The past three days I have been in Northern Minnesota for work.
I spent the past the time in the Duluth and Two Harbors area. I flew in Tuesday and out early (6 am local) on Thursday. Here are just a couple of thoughts and reviews.
Airports:
Albany Int'l: The airport keeps changing and improving. The last time I flew out of Albany was in May and they were expanding the security area and also adding a few shops/restaurants in the main concourse area. The project is done now as there are now six - compared to the prior three - security lines. (Although you never had more than a 15 minute wait.) There are new places to eat (a coffee beanery and an pizza company) and a more wide open concourse area. There is also now a small coffee shop in the C concourse (only three gates) where there had nothing in the past. More options the better!
Parking, since I got to the airport at 5:30 i was able to get a very good space in the economy lot but that lot continues to expand as their is now a red, blue, and green lot (all gravel) in addition to the 40 or so rows of paved parking.
Cleveland: Because of a bumpy ride (rain from albany to cleveland) the plain got in about 10 minutes late and I only had about 30 minutes to get to the gate. I really don't recall much about it but I had no trouble gettingto the gate on time and the airport appeared very nice.
Minneapolis's airport is extremely nice. I landed in Concourse F and had to almost high tail it to Concourse C to get on the flight to Duluth. (40 minute layover. ) I was impressed at how wide and open the airport was, the number of shops, and also the restaurants that were throughout the concourses. I wish I had more time to stop and check the airport out.
Duluth is like a time trip to the past. 5 gates although two are mainly used for Northwest (the only commercial carrier into Duluth. Correction there is Allegiant Air - which I had never heard of and appears to links small cities to either Orlando or Las Vegas - that flies out two days a week to Las Vegas. The terminal is a trip back to the 70s with orange and brown colors. The security is right at the gate and actually opens for that flight only. There are about 10-12 commercial flights a day out of Duluth. Minneapolis and Detroit are the only destinations.
Detroit very large, very modern, very clean. Terminal A (79 gates) has an elevated tram that runs within the concourse connecting the North, Center, and South segments of the terminal. It was something sleek and modern within the airport.
Tuesday Duluth:
Stayed at the Hampton Inn right on Lake Superior. Tuesday afternoon was overcast on our arrival, but we headed to lunch at Grandma's Saloon along the Canal District. It seems like "Grandma" has a monoply in Duluth. In a one block section, there was Grandma's Sportsbar, then her saloon, then her marketplace, then her box car that serves ice cream. Plus she has a marathon as well. My thought was that they should changed the town's name to Grandma's from Duluth. In all seriousness, Grandma's is a three decade old locally owned chain that is in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Next spent about three hours along the lakewalk and Canal Park. Very sceninc, and a great recreational outlet in the city. The lakewalk includes a boarwalk and a bike/rollerblade trail. That stretches about three miles from Canal Park along the shore of Lake Superior to Lake Place Park and Leif EriksonPark. It parallels a lot of I-35 through the city and the parks (Lake Place and Leif Erikson) that are actually buillt over I-35 connect the lakewalk to the city proper.
Canal Park features two lighthouses at the lake end of the ship canal and the Aerial Lift Bridge. Great views of the lake - which on Tuesday had waves more consistant to the Atlantic Ocean along the rocky coasts of Maine- and of the many barges and frieghters that utilize the lake.
Lake Place Park is the first park (heading Northbound) that built over I-35 in Duluth. A very nice, clean, and well landscaped park. A number of neat perspectives and views of the various buildings and landmarks in the city can be found here.
Dinner was at Pickwick's which was established in the city in 1914. If you ever go, have the smoked whitefish appetizer. Very good and the horseradish sauce that comes with it is excellent. I had the Ribeye and a healthy portion of cheese au grautin potatoes to go with it. I was too full for desert.
Wednesday Two Harbors/Gooseberry State Park:
Began the morning walking the lakewalk at sunrise for a gorgeous view of the lake and lighthouses along with the fortune of seeing the aerial lift bridge in action.
MN 61 is a great drive espescially the two lane portion north of Two Harbors. Many scenic views and of course two curving tunnels through the rocky landscape.
