The Massopax River Valley

[dfnva 34]

Greetings,

Welcome to the Massopax River Valley. The valley and river are named after the Massopax Native American tribe. This region is home to Alexandria, the state capitol, and the surrounding area. Our setting is in a fictional state (with no name, evidentally) in the southeastern US. This region is inspired by the roads and layouts of Oroen (Downingsford MSA) and Flanig's regions.

 

Here are a couple of images showing much (but not all of the region).

 

Satellite View

 

Mapquest View...

 

 

The mapquest view shows county boundaries, major cities and towns, and major roads through the area. The Massopax River is the major water feature. I-73/US 19 are the major north/south routes and I-34/US 84 are the major east/west routes. I-473 is the beltway around Alexandria. In addition to Interstate and US highways, there are state primary routes (marked with circles) and secondary routes (marked in squares, funded jointly by the state and county).

 

While we will eventually visit the major city of Alexandria, we'll start up north where I-73 enters the region via Montgomery County. By car, we will take a road trip southward to Alexandria and stop by some points of interest along the way.

 

As we enter Montgomery County, we are greeted by the following signs.

 

 

I-73 passes through some nice rural farmland in these parts as we approach the first exit (by the way, we are facing south, as if we are driving straight down I-73 South).

 

 

 

 

Here is the exit to Rtes. 352/635 and the sign/flashing signal at the end of the ramp.

 

 

 

Rte. 352 is a bypass around Ellicott and connects US 19 to I-73. Rte. 352 is an upgrade to SR 635, so SR 635 actually continues to the right as well, but short multiplexes of this sort are rarely posted by the state DOT.

 

We will turn right to go into the town of Ellicott which we will explore next time.

 

Any comments/suggestions/questions welcome.

 

Thanks,

Dan

 

 

 

 

[thatmonkeysim 8]

very interesting! i like the transport map.. though can you get a bigger one on a link so we can see it clearer?

[dfnva 34]

thatmonkeysim: Thanks for your comment. I edited my first entry with a slightly bigger transportation map as well as coloring the interstate highways a brighter red for better contrast.

So we have now turned west onto Rte. 352 (Wesley Rd) and we are en route to the town of Ellicott to check things out there. Ellicott was the (albeit fictictious) backdrop for an important Civil War battle.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria%2011.jpg align=baseline>

 

Rte. 352 is dotted with agriculture of different varieties. Some of the best oranges not grown in a tropical climate come from here.

 

Here we are approaching the intersection with Main Street. Turning right on the ramp onto Main Street takes you to the town of Ellicott. While long-fought, sprawl and shopping centers are even coming out to these parts as this shopping center was just built with a Food Star grocery store.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria%208.jpg align=baseline>

 

We're going to turn right here so we can go into town.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria%2012.jpg align=baseline>

 

Food Star is the most common grocery store chain in the region. This branch, mainly to cater to yuppies, is a prototype store featuring extended wine and gourmet food departments, natural and organic food aisles, expanded deli and bakery featuring a coffee bar, and more.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//foodstar.jpg align=baseline>

 

Alas, on we go, now on Main St. / SR 635 toward Ellicott. This covered bridge over the Ellicott Run was built in the 1920s and recently the Ellicott historical society teamed up with the state DOT to refurbish the bridge so it may be enjoyed for future generations.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Alexandria%209.jpg align=baseline>

 

After crossing the bridge, we enter the town of Ellicott.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria%2010.jpg align=baseline>

 

A detailed explanation of the town and prominant features next time.

 

Slowly, but surely, we'll get to Alexandria.

 

Dan

[nedal2001 285]

Great start to a CJ...nice detail, and I'm loving the region shot. You have obvious talent develop transportation systems.

[oroen 0]

Hmm... I wonder what real-life place this is based on...

I'm glad I can be an inspiration to start your own region, and I definitely see flanig's style here as well.

I see a potential beltway-completion project for the future in the top-right quadrant. At least you've got a beltway already, which is more than Downingsford can say.

Some of the pics look a bit grainy--I don't know what your computer's specs are, but you may want to turn all the detail settings up just for taking pictures.

[Nardo69 51]

Not a bad start, and yes, it is definately inspired by oroen!
I do like your farmland too.

But I agree with oroen that your pics are a bit blurry. Try Irfanview, and sharpen the pics a bit after resizing that should do it.

