North Carolina

[74/171FAN]

NC 27 does seem to be a route that would have been moved to follow US 74 and I-277 a long time ago. How did you find out about this change before contacting NCDOT?

I recently drove on it, was shocked when I realized the realignment.

Thank you.  The signage must have been changed last year because the latest GSV still showed NC 27 on the old route.

[fillup420]

I've been doing some research on I-85 through Orange county, specifically looking for any hints of widening in the near future. I found one article from 2004 that quotes NCDOT as having the project in development. The plan was to expand to 6 lanes the section from the split with I-40 to the Durham county line, where the 6-lane currently ends. What ever happened to this project? 17 years later and nothing has moved forward. This section is in desperate need of improvements. The interchanges at NC 86 and Churton St are woefully undersized and not in good shape.

The merge area from 86 to 85 south is dangerously short, in my opinion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0592646,-79.0854366,3a,23.2y,256.38h,86.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sruIVxxWG8rkJVUE2nCTGoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

At the very least, the interchange with 86 needs to be brought up to modern standards. The south side is ready for full expansion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0557731,-79.0800755,3a,55.1y,336.53h,85.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU1hR8Z0gW1jG-2RFdudI8A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I just cannot believe that this stretch of 85 has been neglected for so long, while other worthless projects around the state get priority. To me, the entire facility in the county looks like its still in original form.

[sprjus4]

I've been doing some research on I-85 through Orange county, specifically looking for any hints of widening in the near future. I found one article from 2004 that quotes NCDOT as having the project in development. The plan was to expand to 6 lanes the section from the split with I-40 to the Durham county line, where the 6-lane currently ends. What ever happened to this project? 17 years later and nothing has moved forward. This section is in desperate need of improvements. The interchanges at NC 86 and Churton St are woefully undersized and not in good shape.

The merge area from 86 to 85 south is dangerously short, in my opinion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0592646,-79.0854366,3a,23.2y,256.38h,86.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sruIVxxWG8rkJVUE2nCTGoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

At the very least, the interchange with 86 needs to be brought up to modern standards. The south side is ready for full expansion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0557731,-79.0800755,3a,55.1y,336.53h,85.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU1hR8Z0gW1jG-2RFdudI8A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I just cannot believe that this stretch of 85 has been neglected for so long, while other worthless projects around the state get priority. To me, the entire facility in the county looks like its still in original form.

Both I-85 and I-40 east of the split need to be widened to 6 lanes. There's currently a project planned for I-40, though I'm not sure for I-85. I-40 seems to be the higher priority, reasonable so, it has about 20,000 more AADT. But honestly, both roads should've been expanded 20 years ago and I-40 should've been built with 6 lanes when it was originally constructed in the 80s.

The US-15 / 501 freeway south of I-85 also needs a complete reconstruction and widening, and reasonably extended south by upgrading the existing arterial to I-40.

[Mapmikey]

I've been doing some research on I-85 through Orange county, specifically looking for any hints of widening in the near future. I found one article from 2004 that quotes NCDOT as having the project in development. The plan was to expand to 6 lanes the section from the split with I-40 to the Durham county line, where the 6-lane currently ends. What ever happened to this project? 17 years later and nothing has moved forward. This section is in desperate need of improvements. The interchanges at NC 86 and Churton St are woefully undersized and not in good shape.

The merge area from 86 to 85 south is dangerously short, in my opinion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0592646,-79.0854366,3a,23.2y,256.38h,86.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sruIVxxWG8rkJVUE2nCTGoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

At the very least, the interchange with 86 needs to be brought up to modern standards. The south side is ready for full expansion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0557731,-79.0800755,3a,55.1y,336.53h,85.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU1hR8Z0gW1jG-2RFdudI8A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I just cannot believe that this stretch of 85 has been neglected for so long, while other worthless projects around the state get priority. To me, the entire facility in the county looks like its still in original form.

It is on the 2020-29 STIP.  The current status is ROW in 2029 and construction in "post year" (which means after 2029).

