Highway-related things I would like to see for 2013

[Brandon]

My list is pretty straightforward.

For SCDOT:

1. Lowering the Speed Limit on the Orangeburg County portions of SC 3, SC 4, and SC 70 from 55 mph to 50 mph.

Why the hell would you ever want to lower a speed limit!?!

[drummer_evans_aki]

Oregon Interstate Speed Limits raised from 65mph to 75mph in rural areas and 60mph in urban areas.

I wouldn't mind seeing US-26 from Gresham to the OR-35 interchange become a four lane divided expressway.

[cpzilliacus]

Oregon Interstate Speed Limits raised from 65mph to 75mph in rural areas and 60mph in urban areas.

I would love to see the Maryland and Virginia General Assemblies raise the statutory maximum speed limits to 75 MPH (leaving the actual setting of speed limits to the engineering judgement of SHA and MdTA; and VDOT respectively).

[KEK Inc.]

Oregon Interstate Speed Limits raised from 65mph to 75mph in rural areas and 60mph in urban areas.

I wouldn't mind seeing US-26 from Gresham to the OR-35 interchange become a four lane divided expressway.

Talking to the ODOT spokesman, there's politics behind the speed limit.  Oregon passed legislature a few years back forcing auto traffic to be no more than 10 MPH over the truck speed limits.  Since Oregon allowes extra long semi trucks, they decided to keep it capped at 55 MPH (therefore 65).  He agrees it's BS, but it's apparently something that is beyond ODOT's control.

[cpzilliacus]

Oregon Interstate Speed Limits raised from 65mph to 75mph in rural areas and 60mph in urban areas.

I wouldn't mind seeing US-26 from Gresham to the OR-35 interchange become a four lane divided expressway.

Talking to the ODOT spokesman, there's politics behind the speed limit.  Oregon passed legislature a few years back forcing auto traffic to be no more than 10 MPH over the truck speed limits.  Since Oregon allowes extra long semi trucks, they decided to keep it capped at 55 MPH (therefore 65).  He agrees it's BS, but it's apparently something that is beyond ODOT's control.

It is absolutely about politics.  This is a way for some elected officials to pander to anti-auto and anti-highway special interest groups at low (political) cost.

[agentsteel53]

what's next, the legislature will be allowed to set the length of the lane stripes?

[vdeane]

The easiest solution would be to ban the "road trains", which have issues in and of themselves.  I wonder if Oregon allows them solely to justify low speed limits.

[KEK Inc.]

The easiest solution would be to ban the "road trains", which have issues in and of themselves.  I wonder if Oregon allows them solely to justify low speed limits.

I'm pretty sure California and Washington doesn't allow them.  So if Idaho bans them, I wonder what Oregon will do. 

[agentsteel53]

So if Idaho bans them, I wonder what Oregon will do.

keep allowing them, to continue to justify their speed limits.

or get rid of them, and continue to justify their speed limits.

legislatures aren't under any obligation to make sense.

[CrossCountryRoads]

Getting Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania from New Stanton to Washington, PA up to snuff with the rest of the Interstates in the country by widening it, removing the barrier dividing eastbound and westbound traffic and replacing it with (gasp!) an actual median, and thus increasing the speed limit to 65 mph since that is the speed most people drive on it anyways, and those who actually drive 55 mph through there are a tremendous hazard.  Also, the on ramps need to be redesigned so that there aren't stop signs at the bottoms of them.  This would be key, but I realize it's PA we're talking about and that it will never happen.  But it is a highway-related thing I would like to see started in 2013.

[Mr_Northside]

Getting Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania from New Stanton to Washington, PA up to snuff with the rest of the Interstates in the country by widening it, removing the barrier dividing eastbound and westbound traffic and replacing it with (gasp!) an actual median, and thus increasing the speed limit to 65 mph since that is the speed most people drive on it anyways, and those who actually drive 55 mph through there are a tremendous hazard.  Also, the on ramps need to be redesigned so that there aren't stop signs at the bottoms of them.  This would be key, but I realize it's PA we're talking about and that it will never happen.  But it is a highway-related thing I would like to see started in 2013.

