DOT Lays Out Plans For Overhaul Of I-40, I-77 Exit (http://www2.wspa.com/news/2012/aug/06/dot-lays-out-plans-overhaul-i-40-i-77-exit-ar-4284941/)
The cloverleaf interchange of Interstates 40 and 77 in Statesville, North Carolina, is getting an overhaul. It is being replaced with a multi-level interchange. I do not know if this will be a full four-level stack interchange or a three-level interchange with loops remaining, similar to Interstates 26 and 85 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Initially a directional ramp will replace one of the loops. In the end three of the four loops will be replaced with sweeping ramps or flyovers.
They are rendered at http://www2.statesville.com/mgmedia/file/133/srl-i40-project/
Does it seem odd that when the interchange was first built they predicted a traffic count of only 5000 vehicles per day? That seems low, even for the 1960s.
Another interchange that needs a makeover is Business 40/US 52 in Winston Salem. That thing needs a couple of flyover ramps badly. And there's virtually no room to merge when you exit from one route and try to get on the other.
Business 40, in general, has needed a makeover (why did my phone auto-capitalize that word?!) for years. I never got to fully check it out when I was in the area a lot, so I'm curious to see how it is now.
It's about time on the 40/77 cluster----. The only problem is it and the US 21 interchange just west of there will be a bigger cluster---- for the next 5 years while they do the work.
I guess it's going to be 70 and 115 for a while for me.
This is one interchange I'm happy they are finally upgrading. Too bad it will not be that fun if you need to use the I-40/US-21 interchange till it's finished.
I'm sure 40/77 won't be a picnic either. How much worse it could be than it is now, remains to be seen. I hate travelling through that interchange, and I use I-77N to I-40W a lot. Not fun contending with traffic leaving I-40W for I-77S (CHARLOTTE!!!).
Quote from: OracleUsr on August 09, 2012, 10:21:29 PM
I'm sure 40/77 won't be a picnic either. How much worse it could be than it is now, remains to be seen. I hate travelling through that interchange, and I use I-77N to I-40W a lot. Not fun contending with traffic leaving I-40W for I-77S (CHARLOTTE!!!).
I agree with you on that I-77N to I-40W movement. Have used it a lot when leaving the Charlotte area after races weekends to stop at the K&W at the I-40/US-21 interchange.
Quote from: broadhurst04 on August 08, 2012, 11:20:39 PM
Does it seem odd that when the interchange was first built they predicted a traffic count of only 5000 vehicles per day? That seems low, even for the 1960s.
Remember, I-485 is a rural interstate, too :spin:
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on August 10, 2012, 10:12:46 AM
Quote from: OracleUsr on August 09, 2012, 10:21:29 PM
I'm sure 40/77 won't be a picnic either. How much worse it could be than it is now, remains to be seen. I hate travelling through that interchange, and I use I-77N to I-40W a lot. Not fun contending with traffic leaving I-40W for I-77S (CHARLOTTE!!!).
I agree with you on that I-77N to I-40W movement. Have used it a lot when leaving the Charlotte area after races weekends to stop at the K&W at the I-40/US-21 interchange.
I live about 2 miles, and work about 3 miles, from that interchange. It's going to be a mess for all of us Statesville residents. I hope it's worth it when it finishes and is able to accomodate more and more traffic, especially because that serves traffic headed for Hickory and Asheville.
I drove through Statesville on I-77 heading north, and I noticed NCDOT is rebuilding the I-40/77 interchange from cloverleaf interchange to a multi-level interchange with flyovers (I'd say about time), so I looked at the website and it is going to look very impressive. But my question is.. why don't they widen I-77 to 6 lanes from Exit 49-54, but instead they're widening I-40 to 6 lanes from exit 150 to 154. Anyone know why?
The link to the website is http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40i77improvements/
Quote from: Strider on May 25, 2014, 11:46:54 PM
I drove through Statesville on I-77 heading north, and I noticed NCDOT is rebuilding the I-40/77 interchange from cloverleaf interchange to a multi-level interchange with flyovers (I'd say about time), so I looked at the website and it is going to look very impressive. But my question is.. why don't they widen I-77 to 6 lanes from Exit 49-54, but instead they're widening I-40 to 6 lanes from exit 150 to 154. Anyone know why?
To put it simply, there is more traffic along I-40 than I-77 in Statesville. Once you go north of Statesville, there isn't really much till Wythville. However, along I-40, it's a string of North Carolina cities, one after another, and the whole routing will eventually widen at some point like I-85 has been for the last three decades.
Actually, based on 2012 traffic counts, it's the other way around. From the 40/77 interchange, the busiest traffic direction is 77 South. While a case can be made for widening I-40 from Exit 150 to Exit 154 as part of the 40/77 interchange project, a stronger case could be made for widening I-77 from I-40 south all the way to the start of the 6-lane section at Exit 33...especially the stretch from I-40 to Exit 45.
