North Carolina

[Tom958]

Good news everybody, NCDOT has just awarded a $187 million contract to Blythe Construction to complete the widening of I-85 between NC 73 (exit 55) to the Cabarrus-Rowan county line.  Here's the news article: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/04/12/4836402/dot-awards-contract-for-i-85-widening.html

Construction is expected to begin in Spring, 2015, completing in December, 2017.

So, what's the plan at the US 29/601 interchange?

[WashuOtaku]

Good news everybody, NCDOT has just awarded a $187 million contract to Blythe Construction to complete the widening of I-85 between NC 73 (exit 55) to the Cabarrus-Rowan county line.  Here's the news article: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/04/12/4836402/dot-awards-contract-for-i-85-widening.html
Construction is expected to begin in Spring, 2015, completing in December, 2017.

So, what's the plan at the US 29/601 interchange?

The article says it will be "improved upon," which I don't know what that means.  I guess we will have to wait till more details emerge.

[Strider]

I suspect the US 29/601 interchange might be turned into a diverging diamond interchange. I won't be surprised if it is because 2/3 of the interchanges are being transformed into DDI along I-85: (Exit 52 and Exit 55).  By the way, 8 lanes of I-85 is awesome and relief to drive on. I'm glad they are widening it all the way to Exit 68 in phrases.

[Alex]

I suspect the US 29/601 interchange might be turned into a diverging diamond interchange. I won't be surprised if it is because 2/3 of the interchanges are being transformed into DDI along I-85: (Exit 52 and Exit 55).  By the way, 8 lanes of I-85 is awesome and relief to drive on. I'm glad they are widening it all the way to Exit 68 in phrases.

A DDI is the plan for that interchange.

[I85Roadrunner]

This part of the widening of I-85 is probably going to be the most involved project of all due to all the bridges, especially the Norfolk Southern Railway overpass.  All the bridges have no room under the supports.  I am figuring the reason for the rail crossing just to the west of the interstate (railroad north of the interstate, since I work for NS) I would imagine if for a realignment of the tracks for a new railroad bridge.  This should be a interesting project to see progress especially with 4 bridges right on top of each other almost.

Carter

[froggie]

Went on an ad-hoc storm chase yesterday into northeastern NC (sadly, only thing I spotted was a nail in my rear left tire).  But in the process of racing down to get into position, I noticed further progress on the US 13/US 158 widening northeast of Winton.  The northern few miles, north of NC 137, are now on the new alignment as reconstruction of the old lanes begins.  The future U-turn locations are now more obvious...NCDOT is definitely instituting its Superstreet concepts into new 4-lane highway construction.  Progress continues on the new bridge over the Chowan River (future northbound lanes)...from what I could see, looks like the bridge deck is being worked on.  There will definitely be an interchange at 13/158/NC 45, with US 13 bridging over 158/45.  I couldn't tell what type of interchange, though, whether it'll be a standard diamond or a partially folded-diamond with a loop in one quadrant.

I also discovered a new construction project:  work is well underway to widen US 158 to 4 lanes between Winton and the Murfreesboro bypass.  On the easternmost ~3 miles near Winton, the new lanes are the future westbound lanes.  There will be a new alignment across Potecasi Creek, south of the existing alignment, and tying back into existing US 158 near Mt Tabor Church Rd.  Another new alignment section occurs near Mapleton, just southwest/south of the existing alignment, with the existing alignment being retained as a frontage road.  West of Mapleton over to the start of the existing 4-lane Murfreesboro bypass, the new lanes will be the future eastbound lanes.

[WashuOtaku]

The FHA issued a Record of Decision, this week, for the Monroe Bypass.  NCDOT believes they will be able to start construction in two weeks from now on the 19.7-mile toll road from the Mecklenburg county line to Marshville.

www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/05/16/4914470/nc-gets-go-ahead-for-work-on-monroe.html

My opinion, would still be cheaper to widen and implement super-street style on the existing road.

[Third Strike]

The FHA issued a Record of Decision, this week, for the Monroe Bypass.  NCDOT believes they will be able to start construction in two weeks from now on the 19.7-mile toll road from the Mecklenburg county line to Marshville.

www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/05/16/4914470/nc-gets-go-ahead-for-work-on-monroe.html

My opinion, would still be cheaper to widen and implement super-street style on the existing road.

I think the overall plan is to connect Charlotte with Wilmington, with a freeway (or even possibly an interstate). This bypass, along with improvements on US 74 between Wingate and Rockingham, would link I-485 to I-74. Conversely, the Shelby US 74 Bypass in Cleveland County will do the same with linking Asheville and Charlotte.

Also, I do believe the state has plans of improving the existing US 74 in Union County, with widening, adding sidewalks, and bicycle lanes.

[Mileage Mike]

The FHA issued a Record of Decision, this week, for the Monroe Bypass.  NCDOT believes they will be able to start construction in two weeks from now on the 19.7-mile toll road from the Mecklenburg county line to Marshville.

www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/05/16/4914470/nc-gets-go-ahead-for-work-on-monroe.html

My opinion, would still be cheaper to widen and implement super-street style on the existing road.

I think you're underestimating the cost of buying up the private property along US 74 in Monroe and Indian Trail that would be required to upgrade the existing highway.  That's probably the main reason why it's cheaper to just build a completely new roadway.

[Third Strike]

Here's a map of the various road projects submitted for funding:

http://ncdot.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=defb244d156a4722a0cd56d2a4c97df2

Looks like many of the major projects in Charlotte, Triangle, and Triad scored very well with this new funding system. Hopefully many of these projects start construction within the next ten years.

[WashuOtaku]

Here's a map of the various road projects submitted for funding:

http://ncdot.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=defb244d156a4722a0cd56d2a4c97df2

Looks like many of the major projects in Charlotte, Triangle, and Triad scored very well with this new funding system. Hopefully many of these projects start construction within the next ten years.

Keep in mind, the STI is still being updated with local projects and will be revised several more times before it becomes official sometime next year.

[kendancy66]

I am looking at Winston-Salem.  Each road has a number like H090938-A and H090938-B on US-158.  How can I get more specific information on that number?
Post Merge: June 14, 2014, 10:10:33 PM
^^^  I figured it out.  I just click on the number.

[froggie]

NCDOT has proposed (but not yet finalized) using NC 555 for the All-American Freeway and Owen Dr in Fayetteville.  The designation, if approved, would run from Wilmington Hwy (old NC 87) just east of NC 87 to the front gate at Fort Bragg.

https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/Request%20Form%20140516%20SIGNED.pdf

[Mapmikey]

NC has also proposed NC 472 for the Northern Durham Pkwy which will run from the I-40/540 by RDU Airport concurrent with I-540  to Aviation Pkwy then north as new construction to connect with US 501 north of Durham.  See https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/Map%20U-4721%20140611%201609%20-%20SDV.pdf

I find it odd that the June 2014 NC STIP (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/Planning%20Document%20Library/LIVE_STIP.pdf) shows this as unfunded yet they have gone to the trouble of proposing a route change and assigning a number.

They are also going to extend NC 58 another 1.4 miles to the end of the road in Fort Macon State Park - https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/NC%2058%20Carteret%20Request%20140422%20-%20APPROVED.pdf

These changes plus NC 555 were published in the last day or two.

Mapmikey

[CanesFan27]

Mike,

There's precedent with NC 452.  If they really wanted to, They could sign NC 472 along Aviation from 540 to Globe Road.

--Adam

[bob7374]

NC has also proposed NC 472 for the Northern Durham Pkwy which will run from the I-40/540 by RDU Airport concurrent with I-540  to Aviation Pkwy then north as new construction to connect with US 501 north of Durham.  See https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/Map%20U-4721%20140611%201609%20-%20SDV.pdf

I find it odd that the June 2014 NC STIP (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/Planning%20Document%20Library/LIVE_STIP.pdf) shows this as unfunded yet they have gone to the trouble of proposing a route change and assigning a number.

They are also going to extend NC 58 another 1.4 miles to the end of the road in Fort Macon State Park - https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/NC%2058%20Carteret%20Request%20140422%20-%20APPROVED.pdf

These changes plus NC 555 were published in the last day or two.

Mapmikey

NC 555 being the designation for the All-American Freeway in Fayetteville. NCDOT is also reserving NC 74 for the Eastern Section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. The designation will be used for completed sections, the first between Business 40 and US 158, until the entire Beltway is completed and becomes part of I-74.

[hbelkins]

NC 555 being the designation for the All-American Freeway in Fayetteville. NCDOT is also reserving NC 74 for the Eastern Section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. The designation will be used for completed sections, the first between Business 40 and US 158, until the entire Beltway is completed and becomes part of I-74.

Would this be the first instance of one state having a state route, US route and Interstate route all with the same number?

