The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

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The New Hotness

  • Road Conditions: 695 Dutchess Turnpike (Rt 44)

    Unfortunately, US Rt 44 is the only way to get from Adams Fairacre to the Stop & Shop, so we ride this section once a week. I’m towing the trailer with two bags of groceries:

    Rt 44 - 695 at Quest Diagnostics - pedestrian
    Rt 44 – 695 at Quest Diagnostics – pedestrian

    A palimpsest of patches shows that they really don’t have staying power:

    Rt 44 - 695 at Quest Diagnostics - deterioration
    Rt 44 – 695 at Quest Diagnostics – deterioration

    Gravel and a manhole cover keep cyclists off the shoulder:

    Rt 44 - 695 at Quest Diagnostics - patching
    Rt 44 – 695 at Quest Diagnostics – patching

    We take the lane well before we encounter this section, because veering into traffic doesn’t work well:

    Rt 44 - 695 at Quest Diagnostics - traffic
    Rt 44 – 695 at Quest Diagnostics – traffic

    The longitudinal crack marks the edge of the original paving. This is a common hazard on Dutchess County roads, as many were widened by simply paving the original shoulders into the travel lane, without actually rebuilding the substructure.

    The map:

    Rt 44 - 695 at Quest Diagnostics - map
    Rt 44 – 695 at Quest Diagnostics – map