Avoid Tunnels for Paths Over Mountains

[granite pewter]

I'd like to recommend we avoid tunnels through mountains in future cycles of WT in favor of paving roads over mountains and high areas. Despite tunnels being a massive amount of needless, extra work and generally being unsightly, they increase the odds of vehicles getting stuck. Just twice this week my truck ended up in the trees above a tunnel due to lag.

I'm not suggesting we get rid of tunnels entirely and, if we can build tunnels where the terrain above is fairly manageable for a vehicle, the problem is mitigated. However, dominating the terrain and building major highways through mountains just to maintain a level height for the road is both expensive and problematic for vehicles. I say we introduce a road building rule in future WT cycles where, if the natural terrain extends above 80, we require the road to follow the terrain elevation.

[sinful hill]

The same could be said of bridges.
One reason for having the same elevation for the highways is that ramps do slow vehicles down.

Personally not pro/con one way or another though.

[bronze wraith]

Tunnels cause just as much loading lag for me as being above ground, but I do love a good tunnel. States should definitely not be required to do so.

I can see an argument that very high elevations also limits the ability of nearby claimants to fully take advantage of the Federal Highway commerce benefits, without significant time investment. At the very least, states/fed should provide nicely designed access roads to connect into the highways at these high elevations.

[haughty vale]

The reason for same elevation was is do to the risk of vehicles teleporting under the ramps.