Wikipedia:WikiProject U.S. Roads/New York/News/Volume 02/Issue 02

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Introduction
Welcome back! This issue covers a lot for the time including a couple stories in the news along with the retirement of famous NYSR editor. The next edition will be on July 14.

In this issue
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 * Featured story
 * Featured story

Saying goodbye to a long dedicated editor: A tribute to TwinsMetsFan

 * Intro written by: Mitchazenia

With the retirement of TwinsMetsFan, the members of USRD and NYSR have decided that a newsletter tribute to this long, dedicated editor be written for him. This comes from USRD members giving off their real feelings for this editor of 3 years.

"TMF you were a great editor, a good admin and a friend. Wikipedia is a stressfu place and sometimes it just isn't worth it and i know from experiance. I hope that in your time away from wikipedia, that life goes on without stress. I wish you the best of luck in life and that you never forget you will be welcome with open arms back to this project." -Seddon

"As a longstanding member of New York State Routes, I would like to give my fullest goodbyes to this great user. He has always been helpful when it comes to article expansion, history needs, and just overall chats. He is and was a great member to the project, producing some of the project's best stuff. As a tribute, I'd like to announce that I am giving my full apologies over the situation which I regret very much. Article writing is something I like to do and I didn't want it to drive you away. I work hard to help the project out, and you were one of the best in supporting me. Thanks so much, and my sincerest apologies." -Mitchazenia

"As a fellow USRD member, I've valued TMF's contributions to improve and expand the quality of USRD's articles. The friendly competition between MSHP and NYSR and on IRC was appreciated and now it is missed. There will always be an edit window waiting for your return, TMF. Good luck in all of your future endeavors." -Imzadi1979

"As a still relatively new member of the NYSR, I have known TwinsMetsFan as a generally helpful editor who worked hard on improving and maintaining articles, as well as assisting others in finding information on history of New York's roads. Wikipedia can be a stressful place, and we have lost many excellent editors in this same manner. I wish you good luck with real life, and should you decide to return, we will be waiting with open arms. Cheers!" - Juliancolton


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 * Other stories
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The State of the Project: June 2008

 * By Mitchazenia

Oh boy, what a difference a couple months make! In the last newsletter, back in early April, we had only over a dozen Good Articles. In the last two months alone, that number has tripled with now 44 Good Articles. The project also received its two first FAs along with ahead-mentioned featured list.

The following have changed:


 * - Featured Articles: 0 to 2 (NY 174, NY 175)


 * - Featured Lists: 0 to 1 (Warren NY)


 * - A-class: No change


 * - Good Articles: from 13 to 44 (a jump of 31 articles)


 * - B-class: 254 to 277


 * - Start: 197 to 205


 * - Stub: Dropped from 186 to 147.

This shows that the project is growing very well and has some dedicated members. The project would like to thank all its members who help expand and work on these articles.

Statistics are taken from the first day in that month, with the exception of November, in which the statistics are derived from the first complete bot run on November 23.
 * Assessed article quality, November 2007 to present


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The first Featured list and their future with NYSR

 * By Juliancolton

On June 8, List of highways in Warren County, New York was promoted to featured list, the first in the project. Mitchazenia worked hard researching, writing, and copyediting the article, and after a grueling full month, his hard work payed off. The second featured list in the U.S. Roads WikiProject, its promotion added to the recent burst of quality content in the state, with New York State Route 174 and New York State Route 175 recently being promoted to featured article. This historic milestone within the project could be considered a sign of things to come. With two featured article candidates as of June 9, WikiProject New York State routes will continue to set high standards for the rest of the U.S. Roads Project.


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Project news

 * New York State Route 174 is the current project selected article. If you know of an article that is project selected article quality, nominate it today!


 * Looking for the New York cure to WikiBoredom? Check out these maintenance categories:
 * Routes needing mileposts
 * New York road articles needing attention
 * Wikipedia requested photographs in New York (state)


 * The lowest former route with no article is New York State Route 152.