Otherwise great work!

Bernhard

[Micah 16]

Really great first page. Wow, that must have taken you such a long time to do that photo with all those highway signs. Can't wait to see most close-ups in your CJ.

[dfnva 34]

Thanks for the comments and visits.

 

Nedal2001: Thanks for visiting. I don't know if it's a talent for developing road networks, or more or less that I'm a road geek. However, One thing I'm going to work on is making more realistic railways and a subway, I've seen some good systems out there in the CJ's.

 

Oroen: Thanks for your visit. I think the pictures look grainy because I've shrunk their size to fit, I'm going to try taking smaller pictures instead of shrinking and see how those look. As far as the beltway, an extension of I-473 isn't in the works, rather a serious extension / upgrade of Rte. 352 is being studied as an outer beltway and 'intercounty connecter' (I'll discuss that more when I update next time). Since I'm not good at making up names, a lot of places/roads are named after places around MD/VA/DC.

 

Bernhard: Thanks for the compliment on the farms. Hopefully the pics won't be blurry next time when I upload them. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Micah: Being the dork I am, I have a stock file of graphics I've made that I just quickly change for sign/signal graphics.  I like the Kurumi sign maker, but it doesn't work on my computer so I make my own. I'm glad you like the signs.

 

I'll probably post a few more pics tomorrow as well as some points of interest in the town of Ellicott. Thanks for the visits and suggestions!!

 

Dan

 

[Mikeaut1 261]

I like that region view! Everything looks good! I like those signs too. Also the political map. Very well done!

[Equilibria 16]

This is a very detailed and well-planned region. I would suggest downloading the farm packs from the STEX if you haven't already, along with a PEG water mod (my personal favorites), they make a world of difference in the realism of your cities. In terms of transport, of course, this is superb. Keep up the good work.

[dfnva 34]

Update 3

 

Happy Friday (well, almost )

 

Mikeaut1: Thanks for your visit. Glad you like the signs and region map.

 

This time I took smaller in-game pictures, lo and behold they're the magic size 800x600, so no shrinking necessary.

 

Well, as promised, I will point out some significant places in the town of Ellicott. I've labled the map with some numbers as well as some descriptions below....

 

 

By the way, the two roads that cross in the center town are SR 635/Main St (the road going up/down) and Central Ave (the road going left/right) which is a former alignment of US 19 which now bypasses this area.

 

Points of interest:

 

(1) Ellicott Battlefield Historical Park. This is the unknown battle of the Civil War that is often overlooked in history classes. Things were going bad for the confederacy and Robert E. Lee was on the verge of surrender, however Lt. Gen. George Wesley (the namesake of Wesley Rd) tried a last-ditch attempt at surprising union soldiers led by Gen. John J. Fortlick (another person whom things are named after in this region). However, unbeknownst to the confederates, Fortlick had a doubleagent working to spy on the conferderates and they were ambushed by the union in what was a quick, but bloody battle.

 

(2) The Ellicott Lodge

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//ellicott%20lodge.jpg align=baseline>

The Ellicott Lodge, built in 1875, is a popular place to stay for tourists of the region and business people. Adorned in granite and bluestone, the lodge was built originally as a hospital during the reconstruction era but Lewis Proffitt had a keen eye for making money and turned the building into a hotel for weary travelers. Features include the famous Ellicott Pub restaurant, high-speed internet, and an oversized tennis court. Price per night? You don't want to know.

 

(3) Ellicott Plantation. This plantation dates back to the early 1800s. Though not much is known about the original owners, this building and the parcel of land around it are owned by the Ellicott Historical Society and serves a museum showing what the a typical plantation is like.

 

(4) Main St. boutiques and restaurants. Lots of antique and crafty type stores and a few nice restaurants.

 

Seen enough of Ellicott? Alright. Let's keep going west on SR 635/Main St. We'll take a closer look at the Ellicott Plantation.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Alexandria3b.jpg align=baseline>

 

Hmmm... I think most of those people have jobs now. 

 

Soon we'll approach US 19/ Gordon's Pike.

 

 https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//sign3a.jpg align=baseline>

 

Silver Spring is a major suburb, Elwood is a small town to the north (But not part of the region), and Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County. Here's the problem. The quickest way from here to Rockville is cross-county on little-ole two-lane SR 635.