Lunch was at Betty's Pies. Excellent food and the reputation is well known. By the time, we left lunch at 1 pm. There was a line outside (for lunch!) to get in. I had the Chocolate Banana Cream Pie. Wow the best I ever had! If you go, you may also want to try the Pie Shakes. Unfortunately for us, the blender was "broken" and we went with the pies. Be sure to try their burgers as the y have a number of great combinations including the Beargrease and Whiskey Row.
Gooseberry Falls State Park: A good way to spend an entire afternoon hiking and exploring. Gooseberry Falls are part of the Gooseberry River. There are four sets of falls (Fifth, Upper, Middle and Lower). The upper, middle and lower all cascade with the steel arch brige carrying MN 61 as a backdrop. There also a number of trails leading to spectacular views of Lake Superior.
Another great side drive is on old route 61 (Lake County and St. Louis County Route 61) which runs from just North of Duluth to Two Harbors. The entire route hugs the Lake Superior Coastline with many scnenic views and pull offs. Numerous cabins and lake homes line the highway but there is plenty of space along the shore.
If you have a chance to have a very nice evening meal go to the Scenic Cafe. A very rustic interior and exterior with an unbelievable menu and excellent presentation. Unique salads and a healthy wine and beer list. I experienced quial (Grilled Quial) for the first time here, and it was very delicious. The espresso chocolate cake is excellent as well. As for the location, it is right across the winding two lane highway from the lake. It is a great back drop to your dining and also when the windows are open a great fresh breeze fills the room.
Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior is a very goregous and rugged area. It is certainly a place I hope to one day maybe vacation at and explore further in my lifetime.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Sign Error may delay I-485's opening in Charlotte
Hard to belive that I have yet to do any commentary on my second home of North Carolina and their transport issues until today.
From today's Charlotte Observer:
The opening of a little over two miles of I-485 in Northwest Mecklenburg County may be delayed because the steel structures that support overhead signs have yet to be constructed. The structures, which the overall design was approved by the state in May, are now being delayed by the steel fabricator who wants an additional $86,000 on top of the $242,000 budgetted by the state for them.
The delay could last anywhere from two weeks to three months, and no solution has been determined.
Commentary:
It looks like a game of "Not My Fault/Not My Job" is going on between NCDOT and McWhirther Grading. John Parker, who is the NCDOT engineer overseeing the I-485 project, claims that the state approved the designs in May, and the DOT did their part. Ken Stayley with McWhirther says that the state did not provide the specs for constructing the structures. Parker says it wasn't the state's responsibility.
So will someone please own up to what was wrong, come to a solution and move forward?!?! Better yet just say ok there was an error somewhere lets stop pointing fingers and fix it?!?!?! The comments by readers of this article in the Charlotte Observer were very hostile and cynical.
Also, throw in the fabricator for wanting another $86,000 (on top of $242,000) to create the structures. Parker doesn't feel it is the state's responsibility to pay the extra money. Nor does he think taxpayer money should go to it.
Well a lot of "not my faults" from the NCDOT, the contractor, and an un-named fabricator wanting more money. Residents say they don't need signs for two miles of road, they can figure it out on their own.
Stay tuned....
From today's Charlotte Observer:
The opening of a little over two miles of I-485 in Northwest Mecklenburg County may be delayed because the steel structures that support overhead signs have yet to be constructed. The structures, which the overall design was approved by the state in May, are now being delayed by the steel fabricator who wants an additional $86,000 on top of the $242,000 budgetted by the state for them.
The delay could last anywhere from two weeks to three months, and no solution has been determined.
Commentary:
It looks like a game of "Not My Fault/Not My Job" is going on between NCDOT and McWhirther Grading. John Parker, who is the NCDOT engineer overseeing the I-485 project, claims that the state approved the designs in May, and the DOT did their part. Ken Stayley with McWhirther says that the state did not provide the specs for constructing the structures. Parker says it wasn't the state's responsibility.
So will someone please own up to what was wrong, come to a solution and move forward?!?! Better yet just say ok there was an error somewhere lets stop pointing fingers and fix it?!?!?! The comments by readers of this article in the Charlotte Observer were very hostile and cynical.
