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[Henry]

I have mentioned before in another thread about having the Raleigh-Norfolk corridor be numbered I-46 (although in my post in Fictional Highways, the routing was different).  The US 70 corridor should be I-42, if an I-number needs to be assigned to this.

I would say both routes qualify for a two-digit interstate number.  Heck, we have countless examples of short two-digit interstates located in one state.  I'm fine with anything between 40-64.   

As am I, although I'd prefer anything in the 40s range.

[slorydn1]

Although I'd be fine with a 2di number for the US-70 corridor I would think it would be better to save a 2di number for a longer multi-state route (man if only they could figure out a way to get I-30 from Little Rock to New Bern, but I digress into fictional territory, lol).

I would think that an odd 3di would be fine for the corridor, which would be a spur off of a major 2di anyway. As someone else had stated, 340 is available in NC and would be perfect for this corridor.

Man, and to think, it could have been I-40 had things gone differently back in the 60's and 70's.

[WashuOtaku]

Although I'd be fine with a 2di number for the US-70 corridor I would think it would be better to save a 2di number for a longer multi-state route (man if only they could figure out a way to get I-30 from Little Rock to New Bern, but I digress into fictional territory, lol).

I would think that an odd 3di would be fine for the corridor, which would be a spur off of a major 2di anyway. As someone else had stated, 340 is available in NC and would be perfect for this corridor.

Man, and to think, it could have been I-40 had things gone differently back in the 60's and 70's.

Save a 2di number till when exactly?  Are there big plans for more interstates that will need these spare numbers too? 

I get what you are saying but there is no plans for these numbers anytime, exact same reason why Texas went ahead and snagged I-2, because it's available.  Creating super-long 3di would be foolish when a 2di is available and would still be longer than several other Intrastate 2di, I-40 to Morehead City is roughly 130 miles.

Remember, back in the '60s and '70s, North Carolina had roughly 5 million people, today it's double that.  Needs were very different back then as oppose today now.

[CanesFan27]

My attempt to describe the current state and future needs and plans of the three new Interstate corridors (two new / one extended) here in North Carolina:

http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-fast-act-brings-two-new-interstate.html

[OracleUsr]

Hey, CanesFan, I have a question about Raleigh.  What are they doing to the Saunders St. interchange on I-40?  I found it odd that they have the second ramp signs covered up in both directions of I-40, does that mean they're only going to have an Exit 298 now instead of 298A-B?

[CanesFan27]

Hey, CanesFan, I have a question about Raleigh.  What are they doing to the Saunders St. interchange on I-40?  I found it odd that they have the second ramp signs covered up in both directions of I-40, does that mean they're only going to have an Exit 298 now instead of 298A-B?

Brent, I'm fairly certain it's only a result of ramps being closed as they are rebuilt.  We rarely travel the lower half of the beltline so I'm not exactly sure.  Brian would know - ask on southeast roads on facebook - he's on more often there.

[OracleUsr]

Oh, okay, gotcha.  Thank you.

[NJRoadfan]

I actually drove thru there this morning (US-401 North to I-40 East). The on ramp was open, but couldn't see much else.

[Mileage Mike]

My attempt to describe the current state and future needs and plans of the three new Interstate corridors (two new / one extended) here in North Carolina:

http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-fast-act-brings-two-new-interstate.html

After this is all said and done Eastern NC might have one of the highest miles of interstate highway per capita in the country.

I'm in favor of all of them except that Raleigh-Norfolk corridor.  That one seems to offer little benefit and would likely carry a large cost that would be better spent on other NC road projects.

[wdcrft63]

Of the proposed interstate projects in eastern NC, it's clear that only the US 70 corridor has a high priority. It will get built. The others ... not for a long time.

[Buffaboy]

Why does CLT need express lanes? From when I was there over the summer, the traffic on I-77 seemed to move freely.

[rickmastfan67]

Why does CLT need express lanes? From when I was there over the summer, the traffic on I-77 seemed to move freely.

Which section of I-77 where you on and what time of day?  I-77 is horriblely underpowered with only 2 lanes each way North of I-485.  Traffic there can be a nightmare.

