After a lengthy daytrip today, I found more to add to the strangeness category:
- Sprawl up the wazoo in northern Stafford County. The SR 610 corridor was thick with it.
- A VDOT-installation red left arrow signal, at SR 610/SR 648 in Stafford County. Strange because VDOT's standard has long been a normal red ball for left turn signals.
- Numbered bike routes in southeastern Culpeper County.
- Froggie's "requisite gravel roads" (it's almost a requirement for me to wind up on a gravel road on my roadtrips): SR 672 and SR 724 in Culpeper County.
- The newer segment of US 340, between BUSINESS US 340 and US 211 West (southwest of Luray) has both full paved shoulders and a few "No Passing Zone" signs delinating the no passing zones. While neither is unheard of on Virginia highways, they're not exactly common either.
- Luray has what looked to be a relatively new bike/ped path running north-south through most of town, and generally following Hawksbill Creek. On this warm, sunny (albeit somewhat humid) day, it was getting a lot of use.
- At Overall (there's a place name for ya...ranks up there with "Thoroughfare" along VA 55), VDOT built a brand new bridge last year for US 340 crossing Overall Run. The old bridge, built ca. 1937 (don't remember the year on the plaque offhand) is still intact, complete with pavement markings, though the northern approach has been all but obliterated (the southern approach is part of the new access to SR 665). If that wasn't enough, there's a neat railroad trestle right next to (and sitting about 20 feet higher than) the two road bridges.
- And that's not all in Overall, as there's also a pair of "circle 340 shields" where SR 665 meets US 340.
- Just to the north in Bentonville is what looks to be a relatively new US 340 cutout shield.
- In eastern Shenandoah County, within range of Front Royal and sandwiched between two mountains (Green and Massanutten), lies the roughly-20-mile-long Fort Valley. There's only a small handful of ways in/out of the valley, all of which appear to involve either crossing mountains or threading through narrow, twisty, and somewhat steep gorges that creeks have cut through the mountains. Still, it was a very scenic drive.
- One of the above-mentioned mountain crossings...SR 675 across Massanutten Mountain...has a very awesome view looking out over Luray and part of the Page Valley (South Fork of the Shenandoah River).
March 29, 2009
March 28, 2009
A strange sight today...
Putzing around Prince William County today, I found something quite strange. SR 619, at least between I-95/Exit 150 and SR 646 near Independent Hill, has mileposts along the side of the road. The mileposts count down as you head northwest away from I-95 and are high enough to suggest that "Mile 0" is where SR 619 begins at US 29 in Gainesville.
This is the only time I've ever seen mileposts on a secondary route in Virginia. Heck, most of their primary and U.S. routes don't even have mileposts.
Unfortunately, it was drizzling/light rain out so I don't think I got a good photo. But I'll definately have to head back.
This is the only time I've ever seen mileposts on a secondary route in Virginia. Heck, most of their primary and U.S. routes don't even have mileposts.
Unfortunately, it was drizzling/light rain out so I don't think I got a good photo. But I'll definately have to head back.
March 25, 2009
Kansas and Nebraska photo additions
Continuing my apparent recent trend of daily updates, I've added Kansas and Nebraska gallery pages tonight.
In Kansas, I've added 13 photos of KS 7 (K-7 for you nitpickers) between US 36 near Troy and Atchison.
In Nebraska, I've cleared out the rest of my Nebraska photos, adding 14 photos of US 20 between the Wyoming line and US 385 near Chadron.
Lastly, I took the I-480 Omaha photos off the default Nebraska page and gave them their own page, in a Simpleviewer format.
In Kansas, I've added 13 photos of KS 7 (K-7 for you nitpickers) between US 36 near Troy and Atchison.
In Nebraska, I've cleared out the rest of my Nebraska photos, adding 14 photos of US 20 between the Wyoming line and US 385 near Chadron.
Lastly, I took the I-480 Omaha photos off the default Nebraska page and gave them their own page, in a Simpleviewer format.
One thing I forgot...
For the transit hacks out there (especially those who like maps of fantasy transit systems), I've put my Fantasy Twin Cities system into a PDF format.
March 24, 2009
Webpage photo updates
The first of what I hope to be many blog posts about updates to my websites.
A few weeks ago, I uploaded the rest of my Wyoming photos, from the 2005 summer vacation Meaghan and I took out West. New pages were created for I-25, I-80, US 20, and WY 220. All were done in the Simpleviewer format I've started to use in recent months. My US 30 and US 287 pages were also updated to the Simpleviewer format. Lastly, I added the rest of my miscellaneous photos.
