Warning: next five miles rough road ahead - 55 mph

[kach22i]

Warning: next five miles rough road ahead - 55 mph
North bound US-23, between I 96 and M59 has been like this for several months now, yet another reason to leave Michigan.

Orchard Lake road is even worse, yep Oakland County the 6th richest county in the country can't even keep a main road from looking like Iraq after thousands of IED's going off.








Last year my 911 hit a chuck hole and shattered the plastic sleeve on the steering column. I replaced it, but the steering has never been the same, not precise anymore, kind of loose but not wandering.

I'm afraid to drive my 911 this spring. Even my favorite road, Huron River Drive is a total mess 75% of the way.

[widebody911]

can't even keep a main road from looking like Iraq after thousands of IED's going off.

Over the past few years, we've probably spent more on Iraqi transportation infrastructure than our own.

Can you imagine what things would look like if we spent that $1B a week here instead?

[onewhippedpuppy]

See, Americans NEED SUVs.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Over the past few years, we've probably spent more on Iraqi transportation infrastructure than our own.

Don't get me started.

The Gov of the state wants to redo the 19 cent gas tax. People are driving less (nobody has jobs) so income to fix the roads is way down.

SUV's, yep you have to have one in Michigan, that's why I bought an old 4x4 pick up.

[the]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Can you imagine what things would look like if we spent that $1B a week here instead?

Aren't we about to find out?

[Tishabet]

Try New England some time... drove up 95 from Providence, RI to my home in Lowell (North of Boston) last night and there were some whoppers out there.

[BGCarrera32]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Can you imagine what things would look like if we spent that $1B a week here instead?

It would look like more debt.

[mudman]

Hey George, don't get me started.

A couple of years ago we (some locals from our lake association) threatened to sue the county as our roads were so bad that cars actually got stuck in potholes and washouts.

Our angle was that for some residents there was no way emergency services (helicopters excepted) could respond to a house fire, heart attack, whatever in a reasonable time.

Our roads get a little more attention now.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by BGCarrera32

It would look like more debt.

The money's already been thrown down the hole - I just wish it had been domestic holes instead of holes in the desert...

[Aurel]

Aren`t potholes the first thing Obama should be throwing money at? Those appear shovel ready to me

[coldstart]

The potholes are just as bad in Ontario, Canada and the gas taxes are double yours here.

[kach22i]

Our roads are not made for the heavy truck traffic and speeds they are exposed to (rail is better for that). The delamination of the first two inches of US-23 is something I've not seen before. Our pot holes are typically very deep, I guess so they can reach down to hell.

Here is the way to do it.
http://www.mincad.com.au/APSDSPaperdeBondt/APSDSPaperdeBondt.htm

Figure 1 Sketch of Proposed Runway Cross-Section

Figure 2 Overview of Precracking and Reinforcement Pattern



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7825109.stm

1 Surface can be grooved to prevent build up of standing water, increase surface friction

2 Bituminous material or asphalt - stronger and more expensive than concrete, easier to repair after surface deterioration

3 Lean concrete - cheap, filler layer, less water and cement than in regular concrete

4 Granular material such as crushed limestone - construction platform, strengthens the underlying material

[Z-man]

Those roads are glass-smooth ....

.... compared to New Jersey roads!

Incidentally, we don't put up warning signs - if you can't figure out our roads are crap, you must be a tourist. So all those out of state cars broken down are helping the local NJ economy!

-Z

[gtc]

Ahhh... Michigan. I fondly remember my college days in Flint - one of the few places you'll see potholes within potholes.

[kach22i]

I don't want to make this a political thread, but I keep getting comments that there are other bad roads all over the country. Steel reinforcement and Portland cement along with all the required aggregate are all largely American made or processed regionally.

I think that I've read that only 18% of the current stimulus plan is for infrastructure improvements. I think 81% would have a huge impact, can you imagine rebuilding this country's public assets? Something like 90% of all buildings and roads have been built since WWII, many of which are at the end of their life-cycle. I can't imagine a better use of public money, can you?

[rammstein]

Originally Posted by coldstart

The potholes are just as bad in Ontario, Canada and the gas taxes are double yours here.

Wait- you mean higher taxes didn't fix your problems?

OKok... don't wanna get political.

But honestly, I do not miss the roads in the Northeast one bit. Holes big enough to flatten tires, bend rims, break tie-rods, etc. I'd get a truck up there, or something with really tall sidewalls.

[the]

We should be thankful for those roads, they are going to create jobs!

In fact, we should pay people to sledgehammer good roads, so they can be fixed. That will create DOUBLE the jobs!

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by kach22i

I don't want to make this a political thread, but I keep getting comments that there are other bad roads all over the country. Steel reinforcement and Portland cement along with all the required aggregate are all largely American made or processed regionally.

I think that I've read that only 18% of the current stimulus plan is for infrastructure improvements. I think 81% would have a huge impact, can you imagine rebuilding this country's public assets? Something like 90% of all buildings and roads have been built since WWII, many of which are at the end of their life-cycle. I can't imagine a better use of public money, can you?

That is an excellent point - and wasn't that how they got out of the great depression - via government work programs?

Kachi for prez!
-Z

[HardDrive]

No offense, but having just come from India, those roads look smooth as glass to me.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by coldstart

The potholes are just as bad in Ontario, Canada and the gas taxes are double yours here.

I thought youses had universal pothole coverage?