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Greensboro Urban Loop

Started by Henry, February 07, 2011, 03:57:27 PM

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bob7374

The latest Construction Progress Report has the Greensboro Loop segment between US 29 and North Elm Street over 75% complete. The official completion date is still July 2023. I have updated my Future Greensboro Loop page with new construction photos taken this past June and July from Google Maps Street View images, available at: https://malmeroads.net/ncfutints/futloop.html#i840photos

To see what progress has been made since the summer, check out the links to 2 new videos taken this past week at:
https://malmeroads.net/ncfutints/futloop.html#videos


tolbs17

A few months ago it DID make me ask why the speed limit on the southwestern portion on the beltway is posted at 65 mph and not 70.

Now NCDOT is thinking BIG time here. According to this document listed in page 4, it has a design speed of 70 mph. The Knightdale Bypass also has a design speed of 70 mph and it was once posted at 65 mph and then raised to 70 mph. But these days, they built 75 mph design speeds.

tolbs17

Quote from: bob7374 on December 09, 2021, 11:48:16 PM
The latest Construction Progress Report has the Greensboro Loop segment between US 29 and North Elm Street over 75% complete. The official completion date is still July 2023.
Well, given that pretty much all of the bridges are up, I can see this opening late next year.

ARMOURERERIC

I'm getting the same video on both new links

LM117

“I don’t know whether to wind my ass or scratch my watch!” - Jim Cornette

tolbs17


tolbs17

Quote from: RoadPelican on December 04, 2021, 08:55:25 AM
Also, it's interesting that the rural section on the east side of Greensboro from I-40 to US 29 is still just 65!!!
That's probably because it's a short freeway.

sprjus4

#157
Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: RoadPelican on December 04, 2021, 08:55:25 AM
Also, it's interesting that the rural section on the east side of Greensboro from I-40 to US 29 is still just 65!!!
That's probably because it's a short freeway.
But it ties directly into I-85 south which is 70 mph.

I imagine it will all be increased to 70 mph once I-840 is complete to US-29 / I-785.

Now they need to increase I-85/I-40 between Greensboro and the I-40 split outside Durham to 70 mph. No reason they can increase the more urban portions of the I-73 and I-840 loop to 70 mph but keep the wide, straight 8 lane section east of the city at 65 mph.

Specifically, the independent 8 lane I-73 segment I had said before was probably one of the more urban, curvy sections I would not recommend an official 70 mph limit for - yet they went ahead and did it before even batting an eye at the far more obvious ones. I imagine the 85th percentile speeds there are lower than some others they refuse to bump.

Also I-73 south and US-421 south should also reasonably go up to 70 mph. US-421 is still kept at a crawling 60 mph despite now being a full freeway for many miles south of the beltway.

tolbs17

Quote from: sprjus4 on January 22, 2022, 08:53:43 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: RoadPelican on December 04, 2021, 08:55:25 AM
Also, it's interesting that the rural section on the east side of Greensboro from I-40 to US 29 is still just 65!!!
That's probably because it's a short freeway.
But it ties directly into I-85 south which is 70 mph.

I imagine it will all be increased to 70 mph once I-840 is complete to US-29 / I-785.

Now they need to increase I-85/I-40 between Greensboro and the I-40 split outside Durham to 70 mph. No reason they can increase the more urban portions of the I-73 and I-840 loop to 70 mph but keep the wide, straight 8 lane section east of the city at 65 mph.

Specifically, the independent 8 lane I-73 segment I had said before was probably one of the more urban, curvy sections I would not recommend an official 70 mph limit for - yet they went ahead and did it before even batting an eye at the far more obvious ones. I imagine the 85th percentile speeds there are lower than some others they refuse to bump.

Also I-73 south and US-421 south should also reasonably go up to 70 mph. US-421 is still kept at a crawling 60 mph despite now being a full freeway for many miles south of the beltway.
I have to agree with all of this. I would add I-74 too, as well as the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway once it's fully opened to US-52. I feel like sometimes an engineer cannot think straight at some times...

sprjus4

Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 09:12:04 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 22, 2022, 08:53:43 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: RoadPelican on December 04, 2021, 08:55:25 AM
Also, it's interesting that the rural section on the east side of Greensboro from I-40 to US 29 is still just 65!!!
That's probably because it's a short freeway.
But it ties directly into I-85 south which is 70 mph.

