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I’m not sure who this user is but I pulled this text because it’s more editorial and not really relevant to the article…
"and furthermore the reconstruction of the Bay Bridge has taken 18 years so far and is expected to be completed 26 years after the 1989 quake. Therefore many in the Bay Area expect this repair to take years."
Replacement of smaller structures like the one section of the Bay Bridge, the La Cienega overpass, and this section of the Maze are very straightforward as they simply involve putting back the structure as it was. Historically, Caltrans has done this in span of months (even weeks), especially if a major thoroughfare is impacted and that is what Caltrans is saying now. The Maze was recently retrofitted which should eliminate this project as a “trigger” to do additional seismic retrofit work.
The Cypress Freeway was a political mess primarily because the residents of West Oakland ultimately [and rightfully] pushed to have this 2 mile section of freeway re-aligned. The politics of assembling the new right-of-way and working with various landowners, community groups and railroads was the primary schedule impact. - the Maze repair is not likely to be anywhere close to being this contentious. In addition this project was hundreds of times the size of the prospective Maze project (e.g. like comparing a door replacement to building a completely new house) and is not a good comparison.
The Bay Bridge is a massive project that is thousands of times the size of the potential maze repair and is simply not a relevant comparison (e.g. the door replacement to a new highrise office building). Its multiyear schedule was already delayed 10+ years simply because Oakland and SF couldn’t agree with a new alignment, and the application of a completely new technology for the $1.5 billion plus center span caused additional overruns and schedule delays – these issues won’t occur on this simple replacement.
If we were talking about several miles of roadway being replaced I would concur that it would take years, fortunately a 250m section of roadway is a slam dunk – even for Caltrans (JoeConsumer 4/27/07)
Hi, I'm Josh. Good to meet you JoeConsumer. "fortunately a 250m section of roadway is a slam dunk" With Caltrans, time will tell if you are right. I HOPE so.... but wouldn't put money on it.
JoeConsumer - you're just wrong about this. As a person who has lived in San Francisco for almost 30 years, I can assure you, it's not going to take a month. The problem will be in the politics of Caltrans versus the municipalities affected. I'd like a revert of your edit, especially since I live here, and will be affected by this. You are just wrong about this, and as the person said, "many in the Bay Area expect this to take years." That is exactly the sentiments of anyone who has lived through these things.
Ruth E
Hi Ruth - please note months *plural*, e.g. less than a year. I'm certainly don’t believe it will take a month – likely several. Please note that I'm also Bay Area resident who is also currently planning my route home on E80 this evening through this mess. I'm also an architect with a strong structural engineering background who manages multimillion construction projects in San Francisco, Berkeley and for the UC system (e.g. political enviroments). A couple of points:
1: All that is in the article at this point is Caltran’s stated timeline “weeks or months.” If you and I were to put our conjecture in the text, it would be just be our editorialization. Unless there is an independent, credible source that you can cite I would not revert the text (and if you have such a source, great, cite it!). 2: All of the “affected municipalities” basically want the damn thing rebuilt as quickly as possible! Even the governator is fueling the fire under Caltrans rear end. As with the Bay Bridge and I-10 repair this project is now officially on the emergency fastrack which will bypass most of Caltrans red tape. Finding $10 million for the repair will be a much easier task than funding the $1 billion + Cypress Expansion or the (now) nearly $10 Billion Bay Bridge replacement. No one will be squabbling over right of ways, aesthetics, etc. No one will be displaced by this repair, no one’s political pet project compromised. The scope of the project is to use basic concrete/steel construction to simply put back 250m of standard 3 lane connector, something which is being built at 25M - 30M a day at the Western Approach project. The private sector could easily get this done in 1 – 2 months, and even the bumbling idiots at Caltrans can pull this off within a year.
(Joe Consumer) 04-30-07
I certainly see where this discussion is headed. If you all don't know already, significant progress is already being made at the Maze. The I-880 connector reopened yesterday (May 7), according to SFGate, which will make the traffic nightmare a lot less hectic. As for the I-580 connector, that will be done within 25 days according to the contractor (see this link [1]), which I must say pretty quick. But in comparison to similar repairs made to other freeways following the earthquakes, I guess its no surprise. Wslupecki 03:51, 9 May 2007 (UTC).
