New Interstate 885 in Durham

[Mapmikey]

Getting back to I-885. A South I-885 reassurance marker has appeared on the Durham Freeway after the future East End Connector interchange and prior to the Ellis Road exit. A sign that was supposed to be covered over? Does this mean the AASHTO Fall Meeting approved the I-885 designation? A photo of the new sign, taken by Charles M. Kunz, is available at:
http://malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut885.html#photos

The Forum no longer lets me post photos directly in my posts (and has removed all the photos from my previous ones).

This was happening to me as well.  Here is the answer to why.  When I switched to a non-Chrome browser I can see my pics and yours...

Does anyone know why some posters' photos no longer appear on posts (both old and new)?

Some browsers seem to have trouble with posting mixed content; since AARoads' forum uses "https" but if the site uses an insecure "http", then it appears as a broken link.

Oddly, this more of a problem with Chrome on a PC, but not Chrome on my phone. Probably a setting change is in order.

[The Ghostbuster]

The Interstate 885 reassurance marker is a welcome sign. Even without an official designation approval from the "powers that be", Interstate 885 in North Carolina is a step closer to becoming reality.

[tjcreasy]

I heard someone on this forum say arguing over NC control cities is akin to the NC BBQ debate. It couldn't be more true. At least NCDOT is consistent, Petersburg would be a control city within North Carolina too if it was in NC. Thank God for GPS.

[rickmastfan67]

The Forum no longer lets me post photos directly in my posts (and has removed all the photos from my previous ones).

Not the forums fault.  Some browsers themselves are getting really picky over images coming via http vs https.

And for the record, using Firefox 83 and can see all your previous images.

[bob7374]

The Forum no longer lets me post photos directly in my posts (and has removed all the photos from my previous ones).

Not the forums fault.  Some browsers themselves are getting really picky over images coming via http vs https.

And for the record, using Firefox 83 and can see all your previous images.

For non-Chrome users, here's the new I-885 reassurance marker:

[Ryctor2018]

Right click on the image, then select "open image in new tap" if you are using Chrome. You can then see images posted in the thread.

[wdcrft63]

So....does anyone know if the I-885 designation was approved by AASHTO?

[sturmde]

So....does anyone know if the I-885 designation was approved by AASHTO?

Whatever virtual meeting the SCORN (AASHTO's committee on US Route Numbering) had... no one seems to have any report of the outcomes.  AASHTO's publication of committee votes had been getting worse already BEFORE the pandemic...

[architect77]

The Forum no longer lets me post photos directly in my posts (and has removed all the photos from my previous ones).

Not the forums fault.  Some browsers themselves are getting really picky over images coming via http vs https.

And for the record, using Firefox 83 and can see all your previous images.

You all are hosting your photos on a site like flickr and just referencing the photos in this forum aren't you? If you were expecting this forum to hold the photos it would be quite a burden, and no wonder they had to stop allowing direct uploads.

That's probably a given and I sound stupid for even reminding of that.

[rickmastfan67]

The Forum no longer lets me post photos directly in my posts (and has removed all the photos from my previous ones).

Not the forums fault.  Some browsers themselves are getting really picky over images coming via http vs https.

And for the record, using Firefox 83 and can see all your previous images.

You all are hosting your photos on a site like flickr and just referencing the photos in this forum aren't you? If you were expecting this forum to hold the photos it would be quite a burden, and no wonder they had to stop allowing direct uploads.

That's probably a given and I sound stupid for even reminding of that.

No, the issue here is that Chrome doesn't like 'http' images anymore.  They have to be 'https' ones now, or they will no longer load them.  bob7374's images in this thread are hosted on his own server at the moment.

[storm2k]

The Forum no longer lets me post photos directly in my posts (and has removed all the photos from my previous ones).

Not the forums fault.  Some browsers themselves are getting really picky over images coming via http vs https.

And for the record, using Firefox 83 and can see all your previous images.

You all are hosting your photos on a site like flickr and just referencing the photos in this forum aren't you? If you were expecting this forum to hold the photos it would be quite a burden, and no wonder they had to stop allowing direct uploads.

That's probably a given and I sound stupid for even reminding of that.

No, the issue here is that Chrome doesn't like 'http' images anymore.  They have to be 'https' ones now, or they will no longer load them.  bob7374's images in this thread are hosted on his own server at the moment.

Neither does Firefox, at least the beta versions. The fact is that unsecured http traffic is on its way out at this point, and Let's Encrypt makes it so trivial to get a valid SSL certificate that there is very little reason to not have your website served in an encrypted manner. Hell, even the cheaper website hosts make it super simple to do. I host a site on Dreamhost, all they do all the lifting. All I do is click a thing in the control panel and the website is served via https with a certificate from Let's Encrypt. Everyone should be doing this at this point.

[kendancy66]

The Forum no longer lets me post photos directly in my posts (and has removed all the photos from my previous ones).

Not the forums fault.  Some browsers themselves are getting really picky over images coming via http vs https.

And for the record, using Firefox 83 and can see all your previous images.

For non-Chrome users, here's the new I-885 reassurance marker:

I am a chrome user and I can see this picture.

[bob7374]

The Forum no longer lets me post photos directly in my posts (and has removed all the photos from my previous ones).

