Triangle Expressway

[CanesFan27]

Article from the 5k on the yet to be open NC 147 section of the TriEx yesterday:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/11/21/1660510/runners-pound-new-triangle-expressway.html

We ran from the Dobson Road Exit (Exit 3) to I-40 (Exit 5) and back. Didn't have time to stick around and take photos as we had to head over to the arena for the Hurricanes/Maple Leafs game.  But there are a number of photos on the N&O website.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/11/20/1660059/first-look-triangle-expressway.html

The exit 1 overhead shown with the article is huge!  As for the road itself - there's a few areas near the I-40 exit that still needs striping and signs on the on/off ramps and NC 147 Toll Reassurance markers needs to be installed.

[OracleUsr]

At least they use the black on yellow LEFT banner on the sign.  I've seen that used so spottily in NC

I thought that advance guide sign for I-540/NC 540 on I-40 East in RTP was big...but then again, diagrammaticals SHOULD be bigger

[OracleUsr]

But that does raise (pun intended) an interesting question.  Is the raised cap configuration on that diagrammatical sign right?  The cardinal directions look awfully small.

And for the AGS's for I-40, the raised caps are barely perceptible, something I've noticed on other upgraded guide signs in NC.

[Alps]

The ratio should be in the range of 4:3 to 6:5. 10" initial / 8" others or 12"/10" are typical. Next step up is 15"/12".

[OracleUsr]

Ah, okay, that makes sense.  I've seen raised caps on BGS on NC signs of varying ratios, and now it makes sense.

[CanesFan27]

My friend, Chris Allen, has a small blog entry about the TriEx 5k.

http://actionallen.blogspot.com/2011/11/triangle-expressway-trot.html

[cpzilliacus]

TOLLROADSnews: First North Carolina pike in the modern era due to open this Thursday - Triangle Expressway Phase 1

[OracleUsr]

ROAD TRIP (was going to go to Chapel Hill and Raleigh anyway this or next weekend)

[CanesFan27]

Eh, I'll most likely will drive it on Saturday.  More interested in how the Davis Drive interchange in 540 has been reconfigured.

[Alps]

Is it free like the ICC?

[CanesFan27]

Yes through the end of the month.

As the Gaston County motto so wisely says, "If it's free, it's for me."

[Takumi]

Hmm. I may have to check it out once I have my car worked on, then.

[CanesFan27]

You're better off waiting til the whole thing is open later this year...yeah you will have to pay tolls for part of it.  But it's more worth while than really two-three miles of new road.  It's not that terribly exciting.

[NJRoadfan]

Free to the end of the month is good, I get to check it out while I'm down there after Christmas.

[Takumi]

You're better off waiting til the whole thing is open later this year...yeah you will have to pay tolls for part of it.  But it's more worth while than really two-three miles of new road.  It's not that terribly exciting.

I'll wait then. I want to take the car on a trip that's about 50-100 miles in each direction first anyway to see how it does.

[HazMatt]

Eh, I'll most likely will drive it on Saturday.  More interested in how the Davis Drive interchange in 540 has been reconfigured.

I get to drive it tomorrow, yay!  My understanding is that the Davis Drive/Kit Creek Road exit is permanently closed and those ramps are now for the interchange with NC 147.  147 will have an interchange with Davis Drive north of 540, which really stinks for people needing to go south on Davis.  Supposedly there is not enough room to safely accommodate an exit there for Davis or Kit Creek.  The good news is that 540 will not be tolled until the next section to Holly Springs opens sometime next year.

They are also planning the "Triangle Connector", which will connect 147 with I-85 via US 70.  Looks like it'll join the current freeway portion of US 70 and build a new freeway to 147 between exits 8 (Ellis Rd.) and 10 (Briggs Ave.).  http://www.letsgetmoving.org/priorities/connector/

[Alps]

Hoping that they pull an ICC and temporarily remove tolls on the entire road for a few weeks when the second part opens.

[goobnav]

To all in regular toll land if the photo toll works here, don't be surprised if it shows up in your area soon.  Hey VA, won't be surprised if 95 is the next one with this toll system.

[CanesFan27]

Maggie drove it yesterday on her way home from Durham.  She made an interesting point.  Instead of 40-147 and the usual backup's at that tie in and through RTP, she suggested that 147 to NC 540 to I-40 may be a good alternative (even with the tolls) for when I-40 is backed up.

Thoughts?

[goobnav]

Will only drive it when it is free and I need to, being that I am in Durham and really close to work, no need to drive it.

[mgk920]

I'm just a bit curious here, what was the original plan for NC 147 southwest of I-40?  I note that when that interchange was first built, the NC 147 roadway stubs pointed due southwest and now the extended roadway runs more towards the southeast.

Mike

[CanesFan27]

It's pretty much following the original plan.  The curve was built as a means to connect to TW Alexander. The right of way for 147 was always preserved within RTP.

[NE2]

Are there still plans to take something southeast from the 147-540 interchange?

[dfilpus]

Are there still plans to take something southeast from the 147-540 interchange?

There are paved stubs to continue southeast, so they are ready to continue into Cary someday.

[CanesFan27]

My friend Chris Allen, was on the TriEx yesterday, and noticed a few things.  One where 147 and 540 meet will be where 540 goes from east/west to North/south.  Also, he covers briefly the proposed extension of McCrimmon Parkway to the Triangle Expressway.  The ramps that NE2 refers to.

http://actionallen.blogspot.com/2011/12/triangle-parkway.html