Interstate 81 in Syracuse

[ixnay]

I read that one of the reasons I-40 was returned to its original routing—other than "driver confusion"—was that the state would have to pay for all maintenance and repairs without any help from the federal government.

I-40 at what location?

[74/171FAN]

I read that one of the reasons I-40 was returned to its original routing—other than "driver confusion"—was that the state would have to pay for all maintenance and repairs without any help from the federal government.

I-40 at what location?

I am presuming the I-40 Greensboro 2008 Hokey Pokey.

[The Ghostbuster]

It has to be. Interstate 40 in Winston-Salem is still on its post-1992 routing.

[Strider]

Thank you for providing information about the eligibility requirements I was not aware of—mainly the 80% vs 90% because of renumbering to a business route.  At least the state doesn't have to pay for all maintenance for that section. 

It still sounds a bit odd to be seeing and mentioning a business Interstate in the Northeastern section of our country.  It kind of feels like a "Carolina" thing to do.  However, renumbering former I-81 to "Green 81" is the simplest way to go.

"Carolina" thing? Do you know there are plenty of Business Interstate routes in other parts of the U.S.?

[amroad17]

I apologize about not clarifying the I-40 section I mentioned.  Yes, I meant in Greensboro.

I am aware of many Business Interstate Highways throughout the US, however, with the exception of Business I-80 in Sacramento, it seems that the only Business Interstate freeways were in Winston-Salem (formerly) and Greensboro, NC  and Spartanburg, SC.  And yes, I am aware that not all of Green 81 is not a freeway—just the northern portion.  That is what I meant about it being a "Carolina" thing to do.

[machias]

I was in Syracuse for the last 10 or so days and had a lot of opportunity to drive through all of the construction in the area.  Some random observations:

1. It's really cool that the northbound exit for Business 81 north from I-81 North is Exit 81.
2. It's also really cool that the new exit number for I-90/Thruway is Exit 90. Also, Albany/Buffalo has been perpetuated on all of the signs in both directions on current I-481.
3. I found it odd that NYSDOT went to the effort of having EXIT 1 MILE covered with "1 MILE" (and other distances) ON NY Route 690 when they added interchange numbers through there.  I can think of plenty of places where there's an exit number and "EXIT 1 MILE" on the main sign elsewhere in the state.
4. NYSDOT Region 3 does REALLY well with their sign designs. Thanks to whomever for not following the sign suggestions on the plans that were released to the public (the Downtown Syracuse stuff, 5.5 miles, etc) and they actually brought the signs to standards
5. The northern 81/481 interchange is coming along nicely. The bridge construction on the southern interchange seems a little bit behind the northern project.
6. There are 81 reassurance shields along 481 that are either covered up or have the 481 markers directly in front of them
7. Future Business 81 south of the viaduct is making good progress. I couldn't remember the placement of future interchanges, but I see a new ramp southbound right before the 481/81 southern interchange.
8. The new southbound ramps for Bear Street is coming along.
9. Lots of construction and subsequent backups EVERYWHERE in the vicinity of the entire project. Especially night work just north of the current I-81/690 interchange.
10. Exit numbers are all over the place right now, but region 3 is being consistent on the placement of the "OLD EXIT XX" banners.

All in all it's coming along. I feel like the northern leg of Business 81 will be way over engineered once thru traffic is diverted away, but only time will tell.

[webny99]

I was in Syracuse for the last 10 or so days and had a lot of opportunity to drive through all of the construction in the area.  Some random observations:
...

3. I found it odd that NYSDOT went to the effort of having EXIT 1 MILE covered with "1 MILE" (and other distances) ON NY Route 690 when they added interchange numbers through there.  I can think of plenty of places where there's an exit number and "EXIT 1 MILE" on the main sign elsewhere in the state.

Any specific examples of this?

Technically the word EXIT is redundant when exits are numbered, and NYSDOT does seem to typically stick to one or the other. I'm sure there's examples of both being used but I can't think of any in western NY.

[vdeane]

I was in Syracuse for the last 10 or so days and had a lot of opportunity to drive through all of the construction in the area.  Some random observations:
...

3. I found it odd that NYSDOT went to the effort of having EXIT 1 MILE covered with "1 MILE" (and other distances) ON NY Route 690 when they added interchange numbers through there.  I can think of plenty of places where there's an exit number and "EXIT 1 MILE" on the main sign elsewhere in the state.

Any specific examples of this?

Technically the word EXIT is redundant when exits are numbered, and NYSDOT does seem to typically stick to one or the other. I'm sure there's examples of both being used but I can't think of any in western NY.

Don't even have to go very far from Rochester.  Not far at all...

