I laughed as I drove through Asheville, NC recently and noticed the "Future" I-26 signs through town.
It was obvious why the name had been around because the narrowness, the geometries, exit ramp styles all screamed old and non-compliant.
Well, apparently 2021 is the year it begins the process of losing its "Future" moniker and becomes the "current".
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/asheville-i-26-connector/Pages/default.aspx
(https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/asheville-i-26-connector/PublishingImages/asheville-i-26-connector.png)
The approximately 7-mile project involves three sections:
Section A, which involves upgrading I-240 (as well as interchanges at Brevard, Amboy and Haywood roads) from the I-26/I-240 interchange with I-40 to the I-240 interchange with Patton Avenue west of the French Broad River.
Section B, which includes building the interstate on a new location from the Patton Avenue interchange north across the French Broad River, tying into U.S. 19/23/70 south of Broadway.
Section C, which involves improvements to the I-40 interchanges with Smokey Park Highway, I-26/I-240 and Brevard Road.
The I-26 Connector would be a median-divided, fully controlled-access freeway accessible only via interchanges. To reduce the required right-of-way, there would be a barrier median dividing opposing directions of travel.
But it is going to take awhile to get it all sorted out.
2021 - Property acquisition and construction begins on building I-26 on a new location from the Patton Avenue interchange to U.S. 19/23/70
2022 - Property acquisition and construction begins on upgrading I-240
2025 - Property acquisition and construction begins on the I-40 interchanges with Smokey Park Highway, I-26/I-240 and Brevard Road
Hm. In NY, ROW acquisition starts a year before PS&E. Wonder how it happens in NC, with acquisition and construction in the same year.
About time this project got started! Hopefully, the rest of the Future route will be upgraded soon as well.
Quote from: Rothman on December 07, 2020, 12:24:43 AM
Hm. In NY, ROW acquisition starts a year before PS&E. Wonder how it happens in NC, with acquisition and construction in the same year.
I really shouldn't post at 1 a.m....
Those project pages on NCDOT's website are always out-dated. The project is a "progressive" design-build and the first section isn't scheduled to be let until October 2023 now. R/W acquisition should start in 2022. The I-26/I-40 interchange revisions have been delayed until 2029. NCDOT's finances have been in trouble since 2018, and COVID has made things MUCH worse. At nearly a billion dollars, I'll be surprised if it starts in 2024, although it appears NCDOT is securing hundreds of millions in bond funding for the project.
The future revisions north of Asheville (A-0010) had been scheduled for this year or next, but that project has been delayed to 2026.
36 MONTH TENTATIVE DESIGN-BUILD LET LIST (NOVEMBER 2020 - OCTOBER 2023) (https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/12%20Month%20Tentative%20Letting%20Library/36%20MONTH%20DESIGN-BUILD%20LET%20(NOVEMBER%202020%20-%20OCTOBER%202023).pdf)
Current STIP (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIPDocuments1/NCDOT%20Current%20STIP.pdf)
Part of I-26 Connector could be delayed, DOT says (https://wlos.com/news/local/part-of-i-26-connector-could-be-delayed-dot-says)
By the time it's finished, this intensely NIMBY'd project will be more than half a century in the making.
Well, whenever they get to it, I'm glad to see the new location portion will be the first thing done
It's about time! The existing Interstate 26/240 freeway is not only a substandard four-lane highway, it also looks hideous. Hopefully, once the reconstruction project is complete, it will look a lot better.
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on December 07, 2020, 06:04:51 PM
Those project pages on NCDOT's website are always out-dated. The project is a "progressive" design-build and the first section isn't scheduled to be let until October 2023 now. R/W acquisition should start in 2022. The I-26/I-40 interchange revisions have been delayed until 2029. NCDOT's finances have been in trouble since 2018, and COVID has made things MUCH worse. At nearly a billion dollars, I'll be surprised if it starts in 2024, although it appears NCDOT is securing hundreds of millions in bond funding for the project.
The future revisions north of Asheville (A-0010) had been scheduled for this year or next, but that project has been delayed to 2026.
I was all excited for a moment, but this post brought all that crashing down. Ouch.
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 08, 2020, 06:38:23 PM
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on December 07, 2020, 06:04:51 PM
Those project pages on NCDOT's website are always out-dated. The project is a "progressive" design-build and the first section isn't scheduled to be let until October 2023 now. R/W acquisition should start in 2022. The I-26/I-40 interchange revisions have been delayed until 2029. NCDOT's finances have been in trouble since 2018, and COVID has made things MUCH worse. At nearly a billion dollars, I'll be surprised if it starts in 2024, although it appears NCDOT is securing hundreds of millions in bond funding for the project.
The future revisions north of Asheville (A-0010) had been scheduled for this year or next, but that project has been delayed to 2026.
I was all excited for a moment, but this post brought all that crashing down. Ouch.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I didn't want anyone to get too excited. Everything was on track a couple of years ago. Hurricanes and other crazy rainfall events the past couple of years, plus the Map Act lawsuits decimated NCDOT's budget before the gas tax revenues nose-dived this year.