Quote from: froggie on May 26, 2014, 11:21:55 AM
Actually, based on 2012 traffic counts, it's the other way around. From the 40/77 interchange, the busiest traffic direction is 77 South. While a case can be made for widening I-40 from Exit 150 to Exit 154 as part of the 40/77 interchange project, a stronger case could be made for widening I-77 from I-40 south all the way to the start of the 6-lane section at Exit 33...especially the stretch from I-40 to Exit 45.
I didn't say I-77 south traffic was light, I said there isn't much north along I-77 from Statesville, so the need to widen is less. I am also not against widening that stretch of highway, but I can see why NCDOT choose to widen I-40 first. Also, travelers that connect from I-40 onto I-77 south (and vice-versa) isn't really bad, considering travelers can also use: US 321 (Hickory), NC 16 (Conover), US 601 (Mocksville), US 52 (Winston-Salem) and I-85 (Greensboro) to reach Charlotte faster than connecting through Statesville. Commuting wise, Statesville isn't much of a bedroom community for Charlotte; that pretty much ends before reaching Troutman.
I agree with you that I-77 south of I-40 interchange is filled with heavy traffic, which is why I think NCDOT should just widen I-77 from Charlotte to Statesville and I-40 from Statesville to Winston Salem. Oh well, this interchange project is the start i guess. Still very happy that they're doing it.
Quote from: Strider on May 26, 2014, 12:28:06 PM
I agree with you that I-77 south of I-40 interchange is filled with heavy traffic, which is why I think NCDOT should just widen I-77 from Charlotte to Statesville and I-40 from Statesville to Winston Salem. Oh well, this interchange project is the start i guess. Still very happy that they're doing it.
There are plans to add one lane in each direction on I-77 between West Catawba Avenue to I-40, and the project(s) ranked relatively well on the state's new STI system. Though, construction could take place as soon as 2016, or as late as 2025:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIData/Highway_STI_Data.xlsm
Quote from: Strider on May 26, 2014, 12:28:06 PM
I agree with you that I-77 south of I-40 interchange is filled with heavy traffic, which is why I think NCDOT should just widen I-77 from Charlotte to Statesville and I-40 from Statesville to Winston Salem. Oh well, this interchange project is the start i guess. Still very happy that they're doing it.
I took 77-40 from Atlanta to Greensboro not too long ago and I was amazed how little traffic there was on 40.
A public meeting is being held in Statesville on August 5 to give an update on the I-40/I-77 interchange project.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx)
Quote from: LM117 on July 30, 2019, 05:50:08 PM
A public meeting is being held in Statesville on August 5 to give an update on the I-40/I-77 interchange project.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx)
One time it used to be a three-level stack. I'm not sure what happened?? I really hope this interchange does not look as stupid as the I-85 I-485 in Charlotte.
Maybe the turbines are cheaper and less scary?
Quote from: mrhappy1261 on July 30, 2019, 11:27:39 PM
Quote from: LM117 on July 30, 2019, 05:50:08 PM
A public meeting is being held in Statesville on August 5 to give an update on the I-40/I-77 interchange project.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx)
One time it used to be a three-level stack. I'm not sure what happened?? I really hope this interchange does not look as stupid as the I-85 I-485 in Charlotte.
Maybe the turbines are cheaper and less scary?
I think you're thinking of a different interchange. It's always been a cloverleaf and recently had a loop removed and replaced by a flyover.
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 30, 2019, 11:29:17 PM
Quote from: mrhappy1261 on July 30, 2019, 11:27:39 PM
Quote from: LM117 on July 30, 2019, 05:50:08 PM
A public meeting is being held in Statesville on August 5 to give an update on the I-40/I-77 interchange project.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx)
One time it used to be a three-level stack. I'm not sure what happened?? I really hope this interchange does not look as stupid as the I-85 I-485 in Charlotte.
Maybe the turbines are cheaper and less scary?
I think you're thinking of a different interchange. It's always been a cloverleaf and recently had a loop removed and replaced by a flyover.
Yes, but this was the first proposed design
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmglK2FvGZk
Quote from: mrhappy1261 on July 30, 2019, 11:34:55 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 30, 2019, 11:29:17 PM
Quote from: mrhappy1261 on July 30, 2019, 11:27:39 PM
Quote from: LM117 on July 30, 2019, 05:50:08 PM
A public meeting is being held in Statesville on August 5 to give an update on the I-40/I-77 interchange project.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx)
One time it used to be a three-level stack. I'm not sure what happened?? I really hope this interchange does not look as stupid as the I-85 I-485 in Charlotte.
