interstates 3-/5-/6-/910 would also be pretty nice, since each one is unique.

Split the difference: meet in Alexandria :p

But that's no fun!! Other than the use of Clearview/FHWA hybrid signs, and the rerouting of state highways, nothing fun is there. I've grown up in Alexandria my whole life :P.

Shreveport it is in the fall, and New Orleans in the spring!

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 09, 2012, 05:19:04 PM

Quote from: US71 on July 09, 2012, 04:22:52 PM

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 09, 2012, 01:53:27 PM
Seems like New Orleans and Shreveport are the two things that people are split on. I would love to do a New Orleans meet whenever the HPL is finished, and snag photos of the ends of US highways (11, 51, and 61, along with the Jeff Hwy). Trips down Interstates 3-/5-/6-/910 would also be pretty nice, since each one is unique.

Split the difference: meet in Alexandria :p

But that's no fun!! Other than the use of Clearview/FHWA hybrid signs, and the rerouting of state highways, nothing fun is there. I've grown up in Alexandria my whole life :P.

I found a couple old bridges last time I was there (2011) ;)

Other than the bridges on US 71, name them to me :P nothing is old there! Every trace of the Jefferson Highway is being removed except for the JH bridge over the railroad south of US 167 in Tioga.

Quote from: Grzrd on July 07, 2012, 12:16:19 AM

Quote from: Grzrd on January 10, 2012, 06:20:00 PM
It looks like driving on the paved segments of I-49 North is an option if a Texarkana meet comes together.  Today, I spoke with Susan Stafford, a LaDOTD Public Information Officer.

If I-49 North is not open by then, my offer to help with coordination of driving on the unopened Segments A-D still holds.

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 07, 2012, 12:38:14 AM
Go for it!! Ms. Stafford is the one I usually contact to complain about the signs being messed up and the roads numbered wrong.

I just got off of the phone with Susan Stafford.  LaDOTD would allow the group to drive Segments A-B on September 14 (approximately 6 miles) because those segments are already striped, etc.  LaDOTD is currently in the midst of a lawsuit with the contractor for Segments C-D; they will not give the group permission for those segments because they do not want the contractor to be able to assert that any screw-ups were a result of the group's drive (ultra-cautious legal posture).

She mentioned that the "grand opening" for Segments B-I (Segment A will have to wait until AHTD finishes their section to the state line) now looks like it will occur in Summer 2013.  She could not commit, but she strongly hinted that it might be possible to drive more segments in Spring 2013.

I'm going to wait until Spring 2013 for a drive on I-49 North, and will stay in touch with Ms. Stafford in that regard.  Given that Segments A-I constitute about thirty miles of highway, that may be enough in itself to justify a meet!

Above said, Ms. Stafford is emailing me liability waiver forms, etc.  I'd still be happy to assist with the logistics of a September Shreveport meet for a Segments A-B drive.  Just let me know.

Agreed Froggie, despite Gustav, Steph and I had a nice weekend in New Orleans and believe me, it is a road geek play land (for me at least it was) with all of the bridges and urban freeways, I loved it and would like to get back down that way again at some point in the next couple years.

Sounds like we can do a road meet in Spetember for New Orleans, and Shreveport in the spring. I'd say September 15 is the ideal Saturday, and we can explore the Huey P Long, redone Maestri, and clinch I-3/5/6/910 in the process, and the end of I-59. The old Pearl River bridges are a sight to see, and the original route of US 90 through Slidell is an option. Might dip into Miss too!

Quote from: Grzrd on July 13, 2012, 12:27:39 PM
I just got off of the phone with Susan Stafford.  LaDOTD would allow the group to drive Segments A-B on September 14 .... I'm going to wait until Spring 2013 for a drive on I-49 North, and will stay in touch with Ms. Stafford in that regard .... I'd still be happy to assist with the logistics of a September Shreveport meet for a Segments A-B drive.  Just let me know.

Quote from: mcdonaat on July 20, 2012, 12:50:46 AM
Sounds like we can do a road meet in Spetember for New Orleans, and Shreveport in the spring.

