Autobahn'ish highways in VA

[Mr.6]

I'm not sure if anyone has proposed this idea, but given the political and financial circumstances VA is in, I thought I'd see what others though of the idea before proposing it to any local politician.

As some of you are aware, VA has a surplus of $340 million bucks which they aren't exactly sure what to do with. They want to fix our roads with this money, but they also want to change some things that IMO aren't great changes. They'd like to change the laws surrounding the payments and fines from tickets earned by speeders (I think one example was a reckless driving ticket in which you pay the state/DMV a total amount of 1000 per year for 3 years--this doesnt include the court costs and minimum fine). They also plan to increase taxes to generate revenue to clean/fix up some roads, and expand others.

I have wanted to see an Autobahn'like road(s) in the US for some time, but most people believe that Americans arent safe enough drivers (And yet the vast majority of people have taken driver improvment classes:rolleyes: ). With the future closing of Ft. Monroe and Naval Station Oceana, it dawned on me that this would be an ideal location for holding an advanced level driving instruction course (behind the wheel of course), which would allow drivers to get another class of license (similar to getting an M-class license for motorcycle riding). Not only would this class generate revenue, but it would be taking good use of land that's going to be semi-useless anyway.

This super-highway that I have in mind would be similar to a turn-pike/HOV kind of lane. It can be as small as 2 lanes each way (simply because one of the first things that should be taught and upheld in the class for the license would be get the fuck out of the way of fast moving vehicles.) They will not allow 18-wheelers or anything of the sort, so as to save the lifespan of the highway from needing repairs. And, there will be a toll to enter this highway, which regular drivers can purchase a smart-tag (<----*cough cough* more revenue).

I figure since the HP figures of vehicles keeps climbing, and our high speed society (in all senses, not just in vehicles) keeps raising, its only a matter of time (more years than i'd like, but inevitibly) before these kinds of changes take place across america. I personally believe that it always takes one state to pursue an idea, setting a standard that other states will follow and improve upon, and givin the political/financial state of VA, I can't see why we couldn't be the state to start the trend.



This is just an idea, and i'm sure there are plenty of things i've over looked, so don't be too hard on me or the idea. :p

[tiki240]

wait, torrey, did you just seriously suggest VIRGINIA driviers on an autobahn? do me a favor, put the pipe down....

[Mr.6]

wait, torrey, did you just seriously suggest VIRGINIA driviers on an autobahn? do me a favor, put the pipe down....

:p

Read my minute details--you'd have to be properly licensed to drive on such a road. I know that was a lot of reading for illiterate ass :fu:

[turbo9mm]

haha it would be a great idea. I just know they would never go for it though.

[95lsintegra]

i am almost positve that will never happen....id would definitly be great if it did though..

[RPRacing]

I dont feel this is even an issue. I mean seriously, even out in the west where they used to have open roads, they now have a speed limit. Do you think that Virginia would allow such a legalized chaos? Oceana is hardly near closing as been previously established; and what makes you think that when Fort Monroe closes that all the historical buildings will get torn down? You do know how long Americans have used that as a fort: 1609. That place isnt going anywhere.

What benefits would come from having an autobahn? Minimum income from people willing to take a school? Less traffic? (Please look up the Autobahn and see if they have bumper to bumper during rush hour) No speeding tickets?
Why abandon HOV privileges which promote carpooling and envrinmental safety for speed? You would have more wrecks; face it, its the nature of the beast: high speed and wrecks go hand in hand.

This is not something that i see as feesible in Virginia or any rural environment. I think if they are using the money for fixing roads, thats a good decision. We all know of bad streets and highways that we just cannot drive on.

-Francisco

[VanillaThrilla]

I dont feel this is even an issue. I mean seriously, even out in the west where they used to have open roads, they now have a speed limit. Do you think that Virginia would allow such a legalized chaos? Oceana is hardly near closing as been previously established; and what makes you think that when Fort Monroe closes that all the historical buildings will get torn down? You do know how long Americans have used that as a fort: 1609. That place isnt going anywhere.

What benefits would come from having an autobahn? Minimum income from people willing to take a school? Less traffic? (Please look up the Autobahn and see if they have bumper to bumper during rush hour) No speeding tickets?
Why abandon HOV privileges which promote carpooling and envrinmental safety for speed? You would have more wrecks; face it, its the nature of the beast: high speed and wrecks go hand in hand.

This is not something that i see as feesible in Virginia or any rural environment. I think if they are using the money for fixing roads, thats a good decision. We all know of bad streets and highways that we just cannot drive on.