Over this past weekend, I did the same with my Utah photos from the same 2005 vacation. New pages were created for US 6 (from north of I-70 to UT 96), US 89 (Logan to Garden City), and the US 89/US 91 duplex. And the rest of my miscellaneous photos were also added.
Tonight, I updated two of my Minnesota photo pages. Added 1 eastbound and 4 westbound photos to the I-94 page, including new termini photos for both MN 100 and MN 252. The other updated page was the I-94/I-694 duplex page, with 9 westbound photos from the 2003-2005 widening project.
A few weeks ago, I uploaded the rest of my Wyoming photos, from the 2005 summer vacation Meaghan and I took out West. New pages were created for I-25, I-80, US 20, and WY 220. All were done in the Simpleviewer format I've started to use in recent months. My US 30 and US 287 pages were also updated to the Simpleviewer format. Lastly, I added the rest of my miscellaneous photos.
Over this past weekend, I did the same with my Utah photos from the same 2005 vacation. New pages were created for US 6 (from north of I-70 to UT 96), US 89 (Logan to Garden City), and the US 89/US 91 duplex. And the rest of my miscellaneous photos were also added.
Tonight, I updated two of my Minnesota photo pages. Added 1 eastbound and 4 westbound photos to the I-94 page, including new termini photos for both MN 100 and MN 252. The other updated page was the I-94/I-694 duplex page, with 9 westbound photos from the 2003-2005 widening project.
Way too long of a delay...
Feels weird being on here for the first time since Gustav. A lot's happened in the past six months...I transferred from Mississippi to the D.C. area...I'm trying to get a feel for the DC area and my new duty station (the Naval Ice Center), and I've seen Meaghan more times in the past 6 months than I did the whole time down in Mississippi.
But I think I'll start posting here on the blog more often. I'll also start using the blog to announce website updates, so stay tuned.
But I think I'll start posting here on the blog more often. I'll also start using the blog to announce website updates, so stay tuned.
September 02, 2008
Tuesday morning
We got lucky here in Picayune. Drove around town yesterday afternoon and this morning, and all I saw were a couple trees, tree branches, power lines, and one I-59 highway sign blown down. Several leaves and small branches all over, but the roads are still passable.
While it doesn't make for exciting photo/video potential, I'm glad we got off with minimal damage.
Those photos I did take are posted on the website, while videos are posted on YouTube.
While it doesn't make for exciting photo/video potential, I'm glad we got off with minimal damage.
Those photos I did take are posted on the website, while videos are posted on YouTube.
September 01, 2008
2:40pm update
Still have power here, though there are parts of Picayune that don't.
Still have tropical-storm force winds in the Picayune area, and we're in the middle of a feeder band that's passing through, so it's a bit wet again. We did have a break in the rain around 1:00pm CDT.
Took a quick drive around town to check on some of our people and to view the damage thus far. Only minor damage in Picayune from what I could see...one tree fallen and a few downed power lines.
Even looks like a CVS Pharmacy and a couple of gas station convenience stores are open, but that's about it.
I-59 is open in both directions...I took it southbound from Exit 6 (MS 43 North) to Exit 1 (US 11/MS 607) during my drive around. Of course, there's very little traffic out on the roads, and between the wind and the rain I was only going about 50 MPH.
Some traffic signals were still operating...mainly on Memorial Blvd and US 11. Except at US 11/MS 43, all of the MS 43 and I-59 ramp traffic signals were dark.
One guide sign blown over...the 1 mile advance guide sign for Exit 1 on southbound I-59.
SunHerald is reporting that MDOT and the Hancock County Sheriff's Department have closed MS 43/603 between US 90 and I-10 due to flooding.
SunHerald also had photos and video up of the storm surge overrunning US 90 along the beach in Gulfport.
Took some snaps and some video while I was out. Am in the process of uploading.
Still have tropical-storm force winds in the Picayune area, and we're in the middle of a feeder band that's passing through, so it's a bit wet again. We did have a break in the rain around 1:00pm CDT.
Took a quick drive around town to check on some of our people and to view the damage thus far. Only minor damage in Picayune from what I could see...one tree fallen and a few downed power lines.
Even looks like a CVS Pharmacy and a couple of gas station convenience stores are open, but that's about it.
