Michigan highway weight limit criticism

[Ragman]

Are trucks the cause of Michigans crumbling roads?

Michigan highway weight limits draw criticism in wake of Gov. Rick Snyder's road fix request | Politics/Election 2012 | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

 

[layoutshooter]

Much of Michigan is drained swamp/marsh land. It is very much subject to rising and falling water levels of the Great Lakes and other major water sources. That creates much more movement of road beds than is found in drier states and they are also more prone to frost heave damage. I think more could be done if we focused on better drainage, which I believe is a greater problem than load weights.

 

[highway star]

160,000 lb. trucks sure can't be doing much good.

 

[Turtle]

Much of Michigan is drained swamp/marsh land.

And the rest is built on top of Ontario garbage.

Yeah, right. <snort>

 

[layoutshooter]

Hey, don't knock those landfills, talk about a real "gold mine". The one I worked on in high school, the one that is now part of a golf course, produces tons of natural gas now. Just another alternative fuel, a cleaner fuel than oil, to help solve our energy crisis..

 

[Ragman]

Hey, don't knock those landfills, talk about a real "gold mine". The one I worked on in high school, the one that is now part of a golf course, produces tons of natural gas now. Just another alternative fuel, a cleaner fuel than oil, to help solve our energy crisis..

Mt Trashmore, I presume?

 

[layoutshooter]

Mt Trashmore, I presume?

Yep, right there on Sibley Road in Riverview. I worked there between my junior and senior year at Riverview High.

 

[guido4475]

Much of Michigan is drained swamp/marsh land. It is very much subject to rising and falling water levels of the Great Lakes and other major water sources. That creates much more movement of road beds than is found in drier states and they are also more prone to frost heave damage. I think more could be done if we focused on better drainage, which I believe is a greater problem than load weights.

Although that may be true, It amazes me how you can be driving north or south on 75, and soon as you cross into Ohio the roads are like 200% better...not perfect, but so much better than Michigan's portion of 75. I think Michigan has really improved 1000% on their highways, with the exception of the last 30 miles of 94, by Indiana, and the first 20 miles or so on 75. Other than that, they really are not too bad considering the amount of traffic and weather they get. Now, their side or secondary roads, hold onto youre kidneys!!!!

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Although that may be true, It amazes me how you can be driving north or south on 75, and soon as you cross into Ohio the roads are like 200% better...not perfect, but so much better than Michigan's portion of 75. I think Michigan has really improved 1000% on their highways, with the exception of the last 30 miles of 94, by Indiana, and the first 20 miles or so on 75. Other than that, they really are not too bad considering the amount of traffic and weather they get. Now, their side or secondary roads, hold onto youre kidneys!!!!

I've noticed during the years of rebuilding some interstates got a concrete foundation as opposed to a gravel base....maybe it is a budget thing or an engineering thing....on that 75 stretch out of Ohio all they do is that frost heave repair...patchwork....

 

[layoutshooter]

I've noticed during the years of rebuilding some interstates got a concrete foundation as opposed to a gravel base....maybe it is a budget thing or an engineering thing....on that 75 stretch out of Ohio all they do is that frost heave repair...patchwork....

That stretch of 75 is built over what was once called the "Great Black Swamp". It is very much subject to influence of the Lake level. Ohio did a total rebuild several years ago, Michigan needs to do the same, starting with better drainage. Better yet, get rid of it and put the swamp back into place.