New York

[02 Park Ave]

The Storm King Highway portion of Route 218 has been closed due to a wall being damaged during a traffic accident.  It is not known at this time as to when it will be reopened.

[webny99]

Wasn't sure if this was a better fit here or the Thruway thread, but there are reports that the SB South Grand Island Bridge is closed due to a crash involving an injury. It certainly appears to be the case based on traffic conditions: the backup just to get off the island on the northbound bridge is almost all the way back to the South Bridges, and then you've got miles of red traffic on surface streets to get back around to I-290 - a true nightmare scenario for anyone wishing to leave Grand Island. Honestly, if the Peace Bridge wasn't already backed up all the way across due to traffic from Canada rerouting, double-crossing the border and using the QEW would probably be the fastest way from Grand Island to Buffalo at this point.

[Roadgeek Adam]

Man. Having driven 266-265-384 many times, it's not that slow to detour via the NGI Bridge.

[vdeane]

I was looking over the contract plans for I-81 over US 11 near Nedrow; I don't normally look at simple bridge replacements, but it's not too far from the southern interchange, and I figured I'd check it out to verify something, not expecting to find anything interesting.  Well, I found something interesting.

A bit of introduction first - the tenth mile markers in Region 3 have long been a bit of a hodge podge.  I-690, NY 695, and NY 5 use the enhanced style.  I-81 south of I-481 uses the standard stile on tenths with the enhanced style on full miles.  NY 481 started with the enhanced style (after years of having none), replaced them after just five years with the standard style, and then again after just about two years due to the I-81 project.  I-481 famously had none at all before the I-81 project, which installed the standard style similar to I-81 and NY 481.  So it looked like they were standardizing on the standard style for tenths with enhanced for full (which is, btw, my favorite style*, so I was quite happy with this).

So one would expect a simple replace in kind of the tenth mile markers adjacent to the bridge, right?  Nope!  They're in the enhanced style, similar to I-690.  This is especially interesting given that the text of the draft NYS supplement to the MUTCD is out, and it says that the tenth mile markers (or intermediate reference location markers, to use the official term) should be consistent on a route.  Is Region 3 planning to change all of their's to match Region 9?

*Well, my favorite style still in use, anyways.  My actual favorite style is the green and white tenths that Region 1 had traditionally used.  I'm curious to see if they'll get replaced as part of the I-90 and I-87 resurfacing projects this year, in which case, they might become endangered.

[froggie]

While the green-and-white are rather unique, I'm partial to the enhanced style.

[webny99]

NY 33 is currently closed in both directions between the Buffalo Airport and I-90 due to flooding: Article here

Traffic seems to be manageable so far but I-90 and local street alternatives will likely be impacted if the closure extends into the afternoon hours.

[vdeane]

So New York typically suspends construction and construction-related lane closures (where physically possible, anyways) during the summer travel holidays.  But despite Juneteenth forming a long weekend and behaving similarly to Memorial Day when it does, that didn't happen.  In fact, from all the construction out there, you wouldn't even know that today was a holiday at all!  I guess the day off is only for the office workers.

They probably should have suspended for this Juneteenth.  The Thruway had a pretty epic backup between exits 29 and 29A this afternoon due to a lane closure.  It stretched for miles.  Including half a mile of totally stopped cars.  I wouldn't be surprised if the lane closure on I-81 for guiderail replacement did the same as the day went on.

[Rothman]

So New York typically suspends construction and construction-related lane closures (where physically possible, anyways) during the summer travel holidays.  But despite Juneteenth forming a long weekend and behaving similarly to Memorial Day when it does, that didn't happen.  In fact, from all the construction out there, you wouldn't even know that today was a holiday at all!  I guess the day off is only for the office workers.

They probably should have suspended for this Juneteenth.  The Thruway had a pretty epic backup between exits 29 and 29A this afternoon due to a lane closure.  It stretched for miles.  Including half a mile of totally stopped cars.  I wouldn't be surprised if the lane closure on I-81 for guiderail replacement did the same as the day went on.

Maybe suspending construction, but not the zones in anything more than a simple maintenance project.  Too much trouble and risk taking them down and up again.

[dgolub]

So New York typically suspends construction and construction-related lane closures (where physically possible, anyways) during the summer travel holidays.  But despite Juneteenth forming a long weekend and behaving similarly to Memorial Day when it does, that didn't happen.  In fact, from all the construction out there, you wouldn't even know that today was a holiday at all!  I guess the day off is only for the office workers.

