The "Future" I-26 is arriving finally

[ran4sh]

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.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Bidding for Asheville's 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

"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.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

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

[The Ghostbuster]

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.

[Rothman]

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

What?  I am shocked!

(i.e., get prepared for another move next year)

[bob7374]

NCDOT announced today that it has finally awarded the contract to build the 'north section' of the I-26 Connector project, working with the contractors to lower the project cost:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-05-14-i-26-connector-north-awarded.aspx

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I think this is the first $1 billion+ contract NCDOT has ever awarded.

Here are the section boundaries for the entire project. To recap:

• Sections B and D were just awarded.
• Sections AA and AB are scheduled to be let in July 2024.
• Section AC is scheduled to be let in November 2025.
• Section C is not scheduled to be let until June 2029.
• There is still a separate project north of Asheville to Mars Hill to upgrade I-26 to interstate standards (A-0010). That section will remain as "future" I-26 for a couple more decades.

[Plutonic Panda]

Love the project but it makes me sick they aren't fixing the I-40 interchange and removing the left exits. Ugh.

[The Ghostbuster]

Funding and constructing the upgrades to the Interstate 26 northern extension sure has taken a long time, considering Interstate 26 in Tennessee has existed south of Interstate 81 since 2003, and north of 81 since 2007. Once all upgrades are completed, I'm sure it will have been worth the wait.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I think this is the first $1 billion+ contract NCDOT has ever awarded.

Re-reading the press release, the selected contractor will work to get the construction costs closer to the original estimates ($800-900 million) using an "optimization and refinement process" and a new contract amount will be agreed upon. The current contract can even be terminated if there aren't enough cost reductions.