Here's the
September 2020 revisions to the STIP (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIPDocuments1/2020%20September%20Board%20Of%20Trans%20Handout%20Item%20N.pdf) showing the delays and the proposed bond amounts (BUILD NC for section A and GARVEE for section B).
They also updated the
Project Breakdown Map (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/Project%20Breakdown%20Maps/I-2513.pdf) on Thursday to reflect the new dates.
Quote from: wdcrft63 on December 07, 2020, 06:15:38 PM
By the time it's finished, this intensely NIMBY'd project will be more than half a century in the making.
With an
estimated 114 residential and 35 business relocations (https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/asheville-i-26-connector/Documents/feis-cover-summary.pdf), it will quite literally be in a lot of people's back yards. This is a $1 billion project for 5 miles of highway (which yes, could have cost a lot less had it been done 25 years ago).
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on December 12, 2020, 07:32:45 AM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 08, 2020, 06:38:23 PM
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on December 07, 2020, 06:04:51 PM
Those project pages on NCDOT's website are always out-dated. The project is a "progressive" design-build and the first section isn't scheduled to be let until October 2023 now. R/W acquisition should start in 2022. The I-26/I-40 interchange revisions have been delayed until 2029. NCDOT's finances have been in trouble since 2018, and COVID has made things MUCH worse. At nearly a billion dollars, I'll be surprised if it starts in 2024, although it appears NCDOT is securing hundreds of millions in bond funding for the project.
The future revisions north of Asheville (A-0010) had been scheduled for this year or next, but that project has been delayed to 2026.
I was all excited for a moment, but this post brought all that crashing down. Ouch.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I didn't want anyone to get too excited. Everything was on track a couple of years ago. Hurricanes and other crazy rainfall events the past couple of years, plus the Map Act lawsuits decimated NCDOT's budget before the gas tax revenues nose-dived this year.
Here's the September 2020 revisions to the STIP (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIPDocuments1/2020%20September%20Board%20Of%20Trans%20Handout%20Item%20N.pdf) showing the delays and the proposed bond amounts (BUILD NC for section A and GARVEE for section B).
They also updated the Project Breakdown Map (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/Project%20Breakdown%20Maps/I-2513.pdf) on Thursday to reflect the new dates.
Quote from: wdcrft63 on December 07, 2020, 06:15:38 PM
By the time it's finished, this intensely NIMBY'd project will be more than half a century in the making.
With an estimated 114 residential and 35 business relocations (https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/asheville-i-26-connector/Documents/feis-cover-summary.pdf), it will quite literally be in a lot of people's back yards. This is a $1 billion project for 5 miles of highway (which yes, could have cost a lot less had it been done 25 years ago).
Could you find out when the final section of US401 to Louisburg begins construction? The section being built now probably will be finished in a year.
However I think I saw somewhere that the final 6-7 miles to Louisburg wouldn't begin construction until 2029 which is very upsetting to me.
i never understood why 26 was signed east west. it never goes east west ever!
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 12, 2020, 08:06:02 PM
i never understood why 26 was signed east west. it never goes east west ever!
What odd nonduplicate number would you give it?
Quote from: 1 on December 12, 2020, 08:24:43 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 12, 2020, 08:06:02 PM
i never understood why 26 was signed east west. it never goes east west ever!
What odd nonduplicate number would you give it?
31
Unfortunately there aren't any duplicate N-S interstate numbers available within the grid.
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 12, 2020, 08:06:02 PM
i never understood why 26 was signed east west. it never goes east west ever!
Never say never.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50714631932_66f102d495_c.jpg) (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2488052,-82.2871921,14.25z)
Why is everyone so hung up about the numbering of I-26? That comes up in every discussion about I-26. Nobody ever mentions I-85 running more east-west than north-south and why it isn't an even numbered Interstate.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50713815393_b58fca4221_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50713815393_39d99f7ecc_k.jpg)
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on December 13, 2020, 10:49:31 AM
Nobody ever mentions I-85 running more east-west than north-south and why it isn't an even numbered Interstate.
I actually have seen that complaint several times before.
I think the reason 85 and 26 are numbered as such has to do with the coastline. It is common to think of the east coast as running north-south, despite that not always being the case. So the highways are numbered according to how they run relative to the coast. I-85 roughly parallels the east coast from I-95 to Atlanta, and I-26 runs perpendicular to it, especially in SC. I may be talking out my ass but it helps the numbers make more sense to me.
How dang long has this interstate been future?
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 13, 2020, 05:57:20 PM
How dang long has this interstate been future?
About 30 years, since the approval of extending the interstate from Asheville to Tennessee. Prior to that extension I-26 only ran from Asheville to Charleston SC, so it looked more east-to-west then than it does now.
Quote from: wdcrft63 on December 13, 2020, 06:27:52 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 13, 2020, 05:57:20 PM
How dang long has this interstate been future?
About 30 years, since the approval of extending the interstate from Asheville to Tennessee. Prior to that extension I-26 only ran from Asheville to Charleston SC, so it looked more east-to-west then than it does now.
But when did it become not-future in Tennesse?
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 13, 2020, 07:26:56 PM
Quote from: wdcrft63 on December 13, 2020, 06:27:52 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 13, 2020, 05:57:20 PM
How dang long has this interstate been future?
