OFFICIAL I70 BITCH THREAD....

[smmokan]

I don't know if it's really the busiest... but there's typically more snow (on average) and it seems like with Spring Break, it's consistently more crowded through the weekdays. Who knows- my point is that they probably should wait until the resorts close to start construction since they'll be closing lanes on the east-bound side as well. Combine that with a good storm or two, and this thread will live up to it's name for sure.

[bean]

Info on the WB bore: http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/i70twintunnels

March 2014 – Reduce eastbound I-70 to 2 lanes

April 2014 – Eastbound I-70 moves onto detour route and westbound I-70 into eastbound tunnel

April 2014 - August 2014 – Tunnel blasting and rock cut blasting above both tunnel portals

December 2014 – Westbound tunnel widening work complete

December 2014 – January 2015 – Lane closures to finish wall and barrier construction

September 2015 – County Road 314 restored and retaining walls and trailhead enhancements in place

Looks like they're starting it now to get traffic back on mainline I-70 before peak ski season hits next year.

[The SnowShow]

You're f'ing kidding me....more construction delays for the twin tunnels??!!
They should have just blasted the whole mountainside and been done with it.

[adrenalated]

So this thread is where we bitch about the current traffic problems due to insufficient infrastructure, then bitch about traffic problems caused by CDOT's efforts to improve the infrastructure, right?

[Danno]

I don't know if it's really the busiest... but there's typically more snow (on average) and it seems like with Spring Break, it's consistently more crowded through the weekdays. Who knows- my point is that they probably should wait until the resorts close to start construction since they'll be closing lanes on the east-bound side as well. Combine that with a good storm or two, and this thread will live up to it's name for sure.

Except the "bad" traffic season is almost over. Weekday spring break crowds are not a huge traffic consideration. IME, once mid to late march hits, weekend traffic starts to ease up dramatically. The only time it is really heavy this time of year is when it is snowing in the mountains and the weather is bad on the front range. Since they haven't even started doing anything, it seems to me that they are starting at the right time, basically as soon as the "peak" period is over. You're idea of waiting until the resorts close would make sense if it was a 6 week project, but it's not, it's many months, so starting as soon as the peak is over makes sense.

[Danno]

So this thread is where we bitch about the current traffic problems due to insufficient infrastructure, then bitch about traffic problems caused by CDOT's efforts to improve the infrastructure, right?

I think we can also use this thread to bitch about 285 traffic, when people look for route alternatives to I-70.

[ColMan]

They had 2 of the 3 EB lanes closed this morning at the tunnel. Looks like they are ramping up.

[montanaskier]

^^^ yeah they were doing work getting the detour ready it looked like. Friday afternoons westbound are gonna be bad again this summer.

[smmokan]

So this thread is where we bitch about the current traffic problems due to insufficient infrastructure, then bitch about traffic problems caused by CDOT's efforts to improve the infrastructure, right?

My earlier point... I don't think widening that tunnel to three lanes is helping anything. It's a waste of money IMO.

[bean]

My earlier point... I don't think widening that tunnel to three lanes is helping anything. It's a waste of money IMO.

It'll reduce or eliminate the "oh shit it's a tunnel slam on the brakes!" effect, and it's far cheaper (to the tune of ~$6M) to do it now while the contractor is on site and has the forms built up, and while the frontage road detour is still in place. They aren't making the tunnel three lanes at this time, just getting it widened now so it's done.

[cmsummit]

My earlier point... I don't think widening that tunnel to three lanes is helping anything. It's a waste of money IMO.

Improving traffic flow and increasing highway capacity will never be achieved without widening that tunnel. Ultimately, it's something that needs to be completed and since there's the detour already in place, there is a cost savings.

[nickwm21]

I know you conservative Coloradians will hate this big government socialist program we use in California called "Chain Control" but it will help get the fucktards off the roads.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using TGR Forums

[Bronic]

I left Vail at 1:30 yesterday afternoon and arrived in Boulder at 3:30.

Skiing and then rock climbing in afternoon in 65 degree sunshine. Wait, sorry. This is the I70 bitch thread. My bad

[Below Zero]

Why can't we just have a state law that requires one of the following to drive mountain roads in the winter:

1. AWD or 4WD with snow tires or all season tires. Tires must have sufficient tread depth (no lower than 5/32)
2. FWD with snow tires of sufficient tread depth

Then if you are involved in an accident, stuck on the side of the road, or are spinning out going uphill, and you don't have one of the two noted above then you get a hefty fine, say, I don't know, $3000.

On top of that, I'm a fan of yearly vehicle state inspections.

And then, on top of that, we could require a snow driving test which is required to be renewed every three years. Not sure the logistics of that because you would need to have this course at a location which would have snow on the course pretty much the whole winter.

[The SnowShow]

Why can't we just have a state law that requires one of the following to drive mountain roads in the winter:

1. AWD or 4WD with snow tires or all season tires. Tires must have sufficient tread depth (no lower than 5/32)
2. FWD with snow tires of sufficient tread depth

Then if you are involved in an accident, stuck on the side of the road, or are spinning out going uphill, and you don't have one of the two noted above then you get a hefty fine, say, I don't know, $3000.

On top of that, I'm a fan of yearly vehicle state inspections.

And then, on top of that, we could require a snow driving test which is required to be renewed every three years. Not sure the logistics of that because you would need to have this course at a location which would have snow on the course pretty much the whole winter.