I-59 is open in both directions...I took it southbound from Exit 6 (MS 43 North) to Exit 1 (US 11/MS 607) during my drive around. Of course, there's very little traffic out on the roads, and between the wind and the rain I was only going about 50 MPH.
Some traffic signals were still operating...mainly on Memorial Blvd and US 11. Except at US 11/MS 43, all of the MS 43 and I-59 ramp traffic signals were dark.
One guide sign blown over...the 1 mile advance guide sign for Exit 1 on southbound I-59.
SunHerald is reporting that MDOT and the Hancock County Sheriff's Department have closed MS 43/603 between US 90 and I-10 due to flooding.
SunHerald also had photos and video up of the storm surge overrunning US 90 along the beach in Gulfport.
Took some snaps and some video while I was out. Am in the process of uploading.
So far so good...
Getting a bit of rain now in Picayune from Gustav, which is about to make landfall somewhere in Terrebonne Parish, LA. Winds I'd estimate at around 40-50 MPH here (of course much higher near the center).
Some reports of power outages around the area...but surprising, reports that crews are out in the weather working to restore power. I'd have expected them to wait until conditions died down this evening before heading out. I know I am, though I might still head out to the car and shoot some pictures if I can do it without drenching my camera.
Already a couple of reported (but unconfirmed) tornadoes...one near the port in Gulfport and another near Slidell/Pearl River (which theoretically would've gone right over Stennis...i.e. my office).
Posting this now as the power flickers.
Some reports of power outages around the area...but surprising, reports that crews are out in the weather working to restore power. I'd have expected them to wait until conditions died down this evening before heading out. I know I am, though I might still head out to the car and shoot some pictures if I can do it without drenching my camera.
Already a couple of reported (but unconfirmed) tornadoes...one near the port in Gulfport and another near Slidell/Pearl River (which theoretically would've gone right over Stennis...i.e. my office).
Posting this now as the power flickers.
August 19, 2008
Meanwhile, back on the home front...
More MnDOT controversy this time....or moreso silence.
There's been a lot of talk and articles lately on the transportation funding bill passed (actually veto-overridden) by the Legislature early this spring, and on one Republican representative in particular.
Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) is one of six Republicans who voted to override Pawlenty's veto of the transportation funding bill, giving MnDOT its first major cash infusion (MVST phase-in notwithstanding...and that has problems of its own as it is) in years.
So you'd think everything was fine and dandy, and MnDOT now has funding...plus a means to pay back bonds...to get some much-needed and delayed projects running. And to an extent, it has...the 169 "Devil's Triangle" near Osseo had repeatedly been delayed...lastly by its funding being shifted to keep the Crosstown Commons on track. And it's now under construction. Some needed bridge replacements, including I-90 at Dresbach, US 52 Lafayette Bridge, and the US 61 Hastings bridge, are now funded and scheduled.
Stop the presses.
It seems there's a minor blurb in the funding bill that directs MnDOT to "finish Highway 60".
And indeed there is. Article 2, Section 3, Subdivision 2(e). It directs MnDOT to spend bond funds in District 7 to "accelerate all projects" that meet certain criteria...namely IRC projects that have an EIS completed, are included in the long-range plan, and add capacity. Interestingly, only Highway 60 meets this criteria.
The section between the Iowa line and Worthington is slated, but the section between Windom and St. James is still unscheduled, much to the dismay of local residents.
So a lot of the attention lately has been on this lack of scheduling, articles written by both Rep. Hamilton and other Legislative members, and this otherwise-obscure line in the transportation funding bill.
Now don't get me wrong...Hwy 60 needs to be improved. The back-and-forth between 2 lanes and 4 lanes is confusing to motorists, and the highway has had its share of accidents.
But there's a few things to consider here. First, there are numerous other roadways across the state that have the same accident problems, and have much more traffic on them. Yet they aren't scheduled.
Second is another part of the transportation funding bill that most people seem to have either forgotten or ignored.
I wrote up a letter that sums it up, and sent it to the StarTribune, the Mankato Free Press, the Worthington Daily Globe, and the Mountain Lake Observer. The version to the Worthington paper is slightly different than the other three as I was replying directly to a letter by Rep. Hamilton there. Below is the letter in italics:
-------------------
MnDOT in a Catch-22
A lot has been said lately about Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) and this year's transportation funding bill, not to mention the mandate put in for MnDOT to first expend funds on certain projects in southwestern Minnesota that meet certain criteria, and that only Highway 60 meets the criteria.