Maybe the turbines are cheaper and less scary?
I think you're thinking of a different interchange. It's always been a cloverleaf and recently had a loop removed and replaced by a flyover.
Yes, but this was the first proposed design
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmglK2FvGZk
Oh, I thought you were referring to the original interchange. That design would have been more wise long-term IMO.
And going back to your first question, the turbine interchange design is less expensive, less visual impact (only being 2-level instead of 4-level), and handles / allows for much higher speeds on all movements.
EDIT - It does appear the overall final design is indeed a turbine - https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-i77-interchange/Documents/i-40-77-partial-turbine-interchange-rendering.pdf - that was posted in June 2019.
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 30, 2019, 11:52:16 PM
Quote from: mrhappy1261 on July 30, 2019, 11:34:55 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 30, 2019, 11:29:17 PM
Quote from: mrhappy1261 on July 30, 2019, 11:27:39 PM
Quote from: LM117 on July 30, 2019, 05:50:08 PM
A public meeting is being held in Statesville on August 5 to give an update on the I-40/I-77 interchange project.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-07-30-iredell-county-interchange-improvements.aspx)
One time it used to be a three-level stack. I'm not sure what happened?? I really hope this interchange does not look as stupid as the I-85 I-485 in Charlotte.
Maybe the turbines are cheaper and less scary?
I think you're thinking of a different interchange. It's always been a cloverleaf and recently had a loop removed and replaced by a flyover.
Yes, but this was the first proposed design
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmglK2FvGZk
Oh, I thought you were referring to the original interchange. That design would have been more wise long-term IMO.
And going back to your first question, the turbine interchange design is less expensive, less visual impact (only being 2-level instead of 4-level), and handles / allows for much higher speeds on all movements.
EDIT - It does appear the overall final design is indeed a turbine - https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-i77-interchange/Documents/i-40-77-partial-turbine-interchange-rendering.pdf - that was posted in June 2019.
You probably would only have to drive 50-55 mph on those ramps because they are more curvy then the stack interchange. It kinda sucks but I think they chose that because it's safer.
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 30, 2019, 11:52:16 PM
EDIT - It does appear the overall final design is indeed a turbine - https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-i77-interchange/Documents/i-40-77-partial-turbine-interchange-rendering.pdf - that was posted in June 2019.
If that's the current plan, they might have to reconstruct the underpass for the I-77 NB -> I-40 WB under I-40 so they can include the I-40 EB -> I-77 NB lanes.
https://goo.gl/maps/XRcLq7iyD8y9TKhM8
Looks like there might be enough space for 1 additional lane, but not another 2 + barriers.
I also find it interesting that the will want to move the US-21 interchange access ramps again.
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on July 31, 2019, 02:08:44 AM
If that's the current plan, they might have to reconstruct the underpass for the I-77 NB -> I-40 WB under I-40 so they can include the I-40 EB -> I-77 NB lanes.
https://goo.gl/maps/XRcLq7iyD8y9TKhM8
Looks like there might be enough space for 1 additional lane, but not another 2 + barriers.
I was thinking the exact same thing earlier... after studying that underpass for some time, it doesn't look like there's any room for it... That will be interesting to see how they do it. My guess is replace the sloping with retaining wall to open up space.
I think part of the issue was they intended for the flyover / stack design when they built this, but then they modified it to be a turbine.
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 31, 2019, 02:10:47 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on July 31, 2019, 02:08:44 AM
If that's the current plan, they might have to reconstruct the underpass for the I-77 NB -> I-40 WB under I-40 so they can include the I-40 EB -> I-77 NB lanes.
https://goo.gl/maps/XRcLq7iyD8y9TKhM8
Looks like there might be enough space for 1 additional lane, but not another 2 + barriers.
I was thinking the exact same thing earlier... after studying that underpass for some time, it doesn't look like there's any room for it... That will be interesting to see how they do it. My guess is replace the sloping with retaining wall to open up space.
I think part of the issue was they intended for the flyover / stack design when they built this, but then they modified it to be a turbine.
Also, the I-85/I-485 interchange in northeast Charlotte used to be a stack design that got modified to a turbine. Along with Mallard Creek Rd used to be a SPUI that got modified to a DDI. I'm not really worried about Mallard Creek, but I-85/I-485. Maybe it's because that NCDOT is more gung-ho to the turbine interchanges!
Fun fact: One time that interchange was also designed to have two loops and two flyovers but then was changed all to a four-level stack and then to a turbine.
Turbines are less expensive to build and maintain than stacks...those long flyovers on stack interchanges are not cheap.
Quote from: froggie on July 31, 2019, 08:46:20 AM
Turbines are less expensive to build and maintain than stacks...those long flyovers on stack interchanges are not cheap.