They probably should have suspended for this Juneteenth.  The Thruway had a pretty epic backup between exits 29 and 29A this afternoon due to a lane closure.  It stretched for miles.  Including half a mile of totally stopped cars.  I wouldn't be surprised if the lane closure on I-81 for guiderail replacement did the same as the day went on.

To be fair, Juneteenth being a federal holiday is such a new thing that it's understandable that it may take them some time to figure out what people are going to do with it and what accommodations need to be made.

[vdeane]

So New York typically suspends construction and construction-related lane closures (where physically possible, anyways) during the summer travel holidays.  But despite Juneteenth forming a long weekend and behaving similarly to Memorial Day when it does, that didn't happen.  In fact, from all the construction out there, you wouldn't even know that today was a holiday at all!  I guess the day off is only for the office workers.

They probably should have suspended for this Juneteenth.  The Thruway had a pretty epic backup between exits 29 and 29A this afternoon due to a lane closure.  It stretched for miles.  Including half a mile of totally stopped cars.  I wouldn't be surprised if the lane closure on I-81 for guiderail replacement did the same as the day went on.

Maybe suspending construction, but not the zones in anything more than a simple maintenance project.  Too much trouble and risk taking them down and up again.

I mean, I'm not talking about things like undoing the lane restrictions on I-690 through downtown for Contract 4.  These are the ones I was thinking of yesterday:
-Guiderail replacement on the Thruway west of exit 29 (this was the one producing the miles-long backup in the afternoon)
-Guiderail replacement on I-81 near Tully or Lafayette
-Something on the shoulder of I-81 just north of the guiderail project
-Resurfacing on NY 5 west of NY 695 (double lane closure, ramp closures, active work despite the federal holiday)

So even the popup work zones were around/active on the three day weekend.  The Thruway even had the cameras out at exit 30.

[vdeane]

The state just announced "Central New York Forward", the project to improve traffic around Cicero for Micron.  One interesting thing I noticed is that the project limits on I-81 are the exact same area where they never updated the mile markers for the viaduct project.  I hope they're not planning to wait until this goes to construction to update them, but I can't help but wonder if they are.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-launch-central-new-york-forward-project-address-future

https://cnyforward.com

[Rothman]

The state just announced "Central New York Forward", the project to improve traffic around Cicero for Micron.  One interesting thing I noticed is that the project limits on I-81 are the exact same area where they never updated the mile markers for the viaduct project.  I hope they're not planning to wait until this goes to construction to update them, but I can't help but wonder if they are.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-launch-central-new-york-forward-project-address-future

https://cnyforward.com

The Notice of Intent was released, causing the announcement, but things have of course been happening around the Micron site and within SMTC (the MPO) for quite a while now in preparation.  Micron's EIS for the site itself (separate from NYSDOT's transportation project) was approved a while ago and materials coming in and out of the site have occurred 24/7 for some time and are ongoing (trucks, Trucks and TRUCKS!).

Pretty exciting stuff.

(personal opinion emphasized)

[webny99]

Is there realistically any major changes that could come to I-81 or NY 481 from this other than interchange improvements? I-81 is already six lanes, and I can't see NY 481 needing six unless Exit 2 becomes a full interchange.

[Rothman]

Is there realistically any major changes that could come to I-81 or NY 481 from this other than interchange improvements?

Other than interchange improvements?  No (also: Wut.). 

Are possible interchange improvements major?  Absolutely.

[webny99]

Is there realistically any major changes that could come to I-81 or NY 481 from this other than interchange improvements?

Other than interchange improvements?  No (also: Wut.). 

Are possible interchange improvements major?  Absolutely.

By that I was mostly referring to widening. I-81/NY 31 and I-481 Exit 2 are really the only interchanges where I could see major changes.

[vdeane]

By that I was mostly referring to widening. I-81/NY 31 and I-481 Exit 2 are really the only interchanges where I could see major changes.

IIRC there was a proposal related to Micron involving building a new interchange between exits 98 and 102, I think at Sneller Road.  I've also read articles mentioning Micron wanting massive widening on NY 31 and new roadway connections; those might be less likely.

[Rothman]

By that I was mostly referring to widening. I-81/NY 31 and I-481 Exit 2 are really the only interchanges where I could see major changes.

IIRC there was a proposal related to Micron involving building a new interchange between exits 98 and 102, I think at Sneller Road.  I've also read articles mentioning Micron wanting massive widening on NY 31 and new roadway connections; those might be less likely.

We'll see what happens...

[kalvado]

By that I was mostly referring to widening. I-81/NY 31 and I-481 Exit 2 are really the only interchanges where I could see major changes.

IIRC there was a proposal related to Micron involving building a new interchange between exits 98 and 102, I think at Sneller Road.  I've also read articles mentioning Micron wanting massive widening on NY 31 and new roadway connections; those might be less likely.

We'll see what happens...

I bet Micron would be very bully right now with the windfall from AI boom. How things will change with AI in general and Micron in particular is yet to be seen.

[Rothman]

By that I was mostly referring to widening. I-81/NY 31 and I-481 Exit 2 are really the only interchanges where I could see major changes.

IIRC there was a proposal related to Micron involving building a new interchange between exits 98 and 102, I think at Sneller Road.  I've also read articles mentioning Micron wanting massive widening on NY 31 and new roadway connections; those might be less likely.

We'll see what happens...

I bet Micron would be very bully right now with the windfall from AI boom. How things will change with AI in general and Micron in particular is yet to be seen.

Fab 1 is being built nonetheless, so we're talking much more short-term in terms of impacts and transportation improvements than trying to predict if there will be an AI bust.

The more I talk to my AI-developer relatives, the more I think the bust is further away than some on here may think.

[kalvado]

By that I was mostly referring to widening. I-81/NY 31 and I-481 Exit 2 are really the only interchanges where I could see major changes.

IIRC there was a proposal related to Micron involving building a new interchange between exits 98 and 102, I think at Sneller Road.  I've also read articles mentioning Micron wanting massive widening on NY 31 and new roadway connections; those might be less likely.

We'll see what happens...

I bet Micron would be very bully right now with the windfall from AI boom. How things will change with AI in general and Micron in particular is yet to be seen.

Fab 1 is being built nonetheless, so we're talking much more short-term in terms of impacts and transportation improvements than trying to predict if there will be an AI bust.

The more I talk to my AI-developer relatives, the more I think the bust is further away than some on here may think.

Yet the point is hardware companies get bold with all the money they are getting. There is a discussion of a company which wants to raze newly built apartment complex and chop some Pine Bush in Albany for a new fab. Because they got the money!

[vdeane]

The more I talk to my AI-developer relatives, the more I think the bust is further away than some on here may think.

Yeah, I think the people who keep predicting that AI will go bust, everyone will collectively decide that it's a stupid waste of money/resources, and everything will go back to the way it was are engaging in wishful thinking.  Look at how the .com bubble burst: stocks tanked, a lot of places that were obviously nonviable even before then went bust, but the internet didn't go away, in fact, it only became more relevant to everyone's day to day life in the years that followed.  The people claiming that AI is going to go bust and disappear these days are making claims similar to if someone said that the internet would go bust and disappear back then.  Sure, stocks will tank, and there will be corrections on how/where AI is used... but AI itself is here to stay.

There is a discussion of a company which wants to raze newly built apartment complex and chop some Pine Bush in Albany for a new fab. Because they got the money!

Wait what?  I'm familiar with the one on the south end that's become controversial (I think near the Thruway?)... there's another one?

[kalvado]

.

There is a discussion of a company which wants to raze newly built apartment complex and chop some Pine Bush in Albany for a new fab. Because they got the money!

Wait what?  I'm familiar with the one on the south end that's become controversial (I think near the Thruway?)... there's another one?

That's a totally different story, and it's on a rumor level yet, I think nothing is officially public

[Rothman]

.

There is a discussion of a company which wants to raze newly built apartment complex and chop some Pine Bush in Albany for a new fab. Because they got the money!

Wait what?  I'm familiar with the one on the south end that's become controversial (I think near the Thruway?)... there's another one?

That's a totally different story, and it's on a rumor level yet, I think nothing is officially public

So...from whence the rumors?

[kalvado]

.

There is a discussion of a company which wants to raze newly built apartment complex and chop some Pine Bush in Albany for a new fab. Because they got the money!

Wait what?  I'm familiar with the one on the south end that's become controversial (I think near the Thruway?)... there's another one?

That's a totally different story, and it's on a rumor level yet, I think nothing is officially public

So...from whence the rumors?

Something about me not being sure if it falls  under my non disclosure...

[Rothman]

.

There is a discussion of a company which wants to raze newly built apartment complex and chop some Pine Bush in Albany for a new fab. Because they got the money!

Wait what?  I'm familiar with the one on the south end that's become controversial (I think near the Thruway?)... there's another one?

That's a totally different story, and it's on a rumor level yet, I think nothing is officially public

So...from whence the rumors?

Something about me not being sure if it falls  under my non disclosure...

*blinks*

Erm, if that was an issue, you shouldn't have said something in the first place.