I like ^^^

[fastfred]

On top of that, I'm a fan of yearly vehicle state inspections.

you'd take 20% of the cars off the road in colorado, there is no way some of the cars driving around would pass a state mandated inspection.

common problems:

bad brakes
cracked windsheilds
bald tires
(really bald tires?)
missing bumpers
headlights/signals


the list is endless (you just can't inspect my car and I'm cool with the law)

[GPP33]

Why can't we just have a state law that requires one of the following to drive mountain roads in the winter:

1. AWD or 4WD with snow tires or all season tires. Tires must have sufficient tread depth (no lower than 5/32)
2. FWD with snow tires of sufficient tread depth

Then if you are involved in an accident, stuck on the side of the road, or are spinning out going uphill, and you don't have one of the two noted above then you get a hefty fine, say, I don't know, $3000.

On top of that, I'm a fan of yearly vehicle state inspections.

And then, on top of that, we could require a snow driving test which is required to be renewed every three years. Not sure the logistics of that because you would need to have this course at a location which would have snow on the course pretty much the whole winter.

I'm cool with AWD/4WD with snow or all season but any 2wd should have chains in the vehicle and installed when things get nasty. FWD vs RWD is a pointless argument, for the most part people can't figure out how to get either moving in the snow anyway.

I would be down for vehicle inspections but they would over regulate and not really help anything. At least to do with I-70 anyway.

Edit: let's add in a test to see if you can actually operate your 4wd. You'd be surprised how much that tricky detail can be a problem.

[Dr Donny Brook (Richard Head)]

I'm cool with AWD/4WD with snow or all season but any 2wd should have chains in the vehicle and installed when things get nasty. FWD vs RWD is a pointless argument, for the most part people can't figure out how to get either moving in the snow anyway.

I would be down for vehicle inspections but they would over regulate and not really help anything. At least to do with I-70 anyway.

Edit: let's add in a test to see if you can actually operate your 4wd. You'd be surprised how much that tricky detail can be a problem.

Horseshit. FWD with HQ studded snow tires >> AWD with all season. Not even close, you have no idea because you've never tried it.

[GPP33]

Horseshit. FWD with HQ studded snow tires >> AWD with all season. Not even close, you have no idea because you've never tried it.

Calm the fuck down. 2wd with studs are ok too. Although you're right, I have never tried it and do greatly question if studs make a dick of difference if you're spinning on sloppy soupy shit, not ice.
I also highly doubt that adding studs to a 2wd makes it more capable than a AWD with decent all seasons in all conditions. But you're right, I have never tried it.

[Rideski]

FWD with HQ studded snow tires >> AWD with all season.

I've owned several RWD FWD AWD and 4WD vehicles.
Although I agree with you in various circumstances, I don't think that is the equation.

It's people with bald tires and poor snow driving skills.
So then is FWD with bald tires greater or less than AWD with bald tires?
I would presume AWD would be greater not just in a straight line traction test, but in a fishtail recovery.

Either way, why lobby so hard for FWD?
Are AWD vehicles and ones that can turn the AWD on and off not fairly affordable by now?

Just curious why people lobby so hard for them.


eta: I know people will lobby for them for plenty more years and would need to be grandfathered into a law anyway, so I'm fine with an equipment law as per above with appropriate tires being the majority of the penalty infraction for disobeying in the event of a crash etc. One of the positives of a beefed up snow tire law is that it is free to implement. Get the message on the CDOT boards and scare people with the potential of a fine, they will buy some tires.

[Benny Profane]

This is what happens when they legalize weed. Too many stoners waking up late and then driving in the left lane at 50 mph.

[GPP33]

Either way, why lobby so hard for FWD?
Are AWD vehicles and ones that can turn the AWD on and off not fairly affordable by now?

Just curious why people lobby so hard for them.


eta: I know people will lobby for them for plenty more years and would need to be grandfathered into a law anyway, so I'm fine with an equipment law as per above with appropriate tires being the majority of the penalty infraction for disobeying in the event of a crash etc. One of the positives of a beefed up snow tire law is that it is free to implement. Get the message on the CDOT boards and scare people with the potential of a fine, they will buy some tires.

MPG. FWD is hands down the winner. For what Colorado has to offer, unless you're running a snow plow business, FWD with snow tires and a little bit of brain function will get you through just fine. If you don't mind the noise of studs and staying on maintained roads then you can probably even turn off that brain function.

We often roll up I-70 in my friends Jetta TDI pulling down 50 MPG. Can't do that in my truck. She's never had a problem and she runs non-studded snow tires. She's the exception though.

My reasoning isn't for accidents, you can't fix stupid. It's for getting started once you have to stop on an incline. Accidents kick off the clusterfuck, spinning tires keep it going on for hours.

[steved]

I think once Atlanta, being the communication center of the world, got an inch...such a catastrophic winter(*#$%^(..the slipping and sliding....the world is coming to an end.. WTF is a snow tire?? LOL.

[bean]

I also highly doubt that adding studs to a 2wd makes it more capable than a AWD with decent all seasons in all conditions.

2WD with studless snows is more capable than AWD with all-seasons. A good all-season with sufficient tread is only marginal in any sort of snow or ice. Now go and put some good snow tires on a Subaru and you've got yourself an unstoppable I-70 cruiser (until a bunch of idiots start crashing in to each other - or you).

[summit]

Drive it at 2am
Get CDOT to stop with the three snowplows in formation at 20mph so nobody can pass for 30 miles.