Since a possible Shreveport meet has been postponed until the spring, I have communicated with Ms. Stafford and informed her that we will not try to do an organized group drive in September.  She suggested that I loop back with her in February and see what could be arranged in the spring; I will follow that suggestion and post possible drives, dates, etc. around that time.

So which weekend would be best for a New Orleans/Northshore meet? Three options are available: New Orleans to US 51 to US 190 to the Causeway (bring a dollar!), New Orleans to US 11 Maestri Bridge along the old State Route No. 2 to the old alignments of US 90 back to New Orleans, or just the various findings in New Orleans itself including the Earhart Expwy, Huey P Long, Hale Boggs Bridge, City Park Bridges, and so forth. September 15 is still available, but September 22 or 29 would be the best.

Quote from: mcdonaat on September 01, 2012, 01:57:11 AM
September 15 is still available, but September 22 or 29 would be the best.

Cutting it close on time there, aren't you? That's less than a month's notice even for the Sept. 29 possibility.

If I was going to come, Sept. 15 would definitely be out as I have a conference in Louisville Sept. 9-12.

Whenever it happens, I won't be able to make it unless someone's willing to let me hitch a ride. Issac plus a bad brake rotor (which I need to go all the way out to Pass Christian for) killed every bit of the gas money I would have used to get to this meet.

That said, if someone doesn't mind crossing the Causeway with an extra body, let me know.

It was originally scheduled for September 15, but this was just a refresher. We could always shoot for October 20, a Saturday in the fall, so weather should be cooler.

Quote from: mcdonaat on September 02, 2012, 05:50:58 PM
It was originally scheduled for September 15, but this was just a refresher. We could always shoot for October 20, a Saturday in the fall, so weather should be cooler.

The Birmingham road meet is scheduled for October 20th, so may want to shoot for another day.

I might be able to make either the September 15th or 22nd meet, but not the 29th.

Update: We can shoot for November 3, a date that should bring cool weather and some more finished pieces of the Huey P Long. I would like to visit the HPL, the US 90 bridges from New Orleans to Mississippi, some abandoned pieces of US 90/State Route 2, the Earhart Expressway, and head east out of New Orleans along the old LA 1 to Chalmette, then north to I-10, and over the Twin Span bridges. This will actually allow everyone involved to clinch I-510.

Facebook Link - http://www.facebook.com/events/281256285322943

Click "RSVP" if you're attending. If coming from east of New Orleans, your best bet is US 90 along Chef Menteur into the city. North of New Orleans is the US 11 bridge from Slidell, or the I-55 Manchac bridge. Coming from Baton Rouge and northern LA, take US 61 or I-10 in, then trudge on through Baton Rouge. Lafayette direction, take US 90. It's best to avoid Baton Rouge if possible, and it's best to avoid the Causeway bridge or twin span coming during the morning. PM me if you have any questions!

I may actually be able to make this- probably won't know for sure until a week or so before but right now it looks good. This would give me a chance to finish clinching US-90 in Texas and possibly drive SH 130 depending on the specific date and pick up a bunch more counties and a new state (Mississippi).

Quote from: corco on September 24, 2012, 01:30:07 AM
I may actually be able to make this- probably won't know for sure until a week or so before but right now it looks good. This would give me a chance to finish clinching US-90 in Texas and possibly drive SH 130 depending on the specific date and pick up a bunch more counties and a new state (Mississippi).

Quote from: corco on September 24, 2012, 01:30:07 AM
I may actually be able to make this- probably won't know for sure until a week or so before but right now it looks good. This would give me a chance to finish clinching US-90 in Texas and possibly drive SH 130 depending on the specific date and pick up a bunch more counties and a new state (Mississippi).

In that case, may I suggest taking US 90 from Lafayette to New Orleans? It's ultimately the choice of taking the scenic Atchafalaya Basin Bridge versus taking the Atchafalaya Bridge at Morgan City, since both are super scenic.

That would be the plan, I think.  Last time I was in the area I took US-90 from Texas to LA 14 and then headed north through Breaux Bridge, so I want to make Lafayette a stop this time. I'll probably enter the state on 82, take 27 up to Lake Charles and then catch 90 again- spending Friday night in either Lafayette or New Iberia and then driving to New Orleans in the morning.