 

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https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//sign3c.jpg align=baseline>

 

SR 635 continues west of here as Wesley Rd. We're going to turn left, however, on US 19 South. Perfect timing, we've got a green arrow.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria3c1.jpg align=baseline>

Here we see a fairly new powerplant that powers much of northern rural Montgomery County as we travel south over the Ellicott Run on US 19.

 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria3d.jpg align=baseline>

Here is the Western Terminus of Rte. 352. The Rte. 352 corridor is being studied extensively by the State DOT as there are proposals to extend it westward to Rockville and extending it east of I-73, using it as an outer-beltway for the north/east areas where there currently is no beltway. If these come to fruition, expect Rte. 352 to be upgraded to a limited access parkway with maybe a few at-grade intersections.

 

We could take Rte. 352 back to I-73, but since we've seen Rte. 352 lets keep going South on US 19 and find another way back to I-73.

 

Here's the signal where US 19 crosses Rte. 352.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//sign3b.jpg align=baseline>

 

After most intersections with primary routes, one would see a mileage sign.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//sign3d.jpg align=baseline>

 

Our last picture shows where US 19 rejoins its original alignment. This old alignment is not continuous with Central Ave in Ellicott as the old bridge over Ellicott Runconnecting the two was torn down. A lot of oranges are grown around here, eh? Makes me thirsty for some orange juice.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Alexandria3e.jpg align=baseline>

 

One more sign for this intersection....

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//sign3e.jpg align=baseline>

 

We'll go through the even smaller town of Brownell next time and get back on I-73. Hope you enjoyed the tour of Ellicott.

 

Dan

[utora 0]

Great start to a promising cj! The region looks amazing, and the terrain you're building on seems quite difficult, but you're doing quite well! Keep it up

[mayormommy 8]

Very nice presentation - I always appreciate CJs that keep the reader well-oriented. This is a fun reinterpretation of this region.

[dfnva 34]

 

Equilibria: I just missed your comment when I posted my update last night. Thanks for the download suggestions. The farms and PEG water mod are great when I

[dfnva 34]

UPDATE 4!

Thanks to everyone who has visited or made a comment.

 

So, we're continuing south on US 19, which becomes a quaint little two-lane road.

 

At this rural intersection, we cross SR 613. As the guide sign below says, it will take you to the suburban town of Takoma Park. Expect lots of sprawl to pop up between here and Takoma Park along SR 613 sometime in the not-so-distant future. But for now, some of Montgomery County's famous oranges and apples.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4b.jpg align=baseline>

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4a.jpg align=baseline>

 

Now, we're approaching the small borough of Brownell. A few houses, businesses, and a train depot. Nothing much here. However, the crossroad, SR 641/Keyser Farm Rd, connects with I-73, so we're going to turn left.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4c.jpg align=baseline>

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4b.jpg align=baseline>

 

SR 641/Keyser Farm Rd crosses through some more farmland and wooded areas.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4d.jpg align=baseline>

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4c.jpg align=baseline>

 

Some wild animals frolick in this scene. Too bad this empty land looks so favorable to developers looking to make a mint on some McMansions.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4e.jpg align=baseline>

 

Alas, we're approching I-73.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4d.jpg align=baseline>

 

Before I-73 was built, SR 641 ended here at a T-intersection with SR 611. When I-73 was built through here, an odd cross roads was built. To the right is South SR 611 and straight ahead is north SR 611. South SR 611 eventually ends up in downtown Silver Spring (as Rte.157).

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4f.jpg align=baseline>

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4e.jpg align=baseline>

 

At this stopsign, we'll turn left to get back onto I-73 South.

 

Here is the scene and some signs once we're back on I-73.

 

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https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4g.jpg align=baseline>

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4f.jpg align=baseline>

 

Eeek. Brand-spankin' new signs with clearview, some of the first, but unfortunately not the last, used in the state. Both Exit 83 and Exit 82 have undergone a major rebuild.

 

I-473 is the beltway around Alexandria. Richton is a major city along I-73 south and Winchester is a medium sized city along I-34 west. Neither are included in this region, but we're assuming they're there.