After at looking at the project again, this turbine interchange is actually less weaving compared to the I-85/I-485 in Charlotte. I really enjoy it, and it's not that scary. This is a good move!
Also only make stacks if traffic capacity is super super high on a ramp. It's more money but it would traffic capacity lower because of higher speeds.
Stacks take less land as well so they make more sense in a tight suburban context. This is decidedly not that.
NC may wind up seeing what I believe to be its second true stack at I-40/I-440/US1/US64 in Raleigh (The first being 485/77 in south Charlotte.) Relatively tight location, and three of the four movements are busy enough to warrant flyovers. (40E-440E is less busy because Wade Avenue is there.) Add in the possibility of managed lanes and this one is shaping up to be quite a monster.
Plus Statesville is more likely to experience a heavy snow event, not something you want a long high flyover to drive on.
I say flyover ramps are more fun to drive on and going high up!
Turbines are better for price, and not being as scared with all the bridges that go high up.
Upcoming traffic shifts on I-40.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-12-05-iredell-traffic-shift.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-12-05-iredell-traffic-shift.aspx)
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-i77-interchange/Documents/i-40-i77-interchange-improvements-map.pdf
http://prntscr.com/qf96w4
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8100099,-80.8582204,3a,48y,0.04h,91.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6o8YxLCI4M8njigJeWQZqQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
This bridge doesn't look long enough to hold 4 lanes even though the plan says they will put 4 lanes under that bridge.
Unless they want to modernize it so it can hold 4 lanes.
But, when looking at it, they would have to completely replace the bridges (they look fairly new too), and build longer ones that can accommodate 4 lanes under.
Quote from: tolbs17 on December 24, 2019, 11:16:26 AM
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-i77-interchange/Documents/i-40-i77-interchange-improvements-map.pdf
http://prntscr.com/qf96w4
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8100099,-80.8582204,3a,48y,0.04h,91.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6o8YxLCI4M8njigJeWQZqQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
This bridge doesn't look long enough to hold 4 lanes even though the plan says they will put 4 lanes under that bridge.
Unless they want to modernize it so it can hold 4 lanes.
But, when looking at it, they would have to completely replace the bridges (they look fairly new too), and build longer ones that can accommodate 4 lanes under.
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=7423.msg2433731#msg2433731
They should have stuck with one plan (the stack) rather than change it to a turbine so problems like this wouldn't happen.
You end up spending more money than you think when you plan for a previous plan and come up with something that's completely different...
Update.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-07-16-overnight-traffic-shift.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-07-16-overnight-traffic-shift.aspx)
I rode through there this evening and couldn't tell if this was permanent.
Quote from: OracleUsr on July 18, 2020, 10:23:02 PM
I rode through there this evening and couldn't tell if this was permanent.
It should be a temporary shift while they work on widening the westbound lanes. The separate mainline and collector/distributor lanes will return.
This map (https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-i77-interchange/Documents/i-40-i77-interchange-improvements-map.pdf) should help visualize it.
This is a very bizarre project. They spent years working on the first phase, which just finished not that long ago, and now they're going back and tearing out a bunch of the work they just did. I guess it ends up costing less to do some re-work to accommodate the turbine than to build the fly-overs.
Iredell County is in luck and it has the 2021 aerial imagery so you can see the I-40/I-77 interchange coming up along nicely!
https://iredell.connectgis.com/Map.aspx
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 31, 2019, 02:10:47 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on July 31, 2019, 02:08:44 AM
If that's the current plan, they might have to reconstruct the underpass for the I-77 NB -> I-40 WB under I-40 so they can include the I-40 EB -> I-77 NB lanes.
https://goo.gl/maps/XRcLq7iyD8y9TKhM8
Looks like there might be enough space for 1 additional lane, but not another 2 + barriers.
I was thinking the exact same thing earlier... after studying that underpass for some time, it doesn't look like there's any room for it... That will be interesting to see how they do it. My guess is replace the sloping with retaining wall to open up space.
I think part of the issue was they intended for the flyover / stack design when they built this, but then they modified it to be a turbine.
StreetView was there recently (Aug '21 (https://goo.gl/maps/vjZVwJRPHHRWLHGSA)).
From the looks of it, they might have made enough room for 2+1+small shoulders on each set of lanes possibly. But we shall see how it progresses.
I-40 Westbound
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52051191104_9d19a9c7b6_b.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52051191104_4807b2c9c6_o.jpg)
I-40 Eastbound
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52050963863_0f9cc760b2_b.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52050963863_09e2261a83_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52050931131_77b4481613_b.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52050931131_0495c8f9f6_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52049878747_d69fff5d37_b.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52049878747_2df0c19317_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52051170269_5419db6b1f_b.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52051170269_ac99c17c30_o.jpg)