I-295 (Portland, South Portland, Gray: safe, to move, design)

[IHeartMaine]

I was stuck in that mess last night for almost 2 hours. I feel bad for the woman that lost her life and those that were injured but.........it took WAY too long for them to re-open the Southbound lanes (at least 1!). Add to that incorrect reports that one lane was open (MDOT and State Police need to get a clue and stop providing incorrect info to the media!!!). I assume that the victims were removed within the first 30-60 minutes of the accident........did it take 2+ hours to move the vehicles????:roll eyes:

Which brings me to.........something needs to be done with 295 through Portland. Too many people assume that speeding is causing all of these accidents when that is only part of the problem. Supposedly this one was started by someone actually slowing down. There are way too many exits, too many confusing and short merges, and too much traffic to keep this road status quo. I think that 295 has gone from being a throughway to being more of a surface street for local traffic. It's only going to get worse until something is done. Either widen the road to 3 lanes in each direction to handle the entering and exiting traffic.......or close some of the ramps.

[MadJack]

Why does everyone else have to fix what you see as a problem? Get over it . . . or move! I hear Mass is nice!!!

[IHeartMaine]

Originally Posted by MadJack

Why does everyone else have to fix what you see as a problem? Get over it . . . or move! I hear Mass is nice!!!

[MadJack]

So in your opinion, someone slowing down was the PROBLEM?
As for the 2 hour back up, have you any idea that there is always an investigation after an accident? That takes time!
And [as we all know] the media makes up what they want. Can't blame the police for that.
You assume... the victims were removed in 30-60 minutes... it's not so easy cutting a car away from a human without creating a spark which could cause a fire, kill someone, and delay your pizza run quite a bit longer!

Personally I think people need to SLOW DOWN! I'd like to see all major roads into Maine one lane dirt surface roads and five lanes going south. You somehow feel ENTITLED to a perfectly safe road going exactly where you need to go. Ever hear the phrase "driving is a privilege, not a right"?
Every time I am down that way I feel like I'm involved in a nascar race, and people are just in a hurry to DIE!

Slow down for Christ's sake, this is MAINE!

[IHeartMaine]

Originally Posted by MadJack

So in your opinion, someone slowing down was the PROBLEM?
As for the 2 hour back up, have you any idea that there is always an investigation after an accident? That takes time!
And [as we all know] the media makes up what they want. Can't blame the police for that.
You assume... the victims were removed in 30-60 minutes... it's not so easy cutting a car away from a human without creating a spark which could cause a fire, kill someone, and delay your pizza run quite a bit longer!

Personally I think people need to SLOW DOWN! I'd like to see all major roads into Maine one lane dirt surface roads and five lanes going south. You somehow feel ENTITLED to a perfectly safe road going exactly where you need to go. Ever hear the phrase "driving is a privilege, not a right"?
Every time I am down that way I feel like I'm involved in a nascar race, and people are just in a hurry to DIE!

Slow down for Christ's sake, this is MAINE!

Calm down......and stop pretending that you know me and what I was doing on 295.......and stop assuming that I am from out-of-state......and stop assuming that people speeding are the ones causing all of the accidents on a badly designed highway through the biggest city in Maine.........and stop being an arse.

YOU are the one acting like an arrogant entitled jerk. Baby boomer maybe?

And by the way........the State Police in Gray gave me inaccurate and what turned out to be false info when i called them while sitting there in the Southbound lane. Also talked to the PPH reporter who said that he called them twice and they hung up on him. Great way to deal with a major traffic jam and decimation of public information. Hopefully, we'll never have to count on them for a REAL major disaster.

[Champ le monstre du lac]

I agree highways in New England are very outdated and poorly designed. The ramps are tight, no room to merge, they are even worse in Mass and Connecticut. Old cranks will always be set in there ways and are resistant to change, just ignore them. If they can widen 95 to three lanes from York to South Portland, then it shouldn't be a problem to extend that to 295 going through Portland, especially when it boils down to safety.

[MadJack]

You both just proved my point...
This is Maine, "the way life should be!" Do yourselves a favor and slow down.
If your car feels like it is about to tip over, it's not the ramps fault... YOU'RE GOING TOO FAST!
"No room to merge"? Yeah, like people actually look over their shoulder when they pass a MERGE sign. I LOVE to hold MY LINE when idiots refuse to look! (then lay on the horn & give em the finger)

caphillsea, cough up a few hundred million and I sure Maine D.O.T. will be happy to spend it.

iheartmaine, the Maine State police OWE you nothing and it's not like the dispatcher in Gray could see what was happening in Portland. ha ha ha Hopefully you can experience first hand what the MSP can do for you sometime soon! You'll either love them or hate them, but you sure won't like them much if you display the attitude I've seen here!

Someone DIED but it's all about you, eh? Nice... REAL NICE!

[LordSquidworth]

Reason: ...cause someone had to say it.

People die every day for millions of reasons.

To the OP: I'd just ignore MadJack. Guessing he's one of the old guard mainers. Once they all die off, Maine might be able to move forward.

[IHeartMaine]

Originally Posted by LordSquidworth

[/i]People die every day for millions of reasons.

To the OP: I'd just ignore MadJack. Guessing he's one of the old guard mainers. Once they all die off, Maine might be able to move forward.

Amen! Time is on our side.....not theirs.

[Lastchance4gas]

Originally Posted by IHeartMaine

YOU are the one acting like an arrogant entitled jerk. Baby boomer boomer?

Hey, I'm a Baby Boomer- how did I get targeted in all this?

Also, I don't think I am entitled or arrogant. Don't stereotype people- the GEICO Caveman agrees with me.