About 30 years, since the approval of extending the interstate from Asheville to Tennessee. Prior to that extension I-26 only ran from Asheville to Charleston SC, so it looked more east-to-west then than it does now.
But when did it become not-future in Tennesse?
I-181 became I-26 in Tennessee in 2003, when the freeway in western (well, you know what I mean) North Carolina was completed.
The main engineer, or one of the main engineers, of that project had a numbingly detailed web site of the construction of that bit of I-26, which I found absolutely fascinating, but I can't seem to find it anymore.
is it supposed to go further north than tennessee?
https://web.archive.org/web/20130704092327/http://a10.jlansford.com/
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/09/04/26-connector-project-faces-delays-ncdot-schedule-revision/5690588002/ (https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/09/04/26-connector-project-faces-delays-ncdot-schedule-revision/5690588002/)
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 13, 2020, 09:48:06 PM
is it supposed to go further north than tennessee?
There are no plans that I am aware of to extend I-26 north or west past its current western terminus. The US 23 divided highway north of there works pretty well.
Quote from: codyg1985 on December 14, 2020, 01:17:48 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 13, 2020, 09:48:06 PM
is it supposed to go further north than tennessee?
There are no plans that I am aware of to extend I-26 north or west past its current western terminus. The US 23 divided highway north of there works pretty well.
Seems like I've heard scuttlebutt in the past of a plan to bypass the Weber City area of US 23 immediately north of the state line. That section, Wise, Pikeville, and the Harold/Betsy Layne area of southern Floyd County are really the only slowdowns along the route between the Tennessee/Virginia state line and I-64. The problem is getting the road across the mountain where the current US 23 runs through a gap just north of the US 58/421 intersection and the business route at Gate City.
As for an alternative north-south number for I-26, it would be out of the grid, but I-73 would fit that corridor a lot better than what's currently being built as I-73 in North Carolina.
Quote from: hbelkins on December 14, 2020, 05:00:10 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on December 14, 2020, 01:17:48 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 13, 2020, 09:48:06 PM
is it supposed to go further north than tennessee?
There are no plans that I am aware of to extend I-26 north or west past its current western terminus. The US 23 divided highway north of there works pretty well.
Seems like I've heard scuttlebutt in the past of a plan to bypass the Weber City area of US 23 immediately north of the state line. That section, Wise, Pikeville, and the Harold/Betsy Layne area of southern Floyd County are really the only slowdowns along the route between the Tennessee/Virginia state line and I-64. The problem is getting the road across the mountain where the current US 23 runs through a gap just north of the US 58/421 intersection and the business route at Gate City.
As for an alternative north-south number for I-26, it would be out of the grid, but I-73 would fit that corridor a lot better than what's currently being built as I-73 in North Carolina.
I'm afraid there's not much interest in the grid outside of this Forum and other places road geeks might gather. Drivers don't care about the number choices: what they care about is proper and non-confusing signage.
I know this is a Fictional Highways question, but where would you extend Interstate 26 silverback1065? My ludicrous answer would be all the way to Interstate 75 in Flint, Michigan.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on December 14, 2020, 06:44:34 PM
I know this is a Fictional Highways question, but where would you extend Interstate 26 silverback1065? My ludicrous answer would be all the way to Interstate 75 in Flint, Michigan.
If money were no object, i-270 in Columbus, ohio
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on December 14, 2020, 06:44:34 PM
I know this is a Fictional Highways question, but where would you extend Interstate 26 silverback1065? My ludicrous answer would be all the way to Interstate 75 in Flint, Michigan.
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 14, 2020, 07:17:54 PM
If money were no object, i-270 in Columbus, ohio
Yes, but this would still end at fictional I-73 in either Ashland or Chillicothe, depending on which way the wind blows.
Quote from: hbelkins on December 14, 2020, 05:00:10 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on December 14, 2020, 01:17:48 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on December 13, 2020, 09:48:06 PM
is it supposed to go further north than tennessee?
There are no plans that I am aware of to extend I-26 north or west past its current western terminus. The US 23 divided highway north of there works pretty well.
Seems like I've heard scuttlebutt in the past of a plan to bypass the Weber City area of US 23 immediately north of the state line. That section, Wise, Pikeville, and the Harold/Betsy Layne area of southern Floyd County are really the only slowdowns along the route between the Tennessee/Virginia state line and I-64. The problem is getting the road across the mountain where the current US 23 runs through a gap just north of the US 58/421 intersection and the business route at Gate City.
As for an alternative north-south number for I-26, it would be out of the grid, but I-73 would fit that corridor a lot better than what's currently being built as I-73 in North Carolina.
I had always envisioned I-26 eventually following the Mountain Pkwy and ending at I-64 in Winchester. Would give it a little more of a legit E-W section at one end at least. Plus I think the current US 23 from Prestonsburg north will still suffice for the years to come. But if anything were built north of Prestonsburg, it would definitely have to connect to I-64 at the current KY 67 interchange which was built for bigger and better things, and would have to cross the river to hit I-73/74 in OH.
