Interstate 73/74

[bob7374]

The official NCDOT press release regarding today's opening of final segment of the '311 Bypass' (the last part of which isn't US 311, but at least they're not calling it 128) with a couple of video links: https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=8351   I've also updated my I-74 Segment 7b page and exit lists.

[Strider]

Drove on the I-74/US 311 Bypass this morning.. and wow. it is now way easier to get to Winston-Salem from Asheboro without traffic backups. Now, there are going to be I-73/I-74 officially designed south (southeast) of I-40 and so on. Now if they can focus on the Western Rockingham Bypass!

[Strider]

Update: all exit numbers are now changed on I-73 south of Greensboro. Signs still haven't been completely changed yet...(except Asheboro section).

[OracleUsr]

One question.  Why is the NC 134/Alt 220 the dividing line between old and new exit #'s?  You go from Exit 68 to exit 49.  Still, the change is coming.

[dfilpus]

One question.  Why is the NC 134/Alt 220 the dividing line between old and new exit #'s?  You go from Exit 68 to exit 49.  Still, the change is coming.

The exits from NC 134/220A south were numbered with US 220 numbers when the freeway was built. When the I 73/74 shields were installed on the segment from NC 134 south to Candor, the exit numbers were left as US 220 numbers. Last year, when the segment through Asheboro was upgraded to interstate standards and the I 73/74 shields installed, those exits were upgraded to I 73 numbers. The current signing project is changing all of the US 220 exit numbers to I 73 numbers. Earlier this week, the new exit numbers were installed from Spero Road north to Greensboro. Vision Drive was not upgraded, so it is the only unnumbered exit from Asheboro north. There are new signposts installed along the highway for changing exit numbers all the way to Ellerbe.

[Strider]

Yeah, either way.. I hope the state is moving faster with I-73. The new connector around the PTI Airport area is being moved up to Spring 2014.. so seems like NC really want to sped up construction.

Any news on the I-74 Winston Salem Beltway.. and/or the one southeast of I-95?

Sometimes I just wish SCDOT could just go ahead and build I-73 from Rockingham towards I-95 and temporarily end there first. It will open up the entire corridor from I-40 in Greensboro, NC (for now) towards I-95 near Florence, SC. (while the controversy continues for the I-95 to SC 22 route).

[Henry]

Sometimes I just wish SCDOT could just go ahead and build I-73 from Rockingham towards I-95 and temporarily end there first. It will open up the entire corridor from I-40 in Greensboro, NC (for now) towards I-95 near Florence, SC. (while the controversy continues for the I-95 to SC 22 route).

The same could be said for VA, where they should build I-73 from the NC line to Roanoke, with some limited-access sections (mostly I-581) already in place.

[Strider]

And since the states up north of Virginia is not pursuing for now.. I'd rather to see I-73 from Roanoke to Myrtle Beach. (or at least to I-95).

[bob7374]

Facebook Southeast Roads group member Chris Curley reports that I-74 milepost exit numbers have been added to the existing US 74 and US 74/76 exits in Columbus County around Whiteville. These have not been accompanied by any new I-74 signs, however (the existing I-74 Corridor signs are still in place). For those keeping track at home:

Interchange       I-74 Exit Number (West to East)
NC 410                             233
US 76 West                      235
Union Valley Rd                 238
US 701 Bypass                 239
US 74-76 Business            242

Speaking of exit numbers, anyone know of any progress renumbering those in I-73/74 south of Asheboro?

[Strider]

I am not sure about the exit numbers south of Asheboro.. I have the feeling they are already been changed out.. (since the exit numbers in Greensboro area is already been changed out) but hopefully I will take a trip down and check it out one day.

[jcarte29]

Facebook Southeast Roads group member Chris Curley reports that I-74 milepost exit numbers have been added to the existing US 74 and US 74/76 exits in Columbus County around Whiteville. These have not been accompanied by any new I-74 signs, however (the existing I-74 Corridor signs are still in place). For those keeping track at home:

Interchange       I-74 Exit Number (West to East)
NC 410                             233
US 76 West                      235
Union Valley Rd                 238
US 701 Bypass                 239
US 74-76 Business            242

East side of that highway near Delco would have to be vastly improved, if not replaced with highway on new location, but a nice touch nevertheless.


Going west for a moment, anyone have an update for a letting project for the designated I-74 Forsyth County portion??

