I thought now would be as good a time as any to start a thread covering the extension of I-795 from US-70 in Goldsboro to I-40 west of Faison in Sampson County along the US-117 corridor.
Utility relocation work should be starting anytime now on US-117 south of Goldsboro at the intersections of Oberry Road in Dudley and Country Club Road just north of Mount Olive in preparation for converting those intersections into interchanges beginning next year. The US-117/Oberry Road intersection has the only traffic light between the Mar-Mac area south of Goldsboro and I-40. Once it becomes an interchange, there will be no stoplights on US-117 between Mar-Mac and I-40.
The most recent feasibility study for upgrading US-117 was released July 2015. There were 4 alternatives for the section of US-117 between Mar-Mac and Ash Street. Alternative 4A was requested and favored by the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. This alternative would have I-795 leave US-117 about 3 miles south of the US-13/US-117 junction and run on a new alignment east of US-117 heading north with interchanges at Genoa Road and NC-581/Arrington Bridge Road, at which point it would cross US-117 and run west of it on new alignment to connect with the existing I-795 by upgrading the NC-581/Ash Street intersection to an interchange.
I-795 would then use an upgraded US-117 from the new alignment split from just south of US-13 to I-40, with I-795 and US-117 being concurrent until the future US-117/West Trade Road interchange in Calypso, where US-117 leaves I-795. The US-117 Connector designation would be decommissioned between US-117/West Trade Road in Calypso and I-40. It would be signed solely as I-795 except for a brief concurrency of I-795/NC-403 between I-40 and the new NC-403 interchange. The interchanges for the section from Mar-Mac to I-40 would be at:
Oberry Road in Dudley
Country Club Road just north of Mount Olive
Existing NC-55 interchange in Mount Olive (existing bridges would need replacing since they lack shoulders)
Old Smith Chapel Road just south of Mount Olive (an extension would be built to connect Old Smith Chapel Road to Lees Country Club Road in order to build the interchange)
US-117/West Trade Road in Calypso
NC-50 near Faison
NC-403 near I-40 (road would be realigned with upgrade of I-40 interchange)
I-40 (upgrade existing Exit 355)
(65 pages, 7.70MB)
https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/FeasibilityStudiesDocuments/Feasibility-Study_1304A_Report_2015.pdf (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/FeasibilityStudiesDocuments/Feasibility-Study_1304A_Report_2015.pdf)
Alternative 4A was recommended in the study.
QuoteMore detailed design analysis is needed during future studies to identify an optimal interchange at I-40 and US 117 (Alternative 1) that addresses Sampson County concerns for avoiding disruption to the 355 Prospect development. A southern interchange with I-40 (Alternative 1A)
is not recommended based on Duplin County and Eastern Carolina RPO concerns about impacts
to agri-businesses and farming communities.
Wayne County officials recommend considering Alternatives 1, 4, and 4A. NCDOT Division 4
staff prefers Alternatives 4A, 4, and 1 in order of priority. Between NC 581 (Ash Street) and
NC 581 (Arrington Bridge Road), important local issues for these alternatives include:
- accommodating access to downtown Goldsboro and major hospital, correctional center,
and agricultural facilities.
- locating the alignment and service roads to maintain property access.
- avoiding or minimizing impacts to FEMA buyout properties and Old Waynesborough
Park (near Elm Street).
Alternative 4A is the way to go, IMO.
I meant to update this thread earlier today, but the recent announcement of a massive new CSX intermodal terminal hub to be built in Rocky Mount may (hopefully) speed up the extension of I-795 in the future (beyond the currently scheduled interchange projects next year). I-95/I-795/I-40 combined form a direct route to the Port of Wilmington from Rocky Mount and vice-versa.
While the goal of the new terminal is to reduce truck traffic on highways, trucks will still need access to and from the terminal. There's a section of railroad between Wallace and Wilmington that's currently out of service, so there is no current rail access to Wilmington by rail from Rocky Mount, making truck travel the only option between those two cities and I-795 would be used as a shortcut, which could make upgrading US-117 a higher priority in eastern NC.
https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/projects-and-partnerships/ccx-intermodal-terminal/ (https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/projects-and-partnerships/ccx-intermodal-terminal/)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncrailways.org%2Fimages%2Fstories%2Fmaps%2FNCRailMap_Directory_Oct2014_Page_1.jpg&hash=901778e13ec6ae6537c5f1a48b6294311772e970)
As a fan of both highways and railroads, I hope the CSX plan in Rocky Mount accellerates both the I-795 extension as well as the CSX line restoration between Wallace and Castle Hayne. The highway project has been extensively discussed here. The rail project is on NCDOT's radar too, because it is on the agenda of some NCGA members for port / freight / economic develo pment purposes. Let us also not forget that this rail segment is critically important to the restoration of passenger rail between Raleigh and Wilmington.
LGL33L
Quote from: orulz on July 21, 2016, 08:21:39 AM
As a fan of both highways and railroads, I hope the CSX plan in Rocky Mount accellerates both the I-795 extension as well as the CSX line restoration between Wallace and Castle Hayne. The highway project has been extensively discussed here. The rail project is on NCDOT's radar too, because it is on the agenda of some NCGA members for port / freight / economic develo pment purposes. Let us also not forget that this rail segment is critically important to the restoration of passenger rail between Raleigh and Wilmington.
LGL33L
Agreed. I'm not sure why (or when) the railroad from Wallace to Castle Hayne was put out of commission. That will definitely need to be restored. As far as I-795 goes, if anything gets speeded up, it will probably be simpler upgrades for the time being, such as shoulder widening on US-117 between the existing at-grade intersections from just south of US-13 to just before I-40, since that existing interchange will need to be reconstructed to meet interstate standards. The two US-117 interchange projects beginning next year at the Oberry Road and Country Club Road intersections may involve shoulder widening in the vicinity of those interchanges. NCDOT recently, out of the blue, let a contract to widen the shoulders on parts of US-70 between La Grange and Kinston, so it's possible we could see the same thing happen for US-117.
The biggest, and probably last, project of the I-795 extension is the new terrain routing from US-117 just south of US-13 to the current end at NC-581/Ash Street. An alternative hasn't been officially chosen yet, but NCDOT is leaning towards Alternative 4A in the feasibility study I posted above. There's just no way to upgrade existing US-117 between Mar-Mac and Ash Street. The terrain isn't suitable, especially near the Neuse River, and there are a lot of businesses, including the Wayne County Fairgrounds, and a cemetery (Wayne Memorial Park) right off of US-117 just north of the proposed I-795/US-117 split. One of the new terrain alternatives will have to be chosen. I can't see Alternative 2 getting much support and whoever came up with Alternative 3 was smoking crack. Most of Alternative 4 was fine, but the linkup to existing I-795 needed tweaked. Alternative 4A looks to be the best one.
When might the Interstate 795 extension be constructed?
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on July 21, 2016, 04:49:52 PM
When might the Interstate 795 extension be constructed?
Only the two interchange projects on US-117 at Oberry Road and Country Club Road are funded, with construction starting next year. Other than that, there's nothing on the timetable in the near future, unless NCDOT decides to suddenly let a contract to widen the shoulders on US-117 like they just did for US-70 between La Grange and Kinston.
One thing to note is that NCDOT never did send an application to AASHTO (during their last meeting) and FHWA to designate US-117 between Goldsboro and I-40 as "Future I-795", which kinda surprised me. My guess is that it's due to the fact that I-795 will be using a new alignment between US-117 near Mar-Mac and Ash Street in Goldsboro. Either that, or they simply forgot during AASHTO's last meeting. We'll see what happens at AASHTO's next meeting in the fall.
I honestly don't see more trucks between Wilmington and Rocky Mount because the CCX Intermodal Terminal; remember they are building to reorganize freight on tracks for efficiency, not a terminal facility like the inland NC Port in Charlotte. As for the rail disconnect, I suspect rail line was simply not profitable between Wilmington and Rocky Mount.
Quote from: WashuOtaku on July 21, 2016, 07:31:06 PM
I honestly don't see more trucks between Wilmington and Rocky Mount because the CCX Intermodal Terminal; remember they are building to reorganize freight on tracks for efficiency, not a terminal facility like the inland NC Port in Charlotte. As for the rail disconnect, I suspect rail line was simply not profitable between Wilmington and Rocky Mount.
I don't know why it wouldn't be profitable since the railroad from Wallace northward connects to the main line in Wilson to VA and points north, but even if it wasn't profitable then, it would likely be profitable now, since the hub is being built. Linking the Port of Wilimington to the CSX hub seems like a no-brainer to me. I also figured that until the missing rail line is connected, trucks will be using the highways from Wilmington to Rocky Mount to off-load since that's currently the only means of transportation between the Port of Wilmington and the future CSX hub, thus the possibility of upgrades to US-117 being moved up the timetable in the future (other than what's already scheduled for next year). Once the missing rail line is connected, then truck traffic between Wilmington and Rocky Mount will drop.
Quote from: LM117 on July 22, 2016, 10:17:06 AM
Quote from: WashuOtaku on July 21, 2016, 07:31:06 PM
I honestly don't see more trucks between Wilmington and Rocky Mount because the CCX Intermodal Terminal; remember they are building to reorganize freight on tracks for efficiency, not a terminal facility like the inland NC Port in Charlotte. As for the rail disconnect, I suspect rail line was simply not profitable between Wilmington and Rocky Mount.
I don't know why it wouldn't be profitable since the railroad from Wallace northward connects to the main line in Wilson to VA and points north, but even if it wasn't profitable then, it would likely be profitable now, since the hub is being built. Linking the Port of Wilimington to the CSX hub seems like a no-brainer to me. I also figured that until the missing rail line is connected, trucks will be using the highways from Wilmington to Rocky Mount to off-load since that's currently the only means of transportation between the Port of Wilmington and the future CSX hub, thus the possibility of upgrades to US-117 being moved up the timetable in the future (other than what's already scheduled for next year). Once the missing rail line is connected, then truck traffic between Wilmington and Rocky Mount will drop.
You forget though that the CCX Intermodal Terminal is for the CSX system, specifically the north-south line through the state (which is why both Virginia and South Carolina were wanting it too). You are right, it makes sense to link Wilmington back to Rocky Mount now, but I still doubt the increase traffic you believe will happen between Wilmington and Rocky Mount, because that is not the focus. You also give Wilmington too much credit, it is still a secondary port compared to Charleston and Norfolk, which are both well connected.
Quote from: WashuOtaku on July 22, 2016, 04:47:05 PM
Quote from: LM117 on July 22, 2016, 10:17:06 AM
Quote from: WashuOtaku on July 21, 2016, 07:31:06 PM
I honestly don't see more trucks between Wilmington and Rocky Mount because the CCX Intermodal Terminal; remember they are building to reorganize freight on tracks for efficiency, not a terminal facility like the inland NC Port in Charlotte. As for the rail disconnect, I suspect rail line was simply not profitable between Wilmington and Rocky Mount.
I don't know why it wouldn't be profitable since the railroad from Wallace northward connects to the main line in Wilson to VA and points north, but even if it wasn't profitable then, it would likely be profitable now, since the hub is being built. Linking the Port of Wilimington to the CSX hub seems like a no-brainer to me. I also figured that until the missing rail line is connected, trucks will be using the highways from Wilmington to Rocky Mount to off-load since that's currently the only means of transportation between the Port of Wilmington and the future CSX hub, thus the possibility of upgrades to US-117 being moved up the timetable in the future (other than what's already scheduled for next year). Once the missing rail line is connected, then truck traffic between Wilmington and Rocky Mount will drop.
You forget though that the CCX Intermodal Terminal is for the CSX system, specifically the north-south line through the state (which is why both Virginia and South Carolina were wanting it too). You are right, it makes sense to link Wilmington back to Rocky Mount now, but I still doubt the increase traffic you believe will happen between Wilmington and Rocky Mount, because that is not the focus. You also give Wilmington too much credit, it is still a secondary port compared to Charleston and Norfolk, which are both well connected.
I should've been more specific. I don't think the increase in truck traffic will be significant. Just slight, and the reason I say that is although I'm well aware the point of the terminal is to take trucks off the road, it will still be a key on-loading/off-loading site, as Adam already mentioned in the I-87 thread and while truck traffic will definitely drop on other routes, trucking is currently the only option between Wilmington and Rocky Mount until (if/when) the missing railroad is restored between Wallace and Wilmington. I'm also aware of the Port of Wilmington's disadvantages compared to the ports in Charleston and Norfolk, which is why I think if there's any temporary increase (until the rail is restored), it would only be slight.
However, I wasn't aware that Virginia was competing for it. There was no mention of it in the media up here. I'm not doubting you, I'm just surprised. I already knew South Carolina did their damndest to steal the terminal once they caught wind of all the BS that CSX was running into in Johnston County and tried to use it to their advantage. It's a miracle that eastern NC didn't lose the terminal altogether, thanks to the idiot leaders in Johnston County (and to an extent, the state), but I digress. That being said, Rocky Mount is a MUCH better location for the terminal that would benefit eastern NC more than the original site in Selma, so it all worked out for the best, IMO. I'm from eastern NC so it's good to see something finally work in their favor for a change, as far as business goes.
Quote from: LM117 on July 23, 2016, 01:39:31 PM
However, I wasn't aware that Virginia was competing for it. There was no mention of it in the media up here. I'm not doubting you, I'm just surprised. I already knew South Carolina did their damndest to steal the terminal once they caught wind of all the BS that CSX was running into in Johnston County and tried to use it to their advantage. It's a miracle that eastern NC didn't lose the terminal altogether, thanks to the idiot leaders in Johnston County (and to an extent, the state), but I digress. That being said, Rocky Mount is a MUCH better location for the terminal that would benefit eastern NC more than the original site in Selma, so it all worked out for the best, IMO. I'm from eastern NC so it's good to see something finally work in their favor for a change, as far as business goes.
I don't know personally that Virginia was competing for it; that statement was in a story on the terminal run by WRAL-TV in Raleigh.
The severed track between Castle Hayne & Wallace was originally a ACL (Atlantic Coast Line) branch; the other CSX line serving Wilmington from the west (along US 74 and NC 211) was built by SAL (Seaboard Air Line), both were components of what eventually (mid-80's) became CSX. ACL lines were not as robustly constructed (less ballast underpinning, lighter rails) than were the competing SAL, which was laid out as single-track, high-capacity/high-speed lines; after the dust had cleared from the various mergers that resulted in CSX, Wilmington traffic only required one line, so the better-constructed SAL line was retained, and the other severed, with the remaining segments functioning as local servers. Also, the former SAL western line led directly into a longstanding system hub at Hamlet, where what Wilmington port traffic there was could be distributed in three directions (W,S,N).
With the Panamax-related enlargement of the Wilmington port (news reports showed the first large container ship docking there a week or so ago), it makes sense that the Wilmington-to-Wilson line would not only be reconnected but likely fully rebuilt to handle long & heavy container trains. Now that the principal non-fuel RR cargo is containerized loads, port facilities and major hubs serve as the location for the massive gantries, stationary cranes, and lifters necessary to load and unload containers from the specialized railcars on which they travel. Once a load has been seated on a container railcar, it never has to leave until it gets to the hub nearest its destination. Railroads, often with subsidies from local development agencies, have, over the last couple of decades, been deploying hubs in strategic locations along their main lines; Rocky Mount is simply the latest to be announced. By rebuilding the track north of Wilmington, CSX retains its monopoly on port traffic from that city, but adds system efficiency northward to its major market destination area -- the Northeast. Following established RR practice, a sizeable train, likely 80-120 cars, will be assembled at Wilmington and dispatched north to Rocky Mount. Containers destined for NC or most of VA will be located at the rear of the train, and dropped off at RM. The rest of the train will continue to the next hub (likely Baltimore), where containers for the Balt/Wash area and environs will be the next to be decoupled and shuffled into the hub yard. This will continue north through the NJ section of NY metro, dropping off still more cars, until the train reaches Selkirk (outside Albany), CSX's massive NE US hub, where what is left will be distributed to upstate NY, New England, and Canada. A returning train collecting empty container cars (in RR parlance, "baretables") will head south to Wilmington, collecting cars from the hubs as needed. This process will be repeated from other CSX-served ports: Savannah, Charleston, and Newport News (even comparatively small Brunswick, GA, has been expanding its port facilities in anticipation of large inbound Panamax ocean traffic).
