MoreThanSummerParts

Fusion has been "two decades away from practical use" pretty much from the get go. I remember reading about the promise of fusion power in the 80's ... only 20 years away. I'm sure Popular Mechanics was saying the same thing in 1950.

To be sure, progress is being made, but it's still an experimental technology that is nowhere near production ready.

Can we get a monorail down Route 9 from Worcester to Boston? Maybe up and down 128 while we are at it?

Speaking of 128, is it really a large social experiment in anarchy?

Why is the 95/93 intersection just allowed to stay horrible?

What is your preferred method of punishment for those who don't wait for ramp traffic and cut in at the last possible moment, creating an obstacle in the travel lane?

What were the people who designed the Route 2 / Alewife intersection smoking? Is it some civil engineering "in joke"?

Why is it taking so long to get EZ Pass accepted in all lanes on the Pike? I commonly get off at Natick during rush hour, and the toll lanes are empty (and we are paying for people to twiddle their thumbs) while the electronic tolls are backed up.

When are we going to see realistic speed limits set anywhere on the highways?

Some were a bit flippant, but have underlying issues.

Regarding EZ Pass, I have no idea why they have to do it all at once. They don't shut down electronic tolling if one station breaks, so why can't they add them at each booth? Perhaps I expect too much, perhaps these readers are like Christmas lights where if one goes out, they all go out. :)

Speed limits are indeed too low, as evidenced by the fact most highways start at ten over and go up from there. Especially for 495 and the Pike past 495, it's too low.

The monorail questions speak to the problem that it's easy to get to and from Boston, but reality shows us that there is a lot of growth along 128 and route 9, and the only option is to drive. We have a hub and spoke system, but economic development has happened all along the 9 and 128 corridor and the traffic congestion has grown.

The 93/95 question is very serious. It constantly ranks as one of the places with a high number of accidents, the delays are horrendous every day, and the "fix" is kind of like nuclear fusion -- 10-20 years out. I've lived in the area more than 15 years, and as far as I can tell, nothing's happening.

Cool. Do they have similar plans for the 95/93 intersection in Woburn?

Thanks -- I didn't know they were being so extensive with the changes. I've driven through other high speed tolls in other places like NH and down the east coast, and it's like driving in the future, not having to slow down while those without transponders sit and wait.