[Strider]

I highly doubt I-74 will end at Wilmington. Evidence: Look at Google Maps of Leland, NC (where I-140 will meet US 74/76), the interchange is planned to be a folded diamond. Unless NCDOT plan on rebuild the interchange again in the future, i think that the plan is for I-74 to continue south to Myrtle Beach on a new alignment (past Whiteville).

[jcarte29]

I highly doubt I-74 will end at Wilmington. Evidence: Look at Google Maps of Leland, NC (where I-140 will meet US 74/76), the interchange is planned to be a folded diamond. Unless NCDOT plan on rebuild the interchange again in the future, i think that the plan is for I-74 to continue south to Myrtle Beach on a new alignment (past Whiteville).

I thought this was a dumb move. That new interchange doesn't serve the area well, even if they never intended for I-74 to go further east.

[WashuOtaku]

I highly doubt I-74 will end at Wilmington. Evidence: Look at Google Maps of Leland, NC (where I-140 will meet US 74/76), the interchange is planned to be a folded diamond. Unless NCDOT plan on rebuild the interchange again in the future, i think that the plan is for I-74 to continue south to Myrtle Beach on a new alignment (past Whiteville).

The plan was always to go south to Myrtle Beach, this has not changed despite the wishes of Wilmington.  Here is NCDOT I-74 Feasibility Study link: http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/I74feasibility/.  And if you believe they may one day change their mind, keep in mind they made a compact with South Carolina on the routing (which I doubt they would agree to break) and would have to submit new plans to AASHTO for approval.

[jcarte29]

I highly doubt I-74 will end at Wilmington. Evidence: Look at Google Maps of Leland, NC (where I-140 will meet US 74/76), the interchange is planned to be a folded diamond. Unless NCDOT plan on rebuild the interchange again in the future, i think that the plan is for I-74 to continue south to Myrtle Beach on a new alignment (past Whiteville).

The plan was always to go south to Myrtle Beach, this has not changed despite the wishes of Wilmington.  Here is NCDOT I-74 Feasibility Study link: http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/I74feasibility/.  And if you believe they may one day change their mind, keep in mind they made a compact with South Carolina on the routing (which I doubt they would agree to break) and would have to submit new plans to AASHTO for approval.

Here's a hypothetical 20 years in the future if/when this is reality- If you are in Laurinburg, NC and you want to go to Myrtle Beach, would you take:

I-74 --
(148 miles, assumin a parallel route with US 74/NC 211/US 17, which is what's proposed)

or would you take

US 501--
(105 miles)

Google Maps also estimates these routes are 45 minutes difference.

[Strider]

of which, I will take US 501. (or I-73 in Rockingham)

[WashuOtaku]

Here's a hypothetical 20 years in the future if/when this is reality- If you are in Laurinburg, NC and you want to go to Myrtle Beach, would you take:

I-74 --
(148 miles, assumin a parallel route with US 74/NC 211/US 17, which is what's proposed)

or would you take

US 501--
(105 miles)

Google Maps also estimates these routes are 45 minutes difference.

Keep in mind that logically you are correct from that location and the only real benefit is if your destination is Ocean Isle Beach and not Myrtle Beach.  But part of the routing decisions for this interstate was so South Carolina would have two and the Carolina Bays Parkway is already built for it, just needs a connection.  The routing is more political than anything else.

But who knows in 20 years, maybe most of US 17 in North Carolina becomes a freeway at that point and they make that an interstate too, never know. 

[jcarte29]

Here's a hypothetical 20 years in the future if/when this is reality- If you are in Laurinburg, NC and you want to go to Myrtle Beach, would you take:

I-74 --
(148 miles, assumin a parallel route with US 74/NC 211/US 17, which is what's proposed)

or would you take

US 501--
(105 miles)

Google Maps also estimates these routes are 45 minutes difference.

Keep in mind that logically you are correct from that location and the only real benefit is if your destination is Ocean Isle Beach and not Myrtle Beach.  But part of the routing decisions for this interstate was so South Carolina would have two and the Carolina Bays Parkway is already built for it, just needs a connection.  The routing is more political than anything else.

But who knows in 20 years, maybe most of US 17 in North Carolina becomes a freeway at that point and they make that an interstate too, never know. 

