North Carolina

[WashuOtaku]

I have heard that the 485  rebuild will have median HOT lanes.

Yep, the lanes already exist between I-77 and Johnston Road now, just not used yet for anything.  The plans will be to have toll lanes from I-77 to US 74 (southeast section) and build the Weddington Road exit.  The tolls will be operated by NCDOT, so no controversy.

[LM117]

NCDOT is holding a public meeting in New Bern on May 21 to discuss the extension of NC-43 from US-70/US-17 to US-17 Business.

https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15201

Maps:

https://www.ncdot.gov/download/projects/publichearings/R-4463A_RDY_PHM_PSH01.pdf

https://www.ncdot.gov/download/projects/publichearings/R-4463A_RDY_PHM_PSH02.pdf

[fillup420]

I have heard that the 485  rebuild will have median HOT lanes.

Yep, the lanes already exist between I-77 and Johnston Road now, just not used yet for anything.  The plans will be to have toll lanes from I-77 to US 74 (southeast section) and build the Weddington Road exit.  The tolls will be operated by NCDOT, so no controversy.

What that section really needs is 3 lanes on the outer side between US 521 and US 74. The lane drop at Rea Rd creates backups all the time due to the entrance ramp from 521 merging into the lane that ends a mile ahead, causing most cars to have to cut across 2 lanes. I was just in traffic there yesterday and it could easily be solved by extending the 3rd lane past the Rea Rd exit.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0649823,-80.8391473,3a,98.8y,83.2h,78.74t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1svnGporsfGm_EJUa2XUo_bA!2e0

The ending lane you see on the right is from the 521 entrance ramp, and you can see the sign for Rea Rd as "Exit Only". It makes no sense why they would design it like that. 

[LM117]

NCDOT has selected a preferred alternative for the US-158 widening project between US-421/Business 40 in Winston-Salem and I-73/US-220 just north of Summerfield.

https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15228

[LM117]

NCDOT will soon be taking public comments in preparation for the upcoming draft 2020-2029 STIP. Comment period is from June 4-July 9.

https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15242

EDIT: Interactive map can be found here: https://www.ncdot.gov/strategictransportationinvestments/2020-2029.html

[LM117]

A public meeting is being held on June 5 in Barco to discuss widening US-158 between NC-34 in Camden County and NC-168 in Currituck County.

https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15249

[WashuOtaku]

AASHTO approved three items this week submitted by NCDOT.

• Extension of I-140 (Brunswick County)
• Establishment of I-285 (Lexington-Winston-Salem)
• Elimination of US 311 (Randleman-Winston-Salem)

Here is the paperwork: https://route.transportation.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/004_USRN_Part-3-NC-OK.pdf

My thoughts... US 311 is shown longer in Randolph County than it actually is, currently it is concurrent with I-74 till exit 84, not exit 79. What remains of US 311 should probably become a state highway as well.  It's interesting how the AASHTO committee was concern if US 52 will be abandoned or concurrent; I'm guessing it will be together since it didn't mention moving US 52 anywhere.  Why didn't they request I-140 extended east of I-40 as well?

[LM117]

It's interesting how the AASHTO committee was concern if US 52 will be abandoned or concurrent; I'm guessing it will be together since it didn't mention moving US 52 anywhere.

Probably. I'm surprised there was even an application for I-285 at all since FHWA had already signed off on it back in February. NCDOT got FHWA approval to sign the Knightdale Bypass as I-87 and did so, yet they never submitted an application to AASHTO for it.

Why didn't they request I-140 extended east of I-40 as well?

Yeah, that doesn't make sense to leave out that short stretch. The only explanation I can think of is perhaps they want I-140 to follow the future Hampstead Bypass.

[Takumi]

Now combining US 360 and US 311 makes even more sense.

[WashuOtaku]

Now combining US 360 and US 311 makes even more sense.

I believe Virginia needs to make the move on that, and that state doesn't care much for highway numbers.

[Mapmikey]

Now combining US 360 and US 311 makes even more sense.

I believe Virginia needs to make the move on that, and that state doesn't care much for highway numbers.

Not sure why Virginia would care.  They would do so if North Carolina requested it which is how we got US 311 back into Virginia in the first place...

http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/resources/2012/july/pres/Resolution_Agenda_Item_4_rte311_transfer_CTBresolution_July18_12rev.pdf

[LM117]

A neighborhood in Surf City is charging a $5 toll on Cedar Avenue...

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article212029334.html

[plain]

A neighborhood in Surf City is charging a $5 toll on Cedar Avenue...

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article212029334.html

Too damn funny 

[The Ghostbuster]

Would any other posters like to toll other drivers on the streets they reside on, in order to keep them away?