Upgrading the NC 86 interchange is ROW 2027 and Construction 2029
Upgrading the old NC 86 interchange is ROW 2025 and construction 2028.  This is also on the STIP to widen Old NC 86 from I-40 to Eno River, ROW 2026 and construction 2029.

https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/Pages/State-Transportation-Improvement-Program.aspx

[wdcrft63]

Relative to the Us 15/501 freeway south of I-85: I've lived in this part of Durham for 33 years, and for essentially all of that time there has been a plan to extend the freeway south another mile+ by building an interchange at Garrett Road. The Toyota dealership there was set back to allow room for the SB exit ramp. The project is always in the STIP but never funded. Meanwhile, Southwest Durham Road was built without an interchange and an explosion of development was allowed in that area, making it unworkable to extend the freeway to I-40.

[bob7374]

Final paving starting for Aviation Parkway/I-40 interchange project:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2021/2021-02-12-final-paving-aviation-pkwy.aspx

[Mapmikey]

Relative to the Us 15/501 freeway south of I-85: I've lived in this part of Durham for 33 years, and for essentially all of that time there has been a plan to extend the freeway south another mile+ by building an interchange at Garrett Road. The Toyota dealership there was set back to allow room for the SB exit ramp. The project is always in the STIP but never funded. Meanwhile, Southwest Durham Road was built without an interchange and an explosion of development was allowed in that area, making it unworkable to extend the freeway to I-40.

The 2020-29 STIP says construction 2023 for the Garrett Rd interchange

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I've been doing some research on I-85 through Orange county, specifically looking for any hints of widening in the near future. I found one article from 2004 that quotes NCDOT as having the project in development. The plan was to expand to 6 lanes the section from the split with I-40 to the Durham county line, where the 6-lane currently ends. What ever happened to this project? 17 years later and nothing has moved forward. This section is in desperate need of improvements. The interchanges at NC 86 and Churton St are woefully undersized and not in good shape.

The merge area from 86 to 85 south is dangerously short, in my opinion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0592646,-79.0854366,3a,23.2y,256.38h,86.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sruIVxxWG8rkJVUE2nCTGoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

At the very least, the interchange with 86 needs to be brought up to modern standards. The south side is ready for full expansion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0557731,-79.0800755,3a,55.1y,336.53h,85.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU1hR8Z0gW1jG-2RFdudI8A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I just cannot believe that this stretch of 85 has been neglected for so long, while other worthless projects around the state get priority. To me, the entire facility in the county looks like its still in original form.

Both I-85 and I-40 east of the split need to be widened to 6 lanes. There's currently a project planned for I-40, though I'm not sure for I-85. I-40 seems to be the higher priority, reasonable so, it has about 20,000 more AADT. But honestly, both roads should've been expanded 20 years ago and I-40 should've been built with 6 lanes when it was originally constructed in the 80s.

The US-15 / 501 freeway south of I-85 also needs a complete reconstruction and widening, and reasonably extended south by upgrading the existing arterial to I-40.

There is good news for the I-40 segment (I-3306A) as it's now scheduled to be let as a design-build project this August (yes, 2021, this year, FINALLY).

[sprjus4]

There is good news for the I-40 segment (I-3306A) as it's now scheduled to be let as a design-build project this August (yes, 2021, this year, FINALLY).

That's welcoming news, I had thought that project was pushed off. This would complete the last 4 lane gap between Raleigh and Greensboro and Charlotte.

[fillup420]

I've been doing some research on I-85 through Orange county, specifically looking for any hints of widening in the near future. I found one article from 2004 that quotes NCDOT as having the project in development. The plan was to expand to 6 lanes the section from the split with I-40 to the Durham county line, where the 6-lane currently ends. What ever happened to this project? 17 years later and nothing has moved forward. This section is in desperate need of improvements. The interchanges at NC 86 and Churton St are woefully undersized and not in good shape.

The merge area from 86 to 85 south is dangerously short, in my opinion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0592646,-79.0854366,3a,23.2y,256.38h,86.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sruIVxxWG8rkJVUE2nCTGoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

At the very least, the interchange with 86 needs to be brought up to modern standards. The south side is ready for full expansion. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0557731,-79.0800755,3a,55.1y,336.53h,85.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU1hR8Z0gW1jG-2RFdudI8A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I just cannot believe that this stretch of 85 has been neglected for so long, while other worthless projects around the state get priority. To me, the entire facility in the county looks like its still in original form.

