North Carolina

[bob7374]

Is it totally free-flowing or are there still temporary signals?

It's free flowing, the last interchange to open was at NC 65, after which the temporary traffic signals were removed. I have some photos taken after all the exits were opened here:
http://www.malmeroads.net/i7374nc/i73seg2.html#photos

[index]

http://www.charlottestories.com/ncdot-just-approved-new-bridge-gaston-county/

NCDOT has approved a new bridge across the Catawba River for US 74. The bridge has a pretty interesting history behind it, which is explained in the article. It was part of the first four lane highway in North Carolina.

A lot of older bridges in North Carolina and the South have a similar design to them with the guardrails and pavement. A lot of them have grass growing in them, such as the US 52 one across the Rocky River.

[wdcrft63]

http://www.charlottestories.com/ncdot-just-approved-new-bridge-gaston-county/

NCDOT has approved a new bridge across the Catawba River for US 74. The bridge has a pretty interesting history behind it, which is explained in the article. It was part of the first four lane highway in North Carolina.

A lot of older bridges in North Carolina and the South have a similar design to them with the guardrails and pavement. A lot of them have grass growing in them, such as the US 52 one across the Rocky River.

Street view of the bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/h5KLFpJr6my

[adventurernumber1]

http://www.charlottestories.com/ncdot-just-approved-new-bridge-gaston-county/

NCDOT has approved a new bridge across the Catawba River for US 74. The bridge has a pretty interesting history behind it, which is explained in the article. It was part of the first four lane highway in North Carolina.

A lot of older bridges in North Carolina and the South have a similar design to them with the guardrails and pavement. A lot of them have grass growing in them, such as the US 52 one across the Rocky River.

Wow, the US 52 bridge over the Rocky River and the US 74 bridge over the Catawba River are both beautiful and neat. I love these old bridges that have this design. They can indeed tell a story and some history, even if they have a little grass growing along them.


It's very interesting that, according to the article, this road was at one time called "The South's finest highway."

When Wilkinson Blvd first opened in 1926, it became the first four-lane paved highway in North Carolina's history. It was so impressive at the time that it was given the nickname "The South's finest highway."

[BrianP]

Street view of the bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/h5KLFpJr6my

Seeing that made me wonder if that bridge has a interesting sub structure like this bridge:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_40_at_Conococheague_Creek_MD1.jpg

But it doesn't: (There's an image of the bridge on this page.)
http://epaper.gastongazette.com/Olive/ODN/GastonGazette/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TGG%2F2017%2F02%2F19&entity=Ar02302&sk=7B69E6FD

[orulz]

Street view of the bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/h5KLFpJr6my

Seeing that made me wonder if that bridge has a interesting sub structure like this bridge:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_40_at_Conococheague_Creek_MD1.jpg

But it doesn't: (There's an image of the bridge on this page.)
http://epaper.gastongazette.com/Olive/ODN/GastonGazette/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TGG%2F2017%2F02%2F19&entity=Ar02302&sk=7B69E6FD

The Wil-Cox bridge over the yadkin north of Spencer is a very cool arched bridge from the 20s like that one in Maryland you linked, but quite a bit longer. Wil-Cox was recently refurbished to repair cracking and spelling concrete and preserved as a pedestrian facility connecting Rowan and Davidson counties.

LGL33L

[index]

Street view of the bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/h5KLFpJr6my

Seeing that made me wonder if that bridge has a interesting sub structure like this bridge:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_40_at_Conococheague_Creek_MD1.jpg

But it doesn't: (There's an image of the bridge on this page.)
http://epaper.gastongazette.com/Olive/ODN/GastonGazette/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TGG%2F2017%2F02%2F19&entity=Ar02302&sk=7B69E6FD

It doesn't have a substructure like that, but there is a bridge in the same region of NC that does.



It's the James B. Garrison bridge in the Uwharrie Mountains.

[Mapmikey]

There is also the 1927 Green River bridge, now closed but still standing along US 176:

https://www.ncdot.gov/_graphics/site_graphics/projects_ncbridges_hb_historical_reinforced01.jpg

[WashuOtaku]

http://www.charlottestories.com/ncdot-just-approved-new-bridge-gaston-county/

NCDOT has approved a new bridge across the Catawba River for US 74. The bridge has a pretty interesting history behind it, which is explained in the article. It was part of the first four lane highway in North Carolina.

A lot of older bridges in North Carolina and the South have a similar design to them with the guardrails and pavement. A lot of them have grass growing in them, such as the US 52 one across the Rocky River.

The article has some incorrect information about the Sloans Ferry Bridge, the most glaring is the date of the bridge, which was opened in 1933; the article implies that when Wilkinson Boulevard opened in 1926, so did the bridge, which is false.

[sparker]

Street view of the bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/h5KLFpJr6my

Seeing that made me wonder if that bridge has a interesting sub structure like this bridge:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_40_at_Conococheague_Creek_MD1.jpg

But it doesn't: (There's an image of the bridge on this page.)
http://epaper.gastongazette.com/Olive/ODN/GastonGazette/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TGG%2F2017%2F02%2F19&entity=Ar02302&sk=7B69E6FD

It doesn't have a substructure like that, but there is a bridge in the same region of NC that does.



It's the James B. Garrison bridge in the Uwharrie Mountains.

Question: what river does the Garrison bridge cross, and what highway occupies the bridge?

[Strider]

Street view of the bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/h5KLFpJr6my

Seeing that made me wonder if that bridge has a interesting sub structure like this bridge:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_40_at_Conococheague_Creek_MD1.jpg

But it doesn't: (There's an image of the bridge on this page.)
http://epaper.gastongazette.com/Olive/ODN/GastonGazette/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TGG%2F2017%2F02%2F19&entity=Ar02302&sk=7B69E6FD

It doesn't have a substructure like that, but there is a bridge in the same region of NC that does.



It's the James B. Garrison bridge in the Uwharrie Mountains.

Question: what river does the Garrison bridge cross, and what highway occupies the bridge?

NC Highway 24 and 27 between Troy and Albermarle, and it crosses the Pee Dee River.

[sparker]

Thanks!  I keep forgetting that that area east of I-85 is still within the Piedmont region and has some significant altitude variations.  That is a pretty substantial bridge!

[CanesFan27]

Thanks!  I keep forgetting that that area east of I-85 is still within the Piedmont region and has some significant altitude variations.  That is a pretty substantial bridge!

More commonly known as the swift island bridge.

http://carolinaxroads.blogspot.com/2016/07/swift-island-bridge-stanlymontgomery.html

[ARMOURERERIC]

NCDOT has awarded a contract to mill and resurface US-70 Business in Johnston County from the Wake County line to US-70 (Clayton Bypass).

https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=14638

A smoother — and safer — ride awaits people who use an eight-mile section of U.S. 70 Business in Johnston County.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $6.6 million contract to The Lane Construction Corp. of Cheshire, Connecticut, to mill out the old asphalt and resurface the business highway between the Wake County line and U.S. 70 Bypass south of. To improve safety and traffic flow through the intersections, the contractor also will reconfigure several median openings between Shotwell Road and N.C. 42 in Clayton. The new traffic pattern will direct left turns from the highway onto the side roads; motorists on those side streets will turn right and make a U-turn, if they wish to go in the opposite direction.

Additionally, the contractor will repave the U.S. 70 Business westbound ramp at the U.S. 70 Bypass, as well as sections of Barbour and Hamby streets near U.S. 70 in Clayton.

Weather depending, the contractor may start work after Jan. 2, with the project expected to be substantially complete by November 2018. Landscaping work can continue through May 2019.

This was one of nine road and bridge projects recently awarded by the department. They were worth about $275.3 million, about $12.7 million under engineer estimates.

I have had difficulty finding the list of these projects.  Is there a link?

[LM117]

NCDOT is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the final section of the Wilmington Bypass (I-140) tomorrow, but it won't open to traffic until next week.

http://m.wect.com/story/37059262/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-for-i-140-wilmington-bypass-set-for-friday

The NC Department of Transportation will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at 11 a.m. to unveil the final section of the I-140 Wilmington Bypass.

Following the ceremony, the road may not be open to traffic due to wet weather from the previous week delaying construction work, according to NCDOT officials.

Crews are still working on sign installation, pavement markings and final concrete work before the new section of the bypass can be opened to motorists.

The road will likely open to drivers next week, however, lane closures will be necessary until early spring so crews can perform final touches on the bypass.

...and in related Wilmington news, NCDOT has awarded a contract to extend Military Cutoff Road from Market Street to US-17.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20171214/military-cutoff-extension-finally-gets-green-light

[wdcrft63]

...and in related Wilmington news, NCDOT has awarded a contract to extend Military Cutoff Road from Market Street to US-17.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20171214/military-cutoff-extension-finally-gets-green-light

This project least into the proposed Hampstead Bypass;
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/US17HampsteadBypass/

[ARMOURERERIC]

Drove NC 16 from 485 to 40 yesterday.  Work to widen n the remaining 2 Lane sections are underway on the entire remaining 2 Lane part, all clearing at this point.

