I-285 North Carolina

[Roadsguy]

Google now has I-285, but it is shown ending at Business 85 near Lexington.

[bob7374]

Google now has I-285, but it is shown ending at Business 85 near Lexington.

Meanwhile, they haven't removed it from I-85 through Greensboro. Guess par for the course. This is the same Google Maps that currently has US 64 between Zebulon and Williamston marked also as Old US 64.

[NE2]

Extend 285 south along 85 to Atlanta, then around the loop and to Tallahassee and Tampa.

[1995hoo]

We did not see any I-285 signs when we drove up I-85 on Sunday. As is noted further up the thread, the Green I-85 sign just north of the Yadkin River was on a ground-mounted LGS off to the right just before Exit 87. Looked like it was positioned for easy removal.

Apple Maps shows I-285, BTW, running all the way down to that interchange. Five shields shown on the ramp: I-285, US-29, US-52, US-70, and Green I-85.

[bob7374]

NCDOT has posted plans for a Division 9 contract to update overhead and ramp signage along I-285 between Lexington and Winston-Salem, including on I-85 and I-40. Here's one of the I-40 sign plans:


As can be seen, there will no longer be references to US 311, due to decommissioning, nor for NC 8, which will still be signed along the route, but de-emphasized. Meanwhile, Business 85 is being removed from signage on I-85 in the Lexington area while US 29 and US 70 are being demoted to an auxiliary sign on I-85 North. For additional sign plan images, go to:
http://www.malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut285.html

The sign plans are below the photos section. The contract letting for which the sign plans were produced was to happen last week, but was postponed. The contract documents indicate the project was to start this fall, which may still happen in a new letting, not yet announced.

[Roadsguy]

NCDOT has posted plans for a Division 9 contract to update overhead and ramp signage along I-285 between Lexington and Winston-Salem, including on I-85 and I-40. Here's one of the I-40 sign plans:


As can be seen, there will no longer be references to US 311, due to decommissioning, nor for NC 8, which will still be signed along the route, but de-emphasized. Meanwhile, Business 85 is being removed from signage on I-85 in the Lexington area while US 29 and US 70 are being demoted to an auxiliary sign on I-85 North. For additional sign plan images, go to:
http://www.malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut285.html

The sign plans are below the photos section. The contract letting for which the sign plans were produced was to happen last week, but was postponed. The contract documents indicate the project was to start this fall, which may still happen in a new letting, not yet announced.

Where were these plans actually posted? Were they in the normal place for plan sheets but later pulled down when letting was postponed?

[goobnav]

Just drove I-40 through W-S 2 weeks ago, NCDOT has not updated the ramp or approach signage to the 52/285 exit yet.

[jcarte29]

Just drove I-40 through W-S 2 weeks ago, NCDOT has updated the ramp or approach signage to the 52/285 exit yet.

Good news is, these sign plans will fix that

[bob7374]

NCDOT has posted plans for a Division 9 contract to update overhead and ramp signage along I-285 between Lexington and Winston-Salem, including on I-85 and I-40. Here's one of the I-40 sign plans:


As can be seen, there will no longer be references to US 311, due to decommissioning, nor for NC 8, which will still be signed along the route, but de-emphasized. Meanwhile, Business 85 is being removed from signage on I-85 in the Lexington area while US 29 and US 70 are being demoted to an auxiliary sign on I-85 North. For additional sign plan images, go to:
http://www.malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut285.html

The sign plans are below the photos section. The contract letting for which the sign plans were produced was to happen last week, but was postponed. The contract documents indicate the project was to start this fall, which may still happen in a new letting, not yet announced.

Where were these plans actually posted? Were they in the normal place for plan sheets but later pulled down when letting was postponed?

The plans have been 'archived' on the Division 9 Letting List page. They are available (along with the note of cancellation) at:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/Pages/Letting-Details.aspx?let_type=9&let_date=2019-05-22%2000:00:00

[WashuOtaku]

AASHTO approved NCDOT's request for to establish "Future I-285" along US 52 between I-40 and future I-74/I-274 interchange in Winston-Salem.

Here's the final report from the 2019 Spring Meeting.

[kendancy66]

Is there a current corridor defined where new signs will be placed?

[jcarte29]

Is there a current corridor defined where new signs will be placed?