This bridge damage is comparable to the damage in Birmingham AL in two separate accidents on a bridge at the intersection of Interstates 20, 59 and 65. This energy deformed and collapsed both bridges on January 5, 2002 and October 21, 2004. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.120.40.137 ( talk) 06:01, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
This might warrent a separate article. The event in itself is major. Officials are talking about maybe a billion dollars [2] in effects and extreme inconvenience for this major artery for several months. The news articles on this event are extensive. Titles anyone? -- Oakshade 05:43, 30 April 2007 (UTC)
I propose that James Mosqueda be merged into this article (or to a separate article for the ramp collapse, should one be created as discussed above). -- Scott eiπ 19:41, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
Is it possible to find a free image of the MacArthur maze collapse? One that shows the debris. I've tried to upload the structure collapsing under a fair use, but the deleting admin said it wasn't historical because it being a truck fire. --
wL<
speak·
check> 06:15, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
Comon folks, I may not have the most Wikipedia writing style but its clear based on past Caltrans experience with the Bay Bridge in recent years that months is overly optomistic. This isn't one little metal section like in the quake. This is concrete that needs to designed, molded, etc.
It's been about a month or so now since the connectors reopened from that collapse. At this point, I no longer see a need for the "Current Event" tag in the Connector Collapse section of the article. Unless there are still developments in the local media regarding this issue, I think the tag should be removed. Wslupecki 00:47, 17 June 2007 (UTC).
There's an awesome photo of the original configuration in [3]; unfortunately it has no source. -- NE2 19:31, 20 November 2007 (UTC)
A Google news archives search with a time parameter shows no "MacArthur" attached to the name "Maze" before 1990, confirming my personal recollection that it is a relatively recent name. I believe traffic reporters may have begun using the extended name in the 1980s. In any case, unless someone can come up with a citation which narrows the usage date, I think it is appropriate to say that the usage post-dates the construction of the MacArthur Freeway in the 1950s, and mention that it is probably of relatively recent coinage based on the Google search. Tmangray ( talk) 17:08, 30 December 2007 (UTC)
The Newark Airport Interchange is much larger than the MacArthur Maze. I looked on Google Earth. Hillcrest98 ( talk) 02:04, 20 October 2011 (UTC)Hillcrest98
I do think it dubious that the Maze is the largest interchange in the world. If that claim is to remain in the article, a supporting cite is necessary. Tmangray ( talk) 17:44, 10 April 2012 (UTC)
For some reason, CA-24 is not "officially" considered a part of the interchange according to previous editors, instead being noted as a freeway connecting to I-580 in a separate interchange about a mile to the southeast. This is a rather dubious omission, as westbound CA-24 essentially dead-ends into the Maze and I-980. It is set back from the I-880/I-580/I-80 portion by necessity, to give drivers from both CA-24 and I-580 enough space to merge onto eastbound I-80 if they are not continuing on to the bridge. Both "separate" interchanges are really one massive structure that has too many freeways to merge all at once, which is why it takes a mile to accomplish that.
It should also be noted that all traffic that enters eastbound CA-24 from the Bay Bridge must pass through the Maze.
This is essentially a matter of two roads (CA-24 and I-580) ending in the same place, but in this article they are both called I-580 on a superfluous technicality. However, both CA-24 and the "separate" CA-24/I-580/I-980 interchange are very much part of the Maze, and as a native and lifelong resident of the area, I can affirm that they have always been referred to as such. Bradrules ( talk) 21:53, 9 July 2013 (UTC)
Properly speaking, the Macarthur Maze is the interchange where SR 24 and Interstate 980 join/cross Interstate 580 AKA the Macarthur Freeway. This interchange is in Oakland about halfway in between Piedmont and Emeryville, to the east of Emeryville.
This 580/980/24 interchange predates most of the current structure which this article is primarily discussing (near the base of the Bay bridge in Oakland just south of Emeryville). The two structures are less than two miles apart, but the term "Macarthur Maze" was used to refer to the eastern structure before the western structure grew into its current maze-like complexity.
