Gordie Howe Bridge (US-Canada)

[Rothman]

I was a little surprised to learn that there won't be a center divider separating U.S.-bound and Canada-bound traffic. Apparently they're going to use a reversible lane set up for one or more of the "middle" lanes for traffic management? Seems like the safety hazard would far outweigh any traffic management benefits.

Lots of reversible lanes out there on bridges that work just fine.

[GaryV]

I didn't even know this was a thing. Do you get some sort of award? Do they give you a plaque or something for doing that? Or is it just up to you to take pictures and have bragging rights?

There's people who go out to the Soo Locks every year to see the first boat of the season go through. In the UP. In March. At midnight.

So why wouldn't being the first vehicle on a new bridge or road be a thing too?

[Sani]

I was a little surprised to learn that there won't be a center divider separating U.S.-bound and Canada-bound traffic. Apparently they're going to use a reversible lane set up for one or more of the "middle" lanes for traffic management? Seems like the safety hazard would far outweigh any traffic management benefits.

There IS a section in the USA's MUTCD regarding 'reversible' lanes. They are separated using dashed double yellow lines and further marked with overhead down pointing green arrows and red 'X'es.

Mike

I'm familiar with the concept, having grown up in Anderson Township in Cincinnati. Beechmont Avenue between Mount Washington and the old El Rancho Rankin motel had a reversible lane when I was growing up, but I understand it's just two lanes in each direction now after several nasty head-on collisions. I haven't come across any other reversible lanes in my travels since, but I guess I just haven't been to the right places.

[1995hoo]

I didn't even know this was a thing. Do you get some sort of award? Do they give you a plaque or something for doing that? Or is it just up to you to take pictures and have bragging rights?

There's people who go out to the Soo Locks every year to see the first boat of the season go through. In the UP. In March. At midnight.

So why wouldn't being the first vehicle on a new bridge or road be a thing too?

I had seen pictures of the "first car" to cross the Verrazano, so I just did a Google search and I found an old news video. See link below. These guys parked their car at the toll plaza for an entire week in order to be the "first vehicle," although you'll see the video shows the motorcade with Mayor Robert Wagner and Francis Cardinal Spellman crossing the bridge from Brooklyn before those guys were allowed across going the other way.

https://www.facebook.com/realtime1960s/videos/video-nov-21-1964-verrazano-bridge-opens/514014798265902/

[ARMOURERERIC]

I was the first non-governmental vehicle to enter I-664 southbound at College Dr when it opened between college and Bowers Hill.

[wanderer2575]

There are other firsts for which one can strive.  For example, when the middle section of I-696 opened in late 1989, the first multi-car crash occurred not 90 minutes later.

[Sani]

The official Facebook page posted a photo showing the lanes striped and streetlights working:

Did you catch it? On Friday we let you know the #GordieHoweBridge team was testing the 164 streetlights on the bridge. Check out this photo taken in the evening.

We look forward to sharing updates on the 5,000 aesthetic lights that will illuminate the cables, towers, deck and approaches.

[Plutonic Panda]

Are they going to implement a flex lane setup? Because if not why did they not put a concrete divider?

[cbeach40]

Are they going to implement a flex lane setup? Because if not why did they not put a concrete divider?

That is the plan, yes. And even if they were not, a median barrier would not be a good idea as:

1. It's a low speed facility
2. Median barriers increase speed (feels more freeway-like) so it would actually be a disbenefit for safety
3. Would add extra complications/expenses for maintenance
4. would have needed to widen the bridge deck and probably install a median drainage system, so would have added tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars to the price tag.

[Henry]

Are they going to implement a flex lane setup? Because if not why did they not put a concrete divider?

That is the plan, yes. And even if they were not, a median barrier would not be a good idea as:

1. It's a low speed facility
2. Median barriers increase speed (feels more freeway-like) so it would actually be a disbenefit for safety
3. Would add extra complications/expenses for maintenance
4. would have needed to widen the bridge deck and probably install a median drainage system, so would have added tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars to the price tag.

This is similar to the Mackinac Bridge, which carries I-75 from the mainland to the UP, but has a very low median barrier. I wouldn't be surprised if these arguments were made against putting up higher barriers prior to its opening in 1957.