Here's the latest project breakdown map (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/Project%20Breakdown%20Maps/A-0010.pdf) for the now unfunded project A-0010, which will upgrade the stretch of "Future" I-26 to Interstate standards north of Asheville. Note this also proposes widening, hence the $250 million price tag for right-of-way and construction for the three sections. NCDOT's project page (https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-19-23-improvements/Pages/default.aspx) still shows the project being let in 2020. :rolleyes:
why does it show an i-540?
Quote from: wriddle082 on December 14, 2020, 08:51:26 PM
I had always envisioned I-26 eventually following the Mountain Pkwy and ending at I-64 in Winchester. Would give it a little more of a legit E-W section at one end at least. Plus I think the current US 23 from Prestonsburg north will still suffice for the years to come. But if anything were built north of Prestonsburg, it would definitely have to connect to I-64 at the current KY 67 interchange which was built for bigger and better things, and would have to cross the river to hit I-73/74 in OH.
There's actually a proposal on the books to extend KY 67 from I-64 to US 23 at the KY 645 intersection between Paintsville and Louisa. It would obviously have to be built in stages.
https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/Project-Details.aspx?Project=Ky%20-%20645%20Regional%20Corridor%20Study
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8336756,-89.6657447,5z
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.6705412,-82.5871167,12z
Google Maps has completed it for NCDOT :-D
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on July 01, 2021, 01:15:10 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8336756,-89.6657447,5z
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.6705412,-82.5871167,12z
Google Maps has completed it for NCDOT :-D
It's been marked forever now... it's signed on the ground as "Future I-26" using typical interstate shields.
It's not "officially" I-26, but for continuity sakes, it is.
Same thing with I-73?
Quote from: tolbs17 on July 01, 2021, 02:36:30 PM
Same thing with I-73?
Everywhere I-73 is designated is official...
Quote from: tolbs17 on July 01, 2021, 02:36:30 PM
Same thing with I-73?
Not at all here, considering MI, OH and WV have zero interest in the I-73 project.
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 01, 2021, 05:37:55 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on July 01, 2021, 02:36:30 PM
Same thing with I-73?
Not at all here, considering MI, OH and WV have zero interest in the I-73 project.
Ditto for I-74, except only OH and WV would've been involved in this case.
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 01, 2021, 05:37:55 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on July 01, 2021, 02:36:30 PM
Same thing with I-73?
Not at all here, considering MI, OH and WV have zero interest in the I-73 project.
MI and OH, yes. They don't have I-73 in their plans.
As of WV, you're wrong. They're trying to revive I-73 project.
Quote from: Strider on July 02, 2021, 03:03:28 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 01, 2021, 05:37:55 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on July 01, 2021, 02:36:30 PM
Same thing with I-73?
Not at all here, considering MI, OH and WV have zero interest in the I-73 project.
MI and OH, yes. They don't have I-73 in their plans.
As of WV, you're wrong. They're trying to revive I-73 project.
Someone tell WV to stop trying then. :sombrero: Them finishing their last 4 lane section of US 35 would help Midwest-Carolinas traffic more than I-73 could dream of.
They want to build the I-73 / I-74 corridor in West Virginia as a typical four lane 65 mph divided highway, per West Virginia's standard, not to interstate standards.
Quote from: Strider on July 02, 2021, 03:03:28 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 01, 2021, 05:37:55 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on July 01, 2021, 02:36:30 PM
Same thing with I-73?
Not at all here, considering MI, OH and WV have zero interest in the I-73 project.
MI and OH, yes. They don't have I-73 in their plans.
As of WV, you're wrong. They're trying to revive I-73 project.
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 02, 2021, 03:18:31 PM
They want to build the I-73 / I-74 corridor in West Virginia as a typical four lane 65 mph divided highway, per West Virginia's standard, not to interstate standards.
Thank you for clearing this up. And even what they propose -- four-laning the entirety of US 52 -- is simply not going to happen.
They have the grade done for a bypass of Crum, and there hasn't even been any effort to try to make that the mainline of US 52. From what I understand, the extension of the King Coal Highway from US 460 to WV 123 is as far as the project is going to go for the foreseeable future.
The I-26 connector is finally starting this year. The first sections (B and D) are scheduled to be let next month (2/20/2024) as a design-build project. This means there will be several months of ongoing engineering work and right-of-way acquisition before any construction starts. Section B will construct the new bridges for I-26 and I-240 across the French Broad River.
Additional improvements are scheduled to be let in April (section AB) for a new ramp from I-40 westbound to U.S. 19/23 northbound (Smokey Park Hwy.) and widening the I-40 EB to I-26 EB ramp to two lanes.
The widening of I-240 (section AC) between I-26/I-40 and section B at Patton Ave. is not scheduled to be let until November.
Final improvements at the I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange are currently not scheduled for construction before 2029.
Upgrading "future" I-26 to interstate standards north of Asheville has been delayed to 2031 and beyond.
Interstate 240 should have been upgraded to Interstate Standards when it was designated in 1980. They also should have eliminated the left-hand exits. This current upgrade is definitely an improvement, but it would have been nice if it had come sooner.
