Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project (Big Dig)

[blahdy 21]

After extensive reviews of various photos of ramps in south bay interchange and scratching head for an hour, I've finally figured out the best way to interface Boston's Big Dig tunnel structures with RHW's 2-lane road.  Smooth and nicely transitioned:

Drive-thru shot from Subway Connector:

Variable Message Signs going up.  The subway connector has narrower road than RHW connector, so arched/pipe sign gantry can't be used there.  But I painted the gantry blue so it looks consistent with the highway theme.

Drive-thru shot from RHW:

[rickmastfan67 0]

WOW, JUST WOW!!!! I can't wait till this is done.

[Tarkus 6,933]

@blahdy:  That looks great!  The only thing I see there is that the RHW doesn't quite line up with the concrete in the tunnel entrance, but otherwise, that's superb.  I've messed around a little with doing the TE-lots with the underground RHW, but so far, they aren't really showing up underground like I'd like them to, and they've also got the issues associated with TE-Lots (i.e. you can't place two of them adjacent to one another going in the same direction). 

So at this point, I'm thinking that some sort of puzzle piece like I had been working on may be the best solution, and in the meantime, before I can figure out how to get things to show up underground, I'll probably end placing something on top of the pieces so things aren't completely invisible.  It appears it will be possible to put other networks underground in a similar fashion as well, too (Roads, Avenues, One-Way Roads, etc.). 

Keep it up!

-Tarkus

[blahdy 21]

Tarkus:  thanks!  Yea, the roadbed is currently not completed yet, so I deliberately left it like that for now so i don't forget later.  The roadbed will be retextured, and the connection with RHW's texture will be worked on as the model nears completion

Underground tunnel section is completed:

Foundation level superstructure is now completed.  Model completion: 30%

This lot will be the largest tunnel portal ever, 3 tiles wide and 10 tiles long.

Entrance sign; To keep with highway theme, we use the normal arched/blue-pipe sign here.  Lane control signs are installed as well (pointed in white arrows).

[allan_kuan1992 6]

bladhy.... I'm just plainly stunned at all of your works!

We desperately need some updated offramps though; the current "Version 1 (Deprecated)" is too green and bright for my liking. Also... what happened to some of your other works? They seem to have disappeared, like:

 Bridge-on-Tunnel Stack Ramp:

 

Essex Street On-Ramp:



Airport Underpass:



Please give a status report on these projects.

- Allan K.

[simzebu 20]

Yeah, what did happen to those? Anyway, everything looks very nice. The RHW ramp has the feel of a highway coming into a big city. It looks wonderful!

[SimFox 804]

Everything great. only small thing that kind of spoils things a bit those cables with cameras... Somehow they just don't look right - do they really hang like that?

[blahdy 21]

allen_kuan:

Straight off-ramp with Big Dig 2.x design standard is already delivered for modding, and Swamper77 had informed me that he will be starting work on it real soon (or he might have already).  Once he is done with that, the off-ramp will be released as first priority, since Atlantic Avenue Onramp (ramp A-CN) doesn't quite go too well with old Big Dig 1.0 off-ramps side by side.

Given the extreme RL constraints, I cannot give a timeframe on when that off-ramp will be ready; Swamper is very busy lately too.

The Essex St. Onramp (ramp R-T) will need to be redone in 3ds Max.

The Bridge-on-Tunnel Stack Onramp is cancelled, because the overhanging configuration doesn't seem to work well as originally expected.  But, it may be modelled again, (like Zakim Bridge will be in the future) using precision modelling of a real world version-- the Ramp L in South Bay Interchange.

The airport taxiway underpass is completed.  It is added to modding queue list, but given that there is only one person providing the modding/LOD service, I don't think it will be released anytime soon.  Good news is that it's easier to path.

Also I'm happy to announce that Ramp CS-SA (the latest curved off-ramp you saw, made in 3DS Max) is now also added to modding queue list.  As soon as it can be modded (again, we need more manpower there, there are too many models and 1 person to do it all is too much stress), it can be released on time-permitting basis.  Other ramp that's being added to modding queue list shortly will be Ramp LC-S, revised Leverett Connector onramp (I-93 southbound from Leverett Circle and Storrow Drive).

Overall, right now there are following priorities in the Big Dig project in terms of getting products released to Sim City game:

First Priority: Straight off-ramp using Big Dig 2.0 standard -- In Progress

Second Priority: Ramp CS-SA and RHW Transition -- will be worked in coordination with RHW schedule.

Third Priority: Ramp LC-S and any additional demand items that may be added in process.

Last Priority: Airport Taxiway Underpass and redo Ramp R-T

SimFox:  Yea, they are just like that on the real world version, so it's also replicated here.  The camera isn't installed yet, but you are probably mentioning the blue posts side by side on the road with wires on them:  they are overheight vehicle detectors (OVDS).

[tommiej 0]

blahdy, you always amaze me, i'm really waiting for a 2.0 offramp..

the RHW ramps already looks very nice! i'm curious how you're going to do the transitions with the textures

keep it up blahdy and i know you will!!

[blahdy 21]

tommiej:  Thanks;  I haven't figured out how to transition RHW texture into Big Dig land yet, but some ideas are flowing so far..  I'll eventually get to it.

Llights/lumineries and cameras are going up now.  Safety systems such as fire hose, etc will come next.