I probably won't have time to completely clinch LA 1 this trip, but the departing plan would be to take LA 18 (this is a shot in the dark- open to more interesting suggestions) to LA 1 and then take that all the way to Texas and then figure it out from there.

Quote from: corco on September 24, 2012, 02:09:52 AM
That would be the plan, I think.  Last time I was in the area I took US-90 from Texas to LA 14 and then headed north through Breaux Bridge, so I want to make Lafayette a stop this time. I'll probably enter the state on 82, take 27 up to Lake Charles and then catch 90 again- spending Friday night in either Lafayette or New Iberia and then driving to New Orleans in the morning.

I probably won't have time to completely clinch LA 1 this trip, but the departing plan would be to take LA 18 (this is a shot in the dark- open to more interesting suggestions) to LA 1 and then take that all the way to Texas and then figure it out from there.

How about you just take LA 48 to US 61 to LA 44, then follow River Road all the way up to Plaquemine? You can cross via ferry from there (as long as you cross before 9 PM, and bring a dollar!), and take River Road on the other side through Port Allen, then hop on LA 1 through New Roads, Alexandria, and up to Natchitoches and Shreveport.

False River is scenic, as are the small towns along LA 1 all through Louisiana. Keep in mind - LA 1 between New Roads and Marksville is full of long, straight, boring stretches, with no hills or creeks. The only road worse, in my opinion, is LA 15 between LA 1 and Ferriday. Tons of sights to see in Louisiana, and plenty of bridges! LA 1 does follow close to the new I-49 alignment in north Caddo Parish though!

QuoteHow about you just take LA 48 to US 61 to LA 44, then follow River Road all the way up to Plaquemine? You can cross via ferry from there (as long as you cross before 9 PM, and bring a dollar!), and take River Road on the other side through Port Allen, then hop on LA 1 through New Roads, Alexandria, and up to Natchitoches and Shreveport.

False River is scenic, as are the small towns along LA 1 all through Louisiana. Keep in mind - LA 1 between New Roads and Marksville is full of long, straight, boring stretches, with no hills or creeks. The only road worse, in my opinion, is LA 15 between LA 1 and Ferriday. Tons of sights to see in Louisiana, and plenty of bridges! LA 1 does follow close to the new I-49 alignment in north Caddo Parish though!

That is a good idea! I'm trying to find a neat drive through Louisiana- last time I was there I took 14 and 31, which were scenic (especially 31), but then took US-167, LA-34, LA-546, and LA-15 to Arkansas and a lot of that was just very flat with dense forest. Since I live in Arizona now, I do like me some dense forest as it's a very nice change of pace, but after 30 straight miles of not being able to see a tenth of a mile from the road can get a bit tedious.

My attendance at this point is largely dependant on finances and whether I've found a job for after I graduate. I've applied for several jobs (say, if anybody knows of anybody looking for a GIS guy with a master's in Planning...) in Texas and even one in New Orleans, so I could potentially time an interview around the meet , but obviously scheduling the interview would take priority over the date of the meet. And then if I haven't found a job at all yet or it otherwise looks ugly, finances are going to be tight which might preclude me from going.

I'd love to see a location and agenda posted for this meet.

She's posted! The agenda is on the Facebook page.

Here's the update - I'm postponing the New Orleans meet until further notice. Not enough people are willing to attend on a relatively short notice. I'm going to start gauging interest for a Shreveport meet in the spring, since I-49 will be signed and a true experience can arise. We also can see AR 549's progress, and back down to Shreveport for a few riverside parkways, along with historic bridges and rolling hills. There are probably WAY more roadgeeks in driving distance of the ArkLaMiss than New Orleans, so this one is now a priority.

Shreveport is 1.5 hours from Alexandria, 2 from Monroe, 3.5 from Little Rock (from what I know), and 3 hours from Dallas. Dates can be thrown around, and we can all come together on a possible Saturday to work with.

If its sometime in March, I may be able to do this one, just have to get Friday off and leave when the wife gets off work around 11am, I am in middle TN and its 5 hours to Little Rock from here.