Where the I-795 extension fits into this is pretty simple: some containerized cargo is more time-sensitive than others; those fitting that description and intended for final delivery in NC or VA will most likely be put directly onto trucks at the port of Wilmington and those trucks dispatched directly to their destinations. Currently, about 15% of inbound cargo nationwide is considered time-sensitive ("just-in-time" assembly parts deliveries, high-ticket holiday-sales items [read I-phones, tablets, and the like]) -- most of that goes directly from ship to trucks ("dwell" time at RR hubs and yards is considered, in those cases, as unacceptable delay). Thus if it comes into the country at Wilmington, and is time-sensitive and heading north, then the I-795 extension might cut a bit of valuable time off the trucking schedule.
Of course, all this is speculative -- pending whether the aggregate inbound Wilmington port traffic will justify the expenses of both rail and road improvements in NC. And it goes to explain why the recent push for connection to the Morehead City/Beaufort port areas is underway (re I-42): The other SE main regional RR, Norfolk Southern (NS), is essentially shut out of Wilmington access -- but it leases and operates the state-owned North Carolina Railroad, which IS the line serving Morehead. While Savannah, Charleston, and the Hampton Roads port areas are shared by both railroads, the NC ports are "single-server" in regards to rail egress. Without Morehead City, NS doesn't have a "dog in the race" re NC port service; dredging out the shoals at Morehead and enlarging and modernizing the port there (and negotiating attractive docking fees with the ocean shippers) will put NS in a position to remain, in the overall sense, competitive with CSX for overall Southeast Seaboard inbound cargo volume. And to say these two rail companies are competitive almost to the point of open warfare is an understatement (UP and BNSF have much the same relationship on the West Coast). And with both hurting from the volume loss in coal traffic, they're like wolves sniffing out fresh meat! It'll be quite fascinating to see how it all shakes out in the end!
Quote from: sparker on July 23, 2016, 04:09:19 PM
The severed track between Castle Hayne & Wallace was originally a ACL (Atlantic Coast Line) branch; the other CSX line serving Wilmington from the west (along US 74 and NC 211) was built by SAL (Seaboard Air Line), both were components of what eventually (mid-80's) became CSX. ACL lines were not as robustly constructed (less ballast underpinning, lighter rails) than were the competing SAL, which was laid out as single-track, high-capacity/high-speed lines; after the dust had cleared from the various mergers that resulted in CSX, Wilmington traffic only required one line, so the better-constructed SAL line was retained, and the other severed, with the remaining segments functioning as local servers. Also, the former SAL western line led directly into a longstanding system hub at Hamlet, where what Wilmington port traffic there was could be distributed in three directions (W,S,N).
Thanks for filling me in about that missing track. I don't know if there are currently any plans to reconnect it, but I hope they do in the future.
With the Panamax-related enlargement of the Wilmington port (news reports showed the first large container ship docking there a week or so ago), it makes sense that the Wilmington-to-Wilson line would not only be reconnected but likely fully rebuilt to handle long & heavy container trains. Now that the principal non-fuel RR cargo is containerized loads, port facilities and major hubs serve as the location for the massive gantries, stationary cranes, and lifters necessary to load and unload containers from the specialized railcars on which they travel. Once a load has been seated on a container railcar, it never has to leave until it gets to the hub nearest its destination. Railroads, often with subsidies from local development agencies, have, over the last couple of decades, been deploying hubs in strategic locations along their main lines; Rocky Mount is simply the latest to be announced. By rebuilding the track north of Wilmington, CSX retains its monopoly on port traffic from that city, but adds system efficiency northward to its major market destination area -- the Northeast. Following established RR practice, a sizeable train, likely 80-120 cars, will be assembled at Wilmington and dispatched north to Rocky Mount. Containers destined for NC or most of VA will be located at the rear of the train, and dropped off at RM. The rest of the train will continue to the next hub (likely Baltimore), where containers for the Balt/Wash area and environs will be the next to be decoupled and shuffled into the hub yard. This will continue north through the NJ section of NY metro, dropping off still more cars, until the train reaches Selkirk (outside Albany), CSX's massive NE US hub, where what is left will be distributed to upstate NY, New England, and Canada. A returning train collecting empty container cars (in RR parlance, "baretables") will head south to Wilmington, collecting cars from the hubs as needed. This process will be repeated from other CSX-served ports: Savannah, Charleston, and Newport News (even comparatively small Brunswick, GA, has been expanding its port facilities in anticipation of large inbound Panamax ocean traffic). Agreed.
Where the I-795 extension fits into this is pretty simple: some containerized cargo is more time-sensitive than others; those fitting that description and intended for final delivery in NC or VA will most likely be put directly onto trucks at the port of Wilmington and those trucks dispatched directly to their destinations. Currently, about 15% of inbound cargo nationwide is considered time-sensitive ("just-in-time" assembly parts deliveries, high-ticket holiday-sales items [read I-phones, tablets, and the like]) -- most of that goes directly from ship to trucks ("dwell" time at RR hubs and yards is considered, in those cases, as unacceptable delay). Thus if it comes into the country at Wilmington, and is time-sensitive and heading north, then the I-795 extension might cut a bit of valuable time off the trucking schedule.
Of course, all this is speculative -- pending whether the aggregate inbound Wilmington port traffic will justify the expenses of both rail and road improvements in NC. It would certainly be worth it, IMO. Connecting Wilmington to Rocky Mount by rail is, as I've said before, a no-brainer now that the hub is confirmed. As far as I-795's extension, there have been plans for it's extension long before CSX thought of building a hub in NC. Providing a shortcut to Wilmington from I-95 and vice-versa is just one of the reasons the extension is being pushed. I-795 would also help serve as a high-speed hurricane evacuation route for those going to Goldsboro, Wilson or points north on I-95 from Wilmington and it's surrounding coastal areas. Wayne County, Goldsboro and Mount Olive obviously want I-795 extended for economic development purposes, though I doubt Mount Olive will amount to much more than it is now. Nobody would know where the town was if it weren't for it's famous pickles. :-D Goldsboro has been growing the last few years, albeit slowly. Another big reason for the extension is to make US-117 safer. US-117 can get pretty congested during rush hour between Ash Street in Goldsboro and the Mar-Mac area on the southside of Goldsboro, due to the numerous businesses, traffic lights and at-grade access points, though it wasn't quite as bad as US-70 used to be before the Goldsboro Bypass got built. There have also been numerous crashes along certain parts of US-117. Extending I-795 to I-40 makes sense, IMO.
Replied in bold.
Question: is there also a town called Mt. Pickle that's famous for its olives? Just checking :-P!
Quote from: sparker on July 24, 2016, 11:02:57 AM
Question: is there also a town called Mt. Pickle that's famous for its olives? Just checking :-P!
I'm pretty sure there is in the parallel universe. :sombrero:
Quote from: LM117 on July 23, 2016, 01:39:31 PM
However, I wasn't aware that Virginia was competing for it. There was no mention of it in the media up here. I'm not doubting you, I'm just surprised. I already knew South Carolina did their damndest to steal the terminal once they caught wind of all the BS that CSX was running into in Johnston County and tried to use it to their advantage. It's a miracle that eastern NC didn't lose the terminal altogether, thanks to the idiot leaders in Johnston County (and to an extent, the state), but I digress. That being said, Rocky Mount is a MUCH better location for the terminal that would benefit eastern NC more than the original site in Selma, so it all worked out for the best, IMO. I'm from eastern NC so it's good to see something finally work in their favor for a change, as far as business goes.
Competing was the wrong word for it. It's what transpired after people freaked-out in Johnston County by trying to take land from farmers who didn't want to sell and the community there fighting against it. Both Virginia and South Carolina then came out saying "look, North Carolina doesn't want you, come build it in our state instead." So it was more of an opportunity, but appears CSX wanted to stay in North Carolina after all.
I was just looking at NCDOT's preliminary 2018-2027 STIP map feature on their site and it appears that NCDOT has chosen Alternative 4A from the feasibility study linked in the OP of this thread for the new terrain routing for I-795 between US-117 south of US-13 near Mar-Mac and NC-581/Ash Street in Goldsboro. They have broken the new routing into phases, similar to what they did for the new US-70 Goldsboro Bypass. The remaining projects that will upgrade the existing US-117 to interstate standards between the future US-117/I-795 split near Mar-Mac and I-40 are also listed.
I'm hoping the new alignment between US-117 and NC-581/Ash Street makes the final STIP. The Oberry Road interchange project starting next year will remove the only traffic light between the southside of Goldsboro and I-40, so once the new alignment is built, people will be able to travel non-stop between I-95 and I-40, giving flowing North-South movement to complement the free-flowing East-West movement created by the new Goldsboro Bypass, at least as far as Wayne County is concerned.
https://www.ncdot.gov/strategictransportationinvestments/2018-2027.html (https://www.ncdot.gov/strategictransportationinvestments/2018-2027.html)
As previously mentioned in the main NC and I-42 threads, NCDOT made an announcement regarding the draft 2017-2028 STIP. The upgrade of a good chunk of US-117 to interstate standards is included.
http://wnct.com/2016/08/24/key-eastern-n-c-projects-to-be-included-in-next-state-transportation-plan/ (http://wnct.com/2016/08/24/key-eastern-n-c-projects-to-be-included-in-next-state-transportation-plan/)
QuoteUpgrading U.S. 117 from north of Country Club Road to south of Genoa Road in Wayne County, improving the I-795 corridor
While the upgrade of US-117 is definitely great news for I-795's extension, I'm a little surprised that the new alignment segment between south of Genoa Road and Ash Street in Goldsboro didn't make it in the draft. That's the most important segment because once the Oberry Road intersection becomes an interchange, there won't be any traffic lights on US-117 between I-40 and where I-795 will leave US-117 near Genoa Road, which would mean non-stop travel between Goldsboro and I-40 once the new alignment is built.
They got this one backwards, IMO. They should've focused on the new alignment first since it would help traffic the most, then upgrade the remainder of US-117 to I-40. But, it beats nothing at all.
Well, I stand corrected. :pan: According to this full list of regional projects that are included in NCDOT's draft 2018-2027 STIP, the I-795 new location alignment is included after all, though it's split into segments like the Goldsboro Bypass was, since only part of it is included rather than the full length from US-117 to NC-581/Ash Street.
In addition to upgrading the section of US-117 to interstate standards mentioned in my previous post, the first segment of the new alignment from US-117 just south of Landfill Road to Genoa Road is included (TIP: U-5946), using Alternative 4A in the feasibilty study posted in the OP.
What puzzles me is that the new alignment scored lower than the US-117 upgrading project. :hmm:
https://www.ncdot.gov/strategictransportationinvestments/download/regional_impact_projects_P4.pdf (https://www.ncdot.gov/strategictransportationinvestments/download/regional_impact_projects_P4.pdf)
The Goldsboro News-Argus removed their paywall for the weekend, so I went back through the archives and found more info on what type of interchanges on US-117 will be at the Oberry Road and Country Club Road intersections. They will both be standard diamond interchanges, with Oberry Road going over US-117 and US-117 going over Country Club Road.
Here's an article from April 19: http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2016/04/19/us_117_utility_work_to_begin/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2016/04/19/us_117_utility_work_to_begin/)
QuoteMotorists on U.S. 117 South can expect to see utility relocation work begin within the next few months at the highway's intersections with O'Berry Road at Dudley and Country Club Road just north of Mount Olive.
That work will precede the start next summer of the construction of interchanges at the two locations.
The two U.S. 117 interchanges are among highway projects that were accelerated by the N.C. Board of Transportation earlier this year and were made possible thanks to Gov. Pat McCrory's 2015 budget.
The state has budgeted $1.38 million for right of way for each interchange.
Construction cost is budgeted at $7.296 million at O'Berry Road and $10.260 million at Country Club Road.
Crews already have tested the subsurface conditions at the two locations for the overpass foundations.
"We are getting close to having right-of-way plans ready to move forward with right-of-way acquisition," said Jiles Harrell, district 3 engineer for state Department of Transportation Division 4 that includes Wayne County. "There is very limited right of way that will have to be acquired in this project. O'Berry Road is going to be a typical interchange, and O'Berry Road is going to go over 117. It will be your typical diamond-shaped interchange.
"Country Club Road, just due to the proximity of old 117 on the east side of 117, we are not able to tie back down. I believe it is only 400 feet (between the two roads). So what we are doing, we are actually going to build two bridges for each direction on 117. We are going to carry 117 over Country Club Road. Then we are going to have our standard diamond interchange there with on-bound and off-bound ramps on both sides."
It has not yet been decided how traffic will be temporarily detoured during construction, Harrell said.
Harrell said he did not yet have a construction timetable.
"Both projects, we are looking at letting them together, combining them" Harrell said. "Those projects right now we are targeting June of next year to be let. That will put us in construction late summer, or into the fall of next year to begin construction. We will put it out for contract next June and with the limited right of way we have out there, we shouldn't have any issues getting there. It has a little shorter right-of-way window than we normally have for most of our projects."
But to make the start next year happen, the utilities relocation probably needs to start this June, he said.
"That is the next step," Harrell said. "Usually when we get right-of-way plans is when we go into our utility relocation and right-of-way acquisitions. Basically both of those happen at the same time. So we will be moving forward with our utility relocation, probably here in the next couple of months."
The interchanges are part of a long-range goal by local leaders to extend Interstate 795 from Goldsboro south along the U.S. 117 corridor to Interstate 40 in Sampson County just west of Faison.
The upgrade would require a new roadway from Ash Street to south of Goldsboro with the remainder using the existing U.S. 117 South.
Right of way, expected to cost $31.592 million, and utilities at $3.791 million, are both scheduled for 2024.
However, construction cost of $194,826,000 has not been funded and has yet to be scheduled.
Last December, President Obama signed into law a new five-year transportation bill designating the U.S. 117 and U.S. 70 highway corridors as future Interstates.
Here's another article detailing Mount Olive's water line relocation.
From September 18: http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2016/09/18/water_line_relocation_means_road_upgrade/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2016/09/18/water_line_relocation_means_road_upgrade/)
QuoteMOUNT OLIVE -- The pending relocation of a water line signals progress on plans to upgrade U.S. 117 South to Interstate status, Mount Olive Town Manager Charles Brown said last week.
The town board awarded a $113,196 contract to Cox-Edwards to relocate the water line south of its current location.
The approval is contingent on state Department of Transportation approval as well. The work could start as soon as October and be completed by the end of the year, depending on how quickly the Department of Transportation acts.
"We have a 6-inch water line that runs under Country Club Road which crosses the current (U.S.) 117 -- all four lanes," Brown said. "It also crosses the old (U.S.) 117 (Alternate)."
In order to facilitate the building of an overpass at Country Club Road, the water line has to be relocated south, Brown said.
"It is a sign of progress for the town of Mount Olive because it means I-795 is becoming a reality," he said.
Under state law the Department of Transportation will pay the non-betterment cost for the relocation of water and sewer lines located within the existing state transportation right-of-way project that are necessary to be relocated for a state transportation improvement and are owned by municipality with a population of 10,000 or less.
That means the town will not have to pay for the work, Brown said.
Upgrading U.S. 117 from north of Country Club Road to south of Genoa Road near the Wayne County Fairgrounds -- the future Interstate 795 South corridor -- is included in the state's next draft 10-year transportation plan.
It has yet to receive final approval or funding.
However, construction of interchanges on U.S. 117 South at Country Club Road and at O'Berry Road at Dudley have been approved.
The state has budgeted $1.38 million for right of way for each interchange. Construction cost is budgeted at $7.296 million at O'Berry Road and $10.26 million at Country Club Road.
Crews already have tested the subsurface conditions at the two locations for the overpass foundations, and construction is expected to start next summer.
Because of U.S. 117's proximity to U.S. 117 Alternate, the overpass will take U.S. 117 over Country Club Road. Two bridges will be built, one for each direction on 117. The project at O'Berry Road will take that road over U.S. 117.
What is the planned southern terminus of I-795? I-40 at Faison, right? I wonder if part of the I-95 "dilemma" in NC (where the road is ancient and inadequate, but never seems to get prioritized for construction) could be dealt with by extending I-795 even further, to link back up with I-95 in Lumberton. This would provide a bypass of 100 of the 180 miles of I-95 in NC, including some of the most ancient sextions. It would cross very rural, wide open land, and there would be no phasing to avoid traffic disruptions, so it would probably be similar or cheaper compared with widening I-95, and would certainly be welcomed by the business communities in Goldsboro and Clinton.
Could we go so far as to declare this the Manifest Destiny of I-795?
LGL44VL
Quote from: orulz on October 27, 2016, 04:56:01 PM
What is the planned southern terminus of I-795? I-40 at Faison, right? I wonder if part of the I-95 "dilemma" in NC (where the road is ancient and inadequate, but never seems to get prioritized for construction) could be dealt with by extending I-795 even further, to link back up with I-95 in Lumberton. This would provide a bypass of 100 of the 180 miles of I-95 in NC, including some of the most ancient sextions. It would cross very rural, wide open land, and there would be no phasing to avoid traffic disruptions, so it would probably be similar or cheaper compared with widening I-95, and would certainly be welcomed by the business communities in Goldsboro and Clinton.
Could we go so far as to declare this the Manifest Destiny of I-795?
LGL44VL
Probably not. A longer-mileage bypass is not an efficient substitute for upgrading a routing-efficient (read more or less straight-line) existing route such as I-95. One thing about NC Interstate additions: pretty much each segment exists as a SIU: I-42 connects other Interstates and the state capital/Research Triangle region with a developing port area, I-87 connects the same with the Hampton Roads metro complex, and the existing/planned I-795 functions as a local Goldsboro server as well as a "cutoff" for traffic to and from Wilmington (and its port) to northerly points along I-95. A Lumberton-Faison I-795 extension wouldn't really do much for traffic patterns in that part of the state; it's too much out of the way to function as a connector for NB I-95 traffic to Wilmington (that's what I-74/US 74's for, anyway!), and it's unlikely that there's enough Goldsboro-bound traffic on NB I-95 to warrant a more direct connection. No SIU to be seen here.
I do agree that NC's segment of I-95 really needs an upgrade -- but a 2nd and less efficient facility isn't the solution -- any action regarding that route needs to amass levels of political support that it currently does not have.
Measuring it out on google maps, it would increase the mileage by about 7 miles, from 100 to 107. To me, that is almost a rounding error, especially if 795 is 70mph from end to end. This is contingent on finding a relatively efficient straight line route from Faison to Lumberton (which might not be possible, due to geological formations like the Carolina Bays in that stretch).
http://goo.gl/GWYFlX
Regardless of the relative similarity of distance between Lumberton and Wilson endpoints for both I-95 and the routing proposed by orulz, it's highly unlikely that if NC is unwilling to undertake projects to improve capacity and/or safety along I-95 they would readily opt to construct a largely new-terrain I-795 southwest extension to accomplish much the same goal. As I stated in my earlier post, there's little if any local need for such a facility -- and, by and large, the push for new NC Interstate corridors has been "bottom-up" (with I-73/74 being an obvious exception), with local coordinating groups taking point and pushing projects up the chain until all relevant parties are on board. Unless the various towns along a I-795 projected SW corridor -- such as Clinton or Roseboro -- can muster up enough political muscle to get such a project prioritized as a localized server, it's more than likely that I-795's long-term southern terminus will remain at I-40.
Quote from: sparker on October 27, 2016, 05:26:54 PM
Probably not. A longer-mileage bypass is not an efficient substitute for upgrading a routing-efficient (read more or less straight-line) existing route such as I-95. One thing about NC Interstate additions: pretty much each segment exists as a SIU: I-42 connects other Interstates and the state capital/Research Triangle region with a developing port area, I-87 connects the same with the Hampton Roads metro complex, and the existing/planned I-795 functions as a local Goldsboro server as well as a "cutoff" for traffic to and from Wilmington (and its port) to northerly points along I-95. A Lumberton-Faison I-795 extension wouldn't really do much for traffic patterns in that part of the state; it's too much out of the way to function as a connector for NB I-95 traffic to Wilmington (that's what I-74/US 74's for, anyway!), and it's unlikely that there's enough Goldsboro-bound traffic on NB I-95 to warrant a more direct connection. No SIU to be seen here.
I do agree that NC's segment of I-95 really needs an upgrade -- but a 2nd and less efficient facility isn't the solution -- any action regarding that route needs to amass levels of political support that it currently does not have.
Nailed it. I-795 isn't going beyond I-40. There's no push for it and no need for it. Goldsboro wouldn't care about such an extension anyway since they already have access to I-95 South via I-42/US-70 to Selma and I-95 North via I-795 to Wilson.
Got it, loud and clear :) Although I think it would be a useful addition to the state's highway system, it probably isn't a wise allocation of limited resources.
LGL44VL
How soon might the Interstate 795 extension be constructed?
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on October 28, 2016, 04:17:44 PM
How soon might the Interstate 795 extension be constructed?
The only projects currently scheduled are the two interchange projects on US-117 at the Oberry Road and Country Club Road intersections, with construction to begin next year.
Good news concerning I-795's extension. Part of US-117 near Mount Olive has been included in NCDOT's draft 2018-2027 STIP on the division level.
https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=13370 (https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=13370)
QuoteUpgrading U.S. 117 from Lee's Country Club Road to Old Smith Chapel Road in Wayne County by constructing a new connector road along U.S 117 and converting the intersections to interchanges
Quote from: LM117 on December 14, 2016, 12:22:27 AM
Good news concerning I-795's extension. Part of US-117 near Mount Olive has been included in NCDOT's draft 2018-2027 STIP on the division level.
https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=13370 (https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=13370)
QuoteUpgrading U.S. 117 from Lee's Country Club Road to Old Smith Chapel Road in Wayne County by constructing a new connector road along U.S 117 and converting the intersections to interchanges
This is a relatively short section on the Mount Olive Bypass; it's the "converting the intersections to interchanges" part that's important.
Quote from: orulz on October 27, 2016, 04:56:01 PM
What is the planned southern terminus of I-795? I-40 at Faison, right? I wonder if part of the I-95 "dilemma" in NC (where the road is ancient and inadequate, but never seems to get prioritized for construction) could be dealt with by extending I-795 even further, to link back up with I-95 in Lumberton. This would provide a bypass of 100 of the 180 miles of I-95 in NC, including some of the most ancient sextions. It would cross very rural, wide open land, and there would be no phasing to avoid traffic disruptions, so it would probably be similar or cheaper compared with widening I-95, and would certainly be welcomed by the business communities in Goldsboro and Clinton.
Could we go so far as to declare this the Manifest Destiny of I-795?
LGL44VL
Sort of like the new I-85 around Greensboro and Spartanburg, bypassing the early vintage interstate.
LGMS428
Quote from: jwolfer on January 02, 2017, 12:08:03 AM
Quote from: orulz on October 27, 2016, 04:56:01 PM
What is the planned southern terminus of I-795? I-40 at Faison, right? I wonder if part of the I-95 "dilemma" in NC (where the road is ancient and inadequate, but never seems to get prioritized for construction) could be dealt with by extending I-795 even further, to link back up with I-95 in Lumberton. This would provide a bypass of 100 of the 180 miles of I-95 in NC, including some of the most ancient sextions. It would cross very rural, wide open land, and there would be no phasing to avoid traffic disruptions, so it would probably be similar or cheaper compared with widening I-95, and would certainly be welcomed by the business communities in Goldsboro and Clinton.
Could we go so far as to declare this the Manifest Destiny of I-795?
LGL44VL
Sort of like the new I-85 around Greensboro and Spartanburg, bypassing the early vintage interstate.
LGMS428
I think you meant Greenville, SC; but even at that, the bypass you're referencing only serves Spartanburg.
Actually, it probably is Greensboro. The I-85 bypass runs to the south of the city. Personally, I'm more a fan of going through Death Valley on I-40.
Quote from: OracleUsr on January 03, 2017, 06:51:22 AM
Actually, it probably is Greensboro. The I-85 bypass runs to the south of the city. Personally, I'm more a fan of going through Death Valley on I-40.
You're right. I realized that after I posted my comment. I thought he was only talking about one bypass on I-85.
Quote from: broadhurst04 on January 03, 2017, 04:16:27 PM
Quote from: OracleUsr on January 03, 2017, 06:51:22 AM
Actually, it probably is Greensboro. The I-85 bypass runs to the south of the city. Personally, I'm more a fan of going through Death Valley on I-40.
You're right. I realized that after I posted my comment. I thought he was only talking about one bypass on I-85.
I should have used "Or" i understand your confusion
LGMS428
Quote from: jwolfer on January 02, 2017, 12:08:03 AM
Quote from: orulz on October 27, 2016, 04:56:01 PM
What is the planned southern terminus of I-795? I-40 at Faison, right? I wonder if part of the I-95 "dilemma" in NC (where the road is ancient and inadequate, but never seems to get prioritized for construction) could be dealt with by extending I-795 even further, to link back up with I-95 in Lumberton. This would provide a bypass of 100 of the 180 miles of I-95 in NC, including some of the most ancient sextions.
...
Could we go so far as to declare this the Manifest Destiny of I-795?
Sort of like the new I-85 around Greensboro and Spartanburg, bypassing the early vintage interstate.
Yes, that's the right idea, except I would compare it more to I-295 in Richmond which is a longer road, and I would keep I-95 on its present alignment.
How about this: build the Lumberton-Faison link as a toll road.
This is getting into Fictional Highway territory...
Quote from: LM117 on January 04, 2017, 07:40:35 AM
This is getting into Fictional Highway territory...
Yes; NCDOT is definitely not looking at any extension of I-795 past I-40.
Latest update:
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/02/14/repairs_continue_for_roads_damaged_by_hurricane_matthew/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/02/14/repairs_continue_for_roads_damaged_by_hurricane_matthew/)
QuoteLittle said that a contract for interchanges at U.S. 117 and O'Berry Road and at Country Club Road will be let together.
"Right of way has already started on those and hopefully construction will be let in June of 2017," he said.
I remember when I-95 was horrible from the Virginia line to Kenly. I guess they could have used I-795 back then.
Quote from: OracleUsr on January 03, 2017, 06:51:22 AM
Actually, it probably is Greensboro. The I-85 bypass runs to the south of the city. Personally, I'm more a fan of going through Death Valley on I-40.
Me too. It is more fun driving through the Death Valley on I-40. That section is slowly been upgraded to match modern standards. The bridges that carries I-40 over US 29 (Exit 223) is now being replaced and should be finished soon. In 2019, they will replace the bridge going over the South Buffalo creek between Exit 220 and Exit 221 (includes widening shoulders to match modern standards).
Eventually they will replace all bridges and upgrade the entire road in that section, which is TBA.
The Town of Mount Olive has awarded a contract to Cox Edwards Construction Company of Goldsboro to relocate a water line at the US-117/Country Club Road intersection in preparation for it's conversion to an interchange. Work should begin anytime.
A contract has been awarded for converting two intersections on US-117 into interchanges, at Oberry Road and Country Club Road. Completion date is scheduled for October 2019.
https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=14055 (https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=14055)
QuoteRALEIGH — Improvements to U.S. 117 between Goldsboro and Mount Olive will soon be getting underway, as the N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $20.6 million contract for the project to S T Wooten Corporation of Wilson.
Two intersections along U.S. 117 in Wayne County are set to be upgraded to interchanges — one at O'Berry Road, and the other at Country Club Road. Eventually, O'Berry Road will go over U.S. 117, and U.S. 117 will pass over Country Club Road.
Both interchanges are being built to enhance safety and in preparation for U.S. 117 eventually being designated as an interstate in this area. These improvements are necessary because both intersections already carry an average of 15,000 vehicles per day, and that number is expected to increase to over 27,000 per day by 2037.
The project can begin as early as July 31 and is scheduled to be finished by October 2019. Additional work with vegetation and reforestation may continue through March 2020.
Detours will eventually be necessary with this project. O'Berry Road will be completely closed at U.S. 117, with a signed detour. Construction here is limited to 12 months.
U.S. 117 at Country Club Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and eventually detoured on to the new ramps as the bridges on U.S. 117 are built. Construction on this section of the project is limited to 18 months.
Ha! I just used 795 to and from Myrtle Beach last weekend!
It seems that NCDOT is wanting to build a superstreet at the intersection of NC-50 and US-117 Connector near Faison. I thought the idea was to upgrade US-117 to interstate standards...
https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=14043 (https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=14043)
QuoteWILMINGTON–State Transportation officials will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 25, for a proposed superstreet improvement project at the intersection of N.C. 50 and the U.S. 117 Connector in Duplin County.
A superstreet, also referred to as a "synchronized street" , reduces improves safety and delays by eliminating left turns from side streets and allowing drivers to make U-turns at a safer location.
The public can view a map displaying the location and design of the project online at http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/publicmeetings/.
The meeting will take place in Faison Town Hall at 100 N.E. Center Street from 5 to 7 p.m. Interested citizens may attend at any time during the meeting hours, as no formal presentation will be made. NCDOT representatives will be available to provide information and answer questions. The opportunity to provide written comments will also be provided
Seems like a total waste of money to me since NCDOT will have to tear it up later when they convert that intersection into an interchange.
I believe the interstate plan is to have I-795 on new location on the approach to I-40, so this is an unrelated project.
Quote from: wdcrft63 on July 05, 2017, 06:33:15 PM
I believe the interstate plan is to have I-795 on new location on the approach to I-40, so this is an unrelated project.
You can thank Sampson County for the new location I-795/I-40 interchange. Upgrading the existing I-40 Exit 355 interchange was the initial plan, but Sampson County was worried that an upgraded interchange would not allow for any development at the interchange and requested a new location interchange. Duplin County and the Eastern Carolina Rural Planning Organization were opposed to the new interchange because of the farm land that would be destroyed. Since then, Sampson County allowed Enviva to build a wood pellet manufacturing plant at Exit 355 over a year ago, essentially forcing NCDOT to go with the new interchange alternative and sticking it to Duplin County and the ECRPO.
At least with a new location I-795/I-40 interchange, NCDOT doesn't have to worry about tying in NC-403.
I would also conjecture that, by the time NCDOT gets around to addressing this segment of I-795, the Superstreet segment will have been in operation for several years.
Quote from: froggie on July 06, 2017, 06:27:46 PM
I would also conjecture that, by the time NCDOT gets around to addressing this segment of I-795, the Superstreet segment will have been in operation for several years.
Yeah, NCDOT seems to be focused on US-117 between Mount Olive and Goldsboro first, including a section of I-795's new alignment, though NCDOT hasn't yet mentioned anything about replacing the substandard bridges crossing NC-55 in Mount Olive.
I'm just glad that the interchange at Oberry Road is finally being built. That traffic light, which was installed in 2004, shouldn't have been put there to begin with. I know the Dudley VFD will be very happy about it as well, considering the number of calls they responded to there...
Several US-117 upgrade projects between Mount Olive and Goldsboro, including I-795's new alignment between US-117 south of the Wayne County fairgrounds and NC-581/Ash Street, were included in the final 2018-2027 STIP that was approved earlier this month by the NC Board of Transportation. The new alignment routing appears to be following Alternative 4A from the feasibility study that's posted in the OP of this thread.
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/08/13/road_improvement_projects_included_in_states_10year_budget/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/08/13/road_improvement_projects_included_in_states_10year_budget/)
QuoteImprovements to U.S. 117 from West Ash Street south to Lee's Country Club Road at Mount Olive are included in the state's new 10-year (2018-2027) transportation improvement plan as efforts continue to transform the highway into an extension of Interstate 795.
Planning and design are underway for the $227 million project that will require that some of the road be built on a new location.
The U.S. 117 project is broken down into four parts:
* North of Country Club Road to south of South Landfill Road at Dudley; $17.3 million; right of way, 2025; construction, 2027.
* South of South Landfill Road to south of Genoa Road; $35 million; right of way, 2025; construction in 2027.
* South of Genoa Road to south of Arrington Bridge Road (N.C. 581); $62.4 million; unfunded for future years past 2027.
* South of Arrington Bridge Road (N.C. 581) to north of West Ash Street (N.C. 581); $111.3 million; unfunded for future years past 2027.
Three other projects, two which are already underway, tie into the U.S. 117 upgrade.
Construction started in late July on interchanges on U.S. 117 South at O'Berry Road, Dudley, and Country Club Road, just north of Mount Olive.
The interchanges are scheduled for completion by October 2019, with additional work, including vegetation and reforestation, possibly continuing through March 2020.
O'Berry Road will travel over U.S. 117, and U.S. 117 will pass over Country Club Road.
The third will realign Smith Chapel Road with Lee's Country Club Road just south of Mount Olive where an interchange will be built. It also includes constructing a new connector road along U.S 117 in that area.
The estimated cost is $28.5 million with right-of-way acquisition to start in 2024 followed by construction in 2026 and 2027.
As someone who used to commute US-117 everyday, the new I-795 alignment section will be a welcome relief for traffic through Goldsboro on existing US-117, as well as providing a much needed second crossing of the Neuse River.
Since the new alignment is broken into sections the way the US-70 Goldsboro Bypass was, I wonder if the opened sections will be signed as NC-795 until the whole alignment is finished? :hmm:
US-117 southbound is reduced to one lane at the O'Berry Road intersection.
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/08/17/us_117_southbound_down_to_one_lane_at_oberry_road/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/08/17/us_117_southbound_down_to_one_lane_at_oberry_road/)
QuoteU.S. 117 southbound is down to one lane due to work at O'Berry Road.
Road closures, lane reductions and detours loom during the construction of interchanges on U.S. 117 South at O'Berry Road, Dudley, and Country Club Road, just north of Mount Olive.
Both interchanges are being built to enhance safety and in preparation for U.S. 117 eventually being designated as an Interstate in this area, DOT officials said.
Both intersections already carry an average of 15,000 vehicles per day, and that number is expected to increase to more than 27,000 per day by 2037, according to DOT data.
It is not the only roadwork that motorists may run into -- several paving projects in other areas of the county will be ongoing as well.
Even though workers might not be present in work zones, motorists should still expect narrowed or closed lanes, traffic shifts and reduced speed limits as well as other conditions that might affect normal travel.
Speeding in designated work zones can result in a penalty of $250, plus court costs.
The US-117 Connector/NC-50 intersection improvement project near Faison has been put on hold due to lack of support.
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/08/22/road_project_on_hold_due_to_public_opposition/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/08/22/road_project_on_hold_due_to_public_opposition/)
QuoteFAISON -- Planned safety improvements to the U.S. 117/N.C. 50 intersection are on hold and could even be dropped because of public opposition.
All of the 10 comments received at a recent public meeting on the project were in opposition, said Michael Bass, state Department of Transportation Division 3 project manager.
The complaints fell into three categories -- possible adverse effect on emergency response time, large trucks and slow-moving farm vehicles.
Faison town officials have asked that DOT representatives attend the town board's Sept. 6 meeting to further explain the project, particularly for those who did not attend the first meeting held July 25, at Faison Town Hall, 110 N.E. Center St.
The project would eliminate left turns from N.C. 50 onto the U.S. 117 Connector at the roads' intersection just north of Faison.
The project is designed to reduce angle and left turn crashes at the site where there have been 10 crashes between 2009 and 2014 -- six angle crashes and two left turn crashes.
One of the left turn crashes resulted in two fatalities.
The improvements would turn N.C. 50 into a "superstreet," also referred to as a "synchronized street," which improves safety and reduces delays by eliminating left turns from side streets.
Instead, drivers make U-turns at a safer distance from the intersection.
Under the plan, traffic on N.C. 50 would no longer be able to cross the U.S. 117 Connector in order to make a turn left.
Motorists on N.C. 50 would have to turn right onto the U.S. 117 Connector and travel along the road for a certain distance, 950 to 1,000 feet, before they could make a U-turn.
Traffic on the U.S. 117 Connector would still be able to turn left onto N.C. 50.
Bass said some of the comments were concerned that slow-moving farm vehicles could not travel fast enough along the U.S. 117 Connector to safely make the U-turn.
Others were worried that the U-turns would add time to emergency vehicle response times, Bass said.
Those at the meeting were asked if they thought the existing intersection was better than the proposal.
They said it was, Bass said.
Bass said the DOT would like to move forward if possible, but that for now the project is "kind of up in the air."
No right-of-way acquisition will be required for the $1.6 million project. Construction had been scheduled to start in June 2018.
Currently, N.C. 50 is a two-lane undivided roadway, controlled by stop signs with red flashing beacons to provide additional warnings to approaching vehicles at the intersection. It has a 55 mph speed limit.
The U.S. 117 Connector is a four-lane, divided roadway with right and left turn lanes in both directions at the intersection.
It operates as a free movement roadway with yellow flashing beacons at the intersection.
The speed limit is 60 mph.
The U.S. 117 Connector extends from Interstate 40 in Sampson County to U.S. 117 at Calypso.
A long-term goal is to turn it and U.S. 117 in Wayne County into an extension of Interstate 795 that currently ends just north of West Ash Street in Goldsboro.
Even if the U.S. 117/N.C. 50 project is shelved, it will have no practical impact on the I-795 project that is still decades away in Duplin County, Bass said.
That project is not included in the DOT's recently approved 10-year Transportation Improvement Plan for Duplin County.
The Wayne County portion is included in the plan, although some of it is not funded as of 2027.
For more information, contact Bass at 910-341-2000 or by email at mlbass@ncdot.gov.
I agree with the locals. A superstreet is not the answer here. An interchange seems like a no-brainer to me...
O'Berry Road is closing within the next 10 days. Construction of the Country Club Road interchange won't begin until early next year.
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/08/29/oberry_road_to_close_at_us_117_in_the_next_10_days/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/08/29/oberry_road_to_close_at_us_117_in_the_next_10_days/)
QuoteO'Berry Road at U.S. 117 South at Dudley will be closed within the next five to 10 days as the at-grade intersection is transformed into an interchange.
The date could hinge somewhat on how the tropical weather expected to strike coastal North Carolina today affects Wayne County, said Michael Alford of S.T. Wooten Corp., the company doing the work.
Once O'Berry Road is closed the existing pavement will be broken up and traffic will have to find alternate routes, he said.
Detour signs will be posted when the road is closed, he said.
When O'Berry Road is closed there will be no exit off U.S. 117 between U.S. 117 Alternate just south of the Wayne County Fairgrounds and Country Club Road just north of Mount Olive.
U.S. 117 Alternate runs parallel to U.S. 117 and will be the main detour on the east side of U.S. 117.
On the west side is Durham Lake Road.
The closure will be followed in the next few months with traffic being reduced to one lane each in both directions on U.S. 117.
While lane closures may be necessary over the course of several months as girders are placed for the new overpass, they will only last for a day or two at a time, Alford said.
Some of that work will be done at night to lessen the impact on traffic, he said.
Crews have been busy for the past several weeks clearing trees and shrubbery for the on and off ramps.
The company has one year to complete the O'Berry interchange.
Wooten will begin work on an interchange at Country Club Road by late February or early March, Alford said. Construction on this section of the project is limited to 18 months.
Both interchanges are scheduled for completion by October 2019, with additional work including vegetation and reforestation possibly continuing through March 2020.
O'Berry Road will travel over U.S. 117, and U.S. 117 will pass over Country Club Road.
The two projects will cost an estimated $20.6 million.
Both interchanges are being built to enhance safety and in preparation for U.S. 117 eventually being designated as an Interstate in this area, state Department of Transportation officials said.
Both intersections already carry an average of 15,000 vehicles per day, and that number is expected to increase to more than 27,000 per day by 2037, according to DOT data.
I just got back home after a trip to Goldsboro (which included stops in other areas of eastern NC and Norfolk thanks to an unexpected last minute change in plans, but that's a different story).
I drove down US-117 to see how the Oberry Road interchange project was coming along. They're clearing the way for the ramps and you can roughly see where the ramps will be built. It will be a diamond interchange. Another thing I noticed is that the inner shoulders in the vicinity of the project were being widened to interstate standards with rumble strips. The outside shoulders haven't been touched yet but I suspect they will be widened as well before the project is finished. Unfortunately, I couldn't take any photos since my phone decided not to cooperate. I'm gonna try to get back down there again before the end of the year, so maybe I'll have better luck getting pics then unless someone else happens to pass by there and beat me to it.
No "Future I-795" signs are posted.
Which probably means Interstate 795 will not be extended, at least in the near-future.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on October 19, 2017, 05:31:27 PM
Which probably means Interstate 795 will not be extended, at least in the near-future.
The signs will probably be posted once the new alignment of I-795 between NC-581/Ash Street and US-117 south of the county fairgrounds is built.
Speaking of the new alignment, I was reminded of the need for it when I drove on the section of US-117 that will eventually be bypassed by I-795. I don't know if it's the norm these days, but I encountered heavier traffic between I-40 and Goldsboro compared to what I was used to seeing 10+ years ago when I lived in the area. The stoplights and at-grades through the Mar-Mac area didn't help the congestion. There's also the desperate need for a second major crossing of the Neuse River since the US-117 bridges are notoriously flood prone and every time the bridges are flooded out, the county is cut in half.
Quote from: LM117 on October 19, 2017, 08:04:26 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on October 19, 2017, 05:31:27 PM
Which probably means Interstate 795 will not be extended, at least in the near-future.
The signs will probably be posted once the new alignment of I-795 between NC-581/Ash Street and US-117 south of the county fairgrounds is built.
Speaking of the new alignment, I was reminded of the need for it when I drove on the section of US-117 that will eventually be bypassed by I-795. I don't know if it's the norm these days, but I encountered heavier traffic between I-40 and Goldsboro compared to what I was used to seeing 10+ years ago when I lived in the area. The stoplights and at-grades through the Mar-Mac area didn't help the congestion. There's also the desperate need for a second major crossing of the Neuse River since the US-117 bridges are notoriously flood prone and every time the bridges are flooded out, the county is cut in half.
I've yapped about the pending Panamax phenomenon in other threads (I-42, I-87), but the I-795 extension is itself part of that concept, since the dredging of the lower Cape Fear estuary to allow the largest container vessels to dock at Wilmington is either completed or very close to that status. Because of rail access (CSX is reopening & upgrading their Wilmington-Wilson branch after years of dormancy, and NS has a direct line to their regional hub at Hamlet) and road access to the west and north (US 74, I-40) for less-than-trainload container cargo, Wilmington is well-placed to attract a decent share of the Panamax East Coast traffic. I-795 simply provides a shortcut for any such traffic to head north into VA and the "Northeast Corridor"; the CSX revitalized rail line actually parallels it for most of its projected distance. It's very likely that when the I-795 extension opens all the way to I-40, it'll host a sizeable amount of commercial traffic from the outset; and probably, for at least the near term, more such traffic than either of the other two nascent NC coastal corridors.
Quote from: sparker on October 20, 2017, 01:45:11 AM
Quote from: LM117 on October 19, 2017, 08:04:26 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on October 19, 2017, 05:31:27 PM
Which probably means Interstate 795 will not be extended, at least in the near-future.
The signs will probably be posted once the new alignment of I-795 between NC-581/Ash Street and US-117 south of the county fairgrounds is built.
Speaking of the new alignment, I was reminded of the need for it when I drove on the section of US-117 that will eventually be bypassed by I-795. I don't know if it's the norm these days, but I encountered heavier traffic between I-40 and Goldsboro compared to what I was used to seeing 10+ years ago when I lived in the area. The stoplights and at-grades through the Mar-Mac area didn't help the congestion. There's also the desperate need for a second major crossing of the Neuse River since the US-117 bridges are notoriously flood prone and every time the bridges are flooded out, the county is cut in half.
I've yapped about the pending Panamax phenomenon in other threads (I-42, I-87), but the I-795 extension is itself part of that concept, since the dredging of the lower Cape Fear estuary to allow the largest container vessels to dock at Wilmington is either completed or very close to that status. Because of rail access (CSX is reopening & upgrading their Wilmington-Wilson branch after years of dormancy, and NS has a direct line to their regional hub at Hamlet) and road access to the west and north (US 74, I-40) for less-than-trainload container cargo, Wilmington is well-placed to attract a decent share of the Panamax East Coast traffic. I-795 simply provides a shortcut for any such traffic to head north into VA and the "Northeast Corridor"; the CSX revitalized rail line actually parallels it for most of its projected distance. It's very likely that when the I-795 extension opens all the way to I-40, it'll host a sizeable amount of commercial traffic from the outset; and probably, for at least the near term, more such traffic than either of the other two nascent NC coastal corridors.
The Enviva plant next to the I-40/US-117 Connector interchange has added more trucks on US-117 as well, which doesn't help the commute through the Mar-Mac area. I-42 and I-795 are the two most important corridors in eastern NC right now, IMO.
O'Berry Road at US-117 in Dudley will be closed up to a year due to the ongoing interchange project.
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/10/26/oberry_road_to_close_for_up_to_a_year/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/10/26/oberry_road_to_close_for_up_to_a_year/)
QuoteO'Berry Road at U.S. 117 South at Dudley could be closed for up to a year beginning Monday as work crews continue construction of an overpass.
The closure will not affect traffic on U.S. 117 going through the intersection.
O'Berry Road will be closed in both directions in the Dudley community on Monday, Oct. 30, to begin building an interchange that will have a bridge and ramps.
The project will improve safety and mobility on U.S. 117 south of Goldsboro.
Once closed, motorists on U.S. 117 should follow detours signs to reach O'Berry Road.
Southbound U.S. 117 traffic will exit at N.C. 55, and northbound will turn left onto U.S. 13.
Motorists on O'Berry Road will be sent onto U.S. 117 Alt. or Durham Lake Road, depending on which side of the highway they are traveling.
The N.C. Department of Transportation this summer awarded a $21.5 million contract to S.T. Wooten of Wilson for the construction.
The project also includes building an interchange with an overpass at the intersection of Country Club Road and U.S. 117 to the south of O'Berry Road. That work is scheduled to start in early 2018.
The overall project completion is expected by October 2019.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.
Based on a recent article in the Mount Olive Tribune (behind paywall), the next project will be upgrading the existing US-117/NC-55 interchange in Mount Olive. According to Mount Olive Town Manager Charles Brown, it is a funded project and NCDOT is considering upgrading it to a Diverging Diamond Interchange. He says the project is at least 2-3 years away.
https://www.iclassifiedsnetwork.com/mobile/editionviewer/?Edition=7eba1ae0-b8bf-4dd2-970c-e9cc65112fce (https://www.iclassifiedsnetwork.com/mobile/editionviewer/?Edition=7eba1ae0-b8bf-4dd2-970c-e9cc65112fce)
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/11/17/hearing_to_look_at_us_70_project/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2017/11/17/hearing_to_look_at_us_70_project/)
QuoteHarrell also talked about the ongoing interchange project at O'Berry Road and U.S. 117 South at Dudley.
O'Berry Road has been closed and will remain closed for about a year as the bridge is built to carry the road over U.S. 117, he said.
Once the dirt build elevation is in place for the bridge it has to sit for at least four months.
"So it is not that we are trying not to do anything, it has a settling time," he said. "It is not that we have stopped working. We have about a year left of construction before we have that interchange open."
A second interchange project at U.S. 117 South and Country Club Road near Mount Olive will start after the first of the year, he said.
The projects are designed to improve safety, Harrell said.
Future I-795 signs are up.
Quote from: Interstate 69 Fan on December 14, 2017, 06:23:26 PM
Future I-795 signs are up.
When did you see them? I drove US-117 in October and there weren't any then.
Quote from: LM117 on December 15, 2017, 11:20:05 AM
Quote from: Interstate 69 Fan on December 14, 2017, 06:23:26 PM
Future I-795 signs are up.
When did you see them? I drove US-117 in October and there weren't any then.
Spotted one posted to the immediate south of the end shield two days ago:
https://twitter.com/AARoads/status/941297727039787010
Quote from: Alex on December 16, 2017, 08:42:10 AM
Quote from: LM117 on December 15, 2017, 11:20:05 AM
Quote from: Interstate 69 Fan on December 14, 2017, 06:23:26 PM
Future I-795 signs are up.
When did you see them? I drove US-117 in October and there weren't any then.
Spotted one posted to the immediate south of the end shield two days ago:
https://twitter.com/AARoads/status/941297727039787010
Awesome! I was in Goldsboro last weekend, but the only part of US-117 I drove was from William Street to the Mar-Mac area at the Old Mount Olive Highway intersection, which explains why I didn't see any signs there last weekend. I drove the whole length of US-117 between Goldsboro and I-40 in October, but since I didn't see any "Future I-795" signs then, I didn't bother to check again last weekend.
Figures the signs would go up when I wasn't looking for them. :banghead:
The US-117/Country Club Road interchange project near Mount Olive will begin Monday.
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/01/18/work_to_begin_monday_on_country_club_road/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/01/18/work_to_begin_monday_on_country_club_road/)
QuoteWork is scheduled to begin Monday on the U.S. 117 and Country Club Road interchange project just north of town.
Motorists can expect delays and lane closures during construction.
When completed, U.S. 117 will pass over Country Club Road.
Work has been underway since August on a new interchange at U.S. 117 and O'Berry Road, Dudley.
O'Berry Road was closed in October and could remain closed for up to a year as work crews continue construction of an overpass to take the road over U.S. 117 South.
Both interchanges are scheduled for completion by October 2019, with additional work including vegetation and reforestation possibly continuing through March 2020.
The two projects will cost an estimated $20.6 million.
The interchanges are being built to enhance safety and in preparation for U.S. 117 eventually being designated as an Interstate in this area, state Department of Transportation officials said.
Both intersections already carry an average of 15,000 vehicles per day, and that number is expected to increase to more than 27,000 per day by 2037, according to DOT data.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.
Upcoming lane closures on US-117 at Country Club Road.
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/02/06/us_117_to_be_down_one_lane/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/02/06/us_117_to_be_down_one_lane/)
QuoteNorthbound traffic is down to one lane on U.S. 117 at its intersection with Country Club Road and is expected to be down to one southbound lane later this week depending on the weather.
