US 74 in Shelby NC

[civilengineeringnerd]

perhaps its based on regional weather requirements for metal signal poles?

[ARMOURERERIC]

Drove through the work zone again today, actually seemed to show a sense of urgency.  Bidwell machine is about 2/3 across the Airport Road bridge, at the 180/150 intersection they were doing a partial pour of the islands for the 150 ramps and for the new 150/180 roundabout.  In all 3 cases they poured the left and right third of the 2 concentric circles so they can next final pave those areas, reroute traffic, the pour the area currently being used by through traffic.  On new 180, the asphalt at both ends have been extended about 20 feet.  Minor shoulder excavation is in progress on 150 south, looks to be to place concrete curbing.  At the 18 interchange area, grading for the final concrete curbing for the on/off ramps on the south half was underway.  It also appeared that an additional layer of asphalt was being place on the mainline heading east.  I hear local rumors of a July opening eastward to NC 150.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

A lot of paving has occurred along the bypass. Final grading and erosion control is taking place in some areas. There are no guardrail or pavement markings yet. I can't tell if that's the final course of pavement. It looks like the Airport Rd. overpass is close to completion from a distance.








I did not make it to the eastern end of the bypass, but clearing and utility work is visible in Google Street View from February.



There were no signs of any construction activity at the future Lattimore Rd. interchange other than survey markings. I'm assuming the project is still in the final design phase and right-of-way acquisition is ongoing as the Dollar General is still open.

Hopefully someone else will be in charge of signing once the interchange is built.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Drove on down to look at progress today.  Switching to the new 180 alignment  is imminent, the south temporary tie in is fully paved and the north temporary tie is is 3/4 paved, through traffic on 150 travels the curved part of the 180/150 roundabout going both directions.  The Bidwell machine is gone from the Airport Road bridge and the temporary support brackets for the side jersey wall is in place, but no evidence of any forming yet.  There was aflat truck trailer on the westbound ramp to 18 that looked like it might be loaded with BGS'.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

More clearing at the future eastern interchange.



Looking forward to the day when I never have to see this again.

[WashuOtaku]

Looking forward to the day when I never have to see this again.

Once the new bypass is built, a lot of businesses along the old bypass will cease and they will, hopefully, remove a few traffic lights too.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Went thru this and other construction zones today.  I will post a more detailed report tomorrow.  But wanted to mention that NC 180 has been moved to its new alignment and the rotary at NC 150 is in full use.  There are diagramatic BGS'S on NC 150 at 180 with control cities...Shelby, Cherryville, Fallston, Patterson Springs and the signal at the old intersection has been totally removed.  The on ramp to the 74E stub is in final grading and there are some metal sign posts being installed along the 75E off ramp.

Still no more progress on the side walls of the Airport Rd bridge.

On NC 18, excavation for the curb work on the SB lanes and ramp tie ins to/from the west are underway.

On the mainline stub, just beyond the end at NC 226, there is an area where BGS gantries are in their initial assembly.  There are a pile of BGS panels, but no info was visible.  No striping anywhere on the mainline yet.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I was expecting a little more progress too. Last I heard was a June opening,  but I don't think that's happening.

New alignment and other roundabouts. 6/7

[ARMOURERERIC]

Funny, I went through around 12:15 Sunday and there was only one metal post and no wood at the end of the NC150 off ramp.  Wonder if somebody stole it?

[cowboy_wilhelm]

More clearing at the future interchange with current 74.


Grading for Section D. Looking south (east) from Fairview Road.


Future overpass for Fairview Road.


It looks like all guard rails and cable barriers are installed. Still no signs or pavement markings.


There is still a good bit of work going on at the N.C. 18 and N.C. 150 interchanges, and nothing has started at the Lattimore Road interchange in Mooresboro.

[ARMOURERERIC]

I'll be very curious to see how traffic patterns change in east Shelby when the next section opens.

[I-55]

I'll be very curious to see how traffic patterns change in east Shelby when the next section opens.