From I-85 Lexington to I-40 Winston-Salem, to be signed by this fall.

[tolbs17]

Some of it is not even up to interstate standards near the I-85 split in Lexington.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7823328,-80.3120453,3a,75y,49.27h,70.73t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D116.52117%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

[sprjus4]

Some of it is not even up to interstate standards near the I-85 split in Lexington.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7823328,-80.3120453,3a,75y,49.27h,70.73t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D116.52117%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

That part does meet interstate standards.

[tolbs17]

Some of it is not even up to interstate standards near the I-85 split in Lexington.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7823328,-80.3120453,3a,75y,49.27h,70.73t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D116.52117%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

That part does meet interstate standards.

Ah. So it's just the shoulders. I thought the highway itself needs more spacing for the middle median.

Or, at least put a barrier in the middle.

[sprjus4]

Some of it is not even up to interstate standards near the I-85 split in Lexington.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7823328,-80.3120453,3a,75y,49.27h,70.73t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D116.52117%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

That part does meet interstate standards.

Ah. So it's just the shoulders. I thought the highway itself needs more spacing for the middle median.

Or, at least put a barrier in the middle.

Preferably a wider median is used, but since this was a pre-existing roadway, as long as there's some sort of guardrail or cable barrier in the narrower median (which there is), it would work. One of the off ramps was substandard though was actually realigned and corrected in order to allow this stretch to meet interstate standards. They could have widened the median by constructing a new roadway to the outside and tearing up the existing roadway, replacing all of the bridges, etc. but it would've been expensive and not really accomplish much except -a lot- of money wasted.

If you notice, the segment north of here is much newer and used a wider (70 ft) median.

[tolbs17]

Some of it is not even up to interstate standards near the I-85 split in Lexington.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7823328,-80.3120453,3a,75y,49.27h,70.73t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DAKuBZI4iusG74cytcMCm2A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D116.52117%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

That part does meet interstate standards.

Ah. So it's just the shoulders. I thought the highway itself needs more spacing for the middle median.

Or, at least put a barrier in the middle.

If you notice, the segment north of here is much newer and used a wider (70 ft) median.

Yeah, that part is fine. It's up to interstate standards and is ready to be signed.

[sprjus4]

Yeah, that part is fine. It's up to interstate standards and is ready to be signed.

It's already signed as of last November. I don't know if the overhead signage has been updated though.


http://malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut285.html

[tolbs17]

^^

It can probably be seen if Google Maps finally updates their street view images to 2019. They are still 2017.

[fillup420]

as of 2 weeks ago, the signs at the 85/285 split have no mention of 285. only 29/52/70

and as of yesterday, no mention of 285 on I-40 either way in winston salem

[The Ghostbuster]

I'm sure 285 will be fully signed eventually. These things take time.

[sprjus4]

I'm sure 285 will be fully signed eventually. These things take time.

Remember, I-87 shields were put up in September 2017, but wasn't put on overhead signage until May 2019.

At that rate, I-285 will be put up on overhead signage in mid to late 2020.

[bob7374]

I'm sure 285 will be fully signed eventually. These things take time.

Remember, I-87 shields were put up in September 2017, but wasn't put on overhead signage until May 2019.

At that rate, I-285 will be put up on overhead signage in mid to late 2020.

See Reply #83 for what's still the latest info. Signage probably going up in the fall.

[bob7374]

NCDOT has now rescheduled the previously postponed Division 9 letting of the project that will put up I-285 overhead signs and ramp signage between I-85 and I-40 and remove US 311 signage from I-40 and I-74 in Guilford County. The new letting date is September 26. The plans can be accessed at the bottom of the letting details page:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/Pages/Letting-Details.aspx?let_type=9&let_date=2019-09-25%2000:00:00

[bob7374]

The good news is that the Division 9 contract to provide overhead and ramp signage for I-285 between Lexington and Winston-Salem, and place new signs without US 311 shields on I-40 and I-74 in Forsyth County, has been approved. The bad news is that the completion date given in the new NCDOT Construction Progress listing is for Sept. 2020. Given that this is not a very complex project that shouldn't take too long when started, this could mean that new signs could go up by the end of the year or not until next summer. I'll plan to monitor the progress page to see if it provides any clues.