I imagine it will all be increased to 70 mph once I-840 is complete to US-29 / I-785.

Now they need to increase I-85/I-40 between Greensboro and the I-40 split outside Durham to 70 mph. No reason they can increase the more urban portions of the I-73 and I-840 loop to 70 mph but keep the wide, straight 8 lane section east of the city at 65 mph.

Specifically, the independent 8 lane I-73 segment I had said before was probably one of the more urban, curvy sections I would not recommend an official 70 mph limit for - yet they went ahead and did it before even batting an eye at the far more obvious ones. I imagine the 85th percentile speeds there are lower than some others they refuse to bump.

Also I-73 south and US-421 south should also reasonably go up to 70 mph. US-421 is still kept at a crawling 60 mph despite now being a full freeway for many miles south of the beltway.
I have to agree with all of this. I would add I-74 too, as well as the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway once it's fully opened to US-52. I feel like sometimes an engineer cannot think straight at some times...
Agreed.

I feel like the beltway, at minimum, will be increased to 70 mph. However, the rest of I-74 south of Winston-Salem to Asheboro should also be increased to 70 mph.

tolbs17

Quote from: sprjus4 on January 22, 2022, 09:18:24 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 09:12:04 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 22, 2022, 08:53:43 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: RoadPelican on December 04, 2021, 08:55:25 AM
Also, it's interesting that the rural section on the east side of Greensboro from I-40 to US 29 is still just 65!!!
That's probably because it's a short freeway.
But it ties directly into I-85 south which is 70 mph.

I imagine it will all be increased to 70 mph once I-840 is complete to US-29 / I-785.

Now they need to increase I-85/I-40 between Greensboro and the I-40 split outside Durham to 70 mph. No reason they can increase the more urban portions of the I-73 and I-840 loop to 70 mph but keep the wide, straight 8 lane section east of the city at 65 mph.

Specifically, the independent 8 lane I-73 segment I had said before was probably one of the more urban, curvy sections I would not recommend an official 70 mph limit for - yet they went ahead and did it before even batting an eye at the far more obvious ones. I imagine the 85th percentile speeds there are lower than some others they refuse to bump.

Also I-73 south and US-421 south should also reasonably go up to 70 mph. US-421 is still kept at a crawling 60 mph despite now being a full freeway for many miles south of the beltway.
I have to agree with all of this. I would add I-74 too, as well as the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway once it's fully opened to US-52. I feel like sometimes an engineer cannot think straight at some times...
Agreed.

I feel like the beltway, at minimum, will be increased to 70 mph. However, the rest of I-74 south of Winston-Salem to Asheboro should also be increased to 70 mph.
Now, how about the Winston-Salem bypass on the east side? this is the side that I'm referring to.

I'm scratching my head on this one. Should it be 70 mph? It was rebuilt and widened in the early 2000s so I don't see a reason why it should be 70. It's currently 65... You are barely in the city limits of Greensboro so they should go on and do it...

sprjus4

^ That whole segment could be 70 mph reasonably.

tolbs17

Quote from: sprjus4 on January 22, 2022, 10:13:51 PM
^ That whole segment could be 70 mph reasonably.
Yeah because people drive well over 65.

Strider

Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 09:37:12 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 22, 2022, 09:18:24 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 09:12:04 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 22, 2022, 08:53:43 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: RoadPelican on December 04, 2021, 08:55:25 AM
Also, it's interesting that the rural section on the east side of Greensboro from I-40 to US 29 is still just 65!!!
That's probably because it's a short freeway.
But it ties directly into I-85 south which is 70 mph.

I imagine it will all be increased to 70 mph once I-840 is complete to US-29 / I-785.

Now they need to increase I-85/I-40 between Greensboro and the I-40 split outside Durham to 70 mph. No reason they can increase the more urban portions of the I-73 and I-840 loop to 70 mph but keep the wide, straight 8 lane section east of the city at 65 mph.