[fillup420]

Drove NC 16 from 485 to 40 yesterday.  Work to widen n the remaining 2 Lane sections are underway on the entire remaining 2 Lane part, all clearing at this point.

That will be very nice once it is completed. I frequent that stretch of 16. Im wondering if they will keep the same U-turn based design that occurs on the existing 4-lane segment.

[LM117]

Triangle Expressway tolls to increase, beginning January 1.

https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=14699

A slight increase in the toll rate for the Triangle Expressway will take effect Monday, Jan. 1, as required by the bond covenant created for the funding of the highway. In 2008, the N.C. Turnpike Authority Board adopted a schedule of annual toll rate increases based on the financing requirements of the Triangle Expressway project, which set an average 3.5 percent increase for 2018.

For NC Quick Pass customers traveling the 17.4 miles on the Triangle Expressway between N.C. 147 at I-40 and the N.C. 55 Bypass, the cost will increase 12 cents to $3.25. For bill-by-mail customers, the cost will go up 16 cents to $4.97.

Revenue raised through the tolling process is used to help pay off the bonds sold to fund the $1 billion highway, as well as overall maintenance including road repairs, signs, mowing and winter weather preparation and response.

Plans and work are currently underway for upgrades to the Triangle Expressway. A new interchange at Morrisville Parkway in western Cary is being designed, and is scheduled to be built in time to open to traffic in late 2019.

In August, NC Quick Pass started offering free NC Quick Pass transponders and 60 percent off NC Quick Pass E-ZPass compatible transponders ($7.40 + tax). Motorists who use a Quick Pass transponder on the Triangle Expressway have the largest coverage area of toll program interoperability in the nation. The NC Quick Pass is interoperable with toll roads and bridges that accept Florida's Sun Pass and Georgia's Peach Pass.

The NC Quick Pass E-ZPass compatible transponder can also be used on dozens of toll highways and bridges across 15 additional mid-Atlantic, northeastern and midwestern states served by E-ZPass, including: Delaware; Illinois; Indiana; Kentucky; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; Ohio; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Virginia; and West Virginia.

For NC Quick Pass information, including payment and purchase options, call 1-877-7MY-PASS (1-877-769-7277) or visit the NC Quick Pass website.

[LM117]

Looks like some sign changes are coming to Greensboro. The Piedmont Triad International Airport is no more. It will now be known as Central North Carolina International Airport.

http://www.wfmynews2.com/mobile/article/news/local/pti-airport-to-be-renamed-central-north-carolina-international-airport/83-500613962

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Piedmont Triad International Airport will be changing its name. The Airport Authority voted Tuesday to rename the airport Central North Carolina International Airport.

"Changing the name of the airport is a big step. We do not take that lightly,"  said Airport Authority Chairman Steve Showfety. "But it's an important step. We need a brand that is recognized around the world, because we are competing around the world."

It's all part of rebranding the airport in an effort to make it more competitive.

"When I talk to people across the country they don't know what the 'Piedmont Triad' is," said Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan. "This will be much more self-explanatory."

The airport authority and city leaders hope the new name will help with economic development in the area.

"Here at the airport we have almost 1,000 acres that can be developed around the airport. So as we're working to attract companies to this region, I think this name will help them understand where they are coming to or where they could be looking for new opportunities," said Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines.

The authority has updated airport runways in recent years and added new restaurants in the terminals.

The board has also discussed a terminal makeover and started interviewing architects for the project.

According to the airport's website, the number of passengers going through the airport is up from last year.

As of October, 727,677 passengers had flown at the airport. In October of 2016, 705,343 passengers had flown so far that year.

[HazMatt]

Looks like some sign changes are coming to Greensboro. The Piedmont Triad International Airport is no more. It will now be known as Central North Carolina International Airport.

http://www.wfmynews2.com/mobile/article/news/local/pti-airport-to-be-renamed-central-north-carolina-international-airport/83-500613962

snip

Just name is Greensboro, jeez.  If you have to specify that much where you're located, noone wants to go there anyway.

[LM117]

...and in related Wilmington news, NCDOT has awarded a contract to extend Military Cutoff Road from Market Street to US-17.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20171214/military-cutoff-extension-finally-gets-green-light

More on this:

https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=14707

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $95 million contract to extend Military Cutoff Road to U.S. 17 in Wilmington.

