General Discussion

Glitterati

(3,182 posts)

23. You don't understand Atlanta highways

Wed Jan 29, 2014, 02:23 PM

Jan 2014

It's really very simple - no PLAN can prevent jackknifed tractor trailers.

Atlanta's highways are built with many, many elevated ramps. Look up spaghetti junction in Atlanta for what I mean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spaghetti_junction_atlanta_georgia_i85_sb.jpg

On the very rare occasions that we get snow or ice, these elevated ramps freeze solid. There's seriously nothing more frightening than sitting behind an 18 wheeler and watching it slide all the way across that ramp, all the while thinking it's going to crash through the guardrail on the traffic below.

Once that 18 wheeler stops, it's jackknifed, stopping all further access to that ramp.

While spaghetti junction is the worst, the highways in Atlanta are threaded with these elevated egress/access ramps all the way through.

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Photos: Thousands stranded in 20-hour commute as minor snowstorm hits Atlanta [View all] Politicub Jan 2014 OP

Spoken like a true spokesperson rocktivity Jan 2014 #1

Wait.. You actually expect a spokesperson to be able to speak coherently? Fumesucker Jan 2014 #4

I have been watching CNN coverage DURHAM D Jan 2014 #2

Indeed, the media are idiots Politicub Jan 2014 #6

does it not occur to people to get off the highway and take surface streets? snooper2 Jan 2014 #3

According to our local TV channel WSBTV, RebelOne Jan 2014 #10

And out of gas jakeXT Jan 2014 #32

Not from Atlanta, huh? n/t Dawgs Jan 2014 #16

In Atlanta, EVERY road is the highway Scootaloo Jan 2014 #35

Not that easy Thirties Child Jan 2014 #40

And stuck because they can't get up the hill. Ilsa Jan 2014 #60

Damn who pissed off Chris Christie in Georgia underpants Jan 2014 #5

*snicker* CatWoman Jan 2014 #9

Winner! TroglodyteScholar Jan 2014 #14

Good lord, someone even gave birth in this mess! arcane1 Jan 2014 #7

"the same people complaining about being caught in traffic will elect the same bunch of morons" redqueen Jan 2014 #8

At the press conference, the public officials are blaming the media and their weather reports Politicub Jan 2014 #12

I initially believed it until I found out that the weather service had urged mfcorey1 Jan 2014 #29

One of the weather forecasters sounded annoyed and actually said Phentex Jan 2014 #34

What? B2G Jan 2014 #46

I just don't understand this logistically. Cal Carpenter Jan 2014 #11

Really is not that hard to understand joeglow3 Jan 2014 #13

Plus, the roads are simply not geared for snow and ice Glitterati Jan 2014 #17

No, you can't, but you can have a plan to get people home in an orderly fashion Politicub Jan 2014 #20

Wow. Where do you live? joeglow3 Jan 2014 #21

Not a "get EVERYONE out of the city" plan Politicub Jan 2014 #24

Actually, it DID take everyone by surprise joeglow3 Jan 2014 #63

Did they close schools before the storm, they knew it was coming. Did sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #41

They didn't Politicub Jan 2014 #51

Thanks. n/t sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #64

the forecast Brainstormy Jan 2014 #52

You don't understand Atlanta highways Glitterati Jan 2014 #23

I've lived here for 10 years. I get the highways, etc. Politicub Jan 2014 #27

+1 mfcorey1 Jan 2014 #31

A plan is needed. This really was not about snow plows... Phentex Jan 2014 #36

We learned the lesson Capt. Obvious Jan 2014 #49

Here's the kicker Politicub Jan 2014 #19

How do you get a truck through the cars? Phentex Jan 2014 #37

Why were there so many cars on the road when they knew the storm was coming? sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #42

THAT my friend was the real issue... Phentex Jan 2014 #44

Thanks, I just wondered since I didn't see anything about closings which is very common sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #47

They can't win... Phentex Jan 2014 #48

I think the rural counties LIKE to screw with Atlanta Politicub Jan 2014 #53

no, no, they don't buy snow plows around here , they put plows on garbage trucks hollysmom Jan 2014 #59

From what I've read B2G Jan 2014 #15

Thank you for that info Cal Carpenter Jan 2014 #18

That is what happened in San Antonio last week - tractor trailer blocked a very tall overpass sammytko Jan 2014 #22

I've got some friends down TBF Jan 2014 #26

Also ... our guy down here in Houston TBF Jan 2014 #39

Thanks for the link Cal Carpenter Jan 2014 #55

I was under the impression initially TBF Jan 2014 #62

This sort of weather only hits Atlanta every few years. Ilsa Jan 2014 #56

LOL - and Politicub Jan 2014 #57

Those liberal heathens in Atlanta! nt Ilsa Jan 2014 #61

I'm sure Florida wondered why Sandy was so destructive. Hosnon Jan 2014 #25

I can see that. Travis_0004 Jan 2014 #43

Was the state that blindsided by the weather? Here in Ct, the state/local towns will treat the roads Jefferson23 Jan 2014 #28

It's not about snow - it was freezing rain and ICE! Baclava Jan 2014 #30

thanks for trying Brainstormy Jan 2014 #54

No hills here, but the ice storm has closed roads and bridges everywhere here on the Gulf coast Baclava Jan 2014 #58

In the north we call a storm like this "Monday." Vinca Jan 2014 #33

My Dad forwarded an e-mail my younger brother, an attorney in Atlanta, sent to him. Ikonoklast Jan 2014 #38

Raising prices is what I'd expect Thirties Child Jan 2014 #45

There's a lot of blame for this mess including Mayor Reed and school district leaders. aikoaiko Jan 2014 #50