Specifically, the independent 8 lane I-73 segment I had said before was probably one of the more urban, curvy sections I would not recommend an official 70 mph limit for - yet they went ahead and did it before even batting an eye at the far more obvious ones. I imagine the 85th percentile speeds there are lower than some others they refuse to bump.

Also I-73 south and US-421 south should also reasonably go up to 70 mph. US-421 is still kept at a crawling 60 mph despite now being a full freeway for many miles south of the beltway.
I have to agree with all of this. I would add I-74 too, as well as the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway once it's fully opened to US-52. I feel like sometimes an engineer cannot think straight at some times...
Agreed.

I feel like the beltway, at minimum, will be increased to 70 mph. However, the rest of I-74 south of Winston-Salem to Asheboro should also be increased to 70 mph.
Now, how about the Winston-Salem bypass on the east side? this is the side that I'm referring to.

I'm scratching my head on this one. Should it be 70 mph? It was rebuilt and widened in the early 2000s so I don't see a reason why it should be 70. It's currently 65... You are barely in the city limits of Greensboro so they should go on and do it...

The I-40 section in Greensboro is 65 mph because it just entered the city limit. (Greensboro city border starts right after Sandy Ridge Rd interchange). Plus it is 8+ lanes and no longer rural like it was before the rebuild, so no reason to increase it to 70 mph. Also, I-40 reduces to 60 mph at the I-73/I-840 interchange and moving through Greensboro. So, that makes sense to just keep it at 65 even though almost no one goes 65 mph or under (think of I-85 and I-77 through Charlotte it is 60 mph but no one goes that slow).


As of the section of I-40 between Greensboro and Winston Salem, why would you want to increase it to 70 mph on a 4 lane freeway that is almost always busy? Also, it is going through the Triad Metro area (with Kernersville in the middle). They don't see the reason to do that. Now, they plan on widen that part of I-40 to 6 lanes. If that happens, I could see them increase it to 70 mph.

Strider

Quote from: tolbs17 on January 22, 2022, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: RoadPelican on December 04, 2021, 08:55:25 AM
Also, it's interesting that the rural section on the east side of Greensboro from I-40 to US 29 is still just 65!!!
That's probably because it's a short freeway.

Yes, and after I-840 is finished from Elm to US 29/I-785, They just might raise the speed limit to 70 mph so the whole beltway is 70 mph all around.

sprjus4

Quote from: Strider on January 23, 2022, 09:38:07 PM
The I-40 section in Greensboro is 65 mph because it just entered the city limit. (Greensboro city border starts right after Sandy Ridge Rd interchange). Plus it is 8+ lanes and no longer rural like it was before the rebuild, so no reason to increase it to 70 mph. Also, I-40 reduces to 60 mph at the I-73/I-840 interchange and moving through Greensboro. So, that makes sense to just keep it at 65 even though almost no one goes 65 mph or under (think of I-85 and I-77 through Charlotte it is 60 mph but no one goes that slow).
I'd argue that stretch is more suited for 70 mph than the segment they increased on the southwestern loop / I-73 portion.

Quote
As of the section of I-40 between Greensboro and Winston Salem, why would you want to increase it to 70 mph on a 4 lane freeway that is almost always busy? Also, it is going through the Triad Metro area (with Kernersville in the middle). They don't see the reason to do that. Now, they plan on widen that part of I-40 to 6 lanes. If that happens, I could see them increase it to 70 mph.
Traffic volumes during peak hours shouldn't restrict a speed 24/7. The segment is designed for 70 mph and quite frankly could easily handle it.

Strider

Quote from: sprjus4 on January 23, 2022, 09:50:18 PM
Quote from: Strider on January 23, 2022, 09:38:07 PM
The I-40 section in Greensboro is 65 mph because it just entered the city limit. (Greensboro city border starts right after Sandy Ridge Rd interchange). Plus it is 8+ lanes and no longer rural like it was before the rebuild, so no reason to increase it to 70 mph. Also, I-40 reduces to 60 mph at the I-73/I-840 interchange and moving through Greensboro. So, that makes sense to just keep it at 65 even though almost no one goes 65 mph or under (think of I-85 and I-77 through Charlotte it is 60 mph but no one goes that slow).
I'd argue that stretch is more suited for 70 mph than the segment they increased on the southwestern loop / I-73 portion.

