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[WashuOtaku]

NCDOT is behaving as if 885 is already approved. Maybe by FHWA if not by AASHTO.

AASHTO could throw a wrench in their plans, and it has happened in the past with I-140 from Raleigh to Sanford not getting approved, but this does not appear likely to happen. The freeway will be to modern interstate standards and it is a clear connection route that is clearly beneficial for those that do not want to go through the urban core of Durham.

[tolbs17]

^^

Fully agree.

[froggie]

NCDOT is behaving as if 885 is already approved. Maybe by FHWA if not by AASHTO.

AASHTO could throw a wrench in their plans, and it has happened in the past with I-140 from Raleigh to Sanford not getting approved, but this does not appear likely to happen.

If FHWA has already approved (and indications are that they have...pretty sure this project used Federal funding so FHWA would have HAD to view and sign off on the design plans), there isn't much AASHTO can do.  I-140 was a different case...there were no large or active projects on the books for US 1.

[Dirt Roads]

NCDOT is behaving as if 885 is already approved. Maybe by FHWA if not by AASHTO.

AASHTO could throw a wrench in their plans, and it has happened in the past with I-140 from Raleigh to Sanford not getting approved, but this does not appear likely to happen.

If FHWA has already approved (and indications are that they have...pretty sure this project used Federal funding so FHWA would have HAD to view and sign off on the design plans), there isn't much AASHTO can do.  I-140 was a different case...there were no large or active projects on the books for US 1.

When I worked on the ill-fated Raleigh-Durham Regional Rail System for Triangle Transit Authority (now Triangle Transit, dba Go Triangle) we had a rail flyover that needed to "land" short of the planned I-885 bridge over the East Durham Yards (Norfolk Southern).  Even back then, the planning and design for that project was ahead of ours.  It was my understanding that FWHA had already approved the I-885 routing.  This whole discussion shows the difference in how FHWA and AASHTO play different roles for new routes versus upgrades and bypasses to existing routes.

[bob7374]

This article about the bridge demolition quotes NCDOT indicating I-885 will be completed now 'by the summer':
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article258464638.html

[tolbs17]

Are these temporary? Because it should say I-885 WB/EB ramp not US-70.

https://goo.gl/maps/RkkEs3KYBQJpTBkx6

https://goo.gl/maps/6otxAeUVyJr2ygkJ7

[kendallhart808]

Are these temporary? Because it should say I-885 WB/EB ramp not US-70.

https://goo.gl/maps/RkkEs3KYBQJpTBkx6

https://goo.gl/maps/6otxAeUVyJr2ygkJ7

Perhaps, they've been there for a few years now. They may stay a little while as I would imagine most people are going to continue considering US 70 as the primary association of the road and eventually get around to considering it 885. I don't even think 87 has kicked in for many people in Raleigh, it's still 64/264.

[bob7374]

Are these temporary? Because it should say I-885 WB/EB ramp not US-70.

https://goo.gl/maps/RkkEs3KYBQJpTBkx6

https://goo.gl/maps/6otxAeUVyJr2ygkJ7

Perhaps, they've been there for a few years now. They may stay a little while as I would imagine most people are going to continue considering US 70 as the primary association of the road and eventually get around to considering it 885. I don't even think 87 has kicked in for many people in Raleigh, it's still 64/264.

Hope they are updated. Meanwhile, the intersection is closed tonight for I-885 related construction, perhaps to put in overhead signs headed east on NC 98 to match these covered up ones (why cover up the middle one?) that were put up heading west several months ago:
https://goo.gl/maps/w52cMdJ3XzMm4fyLA

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Bridge demo progress as of last Thursday, 3/10.

[fillup420]

as of this morning, all columns from the old bridge have been torn down. Progress!

Also, I want to point out that the sign seen in the previous picture is very poorly placed, as the new railroad bridge completely blocks it from view until the last possible second

[Alps]

All I see right now is "opens in Spring, completed in Summer". I'm assuming it won't be ready anytime soon without a date there.

[Henry]

I assume that there are greenouts for the placement of an I-885 shield at I-85 Exit 178 and I-40 Exit 279, if those signs have been modified already.

[bob7374]

I assume that there are greenouts for the placement of an I-885 shield at I-85 Exit 178 and I-40 Exit 279, if those signs have been modified already.

According to the most recent sign plans, while the I-40 West signs will simply swap out an I-885 shield for the existing NC 147 ones, the signs on I-40 East will apparently be replaced with the ones like on the left below having both I-885 and NC 147 shields:


The I-85 signs will probably be replaced as well as there is currently little room to add South I-885 to them, as seen on this Street View link image taken in November:
https://goo.gl/maps/vjDu546PhPsrFqNS9

[snowc]

Bridge demo progress as of last Thursday, 3/10.

About time! 

[fillup420]

as of Thursday 4/28, bridge demolition is complete, and a new lane has opened up to the left going westbound. The right lane becomes exit only for NC 98/US 70B exit

[bob7374]

Still no opening date, but NCDOT says signing of I-885 (I assume where it already hasn't been and covered up) will begin next week (after AASHTO approves the route on Monday the 9th?):
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2022/2022-05-04-final-paving-east-end-connector-i-885.aspx

[fillup420]

night-time paving work has commenced between the NC 98 exit and I-85. The third lane westbound is slowly getting longer.

[bob7374]

Taking a look at the traffic cameras in the vicinity of the Durham Freeway the last couple of days I could not spot any sign changes taking place. This did not prevent NCDOT from updating their traffic map, however: