I-70 Topeka Polk-Quincy Viaduct changes.

[silverback1065]

was there any local opposition to this project? 

[route56]

was there any local opposition to this project? 

Bike Topeka endorsed the idea of routing I-70 traffic onto I-470 and getting rid of the freeway through Downtown Topeka altogether; however, I did not read an SLT-level opposition to the project.

[route56]

I am bumping this thread to note that the Polk-Quincy project is ready for bids at the October 2024 KDOT letting.

[bugo]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

[bugo]

They don't have the balls to have the common sense not to try anything else.

[Rothman]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

I don't see them tearing down all of I-90.

[bugo]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

I don't see them tearing down all of I-90.

Hyperbole.

[seicer]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

You seem to be quite a pleasant person to be around.

[Rothman]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

I don't see them tearing down all of I-90.

Hyperbole.

Indeed.

[SEWIGuy]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

Yikes.

And I like them.

[Plutonic Panda]

I agree they shouldn't be tearing this one out. Big mistake.

[route56]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

Just so anyone is not confused by Bugo's satire, the Polk-Quincy Viaduct is effectively being replaced in-kind. Once completed, I-70 will be back to four lanes through Downtown Topeka.

[route56]

The awarded bid for the Polk-Quincy replacment project was to a joint venture between Bettis Asphalt and Koss Construction for $239.2 million.

[rte66man]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

Just so anyone is not confused by Bugo's satire, the Polk-Quincy Viaduct is effectively being replaced in-kind. Once completed, I-70 will be back to four lanes through Downtown Topeka.

Why did they not make it 6 lanes? I realize 70 is 4-laned west of there but it seems a little short-sighted.

[seicer]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

Just so anyone is not confused by Bugo's satire, the Polk-Quincy Viaduct is effectively being replaced in-kind. Once completed, I-70 will be back to four lanes through Downtown Topeka.

Why did they not make it 6 lanes? I realize 70 is 4-laned west of there but it seems a little short-sighted.

There is not enough traffic demand for six lanes, now or in the future. The number of lanes isn't determined just by AADT but by other factors. (I posted about this a while back.)

[J N Winkler]

Why did they not make it 6 lanes? I realize 70 is 4-laned west of there but it seems a little short-sighted.

There is no real need--Topeka is barely above its 1970 population and has lost cornerstone employers like the AT&SF and the Menninger Clinic.

[JayhawkCO]

Why did they not make it 6 lanes? I realize 70 is 4-laned west of there but it seems a little short-sighted.

There is no real need--Topeka is barely above its 1970 population and has lost cornerstone employers like the AT&SF and the Menninger Clinic.

And for those that haven't been to Topeka multiple times, that doesn't seem like it's anything that will be different in years to come. It's the Youngstown/Warren of Kansas without a doubt.

[The Ghostbuster]

Would it be possible to build caps over Interstate 70 between SE 6th Ave. and SE 10th Ave.? Or can caps only be built over where there are no adjoining on or off-ramps? Just a thought I had.

[PColumbus73]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

You seem to be quite a pleasant person to be around.

Personally, freeways should respond to traffic, both upsizing and downsizing as necessary. If a freeway becomes congested, add lanes, if volumes fall with a low chance of recovery, then DOTs are spending more to maintain a road than it's worth. Similar to the discussions regarding I-229 in St. Joseph, MO.

If the temporary Super-2 of in downtown Topeka works just fine, then maybe there's a case that I-70 is/was currently overbuilt. Might also make the case to allow more Super-2s in the Interstate system- maybe not everywhere, but in certain situations.

[silverback1065]

They need to quit tearing down freeways. Give the "new urbanist" motherfuckers an inch and they'll tear down all of I-90. This shit does nothing but empower them to tear down as many urban highways as possible. They've become so bold that they want to "reconnect" neighborhoods that haven't existed in 50 years. We need to stand up to these bullies. Bunch of ninnies. This kind of bullshit is why a everybody hates these car hating fruity loops.

You seem to be quite a pleasant person to be around.

Personally, freeways should respond to traffic, both upsizing and downsizing as necessary. If a freeway becomes congested, add lanes, if volumes fall with a low chance of recovery, then DOTs are spending more to maintain a road than it's worth. Similar to the discussions regarding I-229 in St. Joseph, MO.

If the temporary Super-2 of in downtown Topeka works just fine, then maybe there's a case that I-70 is/was currently overbuilt. Might also make the case to allow more Super-2s in the Interstate system- maybe not everywhere, but in certain situations.

Completely disagree interstate standards are interstate standards. if you downgrade to a super 2 it's not an interstate, plan and simple. uniform standards matter.

[The Ghostbuster]

Tell that to Interstate 93 along the Franconia Notch Parkway in northern New Hampshire. I, of course, know it was built that way as to not disturb the "Old Man of the Mountain" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Mountain) rock formation (which collapsed in 2003), among other limiting environmental factors. There are still a few other locations on the Interstate System where the roadway is not two lanes in each direction, but I don't see them being altered anytime soon.

[silverback1065]

Tell that to Interstate 93 along the Franconia Notch Parkway in northern New Hampshire. I, of course, know it was built that way as to not disturb the "Old Man of the Mountain" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Mountain) rock formation (which collapsed in 2003), among other limiting environmental factors. There are still a few other locations on the Interstate System where the roadway is not two lanes in each direction, but I don't see them being altered anytime soon.

That is not relevant to this discussion. Environmental factors are not the reasoning for this situation. and those freeway segments are not super 2's they are still freeway grade as they are completely divided and fully limited access. going from a full freeway to a super 2 is not a good idea in this situation and altering freeway standards in this situation is not a good idea. 93 in NH is still divided and fully limited access. And yes, I am aware of the original plans for I-64 too, but that was also to be fully divided fully limited access. 

[PColumbus73]

Tell that to Interstate 93 along the Franconia Notch Parkway in northern New Hampshire. I, of course, know it was built that way as to not disturb the "Old Man of the Mountain" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Mountain) rock formation (which collapsed in 2003), among other limiting environmental factors. There are still a few other locations on the Interstate System where the roadway is not two lanes in each direction, but I don't see them being altered anytime soon.

That is not relevant to this discussion. Environmental factors are not the reasoning for this situation. and those freeway segments are not super 2's they are still freeway grade as they are completely divided and fully limited access. going from a full freeway to a super 2 is not a good idea in this situation and altering freeway standards in this situation is not a good idea. 93 in NH is still divided and fully limited access. And yes, I am aware of the original plans for I-64 too, but that was also to be fully divided fully limited access. 

I had the understanding that 'Super-2' applies to any 2-lane controlled access highway, regardless of them being physically divided.

[Rothman]

I-93's configuration simply predates a lot of FHWA's current nitpickyness.  They would never approve of a downgrading of an Interstate to a two-lane limited access (remember that AARoads' "Super 2" definition is not the engineering definition...).

So, any idea like that is moot.

[bugo]

That is not relevant to this discussion. Environmental factors are not the reasoning for this situation. and those freeway segments are not super 2's they are still freeway grade as they are completely divided and fully limited access. going from a full freeway to a super 2 is not a good idea in this situation and altering freeway standards in this situation is not a good idea. 93 in NH is still divided and fully limited access. And yes, I am aware of the original plans for I-64 too, but that was also to be fully divided fully limited access.

What's the story about the 2 lane I-64?