Access Roads

[kellyc]

While I was in Dallas/Plano, TX I saw the whole access road/freeway setup in a ton of places. I cant help but wonder how something like that would have helped the whole crossroads area. Its probably too late for that area, but it would be neat to try somewhere else. As many of you have said, it did work wonderfully, and kept the main traffic flowing.

Kelly< who went bull riding while in Dallas!

[hollyL]

They have some of these in VA where I use to live. At first they seemed a pain but after awhile I think they really helped too.

[StanN]

My home town, Brooklyn, NY, has two major thoroughfares, largely through residential areas, that incorporate this concept. They were built many decades ago. The side roads allow for parking without impeding traffic on the central lanes. The median strips on either side are wide enough for a long bike trail on one side and strolling pedestrians and park benches on the other. The park benches promote a sense of community. There are many large trees planted in both medians. Pigeons, sparrows and squirrels abound. Bordered largely by apartment buildings and town homes, these "parkways" remain preferred places to live. Schools, museums and houses of worship complete the picture. With some small exceptions, there are no retailers or gas stations.

The major highways in Brooklyn also incorporated bike paths.

Especiall for Steve G - here is a bike route I used to really enjoy 60 years ago.

http://recteck.com/BikeMenu.html

Oh for the good old days when urban planners and city officials had vision and foresight......stan

[johnb]

My home town, Brooklyn, NY,

Really? When you stand to speak in public you don't grab your crotch and say things like "Hey, how YOO doin'?" Do you Stan?

:roll:

[StanN]

John,

I've been in the south too long - now I pick my nose and say "how y'awl doin?"

stan

[johnb]

II *LOVE* this description of one of the paths Stan:

That said, while the trip is currently very doable -- more so than it's been in years -- it's still not quite the Disney adventure that it's been reported to be, and, in fact, still contains a few areas of disappearing trail and dangerous autos. Nonetheless, with moderate precautions and a few directions, this trip will open you to a whole new perception of our favorite aquatic environment.

(( For those of you familiar with trail handbooks for backpacking trails this reference will make sense. ))

How would that trail guide read?

Unofficial NYC Compost Facility
0.1 To the left is a great overlook from where you can get a panoramic view of the far shore. Beware of the mud, not all of it is actually *m*u*d*.

Crack Ho Cove
0.7 The trail appears to end. HOWEVER, by beginning to decelerate when you see the sleeping crack ho's you can safely swing to the right around the burning Yugo they fill with refuse and burn to stay warm in the winter.

This Could Happen To You! Overlook
1.3 Yes, that is a "Social Disease" making that man scratch so hard and yell.

Floaters launch
1.6 If viewed at dusk you might be fortunate to be able to view the natives engaging in a colorful variation to "catch and release". Most of the kitchen appliances and sofas found in NY waterways are actually not native to this area. However, lucky observers have been known to see the rare Chinese Particle Board Bookcase and the Harvest Gold Amana over/under Washer Dryer being carefully released into the water on pleasant summer's nights.

The Ruins
3.2 Site of an early colonial farmstead. All that remains is the wonderful brick and stone foundation and chimney. Unfortunately the locals use it for their own version of the X Games. Instead of tossing a shotput, shards of glass from half filled bottles of Schlitz Malt bottles thrown at the chimney cover the trail. You may find it safer to dismount and walk your bike over the next .25 miles.

Ivy dip
3.9 It appears poison ivy responds quite favorably to a fertilizer solution that is high in urea with substantial amounts of alcohol in it. Many of the plants have vines the width of a grown man's leg and unlike most poison ivy plants which anchor themselves to fixed objects, these seem to stagger and sway. If you come in contact with any of them a topical application of Calomine lotion followed by 3 months of AA meetings will be required.

MLK Avenue Road Crossing.
5.2 RUN M@THA F@CK@ RUN!! AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

[johnb]

Holy crap Stan, that's pretty good. Got me to laugh. :lol: