Poor Roads

[jcanavera]

I just got back from a trip to Mackinaw City and was discouraged by the number of poor road conditions I experienced on the major highways and Interstates. High on the agenda were I80 in Illinois between Joilet and I94, I94, and south east Michigan.

What is probably the worst road, and a hazard in my eyes is a belly in the entire westbound I 94 about 1-2 miles west of the Indiana/Illinois border. Just before you get to that McDonalds and rest stop that is actually built over both directions of the Interstate.

Last year as I was traveling east bound in heavy traffic I suddenly saw a dip in the road that crossed all lanes. You could actually see the scrape marks in the concrete where various vehicles had come in contact with the road surface. I had no chance to slow down and I hit this at 55 mph. As the front wheels of my van hit the dip I actually flew up from my seat with the seat belt holding me down. Then the rear wheels dropped with the Airstream nose going into an extreme angle downward and then the nose flying up as my van's rear wheels came out the depression. It was so violent that I was shaking figuring that I could have damaged the hitch assembly. I pulled off at that McDonalds exit and inspected the entire hitch area looking for scrapes or other damage and found none. I couldn't believe IDOT would not correct that issue since it was something that will test any vehicle towing a trailer.

Well this year I decided to be cautious and slowed down to about 45 when I got to the area where that depression in the road was at. I was hoping that it had been repaired. Alas it had not been and again albeit, slower I hit that area again. My only consolation was that while the Airstream and van did the same pitch and bob, it was a little less violent that the year before. I really can't believe that IDOT has continued to let that area stay like that based on the number of scars the roadway has accumulated in that area.

So be careful in that area and watch your speed. Especially on that road in that specific area. I wonder how much damage has been inflicted by that section of road. Thank goodness for the 3/4 ton suspension on my GMC van and the ruggedness of my Equalizer hitch. It's a scary experience to encounter.

Jack

[mpsgolf]

Absolutely right!!

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/i70-thru-indy-avoid-185811.html

I wrote IDOT and fed DOT - obviously no action.

[Ted S.]

It’s all over the country. I’ve crossed the country six times with my airstream and I’m always amazed at the terrible sections. In some cases I’ll slow way down and put my hazards on.