It used to be very common around Rochester, before the current generation of signs.  I assume they were erected before the roads got exit numbers (which was not too long before I was born).

The reason for the greenout is due to the MUTCD:

The distance message shall read XX MILE(S) where exit numbers are used. Where exit numbers are
not used, the distance message shall read EXIT XX MILE(S) for an interchange with one exit ramp, and
EXITS XX MILE(S) for an interchange with two or more exit ramps.

[webny99]

Any specific examples of this?

Technically the word EXIT is redundant when exits are numbered, and NYSDOT does seem to typically stick to one or the other. I'm sure there's examples of both being used but I can't think of any in western NY.

Don't even have to go very far from Rochester.  Not far at all...

It used to be very common around Rochester, before the current generation of signs.  I assume they were erected before the roads got exit numbers (which was not too long before I was born).

Fair, although I was thinking of entire routes, not individual sign panels. I am surprised this one has made it so long given how many other signs in the area have been replaced.

[Henry]

I apologize about not clarifying the I-40 section I mentioned.  Yes, I meant in Greensboro.

I am aware of many Business Interstate Highways throughout the US, however, with the exception of Business I-80 in Sacramento, it seems that the only Business Interstate freeways were in Winston-Salem (formerly) and Greensboro, NC  and Spartanburg, SC.  And yes, I am aware that not all of Green 81 is not a freeway—just the northern portion.  That is what I meant about it being a "Carolina" thing to do.

BL 85 in Greensboro is gone too; it's now just US 29. But BL 85 in Spartanburg still exists.

[machias]

I was in Syracuse for the last 10 or so days and had a lot of opportunity to drive through all of the construction in the area.  Some random observations:
...

3. I found it odd that NYSDOT went to the effort of having EXIT 1 MILE covered with "1 MILE" (and other distances) ON NY Route 690 when they added interchange numbers through there.  I can think of plenty of places where there's an exit number and "EXIT 1 MILE" on the main sign elsewhere in the state.

Any specific examples of this?

Technically the word EXIT is redundant when exits are numbered, and NYSDOT does seem to typically stick to one or the other. I'm sure there's examples of both being used but I can't think of any in western NY.

I was thinking of the Rochester area, but also along NY Route 17/I-86 between Salamanca and Olean. I don't know if those signs are still there, but I know there were two generations (original button copy, the second being the non-button copy replacement) with that type of legend.

[machias]

The reason for the greenout is due to the MUTCD:

The distance message shall read XX MILE(S) where exit numbers are used. Where exit numbers are
not used, the distance message shall read EXIT XX MILE(S) for an interchange with one exit ramp, and
EXITS XX MILE(S) for an interchange with two or more exit ramps.

Maybe I'm getting old and cranky, but I'm starting to find the MUTCD a little too restrictive around things that don't really matter. No one is going to go flying off the NY Route 690 roadway because there's an extra word of "exit" at the bottom of the sign. Especially since a couple of the new patches don't have the "1/2" spaced properly.

[machias]

I also noticed there's a quite a few new (before the project) signs in the Syracuse area where the Interstate markers are already peeling off the sign. Also, one of the exit sequence signs for Caughdenoy Rd. on NY Route 481 has lost half its letters. Since the interchange has the new 2 / 1 / 1/2 mile sequence signs Region 3 is now big on, those signs aren't very old to be losing their lettering already.

[Rothman]

I also noticed there's a quite a few new (before the project) signs in the Syracuse area where the Interstate markers are already peeling off the sign. Also, one of the exit sequence signs for Caughdenoy Rd. on NY Route 481 has lost half its letters. Since the interchange has the new 2 / 1 / 1/2 mile sequence signs Region 3 is now big on, those signs aren't very old to be losing their lettering already.

Please refer to the weather Syracuse had this past winter... ;D

[vdeane]

I have noticed that newer signs are more prone to peeling than older ones have been and I wouldn't consider that an issue specific to Region 3.

[abqtraveler]

I have noticed that newer signs are more prone to peeling than older ones have been and I wouldn't consider that an issue specific to Region 3.

Might be a quality issue with the signs that the sign vendor should rectify under warranty.

[kalvado]

I have noticed that newer signs are more prone to peeling than older ones have been and I wouldn't consider that an issue specific to Region 3.

Might be a quality issue with the signs that the sign vendor should rectify under warranty.

Same film contract as affected peeling license plates?

[Rothman]

I have noticed that newer signs are more prone to peeling than older ones have been and I wouldn't consider that an issue specific to Region 3.

Might be a quality issue with the signs that the sign vendor should rectify under warranty.

Same film contract as affected peeling license plates?

Hey, DMV fixed that when it got away from the yellow again.