It is on the 2020-29 STIP.  The current status is ROW in 2029 and construction in "post year" (which means after 2029).

Upgrading the NC 86 interchange is ROW 2027 and Construction 2029
Upgrading the old NC 86 interchange is ROW 2025 and construction 2028.  This is also on the STIP to widen Old NC 86 from I-40 to Eno River, ROW 2026 and construction 2029.

https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/Pages/State-Transportation-Improvement-Program.aspx

It is there, but is only calling for pavement rehabilitation...

[Dirt Roads]

I've been doing some research on I-85 through Orange county, specifically looking for any hints of widening in the near future. I found one article from 2004 that quotes NCDOT as having the project in development. The plan was to expand to 6 lanes the section from the split with I-40 to the Durham county line, where the 6-lane currently ends. What ever happened to this project? 17 years later and nothing has moved forward. This section is in desperate need of improvements. The interchanges at NC 86 and Churton St are woefully undersized and not in good shape.

This section of I-85 has been on and off the Top 5 list statewide since I moved here in 2000.  At one time, NCDOT delayed its scheduled repaving for a couple of years assuming the work was going to start by then (it didn't).  More recently, NCDOT contracted out the survey work along this entire section.  Before it was completed, survey work along I-40 in Orange County started and I'm not sure if the I-85 corridor ever got completed.

The merge area from 86 to 85 south is dangerously short, in my opinion.
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0592646,-79.0854366,3a,23.2y,256.38h,86.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sruIVxxWG8rkJVUE2nCTGoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

My high school aged son has to get on I-85 on this onramp when coming home from school.  He is an excellent and careful driver.  He got squeezed between two semis merging one day and has been scared ever since (he threaded the needle perfectly).  He hasn't driven much since.  Sometime last Fall, I picked him up and had him drive home and the same thing happened.  Letter perfect merge.  Most folks on I-85 southbound know this one is tricky and try to help the merging traffic.  Not so at the other on-ramps around here.

The bridges for five underpasses in this section (this one is for the North Carolina Rail Road) have no room for error after the lanes were widened many years ago.  NCDOT is constantly shutting down lanes to replace the cement railings that get smacked.  Before COVID, we were getting about once accident on a bridge during rush hour almost once a month.

Oh, while you are looking at this view check out the ancient tubular pillars for that BGS.  There are two BGS and another sign heading northbound that still have original foundations for the tubular pillars.  But this one does not appear to be original pillars.  It looks like they've taken several sets of pillars and welded them together end-to-end with the base up.  Then they mounted the base of another set pillars on top of the lower pillars.  I've been meaning to post this one forever, but I haven't had a chance to get the camera out.  [Reposting to a more appropriate thread].

At the very least, the interchange with 86 needs to be brought up to modern standards. The south side is ready for full expansion.
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0557731,-79.0800755,3a,55.1y,336.53h,85.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU1hR8Z0gW1jG-2RFdudI8A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

And this is the location of the four-headed left turn signal that was converted into a FYLA.  I had mistakenly posted this about the traffic signal on the other side of the I-85 intersection.  It took me a month to realize that the one I remember was actually here at Hampton Pointe.

[tolbs17]

And this interchange would need work done to it too?

By the way, this document has recent images about the new I-40 widening.

[Mapmikey]

It is there, but is only calling for pavement rehabilitation...

Both widening and pavement rehab are on it separately.  See pdf page 109 here - https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIPDocuments1/NCDOT%20Current%20STIP.pdf

The widening is project I0305 and the rehab is I5941.  Rehab is scheduled for construction starting 2025

[tolbs17]

When looking at the I-77 express lanes,

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.5123107,-80.8655784,3a,84.1y,8.24h,86.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sE9xDsemblWHbQeZnZWPtOg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Why can't they just add another free lane so it can be 3-1-1-3? Or how about take out the grass mound and just build long bridges. Traffic is super bad in this area.

[Dirt Roads]

The bridges for five underpasses in this section (this one is for the North Carolina Rail Road) have no room for error after the lanes were widened many years ago.  NCDOT is constantly shutting down lanes to replace the cement railings that get smacked.  Before COVID, we were getting about once accident on a bridge during rush hour almost once a month.