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on January 24, 2024, 10:50:42 AM
The I-26 connector is finally starting this year. The first sections (B and D) are scheduled to be let next month (2/20/2024) as a design-build project. This means there will be several months of ongoing engineering work and right-of-way acquisition before any construction starts. Section B will construct the new bridges for I-26 and I-240 across the French Broad River.
Additional improvements are scheduled to be let in April (section AB) for a new ramp from I-40 westbound to U.S. 19/23 northbound (Smokey Park Hwy.) and widening the I-40 EB to I-26 EB ramp to two lanes.
The widening of I-240 (section AC) between I-26/I-40 and section B at Patton Ave. is not scheduled to be let until November.
Final improvements at the I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange are currently not scheduled for construction before 2029.
Upgrading "future" I-26 to interstate standards north of Asheville has been delayed to 2031 and beyond.
IT'S :clap: ABOUT :clap: TIME! :clap:
Quote from: fillup420 on December 13, 2020, 01:26:08 PM
I think the reason 85 and 26 are numbered as such has to do with the coastline. It is common to think of the east coast as running north-south, despite that not always being the case. So the highways are numbered according to how they run relative to the coast. I-85 roughly parallels the east coast from I-95 to Atlanta, and I-26 runs perpendicular to it, especially in SC. I may be talking out my ass but it helps the numbers make more sense to me.
Probably also that they more-or-less replaced U.S. routes with the same cardinal directions. I-85 is mostly parallel to US 29 (and then US 1), while I-26 mostly parallels US 176. There aren't that many cases where a N-S interstate "replaced" an E-W U.S. route or vice versa for a substantial share of its length.
Here's a video from the NCDOT explaining and visualizing the $1 billion+ project.
That's great news! Now I-26 is one step closer to being completed through western NC.
We still have quite a ways to go before Interstate 26's upgrade is completed. The projects have been delayed quite a bit (the extensions through Tennessee happened in 2003 and 2007), and the Interstate 240 co-currency will be the most difficult part to upgrade. The sooner the upgrades are finished, the better.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 25, 2024, 10:31:52 AM
We still have quite a ways to go before Interstate 26's upgrade is completed. The projects have been delayed quite a bit (the extensions through Tennessee happened in 2003 and 2007), and the Interstate 240 co-currency will be the most difficult part to upgrade. The sooner the upgrades are finished, the better.
The I-240 concurrency, along with the bridge crossing will all be complete with this project. The only remaining portion will be I-26 north of Asheville, where the shoulders will need to be widened for the most part.
Wow, they're really just gonna reconstruct the existing I 40/I 26 interchange and add a couple missing connections? That entire interchange is substandard with left exits, and needs to be completely redesigned and reconfigured. What a joke. The rest of the project is great.
The I-40/I 26 interchange should just be its own project if NDOT can't afford to do it the right way.
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 28, 2024, 08:10:25 PM
Wow, they're really just gonna reconstruct the existing I 40/I 26 interchange and add a couple missing connections? That entire interchange is substandard with left exits, and needs to be completely redesigned and reconfigured. What a joke. The rest of the project is great.
The I-40/I 26 interchange should just be its own project if NDOT can't afford to do it the right way.
I agree... and it looks like from the video, they originally planned to fully reconstruct the interchange into a stack... but instead there will remain several left exits.
This is the same NCDOT that's building a diamond interchange down I-26 a few miles... and making I-26 North / West have a left exit / entrance on a mountain climb... terrible engineering.
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 28, 2024, 08:50:16 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 28, 2024, 08:10:25 PM
Wow, they're really just gonna reconstruct the existing I 40/I 26 interchange and add a couple missing connections? That entire interchange is substandard with left exits, and needs to be completely redesigned and reconfigured. What a joke. The rest of the project is great.
The I-40/I 26 interchange should just be its own project if NDOT can't afford to do it the right way.
I agree... and it looks like from the video, they originally planned to fully reconstruct the interchange into a stack... but instead there will remain several left exits.
This is the same NCDOT that's building a diamond interchange down I-26 a few miles... and making I-26 North / West have a left exit / entrance on a mountain climb... terrible engineering.
i wouldn't say terrible engineering more than cost cutting :-D
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 29, 2024, 02:07:59 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 28, 2024, 08:50:16 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 28, 2024, 08:10:25 PM
Wow, they're really just gonna reconstruct the existing I 40/I 26 interchange and add a couple missing connections? That entire interchange is substandard with left exits, and needs to be completely redesigned and reconfigured. What a joke. The rest of the project is great.
The I-40/I 26 interchange should just be its own project if NDOT can't afford to do it the right way.
I agree... and it looks like from the video, they originally planned to fully reconstruct the interchange into a stack... but instead there will remain several left exits.
This is the same NCDOT that's building a diamond interchange down I-26 a few miles... and making I-26 North / West have a left exit / entrance on a mountain climb... terrible engineering.
i wouldn't say terrible engineering more than cost cutting :-D
Sure, cost cutting by breaking design standards. Can't imagine an 18 wheeler trying to merge into the left lane of an 8 lane interstate highway on an incline, with the left lane moving 70+ mph as the truck struggles to go above 20 mph. It will end well.
