Downgrades east of the Mississippi that really get your attention

Found many of them types on the 2 lanes doing oilfield work around sw pa and wv. Give me those roads any day of the week, driving in a straight line bores me to death

 

If I am not mistaken they finally had THE BIG SLIDE which closed the entire interstate for a while. I think rumors tossed around indicated 9000 tons of rock and talus and associated soils, trees etc all had to be removed to reopen that road.

I recall excatly that little stretch you speak of. I have always considered it a form of dantes torture, why do I have to be at 45 mph in this lane and then 50 in that lane what does all of this matter? And do they really believe that tiny chain link fencing will do any good once 1000 ton decides to go ahead and fold over falling onto the road smashing us all like you smash a ant with a shoe.

 

It's been a while since I went that way, however I do think the NC DOT will give some serious thought to running I-40 north to I-81 in Tenn. That roadbed through the gorge is going to always cost NC money fixing rock slides. Those slides are going both down on the road and the actual roadbed is giving away into the river. NC has been lucky so far. That big slide that happened in 96/97 (forgot the year) almost killed people. Let a car full of people get killed and state lawmakers will have to do something.

 

There is one particular road my parents took me on as a child back in the 60's It is literally a divided highway into a set of special tunnels that goes through a mountain strictly for the purpose of connecting 40 and 81.

I need to take a little time tonight to dig up that bookmarked website about that particular route. It is at this time and has been for a very many years a absolutely closed road banned to all traffic. I don't know if I will find that webpage tonight but I have alot of bookmarks to work on. It's located in eastern Tennessee and what I would consider to be a part of far western Virginia right along the line of NC above I-40 real close to where all three states meet.

 

I run this every day. It’s about 20% chance on any given run that there will be a semi crashed at the same turn every time. Don’t know why, it’s an easy stretch, just set cruise for 52 and you’re fine for the most part. It’s the idiots that ignore the lane restriction and go flying at 65 that end up costing me delays

 

These newer trucks have great engine braking. I have to turn mine down to two or I lose speed.

 

I've found that there are some short (1-3mi) grades that catch driver's because they think the shortness isn't a reason to slow down. Specifically I80/280 east by the Oranges in NJ. I've see trucks coming down the end of that hill at 85 with smoking brakes and broke down going up it.

There are a few state routes through the Appalachians but your gps won't send you through them. Through WV into Maryland and the Shenandoah mountains.

 

I imagine that was Fancy Gap. Fifty years ago, with those old trucks, I'm sure made it suck. Nowadays I don't think it's all that bad. To me the worst ones on the interstates are Black Mountain on 40, and Green River Gorge on 26. Both in NC. They aren't long, but they're pretty steep. What makes them bad, is that they have ridiculously low speed limits, no passing zones for trucks, and the state patrol are usually all over them. The absolute worst ones, are on state roads and the old federal roads. Steep and constant switch backs that you have to be slow enough for fifth or sixth gear. Any faster and you'll roll over or leave the lane. Drivers that aren't familiar will heat their brakes up, on the constant slow down for the curves, and they have to do it so many times. But, not much freight in those areas, so little possibility of using those roads, except local work.

 

Last week a mudslide right at the top of black mountain took out the right two lanes. For about 3-4 days it was stop and go up the hill while they fixed it

 

Stayed there in a cottage a few years back with the family. I totally know where you mean. Up and down .....in the Jeep (our PV) wasn't even fun... yep.....