Dedicated Truck Lanes for I-70

[theliftchannel]

they need to widen highway 36 and make it i-72. then they wouldnt need to make theese lanes except in st louis and kansas city!!!

\

[101101101777]

By 2035 this road will either be decaying from dis-use or being maintained by chinese or something. Is there enough money left to print more money for this??

[101101101777]

maybe we should make a seperate lane with barricades

um, gee ya think?

[synapticspear]

THANK YOU- I could have told you this years ago - why did it take to 2008 for someone MODOT?!!(Thanks!) to finally speak up ?

Great first video. we need this and More; we need jobs of American workers and NOT THE LO BALL BIDS i have seen over the years Here in Kansas. WE in Kansas Have pretty good I-70 stretches, although COUNTIES seem to be charged with up keep from one area to the next. that needs some looking into.

GOOD LUCK MODOT! Thanks for putting this up.

Please talk to KDOT.

[heroheroic]

what software can u downlaod to do this?

[bbaker904]

Main reason is money. German roads were built to last a long time made with thicker material than used here. Our roads are built to the lowest bidder. For years hiway funds have not been used by states for roads. Many dollars went to other projects and roads and bridges are dying. Now the cost is so high to repair they want tolls.

[Sniper12890]

1 improvement should be build a ten lane (5 lanes in each direction) cement road for easing traffic divide by a barrier. Also, there needs to be exits exactly like the exits on I-45. Those exits would allow cars to slow down without congesting traffic. Another improvement would be building cement frontage roads one way for slower traffic. My favorite type of interstate is ten-lane freeway

[piscesbeing]

Why did they pick to have the trucks in the inner lanes instead of the outer ones? It's a minor detail, but with trucks in the inner lanes, they would have to weave more lanes when merging onto the outer lanes from on-ramps.

[naivetesucceeds]

if they were outer lanes, the ramps from the passenger vehicle lanes at every interchange would have to be constructed as bridges over the truck lanes (or the lanes would have to be built so far away from the inner lanes that you'd be out of the DOT's right-of-way), which would complicate the design process (and likely make it impossible in certain areas) and make the project far more expensive.

[bbaker904]

Trucks exit and enter less and most and are going threw without stopping. The new design gets trucks away from exits ramps cars use which is the cause of most car truck accidents. Truck lanes will have there own ramps on the study for this idea. Trucks tolls are needed for this making these new lanes no cars.

[rcgorilla]

@piscesbeing IF you paid attention, long haul semis dont stop often. local trucks as well as cars, enter and exit more often.

[wrench1996]

I love my truck i hope you get this to pass keep these little want-a-bes away from us

[iperformance]

So how can I get tractor trailer plates on my compact car?

The problem is not trucks or truck drivers, the problem is people driving mini vans while talking on the phone, paying too much attention to their children's tantrums, or eating burgers, instead of being concerned with the fact that they are in a 4000 pound metal box hurtling along the pavement at 70 MPH.

Put a separate lane in for mini vans and cell phone users, let me drive my compact car with the diesel trucks, where it is safe.

[oman96namo83]

this concept is rediculous....there would still be trucks getting in everyones way

[bbaker904]

How would trucks get in the way? Cars wouldn't be in these lanes and the exit ramps would be away from car ramps. These lanes would be NO CARS.

[tobinibi]

i think that any good highway/interstate needs 4 things,,,

1:there should be a inside truck lane in outer areas of cities in the case of a highway, an example of this is the queensway in Ottawa Ontario, canada

2:the grass is cool and adds scenery to the drive instead of the dirty gravel sides of interstates

3:there should be a lane for people who arnt going to work , this is a morning traffic breath of fresh air for vacationers

4:there should be 6 regular lanes in a 60 percent highway.

[Bryant5493]

This is a good idea, excpet the trucks are merging from their dedicated freeway left to right instead of right to left. A flyover ramp from the long haul truck lanes to the right lane of the general purpose lanes would be better suited for this type of design, I think.

[fearsomegladiator]

Great idea assuming Mo. makes it illegal for cars to use; if caught they would be ticketed as trucks in Commiefornia would be ticketed for being in the left lanes. Truckers easily drive ten to fifteen more times in a year than the average car driver and they drive all over the place unlike average car drivers.

[mrmaster728]

This project is good in theory, but every overpass would have to be lengthened, that would take quite a while to accomplish.

[bondt1]

Want I want to know is how much additional land will they take on each side to make this happen?

