If traveling, I'd avoid Memphis at all costs

Scottwax · 07-27-04, 09:19

I really feel sorry for anyone who lives there and has to drive on I 40.

1 lane through the construction zone? West bound was backed up at least 6-7 miles solid...as in stopped dead when I went through on Saturday. When I went home on Monday, I took the southern route (65 to 59/20 to 20) even though it is another 100 miles or so. At least I was moving and not sitting in that mess in Memphis getting pissed.

However made the decision to take 40 down to one lane during construction should have to drive a nasty little car with no a/c or radio, rough idle, burns oil and overheats every single day in that construction area until the project is complete.

NeonLights · 08-03-04, 12:17

The only time we've been to Memphis was about five years ago we actually went out of our way to go to Memphis. My wife and I were driving from Columbus, OH to San Antonio, TX for my cousin's wedding. It was a 20 hour drive, we had seen Tom Petty in concert that night, and left on the road trip right afterwards (around midnight). It was sometime in the forenoon, we were getting tired, and wanted a diversion to keep us awake. I saw signs for Memphis, and thoughts about Graceland and Elvis popped into my head, so we took a 4 hour side trip into Memphis to tour Graceland and eat at a little greasy spoon diner. It worked, we stayed awake for the rest of the trip and made it just fine (24 hours later). On the return trip we drove straight through and made it in 20 hours. I don't remember any significant road construction at the time, but it was five years ago.

-Keith

Accumulator · 08-03-04, 02:31

Hmmm... I might be hearing about this tomorrow, as Accumulatorette will be returning from a trip to visit her family (Memphis and Nashville).

Scottwax · 08-06-04, 09:10

Quote:

Originally posted by Accumulator
Hmmm... I might be hearing about this tomorrow, as Accumulatorette will be returning from a trip to visit her family (Memphis and Nashville).

Nashville can be a mess too but at least they keep more than one lane open on 65 heading north out of the city. That has been under construction for a long time too.

I find it represhensible that only one lane is open on a major interstate through a large city like Memphis.

JayC · 08-06-04, 09:27

I feel your pain. I just drove through there a little over a month ago when we were moving. It was awful. One lane and it's a little confusing which exits you have to take to stay on 40.

Could be worse tho. Nashville had ALL of 40 closed when I came throught here. Nothing like going to Knoxville via Chatanooga. Only added 150 miles onto the already 1350+ journey.

Good times.

Dinzdale40 · 08-06-04, 09:31

well in nashville they almost have 840 finished....so after a while you should be able to totally bypass downtown....

ntwrkguy1 · 08-06-04, 09:35

Scottwax,

If you had headed further east on 40, you could have gone through the 'cattle chute' on 40, between Durham and Raleigh. It seems that the brainiacs in the DOT decided to put concrete barriers on BOTH the inside AND the outside of the road for 6 miles. Essentially, if you break down, you've got no way to get off the highway. Needless to say, there have been several large-scale accidents as a result of this.

All in the name of progress, huh?

-DavidM

TnM6i · 08-06-04, 10:09

I drive throught the I-65 construction north of Nashville every day and it usually moves pretty good during non-rush hour times. Having 40 completely shut down has caused a few headaches, but really, there are alternates and it's not as bad as it could be. Still, I'll be glad when the current projects are finished. But that probably means new work in other areas. Oh well. Been doing it for 4 years, kinda gotten used to it, LOL.

PrinzII · 08-07-04, 08:28

At least you aren't in Chicago right now. I-80 from I-294 - I-65 in IN is a royal mess, The Skyway is STILL under construction, The Dan Ryan is going to be a mess for the next 2-3 years, IL 394 is screwed, and the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) is messed up from Oakbrook/Downers Grove to points west.

PrinzII · 08-07-04, 08:31

BTW, I will have to run down there some time soon to see a man about a Maxima. If I am driving back, I am taking I-55.

Scottwax · 08-07-04, 08:18

Quote:

Originally posted by Dinzdale40
well in nashville they almost have 840 finished....so after a while you should be able to totally bypass downtown....

Define 'almost'. I have to make this drive for two more years. Once my younger son is 18, it is up to them to decide where to spend their summers. Will 840 connect to 65?