 

Providence Pkwy (unsigned SR 3500) is a four-lane road that connects I-73/I-473 to US 19. Right now there is no direct access from I-73 south to Providence Pkwy, so one has to use Atlee Rd to cut over. On the region map at the beginning of my CJ, you can see a black line extending north from I-73  where it crosses I-473. That's Providence Pkwy.

 

Just like with Rte. 352, the state DOT is exploring an extension of Providence Pkwy to the town of Rockville since there is no direct way from here to Rockville. Also, there are discussions about building an international airport along the proposed extension of the Providence Pkwy.

 

Here's Exit 83, SR 637/Atlee Rd.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4h.jpg align=baseline>

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4h.jpg align=baseline>

 

Through Trucks are advised to use I-473 to go around the city.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4ha.jpg align=baseline>

 

Here's the sign at the gore point. There's a 45 mph curve on the I-73 South ramp, but it's better than the previous ramp.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4i.jpg align=baseline>

 

Here are Exit 83 and Exit 82 zoomed-out in all their glory with major roads highlighted. We're looking south.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4a.jpg align=baseline>

 

We'll do a comprehensive tour of I-473 another time. But for now let's keep going on I-73 south. Here's a picture of I-73 South after the ramps. There is some noise mitigation courtesy of sargeantcm . There's nothing behind those walls yet, but some houses and apartments will be built there soon enought.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4i.jpg align=baseline>

 

And finally a sign for the next exit:

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//signs4j.jpg align=baseline>

 

We're going to turn off  at this exit next time and explore the suburb of Silver Spring.

 

Have a great weekend. Hope you've enjoyed the road trip so far.

 

Dan

[Mikeaut1 261]

Wow, looks nice... but I do think the transportation is a bit confusing... and also, I would change using the pedestrian mall tiles next to the highways. Check out some of the stuff Jeronij uploads on The Stex .

Just some constructive criticism for you, maybe you could take it under consideration. But I like this city journal a lot, it is realistic with all your highway signs and extra stuff to it!!

[oroen 0]

I see that you've decided to go with making your own signs rather than using Kurumi's signmaker; that adds a nice element of uniqueness. I've tried it, but I'm never pleased with how mine end up looking. Eeek! is always my exact real-world reaction to seeing Clearview, especially the way PennDOT does it for some reason.

I agree with Mikeaut that using the plazas as retaining walls doesn't really look too good; jeroni's walls are good, but I also like some of the walls made by the Japanese BATter NOB, which you can find about half-way down on this page . Most of the time now I just settle with sloping the land around the interchange and only using retaining walls where absolutely necessary (i.e. where adjacent development makes sloping impractical).

You may also want to try using smoncrie's hole digging lots and the NAM's on-slope puzzle pieces to get nice flat overpasses, and a good slope mod to get smooth rises. I can point you to these things if you don't know where to find them.

That crossroads between SR-641, SR-611, and I-73 reminded me immediately of what I did with the Shady Grove interchange on the Southern Turnpike, where Route 6 has a T-intersection with Route 17, and continues into the Shady Grove I/C.

Have you tried continuing I-73 as a highway rather than using one-way roads? Is it logistically difficult? I see that on I-73 North, the Providence Pkwy exit is tied into the I-473 interchange, which can be a bit complicating, as I found out when trying to tie in the Brunswick Pkwy exit to my 54/67/346 i/c in North Silverdale. (I find it mildly amusing that I'm pulling all these comparisons from my own CJ, innit... as if it's like a real place or something...)

I always liked the trailblazer and traffic signal assemblies you've made for my CJ, and they look even better here; you're definitely honing that particular craft.

Oh my goodness, I wrote WAY more than I had anticipated writing when I first started this reply.

[Cjah 15]

I don't what it is,but it feels like someone threw Binsir and Digby into a mixer and pulled out this CJ.

Great start and interesting signs!

[dfnva 34]

 Update 4.5

Mikeaut1: Thanks for your visit and ideas. I've attached a progrss map showing where we have been at the bottom of this post. Hopefully that will help you out, I don't want any travellers getting lost.

 

Mike and Oroen: Thanks for the suggestions about retaining walls. Downloading some has been something I've been wanting to do but haven't gotten around to it yet. I agree they would look better than pedestrian mall tiles. After all, I don't want some pedestrian to end up as roadkill on I-73.

