The Interstate Highways. You paid for them. Which ones have you been on?

foreverfree | 8/16/03 | foreverfree

[Tijeras_Slim]

U-301
U-505
U-15
U-247

Probably would have been on more but Admiral Doenitz wanted us to come back.

[PistolPaknMama]

a system of highways during the Eisenhower administration to interconnect military bases.

I was traveling from SC to AL this weekend and saw that Eisenhower Highway System sign (or something to that effect). Is that what that is?

[billhilly]

I've Been Everywhere
By Hank Snow

I was totin' my pack along a dusty Winnemucca road
When along came a semi with a high canvas covered load
"If you're going to Winnemucca, Mac with me you can ride."
So I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
And I said, [break] "Listen, Bud I've traveled every road in this here
land."

(Chorus)
I've been everywhere, man, I've been everywhere, man
'Cross the deserts bare, man, I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel, I've had my share, man, I've been everywhere.

I been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota, Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow,
Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma, Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo, Tocopilla, Barranquilla, and
Padilla, I'm a killer. (to chorus)

Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana, Washington, Houston, Kingston,
Texarkana,
Monterey, Ferraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa, Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little
Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake, Grand Lake, Devil Lake,
Crater Lake, for Pete's sake; (to Chorus)

Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika, Shefferville, Jacksonville,
Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport, Hackensack, Cadillac,
Fond Du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellicoe, Pickle Cros, Argentina, Diamontina, Pasadena, Catalina,
see what I mean, (to next verse)

Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravellburg, Colorado, Ellensburg, Rexburg,
Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larrimore, Atmore, Haverstraw, Chattanika, Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska,
Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City, Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge
City, what a pity;

(Chorus)

[Lazamataz]

I went to the barber today and told her to cut my hair all off. I look like a biker/prison camp inmate.

Post it as a thread!

Feel my head.

I bet you say that to all the girls.

[wysiwyg]

Hawaii has interstates. H-1, H-2, H-3. Don't ask why.

Hawaii has interstate highways? Are you series? ;-)

[SamAdams76]

I think we should build a tunnel from LA to Hawaii. That would be an impressive feat of engineering. Though not as exciting as a manned spaceflight to Mars.

[Spyder]

Hawaii has interstates. H-1, H-2, H-3. Don't ask why.

Awww, you beat me to it. I drive them daily. And I know the answer so I don't need to ask it. ;-)

[Spyder]

So have you heard the joke about the genie who offers a guy a single wish?

He wants a bridge to Hawaii since he's always wanted to go and is scared of flying. Genie says it can't be done... too difficult even for a genie. Choose something else.

Guy says fine, then give me the power to understand women.

Genie says, "Ah, how many lanes wide did you want that bridge?"

Drum roll

[varon]

You really have too much time on your hands ;-)

[nkycincinnatikid]

Be careful, foreverfree, there are those about today ,just looking to pounce upon this sort of "hubris"

[HolgerDansk]

The Interstate Highway System was one of the worst infrastructural decisions ever made by the federal government. It is by far the least cost-effective system for moving people and material around the country.

The Interstates, which are heavily subsidized by taxpayers for their construction and maintenance, effectively competed with and nearly destroyed the railroads, the private-industry incumbent. Without those subsidies (some of which came from the railroads themselves, via taxes on their private right-of-ways), long-haul trucking could not compete, as it is dramatically less labor and energy efficient. After WWII, the US had the best passenger railroad service in the world (fastest, most comfortable), now Japan and even the French do better. Once again, federal entry into the marketplace destroyed private enterprise.

The Interstates themselves are giant Money Pits. They're aging poorly, and nearly all must be rebuilt over the next 20 years -- mostly as the result of lax enforcement of trucking regulations. And the fuel required to operate rubber-tired vehicles has made us dependent on the least stable part of the world -- causing us to spend billions on conflicts that otherwise wouldn't be in our strategic interests.

It's clear that the assumptions made by the Eisenhower Administration in recasting the national transportation infrastructure are no longer valid, and as taxpayers, we should demand that our money be spent on more efficient infrastructure.

[billhilly]

Bitch, bitch, bitch.

[foreverfree]

I doubt you would make this statement: "Aircraft carriers. You paid for them. How many have you been on?" Yes, it's true we paid for the 12 active aircraft carriers. But that does not mean we can simply paddle up to one and expect a tour by an admiral.

LOL! Well, I wasn't planning on doing THAT. :-)

foreverfree

[foreverfree]

foreverfree:Here are the ones I've been on, based on memory, broken down by state

rs79bm: You're kidding, right?

Well, I should have credited my 2003 Rand McNally which I had at my side when composing the initial post on Word yesterday morning (I pasted it onto FR last night, not wanting to tie up my phone during the day).

foreverfree

[foreverfree]

Surely...surely....you've travelled I-40???

No, but riding through Wilmington, NC last March, I came within a couple of miles of 40's eastern terminus. Even saw an I-40 trailblazer in Wilmington.

foreverfree

[foreverfree]

How about counting up how many different states you've been in.

I've been to 22 states and DC. Of those 23 jurisdictions, I've been on Interstates in all but one of them. The exception is TX. Two DFW stopovers in 1981 are the extent of my exposure to the state of W.

foreverfre

[Clinging Bitterly]

It seems a rather odd question. But I stick close to home and don't find freeways all that interesting. I have been on I-5 in OR, and have grudgingly ventured into into CA and WA on same said interstate. I-84 up the Columbia Gorge (slightly more interesting than I-5, because it actually has some interesting places to see along the way), and that's about it for freeways. Last time I was clear across the country about the only way to get there was US 66.

How's about expanding this a bit? We all pay for Amtrak too. Who has been on what lines? I like the Coast Starlight. It's a very nice train and the ride is about as good as subsidized transportation gets. The crew is a bit snotty and full of themselves, and the food ain't what it used to be, but the ride is quite scenic. The interstate system goes past everybody's front yard, but the train goes past the back yard (where the naked chicks are).

[bedolido]

I-84 (Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and others)

[Chummy]

quote
It is by far the least cost-effective system for moving people and material around the country.

You probably overlooked an earlier post in this thread, and you definitely overlook the fact that the primary purpose of the Interstate system is NOT to move "people and material around the country."

As Allied Supreme Commander in the Second World War, Ike saw the efficiency of the Autobahn for moving German military equipment around that nation; as President he pressed for and led the development of the Interstate system for that very purpose: to allow for rapid mobilization of military equipment and personnel in the defense of our homeland.

Yes, the system may and does serve multiple purposes, as mundane as a quick means for getting a station wagon full of Cub Scouts to their favorite camping spot and so much more.

Your praise for the rail system overlooks the inherent problem of moving people and goods beyond the placement of the rail lines themselves. That's where intermodal transport comes into play.

Interstates "heavily subsidized by taxpayers"? Where else do they achieve their revenue?

[Atlas Sneezed]

Trivia question:

What two state capitals in the lower 48 are not on interstate highways?

Hints below:


















They both end in the same last 7 letters.















They are both on the same US highway.