[WashuOtaku]

Why does CLT need express lanes? From when I was there over the summer, the traffic on I-77 seemed to move freely.

Then you didn't drive on it during rush hour.

[Mileage Mike]

Why does CLT need express lanes? From when I was there over the summer, the traffic on I-77 seemed to move freely.

77 is the most congested highway in the state. It's way overcapacity in both directions even off peak hours. The only part that flows smoothly is between 85 and 485 and that's because it's the only section with 4 lanes on each side. The part south of 85 needs to be at least 5 lanes each side but is currently only 3.

[bob7374]

NCDOT has chosen preferred alternatives for Complete 540 project around Raleigh:
https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=12208

[MazdaStrider]

NCDOT has chosen preferred alternatives for Complete 540 project around Raleigh:
https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=12208

That means there is going to be a complex interchange between I-40, US 70 and NC 540 southeast of Raleigh. I wonder how will location look like when it is open.

[wdcrft63]

NCDOT has chosen preferred alternatives for Complete 540 project around Raleigh:
https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=12208

That means there is going to be a complex interchange between I-40, US 70 and NC 540 southeast of Raleigh. I wonder how will location look like when it is open.

No surprise at this choice. Construction could begin by the end of 2017.

[The Ghostbuster]

I wish they would do away with that toll law so all of NC 540 could be Interstate 540 the entire way around the beltway.

[froggie]

What toll law?  There's nothing in Federal law stopping NC from requesting adding 540 as an Interstate.  If there's a "toll law", it's at the state level.

[froggie]

On the subject of 540, I had come up with an interchange concept several years ago for a theoretical 40/540/70 East junction.  I may clean it up for better presentation.

[The Ghostbuster]

I thought there was a law prohibiting toll roads from becoming Interstates, on an account of how they were funded. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this law the reason Virginia's Highway 895 is a state highway and not an Interstate? I also assumed this law is why the toll portions of the 540 beltway also have to be a state highway and not an Interstate.

[froggie]

There's a general prohibition against toll roads receiving Federal highway funding, but Federal law does allow new toll roads *NOT* built with Federal funding to be added to the Interstate system if they're logical extensions and are constructed to Interstate standards.  Relatively recent examples include I-185 in SC and I-355 in the outer Chicago suburbs.

The reason for why VA 895 wasn't added was because Federal highway funding was used in its planning.  This may be the same reason why 540 south of RTP wasn't added as an Interstate, either.

[wdcrft63]

I wish they would do away with that toll law so all of NC 540 could be Interstate 540 the entire way around the beltway.

Although NCDOT is famous for upgrading freeways to interstate status, I don't think it has any intention of asking for an interstate designation for the toll sections of the beltway. Once upon a time there was a thought that the completed beltway would be renunbered I-640, but that I believe that idea is dead now that everyone is accustomed to calling the road 540.

[bob7374]

My attempt to describe the current state and future needs and plans of the three new Interstate corridors (two new / one extended) here in North Carolina:

http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-fast-act-brings-two-new-interstate.html

WRAL has a report about upgrades planned for the US 70 corridor. The report says that NCDOT will be putting up 'Future Interstate Corridor' signs soon:
http://www.wral.com/us-70-expansion-could-soon-be-reality/15305954/

This blog piece discusses possible numbers for the future interstate corridors:
http://letsgetmoving.org/rta-blog/raleigh-norfolk-495-44-50-89-56/

[orulz]

On the subject of 540, I had come up with an interchange concept several years ago for a theoretical 40/540/70 East junction.  I may clean it up for better presentation.

I too find this interchange to be fascinating.

The Environmental Impact Statement does show a proposed design. It looks like a cross between a turbine and a giant high speed three and a half level stacked incomplete roundabout, with the existing cloverleaf kept plus three new ones. The turbiney-roundabouty thingy has two weaves shown, plus two weaves between cloverleafs.

The weave on I-40E is long so it would probably be OK but it's a little disappointing to me that US70W -> NC540W doesn't get a flyover.

Something tells me this design is still a work in progress.
https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/PDEA/Web/Complete540/maps/C540_6A_PHM.pdf - see the one marked "Orange to Green"