A barricade has been placed to close off the outside northbound lane and the same will be done for the outside southbound lane.
Detours and delays can be expected in the coming months as crews from S.T. Wooten Construction Co. build an interchange to take U.S. 117 over Country Club Road.
"What they are doing is widening the outside lanes," said Eva Hornak with S.T. Wooten Construction Co. "The northbound lane is shut down now, and they are planing to narrow the southbound lane this week, weather permitting."
The weather has been a challenge, but the project is still on schedule, she said.
"What they are doing, they have to build up those outside ramps," she said. "What eventually is going to happen is they are going to shift the traffic there. They are going to be putting barrier walls, that Jersey barrier, to help block off the traffic. It should take about four months to build the outside ramps depending on weather."
Once the ramps are completed and traffic detoured, that section of U.S. 117 at Country Club Road will be closed so that the overhead bridges can be constructed.
Meanwhile, work has been underway since August on a new interchange at U.S. 117 and O'Berry Road, Dudley.
O'Berry Road was closed in October and could remain closed for up to a year as work crews continue construction of an overpass to take the road over U.S. 117.
According to an article in this week's edition of the Mount Olive Tribune (behind paywall), the overpass carrying O'Berry Road over US-117 is still expected to be complete in October. Another note from the article is that NCDOT still has not chosen an alternative for I-795's new alignment between US-70 in Goldsboro and US-117 just south of the Wayne County fairgrounds.
https://1723.newstogo.us/mobile/editionviewer/?Edition=d7c68395-6bb5-4406-bd3c-1945e1a6085f (https://1723.newstogo.us/mobile/editionviewer/?Edition=d7c68395-6bb5-4406-bd3c-1945e1a6085f)
However, based on the NCDOT's interactive map on the 2020-2029 STIP page, they still seem to be leaning towards Alternative 4A from the feasibility study I posted in the OP.
Detours to be set in place on July 23 & 24 so concrete girders for the Oberry Road overpass can be placed.
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/07/13/us_117_south_to_close_for_road_work/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/07/13/us_117_south_to_close_for_road_work/)
According to last month's June 6 article, the Sampson County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution opposing upgrading the existing I-40 Exit 355 interchange for I-795's connection to I-40, citing negative impacts to the Enviva plant. They want I-795 to follow a new alignment and link with I-40 at a new interchange south of Exit 355.
https://www.clintonnc.com/news/30745/board-leave-exit-alone (https://www.clintonnc.com/news/30745/board-leave-exit-alone)
The O'Berry Road overpass is planned to be open by the first part of November and the new bridges carrying US-117 over Country Club Road are expected to be complete by July 2019.
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/07/27/us_117_overpass_to_be_open_by_november/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/07/27/us_117_overpass_to_be_open_by_november/)
This morning's article has photos of the O'Berry Road overpass construction.
http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2018/07/30/bridge-work-advances-oberry-road-photos/ (http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2018/07/30/bridge-work-advances-oberry-road-photos/)
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/08/22/southbound_us_117_to_close_thursday_night/ (http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2018/08/22/southbound_us_117_to_close_thursday_night/)
QuoteSouthbound lanes of U.S. 117 are scheduled to be closed overnight Thursday between its intersection with U.S. 117 Alternate and Country Club Road at Mount Olive.
If the weather cooperates, the southbound lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. Thursday until 5 a.m. Friday so contract workers can pour the concrete deck for a new overpass at O'Berry Road.
Motorists will detour at U.S. 117 Alternate, go south and re-enter the highway at Country Club Road. The overnight work will not affect the U.S. 117 northbound lanes.
Last year, the state Department of Transportation awarded a $20.6 million contract to S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson to upgrade the highway's intersections with O'Berry and Country Club roads into interchanges. The interchanges will have bridges, ramps and loops and will improve safety and traffic flow.
The contractor is expected to complete the O'Berry Road interchange later this year, and the Country Club interchange by next summer.
The opening date for the O'Berry Road overpass has been pushed back to early December because of Hurricane Florence. A minor update on the Country Club Road interchange was also given.
https://www.newsargus.com/news/o-berry-road-reopening-delayed/article_c273bd61-c855-5ff9-849d-5310c943da5c.html (https://www.newsargus.com/news/o-berry-road-reopening-delayed/article_c273bd61-c855-5ff9-849d-5310c943da5c.html)
Traffic will soon be detoured to the new exit ramps at Country Club Road.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-10-24-us-117-traffic-shift-in-wayne-county.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-10-24-us-117-traffic-shift-in-wayne-county.aspx)
QuoteTraffic will detour off U.S. 117 North in Wayne County starting next week to allow for the construction of a new bridge.
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation is building a highway interchange at Country Club Road, south of Goldsboro. Traffic will need to detour off the highway at that location until the project is completed by next July.
Weather permitting, the shift will occur on Monday, Oct. 29, when northbound traffic will exit onto newly built ramps and come to an all-way stop. From there, motorists will be able to proceed back onto the highway and continue northward, or turn left or right onto Country Club Road.
In a few weeks, the contractor will do the same for U.S. 117 South, detouring traffic onto new ramps and coming to a stop at Country Club Road.
Once both directions of U.S. 117 are being detoured, workers will begin moving dirt to elevate the land where the future bridges will go over Country Club Road.
Last year, NCDOT awarded a $20.6 million contract to S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson to upgrade the highway's intersections with O'Berry and Country Club roads into interchanges. With the work, O'Berry Road now goes over U.S. 117, and that interchange is scheduled to open by the end of November.
NCDOT is holding 3 public meetings to discuss upgrading US-117 to interstate standards between Goldsboro and I-40. First meeting is Nov. 29 in Faison, second meeting is Dec. 3 in Goldsboro, and third meeting is Dec. 4 in Mount Olive.
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx)
I feel like once this is done, US 117 will be no more
Quote from: Kulerage on November 15, 2018, 09:33:26 PM
I feel like once this is done, US 117 will be no more
I wouldn't place any bets on it.
Quote from: LM117 on November 16, 2018, 07:05:32 AM
Quote from: Kulerage on November 15, 2018, 09:33:26 PM
I feel like once this is done, US 117 will be no more
I wouldn't place any bets on it.
That's probably correct; NC tends to hold on to their US routes (parallel to Interstates or not) for dear life! AASHTO may piss & moan a bit, but NC seems to prefer to "add-on" to the status quo rather than simply replace it!
Quote from: sparker on November 16, 2018, 06:41:32 PM
Quote from: LM117 on November 16, 2018, 07:05:32 AM
Quote from: Kulerage on November 15, 2018, 09:33:26 PM
I feel like once this is done, US 117 will be no more
I wouldn't place any bets on it.
That's probably correct; NC tends to hold on to their US routes (parallel to Interstates or not) for dear life! AASHTO may piss & moan a bit, but NC seems to prefer to "add-on" to the status quo rather than simply replace it!
Well, cool! Good to know
Quote from: Kulerage on November 16, 2018, 06:51:26 PM
Quote from: sparker on November 16, 2018, 06:41:32 PM
Quote from: LM117 on November 16, 2018, 07:05:32 AM
Quote from: Kulerage on November 15, 2018, 09:33:26 PM
I feel like once this is done, US 117 will be no more
I wouldn't place any bets on it.
That's probably correct; NC tends to hold on to their US routes (parallel to Interstates or not) for dear life! AASHTO may piss & moan a bit, but NC seems to prefer to "add-on" to the status quo rather than simply replace it!
Well, cool! Good to know
Except for US 311 lmao
Quote from: sparker on November 16, 2018, 06:41:32 PM
Quote from: LM117 on November 16, 2018, 07:05:32 AM
Quote from: Kulerage on November 15, 2018, 09:33:26 PM
I feel like once this is done, US 117 will be no more
I wouldn't place any bets on it.
That's probably correct; NC tends to hold on to their US routes (parallel to Interstates or not) for dear life! AASHTO may piss & moan a bit, but NC seems to prefer to "add-on" to the status quo rather than simply replace it!
You seem to have a misunderstanding about what AASHTO actually does and how it feels (in the latter, they simply don't). For starters, you're aware that AASHTO's route numbering committee is made up of four representatives from different state DOT's, right? In terms of what the "roadgeek community" is interested in, AASHTO does not have its own people, but instead reps from the various state DOT's.
US 117 is far too important in Wilmington for it too be downgraded from an US Route. US 117 aka College Road and Shipyard Boulevard is the one of the busiest roads in Wilmington going right past UNCW and ending at the State Port. It also carries a lot of traffic to Carolina and Kure Beaches.
Quote from: RoadPelican on November 17, 2018, 12:28:45 PM
US 117 is far too important in Wilmington for it too be downgraded from an US Route. US 117 aka College Road and Shipyard Boulevard is the one of the busiest roads in Wilmington going right past UNCW and ending at the State Port. It also carries a lot of traffic to Carolina and Kure Beaches.
I think Kulerage was referring to the stretch between Goldsboro and I-40 near Faison, much of which will be concurrent with I-795. I think there's a pretty good chance US-117 Connector will be decommissioned once I-795 is signed, but that's all. I don't see any reason to decommission US-117 since I-795 will be following a new alignment between the fairgrounds area and Ash Street in Goldsboro.
Another new alignment for I-795 will likely have to be built between NC-50 and I-40 south of the existing interchange. I can't see NCDOT upgrading that interchange now that the Enviva wood pellet plant is right there, much to Duplin County's consternation.
^^^^^^^^^
Actually, that goes to my point -- by utilizing four DOT reps on, from what I understand, is a rotating basis, there is little "skin in the game", so to speak, at the SCOURN meetings. While ostensibly unbiased, the basis for decisions may well lie with factors other than simple adherence to a set of principles (institutional values/rules meet the vagaries of the human decision-making process -- a priori meets situational realities). Utilizing a step-by-step scenario, let's examine the progress of the I-87 decision back in 2016:
Step 1: NCDOT, not wanting to renumber any state routes near the facility in question (US 17 & US 64/HPC #13), decides that the only numbers that would work for them were odd rather than even, although the corridor was decidedly more east-west than north-south; they subsequently submit "I-89" to SCOURN for consideration, since NC 89 was clear across the state.
Step 2: SCOURN meets in Des Moines; during the course of that meeting they clearly indicate that deference to existing state highways is not a sufficient reason to reject an appropriate Interstate number for the corridor.
Step 3: Rather than choose an even number from the rather full pool from 42 to 62, they somehow accept the notion -- an artifice posited by NCDOT to avoid state highway conflict, a premise itself soundly rejected by SCOURN -- that the corridor should receive an odd number! But they reject the I-89 designation, replacing it with I-87 on the basis that it lines up slightly better longitudinally! (not taking into consideration that most of the corridor in question lies east of I-95; the most appropriate odd number would have been I-97, since that definitely lines up on a longitudinal basis). In other words, SCOURN rejected the premise that they deemed false but accepted one of its more spurious tenets that was forwarded in service to that original premise.
If, as stated above, AASHTO doesn't have its own people but is substantially comprised of delegates from the various DOT's -- maybe that is an issue in itself when it comes to decisions like that described above. Perhaps the poor delegates to the SCOURN meetings are just overworked; adding AASHTO duties to their own in-state concerns and having to schlep hundreds if not thousands of miles for a less-than-a-week conference might not be the atmosphere most conducive to reasoned decisions.
But it is what it is, at least for the time being. Perhaps a small professional staff or a team of consultants who vet the submissions prior to the meetings -- and assemble synopses with recommendations or viable alternates -- would help to iron out the discrepancies.
At least we in the "roadgeek community" have something in common -- we pay attention to detail & context (well, at least a decent percentage of us!).
Quote from: sparker on November 17, 2018, 01:00:10 PM
If, as stated above, AASHTO doesn't have its own people but is substantially comprised of delegates from the various DOT's -- maybe that is an issue in itself when it comes to decisions like that described above. Perhaps the poor delegates to the SCOURN meetings are just overworked; adding AASHTO duties to their own in-state concerns and having to schlep hundreds if not thousands of miles for a less-than-a-week conference might not be the atmosphere most conducive to reasoned decisions.
But it is what it is, at least for the time being. Perhaps a small professional staff or a team of consultants who vet the submissions prior to the meetings -- and assemble synopses with recommendations or viable alternates -- would help to iron out the discrepancies.
AASHTO has a professional staff of about 120 (http://sp.www.transportation.org/Pages/ExecutiveDirector.aspx), some of whom we've met in person. However, AASHTO covers a lot of ground, including functions having nothing to do with route numbering. It's not clear whether its staff includes people who can or do help with route numbering applications.
Quote from: oscar on November 17, 2018, 07:07:09 PM
AASHTO has a professional staff of about 120 (http://sp.www.transportation.org/Pages/ExecutiveDirector.aspx), some of whom we've met in person. However, AASHTO covers a lot of ground, including functions having nothing to do with route numbering. It's not clear whether its staff includes people who can or do help with route numbering applications.
Since AASHTO's SCOURN arm has been delegated as the functional governing body regarding numbering decisions, it might behoove the organization to at least assign some of those 120 folks the vetting task as I previously suggested (or add a few more if all the present staff is occupied with other concerns). Obviously there is some sort of working group that assembles the applications into the usual "laundry list"; providing background information that provides needed context for the applications might lessen the possibility of misapplied or arbitrary decision-making by the SCOURN
ad hoc members.
^ It's the responsibility of the respective state DOTs to submit that background information with their applications. Numbering decisions can and have been denied on the basis of not enough background info.
Quote from: froggie on November 18, 2018, 06:51:58 AM
^ It's the responsibility of the respective state DOTs to submit that background information with their applications. Numbering decisions can and have been denied on the basis of not enough background info.
All well & good. However, it would be useful if the process regarding how decisions are parsed out -- particularly when designations are changed or parameters altered by the committee -- were a bit more transparent and less arbitrary. SCOURN seems to have a quite a bit of interpretational latitude within their decision process; some of their decisions have seemed to "dance around" the issue -- it would be useful, at least from an analytical standpoint, to know the steps of that dance! If one gets the impression that I have issues with a handful of delegates, regardless of pedigree, rendering decisions that affect both the submitting DOT's and the driving public -- without some sort of regularized review process, that impression would be correct (I'm not particularly deferential to institutions). And yes, I know FHWA can accept or reject the committees' recommendations -- but more often than not simply doesn't expend the resources to examine and possibly "second-guess" those decisions and "rubber-stamps" them as a matter of course. And the quality and appropriateness of those decisions has varied widely -- they've gotten it right (on the "big stuff") some of the time, and failed on others. What might be useful would be a way for SCOURN to contextualize the submissions prior to the decision process (likely something that would need to be done by their staff) with whatever background material is included with the submission vetted within that process. And perhaps a "post-mortem" review process would be useful once a preliminary decision has been reached. In short, give the committee more resources with which to work -- and if the meeting time needs to be increased a few days to more fully examine the submitted materials, so be it. I'm presupposing these folks want to do the right thing; simply institute practices that make it easier for them to do so.
Quote from: LM117 on November 09, 2018, 08:17:00 AM
NCDOT is holding 3 public meetings to discuss upgrading US-117 to interstate standards between Goldsboro and I-40. First meeting is Nov. 29 in Faison, second meeting is Dec. 3 in Goldsboro, and third meeting is Dec. 4 in Mount Olive.
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx)
Here's today's press release:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-11-26-ncdot-seeks-input-us-117-upgrade.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-11-26-ncdot-seeks-input-us-117-upgrade.aspx)
Quote from: LM117 on November 26, 2018, 12:31:54 PM
Quote from: LM117 on November 09, 2018, 08:17:00 AM
NCDOT is holding 3 public meetings to discuss upgrading US-117 to interstate standards between Goldsboro and I-40. First meeting is Nov. 29 in Faison, second meeting is Dec. 3 in Goldsboro, and third meeting is Dec. 4 in Mount Olive.
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx)
Here's today's press release:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-11-26-ncdot-seeks-input-us-117-upgrade.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-11-26-ncdot-seeks-input-us-117-upgrade.aspx)
I found this article talking about the public meetings: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article222198290.html
Quote
NCDOT is still two years away from having the first conceptual designs showing what the 24-mile road would look like, said spokesman Andrew Barksdale. And the state has budgeted money to build only the first seven miles, between Genoa Road south of Goldsboro to Country Club Drive north of Mount Olive, starting in 2027.
....
Converting U.S. 117 to an interstate will be most difficult in Goldsboro, where the road functions as a busy city street. A feasibility study completed in 2015 shows four possible routes through and around the current path of U.S. 117 at Goldsboro, and Barksdale said none of them has been ruled out yet.
