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[cowboy_wilhelm]

Project plans have been posted for the final sections of the U.S. 74 Shelby Bypass. The contract will be let 7/18/2023 and construction can begin 8/28/2023. Completion date is 4/30/2029 with substantial completion by 11/1/2028.

A few items I’ve noticed:

Speed limit of 65 MPH… figured it would have been 70.
Bus 74 will get an exit number (211), but still no exit numbers for the three interchanges at Kings Mountain. Seems like a missed opportunity to incorporate design and construction with this project.
Eastbound control city will be Gastonia and not Charlotte.

Project proposal and plans.

[sprjus4]

^ As far as the speed limit, I imagine NCDOT may at some point in the future increase it to 70 mph, but at the same time I would not be surprised if they leave it 65 mph since they are notoriously inconsistent with speed setting.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Looking back at the project plans, the design speed for many of the curves is only 70 MPH, so it the posted speed limit may end up staying at 65.

Paving is taking place westbound on the Y-line at NC 18. I guess it's possible they'll have all of this section paved by the end of the summer. Not a great picture looking east (it was getting dark and I couldn't slow down too much due to traffic).



Still grading and drainage work at the N. Lafayette St. overpass (looking east).

[ARMOURERERIC]

Just getting it open to NC18 from the west will have a big impact on Shelby traffic

[74/171FAN]

So is the SR Designation of SR 9000 according to OSM for the Shelby Bypass actually correct?

[Mapmikey]

So is the SR Designation of SR 9000 according to OSM for the Shelby Bypass actually correct?

NCDOT frequently assigns SR 900x designations to freeway projects that are either under construction or if open, those they don't want to give a temp NC number to.

[The Ghostbuster]

I would have liked it if there were at least Future US 74 Bypass signs along the completed portions of the Shelby Bypass. Instead, the overhead signs say To NC 226 at Exit 194, with no route signs or reassurance shields along the roadway after on-ramps. Is this normal for new North Carolina roadways?

[ARMOURERERIC]

I would have liked it if there were at least Future US 74 Bypass signs along the completed portions of the Shelby Bypass. Instead, the overhead signs say To NC 226 at Exit 194, with no route signs or reassurance shields along the roadway after on-ramps. Is this normal for new North Carolina roadways?

As a Pseudo local, this would cause more driver confusion than help.  If they can get it open to NC 18 or 150, then I may reconsider.  Right now the biggest use for what is open is to get trucks from the Walmart distribution center an egress to the west.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

 

So is the SR Designation of SR 9000 according to OSM for the Shelby Bypass actually correct?

NCDOT frequently assigns SR 900x designations to freeway projects that are either under construction or if open, those they don't want to give a temp NC number to.

https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/gisdot/DOTDELetters/2020/07_July/Div12/R-2707F.pdf

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Contracts have been awarded for the last sections of the Shelby Bypass and the new interchange at Mooresboro. Construction can begin on the rest of the bypass at the end of August and is supposed to be completed by the end of October 2028. Once both projects are finished, U.S. 74 will be a continuous freeway from I-26 to I-85.

R-2707D/E award letter
R-4045 award letter

Google Street View has updated imagery from July at the future N.C. 18 interchange where paving is ongoing. It doesn't look like the Airport Rd. overpass has started construction yet.

Looking east toward the future Airport Rd. overpass and N.C. 150/N.C. 180 interchange and westbound paving.



Looking west at eastbound paving prep.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Drove by today.  Looks like all the paving east of the NC 18 bridge is done.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Looking east from Metcalf Rd.


Looking east from N. Lafayette St.


Looking west from N. Lafayette St.


Looking east from McBrayer-Springs Rd.


Looking east from N.C. 18/Fallston Rd.


Looking west from the future Airport Rd. overpass.


Future Airport Rd. overpass. Bonus points if you find the orange cat.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Drove down NC 180 today, looks like beam placement for Airport Rd is 65-100% complete.

[Gnutella]

Future Airport Rd. overpass. Bonus points if you find the orange cat.

Sitting in the crane?

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Bonus points if you find the orange cat.

Sitting in the crane?

Nope, and since no one else has taken a guess....