Actually, PA is doing something along I-70 in the area over the next bunch of years:

http://www.i-70projects.com/I70Project_index_menu.html

However, it's certainly not as drastic as you "would like to see for 2013".  It should fix a lot of the interchange ramps, and the shoulder space should increase. There will still be a concrete barrier separating directions (which doesn't make it "NOT" an actual median).  I can't say if this will result in an increase in the speed limit or not.

[PHX06]

Focus on one law, and exactly one law:

Slower traffic must keep right and allow faster traffic to pass in the left lanes.

That would solve so many problems.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Please, please, PLEASE.

Also, though impossible, I'd like to see the expressway-style improvements to US 19 in Pinellas County completed this year. Since Pinellas killed most of the freeways planned there in the 1970s, the least they can do is accelerate construction to make US 19 limited access from 49th Street to the Pasco County line. Currently, funding is secured and construction is scheduled, ongoing, or complete for about half of that. These improvements will definitely lower the fatality count on a road that was once considered "America's Deadliest". US 19 goes between being limited access to having traffic lights and business-access driveways every ten feet, so it really is a dangerous drive considering that upwards of 90,000 vehicles use it daily.

I'd also like to see the southeast's rural interstate speed increased to 75mph. I-75 and I-95 through a majority of Florida/Georgia is six lanes with pavement in great condition and excellent sight lines, there is no reason why the speed limit can't be pushed up a bit.

Finally, un-toll all of Orlando's freeways.

[cpzilliacus]

Finally, un-toll all of Orlando's freeways.

Not likely to happen. 

As I understand it, those roads are there only because they are toll roads.

[PHX06]

True, it's just frustrating that a metropolitan area can have all but one of its freeways tolled.

[Brandon]

True, it's just frustrating that a metropolitan area can have all but one of its freeways tolled.

Ever been to Chicago?  If we didn't have ISTHA, we'd have two-lane surface streets everywhere in DuPage County.
OK, I'm exaggerating a bit, but IDOT is not known for building controlled-access roads much outside Cook County.

My big wish is for the various electronic tolling systems to become compatible.

[vdeane]

removing the barrier dividing eastbound and westbound traffic and replacing it with (gasp!) an actual median

Since when a is a concrete barrier not a median?  I can think of many other interstates you wouldn't like, including every single freeway in the Rochester, NY area (including parts of the Thruway).

[jp the roadgeek]

ConnDOT raising the speed limit on I-84 to 65 MPH from exit 25A to just before exit 33 (it's all 6 lanes now).  Also, replacement of the ugly reflective button copy signage from the 80's and early 90's on all roadways.

[kphoger]

(1) States to follow Texas' lead and assess speed limits on a section-by-section basis (preferably at something smaller than the county level).  This would foster greater respect for the number that ends up on the sign.

(2) Opening up the cross-border trucking program for the Mexican border to the same extent it is for the Canadian border, and for Hoffa to just suck it up.  This is a requirement under NAFTA (maybe not the sucking it up part).

(3) Exemptions granted by law to police officers (such as speeding, lane use, etc.) be changed in wording from "while engaged in official duties" to "while in pursuit or responding to an emergency, and only when sirens and lights in use" or something similar.  Daddy shouldn't spank the kids for swearing if he can't control his own tongue.

(4) Widening I-35 to six lanes between Denton and Gainesville, TX; Liberty and Cameron, MO; and Ankeny and Ames, IA.  Or maybe 38 lanes between Des Moines and Ames.

removing the barrier dividing eastbound and westbound traffic and replacing it with (gasp!) an actual median

Since when a is a concrete barrier not a median?  I can think of many other interstates you wouldn't like, including every single freeway in the Rochester, NY area (including parts of the Thruway).

What I prefer is a wide, paved median with a barrier in the middle.  Look at the Kansas Turnpike for a good example of this.

[cpzilliacus]

What I prefer is a wide, paved median with a barrier in the middle.  Look at the Kansas Turnpike for a good example of this.

Does not look that different from the four-lane section of the New Jersey Turnpike (between Interchanges 1 and 4, example in Salem County near Interchange 1 here).