-Francisco


Ding ding ding.

I agree with everything you said. As much as I would enjoy something like this, the thought of it happening in AMERICA (Virginia, specifically) frightens me. People CANNOT drive. You see people driving that shouldn't have made it through drivers ed.. imagine letting people slip through a "high speed driving" course that don't belong on the road to begin with.

[Lovintha7]

I'd imagine the cost would be in the BILLIONS anyway. If I were the VDOT, I would take the 340 extra million and FINISH I-64. For the love of God, every day I sit at the 664N and 64W interchange. Be done with it already.

And speaking of that, if you were to put an unsurmountable amout of speed in the absolute courteousless drivers I have ever seen, that will equal nothing but pure carnage.

If this were to happen, the person should have to attend 10+ HPDE's at something such as VIR, or Dragons Ridge (whenever it's finished). Not to mention a $500+ liscensing fee. If someone is willing to spend $4k to drive on a road, the more power to him. I'm not getting on it with all the retards in this tax forsaken state.

[TruckSS]

Va will never do anything along these lines, but I think speed limits are dangerously too low. Rasing them to a reasonable level is a cheaper and easier idea. If you think I'm wrong about speed limits check out this site.
Speed limits (http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/p-sl.html)

[KRON1C]

I dont feel this is even an issue. I mean seriously, even out in the west where they used to have open roads, they now have a speed limit. Do you think that Virginia would allow such a legalized chaos? Oceana is hardly near closing as been previously established; and what makes you think that when Fort Monroe closes that all the historical buildings will get torn down? You do know how long Americans have used that as a fort: 1609. That place isnt going anywhere.

What benefits would come from having an autobahn? Minimum income from people willing to take a school? Less traffic? (Please look up the Autobahn and see if they have bumper to bumper during rush hour) No speeding tickets?
Why abandon HOV privileges which promote carpooling and envrinmental safety for speed? You would have more wrecks; face it, its the nature of the beast: high speed and wrecks go hand in hand.

This is not something that i see as feesible in Virginia or any rural environment. I think if they are using the money for fixing roads, thats a good decision. We all know of bad streets and highways that we just cannot drive on.

-Francisco



Ding ding ding.

I agree with everything you said. As much as I would enjoy something like this, the thought of it happening in AMERICA (Virginia, specifically) frightens me. People CANNOT drive. You see people driving that shouldn't have made it through drivers ed.. imagine letting people slip through a "high speed driving" course that don't belong on the road to begin with.


:thup: x2

[Odyssey]

:thup: x2
I think I saw you on General Booth the Last night leaving WalMart. I was in my girlfriends Del Sol with the SI wheels and SI wing. Car looks good man.


Oh yeah. I really boubt that Virginia will ever build an autobahn here.

[SHOFEAR94]

The speed limits posted for highways were developed in like 1945. So 55mph is a bit ridiculous considering the types of cars we drive nowadays. However, how many of you go 55mph down I-264? So if it were raised to say..65mph, the pace of traffic would be like 80-85, and that would be too treacherous during rush hour around here.

[doughboy415]

lets be realalistic, here, if its taken them what 20yrs just to do 64 over on the peninsula, how long do you think, (even if they were to do it), it would take to complete, if they started it you couldn't drive the speeds you are looking for, because you would have to slow down every 5 miles bcause of the construction traffic.:dunno:

[Boxer4PSI]

lets be realalistic, here, if its taken them what 20yrs just to do 64 over on the peninsula, how long do you think, (even if they were to do it), it would take to complete, if they started it you couldn't drive the speeds you are looking for, because you would have to slow down every 5 miles bcause of the construction traffic.:dunno:

The reason its taken them forever on that stretch is because the contract for that project was flawed. To make things brief, basically there is no penalty for being late on that project AND no bonus for being early. That is why it has taken 20+ years to do that project on the Pennisula.

Btw, I got my information from reading The Virginian Pilot a few years ago when I lived down that way.

By the way, Autobahn highways would never exist here in the States. German drivers are very highly trained drivers. Also, there are many portions of the Autobahn in heavily populated areas where there is a speed limit. The closest thing to an Autobahn here would be driving out west, where the interstates have 75 mph speed limits.

[95lsintegra]

great idea but doubt it will ever happen here in the states

[quickysrt]

baby steps first.

-get a drag strip in the 757 first.

[Hatch Man(GsR)]

baby steps first.

-get a drag strip in the 757 first.
:thup:

as for an autobahn in va. HAHAHA thats funny.