I went on the WVDOT site, and traffic counts there are under 1,000. That is insanely low for a 4-lane freeway, lower than even the transcontinental western Interstates (which have sections with about 3,000 to 5,000 cars a day). And the importance of this route is nowhere near that of those routes. If I-66 is complete, I could see traffic increasing, but enough to make it cost-effective? Not sure. (I'd want to see daily traffic near 10,000 for it to be viable)
@itsalleternal You raise an interesting point. I guess they feel that the investment is worth while for future growth (the "if you build it they will come" mentality). But this highway will never live up to its potential unless Virginia changes its mind and decides to build their portion of it in order to link it to I-81. And Virginia already said back in 1995 that they weren't interested in building their unless traffic counts increased substantially on their two-laned portion of US-48.
Another great road video! The scenery looks better east bound. I've driven the old Route 55 several times and ten years ago swore to never drive it again... too many tight curves and too many close calls with trucks. This area deserves some economic progress as they pay taxes just like the rest of us.
Thanks... my understanding is that officials in West Virginia are trying to make a case to the Dept. of Homeland Security for this highway to be designated an evacuation route. That would be important because it will help fast-track completion of the unfinished segments in WV and pressure Virginia into coming up with a plan to construct their 16 mi. in order to connect to I-81
uhhh WTF? i mean, i love videos like these and this one is really well done, but it kind of hurts to see how so much forest was cut down for a highway that nobody seems to need. I mean with the same space like there was needed for this us-road, here in europe they would built a 7-8 lanes wide hwy.
next question: WHY IS THERE SO MUCH SPACE INBETWEEN? who the f+ck needs 10metres of grass there? have you ever seen an "autobahn"? THAT IS the way it makes sense! it´s WAY more economic and cheaper!
@TheMisterG92 Well that same argument could be made for any highway that crosses the Appalachians with respect to cutting down forest. There has been some environmental opposition to this project but by and large the locals want it complete due to the economic opportunities it could provide. As for the wide median... don't see a thing wrong with it. 30 years down the road if there's much more traffic on this road and they need to add an extra lane or so each way... that can be done easily.
i see your point but as i can see on several other old interstates, which are more than 40 years old, there was and is no need to widen them and theyre looking pretty much the same since the day they opened, i guess. i love highways but they shouldn´t destroy nature as unnecessary as this one does.
@TheMisterG92 Many rural Interstates in the USA have twice that much space in-between, In addition to what VaFreeways said about lane expansion possibilities it is also much safer. if you want to see a European looking road check out the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Nice highway; beautiful scenery.The lack of traffic makes me wonder about the necessity of it though. Woudn't a Super-2 been more than adequate??. I see now Im not the only person with these thoughts lol.
@booklover691 Thanks... I think this was built with future growth in mind and (this may be a stretch) possible conversion to freeway status. Anytime you cut a highway through a low-population area like that people always scoff that it's a waste of money. But it always seems to turn out to be a wise investment in the long run.
@MazdaStrider I'm not sure to tell you the truth. I didn't see anything in my readings indicating that this was to be part of an I-66 extension. It certainly looks like it could be easily brought up to interstate standards.
@CosmoPhotography It has been used as an example of pork spending. Called the "road to nowhere". It might have been pork spending to some extent but you could've used that rationale in building any road. The vital link, to I-81, is dead in the water because West Virginia won't build their portion going to the WV/VA state line until Va. decides it wants to build their 16 mile portion. In the big picture though, having a modern highway facility like this is a vital economic development tool.
I went on the WVDOT site, and traffic counts there are under 1,000. That is insanely low for a 4-lane freeway, lower than even the transcontinental western Interstates (which have sections with about 3,000 to 5,000 cars a day). And the importance of this route is nowhere near that of those routes. If I-66 is complete, I could see traffic increasing, but enough to make it cost-effective? Not sure. (I'd want to see daily traffic near 10,000 for it to be viable)
itsalleternal 1 year ago
@itsalleternal You raise an interesting point. I guess they feel that the investment is worth while for future growth (the "if you build it they will come" mentality). But this highway will never live up to its potential unless Virginia changes its mind and decides to build their portion of it in order to link it to I-81. And Virginia already said back in 1995 that they weren't interested in building their unless traffic counts increased substantially on their two-laned portion of US-48.
VaFreeways 1 year ago
Another great road video! The scenery looks better east bound. I've driven the old Route 55 several times and ten years ago swore to never drive it again... too many tight curves and too many close calls with trucks. This area deserves some economic progress as they pay taxes just like the rest of us.
mictech08 1 year ago
@mictech08 Thanks... I agree 100%.
