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Gary.Jones · 04-24-2018, 11:02 PM

I have been embarrassed for Louisiana as every time I come on I -20, as soon as I cross the Texas State Line to Louisiana, Texas’s reasonably good interstates immediately turn into some of the worst/rough highway we routinely travel. Louisiana is known for not taking care of their highways for at least the last 10 years, but the section from Texas to ~ Shreveport is some of the worst. (let’s not discuss I-10, OK).

Well, they announced today that they are going to re-build the highway over that section. It is my understanding that it is not resurfacing.... it is ripping it up and building it again. If true, better days are ahead, but construction for the next year and probably traffic problems.

Gary

brobox · 04-25-2018, 04:32 AM

Thanks for that report Gary. Have they ever finished I-10? I-10 was what got me off the interstates to where I enjoyed taking the scenic highways.

navychop · 04-25-2018, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Thanks for that report Gary. Have they ever finished I-10? I-10 was what got me off the interstates to where I enjoyed taking the scenic highways.

Just back from a trip Texas, LA, MS. AL, GA, SC. NC, VA, MD, DE, NJ, PA, WV, VA, TN AL, MS, LA and home. Quite surprised how smooth the interstates we're except AL and LA. Road construction on TX 79 had about 5 single Lane/pilot car follow me areas adding about 45 min from I-20 to Central Texas. Surprised how good the roads in the north east we're. Also by the $48 toll bridge in Delaware. Hundred bucks in toll bridges in 45 min. A bargain coming home with only one $24 toll bridge in PA.

Gary.Jones · 04-25-2018, 08:46 AM

I-10 is worse than I-20 as almost all of I-10 is a mess..... some politician's brother or relative got the construction contract the story goes.... Have not heard anything about I-10, sadly.

Gary

GuyG · 04-25-2018, 09:50 AM

Recently retired from OTR and tour bus driving (2 million miles). I could drive a motorcoach across, around, over just about all of the U.S. and Canada and as soon as we crossed the state line back into Oklahoma, just about the entire bus load would shout "we're home." And it wasn't GOOD roads they were celebrating. It was and still is an embarrassment that mile-for-mile Oklahoma's roads are at or near the bottom of the barrel. And, yes, that includes Louisiana.

Ann n Gene · 04-25-2018, 10:07 AM

Respectfully disagree. We travel all the lower 48 and for years Oklahoma’s roads were at or near the bottom but they have improved greatly over the last 10 years. It is and continues to be a long slow process and I hope the present stupid legislature with all its tax cutting doesn’t cause us to loose any more ground. But ODOT is trying and the roads in Oklahoma are getting better. All JMHO

Webz · 04-25-2018, 10:10 AM

Having lived in LA, TX, NM and OK, I agree that Oklahoma is the worst.
One of the first signs you see when entering OK is Road Construction.
DW and I will be leaving OK in November to establish residency elsewhere.

Bigd9 · 04-25-2018, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

I-10 is worse than I-20 as almost all of I-10 is a mess..... some politician's brother or relative got the construction contract the story goes.... Have not heard anything about I-10, sadly.

Gary

Any road that has Federal monies paying part of the cost, the states must use competitive bid processes with pre approved qualified contractors. Not to say a relative can't own a contracting business, but they would have to show they are capable of performing the contract in both experience and financial abilities. Even subcontractors must be qualified. At the end of a contract we would rate, kind of like a report card, each prime and subcontractor. Bad grades would adversely affect the bidding qualifications, and good grades would help boost them to be qualified for larger contracts.