Quote
As of the section of I-40 between Greensboro and Winston Salem, why would you want to increase it to 70 mph on a 4 lane freeway that is almost always busy? Also, it is going through the Triad Metro area (with Kernersville in the middle). They don't see the reason to do that. Now, they plan on widen that part of I-40 to 6 lanes. If that happens, I could see them increase it to 70 mph.
Traffic volumes during peak hours shouldn't restrict a speed 24/7. The segment is designed for 70 mph and quite frankly could easily handle it.


The SW portion of the loop (I-73) has always been planned to be 70 mph for a long awhile. They are not going to put 70 mph on I-40 west of The loop. It is never in the plans. The same goes for the portion of I-40 between W-S and Greensboro unless they widen that part then that's a maybe. I live in the area and hear about it all the time. That's my argument.

tolbs17

Quote from: Strider on January 23, 2022, 11:15:03 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 23, 2022, 09:50:18 PM
Quote from: Strider on January 23, 2022, 09:38:07 PM
The I-40 section in Greensboro is 65 mph because it just entered the city limit. (Greensboro city border starts right after Sandy Ridge Rd interchange). Plus it is 8+ lanes and no longer rural like it was before the rebuild, so no reason to increase it to 70 mph. Also, I-40 reduces to 60 mph at the I-73/I-840 interchange and moving through Greensboro. So, that makes sense to just keep it at 65 even though almost no one goes 65 mph or under (think of I-85 and I-77 through Charlotte it is 60 mph but no one goes that slow).
I'd argue that stretch is more suited for 70 mph than the segment they increased on the southwestern loop / I-73 portion.

Quote
As of the section of I-40 between Greensboro and Winston Salem, why would you want to increase it to 70 mph on a 4 lane freeway that is almost always busy? Also, it is going through the Triad Metro area (with Kernersville in the middle). They don't see the reason to do that. Now, they plan on widen that part of I-40 to 6 lanes. If that happens, I could see them increase it to 70 mph.
Traffic volumes during peak hours shouldn't restrict a speed 24/7. The segment is designed for 70 mph and quite frankly could easily handle it.


The SW portion of the loop (I-73) has always been planned to be 70 mph for a long awhile. They are not going to put 70 mph on I-40 west of The loop. It is never in the plans. The same goes for the portion of I-40 between W-S and Greensboro unless they widen that part then that's a maybe. I live in the area and hear about it all the time. That's my argument.
It's clearly 70 mph when looking at this: https://goo.gl/maps/xYFZrFJUPKqLok1Q8

sprjus4

#168
Quote from: tolbs17 on February 05, 2022, 02:29:05 PM
Quote from: Strider on January 23, 2022, 11:15:03 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 23, 2022, 09:50:18 PM
Quote from: Strider on January 23, 2022, 09:38:07 PM
The I-40 section in Greensboro is 65 mph because it just entered the city limit. (Greensboro city border starts right after Sandy Ridge Rd interchange). Plus it is 8+ lanes and no longer rural like it was before the rebuild, so no reason to increase it to 70 mph. Also, I-40 reduces to 60 mph at the I-73/I-840 interchange and moving through Greensboro. So, that makes sense to just keep it at 65 even though almost no one goes 65 mph or under (think of I-85 and I-77 through Charlotte it is 60 mph but no one goes that slow).
I'd argue that stretch is more suited for 70 mph than the segment they increased on the southwestern loop / I-73 portion.

Quote
As of the section of I-40 between Greensboro and Winston Salem, why would you want to increase it to 70 mph on a 4 lane freeway that is almost always busy? Also, it is going through the Triad Metro area (with Kernersville in the middle). They don't see the reason to do that. Now, they plan on widen that part of I-40 to 6 lanes. If that happens, I could see them increase it to 70 mph.
Traffic volumes during peak hours shouldn't restrict a speed 24/7. The segment is designed for 70 mph and quite frankly could easily handle it.


The SW portion of the loop (I-73) has always been planned to be 70 mph for a long awhile. They are not going to put 70 mph on I-40 west of The loop. It is never in the plans. The same goes for the portion of I-40 between W-S and Greensboro unless they widen that part then that's a maybe. I live in the area and hear about it all the time. That's my argument.
It's clearly 70 mph when looking at this: https://goo.gl/maps/xYFZrFJUPKqLok1Q8
That's the loop... not I-40 west of the loop...