The existing US 74 between the western interchange with the bypass and Marion St (74 BUS) on the east side of town is 11 miles. Google Maps says 13 minutes (at 11:48 PM, I'd say bare minimum 20-25 minutes during daytime hours). When the next segment of the bypass is complete, using the bypass (10 miles) with Post Rd (NC 180) and Marion St (4 miles total) will likely become the fastest route, with 9 minutes on the bypass and 5-8 minutes on surface streets. Will be interesting to see the equilibrium in travel time with the existing US 74 as traffic diverts from the existing to the bypass

[The Ghostbuster]

Google Maps has not yet been updated to show construction beyond the future NC 150 interchange. Fairview Rd.'s Street View was updated in July 2023, but obviously construction had not yet begun. They are probably going to wait until the entire bypass is completed before numbering the exits between Business 74/Shelby Rd. and Interstate 85.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Grading has not started at Borders Road and appears to be limited to the northern portion of Section D and the U.S. 74 interchange at this time. This satellite image is from 6/14/2024.



Work has started on the Johnson Road bridges just west of the interchange.


The Airport Road overpass is still in progress.


There is still a good bit of work left at the N.C. 18 interchange.


These sign gantries have been sitting for at least a couple of months.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

The signs are up, but no pavement markings yet.


They're working fast on the Fairview Road overpass.

[ARMOURERERIC]

what is the source of 5he satellite imagery?

[RoadTrippp]

Anyone know if the stretch between NC 226 and NC 150 is open to traffic yet?

[cowboy_wilhelm]

what is the source of 5he satellite imagery?

Maxar

Anyone know if the stretch between NC 226 and NC 150 is open to traffic yet?

Not yet. I am expecting October or November at the current rate. This photo was from last Saturday (8/17).

[ARMOURERERIC]

Just took a joy ride down to the project.  Main points:

Still no work on the Airooty road side barriers, nor paving of the approaches.

Another layer of asphalt going down on the mainline.

Signal heads installed and bagged at NC 18.

Travel lanes at NC 18 are  over to the curb lanes both North and southbound, likely to allow for completion of the median left turn pocket concrete.

BGS'S installed on gantries for NC 18 WB West of Airport Rd.  Last gantry at exit has trasses spanning g the entire wb lanes with a support in the median.  Once upon a time, there was a set of plans with US 74 having separate ramps for NC 18 n and South.  Looks like this gantry was either a holdover or future proofing.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I finally found archived copies of the 2008 public hearing maps. I forgot that a SPUI was originally proposed at the N.C. 150 interchange too.

https://web.archive.org/web/20150130031043/http://www.ncdot.gov/download/projects/publichearings/R2707_phm3.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20150130031056/http://www.ncdot.gov/download/projects/publichearings/R2707_phm4.pdf

[ARMOURERERIC]

Took a drive through the project area today, NC 226 to NC 150 zone.  Just some small notes:

It appears any and all concrete work is done, side walls on Airport Road poured and under protective cover, along with all median work on both NC 18 and 150.  Appears that all final paving is done on the mainline and ramps, with it still looking like final paving on 18, 150 and Airport Rd to go.  Then just final striping.

Based on past rate of progress, about a year.  Just kidding, I would guess 45 days.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Drove through the site today.  For the hopefully soon extension, I am now holding my breath......the center dashed white striping has been painted on the mainline, all the misc auxiliary signage at ends of ramps are installed.  Did not see if Airport Road approaches are paved, but the protective plastic is off of the side bridge walls.  Final paving in the 180/150 area is complete and temporary pavement markings are down, but still no final paving at rt 18.  They could have this thing open Wednesday if they wanted to.

As for the next contract....mass excavation at the eastern connection to biz 74 is well underway, looking like the focus on getting the westbound ramp of the trumpet first. 

[bud121156]

Airport Road approaches are graded, but not paved.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Bud, welcome to the board, I am 30 miles north of you.  Old 18 and Sugar Loaf Rd.  Did you possibly hear of an opening date?  Does anyone know NCDots policy on activating signals, seeing the signals at 18 go onto flasher, would be a good sign.

[bud121156]

Did you possibly hear of an opening date?

I haven't heard any dates.