Interstate 73/74

[OracleUsr]

Wow, that's pretty neat.  I may be making a lighthouse trip to Florida in 2014 or 2015.  Now I know my route.

[Strider]

Here is the photo that I took before I went to work. This is the only sign that was put up since others haven't been changed due to weather, but it does FEEL GREAT to see I-73 finally signed right next to US 220. This came from when you drive South on I-73/US 421 in Greensboro.

[bob7374]

Here is the photo that I took before I went to work. This is the only sign that was put up since others haven't been changed due to weather, but it does FEEL GREAT to see I-73 finally signed right next to US 220. This came from when you drive South on I-73/US 421 in Greensboro.

Great photo. Given the existing exit tab was not removed, this has I-73 exiting itself. Supposedly they are to make staying on the loop for I-85 North (US 421 South) 'Exit 95' and shift the tab to the I-85 signs, perhaps they are waiting her until they place one to the left of the current I-73/US 220 BGS.

[Strider]

I was told by a rep at NCDOT that this exit tab is staying because the plan is for I-73 to exit by itself. It does not make any sense to have 3 lanes exit on the left and only one lane exit for I-73 South.. I'd say the same thing for the I-73 North that exits itself at the cloverleaf section. I think that the interchange between I-85/US 220/I-73 South needs to have flyovers added to it.

I'd bet that there will be more sign changes today since the weather is nice.

[Strider]

There are more trucks carrying signs near the same location I stopped by the other day. YAY! Sign changes are under progress.

[OracleUsr]

Either this or next weekend when I go to Greensboro, I might just have to take a detour.

[Strider]

Other sign changes along the road in Greensboro area.. There are more, but it rained that day. They changed most signs on southbound I-73. The exit tab have changed on the overhead, but not on the exit section. There is not a I-73 South shield when you drive south on I-85 though, but it's a good start.

[jcarte29]

Great job Strider, I hope that within a couple weeks we can finally talk about the Randleman Connector (I-74) opening. Feels like that project has lasted forever.

And maybe this is just hopeful optimizim, but when I think about the signing project, knowing its just changing out and addin signs along the highway (that's already open) and each exit, you think it will be completed sooner than October?

[Strider]

That's possible they can complete the signing change sooner than October as evidenced from the photo, but who knows.

the I-74 Randleman Connector should have been completed a while ago. Since weather kept changing here in NC, I'm kinda concerned they might not be able to open it sooner.

[jcarte29]

Big surprise!


http://myfox8.com/2013/03/29/i-73-connector-in-randolph-county-expected-to-be-finished-by-memorial-day/

[Strider]

yeah.. i am not surprised. weather is the bigger factor this year so far. That's also the other reason why US 220 widening north of Greensboro is being behind in schedule as well. But, they are starting to build a bridge and cleared the woods faster than I ever seen...

[jcarte29]

Strider, any other sign changes along I-73 south towards Randolph Co?

[Strider]

I haven't checked yet. Last time I was down there, there are no sign changes down US 220 to Randolph County, but I might check it out this weekend if I have time.

[bob7374]

I've added photos Strider and jcarte29 have sent me regarding new signage along I-73. They have added them to my Segment 5 through Segment 8 pages. I have also added new information about the delay (again) in opening the I-74 freeway to I-74 Segment 7b and US 74/76 and I-74 video links from jcarte29 to my I-74 Segment 17 and 18 pages.

Thanks to all for their contributions. The pages can all be reached at http://www.gribblenation.net/i7374nc.

[Strider]

The delay on the I-74 project bugs me. On the same day I took photos of I-73 sign changes, I drove by US 311 to view the interchange with I-74. It's definitely not ready. I only spotted added exit number on I-74 (84), and a couple of interstate signs, etc. but the road itself is NOT even worked on.

[jcarte29]

The delay on the I-74 project bugs me. On the same day I took photos of I-73 sign changes, I drove by US 311 to view the interchange with I-74. It's definitely not ready. I only spotted added exit number on I-74 (84), and a couple of interstate signs, etc. but the road itself is NOT even worked on.

At this rate the sign changes from G'Boro to Ellerbe will be done before I-74 Connector pavement lol...I don't live up there anymore but I would take a day trip and find an excuse to visit just to drive it lol.

[Strider]

Haha, I would too. But it's sad how they put up signs on I-74 connector, but not working on the road. The road looked half finished (one lane fully paved and the other lane isn't). They better get it done while there's a nice weather.

[CanesFan27]

Haha, I would too. But it's sad how they put up signs on I-74 connector, but not working on the road. The road looked half finished (one lane fully paved and the other lane isn't). They better get it done while there's a nice weather.

They have the whole Spring, Summer and Fall of nice weather ahead.  I am sure it'll be fine. 

[Strider]

Yeah I agree. another update: not much has changed so far.. except they did put new exit tabs going northbound on I-73/US 220 to I-85. However, everything else haven't changed or added so far....

[amroad17]

Other sign changes along the road in Greensboro area.. There are more, but it rained that day. They changed most signs on southbound I-73. The exit tab have changed on the overhead, but not on the exit section. There is not a I-73 South shield when you drive south on I-85 though, but it's a good start.

I like the left panel with Durham and Raleigh on one line.

[Strider]

Yeah I like that too.. it's different.

[Grzrd]

Any word on I-73 in SC?

(above quote from South Carolina thread)

This April 26 article reports that SCDOT is working on wetland mitigation and approximately 65% of ROW has been purchased:

On Friday, members of the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) executive committee discussed their ongoing progress in bringing economic development to the nine county region ....
The board also received an update on Interstate 73 from state Department of Transportation district commissioner Mike Wooten.
"The permitting is underway they're working on wetland mitigation now and right of way purchase is underway with about 65 percent of the right of way has been purchased for I-73,"  Wooten said. "$58 million left in budget for those things that we need to do moving forward for I-73."
Permitting will continue for the next 12 to 18 months and the appeals process will take about two years Wooten said.

[bob7374]

Looks like we have at least now a definitive week when the I-74 freeway to US 220 is supposed to open:
http://myfox8.com/2013/05/22/i-73us-311-connector-will-open-week-after-memorial-day/

[Strider]

About time. I can't wait to drive that section when it opens....

[NE2]

Any word on what will happen to US 311? Overlap to I-73? Remain on the current alignment? Truncation?