PS – the flagmen at the other end thinks the first guy is a d*ck too.
Love this.
2011-08-30 01:49:39
18
Becks Run Road construction
Starting today and lasting through at least the end of September, Becks Run Road is closed to INBOUND traffic at Wagner Street. From Carson Street up to Wagner it is open to outbound traffic only.
This is a major pain in the A** for me and since this is going to be for such a long time I wanted to test my options. So this morning I stopped to talk to the flag guy I’ve been dinging my bell at for the last few weeks while it was alternating one way traffic. Well the flag guy was on a major authority rush this morning and our conversation disintegrated quickly. I ended up calling 911 (explaining that it was not an emergency) and talked to the police about the closure. The cop said it was ok to pass, just be careful. I handed my phone to the flagmen to hear this from the cop and the guy started yelling at the cop that I couldn’t pass. This was getting me nowhere. So I took back my phone, thanked the cop for her time, and rode around the yelling flagmen and went down to where the construction was. I got off my bike and asked the first guy I saw if there was a foreman around. The forewoman could not have been nicer. I explained my frustration with the designated detour and asked if it would be ok to walk my bike through the construction site on the sidewalk. “Absolutely” she said, “just be careful of moving equipment.”
So to anyone using Becks Run INBOUND, go around the barriers and ride down to where the actual construction is; then take the sidewalk, but be very careful of moving equipment, etc. If anyone stops you tell them that foreman Bridgett has given cyclist permission to use the sidewalk!
PS – the flagmen at the other end thinks the first guy is a d*ck too.
2011-08-29 22:10:39
2011-08-30 01:52:41
Marko82 - Are you still using Beck's Run Road inbound? Is the flag guy at Wagner just letting you ride through? Any problems in the construction area? I rode through there on Monday morning but I've been using Brownsville/18th since then -- which is basically backed up all the way into the South Side now.
2011-09-01 17:37:40
European or African Swallow? THAT's the real question.
2011-09-01 18:15:04
CommuterX - I've gone through there four times now with no hassle. They got rid of the upstream flag person so there is nothing stopping you from going around. Just be careful & respectful in the construction area, and most every person actually working has been nice and friendly so far.
2011-09-01 18:32:31
Thanks for the update Marko. I had been riding through there every day until they put the barricade up. I'll be glad when they are finally done.
2011-09-01 19:41:56
Marko - Any updates on Becks Run Road (heading inbound?). Is it ridable/passable yet?
2011-11-02 16:11:39
It’s still somewhat sketchy but it’s rideable. I’ve been going through by taking that little street behind the car wash, then playing peek-a-boo with the oncoming cars. The sidewalks are useless right now, and there is construction equipment and various other obstacles to prevent a clean way through. So I salmon in the outbound lane then duck out of the way when there is an oncoming car. It’s a little bit slow but I don’t feel nervous at all. I’ve even had the workmen cheer me on a few times which was way cool.
I think the final surface will be asphalt because the concrete is 2 inches below the driveway cuts. So as soon as that goes down it should be open.
2011-11-02 18:03:34
Thanks Marko! I can't believe that it's taken them this long. At this rate, the hillside behind the new water tanks will begin its inevitable slide before they are even done with the road surfacing. I guess I'll just stay up on Brownsville/18th until they're done. Be careful down there!
2011-11-02 18:37:29
Good news, the base layer of asphalt went down over the weekend. With a few dry days the road should be open.
2011-11-15 04:57:42
Thanks for the update Marko! Not that there have been any dry days recently, but is Becks Run passable now?
2011-11-16 21:34:09
It is passable if you take the road behind the carwash. You then have your own "closed" lane down to the light. Very passable & smooth, just use caution since you are technically still salmoning - albeit with nice orange cones separating you from traffic.
2011-11-17 02:22:25
Thanks Marko! I tried it this morning. I've been riding down Becks Run for over 10 years and never even noticed the "road behind the car wash". Heck, I never even noticed the Car Wash!!!. But mostly I can't believe they're not done yet. My guess is that it will stay one direction into December.
Thanks again for the onsite reporting!
2011-11-17 15:17:15
IT IS OPEN!!
Both ways too...
2011-11-20 19:53:01
And a whole week early for the Dirty Dozen, too...
2011-11-20 20:13:19
Becks Run Road reopens after water system project
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11325/1191547-100.stm#ixzz1eLZsmRj7
2011-11-21 13:40:10
woot
2011-11-21 14:32:33