-- Eric Forste 21:38, 16 July 2005 (UTC)
My recollection is the same as Eric Forste. The MacArthur Maze is (or was) the intersection of 580/980/24. The name was well-established in the early 1970s when I first began to drive. Traffic reporters would say that Bay Bridge traffic was "backed up to the Maze," and lo and behold it was -- well passed the Distribution Structure. It got its nickname because this area had been a mess for so long with the construction of BART, Highway 24, then 980. This intersection is right by MacArthur Avenue and the MacArthur BART station and it truly is a maze. It is a complete intersection of two freeways -- When you hit the interchange from any direction, you have three different directions you can go on a freeway, and all directions are well-travelled. There are also several large capacity on and off ramps. (It services downtown Oakland). And there are four layers of roadway.
In contrast the Distribution Structure is only a partial intersection, the 880-Bay Bridge traffic is syphoned off before hitting the structure, and there is no 880-580 connection: It is only from the North, heading down 80 that you have a choice of three different directions to go. It has fewer choices that don't come at you so fast. And at least until recently, it has been far easier to navigate. I will certainly admit that it has become more complicated recently with all of the new lanes that have been added to 80 near Berkeley. At least it is always stop and go so that you have plenty of time to prepare!
But the name "MacArthur Maze" sounded sooo good and sooo appropriate that about 15-20 years ago traffic reporters started referring to the MacArthur Maze combined with the Bay Bridge distribution structure as "the Maze." As soon as you leave one structure, you must immediately cross several lanes of traffic to prepare for the next structure, they are very close and connected by elevated freeway, together they feel like a single unit, and they really are a maze. The way they sit right next to each other, it is like the second loop on a roller coaster. A couple years ago, the SF Chronicle did a story about how the name evolved.
It still grates my ear a little when the Bay Bridge-80/580/880 intersection is referred to as the "MacArthur Maze," which historically speaking it is not. I note that the Wikipedia articles on (a) Highway 24, (b) Interstate 580 (in the sidebox) and (c) the MacArthur BART Station get it correct, at least historically, that 580/980/24 interchange is the "MacArthur Maze." However, it seems that the name has evolved so that a significant minority, and quite probably the majority of non-locals, now refer to the Bay Bridge-80/580/880 intersection as the MacArthur Maze. This makes sense because it is a catchy name and non-locals to the East Bay generally regard the whole infrastructure until you can get on a freeway and not have to worry about changing lanes as a "Maze." -- Swlenz 23:52, 29 April 2007 (UTC)
[4] shows some usage of "the maze" for the east end of the Bay Bridge. -- NE2 17:05, 25 December 2007 (UTC)
"The Maze" and ,"The MacArthur Maze."
The "Maze" was more complicated during the 1940's, as there were trolley tracks going to and from the bridge and along the Eastshore Highway. When the the large interchange with the I-580, SR24 and I980 was built, along with the BART system and associated surface street overpasses, it became known as the, "Macarthur Maze" to differentiater it from the Distribution Structure. I first heard reporters improperly confusing these two interchanges in the 1990's. When I speak to CALTRANS drivers and CHP officers, they currently call the Distribution Structure as, "The Triangle," to allude to the shape formed by the new I-880. 25September2013 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 946towguy ( talk • contribs) 01:13, 26 September 2013 (UTC)
The page is incorrectly titled, "Macarthur Maze," based on recent erroneous sources. The Macarthur Maze is the 1960's to 1970's era interchange that is approximately 1 mile to the East, at the intersection of the Macarthur Freeway (I580), Byron Rumford Freeway (CA SR24) and the I 980. The newer interchange was so-named to differentiate it from,'The Maze' which is the 1930's structure referred to in the article. Nevertheless, some on Wikipedia refuse to accept that there are officially accepted names for these interchanges and insist on using incorrect references!
It should be noted, that the 3 dubious sources cited as 1,2, and 3, only date back to 2007.
The naming conventions for Wikipedia are that the commonly used name should be accepted. Prior to the 1990's,it was very rare for someone to make the mistake of referring to the Maze as the Macarthur Maze. Those of us who have lived here for any period of time KNOW the difference between these two interchanges and NEVER, incorrectly refer to, 'The Maze' (Distribution Structure) as the 'Macarthur Maze.' Having lived in the Oakland area for over 40 years, I consider myself a 'Primary Reliable Source.' If you ask 100 random Oakland residents, over the age of 35, the name of these interchanges, a consensus will show that I am correct. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 946towguy ( talk • contribs) 18:07, 31 January 2014 (UTC)
As a long, long time resident of the East Bay, I can confirm that 'MacArthur Maze' originally referred to the 24/580/980 interchange (and the messy construction thereof in the 70s). No surprise as this portion of 580 is officially named the MacArthur Freeway. It was difficult and onerous to navigate while the interchange was being built. The term "MacArthur Maze" was picked up by the traffic reporters on the radio, or at least the reporters I listened to (i.e., "Traffic to the bridge is backed up to the MacArthur Maze"). At the time, the 24/580/980 interchange was more complex than the nearby distribution structure adjacent to the Bay Bridge. Unlike the distribution structure where there was and remains no connection between N880 to E580, or W580 to S880, the 24/580/980 provides a choice to travel on any of the other connecting freeways.
I still remember being surprised to read in one of the local rags (newspapers), circa early 1980s, about the maze and traffic reporters. The gist of the story was that some radio traffic reporters referred to the maze as the distribution structure adjacent to the Bay Bridge while others referred to the Maze as the 24/580/980 interchange. (Somebody, with time to waste, should find that story)
Since the completion of the 24/580/980 interchange, the Bay Bridge distribution center has become more complex and maze-like and I am not surprised that the name has "MacArthur Maze" has become attached to the distribution center by non-locals. However, if you ever travel from 24 to 80 or vice versa, the 24/580/980 and distribution center interchanges appear to be, and for practical purposes, are contiguous. The distance between the interchanges is roughly the same as the size of each interchange. The driving path diverges, merges, diverges, then merges again. The maze should be best viewed the way a driver would, from as when you leave your initial freeway until you reach your destination freeway. Swlenz ( talk) 21:11, 31 March 2017 (UTC)
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I clicked on a reference that previously had been directly linked to a newspaper article, but now I get a generic page for the newspaper archive. i.e. the reference cite has been destroyed. What gives? Tmangray ( talk) 04:30, 9 February 2018 (UTC)
![]() | This page is an archive of past discussions. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page. |
I’m not sure who this user is but I pulled this text because it’s more editorial and not really relevant to the article…
"and furthermore the reconstruction of the Bay Bridge has taken 18 years so far and is expected to be completed 26 years after the 1989 quake. Therefore many in the Bay Area expect this repair to take years."
Replacement of smaller structures like the one section of the Bay Bridge, the La Cienega overpass, and this section of the Maze are very straightforward as they simply involve putting back the structure as it was. Historically, Caltrans has done this in span of months (even weeks), especially if a major thoroughfare is impacted and that is what Caltrans is saying now. The Maze was recently retrofitted which should eliminate this project as a “trigger” to do additional seismic retrofit work.
The Cypress Freeway was a political mess primarily because the residents of West Oakland ultimately [and rightfully] pushed to have this 2 mile section of freeway re-aligned. The politics of assembling the new right-of-way and working with various landowners, community groups and railroads was the primary schedule impact. - the Maze repair is not likely to be anywhere close to being this contentious. In addition this project was hundreds of times the size of the prospective Maze project (e.g. like comparing a door replacement to building a completely new house) and is not a good comparison.
The Bay Bridge is a massive project that is thousands of times the size of the potential maze repair and is simply not a relevant comparison (e.g. the door replacement to a new highrise office building). Its multiyear schedule was already delayed 10+ years simply because Oakland and SF couldn’t agree with a new alignment, and the application of a completely new technology for the $1.5 billion plus center span caused additional overruns and schedule delays – these issues won’t occur on this simple replacement.
If we were talking about several miles of roadway being replaced I would concur that it would take years, fortunately a 250m section of roadway is a slam dunk – even for Caltrans (JoeConsumer 4/27/07)
Hi, I'm Josh. Good to meet you JoeConsumer. "fortunately a 250m section of roadway is a slam dunk" With Caltrans, time will tell if you are right. I HOPE so.... but wouldn't put money on it.
JoeConsumer - you're just wrong about this. As a person who has lived in San Francisco for almost 30 years, I can assure you, it's not going to take a month. The problem will be in the politics of Caltrans versus the municipalities affected. I'd like a revert of your edit, especially since I live here, and will be affected by this. You are just wrong about this, and as the person said, "many in the Bay Area expect this to take years." That is exactly the sentiments of anyone who has lived through these things.
Ruth E
Hi Ruth - please note months *plural*, e.g. less than a year. I'm certainly don’t believe it will take a month – likely several. Please note that I'm also Bay Area resident who is also currently planning my route home on E80 this evening through this mess. I'm also an architect with a strong structural engineering background who manages multimillion construction projects in San Francisco, Berkeley and for the UC system (e.g. political enviroments). A couple of points:
1: All that is in the article at this point is Caltran’s stated timeline “weeks or months.” If you and I were to put our conjecture in the text, it would be just be our editorialization. Unless there is an independent, credible source that you can cite I would not revert the text (and if you have such a source, great, cite it!). 2: All of the “affected municipalities” basically want the damn thing rebuilt as quickly as possible! Even the governator is fueling the fire under Caltrans rear end. As with the Bay Bridge and I-10 repair this project is now officially on the emergency fastrack which will bypass most of Caltrans red tape. Finding $10 million for the repair will be a much easier task than funding the $1 billion + Cypress Expansion or the (now) nearly $10 Billion Bay Bridge replacement. No one will be squabbling over right of ways, aesthetics, etc. No one will be displaced by this repair, no one’s political pet project compromised. The scope of the project is to use basic concrete/steel construction to simply put back 250m of standard 3 lane connector, something which is being built at 25M - 30M a day at the Western Approach project. The private sector could easily get this done in 1 – 2 months, and even the bumbling idiots at Caltrans can pull this off within a year.
(Joe Consumer) 04-30-07
I certainly see where this discussion is headed. If you all don't know already, significant progress is already being made at the Maze. The I-880 connector reopened yesterday (May 7), according to SFGate, which will make the traffic nightmare a lot less hectic. As for the I-580 connector, that will be done within 25 days according to the contractor (see this link [1]), which I must say pretty quick. But in comparison to similar repairs made to other freeways following the earthquakes, I guess its no surprise. Wslupecki 03:51, 9 May 2007 (UTC).
This bridge damage is comparable to the damage in Birmingham AL in two separate accidents on a bridge at the intersection of Interstates 20, 59 and 65. This energy deformed and collapsed both bridges on January 5, 2002 and October 21, 2004. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.120.40.137 ( talk) 06:01, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
This might warrent a separate article. The event in itself is major. Officials are talking about maybe a billion dollars [2] in effects and extreme inconvenience for this major artery for several months. The news articles on this event are extensive. Titles anyone? -- Oakshade 05:43, 30 April 2007 (UTC)
I propose that James Mosqueda be merged into this article (or to a separate article for the ramp collapse, should one be created as discussed above). -- Scott eiπ 19:41, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
Is it possible to find a free image of the MacArthur maze collapse? One that shows the debris. I've tried to upload the structure collapsing under a fair use, but the deleting admin said it wasn't historical because it being a truck fire. --
wL<
speak·
check> 06:15, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
Comon folks, I may not have the most Wikipedia writing style but its clear based on past Caltrans experience with the Bay Bridge in recent years that months is overly optomistic. This isn't one little metal section like in the quake. This is concrete that needs to designed, molded, etc.
It's been about a month or so now since the connectors reopened from that collapse. At this point, I no longer see a need for the "Current Event" tag in the Connector Collapse section of the article. Unless there are still developments in the local media regarding this issue, I think the tag should be removed. Wslupecki 00:47, 17 June 2007 (UTC).
There's an awesome photo of the original configuration in [3]; unfortunately it has no source. -- NE2 19:31, 20 November 2007 (UTC)
A Google news archives search with a time parameter shows no "MacArthur" attached to the name "Maze" before 1990, confirming my personal recollection that it is a relatively recent name. I believe traffic reporters may have begun using the extended name in the 1980s. In any case, unless someone can come up with a citation which narrows the usage date, I think it is appropriate to say that the usage post-dates the construction of the MacArthur Freeway in the 1950s, and mention that it is probably of relatively recent coinage based on the Google search. Tmangray ( talk) 17:08, 30 December 2007 (UTC)
The Newark Airport Interchange is much larger than the MacArthur Maze. I looked on Google Earth. Hillcrest98 ( talk) 02:04, 20 October 2011 (UTC)Hillcrest98
I do think it dubious that the Maze is the largest interchange in the world. If that claim is to remain in the article, a supporting cite is necessary. Tmangray ( talk) 17:44, 10 April 2012 (UTC)
For some reason, CA-24 is not "officially" considered a part of the interchange according to previous editors, instead being noted as a freeway connecting to I-580 in a separate interchange about a mile to the southeast. This is a rather dubious omission, as westbound CA-24 essentially dead-ends into the Maze and I-980. It is set back from the I-880/I-580/I-80 portion by necessity, to give drivers from both CA-24 and I-580 enough space to merge onto eastbound I-80 if they are not continuing on to the bridge. Both "separate" interchanges are really one massive structure that has too many freeways to merge all at once, which is why it takes a mile to accomplish that.
It should also be noted that all traffic that enters eastbound CA-24 from the Bay Bridge must pass through the Maze.
This is essentially a matter of two roads (CA-24 and I-580) ending in the same place, but in this article they are both called I-580 on a superfluous technicality. However, both CA-24 and the "separate" CA-24/I-580/I-980 interchange are very much part of the Maze, and as a native and lifelong resident of the area, I can affirm that they have always been referred to as such. Bradrules ( talk) 21:53, 9 July 2013 (UTC)
Properly speaking, the Macarthur Maze is the interchange where SR 24 and Interstate 980 join/cross Interstate 580 AKA the Macarthur Freeway. This interchange is in Oakland about halfway in between Piedmont and Emeryville, to the east of Emeryville.
This 580/980/24 interchange predates most of the current structure which this article is primarily discussing (near the base of the Bay bridge in Oakland just south of Emeryville). The two structures are less than two miles apart, but the term "Macarthur Maze" was used to refer to the eastern structure before the western structure grew into its current maze-like complexity.
-- Eric Forste 21:38, 16 July 2005 (UTC)
My recollection is the same as Eric Forste. The MacArthur Maze is (or was) the intersection of 580/980/24. The name was well-established in the early 1970s when I first began to drive. Traffic reporters would say that Bay Bridge traffic was "backed up to the Maze," and lo and behold it was -- well passed the Distribution Structure. It got its nickname because this area had been a mess for so long with the construction of BART, Highway 24, then 980. This intersection is right by MacArthur Avenue and the MacArthur BART station and it truly is a maze. It is a complete intersection of two freeways -- When you hit the interchange from any direction, you have three different directions you can go on a freeway, and all directions are well-travelled. There are also several large capacity on and off ramps. (It services downtown Oakland). And there are four layers of roadway.
In contrast the Distribution Structure is only a partial intersection, the 880-Bay Bridge traffic is syphoned off before hitting the structure, and there is no 880-580 connection: It is only from the North, heading down 80 that you have a choice of three different directions to go. It has fewer choices that don't come at you so fast. And at least until recently, it has been far easier to navigate. I will certainly admit that it has become more complicated recently with all of the new lanes that have been added to 80 near Berkeley. At least it is always stop and go so that you have plenty of time to prepare!
But the name "MacArthur Maze" sounded sooo good and sooo appropriate that about 15-20 years ago traffic reporters started referring to the MacArthur Maze combined with the Bay Bridge distribution structure as "the Maze." As soon as you leave one structure, you must immediately cross several lanes of traffic to prepare for the next structure, they are very close and connected by elevated freeway, together they feel like a single unit, and they really are a maze. The way they sit right next to each other, it is like the second loop on a roller coaster. A couple years ago, the SF Chronicle did a story about how the name evolved.
It still grates my ear a little when the Bay Bridge-80/580/880 intersection is referred to as the "MacArthur Maze," which historically speaking it is not. I note that the Wikipedia articles on (a) Highway 24, (b) Interstate 580 (in the sidebox) and (c) the MacArthur BART Station get it correct, at least historically, that 580/980/24 interchange is the "MacArthur Maze." However, it seems that the name has evolved so that a significant minority, and quite probably the majority of non-locals, now refer to the Bay Bridge-80/580/880 intersection as the MacArthur Maze. This makes sense because it is a catchy name and non-locals to the East Bay generally regard the whole infrastructure until you can get on a freeway and not have to worry about changing lanes as a "Maze." -- Swlenz 23:52, 29 April 2007 (UTC)
[4] shows some usage of "the maze" for the east end of the Bay Bridge. -- NE2 17:05, 25 December 2007 (UTC)
"The Maze" and ,"The MacArthur Maze."
The "Maze" was more complicated during the 1940's, as there were trolley tracks going to and from the bridge and along the Eastshore Highway. When the the large interchange with the I-580, SR24 and I980 was built, along with the BART system and associated surface street overpasses, it became known as the, "Macarthur Maze" to differentiater it from the Distribution Structure. I first heard reporters improperly confusing these two interchanges in the 1990's. When I speak to CALTRANS drivers and CHP officers, they currently call the Distribution Structure as, "The Triangle," to allude to the shape formed by the new I-880. 25September2013 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 946towguy ( talk • contribs) 01:13, 26 September 2013 (UTC)
The page is incorrectly titled, "Macarthur Maze," based on recent erroneous sources. The Macarthur Maze is the 1960's to 1970's era interchange that is approximately 1 mile to the East, at the intersection of the Macarthur Freeway (I580), Byron Rumford Freeway (CA SR24) and the I 980. The newer interchange was so-named to differentiate it from,'The Maze' which is the 1930's structure referred to in the article. Nevertheless, some on Wikipedia refuse to accept that there are officially accepted names for these interchanges and insist on using incorrect references!
It should be noted, that the 3 dubious sources cited as 1,2, and 3, only date back to 2007.
The naming conventions for Wikipedia are that the commonly used name should be accepted. Prior to the 1990's,it was very rare for someone to make the mistake of referring to the Maze as the Macarthur Maze. Those of us who have lived here for any period of time KNOW the difference between these two interchanges and NEVER, incorrectly refer to, 'The Maze' (Distribution Structure) as the 'Macarthur Maze.' Having lived in the Oakland area for over 40 years, I consider myself a 'Primary Reliable Source.' If you ask 100 random Oakland residents, over the age of 35, the name of these interchanges, a consensus will show that I am correct. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 946towguy ( talk • contribs) 18:07, 31 January 2014 (UTC)
As a long, long time resident of the East Bay, I can confirm that 'MacArthur Maze' originally referred to the 24/580/980 interchange (and the messy construction thereof in the 70s). No surprise as this portion of 580 is officially named the MacArthur Freeway. It was difficult and onerous to navigate while the interchange was being built. The term "MacArthur Maze" was picked up by the traffic reporters on the radio, or at least the reporters I listened to (i.e., "Traffic to the bridge is backed up to the MacArthur Maze"). At the time, the 24/580/980 interchange was more complex than the nearby distribution structure adjacent to the Bay Bridge. Unlike the distribution structure where there was and remains no connection between N880 to E580, or W580 to S880, the 24/580/980 provides a choice to travel on any of the other connecting freeways.
I still remember being surprised to read in one of the local rags (newspapers), circa early 1980s, about the maze and traffic reporters. The gist of the story was that some radio traffic reporters referred to the maze as the distribution structure adjacent to the Bay Bridge while others referred to the Maze as the 24/580/980 interchange. (Somebody, with time to waste, should find that story)
Since the completion of the 24/580/980 interchange, the Bay Bridge distribution center has become more complex and maze-like and I am not surprised that the name has "MacArthur Maze" has become attached to the distribution center by non-locals. However, if you ever travel from 24 to 80 or vice versa, the 24/580/980 and distribution center interchanges appear to be, and for practical purposes, are contiguous. The distance between the interchanges is roughly the same as the size of each interchange. The driving path diverges, merges, diverges, then merges again. The maze should be best viewed the way a driver would, from as when you leave your initial freeway until you reach your destination freeway. Swlenz ( talk) 21:11, 31 March 2017 (UTC)
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I clicked on a reference that previously had been directly linked to a newspaper article, but now I get a generic page for the newspaper archive. i.e. the reference cite has been destroyed. What gives? Tmangray ( talk) 04:30, 9 February 2018 (UTC)