 

Oroen: It's odd, Kurumi's Signmaker doesn't work on my computer, numbers and letters won't show up for some reason. In a way, though, I like making my own sign assemblies more , I feel I have more control. I'm glad that so far, Virginia doesn't use clearview. Glad you've enjoyed the signs/signals.

 

As for Exit 82, the exit used to be a 3-way interchange using the default T-interchange where I-73 south was continuous onto I-473 south, with I-73 south traffic exiting off. When plans were made for the Providence Pkwy, the State DOT did an overhaul of the interchange. Right now I'm happy with the through traffic for I-73 on two lanes, that's what has happened with I-95 through traffic at the Springfield VA mixing bowl.  Below I have some close-ups of the interchange.

 

Glad you liked the interchanges. I forgot about the Turnpike exit you mentioned being like Exit 85 (SR 641/SR 611). Like your exit, I should add a stoplight where SR 641 and SR 611 cross. As for the similarities, I guess great minds think alike

 

Cjah: Thanks for your visit and compliment. Hope that you keep following along.

 

And now for some close-ups of Exit 82....

 

Here is where the left lanes exit off onto I-473 with the lanes to the right continuing South on I-73. While in reality three lanes goto two to four, imagine that there are four lanes approaching the exit!

 

A fire happened in the industrial zone to the left right before I took the pic...

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4j.jpg align=baseline>

 

A reminder that there is a curve ahead... I've seen similar signs on ramps in Maryland.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//sign4k.jpg align=baseline>

 

Here's the curve, much better than the one in the intersection's sub-standard previous incarnation. I-73 passes over the ramp destined for Northbound Providence Pkwy before the 45 mph turn. After the turn, Providence Pkwy traffic merges in. Then we cross over I-473.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4k.jpg align=baseline>

 

Finally, here's a ramp for I-73 north... wait a minute... I-73 NORTH? It's purpose is for traffic coming off of the Providence Pkwy. Going straight continues down I-73 south.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//alexandria4l.jpg align=baseline>

 

And finally, here's a progress map so that you can see where we have gone so far.... In about one week we've gone as much as 8 miles, plus a few miles out of our way.

 

The yellow line shows our route. The dotted blue lines show proposed extensions for the Providence Pkwy and Rte. 352. Providence Pkwy is shown on this map as SR 3500 (couldn't fit the name on the map), though no route number is currently posted along the route. Somewhere in between SR 3500 and Rte. 157, a brand new international airport may be built... stay tuned.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//progressmap1.jpg align=baseline>

 

 

Next time, we'll exit off onto Exit 81 and drive around Silver Spring.

 

Dan

 

[dfnva 34]

UPDATE 5

Still driving along southbound I-73, we're going to divert off of the interstate into the town of Silver Spring. Before we look at the pics, let me give some background about Silver Spring... It was founded in the 1700s because of an underground spring that was found. Since Alexandria (the hub of the region) is along the Massopax River, some thought that it would be redundant to get water from a spring too, but many decided that the freshness of the water from the underground spring was superior. Hence nearby, the town of Silver Spring was founded. Fast forward to the 1960s/1970s, Developers really exploited Silver Spring and its surrounding area as a great place for cheap housing, shopping, sprawl, you name it, which really worked as people were fleeing Alexandria for the 'burbs. However, now in 2006, as people either go further out (white flight) or go back to the city, Silver Spring has become a desolate slum in some parts. Some hope comes from the fact that the Montgomery County Council is working on giving subsidies to businesses and industries willing to locate in Silver Spring and the proposed International Airport is a boost. Also Silver Spring boasts a neat theatre district. Oh and the historic spring is still used to this day!

 

OK, Enough talking, on with the show....

 

Here's our exit off of I-73.... Exit 81 / SR 630 - Glenside Dr. Notice the Old 1970s-era exit ramp, before the federal DOT changed the rules and constraints for building interchanges known as the lanmark NAM act. The State DOT should be taking care of rebuilding this interchange in a few years.

 

 

 

At the stoplight, we'll turn right.

 

 

So here we are on Glenside Dr, some low wealth, medium wealth, and abandoned apartments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crime has gone up in this area. Lots of muggings, drug dealers, and the most heinous of all, pie-throwing.

 

 

Even the Milburn Rd signal has been vandalized.

 

 

Here is the intersection with US 19. Some nice offices and stores here, yet others are abandoned.

