WE'RE #2... WE'RE #2... WE'RE #2...
Yes, dear reader, our beloved Metropolitan Atlanta area ranks #2 in the latest Texas Transportation Institute study on traffic congestion. Only Los Angeles was worse.
Read all about it in this article from Atlanta's FOX 5 News.
Having driven on L.A.'s freeways back in 2002, I came to the conclusion that if you can handle Atlanta traffic, then you'll be okay in L.A. Not that I enjoy bad traffic, but at least I can say I've driven in 2 of America's worst traffic congested metro areas FWIW.
If the traffic woes are not bad enough for you, then how about the Atlanta region's water supply dwindling? For example,
Lake Sidney Lanier on the Chattahoochee River just northeast of Atlanta is at its lowest level since the lake was formed 50 years ago.
Please click here to read the article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Given the extreme drought conditions we've experienced, plus the out-of-control growth of the region, neither one of these really surprises me. The water situation alone should be a "wake-up call" to our elected leaders that we could literally die of thirst if we don't do something. Mind you, growth and economic development are a good thing, but growth must be regulated or else we all are going to suffer. I've beaten this horse to death already in prior blogs, so at this point, I'll leave it alone.
GA 400 Back To 65 MPH
On a different note, the speed limit on US 19/GA 400 from just north of the North Springs MARTA Station has been increased back to 65 MPH. On the southbound lanes, there are new yellow diamond signs containing an arrow above a "SPEED LIMIT 55" sign that replaced the old black-and-white "REDUCED SPEED AHEAD" signs. I first saw these signs in Florida late last year, so this must be a new MUTCD design. I'm quite happy that GDOT finally upped the limit. After all, most folks were doing
at least 65 MPH anyway.
Talkshow Saturday, 9/22 @ 3 PM Scott Kozel will be my guest on the next episode of
The Georgia Road Geek on BlogTalkRadio.com. I look forward to talking with Scott and hope you will tune in.
Videos Featured On Flix55.comToday, I received an e-mail from an associate producer from New York station WLNY-TV 55 regarding my "Goofin' on 400" video. He may feature it on a new weekly television show called "Quick Flix", which may eventually be nationally syndicated. I uploaded this one and 2 of my "ROADGEEK-CAM!!!" videos to
Flix55.com.
Hey, they might get some exposure on TV.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading my blogs, watching my videos, and for listening to my talkshow, and please come back again.
