VDOT is amazing

[n2ize]

Three days ago I contacted the Virginia Department of Transportation about a dangerous entrance ramp onto I-64E. The MM118 entrance ramp had become so rutty, that you had to slow down or risk the bumps throwing you in to the Interstate traffic lanes. Well today on the news they announced closure of that ramp for milling and repaving. Never thought I could move the rusty wheels of Government, but I guess I did. Kudos to VDOT for responding so fast.

This reminds me of the shape the Franklin Ave. shuttle was in a couple decades ago. The tracks were engulfed by tall weeds and garbage was strewn everywhere. It was amazing that trains still made it through that stretch of trackage. The ancient wooden platforms were rotting from ages of neglect and had wooden plywood boards nailed over sections of the platform so that passengers wouldn't fall through the rotting wood planks that comprised the original platforms. The signs were all faded and rusted and local kids and vandals had easy access to the right of way. Finally the NYTA got around to renovating the entire line. They gave it a full makeover. New stations, new entrances and exits, much improved lighting, dramatically improved security, and fencing to keep kids away from the track area.

[KK4AMI]

This reminds me of the shape the Franklin Ave. shuttle was in a couple decades ago. The tracks were engulfed by tall weeds and garbage was strewn everywhere. It was amazing that trains still made it through that stretch of trackage. The ancient wooden platforms were rotting from ages of neglect and had wooden plywood boards nailed over sections of the platform so that passengers wouldn't fall through the rotting wood planks that comprised the original platforms. The signs were all faded and rusted and local kids and vandals had easy access to the right of way. Finally the NYTA got around to renovating the entire line. They gave it a full makeover. New stations, new entrances and exits, much improved lighting, dramatically improved security, and fencing to keep kids away from the track area.

Ya, I remember that. I was at the Franklin/Fulton Station in about 1998. What a dump! I called that one in, guess they finally got around to repairing it?

[n2ize]

Ya, I remember that. I was at the Franklin/Fulton Station in about 1998. What a dump! I called that one in, guess they finally got around to repairing it?

Yeah, it was a dump. It was in really bad shape. At one point the Transit Authority was simply going to abandon and demolish the line. It's a very short line, only about 4 stops. But the local residents took issue with that idea. Seems more local people depended on it for transportation than they realized. Plus it provides a convenient connection to the Q & B lines. So they scrapped that idea and gave it a complete makeover. Good thing you called it in. See, when you call people jump and things get done... ;)

[ad4mg]

Ya, I remember that. I was at the Franklin/Fulton Station in about 1998. What a dump! I called that one in, guess they finally got around to repairing it?

Since you have the inside track with VDOT, how about asking them to consider fixing the moon crater at the end of the Rt 360 west ramp to I-64 east at Richmond? It's only been there a few MONTHS now...

[n2ize]

Since you have the inside track with VDOT, how about asking them to consider fixing the moon crater at the end of the Rt 360 west ramp to I-64 east at Richmond? It's only been there a few MONTHS now...

You should have seen the collection of moon craters along one of the local roads here a few months ago. These were the kind of deep holes that burst tires, break wheels and damage vehicles. This sort of thing is common here during cold and snowy winters. The snowplows really break up the roads pretty bad.

[KK4AMI]

Since you have the inside track with VDOT, how about asking them to consider fixing the moon crater at the end of the Rt 360 west ramp to I-64 east at Richmond? It's only been there a few MONTHS now...

Have you tried calling? That actually seems to work. It may take a stack of calls on any one particular road hazard. But I think they listen. When I first moved here in 95, I thought Virginia used to be so fastidious about her roads, they were always paving something. Not today, our budget must be pretty thin this year. 58 years late in life and I'm learning to BITCH,BITCH,BITCH!

[n2ize]

Have you tried calling? That actually seems to work. It may take a stack of calls on any one particular road hazard. But I think they listen. When I first moved here in 95, I thought Virginia used to be so fastidious about her roads, they were always paving something. Not today, our budget must be pretty thin this year. 58 years late in life and I'm learning to BITCH,BITCH,BITCH!

For years we were trying to get a two hour parking sign put up in front of the house but we always got some BS excuse or a runaround. Finally our local councilman was running for mayor and we called him and asked about getting the sign put in. The very next day they came out and put up the sign. A good time to make the calls is right around election time. Their hearing seems to improve the closer it is to election day.