VaFreeways 1 year ago
Definitely some nice scenery there, they did a really good job with that road..
Thanks for the ride!!
CAMINOANDALUZ 1 year ago
@CAMINOANDALUZ Thank you!
VaFreeways 1 year ago
Great ride, gotta check that road out someday. Nice soundtrack too.
Freewayjim 1 year ago
Thanks... my understanding is that officials in West Virginia are trying to make a case to the Dept. of Homeland Security for this highway to be designated an evacuation route. That would be important because it will help fast-track completion of the unfinished segments in WV and pressure Virginia into coming up with a plan to construct their 16 mi. in order to connect to I-81
VaFreeways 1 year ago
uhhh WTF? i mean, i love videos like these and this one is really well done, but it kind of hurts to see how so much forest was cut down for a highway that nobody seems to need. I mean with the same space like there was needed for this us-road, here in europe they would built a 7-8 lanes wide hwy.
next question: WHY IS THERE SO MUCH SPACE INBETWEEN? who the f+ck needs 10metres of grass there? have you ever seen an "autobahn"? THAT IS the way it makes sense! it´s WAY more economic and cheaper!
TheMisterG92 1 year ago
@TheMisterG92 Well that same argument could be made for any highway that crosses the Appalachians with respect to cutting down forest. There has been some environmental opposition to this project but by and large the locals want it complete due to the economic opportunities it could provide. As for the wide median... don't see a thing wrong with it. 30 years down the road if there's much more traffic on this road and they need to add an extra lane or so each way... that can be done easily.
VaFreeways 1 year ago
@VaFreeways
i see your point but as i can see on several other old interstates, which are more than 40 years old, there was and is no need to widen them and theyre looking pretty much the same since the day they opened, i guess. i love highways but they shouldn´t destroy nature as unnecessary as this one does.
TheMisterG92 1 year ago
@TheMisterG92 Many rural Interstates in the USA have twice that much space in-between, In addition to what VaFreeways said about lane expansion possibilities it is also much safer. if you want to see a European looking road check out the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Freewayjim 1 year ago
Nice highway; beautiful scenery.The lack of traffic makes me wonder about the necessity of it though. Woudn't a Super-2 been more than adequate??. I see now Im not the only person with these thoughts lol.
booklover691 1 year ago
@booklover691 Thanks... I think this was built with future growth in mind and (this may be a stretch) possible conversion to freeway status. Anytime you cut a highway through a low-population area like that people always scoff that it's a waste of money. But it always seems to turn out to be a wise investment in the long run.
VaFreeways 1 year ago
Nice video. Nice new road!
FreewayTitan 1 year ago
@FreewayTitan Thanks!
VaFreeways 1 year ago
that's a nice road to drive on, especially in spring
bsdpowa 1 year ago
@bsdpowa Thanks... I also love to get out there and film this after a snow.
VaFreeways 1 year ago
Is this the future I-66 with in grade intersections???? or is the I-66 part already dead?
MazdaStrider 1 year ago
@MazdaStrider I'm not sure to tell you the truth. I didn't see anything in my readings indicating that this was to be part of an I-66 extension. It certainly looks like it could be easily brought up to interstate standards.
VaFreeways 1 year ago
Great work VF. Definitely a highway worth showing off.
I wonder how much air you'd get going off that truck ramp?
eluko79 1 year ago
@eluko79 Thanks... I was wondering the same thing.
VaFreeways 1 year ago
Wow...hardly a single soul out there! Was there a real need for this highway or was it just more pork spending? Great video though!
CosmoPhotography 1 year ago
@CosmoPhotography It has been used as an example of pork spending. Called the "road to nowhere". It might have been pork spending to some extent but you could've used that rationale in building any road. The vital link, to I-81, is dead in the water because West Virginia won't build their portion going to the WV/VA state line until Va. decides it wants to build their 16 mile portion. In the big picture though, having a modern highway facility like this is a vital economic development tool.
VaFreeways 1 year ago
@CosmoPhotography When completed (god knows when) this will provide a link between I-81 near Strasburg, VA and I-79 in Weston, WV
VaFreeways 1 year ago
Beautiful expressway. WVDOT did a great job with this highway.
Bryant5493 1 year ago
@Bryant5493 Thanks!
VaFreeways 1 year ago
@VaFreeways
You're welcome.
Bryant5493 1 year ago