Trains.com

If New York State DOT thought the same way that the railroads do they would abandon duplicate parts of the road network

657 views
1 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 1,568 posts
If New York State DOT thought the same way that the railroads do they would abandon duplicate parts of the road network
Posted by CandOforprogress2 on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 12:54 PM

US 20 because it duplicates the NYS Thruway and Route 5 because it duplicates US 20. Side roads would be abandoned or sold off to private contractors who would bill residents and buisneses on there route a per diam for there use. The NYS Thruway would be a for profit corperation and only Truck Lines that can ship a minimum amount each year on a contract basis would be allowed. Private Cars would also have to carry extra insurance to use the Thruway. Both Trucks and Private cars would have to have there route approved and can not use competing roads owned by other road companys unless absalutly nessasry. If anyone else has any thing to add please do.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 4:21 PM

Both NYS and our county have shed roads.  Usually it takes the form of a trade, not abandoning the route, however.

In the case of a road I regularly travel, the county traded maintenance and upkeep on that road with the town, who took over a now former county road.  

Many roads in this area are "seasonal maintenance," which means they aren't plowed in the winter.  And my township is filled with routes that outlived their usefulness and have been abandoned.

The problem with the "solution" as suggested, is that there is still plenty of "industry" (not to mention residences, etc) along both roads, and absolutely none on the Thruway.  Each serves a purpose.

And, in many cases, the railroads may have shed branch lines, but did so by turning them over to shortlines, ie, local roads.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy