AASHTO Spring 2026 Meeting (Savannah, GA)

[kphoger]

I mean, they hardly look different from the existing interstates in PA.

Standards have improved since then.

[The_Ginger]

Is there any reason why the Interstate designations for US 22, PA 33, and US 209 in Pennsylvania were not approved? Maybe a standards issue?

You don't say...
Stop sign on US-22
No acceleration lane on PA-33
RIRO (newly-built!) on US-209

And I'll reuse your second link:
That is NOT a 10-foot shoulder on PA-33

[cockroachking]

I mean, they hardly look different from the existing interstates in PA.

Standards have improved since then.

As has FHWA's adherence to said standards.

[vdeane]

I mean, they hardly look different from the existing interstates in PA. I-80 is really the only interstate that feels like it's built to modern standards for at least 99% of the route. Not much of a push to rebuild any of the other interstates except for PTC's Statewide Total Reconstruction Initiative.

I wonder if that's why the 70 mph zones on PennDOT highways are as limited as they are and seem arbitrary in some cases.  The bulk of them are I-80, I-79, and I-99; I-81, I-84, I-86, and I-90 strike me as routes that should have 70 zones but don't (I-90 especially, since it's 70 in OH to the border), so maybe they're not considered modern enough (well, I-86 probably is, but it probably has little point unless I-90 was raised as well).

I mean, they hardly look different from the existing interstates in PA.

Standards have improved since then.

As has FHWA's adherence to said standards.

Yep.  FHWA used to be a lot more willing to grandfather things in, and I'm not referring to the 50s when the system was established, but as recently as the 90s.  This is why NY originally thought the I-86 upgrade would only take 10 years and not a lot of money; I think there was a time when they thought it would be nearly as simple as "remove the at-grades and slap down shields", which it very much isn't now (while there is an isolated section of NY 17 in Sullivan County that meets interstate standards, by and large every section without the I-86 shields does not, even though a layperson mostly can't tell outside of Hale Eddy).

(personal opinion)

[thenetwork]

I mean, they hardly look different from the existing interstates in PA. I-80 is really the only interstate that feels like it's built to modern standards for at least 99% of the route. Not much of a push to rebuild any of the other interstates except for PTC's Statewide Total Reconstruction Initiative.

I wonder if that's why the 70 mph zones on PennDOT highways are as limited as they are and seem arbitrary in some cases.  The bulk of them are I-80, I-79, and I-99; I-81, I-84, I-86, and I-90 strike me as routes that should have 70 zones but don't (I-90 especially, since it's 70 in OH to the border), so maybe they're not considered modern enough (well, I-86 probably is, but it probably has little point unless I-90 was raised as well).

What PennDOT should do for I-90 is install variable speed limit signs.  That would allow the 70 MPH and 65 MPH limits (especially within the famous eternal Erie 55 stretch) during dry and safe weather/road conditions, while lowering the speed limits to 55 or below during inclement weather and lake effect snows.

It's well past time to eliminate the looong 55 MPH stretch on I-90 and variable speed limit signs would be a great and logical compromise.

[vdeane]

What PennDOT should do for I-90 is install variable speed limit signs.  That would allow the 70 MPH and 65 MPH limits (especially within the famous eternal Erie 55 stretch) during dry and safe weather/road conditions, while lowering the speed limits to 55 or below during inclement weather and lake effect snows.

It's well past time to eliminate the looong 55 MPH stretch on I-90 and variable speed limit signs would be a great and logical compromise.

Isn't the long 55 zone more about not wanting to post higher in an "urban area" than about winter?  That said, I personally hate variable limits with a passion.  I find that they're often lowered too aggressively (meaning drivers have to go slower to not speed even though conditions don't require a lower speed) or not enough (meaning the signs are encouraging drivers to go faster than conditions require).  The Tappan Zee bridge is particularly egregious, with it essentially being a coin toss whether it will be 55 or 45 on a given day since they like to lower it for practically any amount of precipitation or any wind beyond a light breeze.

[74/171FAN]

Isn't the long 55 zone more about not wanting to post higher in an "urban area" than about winter?

Yes, basically.