 

 

DON'T BLOCK THE BOX!!!

 

 

I'll upload some more pics tomorrow. We're going to continue straight / west down Glenside Dr. through a residential area and end up in downtown Silver Spring which I shall give you a tour of.

 

Thanks for visiting!!

 

Dan

 

 

 

 

 

 

[oroen 0]

The NAM Act... that's great. I think I still have a few pre-NAM Act interchanges around myself. Interchange design is always an indicator for me as to how long it's been since I've played a particular city tile.

The details on your traffic light assemblies are always great and quite telling of the area, like the difference between the wire-span at the old exit, the mast-arm at Technology Park Dr, and the worn support at Milburn Rd, with the local artistic flair on the sign too! I see the crosswalk countdown clocks are here, as in many parts of the DC area.

[Equilibria 16]

Sorry I haven't commented on the last couple. They were both great, and I like your interchange construction. I would suggest either the Cycledogg terrain mod or some god mode and seasonal trees in those interchanges, to cover up the rough land and make the whole thing look less stark and barren (just the mod will do the trick, believe me). Other than that, looking good!

[dfnva 34]

Update 5.1 - Downtown Silver Spring

Oroen: Glad you like the signal assemblies. I've noticed that even signal assemblies are quite telling of how well an area is doing. I-73 Exit 81 is probably one of the next interchanges on my list to revamp. The Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce is lobbying heavily for improvements along the Glenside Dr. corridor including a new interchange at I-73.

 

Equilibria: Thanks and glad you liked the interchanges. Something I need to do is landscape the interchange, for one thing, but you're right about how the land looks. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

So we're going to continue west on SR 630/Glenside Drive toward downtown Silver Spring and then I'll point out some interesting places there.

 

After crossing US 19 (see last update), SR 630 narrows to a two-lane road through a neighborhood. Notice the wide variety of houses and even empty lots. Some of those empty lots may be filled with McMansions if the area improves. Only time will tell. Also, there's Silver Spring Non-Denominational Church.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Alexandria5e.jpg align=baseline>

 

Glenside Dr. crosses Grove Dr.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Alexandria5f.jpg align=baseline>

 

Here's the signal with Grove Dr.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//sign5h.jpg align=baseline>

 

Here is where Glenside Dr. ends... at Bradley Blvd / Rte. 157. Bradley Blvd is major street through downtown Silver Spring. Remember when we were getting back on I-73 and crossed SR 611 earlier? Rte. 157 was originally part of SR 611, but was upgraded to a primary route, and SR 611 still continues at each terminus of Rte. 157. A historic Methodist Church exists at this intersection (to the right where Glenside Dr. ends). Also we can see theatres where stage plays and experiental theatre are performed. Some art gallaries also exist inside.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Alexandria5g.jpg align=baseline>

 

Oops. The State DOT forgot to post that this Rte. 157 here and that you can get to I-473 by turning right. Ooops.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//sign5i.jpg align=baseline>

 

Finally, folks, we have a zoomed out version of our previous shot with some points of interest marked...

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Alexandria5i.jpg align=baseline>

 

1. Silver Spring Mall.... certainly not the regional shoppers' destination it once was. Anchored by Sears, Kohls, and Regal Cinemas, the mall boasts about 60 stores, many locally owned and ethnic stores. Orignally opened in 1973 with Sears, JCPenney, and Carlin's (a regional chain originating in Alexandria). Carlin's closed the underperforming store in 2000 and it was torn down for offices and JCPenney moved to the Gayton Crossing Bix Box shopping center at I-73 Exit 80.

 

2. Silver Spring Theatres and Park. Like writting above, some art gallaries are inside too. Some interesting experimental plays have been introduced and performed here, and often get good reviews.

 

3. Historic Silver Spring United Methodist Church, this building dates back to the founding of Silver Spring.

 

Next time, we'll turn left on Bradley Blvd and check out what's down that neck of the woods as well as find our way back to I-73 so we can more cool interchanges and enter the Alexandria city limits.

 

Thanks for the visits, comments, and ideas!

 

Dan

[dfnva 34]

Hi folks,

I've got a lot of stuff (screenshots and signs/signals) ready to post. However, I don't know about you, but for me it has been taking a long time for this page to load. I guess I've posted too many jpg files!!  I hope that hasn't detracted people from viewing this CJ.