 * The current Article Improvement Drive collaboration is not active at this current moment.


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Member news
Beginning next issue, this section will be the home for all news relating to NYSR participants. We'll also give a shout-out to the "Member of the Month", the participant who performed the most over the span of that month as determined by the editorial staff of this newsletter. Write-in votes or suggestions are also welcomed.


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Sunday Biking on the Bronx River Parkway

 * By Mitchazenia

On Sunday, June 8, 2008, I went with my father biking at the Bike Sundays in Westchester's Bronx River Parkway. Each Sunday in May, June and September from 10 AM to 2 PM, the DOT closes down the highway in its Westchester section only, diverting all traffic onto the Sprain Brook Parkway. That day, I got to experience this biking adventure.

My dad and I drove for a distance from our home in the next state over of New Jersey, accidentally missing a few parts. We found parking in a local church lot, where we disloaded our bikes and headed to the at-grade interchange Exit 4. At the interchange, there was a cop watching for others. Along the way, there were several hills and towns to pass through. The trip was excellent, even in 85 degree weather.

We stopped in downtown Scarsdale for a quick drink, continuing on our 8 mile ride. We soon turned around north of exit 12 and headed back to the car. After we got back, my dad and I went home the long way and I got some excellent road pictures. All and all it was a great day.


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New York State Route 22 Truncated?

 * By Mitchazenia

Local roadgeeks in New York and New Jersey have reported that New York State Route 22, a road that stretches to the Canada border from the borough of the Bronx, has been truncated. It was&mdash;although not mentioned by the New York State Department of Transportation&mdash;apparently truncated, which means shortened back, to the last intersection with U.S. Route 11 in the village of Mooers in Clinton County.

Route 22 was assigned in the 1930 renumbering as a highway stretching from the Bronx to Quebec's Route 219. The road remained intact for 78 years, with minor realignments along the way. The report of the truncation was not reported by the DOT, and is only known because the "END NY 22" signs are currently just south of the US 11 intersection. What caused this truncation? Is this a precedent to more? Only time will tell, but from now on, Hemmingford Road will no longer be NY 22, and NY 22 will no longer be a New York City – Canada route.

As a strange coincidence, Route 37 in Massena will be moved southward for the expansion of a border customs station.


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U.S. Route 44 realigned onto its lone suffixed route

 * By Polaron

Prior to 2007, U.S. Route 44 passed through the village of Millbrook, New York, serving as the village's main street. Because trucks are not allowed from passing through the relatively narrow village street, through truck traffic is directed to follow a bypass road, which had been designated as New York State Route 44A. On June 5, 2007, NYSDOT announced that US 44 would be relocated to the truck bypass route, after obtaining approval from AASHTO the year before for this action. The US 44 relocation, which was requested by the village, also resulted in the elimination of the NY 44A designation. After discussions with the village, NYSDOT agreed to retain maintenance of the former US 44 roadway as an unsigned reference route with designation 984P. Re-signing of US 44 and removal of NY 44A signs had been completed by April 2008.


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Featured member: Polaron

 *  By: Mitchazenia 

Polaron is an editor who works primarily on New York and Connecticut articles. With the 1938 and 1930/31 Green Books at hand, he is a large benefit to NYSR's history sections. Once in a while he works on the neighboring states of Vermont and Massachusetts as well, assisting the projects of lower quality. He is the writer of the U.S. Route 44 article, and helps out in shapes and sorts with other long roads. He joined on October 19, 2005 and has been an active contributor since. Thanks a lot for you help, Polaron!
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From the editor
The newsletter would like to hear from you, the reader. What do you like about the current format? What should be changed? Removed? Added? Your comments are needed.

Lastly, remember that this is your newsletter and you can be involved in the creation of the next issue, to be released on July 14. Any and all contributions are welcome. Simply sign up here or just start editing!
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Contributors to this issue

 * Mitchazenia (editor)
 * Juliancolton (editor)
 * Polaron (editor)
 * Imzadi1979 (contributor)
 * Seddon (contributor)
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