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 29, 2024, 04:34:24 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 29, 2024, 02:07:59 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 28, 2024, 08:50:16 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 28, 2024, 08:10:25 PM
Wow, they're really just gonna reconstruct the existing I 40/I 26 interchange and add a couple missing connections? That entire interchange is substandard with left exits, and needs to be completely redesigned and reconfigured. What a joke. The rest of the project is great.
The I-40/I 26 interchange should just be its own project if NDOT can't afford to do it the right way.
I agree... and it looks like from the video, they originally planned to fully reconstruct the interchange into a stack... but instead there will remain several left exits.
This is the same NCDOT that's building a diamond interchange down I-26 a few miles... and making I-26 North / West have a left exit / entrance on a mountain climb... terrible engineering.
i wouldn't say terrible engineering more than cost cutting :-D
Sure, cost cutting by breaking design standards. Can't imagine an 18 wheeler trying to merge into the left lane of an 8 lane interstate highway on an incline, with the left lane moving 70+ mph as the truck struggles to go above 20 mph. It will end well.
left exits do not break design standards.
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 29, 2024, 05:28:24 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 29, 2024, 04:34:24 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 29, 2024, 02:07:59 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 28, 2024, 08:50:16 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 28, 2024, 08:10:25 PM
Wow, they're really just gonna reconstruct the existing I 40/I 26 interchange and add a couple missing connections? That entire interchange is substandard with left exits, and needs to be completely redesigned and reconfigured. What a joke. The rest of the project is great.
The I-40/I 26 interchange should just be its own project if NDOT can't afford to do it the right way.
I agree... and it looks like from the video, they originally planned to fully reconstruct the interchange into a stack... but instead there will remain several left exits.
This is the same NCDOT that's building a diamond interchange down I-26 a few miles... and making I-26 North / West have a left exit / entrance on a mountain climb... terrible engineering.
i wouldn't say terrible engineering more than cost cutting :-D
Sure, cost cutting by breaking design standards. Can't imagine an 18 wheeler trying to merge into the left lane of an 8 lane interstate highway on an incline, with the left lane moving 70+ mph as the truck struggles to go above 20 mph. It will end well.
left exits do not break design standards.
They're not a good engineering practice, and picking left exits over slightly more expensive, proper right exits is a cheap, cost saving measure that will cause more traffic conflicts - such as the scenario I posed.
If they were accepted practice, you'd see far more left exits, but you don't.
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 29, 2024, 05:28:24 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 29, 2024, 04:34:24 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 29, 2024, 02:07:59 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 28, 2024, 08:50:16 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 28, 2024, 08:10:25 PM
Wow, they're really just gonna reconstruct the existing I 40/I 26 interchange and add a couple missing connections? That entire interchange is substandard with left exits, and needs to be completely redesigned and reconfigured. What a joke. The rest of the project is great.
The I-40/I 26 interchange should just be its own project if NDOT can't afford to do it the right way.
I agree... and it looks like from the video, they originally planned to fully reconstruct the interchange into a stack... but instead there will remain several left exits.
This is the same NCDOT that's building a diamond interchange down I-26 a few miles... and making I-26 North / West have a left exit / entrance on a mountain climb... terrible engineering.
i wouldn't say terrible engineering more than cost cutting :-D
Sure, cost cutting by breaking design standards. Can't imagine an 18 wheeler trying to merge into the left lane of an 8 lane interstate highway on an incline, with the left lane moving 70+ mph as the truck struggles to go above 20 mph. It will end well.
left exits do not break design standards.
The plans appear to address these concerns by providing plenty of lanes. There are four lanes coming into the interchange from all four directions, so overhead signs can sort traffic well before the splits. Leaving the interchange there are four lanes on I-26 and five lanes on I-40, so time to gradually merge the traffic can be provided.
so now the trucks have to cross more lanes to get to the left exit?
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 29, 2024, 05:28:24 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 29, 2024, 04:34:24 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 29, 2024, 02:07:59 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 28, 2024, 08:50:16 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 28, 2024, 08:10:25 PM
Wow, they're really just gonna reconstruct the existing I 40/I 26 interchange and add a couple missing connections? That entire interchange is substandard with left exits, and needs to be completely redesigned and reconfigured. What a joke. The rest of the project is great.
The I-40/I 26 interchange should just be its own project if NDOT can't afford to do it the right way.
I agree... and it looks like from the video, they originally planned to fully reconstruct the interchange into a stack... but instead there will remain several left exits.
This is the same NCDOT that's building a diamond interchange down I-26 a few miles... and making I-26 North / West have a left exit / entrance on a mountain climb... terrible engineering.
i wouldn't say terrible engineering more than cost cutting :-D
Sure, cost cutting by breaking design standards. Can't imagine an 18 wheeler trying to merge into the left lane of an 8 lane interstate highway on an incline, with the left lane moving 70+ mph as the truck struggles to go above 20 mph. It will end well.
left exits do not break design standards.
It should be a violation of design standards.
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 28, 2024, 08:50:16 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 28, 2024, 08:10:25 PM
Wow, they're really just gonna reconstruct the existing I 40/I 26 interchange and add a couple missing connections? That entire interchange is substandard with left exits, and needs to be completely redesigned and reconfigured. What a joke. The rest of the project is great.
