That "freeway" (actually a "Parkway") is not constructed to 55+ mph
standards. The constraints placed by layout of the city precludes long
enough on/offramps for merging into or exiting from traffic going at
higher speeds. The 45mph speed limit for that 6-mile stretch lengthens a
drive through town by less than 2 minutes compared to if it was a 55mph
stretch.

Further improvements have already/are been made, eliminating three
traffic signals at the south end of town:

<http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION4/pages/pfsbendiamp.aspx>

But it's Monday, not Friday.

--
Jack Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.
Host and engineer, KPOV 88.9 FM

On 01/04/2016 08:07 AM, Don Hanson wrote:
> I wasn't going to comment on Bend, a city I HAVE to traverse quite often on
> my way to other places....But.....What the heck is up with the 4-lane
> "freeway" they built to solve major traffic problems there?   they spent
> about 2 yrs working on this fancy new road and then they put a 45mph speed
> limit on it...Yes, it beats the 10 miles of strip malls and stoplights that
> used to be on the highway through Bend, but it IS the only reasonably
> direct north and south route through eastern Oregon....
>
>
> On Sun, Jan 3, 2016 at 8:38 PM, Vern in Bend <vernmcintosh@eoni.com> wrote:
>
>> McNeely visited Bend and didn't like it. Roundabouts, too much street
>> construction, and he couldn't find his way around.
>>
>> I saw a bumper sticker in town, "I live where you go for vacation"
>>
>>
>> Regards, Vern
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Rocket J Squirrel" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2016 8:03 PM
>> Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Bend
>>
>>
>> I see many many young people of breeding age that more closely fit the
>>> stereotypes of hipsters and yuppies driving Vanagons hereabouts than I
>>> see old hippie types.
>>>
>>> You take a Vanagon in good shape with good paint, on top you mount a
>>> cargo carrier for your skis and snowboards (winter), or a kayak or
>>> stand-up paddle board (summer), clamp a couple road bikes or mountain
>>> bikes on the back, and you have a Bend Vanagon.
>>>
>>> Peace signs, not so much.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
>>> 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
>>> Bend, Ore.
>>>
>>> On 01/03/2016 07:51 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>>>
>>>> ---- Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MYMTS.NET> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> What is it about Bend that seems to make it a Vanagon hotspot??
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Mecca for old hippies or those who wish they had been hippies.
>>>>
>>>> mcneely
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> David McNeely
>>>>
>>>>
>>>