[bondt1]

(I better go back and make sure this wasn't covered in the video)

[signalkid1]

They have something like this on the New Jersey Turnpike from Cranberry, NJ to New York, except instead of truck only lanes, it is car only lanes

[k3v1av]

"Truck car crashes"

Don't we mean car truck crashes since it is a fact that most accidents that involve semis and cars it is the driver of the cars fault.

[oiromaha]

I know this may sound stupid, but it's just an idea. Use the Railroad to ship long distances, and use trucks for local hauling and delivery (300 miles or so.) The railroad was built to take the heavy loads, loads that the nation's highway system are not designed to take. Also Rail is more environmentally friendly, and cheaper per mile than using 18 wheelers.

That said, I think Truckers do a great job, and most are pros at what they do.

And to MoDOT, You're doing a great job, Keep it up!

[cerberus0000000000]

The problem is the trucks in the passing lane going uphill and tying up passenger cars for miles. Truck drivers (Yes, I have my tractor-trailer license and used to drive them)need to learn when to pass without impeding cars and causing congestion.

[joefireball59]

Completly unrealistic...Spending 5+ Billion dollars so longhaul trucker can travers the state unimpeded. Will never see this happen in my lifetime. Pete Rahn is living in a DREAMWORLD. A waste of money and time even considering such foolishness.

[kidg7fan]

The innovative ideas that MoDOT has been introducing should be commended. They are going to be the leader in the 48 states at the rate they are going. I am all for the Truck Lanes only. If this improves the safety of missourians and prevents one loss of life, it is worth every penny spent. You cannot put a price tag on someones life. I will wait for the final decision, hope to see the "Truck Only" lanes in the near future.

[compassstl]

Awesome idea! Safer and less wear and tear on the non-truck roads. :) I also wonder how traffic will be affected by gas prices.

Just please, no tolls! I have friends in states with tolls and they're a pain! I enjoy being able to brag that we DON'T have tolls! :D

[Mamba205]

They would charge a toll, only to get enough money to do the project though. I have been studying I-70 in Missouri and I believe in the "Lewis and Clark Parkway", which is another concept initiated to help I-70 in Missouri. Basically, an auto's only interstate would run a few miles north or south of I-70 and it would be billboard free, truck free, and it would traverse the beautiful rolling hills and forests of Missouri, compared to I-70 which is plain old ugly and dangerous.

[Mamba205]

I meant to say "Wentzville" not "Wenzville".

[westerntravelor]

You know what highway really needs truck only lanes? i80 in Nebraska, they don't have truck only lanes and they have more trucks than Missouri

[mrsshockwell]

I am all in favor of truck lanes!!! Alot of other states have them and it is time we do so!!! Trucks are too big and are not as polite drivers as they use to be. Give them their own lane and the roads will be safer for all!

[Mamba205]

Even though it will cost more, I think that we need separate interstate highways for trucks that are not anywhere near the existing interstates. I frequently travel on I-70 the entire length of Missouri and sure the trucks zoom along at 80 mph but I want to stick to the way the road is now-2 lanes in each direction with a large grass median. A possible idea would be to keep the 2 original lanes per direction and just add 1 truck lane per direction. A godd website to go is Scenic Missouri.

[tstjla]

Your saying 1 lane for trucks. I drive a truck from St. Louis to Kansas City everyday. Don't blame the truckers, 90% of the problem is the people that think they know how to drive.

[Mamba205]

I did not say anything bad about the truckers, I was blaming drivers that don't respect truckers. Didn't you see my comments below?

[Rynnyx]

I don't drive. but i know plenty. it is the cars that drive to close, or cut off the trucks.

[Rynnyx]

The one lane only each direction is not worth it. and Truckers may do 80 mph.. but hell the cars are doing worse..

[Mamba205]

Whenever I'm on I-70 in Missouri, for the whole length, it doesn't seem any different than any other interstate. I haven't seen a truck doing 80. Plus most people don't drive above 85. My mom only does about 70 though.

[tstjla]

Your just stupid. Look up the statistics on the accidents on the highway. Most are caused by stupid drivers on paying attention.

[Mamba205]

And who are you calling stupid. If you were calling me that, you need to know that I know it is not the truckers fault. The problem is drivers that do not move over or do something to help truckers.

[Rynnyx]

....It is not only Trucker that are impolite Drivers..

[bondt1]

I probably owe my life to a truck driver that had the sense and driving ability to stop when I did something foolish once. They're not that bad.