[MNHighwayMan]

No, because my residence is on a public street. Perhaps you missed the part in the article where they mention Cedar Ave is a private street, and as such they're more than welcome to charge what they please for other people to use it.

[index]

[tweet]1001645422744690688[/tweet]


Mudslides are currently affecting I-40.

[ccurley100]

https://twitter.com/ariel_plasencia/status/1001761267705663488?s=21


iPhone

[ccurley100]

https://instagram.com/p/BjZW4q_l6OL/


iPhone

[Mppheel]

The last few times I drove from Greenville to Raleigh on US 264 / I-587 I noticed the beautiful wooded median full of trees between Wilson and Zebulon is being cleared.  Does anyone know what they are doing, and to what extent they will clear it?  That, to me, was one of the prettiest stretches of highway around.  You don't see many medians that wide anymore

[LM117]

The last few times I drove from Greenville to Raleigh on US 264 / I-587 I noticed the beautiful wooded median full of trees between Wilson and Zebulon is being cleared.  Does anyone know what they are doing, and to what extent they will clear it?  That, to me, was one of the prettiest stretches of highway around.  You don't see many medians that wide anymore

I looked on NCDOT's progress report page for Wilson and Nash counties and I didn't see anything related to US-264. I would say that they're preparing for roadwork, but none of the I-587 corridor was included in the 2018-2027 STIP, so I'm not sure what the deal is.

[VTGoose]

The last few times I drove from Greenville to Raleigh on US 264 / I-587 I noticed the beautiful wooded median full of trees between Wilson and Zebulon is being cleared.  Does anyone know what they are doing, and to what extent they will clear it?  That, to me, was one of the prettiest stretches of highway around.  You don't see many medians that wide anymore

The same thing is happening on I-95 in South Carolina -- large swaths of trees are being clear-cut from the median. When questioned elsewhere here, someone said it is a federal mandate that medians be cleared in the name of "safety" (although it doesn't make sense to remove beneficial trees around highways).

[Beltway]

The last few times I drove from Greenville to Raleigh on US 264 / I-587 I noticed the beautiful wooded median full of trees between Wilson and Zebulon is being cleared.  Does anyone know what they are doing, and to what extent they will clear it?  That, to me, was one of the prettiest stretches of highway around.  You don't see many medians that wide anymore

The same thing is happening on I-95 in South Carolina -- large swaths of trees are being clear-cut from the median. When questioned elsewhere here, someone said it is a federal mandate that medians be cleared in the name of "safety" (although it doesn't make sense to remove beneficial trees around highways).

After a few decades of growth trees can encroach too close to the roadways, and it is appropriate to do some tree removal to restore about 20 to 25 feet of clear roadside.  But I can't see clearing the whole median unless it is narrow enough to interfere with the distances above.

How wide are these medians?  Up to about 60 or 70 feet it may be justified to have no trees.  Medians 100 feet or wider should be able to accomodate trees in the middle.

[LM117]

The last few times I drove from Greenville to Raleigh on US 264 / I-587 I noticed the beautiful wooded median full of trees between Wilson and Zebulon is being cleared.  Does anyone know what they are doing, and to what extent they will clear it?  That, to me, was one of the prettiest stretches of highway around.  You don't see many medians that wide anymore

The same thing is happening on I-95 in South Carolina -- large swaths of trees are being clear-cut from the median. When questioned elsewhere here, someone said it is a federal mandate that medians be cleared in the name of "safety" (although it doesn't make sense to remove beneficial trees around highways).

After a few decades of growth trees can encroach too close to the roadways, and it is appropriate to do some tree removal to restore about 20 to 25 feet of clear roadside.  But I can't see clearing the whole median unless it is narrow enough to interfere with the distances above.

How wide are these medians?  Up to about 60 or 70 feet it may be justified to have no trees.  Medians 100 feet or wider should be able to accomodate trees in the middle.

There's a really wide stretch of median on US-264 just east of Middlesex.

https://goo.gl/maps/NDDU3e6EhkK2

[Beltway]

After a few decades of growth trees can encroach too close to the roadways, and it is appropriate to do some tree removal to restore about 20 to 25 feet of clear roadside.  But I can't see clearing the whole median unless it is narrow enough to interfere with the distances above.
How wide are these medians?  Up to about 60 or 70 feet it may be justified to have no trees.  Medians 100 feet or wider should be able to accomodate trees in the middle.

There's a really wide stretch of median on US-264 just east of Middlesex.
https://goo.gl/maps/NDDU3e6EhkK2

Over 500 feet wide.  Are they clearing out the trees there?
One half mile west of there the median is about 60 feet wide and has no trees.
Where are they clearing out all the trees?

[wdcrft63]

As the widening of I-85 in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties nears completion, NCDOT has opened the new overpass carrying Centergrove Road over the expressway.
https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15302