The Transportation and Mass Transit Megathread

[NissanvilleTitans]

Git 'em Smeags, git 'em!

[smeagolsfree]

Nothing I can do here but bitch, I guess. None of those uneducated politicians can read much less read the forum's so it is unlikely we will ever have any of them at a forum meet either, at least the ones that need to be there.

The ones on the right side of the aisles are the ones that need to show up and listen and not just offer up their typical nonsensical by the party jargon. At some point some of those guys are going to have to buck the rest of the party and do something that is actually good for the state and not good for the party. The same goes for the left side of the aisles too as they are mostly calling the kettle black. The sooner the folks wake up to the fact that all politicians are doing are just playing politics with our money and their time and not passing meaningful legislation of any type, the sooner things can get back to normal. Tit for tat is what we are seeing. No wonder we see so many unhinged people out there. 

I realize this is more for bits and pieces, but the transportation needs of the state have taken a back seat to politics for too long. I have no problem bringing back the inquisition to the legislature and I will be happy to take on the role as Thomas de Torquemada.

[MidTenn1]

A couple of comments;

I tried to get the ramp widened many years before they actually did this project as I was putting up a traffic light at the end of the ramp, but was told no. Engineer managers don't (understandably) like 'myzwells' meaning if we're doing this, we 'myzwell' do that, also. Don't expand the project beyond what was originally scoped out.

And my job was extremely political as I had to meet with the local politicians, Mayors, State Reps, City Managers, other officials to work out how my projects were going to be built per City specs. I was at a gathering of friends outside of my work one night and one I knew was a lobbyist for the Republican caucus in the legislature. I mentioned that the average IQ of the politicians I had to deal with was about 80 and she replied emphatically, "YES, I know!!". They are not the smartest people in the room.

Edited July 4, 2023 by MidTenn1

[Sean blackdog]

Today this morning. 

[smeagolsfree]

19 hours ago, MidTenn1 said:

A couple of comments;

I tried to get the ramp widened many years before they actually did this project as I was putting up a traffic light at the end of the ramp, but was told no. Engineer managers don't (understandably) like 'myzwells' meaning if we're doing this, we 'myzwell' do that, also. Don't expand the project beyond what was originally scoped out.

And my job was extremely political as I had to meet with the local politicians, Mayors, State Reps, City Managers, other officials to work out how my projects were going to be built per City specs. I was at a gathering of friends outside of my work one night and one I knew was a lobbyist for the Republican caucus in the legislature. I mentioned that the average IQ of the politicians I had to deal with was about 80 and she replied emphatically, "YES, I know!!". They are not the smartest people in the room.

I knew you were preaching to the morons Pete! TDOT is sort of caught up in the Twilight Zone of having to deal with the budget constraints of what is given to them and also the political appointments of whomever is in charge at any given time. Political appointments of departments of the state should be outright banned in this state. Oh, my buddy can run that department is always a mistake when they have a hard enough time figuring out how to flush a toilet or open a door. For that matter isn't that the way most of the politicians in most of the states and federal government operate? Here is a door or a toilet so figure out which one is which? Fifty percent may fail the test!

[markhollin]

Just a reminder about the road closures starting this Friday surrounding the Broadway Viaduct work for next 2 months:
 

[UrbanWes03]

The state has released its proposal for expanding Amtrak across the state. As a Knoxville resident, I’m very excited for this! With the connection to Bristol planned from Roanoke, I’ll be able to take the train all the way to DC and through the NEC. 
 

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tacir/2023publications/2023_PassengerRail.pdf

[AsianintheNations]

The exit ramp redo more or less just formalized what people were already doing in an improvised way (splitting into two files), so I'm not surprised it didn't change traffic conditions at all. I thought that was mainly just for safety purposes, to actually create the space to accommodate two lanes and prevent people from crossing over onto Cabot Dr. To improve flow, they could have added a second left-turn lane, but there isn't really space for that without shifting the on-ramp, and now there is a concrete barrier that makes doing so harder.

[NissanvilleTitans]

The Amtrak expensive news is terrific!

[markhollin]

Broadway Viaduct update.

Looking NE from Broadway Viaduct, 1/2 block east of 12th Ave:

Looking east from Broadway Viaduct where it crosses over 11th Ave:

Looking NE from Broadway Viaduct where it crosses over 11th Ave:




Looking west from Broadway Viaduct where it crosses over 11th Ave:

[Nashville Cliff]

On 7/5/2023 at 2:29 PM, UrbanWes03 said:

The state has released its proposal for expanding Amtrak across the state. As a Knoxville resident, I’m very excited for this! With the connection to Bristol planned from Roanoke, I’ll be able to take the train all the way to DC and through the NEC. 
 

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tacir/2023publications/2023_PassengerRail.pdf

Pretty good tv report on the study here: Return to passenger rail in Tennessee: State report puts Chattanooga on the fast track | WTVC (newschannel9.com)

And a nice story from the legendary Andy Sher: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/jul/03/return-of-rail-to-chattanooga-gets-boost-tfp/#/questions

I'll be talking with a reporter from a Knoxville tv station on Saturday and will post a link if it runs.

[Sean blackdog]

Today this evening. 
Broadway Bridge closed. 
Live under construction. 
 

https://app.truelook.cloud/dashboard/14587/15915/live?code=6qq3xlue9rq6xcthulw919s53

 

 

[Sean blackdog]

Today this morning. 
Continue working on Broadway bridge. 

[Sean blackdog]

Today this evening. 

Continue working on Broadway Bridge and rain all day. 