[Mapmikey]

NC 555 being the designation for the All-American Freeway in Fayetteville. NCDOT is also reserving NC 74 for the Eastern Section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. The designation will be used for completed sections, the first between Business 40 and US 158, until the entire Beltway is completed and becomes part of I-74.

That may be an error on the part of the person who created the link on the NCDOT Route Change page.  There are a few errors like this throughout the site.

The June 2014 STIP refers to this part of the highway as Future I-74.  The link from the route change page shows a map but I don't see any route label.

When they put out the actual approved change document to establish the primary designation for this route (as they did with NC 452) then we will know if NC 74 is the intended designation.

Mapmikey

[BrianP]

NC 555 being the designation for the All-American Freeway in Fayetteville. NCDOT is also reserving NC 74 for the Eastern Section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. The designation will be used for completed sections, the first between Business 40 and US 158, until the entire Beltway is completed and becomes part of I-74.

Would this be the first instance of one state having a state route, US route and Interstate route all with the same number?

And bike route 74.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Bike-Route-74

[agentsteel53]

Would this be the first instance of one state having a state route, US route and Interstate route all with the same number?

I believe in the 1960s, California had US-40 (about to be decommissioned), I-40 (built in several places) and legislatively defined CA-40, signed as US-66, over the old 66 connecting the segments of freeway.

[Henry]

NC 555 being the designation for the All-American Freeway in Fayetteville. NCDOT is also reserving NC 74 for the Eastern Section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. The designation will be used for completed sections, the first between Business 40 and US 158, until the entire Beltway is completed and becomes part of I-74.

That may be an error on the part of the person who created the link on the NCDOT Route Change page.  There are a few errors like this throughout the site.

The June 2014 STIP refers to this part of the highway as Future I-74.  The link from the route change page shows a map but I don't see any route label.

When they put out the actual approved change document to establish the primary designation for this route (as they did with NC 452) then we will know if NC 74 is the intended designation.

Mapmikey

So this means that I-274 must be completed as well as the eastern half of the beltway that I-74 will go onto?

[jcarte29]

So this means that I-274 must be completed as well as the eastern half of the beltway that I-74 will go onto?

No, the Eastern half is the only (partially at best) funded portion and most important because it will be I-74 eventually. The Western Belt (Future I-274 or whatever number they agree on) is way off.

[WashuOtaku]

So this means that I-274 must be completed as well as the eastern half of the beltway that I-74 will go onto?

No, the Eastern half is the only (partially at best) funded portion and most important because it will be I-74 eventually. The Western Belt (Future I-274 or whatever number they agree on) is way off.

Honestly, I don't think the western section will be Future I-274 anymore.  NCDOT only briefly used in planning maps in the early 2000s, but has since kept it unlabeled along that stretch.  Officially on the books, since 1999, it's designated as NC 452.

[jcarte29]

So this means that I-274 must be completed as well as the eastern half of the beltway that I-74 will go onto?

No, the Eastern half is the only (partially at best) funded portion and most important because it will be I-74 eventually. The Western Belt (Future I-274 or whatever number they agree on) is way off.

Honestly, I don't think the western section will be Future I-274 anymore.  NCDOT only briefly used in planning maps in the early 2000s, but has since kept it unlabeled along that stretch.  Officially on the books, since 1999, it's designated as NC 452.

It might be like that because it will be built in pieces too and is just a placeholder (and not being sure of how soon I-74 will be official through there). No need to submit a request for interstate designation until there is one there LOL. This would follow what happened with I-74 in Surry County (remember NC 752?), Raleigh (NC 540 Toll), Fayetteville (NC 295), and Wilmington (NC 140). All just placeholders.

[WashuOtaku]

So this means that I-274 must be completed as well as the eastern half of the beltway that I-74 will go onto?

No, the Eastern half is the only (partially at best) funded portion and most important because it will be I-74 eventually. The Western Belt (Future I-274 or whatever number they agree on) is way off.

Honestly, I don't think the western section will be Future I-274 anymore.  NCDOT only briefly used in planning maps in the early 2000s, but has since kept it unlabeled along that stretch.  Officially on the books, since 1999, it's designated as NC 452.

It might be like that because it will be built in pieces too and is just a placeholder (and not being sure of how soon I-74 will be official through there). No need to submit a request for interstate designation until there is one there LOL. This would follow what happened with I-74 in Surry County (remember NC 752?), Raleigh (NC 540 Toll), Fayetteville (NC 295), and Wilmington (NC 140). All just placeholders.

Do we have any details on NC 140 yet?  I hear it's a place holder, but no solid proof on NCDOT or on the field yet.