Having grew up there, I still keep in touch with friends in that area and word on the street is that the one big improvement that everyone (including myself) is looking forward to is having a second major Neuse River crossing. As I mentioned before, US-117 is currently the only major crossing and that area is very flood prone. Most recently during Hurricane Florence, US-117 through there was down to one lane each way and it was a parking lot. It took people roughly 1 to 2 hours getting through there because of the heavy traffic. It creates an even bigger problem when the US-117 crossing is completely shut down, since the southern half of the county is essentially cut off from Goldsboro. Big problem for ambulances trying to get to the hospital. A new alignment I-795 crossing with bridges ideally built at a higher elevation would be a very welcome sight.
Given the numerous businesses and terrain along US-117 through Mar-Mac, there's no way to upgrade the existing road there without causing a lot of damage. I still think Alternative 4A from the feasibility study is the way to go and is also the route that the county seems to favor the most.
Lately, NCDOT has been telling the Goldsboro News-Argus that the O'Berry Road interchange will open at the end of November. Now it's been pushed back (yet again :banghead:) to December 31.
https://tims.ncdot.gov/tims/IncidentDetail.aspx?id=518452 (https://tims.ncdot.gov/tims/IncidentDetail.aspx?id=518452)
We're visiting a family friend in Goldsboro next week, so I'll head down US-117 and try to get some pics of the interchange construction, as well as the one at Country Club Road.
Looks like Santa came early. The O'Berry Road interchange is expected to open by 10:00 this morning.
https://mobile.twitter.com/NCDOT_Scoast/status/1075531478098939904 (https://mobile.twitter.com/NCDOT_Scoast/status/1075531478098939904)
Quote from: LM117 on November 30, 2018, 11:04:28 AMWe're visiting a family friend in Goldsboro next week, so I'll head down US-117 and try to get some pics of the interchange construction, as well as the one at Country Club Road.
That trip got pushed back to next year (probably January or February) so if anybody goes through there and manages to get pics, by all means share.
With the opening of the O'Berry Rd interchange, has the speed limit been raised to 65 or 70 MPH on that stretch, now that it's all a freeway (except at Country Club Rd where a work zone speed limit is in place), or are they going to wait until both are completed to raise it?
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 05, 2019, 06:43:10 PM
With the opening of the O'Berry Rd interchange, has the speed limit been raised to 65 or 70 MPH on that stretch, now that it's all a freeway (except at Country Club Rd where a work zone speed limit is in place), or are they going to wait until both are completed to raise it?
As far as I know, there has been no mention of raising the speed limit anytime soon, though NCDOT has indicated in the past that it will be 70mph once all of the I-795 extension work is complete.
However, I see no reason why it couldn't be at least 65mph between US-117 Alternate and the NC-55 interchange in Mount Olive. As someone that grew up in the area and drove US-117 countless times, I can say firsthand that the 55mph speed limit is ignored by almost everybody.
Fun fact about the former O'Berry Road intersection: NCDOT put the traffic light there in 2004 without informing Wayne County. Once the county Board of Commissioners found out about it, they were furious and ripped NCDOT a new asshole. They did NOT want a light there and for good reason. Even the nearby Dudley fire department said the traffic light was a bad idea since they responded to many more calls at that intersection after the traffic light was installed.
Quote from: LM117 on January 06, 2019, 11:05:22 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 05, 2019, 06:43:10 PM
With the opening of the O'Berry Rd interchange, has the speed limit been raised to 65 or 70 MPH on that stretch, now that it's all a freeway (except at Country Club Rd where a work zone speed limit is in place), or are they going to wait until both are completed to raise it?
As far as I know, there has been no mention of raising the speed limit anytime soon, though NCDOT has indicated in the past that it will be 70mph once all of the I-795 extension work is complete.
However, I see no reason why it couldn't be at least 65mph between US-117 Alternate and the NC-55 interchange in Mount Olive. As someone that grew up in the area and drove US-117 countless times, I can say firsthand that the 55mph speed limit is ignored by almost everybody.
Fun fact about the former O'Berry Road intersection: NCDOT put the traffic light there in 2004 without informing Wayne County. Once the county Board of Commissioners found out about it, they were furious and ripped NCDOT a new asshole. They did NOT want a light there and for good reason. Even the nearby Dudley fire department said the traffic light was a bad idea since they responded to many more calls at that intersection after the traffic light was installed.
Okay. Just figured I'd ask because NCDOT has raised speed limits on stretches silently when new interchanges open - for instance on US 74, the speed was 60 because of a couple at-grade intersections, but when they built interchanges there, they raised that part to 70. Once the Country Club interchange is complete, US 117 will be a full freeway for 8.5 miles from US 117 Alt to Main St (south of NC-55), and would be eligible for a 70 MPH speed.
At least the O'Berry Rd intersection is now an interchange and there's no more conflict. Weird NCDOT would just install a signal though without notice.
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 06, 2019, 11:51:53 AM
Quote from: LM117 on January 06, 2019, 11:05:22 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 05, 2019, 06:43:10 PM
With the opening of the O'Berry Rd interchange, has the speed limit been raised to 65 or 70 MPH on that stretch, now that it's all a freeway (except at Country Club Rd where a work zone speed limit is in place), or are they going to wait until both are completed to raise it?
As far as I know, there has been no mention of raising the speed limit anytime soon, though NCDOT has indicated in the past that it will be 70mph once all of the I-795 extension work is complete.
However, I see no reason why it couldn't be at least 65mph between US-117 Alternate and the NC-55 interchange in Mount Olive. As someone that grew up in the area and drove US-117 countless times, I can say firsthand that the 55mph speed limit is ignored by almost everybody.
Fun fact about the former O'Berry Road intersection: NCDOT put the traffic light there in 2004 without informing Wayne County. Once the county Board of Commissioners found out about it, they were furious and ripped NCDOT a new asshole. They did NOT want a light there and for good reason. Even the nearby Dudley fire department said the traffic light was a bad idea since they responded to many more calls at that intersection after the traffic light was installed.
At least the O'Berry Rd intersection is now an interchange and there's no more conflict. Weird NCDOT would just install a signal though without notice.
I should've been more specific. NCDOT proposed the traffic light to the county commissioners, but the commissioners were adamantly opposed to it since they did not want anything to impede traffic flow on US-117 than already existed and they had safety concerns as well, which later proved to be well-founded. NCDOT seemingly gave up on the idea until a couple of months later during the summer of 2004 when the traffic light sprung up seemingly overnight without warning. Everybody was pissed...as they should've been. That light should never have been put there to begin with.
At any rate, that interchange is a much welcome improvement.
https://www.newsargus.com/news/section-of-country-club-road-to-close/article_bb78071e-37f2-11e9-ba8c-d77112478560.html (https://www.newsargus.com/news/section-of-country-club-road-to-close/article_bb78071e-37f2-11e9-ba8c-d77112478560.html)
QuoteMOUNT OLIVE – The section of Country Club Road between the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 117 will be closed starting Monday.
The closure is needed in order for S.T. Wooten Co. of Wilson to continue construction of interchange at Country Club Road and U.S. 117, just north of town.
Work on the Country Club Road project, which will take U.S. 117 over Country Club Road, started January 2018 and is scheduled for completion in July.
Both northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 117 at the intersection have been closed since last fall. Traffic is being routed onto the interchange ramps.
"Traffic in both directions will exit the highway, come to a stop, then they can get back onto the highway," said state Department of Transportation spokesman Andrew Barksdale. "This is part of the work to build an interchange here. As you know, we opened the O'Berry Road interchange just up the road in December. And now we are finishing the interchange at this intersection. Same contract.
"This interchange will open sometime this summer. These kind of occasional detours will occur until the interchange is completed and opened to traffic. We went through the same process last year for O'Berry Road."
The interchange is part of a $20.6 million project that also includes the interchange that opened in December at U.S. 117 and O'Berry Road at Dudley.
Both intersections carry an average of 15,000 vehicles per day, and that number is expected to increase to more than 27,000 per day by 2037, according to DOT data.
Both interchanges are being built to enhance safety and in preparation for U.S. 117 eventually being designated as Interstate 795 in this area, transportation officials said.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.
Quote from: LM117 on February 24, 2019, 07:54:42 AM
https://www.newsargus.com/news/section-of-country-club-road-to-close/article_bb78071e-37f2-11e9-ba8c-d77112478560.html (https://www.newsargus.com/news/section-of-country-club-road-to-close/article_bb78071e-37f2-11e9-ba8c-d77112478560.html)
QuoteMOUNT OLIVE – The section of Country Club Road between the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 117 will be closed starting Monday.
The closure is needed in order for S.T. Wooten Co. of Wilson to continue construction of interchange at Country Club Road and U.S. 117, just north of town.
Work on the Country Club Road project, which will take U.S. 117 over Country Club Road, started January 2018 and is scheduled for completion in July.
Both northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 117 at the intersection have been closed since last fall. Traffic is being routed onto the interchange ramps.
"Traffic in both directions will exit the highway, come to a stop, then they can get back onto the highway," said state Department of Transportation spokesman Andrew Barksdale. "This is part of the work to build an interchange here. As you know, we opened the O'Berry Road interchange just up the road in December. And now we are finishing the interchange at this intersection. Same contract.
"This interchange will open sometime this summer. These kind of occasional detours will occur until the interchange is completed and opened to traffic. We went through the same process last year for O'Berry Road."
The interchange is part of a $20.6 million project that also includes the interchange that opened in December at U.S. 117 and O'Berry Road at Dudley.
Both intersections carry an average of 15,000 vehicles per day, and that number is expected to increase to more than 27,000 per day by 2037, according to DOT data.
Both interchanges are being built to enhance safety and in preparation for U.S. 117 eventually being designated as Interstate 795 in this area, transportation officials said.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.
So Country Club Road will remain closed through the interchange until summer?
Quote from: Roadsguy on February 24, 2019, 08:33:23 AMSo Country Club Road will remain closed through the interchange until summer?
Yep.
Google Earth was updated with new aerial imagery from March 23, 2019 along the I-795 / US-117 corridor.
US-117 / Oberry Rd Interchange, which was completed last year -
(https://i.ibb.co/hckB81y/I795-Oberry-Rd-Interchange-March2019.png)
US-117 / Country Club Rd interchange under construction, ramps constructed with traffic shifted and down to one lane, the overpass still has a little ways to go as of March 23, 2019.
(https://i.ibb.co/Q67PBrm/I795-Country-Club-Interchange-March2019.png)
Final configuration for US-117 / Country Club Rd interchange -
(https://i.ibb.co/cCxn770/I795-Country-Club-Interchange-Final-Layout.png)
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 28, 2019, 04:41:21 PM
Google Earth was updated with new aerial imagery from March 23, 2019 along the I-795 / US-117 corridor.
US-117 / Oberry Rd Interchange, which was completed last year -
(https://i.ibb.co/hckB81y/I795-Oberry-Rd-Interchange-March2019.png)
US-117 / Country Club Rd interchange under construction, ramps constructed with traffic shifted and down to one lane, the overpass still has a little ways to go as of March 23, 2019.
(https://i.ibb.co/Q67PBrm/I795-Country-Club-Interchange-March2019.png)
I just saw those the other day using the desktop version of Google Maps. Funny thing is that when I use the Google Maps app on my iPhone, it still shows images that were taken before construction began.
I still have friends that live in Wayne County and from what I've been told, those 3-way stops at the new ramps at Country Club Road have been causing major backups for US-117 traffic. Mount Olive town officials have complained to NCDOT about it, trying to have the stop signs for US-117 traffic removed, but no dice.
Judging from the image, I seriously doubt the Country Club Road interchange will open in July like originally planned. Probably towards the end of the year if we're lucky.
Quote from: LM117 on May 03, 2019, 09:50:42 PM
I still have friends that live in Wayne County and from what I've been told, those 3-way stops at the new ramps at Country Club Road have been causing major backups for US-117 traffic. Mount Olive town officials have complained to NCDOT about it, trying to have the stop signs for US-117 traffic removed, but no dice.
I wasn't aware there was a 3-way stop. That just seems like poor planning IMHO. Here in Chesapeake, when the interchange with US-17 at VA-166 was being constructed a few years back as part of the project to upgrade that stretch of US-17 between Cedar Rd and I-64 to freeway standards, traffic was shifted onto the on and off-ramps while the mainline was being raised & constructed over VA-166, and only VA-166 had stop signs, while US-17 mainline traffic forced onto the ramp was free flowing. It's been switched now so VA-166 is free-flowing and the ramp traffic has to stop, but the point still stands.
Here's old street view imagery (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7471807,-76.2838653,3a,75y,314.6h,75.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6PQCeXkzC2_XaZ7HvmQRTQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1) you can see the construction pattern. This is how it should be at Country Club IMHO for now. Makes a lot more sense.
Quote from: LM117 on May 03, 2019, 09:50:42 PM
Judging from the image, I seriously doubt the Country Club Road interchange will open in July like originally planned. Probably towards the end of the year if we're lucky.
I was thinking the same thing. Still have a lot of work to do.
I-795's extension could be accelerated due to the CSX terminal in Rocky Mount being built.
https://www.newsargus.com/news/rail-terminal-set-to-spur-economic-growth/article_b576dada-6ee2-11e9-a752-9bf14d19fbae.html (https://www.newsargus.com/news/rail-terminal-set-to-spur-economic-growth/article_b576dada-6ee2-11e9-a752-9bf14d19fbae.html)
Quote from: LM117 on May 05, 2019, 08:13:41 AM
I-795's extension could be accelerated due to the CSX terminal in Rocky Mount being built.
https://www.newsargus.com/news/rail-terminal-set-to-spur-economic-growth/article_b576dada-6ee2-11e9-a752-9bf14d19fbae.html (https://www.newsargus.com/news/rail-terminal-set-to-spur-economic-growth/article_b576dada-6ee2-11e9-a752-9bf14d19fbae.html)
Somewhat part two on this. Most relevant part of this article (for those interested) is the latest traffic counts on I-795.
https://www.newsargus.com/news/i--steers-county-toward-emerging-possibilities/article_104d28b2-7459-11e9-be04-23f0365eeeaf.html (https://www.newsargus.com/news/i--steers-county-toward-emerging-possibilities/article_104d28b2-7459-11e9-be04-23f0365eeeaf.html)
Obviously the relationship between I-795 and the Rocky Mount CSX terminal is the expectation that traffic from the Port of Wilmington to that terminal will be expedited by the "cutoff" from I-40 to I-95 provided by I-795. However, NDOT had better get cracking on completion of 795; CSX is readying plans (already approved by NDOT, so they're well aware of them) to restore their direct line from Wilmington to Wilson; they removed the section from Wilmington to Wallace back in 1986 as part of a corporate cost-cutting program. If & when restored, the line would likely draw off much of the large-scale shipping between the two points -- although smaller shipments -- a few containers, not enough to warrant a train -- would still find their way to trucks offloading at Rocky Mount. And while I-795 does have purposes not necessarily connected to such traffic, completion prior to the rail restoration would certainly enhance I-795's commercial role for at least a while.
Another question echoing one asked about I-11 out west: Once I-795 is completed, would there be a push to decommission US 117, considering its functional duplication as well as its relatively short length?
Quote from: sparker on May 12, 2019, 08:30:22 PM
Once I-795 is completed, would there be a push to decommission US 117, considering its functional duplication as well as its relatively short length?
I think it'd be easier just to route it all back on it's old alignment. Nothing wrong with that IMHO. It's not like Interstate 795 will be a complete upgrade of the original road. All of the original road still exists for the most part, a majority of the 4-lane US-117 south of Goldsboro is new alignment. It's just not currently signed as US-117, the relocation is. US-117 is still in it's original alignment between Faison and Wilmington which was paralleled by Interstate 40 in the late 80s & 90s.
If AASHTO follows their own policies, US 117 would not be moved back onto its old alignment unless NCDOT can demonstrate that the old alignment has independent utility outside of the current 4-lane alignment. "Emergency detour route" does not count.
Yeah, I don't think US-117 is moving anywhere. US-117 Alternate is pretty much nothing but a detour route anymore. It was easier to convince AASHTO to move US-117 back to it's old alignment between Goldsboro and Wilson since there's still local traffic commuting between Fremont, Pikeville, and Black Creek. Very few people would hop on I-795 just to go from one of those towns to the other. It's quicker to stick with US-117, unless there's a wreck or construction. The only benefit of I-795 for local traffic in that area is being a quicker route for going to Wilson or Goldsboro from one of the towns mentioned.
Now, I could see US-117 Connector between Calypso and I-40 being decommissioned since it would have no real reason to exist once I-795 takes over most of it's route. I think I-795 is planned to have a new interchange with I-40 just south of the existing interchange. I think it's safe to say the interchange upgrade option went out the window when Enviva built their plant. A traffic light was recently put at the entrance to the plant because of all the truck traffic.