Also, throw in the fabricator for wanting another $86,000 (on top of $242,000) to create the structures. Parker doesn't feel it is the state's responsibility to pay the extra money. Nor does he think taxpayer money should go to it.
Well a lot of "not my faults" from the NCDOT, the contractor, and an un-named fabricator wanting more money. Residents say they don't need signs for two miles of road, they can figure it out on their own.
Stay tuned....
Monday, August 21, 2006
Albany Times-Union takes a look at the I-88 Collapse
In this past Sunday's (August 20) Albany Times-Union ran a series of three articles covering the I-88 culvert collapse on June 28.
Rebuilding in the Face of Tragedy - Covers the efforts of the emergency repair team that has worked non-stop since July 2nd to repair the culvert, cover with fill, and pave the highway. They hope to have the westbound lanes reopened by Labor Day.
Truckers' deaths on I-88 still resonate - Tells the story of David Swingle's and Patrick O'Connell's fateful ride the morning of June 28.
Traffic's return to old main drag is hardly a boon - Features businesses and residents along the detour route (NY 7). Some are seeing an increase in business while most are not.
Commentary:
Great work in all three articles in looking at the effects of the collapse from multiple story angles. First, the repairs. The culvert that collapsed was 33 years old, it received a 5 of 7 rating in 2004 and "Inspectors reported "corrosion with minor to moderate section loss for the full culvert length" and "minor perforations" near the outlet, as well as "severe erosion beneath the end left concrete slope paving, exposing the outside of the pipe from below the concrete for the full slope length." The state also briefly considered erecting a temporary bridge to carry I-88 traffic while the culvert was replaced, but decided against it.
Second, the stories of both Mr. Swingle and Mr. O'Connell tells more about the details of the foggy and rainy morning of June 28th, and also the family and friends who deeply love and miss both gentlemen.
Finally, the story about residents and business routes is very interesting. NY 7 for many years was the main route to connect Binghamton to Albany and points east. When I-88 opened, NY 7 became a sleepy backroad. Businesses that once thrived on Route 7 either closed or had to look at reative ways to get travelers off the interstate. Now, with NY 7 pushed back into service not every business has seen a boom. In fact, some businesses and most residents can't wait until the Interstate reopens!
Rebuilding in the Face of Tragedy - Covers the efforts of the emergency repair team that has worked non-stop since July 2nd to repair the culvert, cover with fill, and pave the highway. They hope to have the westbound lanes reopened by Labor Day.
Truckers' deaths on I-88 still resonate - Tells the story of David Swingle's and Patrick O'Connell's fateful ride the morning of June 28.
Traffic's return to old main drag is hardly a boon - Features businesses and residents along the detour route (NY 7). Some are seeing an increase in business while most are not.
Commentary:
Great work in all three articles in looking at the effects of the collapse from multiple story angles. First, the repairs. The culvert that collapsed was 33 years old, it received a 5 of 7 rating in 2004 and "Inspectors reported "corrosion with minor to moderate section loss for the full culvert length" and "minor perforations" near the outlet, as well as "severe erosion beneath the end left concrete slope paving, exposing the outside of the pipe from below the concrete for the full slope length." The state also briefly considered erecting a temporary bridge to carry I-88 traffic while the culvert was replaced, but decided against it.
Second, the stories of both Mr. Swingle and Mr. O'Connell tells more about the details of the foggy and rainy morning of June 28th, and also the family and friends who deeply love and miss both gentlemen.