[markhollin]

Looking west from 24th floor/Lou Na Club at Grand Hyatt Hotel:

[Nashville Cliff]

On 7/7/2023 at 8:17 AM, Nashville Cliff said:

Pretty good tv report on the study here: Return to passenger rail in Tennessee: State report puts Chattanooga on the fast track | WTVC (newschannel9.com)

And a nice story from the legendary Andy Sher: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/jul/03/return-of-rail-to-chattanooga-gets-boost-tfp/#/questions

I'll be talking with a reporter from a Knoxville tv station on Saturday and will post a link if it runs.

Here is the Knoxville story I mentioned: New study shows possible new rail tracks opening up TN to more commuting options | wbir.com

[smeagolsfree]

As always as the story states TN is starting from scratch and has no money in place unlike surrounding states. Why is it that Tn is always lagging behind other states? I think the main reason is leadership or lack thereof and any forward thinking on the part of the state legislature.  This is far from reality, and it is interesting that Cliff stated bus routes and not train routes between other cities. The way you connect your train routes with other cities is with more train routes and I know he was being careful there. As we all saw on the proposed map there is no rail connection to Middle Tn from Knoxville and that leaves a gaping hole in the transportation system if you want it to be comprehensive.  I commend Cliff for doing a great job explaining this and wish we had more people getting the message out.

My percent in seeing this done is about 10%. My outlook on the future of rail in this state is dim at best when the state cannot even build roads to keep up with the demands of the growing population needs and to spend billions of dollars on rail would end up being a waste of money to most of those legislators. I am driving back and forwards between here and Huntsville and it seems that there is always a 15 mile back up due to volume at the Saturn Parkway entrance now on I-65 that continues till the 8 lane at Goose Creek. The state cannot get a handle on the growth. Till then I think the money will continue to go into roads and not rail.

[chc3]

Our state legislature is such an embarrassment for and a yoke on Nashville.

[markhollin]

The Tennessean with coverage of potential reinstated Amtrak route with possible in-state connector routes:

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/10/new-rail-study-tennessee-should-prioritize-nashville-atlanta-amtrak-route-establish-bus-lines/70398360007/?utm_source=tennessean-dailybriefing-strada&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailybriefing-greeting&utm_term=newsletter-greeting&utm_content=pnas-nashville-nletter65

[Nashville Cliff]

18 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

As always as the story states TN is starting from scratch and has no money in place unlike surrounding states. Why is it that Tn is always lagging behind other states? I think the main reason is leadership or lack thereof and any forward thinking on the part of the state legislature.  This is far from reality, and it is interesting that Cliff stated bus routes and not train routes between other cities. The way you connect your train routes with other cities is with more train routes and I know he was being careful there. As we all saw on the proposed map there is no rail connection to Middle Tn from Knoxville and that leaves a gaping hole in the transportation system if you want it to be comprehensive.  I commend Cliff for doing a great job explaining this and wish we had more people getting the message out.

My percent in seeing this done is about 10%. My outlook on the future of rail in this state is dim at best when the state cannot even build roads to keep up with the demands of the growing population needs and to spend billions of dollars on rail would end up being a waste of money to most of those legislators. I am driving back and forwards between here and Huntsville and it seems that there is always a 15 mile back up due to volume at the Saturn Parkway entrance now on I-65 that continues till the 8 lane at Goose Creek. The state cannot get a handle on the growth. Till then I think the money will continue to go into roads and not rail.

Ron, the bus option is discussed in the report as an interim approach, or perhaps an alternative on those routes that engineering and feasibility analyses show are not viable for rail.  There is actually bipartisan support for passenger rail, so I would put the odds a bit higher. Still, a lot of work to do before we see any new intercity routes in Tennessee.

[smeagolsfree]

16 minutes ago, Nashville Cliff said:

Ron, the bus option is discussed in the report as an interim approach, or perhaps an alternative on those routes that engineering and feasibility analyses show are not viable for rail.  There is actually bipartisan support for passenger rail, so I would put the odds a bit higher. Still, a lot of work to do before we see any new intercity routes in Tennessee.

Cliff, I respect your efforts and thank you for your service. I hope you are correct as you have a feel for what may be going on in the legislature better than any of us. As we both know that can change every two years when we get a new group of buffoons in office. I do think there is needed rail service between Nashville and Knoxville to connect the rest of Upper E TN to Middle TN. That is a huge missing tooth. Trying to pry folks away from their cars is about as hard as it would be to pry them away from their guns. Both are attached at their hips. I also think once people see the cost and time involved in taking rail to a destination it may be a hard sale. It will be a mindset change. As long as the rail is affordable it may have a decent chance if it is done like some of the rail in Florida.

I do not have to worry because it will never happen in my lifetime unless I live to be 90 and you guys will have to help me to the toilet if you take me on a train excursion. Then you will probably lock me in there and leave me as punishment!

 

[Sean blackdog]

Today this morning. 

Continue working on Broadway Bridge. 
 

Live under construction. 
 

https://app.truelook.cloud/dashboard/14587/15915/live?code=6qq3xlue9rq6xcthulw919s53

[Rick Dalton]

Which of the mayoral candidates on best on transit? Yarbro seems pretty good

[Sean blackdog]

Today this morning from Instagram Sky5. 
 

All board?? 

[PaulChinetti]

2 hours ago, natethegreat said:

Which of the mayoral candidates on best on transit? Yarbro seems pretty good

Freddie O'Connell

https://www.readyforfreddie.com/issues

Heidi Campbell

https://www.voteheidicampbell.com/_files/ugd/cb5360_d4c5fb90761640e8826e8abca8633021.pdf

Jeff Yarboro

https://www.jeffyarbro.com/issues/

None seem to have a specific plan set out anywhere. Freddie and Heidi talk the most about it and have some specifics. 

I think I heard or read somewhere that there is going to be a transit based forum with the candidates at some point but I can't find it now. Has anyone else seen that?