Just added location maps to all the pages in the Mass Route Log for currently active numbered routes.
Also added tags for all the towns in Massachusetts. Hopefully I’ll figure out a way to easily add those tags to each of the route pages.
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Suggestion to Build a MA 9 – I 290 connector
by Neil •
The Image of Worcester: Connecting to/from Route 9 in Shrewsbury, Worcester’s Eastern Gateway:
“[T]here seems to be a unique opportunity to construct a 1.7 mile connector highway between I-290 and Route 9 along an existing power line right-of-way (ROW).”
An interesting concept, to be sure. Eric also has a well-thought out public transit system upgrade for Worcester that I like the sounds of.
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New Book in the Library
by Neil •
One of the items under the Christmas tree this year was a copy of “Turnpikes of New England” by Frederic J. Wood and Ronald Dale Karr. I’ve done some flipping through it, not enough to give a full review but it looks like it’ll be pretty interesting and a good reference for posts here.
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by Neil •
Northeasthighways.com is now on Twitter – follow us at @nehwy
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I-190 and 290 merge revisited
by Neil •
3 months later, and it appears they’re back at it.
The merge between I-190 (southbound) and I-290 (westbound) is getting repainted. Again. It looks like the two lanes coming in from 190 are merging into each other, and the three 290 lanes remain unmolested – which I think is the way it was last time when it worked. Or not, I could be wrong.
Look, at this point, just pick one lane configuration and stick with it. The more we repaint this merge, the more confused people are going to get. I drive through here 4 times a week on my way to work and the only thing worse than trying to make it through without hitting anyone is trying to figure out what lane goes where this week.
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Slow spot
by Neil •
” The area [of I-290] near the I-190 onramp is also confusing and the study recommends re-striping in that area.”
One of the commenters hit this one – they had restriped it when they repaved last year. THey removed the surprise merge of the slow lane on 290 and the high-speed lane on 190, gave exiting traffic a separate lane and everything (after a few days of adjustment) started flowing smoother. Then they striped it back to the way it is now and it became a free for all again.
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Engineers: Rt. 13 improvements would ease chronic congestion
by Neil •
Engineers: Rt. 13 improvements would ease chronic congestion
:
“[M]ajor improvements for the state-owned section of Route 13, a chronically congested area near the Route 2 interchange, were presented to residents and officials at City Hall last night. “
Yep, this is pretty badly needed. I was up that way during the day on Monday and every time I try to get through there, it both simultaneously not moving and a mad dash to get into the intersection without an accident.
(Via Wormtown Taxi.)
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And now it’s dead. For now.
by Neil •
“The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization officially eliminated the Interstate 495/290 reconstruction project from its regional transportation plan Thursday.”
And now it’s dead. For now. They say they;ll try to get it back on the plan next year; I’m sure it’ll get done at some point. Hopefully I won’t have to go through it very often by then.
I-495/290 reconstruction project officially scrapped from wickedlocal.com
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495/290 Interchange Work Takes A Hit
by Neil •
I drive through this interchange twice a day at least. It sucks (there isn’t a nice way to put it, sorry). From 290, there’s often a backup onto 495 south, which in turn gets backed up because of the proximity of the onramps from 85 & 290, on an uphill grade, followed shortly by the exit to US 20 west.
Northbound on 495 is no better – too many people who decide at the last minute to suddenly cross 2 lanes of traffic to get onto 290, because they didn’t want to wait in the line of slow moving cars on the right.
Improvements to Interstate 495/290 are sidelined – Framingham, MA – The MetroWest Daily News
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Speed Limits and Tolls
by Neil •
In perusing the site stats, it looks like a lot of you are looking for information on speed limits and tolls.
However, I don’t have it. At least, not anything usable. I had a piece on the CT speed limits when they went to 65MPH but that’s 10 years old now and woefully out of date. As for tolls, well, nothing there either. Sorry. I only use toll roads when I have to or when someone else is paying the tolls.
And for the person searching for tolls and speed limits on I-90 to Vermont, I’ve got some bad news for you…