[kphoger]

Yes, very similar.  I like that, even with a wall separating directions of travel, there's still some wiggle room for emergency avoidance maneuvers.

[CrossCountryRoads]

Getting Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania from New Stanton to Washington, PA up to snuff with the rest of the Interstates in the country by widening it, removing the barrier dividing eastbound and westbound traffic and replacing it with (gasp!) an actual median, and thus increasing the speed limit to 65 mph since that is the speed most people drive on it anyways, and those who actually drive 55 mph through there are a tremendous hazard.  Also, the on ramps need to be redesigned so that there aren't stop signs at the bottoms of them.  This would be key, but I realize it's PA we're talking about and that it will never happen.  But it is a highway-related thing I would like to see started in 2013.

Actually, PA is doing something along I-70 in the area over the next bunch of years:

http://www.i-70projects.com/I70Project_index_menu.html

However, it's certainly not as drastic as you "would like to see for 2013".  It should fix a lot of the interchange ramps, and the shoulder space should increase. There will still be a concrete barrier separating directions (which doesn't make it "NOT" an actual median).  I can't say if this will result in an increase in the speed limit or not.

I have seen they've made progress on the new I-79 North to I-70 West interchange.  That will certainly be a vast improvement from what it was before, with a 25 mph curve at the bottom of a steep hill and constant congestion at the merge point with I-70 Westbound.  They have been working on a part near Smithton for quite a while now as well, and although they might be "widening" it a bit, it still isn't anywhere near acceptable compared to most other Interstates in the country I don't think.  One can only hope that stretch gets an overhaul sometime in the next 50 years or so.

[Mamba205]

Getting Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania from New Stanton to Washington, PA up to snuff with the rest of the Interstates in the country by widening it, removing the barrier dividing eastbound and westbound traffic and replacing it with (gasp!) an actual median, and thus increasing the speed limit to 65 mph since that is the speed most people drive on it anyways, and those who actually drive 55 mph through there are a tremendous hazard.  Also, the on ramps need to be redesigned so that there aren't stop signs at the bottoms of them.  This would be key, but I realize it's PA we're talking about and that it will never happen.  But it is a highway-related thing I would like to see started in 2013.

I love that stretch of Interstate 70. Driving from Illinois to my home state of New Jersey, I-70 in PA is the best part of the trip, though it is nerve racking with the nonexistent shoulders. To make it even scarier, I normally travel along there the day before Thanksgiving, when traffic is packed and everyone is going 80 mph.

[CrossCountryRoads]

I love that stretch of Interstate 70. Driving from Illinois to my home state of New Jersey, I-70 in PA is the best part of the trip, though it is nerve racking with the nonexistent shoulders. To make it even scarier, I normally travel along there the day before Thanksgiving, when traffic is packed and everyone is going 80 mph.

Interesting.  What is it you like about that particular stretch Mamba?

[Mamba205]

I love that stretch of Interstate 70. Driving from Illinois to my home state of New Jersey, I-70 in PA is the best part of the trip, though it is nerve racking with the nonexistent shoulders. To make it even scarier, I normally travel along there the day before Thanksgiving, when traffic is packed and everyone is going 80 mph.

Interesting.  What is it you like about that particular stretch Mamba?

It's a breath of fresh air compared to the typical grass median. I think I might like PA's I-70 because it reminds me of Route 22 in New Jersey, with its Jersey barriers. I grew up traveling along that stretch of road, and roads that remind me of Rt 22 bring back good memories.

In addition, I'm very much into the aesthetics of highways. The ratio of roadway width to median width, even the pavement color, has an effect on the way I view roads. Ironically, I prefer a four lane divided highway with a 50 ft median and high-tension cable barriers, instead of a narrow four lane divided highway with a Jersey barrier.

But, I'm all for improvement. For example, I-270 in Illinois really needs to be widened to three lanes, hopefully with the third lane being trucks-only.

[Roadsguy]

I like roads when the pavement is black, the barrier (if it exists) is white, and the guardrails and gantries are shiny.

Are they going to widen I-70 through Washington to six lanes along the 79 multiplex?