While this is true...it's in Article 2, Section 3, Subdivision 2(e) of the transportation bill...it also represents somewhat of a dilemma for MnDOT. Because Article 6, Section 5, Subdivision 4 (and its various components) requires all state highway bridges that are fracture-critical or have a sufficiency rating below 80 to be under contract by mid-2018. And as we've all seen, bridges are expensive. Also, because of the ongoing escalation in material costs (steel, cement, oil, etc), MnDOT just doesn't have the funding to maintain the existing system, build Highway 60, and meet the bridge repair/replacement requirements, even with the funding bill. So something has to give. And unless we're all willing to live with less road maintenance and worse pavement, MnDOT will have to go against one of the legislative requirements, whether it be the bridge requirements or Highway 60.
A catch-22, if you will.
-------------
Will be interesting to see if anyone publishes it...nevermind what MnDOT plans to do to address the controversy. Stay tuned.
There's been a lot of talk and articles lately on the transportation funding bill passed (actually veto-overridden) by the Legislature early this spring, and on one Republican representative in particular.
Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) is one of six Republicans who voted to override Pawlenty's veto of the transportation funding bill, giving MnDOT its first major cash infusion (MVST phase-in notwithstanding...and that has problems of its own as it is) in years.
So you'd think everything was fine and dandy, and MnDOT now has funding...plus a means to pay back bonds...to get some much-needed and delayed projects running. And to an extent, it has...the 169 "Devil's Triangle" near Osseo had repeatedly been delayed...lastly by its funding being shifted to keep the Crosstown Commons on track. And it's now under construction. Some needed bridge replacements, including I-90 at Dresbach, US 52 Lafayette Bridge, and the US 61 Hastings bridge, are now funded and scheduled.
Stop the presses.
It seems there's a minor blurb in the funding bill that directs MnDOT to "finish Highway 60".
And indeed there is. Article 2, Section 3, Subdivision 2(e). It directs MnDOT to spend bond funds in District 7 to "accelerate all projects" that meet certain criteria...namely IRC projects that have an EIS completed, are included in the long-range plan, and add capacity. Interestingly, only Highway 60 meets this criteria.
The section between the Iowa line and Worthington is slated, but the section between Windom and St. James is still unscheduled, much to the dismay of local residents.
So a lot of the attention lately has been on this lack of scheduling, articles written by both Rep. Hamilton and other Legislative members, and this otherwise-obscure line in the transportation funding bill.
Now don't get me wrong...Hwy 60 needs to be improved. The back-and-forth between 2 lanes and 4 lanes is confusing to motorists, and the highway has had its share of accidents.
But there's a few things to consider here. First, there are numerous other roadways across the state that have the same accident problems, and have much more traffic on them. Yet they aren't scheduled.
Second is another part of the transportation funding bill that most people seem to have either forgotten or ignored.
I wrote up a letter that sums it up, and sent it to the StarTribune, the Mankato Free Press, the Worthington Daily Globe, and the Mountain Lake Observer. The version to the Worthington paper is slightly different than the other three as I was replying directly to a letter by Rep. Hamilton there. Below is the letter in italics:
-------------------
MnDOT in a Catch-22
A lot has been said lately about Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) and this year's transportation funding bill, not to mention the mandate put in for MnDOT to first expend funds on certain projects in southwestern Minnesota that meet certain criteria, and that only Highway 60 meets the criteria.
While this is true...it's in Article 2, Section 3, Subdivision 2(e) of the transportation bill...it also represents somewhat of a dilemma for MnDOT. Because Article 6, Section 5, Subdivision 4 (and its various components) requires all state highway bridges that are fracture-critical or have a sufficiency rating below 80 to be under contract by mid-2018. And as we've all seen, bridges are expensive. Also, because of the ongoing escalation in material costs (steel, cement, oil, etc), MnDOT just doesn't have the funding to maintain the existing system, build Highway 60, and meet the bridge repair/replacement requirements, even with the funding bill. So something has to give. And unless we're all willing to live with less road maintenance and worse pavement, MnDOT will have to go against one of the legislative requirements, whether it be the bridge requirements or Highway 60.
A catch-22, if you will.
-------------
Will be interesting to see if anyone publishes it...nevermind what MnDOT plans to do to address the controversy. Stay tuned.
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