North Carolina

[LM117]

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-03-20-wilson-road-repaving-contract.aspx

Wilson County drivers soon will enjoy a better ride on sections of U.S. 301 and N.C. 581 and over 18 secondary routes that will be repaved.

The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson a $4 million contract this month to mill, resurface and restripe a 5-mile section of U.S. 301 between the Nash County line and Haynes Road, as well as the stretch of N.C. 581 between U.S. 301 and the Wayne County line.

In all, 22.5 miles of roadway will be refreshed. The contractor may begin this month and has until July 2020 to complete all of the improvements.

[LM117]

The Broad Street bridge in Winston-Salem will open by March 30. It's part of the Business 40 project.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-03-21-broad-street-bridge.aspx

[LM117]

The rest area/welcome center on I-95 near the Virginia state line will close beginning March 31 due to renovations. Reopening is set for December 16.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-03-26-renovations-await-i-95-rest-area.aspx

[wdcrft63]

The Durham to Chapel Hill Light Rail project met its demise today when GoTriangle (the Raleigh/Durham regional transit authority) pulled its support. The project died from ballooning costs and lack of support from two key players, the North Carolina Railway and Duke University. $130 million had been spent on planning the project.

https://www.wral.com/gotriangle-board-votes-to-end-its-pursuit-of-durham-orange-light-rail/18287399/

The loss of light rail will have to increase interest in bus rapid transit (BRT) alternatives. There's already a lot of BRT interest in the area. Since the planned light rail route has been on the maps for years and has guided various development decisions, perhaps some of that route could be built as a dedicated busway instead. In any case, stay tuned for some BRT projects on area roads in the relatively near future.

[Roadsguy]

Speaking of Durham—Chapel Hill, has there been any recent talk of completing US 501 as a freeway down to I-40 or further? It seems like a pretty obvious candidate, though nowhere near as bad a missing freeway link as the East End Connector.

[Mapmikey]

Speaking of Durham—Chapel Hill, has there been any recent talk of completing US 501 as a freeway down to I-40 or further? It seems like a pretty obvious candidate, though nowhere near as bad a missing freeway link as the East End Connector.

It is in the 2020-29 Draft STIP - https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/development/Pages/draft-stip-map.aspx

[Beltway]

The Durham to Chapel Hill Light Rail project met its demise today when GoTriangle (the Raleigh/Durham regional transit authority) pulled its support. The project died from ballooning costs and lack of support from two key players, the North Carolina Railway and Duke University. $130 million had been spent on planning the project.

Good.  Some light rail proposals make sense, such as the TIDE extension in Virginia Beach, but most don't and that includes the above proposal.

[sprjus4]

The Durham to Chapel Hill Light Rail project met its demise today when GoTriangle (the Raleigh/Durham regional transit authority) pulled its support. The project died from ballooning costs and lack of support from two key players, the North Carolina Railway and Duke University. $130 million had been spent on planning the project.

Good.  Some light rail proposals make sense, such as the TIDE extension in Virginia Beach, but most don't and that includes the above proposal.

The extension in Virginia beach would cost hundreds of millions. It was estimated in 2012 it would cost $254 million to extend it to the Town Center, and $807 million to the Oceanfront.

It's not worth it for that much cost. There's more dire needs in this area then a light rail, especially with that type of price tag.

[Beltway]

Some light rail proposals make sense, such as the TIDE extension in Virginia Beach, but most don't and that includes the above proposal.

The extension in Virginia beach would cost hundreds of millions. It was estimated in 2012 it would cost $254 million to extend it to the Town Center, and $807 million to the Oceanfront.
It's not worth it for that much cost. There's more dire needs in this area then a light rail, especially with that type of price tag.

I could see extending it to Town Center, given the level of urbanization there.  Extending to the Oceanfront would be a lot harder to justify for that cost.

[froggie]

Speaking of Durham—Chapel Hill, has there been any recent talk of completing US 501 as a freeway down to I-40 or further? It seems like a pretty obvious candidate, though nowhere near as bad a missing freeway link as the East End Connector.

It is in the 2020-29 Draft STIP - https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/development/Pages/draft-stip-map.aspx

Interesting that they include that in the draft STIP but not the more-advanced-in-planning US 1 from 540 to Wake Forest...

[goobnav]

The Durham to Chapel Hill Light Rail project met its demise today when GoTriangle (the Raleigh/Durham regional transit authority) pulled its support. The project died from ballooning costs and lack of support from two key players, the North Carolina Railway and Duke University. $130 million had been spent on planning the project.

https://www.wral.com/gotriangle-board-votes-to-end-its-pursuit-of-durham-orange-light-rail/18287399/

The loss of light rail will have to increase interest in bus rapid transit (BRT) alternatives. There's already a lot of BRT interest in the area. Since the planned light rail route has been on the maps for years and has guided various development decisions, perhaps some of that route could be built as a dedicated busway instead. In any case, stay tuned for some BRT projects on area roads in the relatively near future.

