2010 Road Construction, Detours...

[Chris Foltz]

A thread such as this has been very useful in past years in identifying those areas where long-term road construction projects would hinder chasing.

While not of immediate importance from a chasing perspective, a 17 mile stretch of Highway 385, from 20 miles north of Burlington, CO to 12 miles south of Wray, CO, is being torn out and replaced with a concrete surface. The road from roughly Bonny Reservoir to the 385/36 junction near Idalia is currently a narrow single lane (~12 foot width) with pilot cars in place. The other stretch is further north on 385 but was not down to a single lane as of yesterday. Appears it will be soon however. Construction will be ongoing through September.

Anyone who has chased north of Burlington knows this is the only significant paved north/south road for about 30 miles east or west. Could be a real headache as we progress into June and July.

 

[Nathan Truninger]

I-80 bridge over the Mississippi River is closed eastbound and down to 1 lane westbound. Take I-280.

 

[Ric Burney]

Here are a couple of links that some may find beneficial while chasing:

Oklahoma and surrounding states road conditions:

http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/road_condition.htm

Texas interactive map of road conditions, construction, etc.

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/GIS/HCRS_main/viewer.htm

Be safe out there.

 

[Scott Roberts]

Wichita Area Road Issues

Major project at I-135 & 47th St. S (Just north of the Turnpike Toll gate) 1 lane each direction, sometimes 5-minute backup on the bridge. Alternate exit northbound: K-15 - Alternate exit southbound: Haysville.

Meridian Street: northbound ONLY between 47th S and MacArthur Rd, construction north another mile.

You CANNOT ACCESS US 54/400 at I-135. Exits to Kellogg (54/400) are being rebuilt. Alternates: Northbound: Exit Lincoln, go east to Grove and north to overpass. Southbound: don't bother. Go around on I-235 or K-96. Alternates around town: I-235 and K-96/Turnpike.

All the above in effect through the entire chasing season.

 

[Tim Stoecklein]

W. KS - Ness City Hwy 96 & 283

Haven't confirmed it yet, but June 3rd, 4th, and 5th will likely see N/S 283 through Ness City detoured through town because of a huge festival which takes place every five years. Hwy 96 should be clear both ways, with the exception of a morning parade or two...I'll be the guy throwing candy at you as you go by

 

[Scott Udell]

Major bridge construction continues on I-35 in Kansas City (where it crosses the Missouri--or Kansas?--river). I believe their are two (redirected) lanes in both directions, but this could change at any time, and there are often delays anyway, especially during rush hours. I believe this closure will last all this chase season (at least).

Because of this, and because you can't get directly onto I-435 W from I-35 S, you might be tempted to take MO 92 W across country to access I-435. If you should take it all the way past I-29/Platte City, you will probably have to continue on into Leavenworth unless you take very back roads--45 south from 92 (heading towards I-435) will close soon for its own bridge work and be closed until late June.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

There is major construction near Bramen, Oklahoma north of Highway 11 (one lane on each side and some exits do not have south-bound re-entry (especially the Braman exit).

Also Highway 177 is CLOSED just north of Bramen. Alternates are Highway 81 to the west or 77 to the east of the area. This as of May 10, 2010.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

AVOID US-385 N of Burlington, Colorado and 20 miles or so S of Holyoke - I mean avoid it like the plague!!!!

Above: Saw THIS instead of a tornado ... Pilot car, up to an hour wait or more.

Construction IMO is a waste of time, money, and patience...

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Good day all,

AVOID US-385 N of Burlington S of Holyoke (Colorado) like the plague!!!!

Pilot car, up to an hour wait or more.

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showpost.php?p=269655&postcount=1

 

[Nathan Edwards]

Pilot Cars also in use in 2 areas north of Alliance and south of Chadron on US-385 in Nebraska. Delays aren't as bad as south in Colorado but bear it in mind.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Note: 63 in SD across creek/river that feeds Lake Oahe, only one lane is open, and we had to wait for a while at the traffic light setup for the construction. Also, shortly after the bridge there was again another area where one lane was open and we had to wait for the pilot car.

 

[Robert S. Thompson]

US 40/287 in CO

Another long pilot car zone on US 40/287 between Hugo and Wild Horse (I think). Sounds very similar to the one on 385, road is being replaced with concrete. Ironically I was on that road because I was avoiding the zone on 385.

 

[Robert S. Thompson]

US 85 in ND

A pilot car zone exists on US 85 north of I-94 in western ND somewhere in between the two sections of Theo. Roosevelt National Park. Did not actually drive it, was told by a park ranger and decided to stay in the southern portion.

 

[Butch Carter]

US-59 between Ottawa, KS (Franklin County) and Lawrence, KS (Douglas County). New 4 lane highway being built, partially open but expect delays from time to time. None of the maps are showing the new highway yet. You can now get directly on US-59 North from I-35 and it's very nice 4 lane to the Franklin/Douglas County line then drops back down to the old US-59 as the next new section of the highway is being built.

 

[Mark Blue]

Does anyone know the scoop on Highway 85 north of Lusk Wyoming? Rand McNally shows a construction zone on their 2011 atlas, but I didn't find anything on Wyoming's DOT website and am not sure of the extent of it. Let me know if you have the scoop on this issue.