 

I'm going to wait and see if I (hopefully) get some more comments and then if this CJ makes it to page 2, I'll start posting more pics there so this page doesn't get even slower loading.

 

Dan

[Yoshi25 0]

I love the signs you made! I love the city too! Keep up the good work!

[GMT 389]

very cool focus you have on the street(sign)s...

i like all the work you put into them.

i cant wait to see more!

[Equilibria 16]

I'll do my part to help you get to p.2, although it took me a lot longer to get there than I expected (and to p.3 too). The city looks great, and I like the use of Faneuil Hall, which I seem to be seeing all over the place lately. If you want to place lots of historic churches, which fits the area you're basing this on, there are a whole slew of churches (and a synagogue) available for download on the STEX. They look great, and if you want to see how they could be used, visit Digby. Nice signage, as always.

[pickled_pig 7]

I will also do my help to getting you to page 2.

I've not seen much of this CJ; just the first 2 updates (I've spent 20 minutes downloading the pictures and only 2 updates so far).  But unlike many CJs I want to see the rest.  It's probably because of the attention to detail in the road system and the authenticity of it; the state, US, and county roads are just as they should be.

 

A disadvantage to not using SignMaker, though, is you don't get the official-looking font (there's a name for it, but I'm not that obsessed to know). (edit:  I see your later updates use a more official-looking font.)

[dfnva 34]

Thanks for the comments....

Some replies...

 

Pickled Pig: Glad you like the set-up with the federal/state/secondary roads. It's set up very much the way it is here in VA. Sorry ,though, it took so long for all the pics to load . I think a lot of Roadgeeks like to call the font Highway Gothic, but that's not the official name of it either. I downloaded a font suite from somewhere on misc.transport.road that I use on my signs, it includes Highway Gothic as well as the dreaded Clearview.

 

Equilibria: Thanks for your visit. I've seen a lot of historic churches in various CJ's, they'd look good in  a downtown setting. Glad you like the city of Silver Spring, though hopefully there will be some urban renewal there in the near future.

 

GMT: Glad you liked the signs/signals. I defintely will be posting a lot more of them with each update.

 

Yoshi: Thanks, glad you like liked the signs/signals as well.

 

Thought I'd post a couple of pictures,

 

Here is the scene once we've turned left onto Southbound Rte. 157 / Bradley Blvd. You can see Faneuil Hall, er the Methodist Church, better from this view. We're crossing Edmond St. I decided to save on the pics and not post a signal for Edmond St. Sorry.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Alexandria6a.jpg align=baseline>

 

Next we're going to turn left at this intersection onto Parham Rd / SR 627. If anybody from Richmond has seen this, you'll have noticed I've stolen names for roads from Richmond area roads (Parham Rd, Glenside Dr, etc.). To the right, just before Parham Rd is PBS Channel 26.

 

Currently, PBS Channel 26 is offering a new limited-edition video with a $100 or higher pledge. It's called The Very Best of PBS Pledge Drives and it's a must-have for any PBS enthusiast. Comes with a free PBS Pledge Drive Drinking Games book as well.

 

 

Here's the Parham Rd signal. This is a style being used on newer signals in Silver Spring (imagine the Edmond St. signal looking just like this but with a permissive left turn signal). Also the Parham Rd sign is backlit.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//sign6a.jpg align=baseline>

 

Parham Rd travels through mostly residential areas going this direction.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Alexandria6c.jpg align=baseline>

 

I think next time we'll finally make it to I-73, and a rather cool interchange. I'll give you a hint, it's sort-of a recreation of I-395 Exit 4/ Seminary Rd in Alexandria, VA.

 

For me it's time to watch the state of the union, esp. because our newly elected governor, Tim Kaine, is doing the Democratic rebuttal.

 

Dan

[Mdz1001 0]

Date: 1/22/2006 2:35:40 AM Author: Cjah

I don't what it is,but it feels like someone threw Binsur and Digby into a mixer and pulled out this CJ.

Great start and interesting signs!

quote>

Did someone say Binsur?

 

Even though I am not a road geek like you, I feel that the signs just make sense, and that's why I label them. Nice job, and you really go the extra mile with the traffic lights and guide signs, which is much more detail than I put in. Plus, the cities themselves look great, too. Keep it up.