Steve_Gehlbach's Blog

I just got an update tonight on the construction on I4 and the 408.

Another part opens Tuesday: the exit ramp to Anderson Street.

but the new Anderson Street bridge should be done in a couple weeks. and the other new entrance and exit ramps should all be done by the end of next month. the date I'm hearing is August 27th.

that should make it a lot easier to get in and out of downtown.

I'm pretty surprised how fast the construction went. I'm used to seeing projects go for years up North. the target date for this was 3 years...making it next Spring, but they're almost done and will finish well ahead of schedule.

there are some lawmakers in Washington looking at the possibilty of returing to 1974 when the federal government limited speed limits to 55 m.p.h. to save on gas and oil.

is this a good idea today? would anyone be willing to return to the 55 max? or would anyone drive the speed limit if it went back?

A company will give you free gas if you put ads on your car.

They start with small magnetic door ads, which gets you a $30 gas card each month.

Upgrade to a full wrap and it could get you $200 a month.

Would you consider this? I'm not too proud of my old station wagon, and I'm not sure who would want to advertise on it, but I thought about doing this if it can save a few bucks.

Would you want an ad on your car as you drive around town?

I've been seeing more and more little scooters on the road now( I asume because of gas prices)

I don't feel that safe driving by them, let alone on one...I think I could drive safe, I just don't trust the rest of the driving population out there not to run in to me.

but if I didn't have to get on the interstate to get to work, I think I'd have to consider a little Vespa, Scooter, even an old Moped to commute on. I bet those things get pretty good mileage.

anyone drive one of these things?

It's here! We found some stations selling regular tonight for more than $4 a gallon. I know some heavy tourists areas are the highest. but I'm afraid the number 4 is something we'll have to get used to for a while.

Is this the breaking point? what price price would make you change your driving and spending habits? are we already there?

The first big milestone in the makeover of the mess at I4 and 408 opens overnight.

The new flyover from Eastbound 408 to Eastbound I4 will make going that way much easier, but also take traffic away from the bottleneck where all the cars bob and weave to get to the right lane.

Anyone have to drive through this spaghetti bowl everyday? do you think this and the improvements coming later will help?

A state lawmakers is proposing a law to ban talking on a cell phone while driving. unlike an effort earlier this year, this one wouldn't be for everyone...only teens under 18.

Is this a good idea just to single out 16 and 17 year olds, who presumably need to pay the most attention to the road? should it be for everyone? or should they just let us all talk and drive?

The auto show is back this weekend in Orlando and I'll be going to check out the latest cars.

While it's fun to see all the exotic offerings and dream a little, you can also check out the standard haulers.

Any big car people here? or do you look at your car like an appliance?

and anything new for this year that is worth checking out? (BTW, I'll check back Sunday and try to give a quick report)

another example tonight to buckle up your kids in a car seat.

the crash that killed 3 included a 9 month old boy who was thrown out of the car. he wasn't in a child safety seat.

by looking at what's left of the car, I'm not sure it would have saved his his life this time because it was so mangled, but it's a good reminder. 

All 4 counties the train will run through unanimously approved the commuter rail. Volusia was the last today.

but you won't see and trains till about mid-2010. they still have to design and build stations, parking lots, and lay more track.

would anyone ride this thing? anyone live close enough to the tracks to make it worth it? or are we all still too addicted to our cars?

I can now buy gas under $3.00 a gallon again. I never thought I'd be happy about seeing $2.95 gas.

I can still remember paying 79 cents a gallon once. some of you probably remember it much cheaper.

how long does it have to stay above $3 for that to be the new normal?

if gas prices get to $3 a gallon and stay there, how long before it changes how much you drive, or how much you buy?

and how long would it have to stay there before $3 becomes the new "normal" and you go back to your old habits?

a bill would make seat belts a primary offense...meaning cops could pull you over just for not buckling up. now, they need another reason, then can cite you for the seat belt.

is this a good idea?

those pushing the bill say it will save lives.

those against say it turns otherwise honest citizens, who aren't putting anyone else in danger, into criminals.

how far should the law go?