Working on the RHW hand-off area:

[bearmans 0]

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOA check out that taxiway underpass! That is pretty incredible!

[Filasimo 1]

great update its unfortunate that you guys are shortstaffed

[coolboy 0]

a lot of people like this and me. keep up the good work

[JCarter 0]

Man, keep it up!!!!!!

[chocolate_city 93]

Are you aware that your big dig project is available on Maxis.com under a lot of people names... just looking out for you. You all have put a lot of work into this and it's not right if its being stolen...

[shinkansen1 84]

Hmm... Could this be used for a highway network by chance? It seems that space in Enrion and Trusperaton are being wasted on ground and elevated highway systems, and their on/off ramps.

[rickmastfan67 0]

Originally posted by: blahdy

Working on the RHW hand-off area:

quote>

 

I see you can't figure out what the speed limit should be. lol.

[blahdy 21]

bearmans, Filasimo, coolboy, JCarter: Thanks!

chocolate_city: yes, but only thing I or we for that matter can do is simply report the link to Maxis as fraud using their report button available on the Lot Exchange.  But they have not done anything about it.

shinkansen1: Not sure if I'm interpreting your question properly... but Big Dig project here is basically purposed and designed to be able to replace your highway with underground tunnel system... so i don't see why not.  The current lot will be even more useful as it's specifically designed to handle rural highway mod network to Tarkus' upcoming underground NAM tunnel.

rickmastfan67:  heh, well for the record, I've decided that the speed limit is now officially  45MPH. Here is the latest picture taken today, depicting 45MPH (you can actually read it in SimCity 4 Zoom level now!) 

Ignore the #2 lane control sign being crooked and offline, I was playing with the green arrow lighting and broke it for a sec

[Filasimo 1]

lol looks realistic with the broken arrow since in RL sometimes traffic signs are not working

[Grneyes78 0]

Blahdy, I have read all 59 pages and don't remember seeing a question about making the tunnels two ways, instead of one. Is this eve going to be made to connect to a ground highway? Or because you are using subway tunnels, it is just not possible?

MaryBeth

[slowerisfaster 0]

Originally posted by: Grneyes78 Blahdy, I have read all 59 pages and don't remember seeing a question about making the tunnels two ways, instead of one. Is this eve going to be made to connect to a ground highway? Or because you are using subway tunnels, it is just not possible?

MaryBethquote>

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I remember Big Dig 1.0 had a ground hwy to Big Dig Tunnel piece that functioned in both directions. Though I haven't posted much here, I have been following this project with great interest. From what I have read so far Big Dig 2.0 won't have a piece like this, but instead will have two tunnels (one in each direction) that will connect to the Rural Hwy Project network. I'm assuming the two tunnels will be able to be placed fairly close to together so that it is clear that it is part of the same highway. Now I could be completely wrong about this because I haven't been following the RHW project; it's just a guess really.

Originally posted by: Grneyes78Or because you are using subway tunnels, it is just not possible?

quote>

 

Not possible!? How dare you question the abilities of the great and powerful OZ..er...um..Blahdy. I hope a house falls on you! 

(j/k btw and Blahdy no one else could pull this project off like you have. It would be absolutely, positively, and in all other ways inconceivable.)

[blahdy 21]

Ground highway transition is possible, just not much priority is being given to it at the moment;  it will be probably revived when Zakim Bridge project is re-started soon.

Due to RL constraints, not much progress today but I did make two changes!

Fire hose / hydrant access for median divider/barrier mount is done:

Green lights for both Lane Control Signs (LCS) and traffic signal lights are now perfectly fine-tuned.  They are brightly and vividly lighted up now

[Alfred.Jones 2]

OMG!!!!! Blahdy, you are officially extremely insane!!

[Tarkus 6,933]

Blahdy, the latest progress you've made with the RHW transition looks amazing!  The green lights are the perfect shade/luminosity.  Detail-oriented as always!   Looking forward to modding it.

-Tarkus

[tommiej 0]

brilliant!! i see that you're planning on reviving the Zakim bridge, i'm delighted to here that!! keep it blahdy and i know you will!!

[blahdy 21]

Tarkus & tommiej:  Thanks

BTW Tarkus, when you have a chance, I'd like to talk to you about the Zakim bridge project if you have some free time to chat available. 

Also, I found out the vendor they used for surveillance camera mounts in Big Dig.  Apparently it's QuickSet International's QPT15XD pan-tilt-zoom robotic mount, to remote-control the camera's panning and tilt.

So while I'm at it, I'll go ahead and replace the existing camera models made in 3ds Max for both ramp CS-SA and the current RHW-Transition lot with new ones, below:

For use inside tunnel/indoor areas:

Outdoor configuration with protective housing:

Notice how there are two wires.  The top wire is the video feed for camera itself, and the bottom wire is the remote control wire for PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) mount's motor functions.

[jwhitker7988 0]

will i be able to doawload?

[patriots_1228 51]

i feel really sad for you. half these amazing details will never show ingame. great job anyway!

[fledder200 5]

wow blahdy!!!

it keeps on looking better and better!!!

keep it up!!

[JCarter 0]

Originally posted by: patriots_1228 i feel really sad for you. half these amazing details will never show ingame. great job anyway!quote>

Who knows? Maybe a future version of Sim CIty? I dont know but all I can tell you is that Blahdy is excellent! I really cant wait for the UDI compatible Big Dig lots