[flflfl19]

I would have to say that the idea has merit however, the patterns of truck merging are problematic. The length from the initial merge onto general purpose lanes, and then that of the merge into the truck only lanes would have to be sufficiently spaced. Otherwise, you will have slow moving trucks moving into the far left (high speed) lane and create havoc on traffic flow speeds. Also trucks leaving their lanes, will be merging into the high speed and left lane of general traffic. Dangerous!

[BlackDeath1964]

The simplest and most sensible solution would be to run two seperate roads side by side, one for Trucks one for cars keeping the two types completely apart.

[zporter48]

It seems as though this idea would work. But should be thinking of way to increase the traffic on I-70 when gases prices are so high and the trend of saving the environment? I think it would be wise to start thinking about installing a state wide public transportation system on I-70 and major branches of that high way. Maybe dedicated train lines or a high tech electric train. It is such a huge link between the two major cities. With large areas that could be linked by trains:COMO and JC.

[RevanHalo]

I find it funny that Missouri could not find enough money to build the full 8-lane bridge from St. Louis to Illinois because the portion of the $1.6 billion was "never in sight." But, as soon as they comprimised on a 4-lane bridge, they announced plans for this $3-4 billion project. It seems that they only have the money when it benefits their constituents and not their neighboring states interests (whom happen to work in, and pay taxes to their state)!!!

[jimmydugan69]

GREAT Idea. Not only will this saves lives, but it will create thousands if not hundreds of thousands of jobs in Missouri. My only concern is the merging of truck traffic into the general purpose lanes. The current design seems flawed and needs to be addressed.

[boonedoggle65]

Appears to be a viable solution, but I don't understand why MoDOT is seeking input from the general public.

The proposed improvement would provide sole benefit to the long haul trucking industry.

All of he costs to construct and maintain the dedicated truck lanes should be born only by the truckers who elect to conduct their business on Missouri highways.

Accordingly, the trucking industry should be the parties who decide on the merits of the proposal

[thomasaurus]

If this is done, they will push for tolls. And if that's done, they better do a good job paving the secondary roads, because that's where the trucks will be

[eastsidewillie]

Diesel is $4 a gallon and they want to do this?

We will have to replace every bridge on I-70. How you get thru urban areas? Do we demolish countless homes or route the road far out in the country?

How do we pay for this? Tolls? That'll drive truckers off the highway and on other roads.

We already have high capacity ways to move trucks: railroads. We have to develop them to get off our dependence on oil.

This proposal does not fit the reality of the times we live in.

[Mamba205]

You are right. The idea won't work. In Missouri, cities such as Wenzville (35 miles from St. Louis) and Odessa (35 miles from Kansas City), major buisinesses are located within 100 feet of I-70. To build what this video shows, almost 75 percent of everything along I-70 within the city limits of St. Louis, Columbia, and Kansas City would have to be demolished. And imagine how the traffic would flow during construction of the truck lanes. And the tolls, too. It just won't work.

[lfp190]

This won't work, as a trucker. I can tell you right now that many cars will not move over to allow a truck to get on/off the truck lanes.Some truckers will also be the same way and not let you stay in the correct lane.

[Mamba205]

Yes, somebody understands that this will not work! I am not a trucker but I see how badly they are treated while interacting with cars. Cars most of the times do not respect truckes and no not move over or help truckers at all. What would be best is the "Lewis and Clark Parkway", an proposal to make I-70 in Missouri only for trucks and build a new interstate a few miles away from I-70 that is only for autos (and free of billboards)!

[zgare]

How does the cost of this compare to improving the Missouri rail system, adding electric trains, and hauling all this cargo by rail instead of truck?

Also, I was hoping by segregating trucks, you could use less concrete on the lighter car lanes since they wouldn't have to support a truck. But with trucks exiting via the car lanes, that wouldn't be possible.

[thomasaurus]

Move it all by raail, huh?How many Wal-marts and grocery stores do you see with rail sidings next to them?

[isackqbs]

I would think that having the trucks in the middle would make more sense, seeing as how they are more likely to stay on the road for a longer period of time than your average car. Thus meaning they don't have to exit and enter as often. As a truck driver I shudder at how people in cars drive also.

Another point I would like to make is that if US 36 would be converted into I-72, a lot of the truck traffic(and traffic in general) would have an alternate way to get across the state.

[mariwinn]

Great idea in theory...but personally I shudder over the prospect of trucks leaving their dedicated lanes to enter the fast lanes of the regular highway in order to exit I-70. Might you consider putting the cars in the center instead and creating limited access lanes for long distance travelers?