Nasty truck turnover at the Orange Grove Road overpass (the westernmost bridge on I-85 before the I-40 merge).  Looks like this wreck happened going against rush hour, but it came across into oncoming rush hour traffic.  Going to be a mess in Hillsborough today.
https://www.wral.com/truck-strikes-bridge-overturns-on-i-85-in-hillsborough/19576543/

[snowc]

And this interchange would need work done to it too?

By the way, this document has recent images about the new I-40 widening.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8996145,-78.8758435,3a,75y,317.22h,78.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suMEwZEs-m7kukgicU3gvNw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This was originally an At grade intersection. Now its a full onramp.

[tolbs17]

And this interchange would need work done to it too?

By the way, this document has recent images about the new I-40 widening.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8996145,-78.8758435,3a,75y,317.22h,78.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suMEwZEs-m7kukgicU3gvNw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This was originally an At grade intersection. Now its a full onramp.

I see that but i'm asking does this interchange need to be redesigned because of the short weaving distances.

And I assume I-40 used to go on the Durham freeway?

[Mapmikey]

And this interchange would need work done to it too?

By the way, this document has recent images about the new I-40 widening.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8996145,-78.8758435,3a,75y,317.22h,78.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suMEwZEs-m7kukgicU3gvNw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This was originally an At grade intersection. Now its a full onramp.

I see that but i'm asking does this interchange need to be redesigned because of the short weaving distances.

And I assume I-40 used to go on the Durham freeway?

I-40 never used the Durham Freeway.  It was a discontinuous route until the freeway was extended west around Durham starting in the late 1980s.

[tolbs17]

And this interchange would need work done to it too?

By the way, this document has recent images about the new I-40 widening.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8996145,-78.8758435,3a,75y,317.22h,78.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suMEwZEs-m7kukgicU3gvNw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This was originally an At grade intersection. Now its a full onramp.

I see that but i'm asking does this interchange need to be redesigned because of the short weaving distances.

And I assume I-40 used to go on the Durham freeway?

I-40 never used the Durham Freeway.  It was a discontinuous route until the freeway was extended west around Durham starting in the late 1980s.

source



Image, which happens to not work, Alternative 3 would have been done. This is what the website said

Alternative 3: The original I-40 proposal following I-85 North to NC 147 (Exit 172) and following NC 147 to present day I-40 with eliminated interchanges and extra lanes.

Alternative 4 uses the east end connector (which is not even done yet, but i think it looks stupid if they have done it that way so i'm glad they didn't).

Looking at this, Alternative 1 was chosen.

the PDF file won't download for some unknown reason.

But I know how many are against building freeways so close to downtown. I've seen a website saying "Should the Durham Freeway be demolished"?

[sprjus4]

Interestingly enough, the last segment of the NC-147 Durham Freeway between US-501 and I-85 wasn't completed until February 2001.

Most of the road through the Downtown area and down to present-day I-40 was constructed in the early 1970s, with a portion east of US-501 connecting to the 70s freeway being built in the early 1990s.

[Mapmikey]

And this interchange would need work done to it too?

By the way, this document has recent images about the new I-40 widening.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8996145,-78.8758435,3a,75y,317.22h,78.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suMEwZEs-m7kukgicU3gvNw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This was originally an At grade intersection. Now its a full onramp.

I see that but i'm asking does this interchange need to be redesigned because of the short weaving distances.

And I assume I-40 used to go on the Durham freeway?

I-40 never used the Durham Freeway.  It was a discontinuous route until the freeway was extended west around Durham starting in the late 1980s.

source



Image, which happens to not work, Alternative 3 would have been done. This is what the website said

Alternative 3: The original I-40 proposal following I-85 North to NC 147 (Exit 172) and following NC 147 to present day I-40 with eliminated interchanges and extra lanes.

Alternative 4 uses the east end connector (which is not even done yet, but i think it looks stupid if they have done it that way so i'm glad they didn't).

Looking at this, Alternative 1 was chosen.

the PDF file won't download for some unknown reason.

