No T intersection, just 4-way stop where you turn right on Ontario to go East to Stange.
Ames urbanization and densification
- Thread starter Cypow
- Start date
I had to look to see what we took. We took Y Avenue to move around the west part. Has a couple places to jump off into Ames.
I remember first coming to visit the university. I was totally sold on it from an academic perspective (strong reputation in my major of choice) and I loved the pictures I had seen of campus, among many other things.
When I first got to Ames and saw Duff Avenue and the east side of Lincoln Way, I almost changed my mind. I'm glad I didn't, but a large portion of town is a real eyesore.
I know that might seem a bit anecdotal, but to answer the question posed by @Cycsk, I care because I have heard many students say similar things. Ames is a poorly planned town (that's being generous), and in areas it can look quite sad. This initial impression certainly has an effect (difficult to say how significant) on potential students visiting for the first time. I'd just like to get a pulse on what others think about future development, and how this benefits the university - which, at the end of the day, is my only concern.
It does T when you get to the end of North Dakota once you wind through the neighborhood north of the rr tracks.
it’s actually quicker to take 30 and go north on SD than 13th.
Was this recent? Because the 2010 flood really spurred revitalization on Duff. Lincoln way, in stretches, is getting there. Campustown is unrecognizable.
The layout of the town is incoherent, but that’s unsolvable now. It’s funny to listen to DOT employees roll their eyes at the decisions that are made (see: first Duff entrance to Scooters). But at least Mortenson and 13th extend through town now. Now they just need to time the lights to encourage speed-limit driving on Lincoln Way. I still can’t figure that out.
I think the biggest problem is that long-time residents still see Ames as a town of 20k. 12 years ago I had a cop tell me, “there’s just too many cars on the road now.” I thought it was telling that he saw the problem as too many students in cars as opposed to wildly inadequate road design.
This is true, except I am not aware that NoDak Ts out at Ontario. Ts out at Cameron School Rd, therefore > Also could go 30, SoDak, NoDak, Cameron School Rd. east, then south into NW Ames, north to Ames Golf and CC, and Gilbert.
Looking at Google maps, you are correct, its not a T, but I think it does goes from 4 lanes done to 2 is what it looks like. I have never been on the road North of Ontario, we turn right there, driving east to Stange and then North by the gulf course. No matter what way you go, its a mess either off i35 down 13th street, or trying 135, off at 30 and then North on S. Dakota. When you are attempting to get to the NW part of town.
You’re right it does depend and what one considers NW Ames. The pin you dropped is more north/north central and not NW Ames. To me, NW Ames is North Dakota and Ontario/13th area.
This was 2012, graduated in 2016. I've come back for some football games with friends in 2018 and 2019. Campustown is definitely doing some things right. Duff and east Lincoln are still pretty appalling, though the new hotel/apartment project north of Lincoln and south of Main looks promising.
I'd pose another question: given Campustown being developed so quickly, would you like to see Campustown become the true "center" of Ames? By that I mean a neighborhood that is the most dense in Ames, and a neighborhood that is inviting to people other than students. Perhaps, eventually, there would be enough restaurants and amenities for young professionals to actually want to live there. Just a thought, this would obviously take years of development for Campustown to get to this point.
“Quick“ is relative for someone who has commuted to work in DC/NYC/LA etc. I find most people who complain about Ames traffic are the one who mainly visit Ames on game days.
Right that is what I was referring to as County line road. It terminates at Lincoln Way to the South.
It's certainly all relative. I wouldn't compare commute times in major metro areas to navigating around Ames.
The most difficult area in Ames to get to in a relatively reasonable amount of time is NW Ames.
The next time you are in Ames, drive up to where he placed the marker and then take the highway up to Gilbert. Just tons of new homes being built up in that area, and the Gilbert school district gets all of the tax base from the Fairway to the north.
I think this discussion side-steps the problem: in-town travel is a debacle. If you can get to 30 or 35, you’re fine. But god forbid you’re stuck on the “grid.” Ames High to Lowe’s should not take 15 minutes (20 on a weekend).
I haven’t taken that road in years. Last time was probably 10 years ago going to the Open Flame. I’m in somerset often and commute to central Ames every day.