The I-40/I 26 interchange should just be its own project if NDOT can't afford to do it the right way.
I agree... and it looks like from the video, they originally planned to fully reconstruct the interchange into a stack... but instead there will remain several left exits.
This is the same NCDOT that's building a diamond interchange down I-26 a few miles... and making I-26 North / West have a left exit / entrance on a mountain climb... terrible engineering.
This was the result of local public backing and cutting costs. My only dislike about the project is that I-240 will make an odd "U" turn at the future I-26/I-240 interchange. (where US 19-23-25 & 70 freeway is)
I believe left-hand exits are contrary to driver expectations on a roadway. One also has to potentially have to cross over to access left-hand exits. I believe it is much safer to have exit and entrance ramps to solely be on the right-hand side, which is the case with the majority of exit and entrance ramps nationwide. Of course, there are instances in certain urban areas where moving ramps to the right-hand side would be difficult due to potential right-of-way dislocations that would result from doing so. Nevertheless, I believe left-hand ramps should be discouraged as much as possible.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 24, 2024, 11:30:11 AM
This current upgrade is definitely an improvement, but it would have been nice if it had come sooner.
The best time to plant a tree was thirty years ago. The second best time is now.
Quote from: Georgia on January 29, 2024, 07:08:37 PM
so now the trucks have to cross more lanes to get to the left exit?
Maybe. But here's the problem. Whenever two heavily used freeways meet, we are going to have splits where we need two or more lanes on each side of the fork. For example, the I-40/85 split for westbound traffic coming into Greensboro. There we have 5 lanes coming into the split, two on the right continuing on I-40 and three on left continuing on I-85. Trucks going to Greensboro will be moving right and trucks going to Charlotte will be moving left. Which fork is the "exit"?
In the case of I-40 and I-26, we currently have 4 lanes coming in eastbound on I-40. The right lane goes to I-26 East, the two center lanes continue on I-40, and only the left lane goes to I-26/240 into Asheville. It's obviously bad for trucks bound to Asheville that have to shift all the way to the far left lane.
In the new plan there is a split of 4 lanes, two on the right continuing on I-40 and two on the left going to I-26/240. Trucks bound for Asheville still have to shift left but not all the way to the far left lane. If you consider those two left lanes to be a "left exit" you can redesign the interchange so the two right lanes go to I-26/240 and the two left lanes continue on I-40. But then trucks continuing on I-40 will be shifting left. There's no way to avoid some need for lane changing. The only thing we can do is give all drivers information about the split as soon as possible and provide the extra lanes for as far as possible.
Quote from: wdcrft63 on January 30, 2024, 08:41:34 PM
Quote from: Georgia on January 29, 2024, 07:08:37 PM
so now the trucks have to cross more lanes to get to the left exit?
Maybe. But here's the problem. Whenever two heavily used freeways meet, we are going to have splits where we need two or more lanes on each side of the fork. For example, the I-40/85 split for westbound traffic coming into Greensboro. There we have 5 lanes coming into the split, two on the right continuing on I-40 and three on left continuing on I-85. Trucks going to Greensboro will be moving right and trucks going to Charlotte will be moving left. Which fork is the "exit"?
In the case of I-40 and I-26, we currently have 4 lanes coming in eastbound on I-40. The right lane goes to I-26 East, the two center lanes continue on I-40, and only the left lane goes to I-26/240 into Asheville. It's obviously bad for trucks bound to Asheville that have to shift all the way to the far left lane.
In the new plan there is a split of 4 lanes, two on the right continuing on I-40 and two on the left going to I-26/240. Trucks bound for Asheville still have to shift left but not all the way to the far left lane. If you consider those two left lanes to be a "left exit" you can redesign the interchange so the two right lanes go to I-26/240 and the two left lanes continue on I-40. But then trucks continuing on I-40 will be shifting left. There's no way to avoid some need for lane changing. The only thing we can do is give all drivers information about the split as soon as possible and provide the extra lanes for as far as possible.
The exit fork for western I-40/I-85 split in Greensboro is I-40. I-40 leaves I-85 at exit 131 since the road follows I-85 mileage. The same thing goes for the eastern I-40/I-85 split, as I-40 leaves I-85 at exit 163.
I wouldn't call any of those major forks an exit, but it's not a big deal for me. My problem with the 40/26 interchange is I think the ramps from 40 East to 26 East and 26 West to 40 West should be two lanes instead of one.
left exits sometimes are required in urban areas, particularly downtown because to the spacing of exits and weaving issues between them. that is usually the only place you see left exits anymore is urban areas near or in downtown.
The only remaining one lane left exit will be from I-40 west to I-26 east. When the improvements are built, the exiting lane will begin a mile to the east. The three other exits will have two lanes after the upgrades. I-26 west will have four lanes that split into two lanes for I-40 west and two lanes to continue on I-26/I-240. Two lanes will continue to I-40 instead of narrowing to one as it does now. I-40 eastbound approaching the interchange will have five lanes, with two exiting right to I-26 east (one as an option lane to continue on I-40), then four lanes splitting into two to the left for I-240 or continuing straight on I-40. Truck volumes are not very high on I-240, and most of the truck traffic is between I-26 and I-40. The I-40 EB to I-26 EB ramp is moving forward this year before the rest of the interchange improvements.