But I know how many are against building freeways so close to downtown. I've seen a website saying "Should the Durham Freeway be demolished"?

So, no, I-40 never actually used the Durham Freeway...

[tolbs17]

And this interchange would need work done to it too?

By the way, this document has recent images about the new I-40 widening.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8996145,-78.8758435,3a,75y,317.22h,78.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suMEwZEs-m7kukgicU3gvNw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This was originally an At grade intersection. Now its a full onramp.

I see that but i'm asking does this interchange need to be redesigned because of the short weaving distances.

And I assume I-40 used to go on the Durham freeway?

I-40 never used the Durham Freeway.  It was a discontinuous route until the freeway was extended west around Durham starting in the late 1980s.

source



Image, which happens to not work, Alternative 3 would have been done. This is what the website said

Alternative 3: The original I-40 proposal following I-85 North to NC 147 (Exit 172) and following NC 147 to present day I-40 with eliminated interchanges and extra lanes.

Alternative 4 uses the east end connector (which is not even done yet, but i think it looks stupid if they have done it that way so i'm glad they didn't).

Looking at this, Alternative 1 was chosen.

the PDF file won't download for some unknown reason.

But I know how many are against building freeways so close to downtown. I've seen a website saying "Should the Durham Freeway be demolished"?

So, no, I-40 never actually used the Durham Freeway...

I'm guessing that was the original plan but they wanted to bypass it cause it bisects the city.

[sprjus4]

Lincoln County Intersection Getting a Traffic Signal

DENVER — A traffic signal and other improvements are coming to the intersection of N.C. 16 & Optimist Club Road in Lincoln County.

The N.C. Department of Transportation recently awarded a contract to LMJ Pavement Marking, LLC to signalize the intersection, add new pavement markings and install warning devices to alert motorists traveling on N.C. 16 of the signals ahead. As part of the project, NCDOT will reduce the speed limit from the current 60 mph to 55 mph.

Work can begin as early as April 15 and is estimated to take four months to complete. To minimize traffic impacts, the contractor will not reduce lanes during commuter times, holidays and special events.

Residents and local officials had asked NCDOT to evaluate the safety of this location, which is a reduced-conflict intersection designed to improve safety and reduce the risk of serious crashes. NCDOT recommended the installation of a traffic signal, in part because significantly more people are traveling through this intersection since N.C. 16 was widened in 2011.

Funding for the $281,796 signalization project is coming primarily from a program called High-Impact/Low Cost, a funding source established in 2017 by the General Assembly to provide funds to complete low-cost projects with high impacts to the transportation system, including intersection improvement projects, minor widening projects and operational improvement projects.

Ultimately, NCDOT plans to construct an interchange at this location under State Transportation Improvement Project U-6134. Planning and design work is just getting underway for the interchange project, with right-of-way acquisition currently scheduled to begin in 2022 and construction scheduled to follow starting in 2024.

The entire 17-mile expressway between Killian Crossroads and Lucia was constructed on new location about 13 years ago, built to full freeway standards with the exception of two at-grade intersections (Optimist Club Rd and St. James Church Rd), one of which will now be getting a traffic signal. Not sure why these two intersections were not grade separated from the beginning... hopefully this interchange can get constructed along with another grade separation funded at St. James Church Rd by the end of the decade, finally creating a full freeway corridor that can posted up to 65 mph (or all the way to 70 mph) with no interruption. The southern portion is already posted at 65 mph, though the northern half is restricted to 60 mph due to those two intersections, thanks to artificial classification speed laws.

Also... Google Maps now classifies the at-grade portion of NC-16 south of Lucia to I-485 as a freeway facility, but has the actual freeway / limited access portion north of there marked as a surface route...?

[LM117]

A contract has been awarded for improvements to US-64 in Washington & Tyrrell counties. Work can start on June 1 and is expected to be finished by September 30, 2022.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2021/2021-03-16-us-64-improvements.aspx

[tolbs17]

A contract has been awarded for improvements to US-64 in Washington & Tyrrell counties. Work can start on June 1 and is expected to be finished by September 30, 2022.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2021/2021-03-16-us-64-improvements.aspx

Can a freeway be built and bypass Jamesville and Plymouth?