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North Carolina

Started by FLRoads, January 20, 2009, 11:55:15 PM

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florida

All I can say is hopefully someone's got "historic" photos before they started  and during the construction of this monstrosity.  :-D Talk about a roadgeek's paradise.

"Chronicles of the Greensboro Urban Loop"
So many roads...so little time.


J N Winkler

Quote from: froggieThe complaints about noise from residents along the southwest side of the loop was a red herring.  The real reason why I-40 was moved back onto its previous route through Greensboro was so that NCDOT wouldn't lose Interstate Maintenance funds.

I know this is the explanation Jim Dunlop pushed in MTR, but it doesn't convince.  NCDOT had the option of applying for a concealed Interstate designation for Business 40 which would have maintained eligibility for IM funding--this is what California does with Business 80 in Sacramento (hidden Route 51, hidden I-305).  Moreover, NCDOT should have, and probably would have, considered the implications of IM funding before relocating the I-40 designation to the bypass in the first place.

It is, I think, relevant that the bypass route was longer than the original I-40 routing, and was not attracting I-40 traffic aside from trucks not wanting to go through Death Valley.  The shift in designation looks like a belated acceptance of reality.
"It is necessary to spend a hundred lire now to save a thousand lire later."--Piero Puricelli, explaining the need for a first-class road system to Benito Mussolini

OracleUsr

#27
Here's a photo from just off the loop, coming from Groometown Road on to the I-85 bypass:



Two notes:

1.  This is an unusual combination sign in that the route number matches the exit number.  I snapped this picture today because I believe this will soon be Exit 78, in keeping with the exit numbers on US 220/I-73.

2.  The road here is an off ramp from an exit off I-85, but the exit number is for I-40's mile numbers.
Anti-center-tabbing, anti-sequential-numbering, anti-Clearview BGS FAN

Alex

#28
QuoteDepending on the location, it could be an alternative to getting into Corolla and Nags Head and avoid the beach traffic that funnels in near Roanoke Island between 64, 158 and 264.

It will only serve local interests at Corolla and along NC-12. NC-12 is just two lanes and on some stretches the speed limits are as low as 25.

74/171FAN

Quote from: flaroadgeek on January 20, 2009, 11:55:15 PM
Have the exit numbers along I-795 been corrected to reflect its mileage and not US 117's?
Probably not but hopefully they'll fix it while they repair I-795  ;-) http://www.charlotteobserver.com/232/story/838558.html
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

CanesFan27

Some odd good news in the North Carolina Transportation Front -

Thanks to nearly $26 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, along with $100 million from other sources, a previously unfunded Interstate 140/US 17 Bypass construction project will get underway in 2010.

The 'A' Section of the Brunswick County segment of I-140/US 17 is the benefactor of the new funding. This segment will run from US 17 (near where NC 87 meets it in Bishop) to US 74/76 east of Malmo. This will be a design/build project.

The 'B' Section from US 74/76 to where the current freeway ends at US 421 is scheduled to see construction begin in 2012. Land acquisition for this segment is ongoing.

So it now appears that for a few years there will be a gap in I-140 and the US 17 Bypass from US 74/76 to US 421.

Story:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090715/ARTICLES/907159988/1004?Title=U-S-17-bypass-s-Brunswick-leg-to-be-started-earlier-than-planned

SSF

does NC use glass beads in their new thermo?

when it rained up there, i had a very hard time seeing the striping on their roadways.

CanesFan27

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority recently released a few new details for the proposed Cape Fear Skyway.

First, the bridge will most likely be a cable-stayed bridge rising anywhere from 165-187 feet over the cape Fear River. If it is a cable-stayed bridge, the design will be very similar to the new Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, SC.

The NCTA also increased the proposed cost of the bridge from anywhere between $1.1 to 1.5 billion.

Currently, no specific construction or routing details are planned. A preferred route has not been finalized, and construction could begin in 2013. Early estimates for completion and opening to traffic is sometime in 2017.

