Winchester

[chrissc94 1]

Good to see you back, great update!

[antsel 841]

Great update. I love your CJ and your fascination with road geekery. All the traffic lights and signs sure add another dimension to your city. I love what you're doing.

[Hawkeye9 0]

Glad to have you back Dan!!! Awsome update as always and ill be lookin out for more!!!

[Raysfan16 5]

DUUUUUUDE! DUUUUUDE!

You're back! This is the happiest day of my life!

Your signs seem better than ever, and you did really well redeveloping Winchester Mall! What are those apartments there (the tan-ish ones that are there three times) in your redevelopment pic?

Also, I recommend a slope mod. Those interchanges look just a little bit chaotic to drive on.

Other than that, I love It! Glad to see another quality CJ return!

[pickled_pig 7]

Hey. Business US-27 goes through some massive sprawl there. I especially like the partial-access nature, with both traffic signals. and exit ramps.

As for a new city journal, I stopped playing SC4 as soon as I got tired of my new PC crashing to the desktop at arbitrary times. I had no idea whether I'd be able to play for a couple hours or a couple minutes. I'd love to get back to playing. I look at the city journals and see that the community is as alive as it's ever been and think of how many awesome new things SC4 players have to play with. That being said, I have an insanely busy fall semester up ahead, and there would be minimal time for any sort of gaming.

[edmonton_stinks 5]

I love the whole "city as a dynamic process" thing. It's good that the former Winchester Mall was redeveloped, rather than just left to decay.

[bluemoose 223]

very nice. I love the roadgeekery.

may i ask how you make your transit maps. They are absolutely awesome.

[Schulmanator 5,787]

I have been missing this! I am glad to see you back at last.

[PhilsCafe 8]

I'm glad to see you back too, Dan! Although I missed most of your updates because of my own absence... anyways, great job as usual. Your roadgeek CJ is always a nice touch again.

- Phil

[TmiguelT 10]

awesome update!! great signs and exceptional drive. ..... i think this is my first time posting here but i'm not sure. i was lurking before though

[Equilibria 16]

Nice to see you back. I still sort of wish we'd seen the third part of downtown... but the road extensions are just as good. Lots more before/after shots, please!

[jacqulina 162]

welcome back my friend,awesome comeback.wonderfull work and pics

[dfnva 34]

Chrissc94: Thanks.

Selles: Thanks, glad you like the roadgeekery.

Hawkeye9: Thanks!

Raysfan16: Haha... Thanks. Arggh... I forget what the tan apartments are called, but I know they're on the stex if you look up apartment. I agree the slope of MP-165 going under Kings Hwy was a bit sharp, but not undoable.

Aaron (Pickled Pig): Thanks... I felt Business US-27 is realistic to a major thoroughfare in most suburban areas with the different types of access, though I built the intersections with Backlick Rd and MP-165 as at grade but with slip ramps. Those C2D issues do stink, good luck with your work in college.

Edmonton_Stinks: Thanks, I also like changing things a lot.

Bluemoose: I made my transit map just by copying and skewing the region map into powerpoint and then putting the routes over it. Nothing special. Selles makes some phenominal maps.

Bruce (Schulmanator): Thanks!

Phil's Cafe: Thanks!

TmiguelT: Thanks, glad you liked the drive.

Equilibria: Thanks... that was my planned third part of downtown, maybe it just seemed short or anti-climactic.

Jacqulina: Thanks!

And now...

We continue our drive through the suburban sprawl of Piedmont Heights...

Here is where we left off just past the intersection with MP-165/Deltown Rd. Lots of shopping centers, restaurants, car dealerships, and offices of various kinds line this portion of US-27 Business/Kings Hwy.

As is customary after a major intersection, a reassurance shield. Additionally a trailblazer for the Piedmont Heights Medical Center (not pictured) is posted. You can see a picture of that in my previous update.

Intersection with Robertson Drive.

A fairly new signal at this location. Of interest are all the redundant signals on different poles. I guess the state DOT doesn't want you to miss this after sailing over MP-165.

Continuing on, passing Burgess Rd.

At Burgess Rd, an original 80s-era signal as is shown by the rusting poles. Video detection systems have been added (on the median strip pole) as all of the signals on US-27 Business are now computer-controlled for better traffic flow. And it's needed with the massive number of signalized intersections.