The I-26 WB to I-40 WB movement will probably be the most problematic leg of the interchange in the future due to the high volumes on I-26 south of the interchange and trucks having to get into the left lanes in advance of the exit. I-40 to the west is not going to hold up for much longer without being widened, but that project is not funded. Westbound backups are frequent in the summer, fall and on weekends when it goes back to two lanes.
Quote from: wdcrft63 on January 30, 2024, 10:52:11 PM
I wouldn't call any of those major forks an exit, but it's not a big deal for me. My problem with the 40/26 interchange is I think the ramps from 40 East to 26 East and 26 West to 40 West should be two lanes instead of one.
Not a big deal? then you shouldn't make a big deal about I-40/I-26 interchange. They're fixing it, so there.
Quote from: Strider on January 31, 2024, 06:51:39 PM
Quote from: wdcrft63 on January 30, 2024, 10:52:11 PM
I wouldn't call any of those major forks an exit, but it's not a big deal for me. My problem with the 40/26 interchange is I think the ramps from 40 East to 26 East and 26 West to 40 West should be two lanes instead of one.
Not a big deal? then you shouldn't make a big deal about I-40/I-26 interchange. They're fixing it, so there.
IIRC, 40 east to 26 east is getting widened to 2 lanes.
Bidding for Asheville's I-26 Connector higher than expected, DOT to negotiate offers (https://wlos.com/news/local/bidding-for-ashevilles-i-26-connector-higher-than-expected-dot-to-negotiate-offers#)
The construction estimate was around $825 million.
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on February 24, 2024, 04:05:56 PM
Bidding for Asheville's I-26 Connector higher than expected, DOT to negotiate offers (https://wlos.com/news/local/bidding-for-ashevilles-i-26-connector-higher-than-expected-dot-to-negotiate-offers#)
The construction estimate was around $825 million.
Exactly why NCDOT should not delay the I-26 connector to start with.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 30, 2024, 11:38:36 AM
I believe left-hand exits are contrary to driver expectations on a roadway. One also has to potentially have to cross over to access left-hand exits. I believe it is much safer to have exit and entrance ramps to solely be on the right-hand side, which is the case with the majority of exit and entrance ramps nationwide. Of course, there are instances in certain urban areas where moving ramps to the right-hand side would be difficult due to potential right-of-way dislocations that would result from doing so. Nevertheless, I believe left-hand ramps should be discouraged as much as possible.
So, in your opinion, extra cost from urban ROW acquisition is a valid reason to use left exits/entrances, but extra costs for reasons other than urban ROW acquisition (such as, maybe, terrain/geography etc), are not a valid reason to use left exits/entrances?
Quote from: silverback1065 on January 31, 2024, 08:08:24 AM
left exits sometimes are required in urban areas, particularly downtown because to the spacing of exits and weaving issues between them. that is usually the only place you see left exits anymore is urban areas near or in downtown.
In cases of closely-spaced ramps, some of them should be closed.
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on February 24, 2024, 04:05:56 PMBidding for Asheville's I-26 Connector higher than expected, DOT to negotiate offers (https://wlos.com/news/local/bidding-for-ashevilles-i-26-connector-higher-than-expected-dot-to-negotiate-offers#)
The construction estimate was around $825 million.
The NCDOT has issued a best and final offer request for proposal for the I-26 connector.
BAFO with Optimization and Refinement Industry Draft Request for Proposal (https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/Design%20Build%20Program/I-2513B%20and%20D/I-2513B&D%20BAFO%20with%20O&R%20Industry%20Draft%20RFP.pdf)"In the event initial Price Proposals exceed an acceptable range of the Engineer's Estimate or if the
Department feels it is necessary, for any reason, the Department may choose to make amendments
to the details of the RFP and request a Best and Final Offer from all the previously short-listed
teams."Sounds like a cluster. The completion date for the contract is October 1, 2031.
Additionally, the contract to make the initial improvements to ramps at I-26 and I-40 (section AB) has been delayed from April to July.
The I-26/I-240 widening between the I-40 interchange and Patton Ave. has been delayed from November 2024 to November 2025.
April 2024 Detailed Schedule Changes (https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/12%20Month%20Tentative%20Letting%20Library/APRIL%202024%20DETAILED%20SCHEDULE%20CHANGES.pdf)
Figures. It's going to take an arm and a leg to upgrade and expand the existing Interstate 26/Interstate 240 corridor anyway. They likely will have better luck upgrading 26 north of 240.
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on April 22, 2024, 10:09:16 PMThe I-26/I-240 widening between the I-40 interchange and Patton Ave. has been delayed from November 2024 to November 2025.
April 2024 Detailed Schedule Changes (https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/12%20Month%20Tentative%20Letting%20Library/APRIL%202024%20DETAILED%20SCHEDULE%20CHANGES.pdf)
What? I am shocked!
(i.e., get prepared for another move next year)