I-15 Malad Summit a very bumpy ride (Boise, McCammon: maintenance, moving)

[pw72]

I understand this mountain summit is at a high elevation and is relatively lightly traveled. However, over this Memorial Day weekend I took the route both southbound and northbound and it is in not so good shape, (especially NB). Some filled potholes, some new ones that are not filled. I also understand transportation budgets have had to cut back. Has it always been this bad?

In the meantime, there seems to be plenty in the budget to replace the McCammon bridge and completely rebuild the interchange. Not that this is a bad project, but isn't maintaining an Interstate summit important, too?

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by pw72

I understand this mountain summit is at a high elevation and is relatively lightly traveled. However, over this Memorial Day weekend I took the route both southbound and northbound and it is in not so good shape, (especially NB). Some filled potholes, some new ones that are not filled. I also understand transportation budgets have had to cut back. Has it always been this bad?

In the meantime, there seems to be plenty in the budget to replace the McCammon bridge and completely rebuild the interchange. Not that this is a bad project, but isn't maintaining an Interstate summit important, too?

This is the time of year when roads are at their worst. By early fall, I'm sure most of the potholes will be filled. That stretch of I-15 was drastically improved in the early 90's, so it probably hasn't gotten the budget attention it needs lately.

It's heavily travelled by semi trucks, and during tourist season it also gets heavy use. Automobile traffic at other times is probably lighter on the pass than other passes, as I-84 drains off a lot of the traffic coming north from Utah that is headed toward Boise and S.W. Idaho.

[pw72]

Originally Posted by banjomike

This is the time of year when roads are at their worst. By early fall, I'm sure most of the potholes will be filled. That stretch of I-15 was drastically improved in the early 90's, so it probably hasn't gotten the budget attention it needs lately.

It's heavily travelled by semi trucks, and during tourist season it also gets heavy use. Automobile traffic at other times is probably lighter on the pass than other passes, as I-84 drains off a lot of the traffic coming north from Utah that is headed toward Boise and S.W. Idaho.

Yes, banjomike, what you say is true. I understand the time of year, but it is the worst I've seen it in six years. I wonder if it is being neglected, though I have nothing to base that on, other that personal experience.

FWIT, and a completely unrelated issue, Utah drivers seemed to be much more calm and polite this weekend than I have witnessed in the past. Not sure if enforcement there has been stepped up recently, but that is what I noticed.

I also noted many U-hauls towing cars with California plates moving east on I-80, and north on I-15. Anecdotal, of course, but interesting nonetheless.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by pw72

Yes, banjomike, what you say is true. I understand the time of year, but it is the worst I've seen it in six years. I wonder if it is being neglected, though I have nothing to base that on, other that personal experience.

FWIT, and a completely unrelated issue, Utah drivers seemed to be much more calm and polite this weekend than I have witnessed in the past. Not sure if enforcement there has been stepped up recently, but that is what I noticed.

I also noted many U-hauls towing cars with California plates moving east on I-80, and north on I-15. Anecdotal, of course, but interesting nonetheless.

Folks might think California drivers are bad, but I'm with you- Utah drivers in this neck o' the woods are much worse mannered.

I-15 is probably low on the maintenance list right now, but if you have ever travelled an Interstate in Nevada, it's still wonder road in comparison. And long stretches of I-15 in California are way bad; the heat and the desert chews a roadbed up pretty fast.

No surprise for me to hear about the U-Hauls. The exodus has been going on for 20 years now, and I think will only escalate over the next decade.

[pw72]

Originally Posted by banjomike

Folks might think California drivers are bad, but I'm with you- Utah drivers in this neck o' the woods are much worse mannered.

I-15 is probably low on the maintenance list right now, but if you have ever travelled an Interstate in Nevada, it's still wonder road in comparison. And long stretches of I-15 in California are way bad; the heat and the desert chews a roadbed up pretty fast.

No surprise for me to hear about the U-Hauls. The exodus has been going on for 20 years now, and I think will only escalate over the next decade.

Yes, in Idaho, how many times have you been passed by a Utah driver going 80-85 on the Interstate? I know there is an impolite name for this, but I won't go there. I wonder if many Utah drivers think because it is so wide open in Idaho, the speed rules don't matter. (They would be wrong in some parts, especially between Poky and IF).