Quote from: LM117 on May 13, 2019, 01:10:01 PM
It was easier to convince AASHTO to move US-117 back to it's old alignment between Goldsboro and Wilson since there's still local traffic commuting between Fremont, Pikeville, and Black Creek. Very few people would hop on I-795 just to go from one of those towns to the other. It's quicker to stick with US-117, unless there's a wreck or construction. The only benefit of I-795 for local traffic in that area is being a quicker route for going to Wilson or Goldsboro from one of the towns mentioned.
You made the point that US-117 serves Fremont, Pikeville, and Black Creek between Goldsboro and Wilson.
You do realize other towns exist too?
From Goldsboro to Wilmington, the old US-117 passes through Mar-Mac, Brogden, Mount Olive, Calypso, Faison, Bowdens, Warsaw, Magnolia, Rose Hill, Wallace, and Burgaw. Plenty of reason to justify it. US-117 already runs it original route from Faison to Wilmington. Why didn't they remove it when I-40 was built? Because it serves all those towns. The same can happen with I-795 is completed, route US-117 back onto it's original alignment for that short stretch compared to the long parallel of I-40.
Section from this morning's article regarding I-795.
https://www.newsargus.com/news/road-projects-set-to-change-landscape/article_baeb81dc-79dc-11e9-92ce-976d463860d2.html (https://www.newsargus.com/news/road-projects-set-to-change-landscape/article_baeb81dc-79dc-11e9-92ce-976d463860d2.html)
QuoteU.S. 117 CORRIDOR
Planning and design are underway for a $227 million project to upgrade the approximately 24-mile stretch of the U.S. 117 corridor between Goldsboro and Interstate 40 in Sampson County into an extension of Interstate 795. The corridor includes the U.S. 117 Connector between Calypso and Interstate 40 in Sampson County, N.C. 403, U.S. 13 and N.C. 581.
Public meetings will be scheduled this winter to review conceptual designs with agencies, local officials and the public. At that time, the project team will request input to improve design options and to help identify design options that will proceed forward.
More public meetings will be scheduled in the spring of 2022 to review more detailed designs and studies with agencies, local officials and the public. The final environmental decision document is targeted for winter 2023-24, which will include the recommended/selected alternative.
Some of the road will be built on a new location, particularly in the northern 6.5 miles of existing U.S. 117 from U.S. 117 Alternate to north of N.C. 581, also Ash Street. The section of highway has no access control and has numerous driveways, two at-grade railroad crossings, controlled by crossing gates, and 22 at-grade intersections. Nine intersections have traffic signals, and 13 are controlled by stop signs.
This portion of the project corridor has the most adjacent development, has numerous engineering and environmental constraints and will require the most extensive upgrades.
As a freeway, the road will have full access control with interchanges or grade separations at major road and railroad crossings. There will be no at-grade access.
About 7 miles of the proposed route – roughly between Country Club Road at Mount Olive and Genoa Road at Dudley – is currently funded in the State Transportation Improvement Program, which has property acquisition scheduled to begin in 2025 and construction to start in 2027.
The project includes new bridges and ramps on U.S. 117 to replace at-grade intersections at O'Berry Road in Dudley and Country Club Road in Mount Olive.
The O'Berry Road project is completed and work is continuing on the interchange that will take U.S. 117 over Country Club Road.
A third related project will realign Smith Chapel Road with Lee's Country Club Road just south of Mount Olive where an interchange will be built. It also includes constructing a new connector road along U.S. 117 in the area.
The estimated cost is $28.5 million with right-of-way acquisition to start in 2024 followed by construction in 2026 and 2027.
The U.S. 117 project is broken down into four parts:
- North of Country Club Road in Mount Olive to south of South Landfill Road at Dudley; $17.3 million; right of way, 2025; construction, 2027.
- South of South Landfill Road to south of Genoa Road; $35 million; right of way, 2025; construction in 2027.
- South of Genoa Road to south of Arrington Bridge Road (N.C. 581); $62.4 million; unfunded for future years past 2027.
- South of Arrington Bridge Road (N.C. 581) to north of West Ash Street (N.C. 581); $111.3 million; unfunded for future years past 2027.
The project webpage can be found at https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx
Unsurprisingly, the opening date for the Country Club Road interchange has been pushed back to spring 2020.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-06-18-us-117-ramp-closure-wayne-county.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-06-18-us-117-ramp-closure-wayne-county.aspx)
In today's article about a wreck near the O'Berry Road interchange, one of the pics shows the sign on US-117 for the interchange, which has no exit number.
http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2019/07/18/wednesday-crash-closes-portion-of-u-s-117-photos/ (http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2019/07/18/wednesday-crash-closes-portion-of-u-s-117-photos/)
Quote from: LM117 on July 18, 2019, 03:14:14 PM
In today's article about a wreck near the O'Berry Road interchange, one of the pics shows the sign on US-117 for the interchange, which has no exit number.
http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2019/07/18/wednesday-crash-closes-portion-of-u-s-117-photos/ (http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2019/07/18/wednesday-crash-closes-portion-of-u-s-117-photos/)
Google Street View imagery was updated on part of this interchange area in April 2019... at least the movement from US-117 northbound off-ramp area, the rest is still December 2016.
You can see the signage in the little bit that was updated April 2019.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2632223,-78.0532331,3a,75y,10.86h,78.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5qaHHgJvcUg4aqKuyLh7GA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 18, 2019, 11:22:42 PM
Quote from: LM117 on July 18, 2019, 03:14:14 PM
In today's article about a wreck near the O'Berry Road interchange, one of the pics shows the sign on US-117 for the interchange, which has no exit number.
http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2019/07/18/wednesday-crash-closes-portion-of-u-s-117-photos/ (http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2019/07/18/wednesday-crash-closes-portion-of-u-s-117-photos/)
Google Street View imagery was updated on part of this interchange area in April 2019... at least the movement from US-117 northbound off-ramp area, the rest is still December 2016.
You can see the signage in the little bit that was updated April 2019.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2632223,-78.0532331,3a,75y,10.86h,78.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5qaHHgJvcUg4aqKuyLh7GA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
Google must've added that image very recently. I was using Streetview there yesterday and it still showed nothing but the 2016 images. I use the Google Maps app on my iPhone, FWIW. I also see Streetview images from O'Berry Road itself have been updated. About time!
Quote from: LM117 on July 18, 2019, 11:34:41 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 18, 2019, 11:22:42 PM
Quote from: LM117 on July 18, 2019, 03:14:14 PM
In today's article about a wreck near the O'Berry Road interchange, one of the pics shows the sign on US-117 for the interchange, which has no exit number.
http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2019/07/18/wednesday-crash-closes-portion-of-u-s-117-photos/ (http://goldsborodailynews.com/blog/2019/07/18/wednesday-crash-closes-portion-of-u-s-117-photos/)
Google Street View imagery was updated on part of this interchange area in April 2019... at least the movement from US-117 northbound off-ramp area, the rest is still December 2016.
You can see the signage in the little bit that was updated April 2019.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2632223,-78.0532331,3a,75y,10.86h,78.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5qaHHgJvcUg4aqKuyLh7GA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
Google must've added that image very recently. I was using Streetview there yesterday and it still showed nothing but the 2016 images. I use the Google Maps app on my iPhone, FWIW. I also see Streetview images from O'Berry Road itself have been updated. About time!
Many many people would use 40 and 117 to go to 95. So yeah. An extension would be handy. I wonder what the 117 and 40 interchange would look like.
Why is this project slated to start in 2027? Is it because of the other major projects like I-87 upgrades and complete 540 and what not?
Drove through the interchange along US-117 northbound yesterday heading back from Wilmington.
The roadway approaches look completed, though the bridges still have some work to do. The roadway is still narrowed to one-lane and you are forced to exit and come to a stop at the bottom of the ramp. Wasn't an issue, not too much heavy traffic along US-117 at least during this drive.
The speed limit through the area remains at 55 mph along the entire segment. Once the interchange construction is completed, the speed limit ought to be increased to 70 mph along the 9 mile freeway segment between the NC-55 interchange and the US-117 Alt intersection. Easily cruised 70 mph once past the work zone, and most traffic was traveling around the same speed.
Here's a couple images of the overpass taken from the ramp below.
(https://i.ibb.co/CJZS6Mp/D45-A421-E-71-FA-4090-9373-0436-E4-E31-E10.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/DGTpvKm/69-F0-BD1-D-D114-4007-BB42-ABA462-D49-EF0.png)
^ Thanks for posting the other pic. Were there any more "Future I-795" signs posted along the highway? The only one I know of so far is on the southbound side in Goldsboro, just south of the US-70 interchange.
Quote from: LM117 on January 26, 2020, 05:16:54 PM
Were there any more "Future I-795" signs posted along the highway? The only one I know of so far is on the southbound side in Goldsboro, just south of the US-70 interchange.
Yes. Just like the other future interstates, they are posted at each county line. Along US-117 heading northbound, there's one just off of I-40 before the NC-403 intersection, and another one just south of Mt. Olive at the Wayne and Duplin County line. The first one is visible on Google Streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.1166593,-78.1846801,3a,72.4y,78.03h,86.6t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s86hA8gRU5_O8Tbu5q7ATAA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 26, 2020, 05:51:32 PM
Quote from: LM117 on January 26, 2020, 05:16:54 PM
Were there any more "Future I-795" signs posted along the highway? The only one I know of so far is on the southbound side in Goldsboro, just south of the US-70 interchange.
Yes. Just like the other future interstates, they are posted at each county line. Along US-117 heading northbound, there's one just off of I-40 before the NC-403 intersection, and another one just south of Mt. Olive at the Wayne and Duplin County line. The first one is visible on Google Streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.1166593,-78.1846801,3a,72.4y,78.03h,86.6t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s86hA8gRU5_O8Tbu5q7ATAA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).
The one at NC-403 is somewhat surprising, since there's good chance that I-795 will split off from the connector and follow a short new alignment and connect with I-40 south of the existing interchange. I know Sampson County is adamantly opposed to upgrading the existing interchange because of the potential impact on the Enviva plant.
That traffic light is also fairly new. It wasn't there when I last drove through in 2017. Enviva asked NCDOT to put it there, IIRC.
According to a paywalled article in The Mount Olive Messenger (part of Goldsboro News-Argus), the US-117/Country Club Road interchange will open in early April, weather pending.
I missed my exit for second time in the last year going from I-40W to NC-403 (Future I-795). It would be very helpful if NCDOT added Goldsboro and "To I-795 North" to the exit signs.
Quote from: tjcreasy on February 13, 2020, 11:11:58 AM
I missed my exit for second time in the last year going from I-40W to NC-403 (Future I-795). It would be very helpful if NCDOT added Goldsboro and "To I-795 North" to the exit signs.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kv3hXwTyT3T95xt16 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/kv3hXwTyT3T95xt16)
I'm aware of that sign, but if you miss that sign it's hard to tell that NC 403 Faison leads to I-795/Goldsboro. Thanks for taking the time to pull that up.
Quote from: tjcreasy on February 13, 2020, 04:48:52 PM
I'm aware of that sign, but if you miss that sign it's hard to tell that NC 403 Faison leads to I-795/Goldsboro. Thanks for taking the time to pull that up.
Agreed, it should be on the sign.
Regardless, if you miss the exit and are bound to I-95 North, just keep going on I-40 to meet I-95 and take the original routing before I-795 was built.
http://prntscr.com/rct4w6
These are my signage ideas when the highway gets built. I can't wait to see a map so I can make a more accurate design of it.
I like it. What do you think about replacing Rocky Mount with Richmond?
Quote from: tjcreasy on March 07, 2020, 05:59:40 PM
I like it. What do you think about replacing Rocky Mount with Richmond?
Could go on the sign where Faison and Mt Olive are. But maybe I can replace the sign where it says "Rocky Mount" with Richmond.
EDIT: http://prntscr.com/rd65uq
Not perfect, but this is my guess of how the bottom extension will look like. that one ramp from 795
When looking at the two orange ramps, one is to get to NB I-795 from EB I-40, and the other is from SB I-795 to get to Clinton.
http://www.mountolivetribune.com/stories/town-board-flips-through-light-agenda,73394? (http://www.mountolivetribune.com/stories/town-board-flips-through-light-agenda,73394?)
QuoteThe Mount Olive Town Board of Commissioners approved items on a light agenda during its monthly meeting.
The Board accepted a resolution that asks the state to name the new overpass at U.S. Highway 117 Bypass and Country Club Road as the "John Richard Bell Bridge," in memory of the late Wayne County commissioner. Also approved was a resolution that seeks state approval for pedestrian crosswalks at two locations on West Main Street.
The crosswalks are needed for safety, particularly for the town's school children and officials say they want them at Wooten Street and Smith Chapel Road where they intersect with West Main Street.
The resolution will be forwarded to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
A resolution from Gov. Roy Cooper recognizing Mount Olive's 150th anniversary was also accepted by the commissioners.
The Board discussed a personnel matter during its closed session.
https://twitter.com/NCDOT_Scoast/status/1243923330991828995 (https://twitter.com/NCDOT_Scoast/status/1243923330991828995)
Looks like the final vegetation work for the new Country Club Road and O'Berry Road interchanges is complete. The project is no longer listed on NCDOT's Progress Report page.
I do expect AADT to increase on I-795 once it gets extended to I-40.
Once 795 is extended to I-40, US 117 should be decommissioned and replaced with NC 132 from Castle Hayne to Calypso. Shipyard Blvd in Wilmington can just become secondary. US 117 is already a pretty useless designation as it stands now.
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:21:04 PM
Once 795 is extended to I-40, US 117 should be decommissioned and replaced with NC 132 from Castle Hayne to Calypso. Shipyard Blvd in Wilmington can just become secondary. US 117 is already a pretty useless designation as it stands now.
How about US-264? They should do the same thing maybe?
Quote from: tolbs17 on March 26, 2021, 10:43:18 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:21:04 PM
Once 795 is extended to I-40, US 117 should be decommissioned and replaced with NC 132 from Castle Hayne to Calypso. Shipyard Blvd in Wilmington can just become secondary. US 117 is already a pretty useless designation as it stands now.
How about US-264? They should do the same thing maybe?
Nah, both I-87 and 587 designations are pointless. They should be left as is.
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:51:47 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on March 26, 2021, 10:43:18 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:21:04 PM
Once 795 is extended to I-40, US 117 should be decommissioned and replaced with NC 132 from Castle Hayne to Calypso. Shipyard Blvd in Wilmington can just become secondary. US 117 is already a pretty useless designation as it stands now.
How about US-264? They should do the same thing maybe?
Nah, both I-87 and 587 designations are pointless. They should be left as is.
So, US-64/US-17 already handles the traffic from Raleigh to Norfolk and US-264 handles the traffic from Raleigh to Greenville?
Quote from: tolbs17 on March 26, 2021, 10:55:00 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:51:47 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on March 26, 2021, 10:43:18 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:21:04 PM
Once 795 is extended to I-40, US 117 should be decommissioned and replaced with NC 132 from Castle Hayne to Calypso. Shipyard Blvd in Wilmington can just become secondary. US 117 is already a pretty useless designation as it stands now.
How about US-264? They should do the same thing maybe?
Nah, both I-87 and 587 designations are pointless. They should be left as is.
So, US-64/US-17 already handles the traffic from Raleigh to Norfolk and US-264 handles the traffic from Raleigh to Greenville?
Yep. US 117 is different since its the upgrading of a surface highway to grade separations, and it makes sense as a cutoff route to 95 north. With 64 and 264, they are both already freeways that serve their intended purposes. There is no good reason to waste money to change the number when it adds no benefit to the common motorist.
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 11:00:08 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on March 26, 2021, 10:55:00 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:51:47 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on March 26, 2021, 10:43:18 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:21:04 PM
Once 795 is extended to I-40, US 117 should be decommissioned and replaced with NC 132 from Castle Hayne to Calypso. Shipyard Blvd in Wilmington can just become secondary. US 117 is already a pretty useless designation as it stands now.
How about US-264? They should do the same thing maybe?
Nah, both I-87 and 587 designations are pointless. They should be left as is.
So, US-64/US-17 already handles the traffic from Raleigh to Norfolk and US-264 handles the traffic from Raleigh to Greenville?
Yep. US 117 is different since its the upgrading of a surface highway to grade separations, and it makes sense as a cutoff route to 95 north. With 64 and 264, they are both already freeways that serve their intended purposes. There is no good reason to waste money to change the number when it adds no benefit to the common motorist.
Well, ok.