All valid points- I live right off US 17 and would welcome it being interstate standard up and down NC coastline. (parts of it already are)

[Henry]

I highly doubt I-74 will end at Wilmington. Evidence: Look at Google Maps of Leland, NC (where I-140 will meet US 74/76), the interchange is planned to be a folded diamond. Unless NCDOT plan on rebuild the interchange again in the future, i think that the plan is for I-74 to continue south to Myrtle Beach on a new alignment (past Whiteville).

They could always sign the Wilmington spur as an I-x74, as the I-20 proposal is dead.

[Strider]

I could see the Wilmington spur as an I-x74.. however, It just might be 474 or 674 or 874 since I-274 is probably taken for the Winston-Salem beltway... (last time I heard, it is still not approved yet)

as of I-20, it should have been extended to Myrtle Beach at first place. (that's for another forum).

[bob7374]

My contact from the Asheboro area reports, from a drive down the corridor to the NC 211 exit on the way to Aberdeen, that 'most' of the new signs and numbers were up, but not all. He, unfortunately, didn't indicate which exits may still have old signs and/or numbers. Sounds like an opportunity for a local to check out what new signage is now up down there. 

[rickmastfan67]

Facebook Southeast Roads group member Chris Curley reports that I-74 milepost exit numbers have been added to the existing US 74 and US 74/76 exits in Columbus County around Whiteville. These have not been accompanied by any new I-74 signs, however (the existing I-74 Corridor signs are still in place). For those keeping track at home:

Interchange       I-74 Exit Number (West to East)
NC 410                             233
US 76 West                      235
Union Valley Rd                 238
US 701 Bypass                 239
US 74-76 Business            242

Speaking of exit numbers, anyone know of any progress renumbering those in I-73/74 south of Asheboro?

Thanks for posting those new exit numbers here for US-74.  I've updated OSM with them in Changeset #16932692.

[bob7374]

Some news and a link. The project to upgrade the signage along US 220 south of Greensboro to make it officially I-73 (or I-73/I-74) is now 65% complete, according to the NCDOT Construction Progress report. It is still due to be completed by October, however the contractor is behind with NCDOT's projected completion % as of July 22 being 75%.

I have added some new contributed photos taken of the I-74 freeway and along I-73 north and south of the I-73/I-74 interchange in Randleman. The I-74 photos are at http://www.gribblenation.net/i7374nc/i74seg7b.html the other photos are on the I-73 Segment 6 and Segment 8 pages.

[bob7374]

More I-73 (and I-840) related news. NCDOT has released, 2 months prior to letting, plans for the next segment of the Greensboro Loop from Bryan Blvd to US 220 (Battleground Ave). From perusing the signing plans I've discovered:
1. The scope of the contract includes updating the Loop signage on I-40, on the existing Loop, and on Bryan Blvd up to and including the PTI Airport Exit (which will be 109). The other new exit numbers, as have been reported are 103 for I-40 (SB), 104 for W. Friendly Ave and 107 for Bryan Blvd. As with the other I-73 exits along the loop, I-73 exits itself at Exit 107B.
2. The I-840 exit numbers will be 3A/B (WB) for Bryan Blvd, 6 for US 220 and, in the plans as a future sign, Exit 8 for Lawndale Drive.
3. The I-840 East signage will be accompanied by 'To US 220' but the US 220 shield will be replaced by an I-785 shield when the Loop is completed.
4. The control cities for I-73 North from I-40 will be PTI-GSO Airport and Martinsville (with only Martinsville after the Airport exit). South its Winston-Salem Asheboro (and Raleigh if accompanied by a 'To I-40').
5. The pull through signage at the Bryan Blvd exit and on I-40 for the Loop will be the new up arrow per lane signs, not the diagrammatic signage used elsewhere on the Loop.
6. The mile markers listed in the plans run from 103.5 to 109 for I-73 and 3.5 to 6 for I-840.
7. The plans hint the next section of the Loop to Lawndale Dr will be signed as Future I-840 when it is opened.

Feel free to check out the plans themselves at: http://dotw-xfer01.dot.state.nc.us/dsplan/2013%20Highway%20Letting/09-17-13/Plans%20and%20Proposals/Guilford%20U-2524C%20C203197/Roadway%20Part%20II/

[jcarte29]

Once again, Division 9 of North Carolina, which includes Rowan Co up to Forsyth Co, gets the shaft to All-better Greensboro...