The contract, awarded to Balfour Infrastructure Inc. of Wilmington, includes extending Military Cutoff Road by four miles from Market Street to U.S. 17. The project includes grading, paving, drainage improvements, sound walls, bridges and culverts north of Market Street. The contractor also will build interchanges where the road now meets Market Street and at the new intersection at U.S. 17.

Once completed in 2022, the Military Cutoff Extension will provide greater connectivity to Market Street and improve access to Ogden, Wrightsville Beach, Mayfaire and surrounding areas.

To accommodate the new interchange, Market Street will be widened between Gordon Road and Middle Sound Loop Road. The improvements to Market Street include an updated drainage system; a concrete median to reduce crashes and improve traffic flow; upgraded drainage to remove water from the road and new on and off ramps.

The relocation of utility lines on Market Street, as part of the pre-construction phase began in summer of 2017. Construction is scheduled to begin as soon as Jan. 2018, and is expected to be completed by spring 2022. Some lane closures will be needed but no detours are proposed at this time.

This was one of nine road and bridge projects recently awarded by the department. They were worth about $275.3 million, about $12.7 million under engineer estimates.

[wdcrft63]

Looks like some sign changes are coming to Greensboro. The Piedmont Triad International Airport is no more. It will now be known as Central North Carolina International Airport.

http://www.wfmynews2.com/mobile/article/news/local/pti-airport-to-be-renamed-central-north-carolina-international-airport/83-500613962

snip

Just name is Greensboro, jeez.  If you have to specify that much where you're located, noone wants to go there anyway.

As a Triangle resident, it doesn't matter to me what they call it. But I am surprised. "Piedmont Triad" is a brand name for the metropolitan area and a lot of effort and resources went into establishing that name. Why throw it away for a name that's more vague?

[LM117]

Looks like some sign changes are coming to Greensboro. The Piedmont Triad International Airport is no more. It will now be known as Central North Carolina International Airport.

http://www.wfmynews2.com/mobile/article/news/local/pti-airport-to-be-renamed-central-north-carolina-international-airport/83-500613962

snip

Just name is Greensboro, jeez.  If you have to specify that much where you're located, noone wants to go there anyway.

As a Triangle resident, it doesn't matter to me what they call it. But I am surprised. "Piedmont Triad" is a brand name for the metropolitan area and a lot of effort and resources went into establishing that name. Why throw it away for a name that's more vague?

Sheer stupidity and I bet they'll end up regretting it later. The locals seem opposed to the change. There is a thread covering the name change on City-Data forum. Only one poster in that thread so far supports the change. The conversation is worth a read.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/greensboro-winston-salem-high-point/2861932-pti-airport-renamed.html

[bob7374]

...and in related Wilmington news, NCDOT has awarded a contract to extend Military Cutoff Road from Market Street to US-17.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20171214/military-cutoff-extension-finally-gets-green-light

More on this:

https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=14707

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $95 million contract to extend Military Cutoff Road to U.S. 17 in Wilmington.

The contract, awarded to Balfour Infrastructure Inc. of Wilmington, includes extending Military Cutoff Road by four miles from Market Street to U.S. 17. The project includes grading, paving, drainage improvements, sound walls, bridges and culverts north of Market Street. The contractor also will build interchanges where the road now meets Market Street and at the new intersection at U.S. 17.

Once completed in 2022, the Military Cutoff Extension will provide greater connectivity to Market Street and improve access to Ogden, Wrightsville Beach, Mayfaire and surrounding areas.

To accommodate the new interchange, Market Street will be widened between Gordon Road and Middle Sound Loop Road. The improvements to Market Street include an updated drainage system; a concrete median to reduce crashes and improve traffic flow; upgraded drainage to remove water from the road and new on and off ramps.

The relocation of utility lines on Market Street, as part of the pre-construction phase began in summer of 2017. Construction is scheduled to begin as soon as Jan. 2018, and is expected to be completed by spring 2022. Some lane closures will be needed but no detours are proposed at this time.

This was one of nine road and bridge projects recently awarded by the department. They were worth about $275.3 million, about $12.7 million under engineer estimates.

You would think NCDOT would know that the Wilmington Bypass is no longer officially US 17, especially since they did not sign it along the new section of I-140 that opened on Tuesday. To add to the confusion the Extension itself will  eventually be signed US 17 when construction extends it northward as part of the Hampstead Bypass project.