Now the question is where did that $130 million really go, the Meadowmont area of Chapel Hill really despised that project from the beginning and that Go Triangle kept pressing for it makes one wonder that they were directing to friends.  With all the NIMBYS in the area, especially here in Woodcroft, a BRT route will have to be made on existing rights of way with little intrusion otherwise they are DOA like this Light Rail boondoggle.  Now will they rescind the half cent sales tax increase for this fantasy project, of course not, so remember this in the next election.

[froggie]

^ Most of that $130 million likely went to environmental documentation and engineering plans.  Such typically comprises 10-20% of the total project cost.  The bigger the project, the more one needs to spend on the pre-planning.

BRT won't work unless it's on its own dedicated lanes...especially on 15/501.

[goobnav]

^ Most of that $130 million likely went to environmental documentation and engineering plans.  Such typically comprises 10-20% of the total project cost.  The bigger the project, the more one needs to spend on the pre-planning.

BRT won't work unless it's on its own dedicated lanes...especially on 15/501.

Have a feeling the NC General Assembly is going to want an audit of this project, we'll see.  The BRT would have to have areas added to the existing ROW's otherwise, they'll see even more people saying no.

[LM117]

The NC Ferry System has created new Twitter feeds. I thought some might find the info useful.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-03-28-ferry-route-twitter-feeds.aspx

[froggie]

Have a feeling the NC General Assembly is going to want an audit of this project, we'll see.

Considering the NC General Assembly is largely anti-transit and their past actions contributed to the project cancellation, an "audit" would not be a surprise.

[wdcrft63]

Speaking of Durham—Chapel Hill, has there been any recent talk of completing US 501 as a freeway down to I-40 or further? It seems like a pretty obvious candidate, though nowhere near as bad a missing freeway link as the East End Connector.

It is in the 2020-29 Draft STIP - https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/development/Pages/draft-stip-map.aspx

Construction is scheduled to begin next year on the interchange of US 15/501 with Garrett Road. South of Garrett Road 15/501 crosses the New Hope Creek greenway, a 6-lane section with no driveway connections. Thus the Garrett Road interchange will extend the freeway almost to I-40. Unfortunately what's left is two major stoplight-controlled intersections with Southwest Durham Road and Mt. Moriah Road. Commercial development is intense around both intersections and it's difficult to imagine how a freeway could be jammed through to connect with fully controlled ramps to I-40. If anyone has seen plans for this, I'd like to see them.

[sprjus4]

Speaking of Durham—Chapel Hill, has there been any recent talk of completing US 501 as a freeway down to I-40 or further? It seems like a pretty obvious candidate, though nowhere near as bad a missing freeway link as the East End Connector.

It is in the 2020-29 Draft STIP - https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/development/Pages/draft-stip-map.aspx

Construction is scheduled to begin next year on the interchange of US 15/501 with Garrett Road. South of Garrett Road 15/501 crosses the New Hope Creek greenway, a 6-lane section with no driveway connections. Thus the Garrett Road interchange will extend the freeway almost to I-40. Unfortunately what's left is two major stoplight-controlled intersections with Southwest Durham Road and Mt. Moriah Road. Commercial development is intense around both intersections and it's difficult to imagine how a freeway could be jammed through to connect with fully controlled ramps to I-40. If anyone has seen plans for this, I'd like to see them.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/public-meetings/Pages/U-5717-2017-10-09.aspx

Here's alternatives and visualizations of the Garrett Road interchange.

[sprjus4]

Here's a concept I developed (this is not official) on how an I-40 interchange could be constructed, along with an interchange to serve the adjacent developments. This would extend the US 15/501 freeway down to just south of I-40.

Only a few relocations, and the core retail area is not affected.

https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/US_15_Interchange/uOhwZelvU5

[Roadsguy]

Too bad they don't seem to be actively planning to upgrade it past I-40, though the area does get a lot tighter there.

[wdcrft63]

Here's a concept I developed (this is not official) on how an I-40 interchange could be constructed, along with an interchange to serve the adjacent developments. This would extend the US 15/501 freeway down to just south of I-40.

Only a few relocations, and the core retail area is not affected.

https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/US_15_Interchange/uOhwZelvU5

Thanks. It's a good starting point. My concerns would be: (1) the loop ramps are very tight and (2) there would be a Malfunction Junction effect caused by the two loop ramps on the west side being so close together. (I admit one would have to compare this with the congestion in the present configuration.)

[sprjus4]

Here's a concept I developed (this is not official) on how an I-40 interchange could be constructed, along with an interchange to serve the adjacent developments. This would extend the US 15/501 freeway down to just south of I-40.

Only a few relocations, and the core retail area is not affected.

https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/US_15_Interchange/uOhwZelvU5

Thanks. It's a good starting point. My concerns would be: (1) the loop ramps are very tight and (2) there would be a Malfunction Junction effect caused by the two loop ramps on the west side being so close together. (I admit one would have to compare this with the congestion in the present configuration.)

One of the loops could also be replaced by another flyover. I'll try to revise the concept.

The loops would be posted at 25 MPH. It would work in an urban environment. And if another flyover is constructed, weaving wouldn't be a problem.

EDIT - I've updated the map to include a second flyover.

[Mapmikey]

Earlier today I drove on NC 24 between Fayetteville and Clinton.  This was my first time driving on NC 24 in five years and the road has changed a lot!! The widening is now complete between Fayetteville and Clinton. 

However, I must say that traffic was a mess on the west side of Clinton between the bypass and Sampson Community College as NCDOT is putting the finishing touches on changing a center turning lane into a median.

After getting pass the construction mess, the road transitions nicely into a 4 lane divided rural highway.  The Speed Limit is only 55, but there are surprisingly a lot of driveways on this corridor.  NCDOT really shows it's love for superstreets on this highway.  It is also a fairly curvy road and a couple times I had to tap my brakes because there were a couple roads that intersected NC 24 on a curve and I found a couple impatient motorists that darted out into the left lane to complete their "Michigan Left."

Despite a couple dangerous superstreet intersections on NC 24, it is very nice to not have to slow down to 35 MPH anymore to go thru Roseboro & Autrytown.  Those towns have been bypassed.  There is one interchange on the new NC 24 and it is NC 242 just north of Roseboro.


There is only one at-grade signalized intersection on the New NC 24 and it is at a shopping center just east of I-95.  Westbound traffic has one superstreet traffic light and Eastbound has 2-3.

Per traveling legend Oscar Voss, the old NC 24 segments through Autryville and Roseboro  are now NC 24 Business routes.  GMSV shows the Autryville one and it looks like signposts were being installed for the Roseboro one in Aug 2018.

[wdcrft63]

Here's a concept I developed (this is not official) on how an I-40 interchange could be constructed, along with an interchange to serve the adjacent developments. This would extend the US 15/501 freeway down to just south of I-40.

Only a few relocations, and the core retail area is not affected.

https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/US_15_Interchange/uOhwZelvU5

Thanks. It's a good starting point. My concerns would be: (1) the loop ramps are very tight and (2) there would be a Malfunction Junction effect caused by the two loop ramps on the west side being so close together. (I admit one would have to compare this with the congestion in the present configuration.)

One of the loops could also be replaced by another flyover. I'll try to revise the concept.

The loops would be posted at 25 MPH. It would work in an urban environment. And if another flyover is constructed, weaving wouldn't be a problem.

EDIT - I've updated the map to include a second flyover.

Better. I like that the two loops are on ramps, so we're not asking freeway traffic to slow to 25 mph over a short distance.

[sprjus4]

Better. I like that the two loops are on ramps, so we're not asking freeway traffic to slow to 25 mph over a short distance.

Well technically, US 15 South to I-40 East would be a freeway to freeway movement, because US 15 is being upgraded to a freeway in this instance. Loop ramps can handle freeway traffic either way though.

Presumably, US 15 as a six-lane freeway would be likely posted at 60 MPH.

[orulz]

Here's a concept I developed (this is not official) on how an I-40 interchange could be constructed, along with an interchange to serve the adjacent developments. This would extend the US 15/501 freeway down to just south of I-40.

Only a few relocations, and the core retail area is not affected.

https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/US_15_Interchange/uOhwZelvU5

Thanks. It's a good starting point. My concerns would be: (1) the loop ramps are very tight and (2) there would be a Malfunction Junction effect caused by the two loop ramps on the west side being so close together. (I admit one would have to compare this with the congestion in the present configuration.)

One of the loops could also be replaced by another flyover. I'll try to revise the concept.

The loops would be posted at 25 MPH. It would work in an urban environment. And if another flyover is constructed, weaving wouldn't be a problem.

EDIT - I've updated the map to include a second flyover.

Better. I like that the two loops are on ramps, so we're not asking freeway traffic to slow to 25 mph over a short distance.

Nice but not likely. NCDOT rarely builds flyovers. North Carolina is the land of the Collector/Distributor Roadway. If this were Texas they there would be flyovers on all four quadrants but this is NC. They would add cloverleafs with C/D's and be done with it.