And here we pass Pulaski Drive.

Another older 80's-era signal assembly. Signals like these with the huge-80s-era backplates are fairly uncommon. Some still exist in Virginia, especially around Richmond. The left turn signal is brand new.

As we get closer to I-34, there are more hotels and gas stations.

This signal was put up in the 90's when the intersection was widened somewhat to accomodated a four-lane Piedmont Pkwy. Piedmont Pkwy was once part of SR-622, but most discontinuous parts of secondary routes in Piedmont Heights were given different numbers, hence why it is now posted as SR-3022.

And thus we get closer to I-34 as evidenced by this sign approaching the next intersection. Now there are four lanes going northbound.

And here is the intersection with McPherson Drive and Rose Drive. AS you can see, the ramp for I-34 East is just past this intersection.

And here's the view after we cross I-34.

Here's the signal for traffic exiting from I-34 Westbound. Notice the huge no-right-turn sign.

And finally, the interchange in context...

The plan is to check-out yet even more sprawl headed north including the Wingate Town Center area and then use surface streets to find our way back to I-34.

Thanks for visiting.

-Dan

[Hawkeye9 0]

Awsome work Dan as always!!! I especially love all the comercial buildings along the main avenues, very realisitc!!! Lookin out for more!!!

[Schulmanator 5,787]

An enjoyable stop here again. The signage is, as always, superb. Did I detect a hint of RRP flowers in there? I am starting to use those myself. I will be back for the next update looking forward to more.

[ecoba 28]

Great Update, Dan!

[N106 10]

Another good update as always! I can't wait for the next update. Great work on this CJ!

[TmiguelT 10]

awesome update

[Equilibria 16]

This looks really nice. Just one question: why do you switch your ramps from RHP ramps to one-ways? Are you simulating an actual ramp environment where the lane count changes?

[packersfan 666]

Nice update. I got busy this summer, so alas no updates in Sessquenna, but I did get start get some SimCity inspiration today in addition to missing the community here and being an active part of it. Keep up the good WORK!!!

[jacqulina 162]

wonderfull work dan,excellent detail my friend

[ky72x 13]

Great work on the many interesting traffic signals and signage in this update, Dan. That large no-right-turn sign pretty much gives no one any excuse for accidentally making one.

- Kyle

[pickled_pig 7]

Dan:

Excellent update as always. US-27 business is a lot like Independence Blvd. here in Charlotte - straight down to the switch from offices and car dealerships to hotels and gas stations as you near the Interstate (excellent RHW-6 there, by the way - was I living in a cave while this came out? I'm still using the old-fashioned Vanilla highways.) I probably repeat myself a lot with these comments - but it's these little details that make your CJ as good as it is.

Which, speaking of CJs, the CTD issue looks fixed, so there is going to be a new CJ in the not-so-distant future. As of now, I am really downplaying the roadgeek bits while playing SC4, as I'm focused on repopulating the plugins folder and rediscovering the game itself. But so far, it's going to be the same idea as the last one: an insiders' look at the sprawl surrounding an I-85 like interstate in a North Carolina-esque region.

Sorry for bumping, as well.

[LE0 5]

Great sprawl! and nice signs. It look realistic

[shaylan221 0]

nice job. waiting for another update!

[dfnva 34]

Hawkeye 9: Thanks, I wanted the Kings Hwy corridor to look like a major suburban commercial strip.

Bruce (Schulmanator): Thanks. Yes, I am using some RRP flowers... maybe they should be suburban renewal pack flowers? I've started using some of the flowers, weeds, etc., in suburban areas.

Ecoba: Thanks.

N106: Thanks, sorry for the wait on this update.

TmiguelT: Thanks, I appreciate it.

Equilibria: Thanks. Unfortunately, I am unable to create direct avenue-to-MIS connections unless they are perpendicular, which is only useful when making diamond interchanges. I was happy when I discovered the OWR-to-MIS transition puzzle piece.

Packersfan: Thanks. Same here, I have not updated as much as I would like.

Jacqulina: Thanks very much!

Ky72x: Thanks. I would certainly hope one would not turn right on that ramp, then again you never know.

