What REALLY grinds your gears?

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by mooby

I have to drive a 10 mile stretch of 95 from Woodbridge to Alexandria every day and I've noticed something new they've done every day. Maybe people are just impatient, but I'd rather take the necessary time to have the work done right. I don't think it's going to improve traffic that much but maybe some of the more wealthier people won't mind paying to use the toll road, which would definitely help my commute.

I know it well , I was baby sitting my grandson on Quantico a couple of weeks last year .My question is why is the work not done at night like in Maryland on the beltway ...8pm -4am

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Nothing has been slower then the work on 95 around White Marsh, MD. Shit has been going on since like 2007/08.

I can tell you - with SmootSmack level of reliability - that they are still fighting legal battles on right-of-way issues associated with the project.

The work is massively complex in terms of the structures being constructed (high speed ramps and bridges subject to extremely high levels of stress from use and the elements), safety concerns during construction (trust me, it is unnerving to be standing near the constant traffic flow - think of changing a tire next on the interstate, every day, all day, for a year), and traffic engineering being done (compare it to trying to reroute two major rivers without ever stopping the flow of water).

On top of all that, given the fluidity of the traffic patterns, the level of complexity added by the nature of the location (i.e. - a confluence of major highways), redesign for unexpected issues is a constant problem even with all the expertise going into the original design.

If we didn't care (1) about seizing folks property without paying them a fair price; (2) if the bridges collapsed in 20 years; (3) if a few dozen workers being killed while it was being built; or (4) if we just completely shut down I-95/695 and Rte. 43 while the work was being done, the job could be done in about three months.

You know ... like they do in Russia.

[CRedskinsRule]

Government Shills making excuses for inefficient roadwork policies

[JoeRedskin]

They pay me to shill - I shill. With gusto.

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

They pay me to shill - I shill. With gusto.

JR , why not at night ? 8pm to 4am not peak travel times .

[JoeRedskin]

Varies from project to project, but, generally, night work significantly increases costs and, even with lower traffic volume, it is much more dangerous for workers. Again, depending on location there are noise and environmental issues for night work as well.

I think as a general rule, Maryland tries to do night work on the major highways but sometimes that's just not feasible.

Had a case involving a Bay Bridge accident and had to go to the worksite. It was pretty cool but, at one point, I am walking under the Bridge and the only thing between me and the Bay was a chain link fence strung across as a walkway. It was a classic case of "Don't look down, don't look down". Of course, I did and it was creepy, freaky. Guys just get used to it though.

As an example of the issues, when they do night work on the Bay Bridge, they shut down one of spans generally. Takes about an hour to shut one down or open it up (Got to make sure, when you route two-way traffic onto a one way bridge, that there is plenty of warning to avoid multiple 60 mph head-on collisions). In my case, the worker was setting out barrels to close a lane, had to cross an exit ramp to get the barrel, driver failed to pay attention, worker failed to see him and BAM. Guy was seriously messed up. All the proper safety protocols were in place, but driver just ignored them (we think he fell asleep at the wheel) and worker just failed to pay attention at the wrong time.

When you're working on the major highways, a lot can go very wrong, very quickly.

[mredskins]

Starting new jobs.

It just sucks. Last year I started a new job and the contract was not renewed this june. So I got laid off. I was only unemployed like 5 business days, not a big deal. The part that sucks is now I have a new job and I am back to square one of learning everything.

ADD to it the second I step foot into my new job. The senior analyst says he is out for 6 weeks for surgery and the other analyst puts in his two week notice. PLUS my program is up for a major decision so we are slammed. Basically they are asking me to make decisions about the program with few weeks of knowledge of the program. The other 2 analyst had/have 13 years and 6 years of experience on this program.

Just a pure joy.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

The lack of cruise control use is disappointing.

Yup, Samuel L. agrees

[over the mountain]

1. that stranger's hair that always seem to be sitting there waiting for you on the title page when you open up a used book.

2. people who buy you used books as presents. its fucking disgusting. books are private affairs that get subject to the most perverse human fluids. if you buy a used book and give it to people as presents ... stop it. how the hell can i concentrate on the story if i have constant chatter in the back of my mind saying "omg! omg! this is disgusting! omg i hope there isnt another fucking random person's stranger hair on the next page." - flip page - "omg why the fuck is this stranger hair curly? i couldnt be? W. T.F. im burning this book ... after i go throw up."

if you insist on buying people used books, at least give them the common courtesy of also buying them a pair of sterile medical gloves for them use while handling and flipping the pages.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by over the mountain

1. that stranger's hair that always seem to be sitting there waiting for you on the title page when you open up a used book.

2. people who buy you used books as presents. its fucking disgusting. books are private affairs that get subject to the most perverse human fluids. if you buy a used book and give it to people as presents ... stop it. how the hell can i concentrate on the story if i have constant chatter in the back of my mind saying "omg! omg! this is disgusting! omg i hope there isnt another fucking random person's stranger hair on the next page." - flip page - "omg why the fuck is this stranger hair curly? i couldnt be? W. T.F. im burning this book ... after i go throw up."

if you insist on buying people used books, at least give them the common courtesy of also buying them a pair of sterile medical gloves for them use while handling and flipping the pages.

You must really hate the library...

[over the mountain]

i dont go to the library but my lady insists on buying me used books.

i want to tell her to stop but i dont want to come off as a sisy but i can not concentrate when reading a used book.

if these are my current problems, im doing pretty good.

[MTK]

I never realized used books were a problem for some lol, tossing a book out after one read seems like a huge waste.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by over the mountain

i dont go to the library but my lady insists on buying me used books.

i want to tell her to stop but i dont want to come off as a sisy but i can not concentrate when reading a used book.

if these are my current problems, im doing pretty good.

Seriously, talk about first world problems. Haha

[MTK]

Digital books for the win, although I do understand the appeal of reading an actual book

[Hog1]

Well....AND you can download digital from the public library for....free!
NOTE: it should be noted that although no actual "book" will be distributed to the end user other than virtual, it will be in "used" form.