Story: http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090218/ARTICLES/902180243/-1/NEWS4538?Title=Vision-for-billion-dollar-Cape-Fear-Skyway-clearer-now

rickmastfan67

Does anybody know why NCDOT will not post the Northern extension they requested for the route back in 2003 with the AASHTO?  I mean, they have it on all of their maps, but yet have not posted it in the field.  Sometimes, I just don't get NCDOT.

Alex

I-85 Yadkin bridge: If we start planning to build it, maybe the money will come

QuoteThe scary old I-85 bridge over the Yadkin River near Salisbury is woefully overdue for a $350 million replacement. Agreed. But who wants to pay for it?

The state applied this summer for federal stimulus money under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to buy a new bridge.

If the Obama administration turns thumbs down on North Carolina's Yadkin request, our backup plan is to make it a toll project. The N.C. Turnpike Authority would borrow the money, build the new bridge, and then collect tolls from I-85 drivers for the next 30 to 40 years.




DOT moves ahead on I-85 plans

QuoteThe I-85 Corridor Improvement Project will consist of two contracts that will complete a comprehensive overhaul of the highway, bridge and rail infrastructure located along 6.8 miles of I-85 from north of Long Ferry Road (Exit 81) in Rowan County to Interstate 85 Business Loop (Exit 87) in Davidson County. The total project cost is estimated at more than $300 million. The first contract would widen 2.2 miles of the interstate, including replacing the bridges over the Yadkin River and improving the sharp curve along this stretch. The second contract would widen the remaining section of highway.

CanesFan27

The state made the formal application in July:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seroads/message/8973

The website gives great detail on the actual plans for the project.  The project, in addition to the new bridge and widening, would redesign a number of interchanges north of the river and would still preserve the Wil-Cox Bridge (http://www.gribblenation.com/ncpics/us29/wilcox.html)  opened in 1924.

http://www.ncdot.gov/recovery/i85corridor/

OracleUsr

Pardon my ignorance, but will that include the Exit 82 (US 29/70 NC 150 Spencer Exit) remodeling?
Anti-center-tabbing, anti-sequential-numbering, anti-Clearview BGS FAN

CanesFan27

Yes...it will eliminate all the left exits/entrances on the Lexington side of the river.

Exits 82 (US 29/70/NC 150) and 83 (NC 150) will be combined into one interchange.

Exit 85 (Clark Road) will be eliminated

Exit 86 (Belmont Road) will be rebuilt.  No word on what will happen to 'Big Bill' though.

http://www.ncdot.gov/recovery/i85corridor/projectplans/
http://www.ncdot.gov/recovery/i85corridor/download/yadkin_publichearingmap.pdf

Alex

U.S. 25 widening to begin

QuoteA $17 million widening of U.S. 25 will start this month and bring the road up to interstate standards.

The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded the project to Tennessee-based Wright Brothers Construction. The work is scheduled to be completed by August 2012.

The project has been in the planning stages for decades but never received funding, DOT Division Construction Engineer Jamie Wilson said. The DOT bought the right-of-way for the widening project more than 25 years ago.

The three-mile section, which begins at the Interstate 26 exit, will become a four-lane divided highway when complete.

The only access to the road will be through Spartanburg Highway or Upward Road. The DOT is creating a frontage road for residents located along the section of highway. The access road will run on the south end of the highway from Tabor Road to Laurel Creek Drive.

Access to the highway along the section will close as the project proceeds.

lamsalfl

Time to build a straight line route I-46 from Charlotte to Raleigh to Norfolk. :)

CanesFan27

Residents and tourists input is being sought in an online "willingness to pay" survey that the North Carolina Turnpike Authority will use to get credit to sell bonds to pay for construction of the bridge.

The survey, which gives scenarios on time savings and what you would pay to cross the bridge to save time, is located at http://www.nustats.com/midcurrituck/.

With toll ranges from $6 to $30, the survey will help the NCTA make revenue projections. The survey is part of the Investment Grade Traffic and Revenue Study and should be complete by next spring.

The survey takes no longer than five minutes.

For more:
http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/how-much-should-bridge-toll-be-867106.html

CanesFan27

The proposed Cape Fear Skyway is at a crossroads as elected leaders in both Brunswick and New Hanover Counties debate on which is their preferred choice for the highway and bridge.

At a recent meeting between the North Carolina Turnpike Authority and the Wilmington Area Transportation Advisory Committee, various leaders voiced their opinions on what route the proposed toll road should follow.

Full Story & Commentary:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2009/10/cape-fear-skyway-at-crossroads.html

Story Links:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091014/ARTICLES/910149944/1155?Title=Proposed-Skyway-Bridge-still-has-a-twisted-path-to-follow

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091009/ARTICLES/910099954?Title=Cape-Fear-Skyway-s-future-hinges-on-Wednesday-meeting

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091017/ARTICLES/910174002/1018/LETTERS?Title=Editorial-It-s-not-pie-in-the-sky

CanesFan27

A few months ago, the NCTA announced that they may be able to save $60 million in the cost of the $660 million Mid-Currituck Bridge.  Last week, they unveiled that plan to the public.  The plan already has mainland Currituck County residents (specifically those in Aydlett) concerned.

http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/new-currituck-bridge-option-unveiled-894287.html

CanesFan27

The NCTA has been floating this trial balloon for about 18 months now.  But they are looking at the possibility of tolling parts of or all of the existing and soon to be constructed US 17/I-140 Wilmington Bypass to help fund the construction of the proposed Cape Fear Skyway toll project.

Even if this would happen - and there are many hurdles to clear - the tolls would only reduce the nearly $50 million/per year over 40 years in annual gap funding from the NC General Budget by about $11 million.

Story:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091018/COLUMNIST/910189982/-1/LIVING08?Title=Crossroads-Tolls-on-table-for-Skyway-project

Commentary:
http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2009/10/ncta-continues-to-look-at-tolling-i.html


CanesFan27

The sign on I-40 that reads "Barstow, Ca 2,554" in Wilmington was stolen again for the fourth time.  This time NCDOT says they aren't going to replace it.

Story:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091112/ARTICLES/911129963


And a photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/llnesinthesand/2935760293/in/pool-i-40

In all the trips I've made down to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, I would pass the sign and want to get a photo with it, but I always said "eh, I'll get it next time down." 

Oh well.

Alex

Quote from: CanesFan27 on November 14, 2009, 11:10:41 AM
The sign on I-40 that reads "Barstow, Ca 2,554" in Wilmington was stolen again for the fourth time.  This time NCDOT says they aren't going to replace it.

Story:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091112/ARTICLES/911129963


And a photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/llnesinthesand/2935760293/in/pool-i-40

In all the trips I've made down to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, I would pass the sign and want to get a photo with it, but I always said "eh, I'll get it next time down." 

Oh well.

I missed photographing the sign when I was there in 2006 as well...

I would think that an easy solution to the sign theft problem would be to mount it on the overpass nearby.

simguy228

My gosh. I can't believe I-26 near Asheville is still a future route (I don't know why it not signed as an official interstate
Lovable. Truthful. Great, SC4
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CanesFan27

It appears that after a number of e-mails and calls - NCDOT decided to take one more look through storage - and found another distance to Barstow, CA sign.

No word on when the sign will be replaced...but it does cost about $600 to replace it.

Story: http://www.wwaytv3.com/no_sign_road_ahead/11/2009

rickmastfan67

#48
Quote from: simguy228 on November 14, 2009, 07:44:42 PM
My gosh. I can't believe I-26 near Asheville is still a future route (I don't know why it not signed as an official interstate

It's a Future Interstate up to Exit #9 from I-240 because the Interstate is not up to standards.  From what I know, it will stay a Future Interstate till they reconfigure the whole I-26/I-240 interchange.


Quote from: CanesFan27 on November 14, 2009, 11:25:44 PM
It appears that after a number of e-mails and calls - NCDOT decided to take one more look through storage - and found another distance to Barstow, CA sign.

No word on when the sign will be replaced...but it does cost about $600 to replace it.

Story: http://www.wwaytv3.com/no_sign_road_ahead/11/2009

Wow, I'm amazed that the DOT actually suggests you to pull over a take a picture with it when it's replaced. :wow:

simguy228

That is what I thought. Though, I found this videos on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cVtWqC_4Jg
Lovable. Truthful. Great, SC4
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