Finally, the story about residents and business routes is very interesting. NY 7 for many years was the main route to connect Binghamton to Albany and points east. When I-88 opened, NY 7 became a sleepy backroad. Businesses that once thrived on Route 7 either closed or had to look at reative ways to get travelers off the interstate. Now, with NY 7 pushed back into service not every business has seen a boom. In fact, some businesses and most residents can't wait until the Interstate reopens!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
I-88 should reopen by mid-September and other news
NYSDOT officials expect a mid-September completion on the emergency replacement of a culvert that washed out during the floods in late-June. Two truck drivers, David Swingle of Waverly, NY and Patrick L. O'Connell of Lisbon, ME, were killed when the culvert and I-88 collapsed beneath them. Repair crews began work on July 2nd and teams in two shifts have worked 24/7 on the emergency project. The scheduled re-opening of I-88 is tentative based on future weather conditions. [WSTM]
Ironically this past June, a contract for reinforcement and repairs to the soon to be washed out culvert was let. The award was granted only a few weeks befort the flood and collapse of the culvert. The repair project would have begun this summer. [WBNG-TV]
Also, a slight increase in wrecks, about one extra every other day, has occurred in the area (on NY 7 & 8) as a result of the I-88 detour route. Most are minor fender benders. [Oneonta Daily Star]
Ironically this past June, a contract for reinforcement and repairs to the soon to be washed out culvert was let. The award was granted only a few weeks befort the flood and collapse of the culvert. The repair project would have begun this summer. [WBNG-TV]
Also, a slight increase in wrecks, about one extra every other day, has occurred in the area (on NY 7 & 8) as a result of the I-88 detour route. Most are minor fender benders. [Oneonta Daily Star]
Friday, August 11, 2006
PennDot opens bids on completing I-79/Parkway West Interchange
....thirty years later.
PennDot opened bidding on the construction of two "missing" ramps at the I-79/Parkway West (I-279/US 22/30) interchange (Exits 59A-B) in suburban Pittsburgh. I say "missing" because these ramps were not planned for in the original construction of the highway in the 1970s. The missing ramps are from I-79 South to US 22/30 West and US 22/30 East to I-79 North. Construction should start this fall and the ramps should open in 2009.
When the interchange was constructed in the early 1970s, I-79 actually was planned to actually take the ramp from I-79 onto the inbound Parkway West (I-279 North). I-279 would continue straight on what is now I-79 North today. But that changed when I-79 and 279 switched alignments in 1972. Anyways, the thinking at the time was that connections from I-79 South to the Airport and from the Airport to I-79 North could be done via PA 60 -- then a rural two lane road -- and connecting at what is now Exit 60. The hope was that PA 60 would be upgraded to at least a four lane divided highway or even a more limited access highway. Well, that along with many other highway plans for Pittsburgh never happened.
So thirty years later, a major freeway to freeway interchange is incomplete. Until 2009, that is. The interchange will become a three level stack interchange as the new ramp from US 22/30 East to I-79 North will fly over both highways. Also -- and you don't hear this at all in Western PA -- US 22/30 will be widened from four to six lanes from the I-79 interchange to the newly rebuilt Campbells Run Road intechange. A total of 1.6 miles. (For Pittsburgh, that's impressive.) I do not know as it's been years since i have traveled it, but I think that with the widening US 22/30 will be six lanes from I-79 to the PA 60 interchange (another incomplete interchange). But I may be mistaken about that.
Here's the story in Friday's Post-Gazette:
Commentary:
Although relatively small, this is an important improvement to Pittsburgh's highway system and the airport corridor. Since the early 1990's, the corridor has seen the completion of the Southern Expressway (A Freeway PA 60 connecting to the new airport terminal), there have been numerous upgrades to PA Business 60 (The old airport parkway), The West Busway, the Findlay Connector scheduled to open sometime in October 2006, and now completion of the I-79/Parkway West ramps. You gotta take what you can get.
PennDot opened bidding on the construction of two "missing" ramps at the I-79/Parkway West (I-279/US 22/30) interchange (Exits 59A-B) in suburban Pittsburgh. I say "missing" because these ramps were not planned for in the original construction of the highway in the 1970s. The missing ramps are from I-79 South to US 22/30 West and US 22/30 East to I-79 North. Construction should start this fall and the ramps should open in 2009.
When the interchange was constructed in the early 1970s, I-79 actually was planned to actually take the ramp from I-79 onto the inbound Parkway West (I-279 North). I-279 would continue straight on what is now I-79 North today. But that changed when I-79 and 279 switched alignments in 1972. Anyways, the thinking at the time was that connections from I-79 South to the Airport and from the Airport to I-79 North could be done via PA 60 -- then a rural two lane road -- and connecting at what is now Exit 60. The hope was that PA 60 would be upgraded to at least a four lane divided highway or even a more limited access highway. Well, that along with many other highway plans for Pittsburgh never happened.
So thirty years later, a major freeway to freeway interchange is incomplete. Until 2009, that is. The interchange will become a three level stack interchange as the new ramp from US 22/30 East to I-79 North will fly over both highways. Also -- and you don't hear this at all in Western PA -- US 22/30 will be widened from four to six lanes from the I-79 interchange to the newly rebuilt Campbells Run Road intechange. A total of 1.6 miles. (For Pittsburgh, that's impressive.) I do not know as it's been years since i have traveled it, but I think that with the widening US 22/30 will be six lanes from I-79 to the PA 60 interchange (another incomplete interchange). But I may be mistaken about that.
Here's the story in Friday's Post-Gazette:
Commentary:
Although relatively small, this is an important improvement to Pittsburgh's highway system and the airport corridor. Since the early 1990's, the corridor has seen the completion of the Southern Expressway (A Freeway PA 60 connecting to the new airport terminal), there have been numerous upgrades to PA Business 60 (The old airport parkway), The West Busway, the Findlay Connector scheduled to open sometime in October 2006, and now completion of the I-79/Parkway West ramps. You gotta take what you can get.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Findlay Connector (PA TPK 576) open house set for October 7th.
Well good news, the PTC annouced that they will have an open house for the soon to be opened PA TPK 576 on October 7th. It's your only legal chance to bike, hike, blade, picnic, etc. on the six mile toll road.
Here's an article with a great photo in the Post-Gazette.
Also, a note at the end of the story explains that Mashuda Corp., who was contracted to build the middle segment of the connector, picked up the work for the troubled Smith & Johnson, who defaulted in February.
Here's an article with a great photo in the Post-Gazette.
Also, a note at the end of the story explains that Mashuda Corp., who was contracted to build the middle segment of the connector, picked up the work for the troubled Smith & Johnson, who defaulted in February.
The delay in the southern portion was largely because of problems encountered by the original contractor, Smith & Johnson Construction, of Columbus, Ohio. It eventually was declared in default by the turnpike commission in February, and its bonding company hired Mashuda Corp., of Cranberry, the contractor for the middle portion of the job, to do the southern third as well.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
WV eyes 2011 for completion of Mon-Fayette Expressway
Forward momentum is starting to gain on the West Virginia segment of the Mon-Fayette Expressway. Last month, a wetlands mitigation project was let and soon(within a month) a local road project relating to the expressway will be let. The Morgan's Run Bridge, costing between $16 and $18 million, should be let for bidding in the next six to eight months.
Currently, two miles of highway - that includes one bridge - has been finished by WVDOT. The state currently sees 2011 as a target completion date with the interchange with I-68 being the largest and most expensive part of the project. Bids have yet to be awarded for that part of the highway. The WV portion of the highway will be toll free.
Article: Uniontown Herald-Standard
Commentary:
Some forward momentum on this project is good news overall. Although 2011 seems like forever from now, it was just six years ago when PA/WV 43 consisted of two segments totaling just over 10 miles. (Thanks to a recently opened segment south of Uniontown - which the under construction WV portion will connect to.) Since then, the highway opened from I-70 to PA 51 in 2003, and construction began on the first phase of the Uniontown to Brownsville section. Depending on PA Turnpike funding, PA/WV 43 in 2011 should be open from PA 51 in Large to I-68 east of Morgantown. Nearly 60 miles of freeway...will it ever reach Pittsburgh...we'll see.
Links: Mon-Fayette Expressway @ PAHighways.com ---Jeff Kitsko
Article: Uniontown Herald-Standard
Commentary:
Some forward momentum on this project is good news overall. Although 2011 seems like forever from now, it was just six years ago when PA/WV 43 consisted of two segments totaling just over 10 miles. (Thanks to a recently opened segment south of Uniontown - which the under construction WV portion will connect to.) Since then, the highway opened from I-70 to PA 51 in 2003, and construction began on the first phase of the Uniontown to Brownsville section. Depending on PA Turnpike funding, PA/WV 43 in 2011 should be open from PA 51 in Large to I-68 east of Morgantown. Nearly 60 miles of freeway...will it ever reach Pittsburgh...we'll see.
Links: Mon-Fayette Expressway @ PAHighways.com ---Jeff Kitsko
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