Comments for Roadguy

Comment on Mailbag: A new highway, and an old one by Froggie

Froggie — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:54:52 +0000

Monte’s explanation for the asphalt vs. concrete is probably mostly correct. It SHOULD have been concrete at least to the west end of the CR 147 interchange.

West of that point, I could see asphalt because it’s A) the end of the 4-lane, and B) preliminary options for extending the 4-lane out to Cologne have it running north of existing 212 for the first part west of CR 147.

On a related note, I know the road at the west end used to be CR 147, and it’s labeled as such in most of the construction project correspondence, but MnDOT’s County and Twin Cities street series maps show it as a realigned CR 11 instead. My question is how is it signed in the field?

As for Keith’s question on signage: the contractor is the main party responsible for signage, with MnDOT oversight. A quick phone call or E-mail to the project manager should get you an answer to the problem.

Comment on Mailbag: A new highway, and an old one by Monte

Monte — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:33:57 +0000

As for the asphalt, I think the simplest explanation, that Mn/DOT is being shortsightedly cheap is probably right. A preferred alignment for the new MN 41 bridge hasn’t even been identified yet, and previous thinking was that it would be east of the present MN 41.

In days past they would use asphalt on soft soils, like the center section of I-394, but now if the soil is soft they’ll put down a layer of asphalt and then one of concrete to build a road for the long term.

Comment on When traffic signals take the night off by Monte

Monte — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:50:11 +0000

It is an inkblot test. If you see a stoplight your a roadgeek. If you see something else, say a dumbell, you’re not.

Comment on Bikes vs. cars: Here’s what the police say by Steve

Steve — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:32:08 +0000

Funny how Morg ends his post by stating: “Yep. It’s all about YOU” (referring to cyclists)

Funny how when bicyclists, by law, have the same rights to the roads as autos (except where restricted like freeways)he automatically assumes that the traffic referred to in the law regarding hindering the normal and resonalbe flow of traffic doesn’t include bicycles….

and just what exactly is “normal and resonable”…on Summer mornings in Minneapolis where bicyclists often out number cars we should just assume that the cars are the “norm” and traveling over the 25 mph speed limit is “resonable”

Yep Morg, seems like it’s all about YOU

Comment on Mailbag: A new highway, and an old one by Matty

Matty — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:11:01 +0000

beaarthur,

While the Megabus was by far the most economical option, you do get what you pay for it seems. Our scheduled driver didn’t show up for work so by the time the replacement driver arrived and found the way to the U of M stop (this took a couple of backtracking maneuvers because the driver didn’t know how to get there we departed we hit I-94 two hours after scheduled departure.

The next adventure happened in Milwaukee where our driver decided to bypass the downtown stop and instead headed directly to a stop at a park and ride on the south end of Milwaukee. After a long wait and much confusion we headed back into Milwaukee to make the downtown stop before finally heading towards Chicago where we were just in time for some nice rush hour traffic on 94.

We arrived in Chicago at 7 pm, about 4 hours later than scheduled. It seemed that at least a couple of passengers had hoped to connect with another Megabus in Chicago. These folks had to make other plans, unfortunately.

The passengers were very well behaved (even a couple of young children with only about 30 seconds of whining). The bus was clean and nice, etc. and we had a good view up top of the double decker.

The Megabus cost us $90 for two passengers round trip. Amtrak would have cost us $440, but all the trains were sold out well into August when we were making plans about a month ago. NWA was around $900 if memory serves me.

This experience demonstrates our need for a high speed rail line between St. Paul and Chicago. We need this investment in the worst way.

Comment on Mailbag: A new highway, and an old one by beaarthur

beaarthur — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:26:37 +0000

Matty - I forgot to ask: How was your Megabus experience? I’ve been contemplating taking it to Chicago for some more beachcombing and have heard mixed experiences. How was the clientele (i.e. screaming babies, goats, souvlaki vendors running rampant?)

Roadguy: Maybe a separate Megabus topic would be in order?

Comment on Mailbag: A new highway, and an old one by Matty

Matty — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:53:09 +0000

We’re staying just a couple of blocks to the west of Oak Street Beach–it’s pretty swanky over here in the Gold Coast n’hood. No $10 bills yet, but there will be a couple of gin and tonics in our future.

On the transportation front, Chicago is wonderful. There’s so much congestion that it reduces unnecessary driving trips because they are so difficult to take. We just witnessed a man running down the middle of State Street with some sort of spring shoes on that I haven’t seen before. He was moving just as fast as traffic so he took the lane. He did almost get doored by a guy getting out of a cab though. Like most places the taxi cabs are the biggest problem on the roads with their impatient and aggressive driving.

We also chatted with a woman who just dismounted her bicycle imported from Holland. That was a nice vehicle. Very utilitarian.

See you next week Twin Cities.

Comment on Mailbag: A new highway, and an old one by beaarthur

beaarthur — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:54:45 +0000

I found a $10 bill on the Oak Street Beach when I lived in Chicago 10 years ago. I bought my friends vodka tonics with it, the proceeded to my one-woman show at the Annoyance Theater.

Comment on Mailbag: A new highway, and an old one by Matty

Matty — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:25:26 +0000

Hey Jim (Roadguy),

I suggest you take some photos of the massive freeway viaduct wasteland in the center of downtown Milwaukee. It must take up about 5 square blocks in the heart of the city. It’s kind of like our spot between the U and the Metrodome on steroids.

I had the pleasure of experiencing it yesterday on my marathon journey on the Megabus to Chicago. Here in Chicago, there are fewer freeways cutting things up in the central city (although there are a couple). Well, I’m off to a late breakfast before some relaxing on the beach.

Enjoy the new road in Eden Prairie while I’m gone (and while it’s not congested).

Comment on Mailbag: A new highway, and an old one by JDS

JDS — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:18:50 +0000

To answer kieth’s question about pavements, the reason MNDOT paved the connection to the old 2 lane section past the creek asphalt is probably in relation to the new 41 bridge that is planned to be built in the future. Asphalt lasts about 20 years, then with a mill and overlay you can get another 20 years. In this process they grind off the first inch to upwards of two inches and repave it with asphalt. Many states, including Minnesota, do a second mill and overlay where they try to get another 15 years. Concrete even on an urban section with proper maintenance will last 50-60 years. Granted those are very general time frames that do vary between each state and Minnesota is a state where obviously pavements do not last as long. They probably determined if they paved the highway concrete the pavement would be torn up prematurely for the bridge connection. As for the signs, MNDOT is probably aware of the improper signage, but it can sometimes take months from the time they order signs to receive them. That certainly is a case of some poorer planning although MNDOT probably plans to fix it soon.