Gribblenation

It took me about two months to do, but I finished a pretty big PA update over two parts. I enjoyed this update for a few reason first. It cleared me of two years worth of my own photos to add. But also because of the number of new features that were added. So here's a review: I added a new feature entitled, "Pennsylvania's Engineering Marvels". It opens with three features, the Kinzua Viaduct , the Tunkhannock Viaduct , and Roebling's Aqueduct . Three bridges that were major accomplishments of their time. The Kinzua Viaduct has a sad history as the 2003 tornado that severely damaged the structure and the impact to the local tourism business it has since made. As always, time will tell on the direction of this feature but it will include things beyond bridges. I added two new covered bridges from Central PA that I took in 2005 for a trip to State College. I even added a few of my own Keystone's that I took over the past two years. As always there were...

The SCDOT named Buck Limehouse of Charleston as its new director Tuesday Night. Limehouse , 68, fills the position that was vacated by the embattled former director Betty Mabry last December. Limehouse has experience with SCDOT as he was named its first commission chairman in 1994. He held that job until 1999. Limehouse's accomplishments as commission chair include the formation of the State Infrastructure Bank which is a source of money for important projects throughout the state and he led the purchase of Sandy Island as compensation for the construction of the Conway Bypass and Carolina Bays Parkway. The 9,167 acre island was preserved from development as a result. The announcement of Limehouse's hire has drawn many compliments from state officials. Because he is a wealthy real estate developer, he is seen as an outsider, even with his past experience with the DOT. Story: Officials cheer new DOT director ---Myrle Beach Sun News

SCDOT's wetland mitigation proposal to the SC Department of Natural Resources has been delayed two weeks to May 18. The proposal was to be announced on May 3. Both the DOT and the DNR said that they weren't close enough to an agreement, but they continue to work towards a resolution. Both agencies want to have as detailed and complete a proposal as possible. At the same time, the Heritage Trust Board is preparing a report on the impact the I-73 project, specifically a bridge near SC 917 that crosses the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve. The highway and bridge would impact 27 acres. After the DOT's proposal is presented, a special meeting of the Heritage Trust Board will be called to review and consider the DOT's proposal. In the past, the Heritage Trust Board and the DNR have expressed concern on the environmental impact of the Interstate, but they have expressed a strong interest in working with the DOT because of the necessity of the project to the region. The Tr...

Evidently, NCDOT has quietly decided to start signing certain highways with 60-mph speed limits rather than the typical 55 mph. Problem is, no one seems interested in admitting what highways are now signed with the higher limit. The roads being considered for the higher limit are restricted-access, which means they don't have driveways coming off the sides but do have surface intersections rather than full interchanges. As of right now, the only roads I know of that are signed with the higher limit are NC 11 between Kinston and Winterville and US 17 from Elizabeth City to the Virginia state line. Beyond those, rumor has it that there are up to ten other highways that are eligible for the higher limits, but I haven't seen what they are or if they are signed with the new limits. One road that could have the higher limit, the NC 24/903 bypass of Kenansville in Duplin County, is still signed at 55 as of this past weekend. Interestingly, freeway limits aren't being touched, ...

"It's enough to say, 'Hi,' when folks enter. At the borders it's fine, but we must draw the line. Must we welcome them to the state's center?" --NC Senator David Weinstein , D-Robeson A bill that passed the NC Senate Appropriations Committee would kill the plans to convert a pair of Randolph County Rest Areas into an I-73/74 Welcome Center. The reason, Randolph County is in the center of the state. Originally planned to be a traditional highway rest area, the Randolph County rest stops were upgraded to Welcome Centers at the request of local officials. NCDOT was going to use $1 million in federal money to build the Welcome Centers. It would also cost the state $180,000 annually to operate. The bill orders the DOT and the Department of Commerce to consult and gain the legislatures approval for any future Welcome Centers. Story: Thursday, May 3, 2007 at the North Carolina General Assembly --- Hendersonville News

Being in North Carolina, I never hear when my high school Alma mater makes the news. Well, imagine the surprise I had driving into work this morning when I heard that a tour bus carrying 40 people from Elizabeth-Forward High School was involved in a crash that briefly closed the PA Turnpike. The crash happened near Downingtown , PA around 4:30 AM this morning. Fortunately, only one serious injury was reported. The driver of the tour bus, Timothy Berkshire, was flown to a local hospital. The wreck with a tractor trailer briefly closed the Turnpike in both directions. The bus was carrying EF Band Members to a drum competition in New Jersey. It seems that the truck was returning onto the eastbound Turnpike from a pulloff and was picking up speed when the bus ran into the back of the truck. The two became stuck and continued for 400 feet before stopping. The bus was traveling at 60 mph, and the truck was going 40. The speed limit on this stretch of the Turnpike is 65 mph. Story: ...

On Monday, April 30th, I took a nice long walk around a few local neighborhoods after work. Springtime in Albany is a wonderful time to be out and about, especially in Upstate New York, where the winters tend to keep people inside. I was not the only person with this bright idea, as there were plenty of people running, walking their jog or just spending quality time outside with family and friends. The first photo is of Hackett Boulevard at South Main Avenue. Lots of my evening walks lead me down Hackett Boulevard. Marion Avenue with its stately homes, which is a little slice of the Buffalo suburb of Amherst, right here in Albany. ABBA House of Prayer, which is located at the corner of Western Avenue (US Route 20) and Homestead Avenue. I've never been inside there, but the name sure catches my interest. Manning Boulevard, which is another urban boulevard. This light post was replaced and installed back in 2005. Albany has lots of old traffic signals, wherever you go. This o...