PDA

View Full Version : Gated Exits on I-64? Why?

Jinx
10-15-2006, 10:28 AM
While visiting Colonial Williamsburg, I noticed most exit (and entrance) ramps off and onto I-64 are gated! While I wager the gated entrance may be used to regulate traffic flow during rush hour (perhaps into NNews/Norfolk?), who in the world would gate an exit? These gates are a few car-lengths off the highway. Can you imagine the mess that would cause?

Bonus: Even odder, the gates are doubled! There are TWO gates directly across from each other for each ramp where one gate is long enough to block the ramp. (And, how much did VA taxpayers get taken for to implement this over-designed system?)

*I hope this doesn't double-post. I just submitted this when the Boards blinked and my original thread seems to have been lost in cyberspace.
Q.E.D.
10-15-2006, 10:32 AM
Hurricane gates (http://www.virginiadot.org/comtravel/hurricane-evac-default.asp#gates).

If you don't know what they're for, you're not exactly in a position to call them "over designed", now are you?
Jinx
10-15-2006, 10:36 AM
Hurricane gates (http://www.virginiadot.org/comtravel/hurricane-evac-default.asp#gates).

If you don't know what they're for, you're not exactly in a position to call them "over designed", now are you?

Ok, but why a double gate? They're not even staggered from each other. If one fails, the other (of similar design) isn't too far away, is it? Also, is the plan that I-64 can use all lanes to go away from the area?
Q.E.D.
10-15-2006, 10:38 AM
My link answers all your questions:
Why are there two gates at each ramp?
There are two gates at each ramp to make sure the ramps are completely inaccessible when closed. VDOT was concerned that motorists might drive on the shoulders of the roadway in an attempt to move around the gates. The two gates should prevent this.
Jinx
10-15-2006, 10:38 AM
Ok, but why a double gate? They're not even staggered from each other. If one fails, the other (of similar design) isn't too far away, is it? Also, is the plan that I-64 can use all lanes to go away from the area?

After reading down on the link,
:o No futher questions. :smack:

It seems they must be slightly staggered, but driving past, it is hard to tell.
Good show, QED.
Ike Witt
10-15-2006, 12:45 PM
I must say that $3 million seems a little expensive for those 2 gate.
friedo
10-15-2006, 09:31 PM
The $3 million is for all of them, not just the two in the picture.
Q.E.D.
10-15-2006, 11:25 PM
The $3 million is for all of them, not just the two in the picture.
Whoosh Airlines flight 235, you are cleared for low altitude flyby.