December 2021 imagery shows 65 mph on that segment.
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0949339,-80.0055486,3a,60.2y,120.62h,85.21t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1st5MVP0WtrzKFotTqqXZxmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

tolbs17

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 05, 2022, 06:33:14 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on February 05, 2022, 02:29:05 PM
Quote from: Strider on January 23, 2022, 11:15:03 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 23, 2022, 09:50:18 PM
Quote from: Strider on January 23, 2022, 09:38:07 PM
The I-40 section in Greensboro is 65 mph because it just entered the city limit. (Greensboro city border starts right after Sandy Ridge Rd interchange). Plus it is 8+ lanes and no longer rural like it was before the rebuild, so no reason to increase it to 70 mph. Also, I-40 reduces to 60 mph at the I-73/I-840 interchange and moving through Greensboro. So, that makes sense to just keep it at 65 even though almost no one goes 65 mph or under (think of I-85 and I-77 through Charlotte it is 60 mph but no one goes that slow).
I'd argue that stretch is more suited for 70 mph than the segment they increased on the southwestern loop / I-73 portion.

Quote
As of the section of I-40 between Greensboro and Winston Salem, why would you want to increase it to 70 mph on a 4 lane freeway that is almost always busy? Also, it is going through the Triad Metro area (with Kernersville in the middle). They don't see the reason to do that. Now, they plan on widen that part of I-40 to 6 lanes. If that happens, I could see them increase it to 70 mph.
Traffic volumes during peak hours shouldn't restrict a speed 24/7. The segment is designed for 70 mph and quite frankly could easily handle it.


The SW portion of the loop (I-73) has always been planned to be 70 mph for a long awhile. They are not going to put 70 mph on I-40 west of The loop. It is never in the plans. The same goes for the portion of I-40 between W-S and Greensboro unless they widen that part then that's a maybe. I live in the area and hear about it all the time. That's my argument.
It's clearly 70 mph when looking at this: https://goo.gl/maps/xYFZrFJUPKqLok1Q8
That's the loop... not I-40 west of the loop...

December 2021 imagery shows 65 mph on that segment.
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0949339,-80.0055486,3a,60.2y,120.62h,85.21t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1st5MVP0WtrzKFotTqqXZxmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
Forgot to say the southwestern part of I-73...

bob7374

I took time out from returning from Durham last month to view the construction progress on completing the Greensboro Loop (Future I-840) last month, here's a view of the future I-840 east interchange with US 29 (Future I-785 North):


More photos between US 29 and the future exit at Yanceyville Street are at:
https://malmeroads.net/ncfutints/futloop.html#i840photos

Strider

The entire loop could finally be finished by mid-January instead of later in the Spring... The entire I-840 could be signed sooner than later.

https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/greensboro-urban-loop-last-stretch-to-open-in-january-2023-ncdot-says/83-6b8649fa-9433-419e-850d-5d3a38c0749f

AlmaPinnix

#172
Official announcement from NCDOT says the final leg of I-840, from N. Elm St. to US-29, will be completed on January 23rd, 2023. As long as weather allows.

bob7374

Quote from: AlmaPinnix on January 11, 2023, 05:04:22 PM
Official announcement from NCDOT says the final leg of I-840, from N. Elm St. to US-29, will be completed on January 23rd, 2023. As long as weather allows.
Meanwhile, as part of the process in preparing for the last section to open, traffic on No. Elm Street headed north can now use its own ramp to access I-840 West as of tomorrow (1/12):
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2023/2023-01-11-new-traffic-pattern-urban-loop-project.aspx

LM117

Quote from: AlmaPinnix on January 11, 2023, 05:04:22 PM
Official announcement from NCDOT says the final leg of I-840, from N. Elm St. to US-29, will be completed on January 23rd, 2023. As long as weather allows.

The announcement:

https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/greensboro-urban-loop-to-open-jan-23-nc/83-5d216bd2-9830-487d-8636-c8c7f9d3731d
“I don’t know whether to wind my ass or scratch my watch!” - Jim Cornette



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