Interstate 42

[sprjus4]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ygcoSVCATmVmenxK9
If NC copied Texas and convert the frontage roads into one ways and build underpasses at each at grade with Texas U Turns and exit ramps being slip rams to the parallel road. Minimal disruption will be made to upgrade into interstate freeway.

Yeah, I'm not sure why they didn't on this project. A couple mile upgrade of US-74 outside of I-485 in Charlotte used the one-way frontage roads, slip ramps, and u-turns so it's not foreign to NCDOT. It would've made sense for US-70 / I-42 here to have that same layout, but instead they're using more traditional style ramps with two-way frontage roads that divert away from the interchange area.

[jdunlop]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ygcoSVCATmVmenxK9
If NC copied Texas and convert the frontage roads into one ways and build underpasses at each at grade with Texas U Turns and exit ramps being slip rams to the parallel road. Minimal disruption will be made to upgrade into interstate freeway.

Yeah, I'm not sure why they didn't on this project. A couple mile upgrade of US-74 outside of I-485 in Charlotte used the one-way frontage roads, slip ramps, and u-turns so it's not foreign to NCDOT. It would've made sense for US-70 / I-42 here to have that same layout, but instead they're using more traditional style ramps with two-way frontage roads that divert away from the interchange area.

The locals (James City in particular) did not want one-way service roads; they wanted access as close to what they already had, and did not want to drive the extra distances to get to their desired direction on US 70.  My memory is that they had outsized influence on decisions here.

The roundabout interchanges were also a tough sell, until it was shown that they were "tighter" and would provide better access with less land impact.  And, were safer.

[nerdom]

yes. the businesses on the service roads all stated that one way roads would inconvenience too much. people here hated when a couple of intersections went to reduced conflict some years back. but, a few portions of the new service roads are complete and they look great. gone are the narrow, curbless roads with giant ditches, replaced with wide city-like streets that are curbed and guttered. gives the whole area an improved look.

[The Ghostbuster]

I would have preferred the frontage roads to have been one-way, although that might be a minority opinion. One-way frontage roads would have followed the dominant flow of traffic, and I think that would have made the frontage roads safer for traffic (and pedestrians if there are any).

[sprjus4]

I would have preferred the frontage roads to have been one-way, although that might be a minority opinion. One-way frontage roads would have followed the dominant flow of traffic, and I think that would have made the frontage roads safer for traffic (and pedestrians if there are any).

Eh, that's questionable. With ramps being separated from the frontage roads, you'd have less traffic on there to begin with, only vehicles accessing businesses on that stretch. And likely slower speeds as well.

[bob7374]

Looks like they're starting to work on the northern end of the US 70 upgrade project through James City , the road will be closed at times this weekend to remove the railroad crossing signals:

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-04-19-craven-county-highway-temproary-closure.aspx

[LilianaUwU]

Wait, Morehead City is a town of 8600 people?! How the fuck does that warrant an Interstate?

[wdcrft63]

Wait, Morehead City is a town of 8600 people?! How the fuck does that warrant an Interstate?

A town of 8600 people would not normally need interstate access. However Morehead City is a port and the center of the Crystal Coast beach resort area. Also the I-42 route serves two major military bases, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point. There's also some precedent for interstates going to beach resort areas: I-495 in Massachusetts (to Cape Cod) and I-195 in New Jersey (to the Jersey Shore resorts).

[ElishaGOtis]

I don't think I have enough hands for how many times Google Maps has done this



For a while the I-42 name showed on street view, but this is the first time I've seen the shield for it appear. Desktop  website version.

[Henry]

Wait, Morehead City is a town of 8600 people?! How the fuck does that warrant an Interstate?

A town of 8600 people would not normally need interstate access. However Morehead City is a port and the center of the Crystal Coast beach resort area. Also the I-42 route serves two major military bases, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point. There's also some precedent for interstates going to beach resort areas: I-495 in Massachusetts (to Cape Cod) and I-195 in New Jersey (to the Jersey Shore resorts).

BTW, I-40 was originally planned to go to Morehead City until Wilmington lobbied harder to be the terminus, which explains the unusual north-south alignment that connects to Raleigh. But I-42 is a nice consolation prize to have, because better late than never.

[LilianaUwU]

Wait, Morehead City is a town of 8600 people?! How the fuck does that warrant an Interstate?

A town of 8600 people would not normally need interstate access. However Morehead City is a port and the center of the Crystal Coast beach resort area. Also the I-42 route serves two major military bases, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point. There's also some precedent for interstates going to beach resort areas: I-495 in Massachusetts (to Cape Cod) and I-195 in New Jersey (to the Jersey Shore resorts).

BTW, I-40 was originally planned to go to Morehead City until Wilmington lobbied harder to be the terminus, which explains the unusual north-south alignment that connects to Raleigh. But I-42 is a nice consolation prize to have, because better late than never.

To be fair, Wilmington was already a city of around 50k people by the time an I-40 extension got approved.

[roadman65]

Being Moorehead City has ports alone qualifies it to be interstate worthy. It ships goods in and out hence why the feds would welcome it. If it benefits the economy it's worth the money to create.

[sprjus4]

Wait, Morehead City is a town of 8600 people?! How the fuck does that warrant an Interstate?

Yeah, there's a lot more in that area, let alone the traffic volumes, that warrants an interstate highway, or at minimum a fully controlled access highway.

[roadman65]

Wait, Morehead City is a town of 8600 people?! How the fuck does that warrant an Interstate?

There is plenty other factors besides the city itself. The demands on who uses the existing US 70 in which I-42 will replace. It's not just the city it terminates but the corridor as  a whole.

[The Ghostbuster]

Well, they finally have updated the Satellite View to include the Havelock Bypass: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8938327,-76.9195514,11565m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu. And the extent in which they've added the Interstate 42 designation to the corridor is far more than previously (it was only marked on the eastern-most portion of the Goldsboro Bypass).