Not the forums fault.  Some browsers themselves are getting really picky over images coming via http vs https.

And for the record, using Firefox 83 and can see all your previous images.

For non-Chrome users, here's the new I-885 reassurance marker:

I am a chrome user and I can see this picture.

I took storm2k's advice and encrypted my domain, so my photos are visible to all again.

[dfilpus]

The opening has been delayed to June 2021, due to delays replacing railroad bridges over the new freeway.
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article248194765.html

[wdcrft63]

The opening has been delayed to June 2021, due to delays replacing railroad bridges over the new freeway.
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article248194765.html

Sounds like a serious screwup by the contractor...steel ordered for the railroad overpass proved inadequate so they had to back up and start over.

[bob7374]

The opening has been delayed to June 2021, due to delays replacing railroad bridges over the new freeway.
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article248194765.html

Sounds like a serious screwup by the contractor...steel ordered for the railroad overpass proved inadequate so they had to back up and start over.

There was no explanation in the article as to why the Connector between NC 147 and US 70 cannot be opened prior to the railroad work on US 70 being completed. Could it be since they put up all the I-885 signs, and the current railroad bridge is not up to Interstate standards, that they would rather just wait and not have to cover up those signs?

[sprjus4]

^

At that rate, it's no different than a work zone on an interstate highway with reduced lane widths, lane shifts, narrow shoulders, etc.

[bob7374]

The opening has been delayed to June 2021, due to delays replacing railroad bridges over the new freeway.
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article248194765.html

Sounds like a serious screwup by the contractor...steel ordered for the railroad overpass proved inadequate so they had to back up and start over.

There was no explanation in the article as to why the Connector between NC 147 and US 70 cannot be opened prior to the railroad work on US 70 being completed. Could it be since they put up all the I-885 signs, and the current railroad bridge is not up to Interstate standards, that they would rather just wait and not have to cover up those signs?

Just found a list of approved AASHTO US Route Number Committee results for Nov. 2020 (though not official). According to the list NCDOT did not apply for approval of I-885. The next meeting is probably in May. Could this be the real reason the Connector won't open until June?

[The Ghostbuster]

I think they should keep the Interstate 885 signs up along the route, even if the route isn't approved. Or they could try to get the route approved as Interstate 685. On second thought, the 685 designation should be applied to the remainder of the NC 147 freeway, given that road is upgraded to Interstate Standards as well.

[Evan_Th]

On second thought, the 685 designation should be applied to the remainder of the NC 147 freeway, given that road is upgraded to Interstate Standards as well.

Having driven that remainder of NC 147 and some of the entrance/exit ramps, I think that'll take a while.

[WashuOtaku]

Just found a list of approved AASHTO US Route Number Committee results for Nov. 2020 (though not official). According to the list NCDOT did not apply for approval of I-885. The next meeting is probably in May. Could this be the real reason the Connector won't open until June?

Typically no. There are states that asked for AASHTO years later, like Arkansas, who finally started submitting them after their DOT head was on the board.

[tjcreasy]

I think they should keep the Interstate 885 signs up along the route, even if the route isn't approved. Or they could try to get the route approved as Interstate 685. On second thought, the 685 designation should be applied to the remainder of the NC 147 freeway, given that road is upgraded to Interstate Standards as well.

An East-West I-685 from the current start of the Durham Frwy to I-540 via the East End Connector makes sense. The upgrades to the on and off ramps would be substantial but if downtown Durham continues to grow, those upgrades will be needed anyway.

[wdcrft63]

I think they should keep the Interstate 885 signs up along the route, even if the route isn't approved. Or they could try to get the route approved as Interstate 685. On second thought, the 685 designation should be applied to the remainder of the NC 147 freeway, given that road is upgraded to Interstate Standards as well.

An East-West I-685 from the current start of the Durham Frwy to I-540 via the East End Connector makes sense. The upgrades to the on and off ramps would be substantial but if downtown Durham continues to grow, those upgrades will be needed anyway.

NC 147 makes a rather sharp S-turn through downtown; it doesn't feel like an interstate.

[wdcrft63]

I think they should keep the Interstate 885 signs up along the route, even if the route isn't approved. Or they could try to get the route approved as Interstate 685. On second thought, the 685 designation should be applied to the remainder of the NC 147 freeway, given that road is upgraded to Interstate Standards as well.

An East-West I-685 from the current start of the Durham Frwy to I-540 via the East End Connector makes sense. The upgrades to the on and off ramps would be substantial but if downtown Durham continues to grow, those upgrades will be needed anyway.

[Evan_Th]

I think they should keep the Interstate 885 signs up along the route, even if the route isn't approved. Or they could try to get the route approved as Interstate 685. On second thought, the 685 designation should be applied to the remainder of the NC 147 freeway, given that road is upgraded to Interstate Standards as well.

An East-West I-685 from the current start of the Durham Frwy to I-540 via the East End Connector makes sense. The upgrades to the on and off ramps would be substantial but if downtown Durham continues to grow, those upgrades will be needed anyway.

Are you proposing routing it over US 70 from the East End Connector to 540?  What about the needed upgrades to 70 in the Briar Creek area?