Aaron (Pickled Pig): Thanks, I appreciate it. It is interesting to see that transition as one approaches the interstate on a major thoroughfare. I like the RHW a lot, but it depends on what I want to do whether it is useful or not. It's great for straight stretches of highway, but in downtowns, with highways curving through small Right-of-ways (or is it rights-of-way), I use the Maxis highways.

Leo: Thanks! Glad you liked the update.

Shaylan221: Thanks! And here it is...

Today's update continues our northward drive along US-27 Business/Kings Hwy toward the Wingate area which consists mainly of industry as well as shopping centers/developments built in the mid-late '90s. Conversely, Piedmont Heights was a product of the '70s and '80s.

Since we just passed I-34, here is a reassurance marker. Notice that it says "To North 27" as we're getting close to the end of "Business 27".

Here is the intersection with SR-622/Westin Rd.

Nothing special about this signal... a typical mast-arm installation from the '90s.

Next, we cross SR-719/Brewer Drive. A lot of industry is here because of the proximity to I-34. The industry definitely pre-dates the suburban sprawl we'll be passing shortly.

Just past Brewer Drive, we see this set of shields on our approach to US-27.

We approach the interchange where US-27 Business rejoins US-27, already in progress.

Here are the signs at the gore point marking the end of US-27 Business. Also, notice the lack of BGS's, and just shields to mark this interchange.

Passing under the southbound ramp, we approach where US-27 merges back on with us. This movement is controlled by a signal and often creates some significant backups.

Notice the white strobe lights in the middle of the red light to re-emphasize that you should stop.

To better prepare drivers, here is a sign for the next two intersections.

Here is the intersection with Millstone Place. Notice the Lowe's and Kohl's.

To the right is Wingate Town Center, an outdoor lifestyle center/mall.

And now we approach the intersection with SR-625/Galesforth Rd and Brantley Rd. We will be turning left to find our way back to I-34. Notice the breadth of upscale stores/restaurants.

To ameliorate traffic problems, the right (3rd) lane continues straight and ends north of here. The right lane used to end here.

Here's a zoomed-out view of Wingate Town Center.

And here's a zoomed-out view of the Wingate area.

And finally... along with taking a master's degree class and being out of town, here is my other excuse for not posting much lately...

Stay tuned...

Thanks for visiting!

-Dan

[chrissc94 1]

Great update! A new mall opened close to me that reminds me much of Wingate, they all seem to try and imitate the american small town...anyway, that new teaser looks like it will make a nice grid for a downtown area. Can't wait to see your next update and what becomes of the teaser!

[pickled_pig 7]

Wingate Town Center looks really cool. Almost looks as if, back in the heydey of the enclosed mall in the '80s/'90s, it was an enclosed mall and then, as enclosed malls became out of style, the developers switched it to one of those "small towne America" type things. JBSimio's stuff works wonders in those pictures - surround it by blocks and blocks of parking lot and it's like at least three shopping centres down here in North Carolina.

Oh, and it's going to be interesting building on that grid on such a hilly terrain. I cannot wait to see how your new project ends up.

[Petrovar Ambassador 15]

yay for the weekend drive!!!! and awesome mall, keep it up dan!

[Raysfan16 5]

Lol @ petrovar. I do weekend drives, Dan's drives are an all-the-freakin'-time thing.

Your CJ really has that Northern Virginia feel to it. A week ago, I traveled up and down US-15 to and from Frederick, Maryland where my grandparents live. I used to think about how the grade of roads and the hilly terrain in Winchester looked ugly and sloppy, but then I took the trip and realized why you do that now. In Frederick, half of the big-box shopping centers are blocked by the, uh, 'cliffs' carved out by the wide avenues.

What particularly reminds me of Northern VA is that merge between US 27 and Business 27. Instead of investing in a light rail system or buses or a shuttle service, they instead invest on making the intersection confusing....but pretty with flowers. What is also good (good as in sadly realistic) is the placement and layout of that mall and its surroundings. The mall area seems to be a black hole sucking up all the identity from the city. Very suburban-esque...

Also, what is it that I see on the horizon...hmm? A new city? Also, I like that strategic cloud placement right over the neat interchange.....