Doesn't look like there's gonna be any more upgrades for quite a while. According to NCDOT's US-117 Corridor page, all preliminary engineering activities have been put on hold. The page was last updated October 15, 2020.
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx)
Quote from: LM117 on March 26, 2021, 11:24:36 PM
Doesn't look like there's gonna be any more upgrades for quite a while. According to NCDOT's US-117 Corridor page, all preliminary engineering activities have been put on hold. The page was last updated October 15, 2020.
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-goldsboro/Pages/default.aspx)
That sucks >:( So it will be pushed back into probably 2030 or something.
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:51:47 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on March 26, 2021, 10:43:18 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:21:04 PM
Once 795 is extended to I-40, US 117 should be decommissioned and replaced with NC 132 from Castle Hayne to Calypso. Shipyard Blvd in Wilmington can just become secondary. US 117 is already a pretty useless designation as it stands now.
How about US-264? They should do the same thing maybe?
Nah, both I-87 and 587 designations are pointless. They should be left as is.
Opinion on it or not, they are going to be the primary designations when upgrades on both corridors are complete.
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 11:00:08 PM
With 64 and 264, they are both already freeways that serve their intended purposes. There is no good reason to waste money to change the number when it adds no benefit to the common motorist.
I-87 would serve as a single, continuous corridor between two metropolitan areas of over 1 million population, along what today is currently two signed highways - US-64 and US-17.
Having a uniform designation is beneficial to the average motorist in this case.
I-587... debatable, but would solidify that the corridor between I-95 and Raleigh to Greenville is an interstate highway, not some arterial surface route.
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 26, 2021, 11:36:03 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:51:47 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on March 26, 2021, 10:43:18 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on March 26, 2021, 10:21:04 PM
Once 795 is extended to I-40, US 117 should be decommissioned and replaced with NC 132 from Castle Hayne to Calypso. Shipyard Blvd in Wilmington can just become secondary. US 117 is already a pretty useless designation as it stands now.
How about US-264? They should do the same thing maybe?
Nah, both I-87 and 587 designations are pointless. They should be left as is.
Opinion on it or not, they are going to be the primary designations when upgrades on both corridors are complete.
The same could be said about "future" I-74 along US 74, which has been that way for over 20 years. NC DOT should either get on with it, or wait until its all done and then sign it all at once.
http://prntscr.com/117mc6w
This is why the I-795 project south of Goldsboro is more important compared to other projects.
Quote from: tolbs17 on April 08, 2021, 05:20:15 PM
http://prntscr.com/117mc6w
This is why the I-795 project south of Goldsboro is more important compared to other projects.
Specifically a bypass of that area, not the entire corridor. Also, it shows there's an accident which could cause unusual levels of congestion.
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 08, 2021, 05:21:27 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on April 08, 2021, 05:20:15 PM
http://prntscr.com/117mc6w
This is why the I-795 project south of Goldsboro is more important compared to other projects.
Specifically a bypass of that area, not the entire corridor. Also, it shows there's an accident which could cause unusual levels of congestion.
Yes, but still, can the project be done in phases if not all at once?
Quote from: tolbs17 on April 08, 2021, 05:23:11 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 08, 2021, 05:21:27 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on April 08, 2021, 05:20:15 PM
http://prntscr.com/117mc6w
This is why the I-795 project south of Goldsboro is more important compared to other projects.
Specifically a bypass of that area, not the entire corridor. Also, it shows there's an accident which could cause unusual levels of congestion.
Yes, but still, can the project be done in phases if not all at once?
The bypass is likely the first phase, tying into the recently complete freeway segment (due to the two interchanges added) south of there. Anything south of Mt. Olive to I-40 will likely be last since it's already a 55 mph (should be 60 mph) expressway.
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 08, 2021, 05:25:42 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on April 08, 2021, 05:23:11 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 08, 2021, 05:21:27 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on April 08, 2021, 05:20:15 PM
http://prntscr.com/117mc6w
This is why the I-795 project south of Goldsboro is more important compared to other projects.
Specifically a bypass of that area, not the entire corridor. Also, it shows there's an accident which could cause unusual levels of congestion.
Yes, but still, can the project be done in phases if not all at once?
The bypass is likely the first phase, tying into the recently complete freeway segment (due to the two interchanges added) south of there. Anything south of Mt. Olive to I-40 will likely be last since it's already a 55 mph (should be 60 mph) expressway.
I see. And these (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2132662,-78.0669945,3a,66.7y,183.04h,80.21t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1soWCwhc8oDMaWAoTzWsw-DQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DoWCwhc8oDMaWAoTzWsw-DQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D153.73448%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1) bridges will need to be replaced as well.
I have noticed that the new exits being built on US 117 do not have exit numbers. I would have thought, since the corridor is slated to become an extension of Interstate 795 eventually, that the new exits should have been numbered via the mileage of the future Interstate 795 extension.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on April 08, 2021, 05:38:04 PM
I have noticed that the new exits being built on US 117 do not have exit numbers. I would have thought, since the corridor is slated to become an extension of Interstate 795 eventually, that the new exits should have been numbered via the mileage of the future Interstate 795 extension.
I'm sure they'll add them when I-795 DOES get extended which won't be awhile.
In the mean time, should they add noise walls over here (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2076797,-78.0725525,3a,75y,120.33h,87.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s05AUW5mreOd_8SWULWeIpQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1)?
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 08, 2021, 05:21:27 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on April 08, 2021, 05:20:15 PM
http://prntscr.com/117mc6w
This is why the I-795 project south of Goldsboro is more important compared to other projects.
Specifically a bypass of that area, not the entire corridor. Also, it shows there's an accident which could cause unusual levels of congestion.
I used to live there off of Old Grantham Rd and drove through that spot every day and it sucked. It was almost always congested during rush hour, even moreso during the annual county fair in the fall (pre-COVID). I've seen many fender benders at that intersection.
In addition to taking thru traffic away from Mar-Mac, that bypass would provide a desperately needed second Neuse River crossing. When the Neuse River knocks the US-117 bridges out of commission, Wayne County is essentially cut in half. That's been a big problem in the past, particularly for those south of the river that suddenly couldn't get to Goldsboro, especially for those with medical emergencies. Having a second major crossing (ideally at a higher elevation) would be a big help. I never understood why NCDOT didn't consider the bypass to be top priority for I-795, given the obvious benefits of it.
Quote from: LM117 on April 10, 2021, 10:02:26 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 08, 2021, 05:21:27 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on April 08, 2021, 05:20:15 PM
http://prntscr.com/117mc6w
This is why the I-795 project south of Goldsboro is more important compared to other projects.
Specifically a bypass of that area, not the entire corridor. Also, it shows there's an accident which could cause unusual levels of congestion.
I used to live there off of Old Grantham Rd and drove through that spot every day and it sucked. It was almost always congested during rush hour, even moreso during the annual county fair in the fall (pre-COVID). I've seen many fender benders at that intersection.
In addition to taking thru traffic away from Mar-Mac, that bypass would provide a desperately needed second Neuse River crossing. When the Neuse River knocks the US-117 bridges out of commission, Wayne County is essentially cut in half. That's been a big problem in the past, particularly for those south of the river that suddenly couldn't get to Goldsboro, especially for those with medical emergencies. Having a second major crossing (ideally at a higher elevation) would be a big help. I never understood why NCDOT didn't consider the bypass to be top priority for I-795, given the obvious benefits of it.
Because those benefits were in rare circumstances although I don't disagree that a 2nd crossing is important.
NCDOT just thinks like all of us do and doesn't want to spend so much for the what if scenarios.
When US-117 was signed on the freeway, I think it should have been signed as US-117 bypass.
NCDOT announces repaving project for US 117 in Wayne County which includes widening shoulders for Future I-795 between the new Country Club Blvd. and O'Berry Road interchanges:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2021/2021-08-31-us-117-repaving-wayne-county.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2021/2021-08-31-us-117-repaving-wayne-county.aspx)
Quote from: bob7374 on August 31, 2021, 10:56:17 AM
NCDOT announces repaving project for US 117 in Wayne County which includes widening shoulders for Future I-795 between the new Country Club Blvd. and O'Berry Road interchanges:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2021/2021-08-31-us-117-repaving-wayne-county.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2021/2021-08-31-us-117-repaving-wayne-county.aspx)
Would've made more sense to extend the shoulder widening to just north of NC-55, IMO, given the lack of at-grades.
Quote from: Alex on December 16, 2017, 08:42:10 AM
Quote from: LM117 on December 15, 2017, 11:20:05 AM
Quote from: Interstate 69 Fan on December 14, 2017, 06:23:26 PM
Future I-795 signs are up.
When did you see them? I drove US-117 in October and there weren't any then.
Spotted one posted to the immediate south of the end shield two days ago:
https://twitter.com/AARoads/status/941297727039787010
I was browsing the area on Google Streetview just now, and the image taken in September 2021 shows the 'Future I-795' sign laying on the ground (guess somebody knocked it over).
On another note, there still isn't updated Streetview images showing the new Country Club Road interchange, which opened in April 2020.
Quote from: LM117 on January 24, 2022, 11:14:46 PMOn another note, there still isn't updated Streetview images showing the new Country Club Road interchange, which opened in April 2020.
Looks like Google noticed that as well. New Streetview images (dated May 2022) of US-117 are now being shown.
Other than the new interchange, most noteworthy (and welcome) is that the speed limit has been raised to 65mph between NC-55 in Mount Olive, and US-117 Alternate in Mar-Mac.
Quote from: LM117 on June 15, 2022, 07:59:35 PM
Other than the new interchange, most noteworthy (and welcome) is that the speed limit has been raised to 65mph between NC-55 in Mount Olive, and US-117 Alternate in Mar-Mac.
That is a very welcome change indeed, and I'm honestly surprised (but thankful) they did. I recall driving that segment which had been basically improved to a freeway at that point, struggling to stay under 70 mph. 55 mph was a joke that should have at least been 60 mph.
It is strange to see North Carolina post a new 65 mph zone though... usually it's been 60 mph or 70 mph. Arguably, this segment should be 70 mph, but still not complaining over 55 mph.
Quote from: sprjus4 on June 16, 2022, 01:53:28 AM
Quote from: LM117 on June 15, 2022, 07:59:35 PM
Other than the new interchange, most noteworthy (and welcome) is that the speed limit has been raised to 65mph between NC-55 in Mount Olive, and US-117 Alternate in Mar-Mac.
That is a very welcome change indeed, and I'm honestly surprised (but thankful) they did. I recall driving that segment which had been basically improved to a freeway at that point, struggling to stay under 70 mph. 55 mph was a joke that should have at least been 60 mph.
It is strange to see North Carolina post a new 65 mph zone though... usually it's been 60 mph or 70 mph. Arguably, this segment should be 70 mph, but still not complaining over 55 mph.
Agreed. I grew up there and the 55mph limit was usually ignored except during holidays when cops were out in force, so the speed limit being raised is pretty much a formality at this point.
That's one of the reasons the Wayne County Board of Commissioners and the Dudley firefighters/EMS blew a gasket when NCDOT slapped that traffic light at O'Berry Road back in 2004 without consulting with the county first. Wrecks increased there after that light went up, but NCDOT refused to take it back down until the interchange construction began. Relations between Wayne County and NCDOT were pretty frosty back then. Dudley firefighters/EMS workers didn't have kind things to say about NCDOT back then, either. Fortunately, it appears to be a different story now.
Quote from: sprjus4 on June 16, 2022, 01:53:28 AM
Quote from: LM117 on June 15, 2022, 07:59:35 PM
Other than the new interchange, most noteworthy (and welcome) is that the speed limit has been raised to 65mph between NC-55 in Mount Olive, and US-117 Alternate in Mar-Mac.
That is a very welcome change indeed, and I'm honestly surprised (but thankful) they did. I recall driving that segment which had been basically improved to a freeway at that point, struggling to stay under 70 mph. 55 mph was a joke that should have at least been 60 mph.
It is strange to see North Carolina post a new 65 mph zone though... usually it's been 60 mph or 70 mph. Arguably, this segment should be 70 mph, but still not complaining over 55 mph.
Maybe because of the lack of Interstate standard shoulders is the reason this area is posted at 65 mph instead of 70 mph. Still an improvement for those that live in that area.
Quote from: amroad17 on June 28, 2022, 02:14:33 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on June 16, 2022, 01:53:28 AM
Quote from: LM117 on June 15, 2022, 07:59:35 PM
Other than the new interchange, most noteworthy (and welcome) is that the speed limit has been raised to 65mph between NC-55 in Mount Olive, and US-117 Alternate in Mar-Mac.
That is a very welcome change indeed, and I'm honestly surprised (but thankful) they did. I recall driving that segment which had been basically improved to a freeway at that point, struggling to stay under 70 mph. 55 mph was a joke that should have at least been 60 mph.
It is strange to see North Carolina post a new 65 mph zone though... usually it's been 60 mph or 70 mph. Arguably, this segment should be 70 mph, but still not complaining over 55 mph.
Maybe because of the lack of Interstate standard shoulders is the reason this area is posted at 65 mph instead of 70 mph. Still an improvement for those that live in that area.
I doubt narrow shoulders had anything to with it. A lot of older freeways in the state have narrow shoulders with a 70mph speed limit. Since the new 65mph zone currently only covers a 7 mile stretch of US-117, my guess is that NCDOT felt it would make the transition back to the 55mph zones somewhat 'smoother', even though in reality traffic is probably already moving along at around 70-80mph there right now. Traffic was already flowing around 65-70mph on that stretch before the speed limit was raised.
^ I do find it interesting they continued the 65 mph speed limit through the old, substandard NC-55 interchange as well instead of dropping it back to 55 mph north of it.
Once all of US-117 is improved to I-795, the speed limit will likely be raised to 70 mph throughout to match the existing highway to the north.
A poster on the FB group Tar Heel Roads indicated he recently drove I-795 North from Goldsboro to Wilson and said the exit numbers have been changed along he highway, starting with 2x and increasing heading north, opposite to the previous exit numbers. If so, this makes sense due to the planned extension, but why now when the completion of I-795 to I-40 is still years away? Coincidence done during the renumbering of US 264 due to I-587? Unlike that renumbering, I can find no publicity for any exit renumbering along I-795.
Quote from: bob7374 on October 23, 2022, 10:51:49 AM
A poster on the FB group Tar Heel Roads indicated he recently drove I-795 North from Goldsboro to Wilson and said the exit numbers have been changed along he highway, starting with 2x and increasing heading north, opposite to the previous exit numbers. If so, this makes sense due to the planned extension, but why now when the completion of I-795 to I-40 is still years away? Coincidence done during the renumbering of US 264 due to I-587? Unlike that renumbering, I can find no publicity for any exit renumbering along I-795.
I'd like to know the reason as well. The only way I could see it making sense is if the bypass around Mar-Mac is gonna be built anytime soon, and as far as I know, it's not.
Jan 2023 GMSV shows that I-795 exit numbers have NOT changed
Quote from: amroad17 on June 28, 2022, 02:14:33 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on June 16, 2022, 01:53:28 AM
Quote from: LM117 on June 15, 2022, 07:59:35 PM
Other than the new interchange, most noteworthy (and welcome) is that the speed limit has been raised to 65mph between NC-55 in Mount Olive, and US-117 Alternate in Mar-Mac.
That is a very welcome change indeed, and I'm honestly surprised (but thankful) they did. I recall driving that segment which had been basically improved to a freeway at that point, struggling to stay under 70 mph. 55 mph was a joke that should have at least been 60 mph.
It is strange to see North Carolina post a new 65 mph zone though... usually it's been 60 mph or 70 mph. Arguably, this segment should be 70 mph, but still not complaining over 55 mph.
Maybe because of the lack of Interstate standard shoulders is the reason this area is posted at 65 mph instead of 70 mph. Still an improvement for those that live in that area.
It's interesting, because according to Street View from 5 months back, it appears they widened the shoulders to meet interstate standards but just between the Country Club Rd and Oberry Rd interchanges. The remainder of the freeway north of Oberry Rd was simply resurfaced. Why didn't they just widen the shoulders for the entire length, that way that entire 7 mile segment (north of the NC-55 overpass which will obviously be replaced) will be up to interstate standards.
Maybe it was a case of resurface-now, reconstruct-and-upgrade-later. It's going to take a lot of work (and tearing down homes and businesses) to extend Interstate 795 from US 70 to Interstate 40. The sooner more upgrades come, the better.
^ I get that, I just don't understand why they didn't upgrade / widen the shoulders on the entire freeway segment, but instead they only did it on that particular segment between those two interchanges, but not the miles+ of fully controlled access highway north of there.
The freeway segment north of NC-55 will be incorporated into I-795. The bypass of Mar-Mac will begin north of the where the existing freeway ends.