General Infrastructure

On my commute in on the Pike every morning I've noticed that on a limited access ramp eastbound just before 495 there's a large green LED strip that's over 10 feet tall. Is that just a signal for the access ramp or is there some other purpose?
 
dhawkins said:
I saw this quick video on Imgur today about an interesting advancement in rail technology going on in Switzerland. Also there is a fun article about rail dimensions linked in the comments section - Slate .
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I wouldnt trust a US agency to be able to maintain something like that past 18 months
 
dhawkins said:
I saw this quick video on Imgur today about an interesting advancement in rail technology going on in Switzerland. Also there is a fun article about rail dimensions linked in the comments section - Slate .
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A someone who models meter gauge in G Scale, the Rhaetian Railway (RHB) is the gold standard for meter gauge. The system is full of steep grades (up to 7% non-rack), actual spiral loops (like this one in Brusio), and even has a partnership with the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MTB) to run the "Glacier Express" from St Moritz through the majority of the Swiss alps to Zermatt (where the Matterhorn is). Being able to connect the RHB/MTB freight network to the main line without break of gauge transfers would be big business. Realistically, that's the reason that standard gauge has become so ubiquitous and narrow gauge has nearly disappeared (except for YOU cape gauge), the break of gauge is a huge cost and paying to standardize the difficult spaces is cheaper. In Germany (and elsewhere), they use rollbocks to move regular cars over narrow gauge track, but in the Swiss alps with its sharp curves and narrow tunnels, that's probably not feasible.
 
9 years after this thread started for the Callahan Tunnel, the Sumner Tunnel gets its turn:

Weekend closures through next Spring, then a 4 month full-closure, followed by some more weekend closures into next winter:
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The restoration plan for the tunnel includes repairs and improvements to the walls, deck, and ceiling inside the Sumner Tunnel.

This project will include overnight and weekend road closures. There will be a complete closure of the Sumner Tunnel in the Summer of 2023 to:
  • Restore the overhead arch and ceiling
  • Paint interior tunnel walls with fireproof coating
  • Remove and replace the tunnel deck and roadway surface
  • Install new lights inside the tunnel
  • Install new utility conduits and cables
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Lots more info here
 
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That is an absurd detour. Guess they're purposefully trying to (mis)direct people away from the Ted Williams?
 
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^Thank you, @dhawkins I think we might need a separate "Rivet Porn" thread* :LOL: (particularly when they don't have separate captions). Some of these, like theNorth Station Drawbridges would probably be also appreciated in place-specific threads. DM me with what you think we should do.

* I'll try to think of a better name.
 
Drove over the Fore River the other night, very cool lighting!! The bridge was under construction the last time I was down here, good to see it completed!
Arlington, sorry I missed your response above. I didn't even realize I had a subliminal fetish!! I promise to get help. (Actually, I think there are more rivets on this bridge.)

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Not sure where to put this but I have been reading this book and it's a combination of hilarious and true. It's also about 20 years outdated but interesting to compare to today and much of it still applies.

The Boston Driver's Handbook: Wild in the Streets--The Almost Post Big Dig Edition: Gershkoff, Ira, Trachtman, Richard: 9780306813269: Amazon.com: Books

The Boston Driver's Handbook: Wild in the Streets--The Almost Post Big Dig Edition [Gershkoff, Ira, Trachtman, Richard] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Boston Driver's Handbook: Wild in the Streets--The Almost Post Big Dig Edition
www.amazon.com

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DZH22 said:
Not sure where to put this but I have been reading this book and it's a combination of hilarious and true. It's also about 20 years outdated but interesting to compare to today and much of it still applies.
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This is totally anecdotal, but I think the driving around the Boston area is a bit more civil than it was 40 years ago. A lot of it has to do with better roadway, bike, and ped markings, and also people here from other parts of the country with more polite driving habits. When I was young, it was extremely rare to see drivers stop for a pedestrian waiting to cross at a crosswalk. Now, I see that happening quite a bit. There will always be crazy and rude maneuvers out there, but I think it's gotten better.
 
Charlie_mta said:
This is totally anecdotal, but I think the driving around the Boston area is a bit more civil than it was 40 years ago. A lot of it has to do with better roadway, bike, and ped markings, and also people here from other parts of the country with more polite driving habits. When I was young, it was extremely rare to see drivers stop for a pedestrian waiting to cross at a crosswalk. Now, I see that happening quite a bit. There will always be crazy and rude maneuvers out there, but I think it's gotten better.
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I think some of the things like waving people on and crosswalks I agree are up. But, I think since the pandemic road rage seems way up, too - and people just going crazy through red lights/traffic violations/etc. Feel way more wild wild west than it has in a long time to me.
 
bakgwailo said:
I think some of the things like waving people on and crosswalks I agree are up. But, I think since the pandemic road rage seems way up, too - and people just going crazy through red lights/traffic violations/etc. Feel way more wild wild west than it has in a long time to me.
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This has been my experience for the most part as well. There are some "superblocks" in the city where in the past I'd wait for breaks in the traffic and just quickly jaywalk across. Over the past year or so, I've had more cars stop for me and wave me across when they absolutely didn't have to - this has happened more in the last year than I think the prior 9 combined.

On the other hand, driving seems like an absolute free for all. It's never been easy here, but it feels like people got used to the empty roads at the start of COVID and forgot how to drive now that traffic is back to normal. I actually got into my first accident in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville a few months ago (I've been living here for 6 years, driving here regularly for 15+). The lady ran a stop at a T intersection (not even a hint of slowing down), t-boned me (no stop, I clearly had right of way), and she got out and absolutely lit into me like there was even a hint of ambiguity over who was at fault. She proceeded chew out the officer on the scene too. Accidents happen to everyone, but I actually enjoyed watching her get cited.
 
Charlie_mta said:
This is totally anecdotal, but I think the driving around the Boston area is a bit more civil than it was 40 years ago. A lot of it has to do with better roadway, bike, and ped markings, and also people here from other parts of the country with more polite driving habits. When I was young, it was extremely rare to see drivers stop for a pedestrian waiting to cross at a crosswalk. Now, I see that happening quite a bit. There will always be crazy and rude maneuvers out there, but I think it's gotten better.
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If anything, I've noticed that Boston drivers are *more* willing to yield to pedestrians than drivers in other cities. Possibly this is because Boston pedestrians cross against the light all the time.
 
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