Interstate 73/74

[tolbs17]

Actually (and ironically) the only thing holding VA back from upgrading the Danville Bypass to I-785 is NCDOT, because US 29.

I assume you mean it's not up to interstate standards?

[plain]

Yes

[LM117]

Actually (and ironically) the only thing holding VA back from upgrading the Danville Bypass to I-785 is NCDOT, because US 29.

I'd argue that the only thing holding VA back is VA. I seriously doubt they have any interest in upgrading the bypass just to benefit one city (unlike NC, where Greenville is the only reason for I-587's existence).

Once NCDOT finishes I-785, and since the state line also acts as Danville city limits, VDOT will simply say "Well, Danville finally has it's interstate", and call it a day without lifting a finger.

[Strider]

Actually (and ironically) the only thing holding VA back from upgrading the Danville Bypass to I-785 is NCDOT, because US 29.

I'd argue that the only thing holding VA back is VA. I seriously doubt they have any interest in upgrading the bypass just to benefit one city (unlike NC, where Greenville is the only reason for I-587's existence).

Once NCDOT finishes I-785, and since the state line also acts as Danville city limits, VDOT will simply say "Well, Danville finally has it's interstate", and call it a day without lifting a finger.

VA is too focused on Northern VA and the Norfolk area. I feel like they usually ignore the rest of the state's needs unless otherwise. Look at how long it took for them to finally do something about I-81 widening. I have no idea what they're trying to accomplish by "refusing" to work with NCDOT.. or what their issue is....However, the irony is: MdDOT refused to work with VDOT when it comes to extending VA 28 past the Potomac River to hook up with I-370.

[sprjus4]

How is VDOT "refusing" to work NCDOT? US-29 on the Virginia side is virtually interstate standards with the exception of that first interchange, it's the North Carolina side down towards Greensboro that has a non-limited-access segment to be upgraded still.

[seicer]

It's all about funding priorities, not VDOT "refusing" to work with other agencies. As much as I would love to see VDOT build its section of four-lane US 48 from the West Virginia state line to I-81, in reality, US 48 doesn't carry that much traffic right now and the existing route isn't that bad. Hilly with long grades but nothing worse than other improved mountain grades.

[Strider]

How is VDOT "refusing" to work NCDOT? US-29 on the Virginia side is virtually interstate standards with the exception of that first interchange, it's the North Carolina side down towards Greensboro that has a non-limited-access segment to be upgraded still.

I'm not talking about US 29 corridor because NCDOT is the one needs to do their part. I am talking about corridors in general.

[tolbs17]

I'd complain I-74 itself near Winston-Salem is not up to interstate standards.

From High Point to Winston-Salem.

[abqtraveler]

It's all about funding priorities, not VDOT "refusing" to work with other agencies. As much as I would love to see VDOT build its section of four-lane US 48 from the West Virginia state line to I-81, in reality, US 48 doesn't carry that much traffic right now and the existing route isn't that bad. Hilly with long grades but nothing worse than other improved mountain grades.

Exactly, Virginia has been prioritizing projects in the DC/Northern Virginia suburbs at the expense of the rest of the state.

[Love2drive]

I saw last night on the Electronic sign that the ramp at exit 95B (73 North to Winston Salem) will be closed for two weeks beginning Nov 7th.  I assume they will detour that traffic to exit onto Business 85 South.

[bob7374]

I've updated my I-74 Segment 6 and 7 pages with new Google Maps Street View images taken from July to September showing the removal of US 311 shields in Guilford County:


While showing they are still up in Randolph County:


The full set of photos for each segment is available at:
https://malmeroads.net/i7374nc/i74seg6.html#photos  or
https://malmeroads.net/i7374nc/i74seg7a.html

[bob7374]

I've added more Street View images to my I-74 Segment 4 page chronicling the construction of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway Eastern Section. Here's an image taken from the Stanleyville Drive bridge looking towards the future NC 66 interchange:


More images are available at: https://malmeroads.net/i7374nc/i74seg4.html#photos

[sprjus4]

Now I-73 is at least 65 MPH throughout it's whole length in NC.

For the most part, it is still 60 mph on its northern portion that was upgraded along existing US-220, unless that has finally been raised in the past year, plus a small 55 mph segment just south of I-85.

According to updated Street View, not only has that northern segment finally been increased from 60 mph to 65 mph, that small 55 mph segment south of the I-73 / I-85 beltway has been increased to 65 mph. Additionally, the US-220 freeway (inside the Beltway) between I-40 and I-73 has also been bumped to 60 mph.

So yes, now all of I-73 in North Carolina is at least 65 mph.

[tolbs17]

For a reasonable connection for I-74 to happen, can this part be signed as I-474 or any even I-x74? Or even I-640. Just my suggestions. Would be more appropriate for an interstate designation in my opinion.

[Strider]

For a reasonable connection for I-74 to happen, can this part be signed as I-474 or any even I-x74? Or even I-640. Just my suggestions. Would be more appropriate for an interstate designation in my opinion.

Nah. US 421 is fine. It is planned to be 6-laned between the lines you posted in the future.

[tolbs17]

For a reasonable connection for I-74 to happen, can this part be signed as I-474 or any even I-x74? Or even I-640. Just my suggestions. Would be more appropriate for an interstate designation in my opinion.

Nah. US 421 is fine. It is planned to be 6-laned between the lines you posted in the future.

Okay...understandable of why we don't need so many interstates.

[vdeane]

For a reasonable connection for I-74 to happen, can this part be signed as I-474 or any even I-x74? Or even I-640. Just my suggestions. Would be more appropriate for an interstate designation in my opinion.

Nah. US 421 is fine. It is planned to be 6-laned between the lines you posted in the future.

But wouldn't that mean that someone who is heading from the east to I-74 west would have to either leave the interstate system or go out of their way?

[tolbs17]

^^

My point.

[architect77]

Actually (and ironically) the only thing holding VA back from upgrading the Danville Bypass to I-785 is NCDOT, because US 29.

I'd argue that the only thing holding VA back is VA. I seriously doubt they have any interest in upgrading the bypass just to benefit one city (unlike NC, where Greenville is the only reason for I-587's existence).

Once NCDOT finishes I-785, and since the state line also acts as Danville city limits, VDOT will simply say "Well, Danville finally has it's interstate", and call it a day without lifting a finger.

VA is too focused on Northern VA and the Norfolk area. I feel like they usually ignore the rest of the state's needs unless otherwise. Look at how long it took for them to finally do something about I-81 widening. I have no idea what they're trying to accomplish by "refusing" to work with NCDOT.. or what their issue is....However, the irony is: MdDOT refused to work with VDOT when it comes to extending VA 28 past the Potomac River to hook up with I-370.

Rail is now what VA is investing in big time, thry bought the old S line for a future high speed train to Raleigh's Union Station.

[Dirt Roads]

Rail is now what VA is investing in big time, thry bought the old S line for a future high speed train to Raleigh's Union Station.

Actually, NCDOT Rail Division was going to purchase the entire S-Line in Virginia when VDRPT (Department of Rail and Passenger Transit) wasn't interested.  That purchase got tied up for a decade because of lack of funding, and VDRPT changed its tune in 2019.  I worked on the removal of signals from the old S-Line back in the late 1980s.  More info:  https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=30507.msg2679403#msg2679403

I was also one of the Project Managers on the upgrade of the Buckingham Branch Railroad (former C&O Old Main Line) from Doswell to Richmond Main Street Station.  Although that was technically part of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, the best speeds along that section of track will likely not exceed 50MPH.

[bob7374]

I have added photos of I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway construction taken by J. Austin Carter to my I-74 Segment 4 page. Including this view from the recently opened NC 8/Germanton Road bridge looking west:


The rest of the photos are at:
https://malmeroads.net/i7374nc/i74seg4.html#photos

[bob7374]

I've posted my annual I-73/I-74 in NC and NC Future Interstates Year in Review for 2021 at:
https://www.gribblenation.org/2021/12/i-73i-74-and-nc-future-interstates-year.html

Enjoy.

[wdcrft63]

I've posted my annual I-73/I-74 in NC and NC Future Interstates Year in Review for 2021 at:
https://www.gribblenation.org/2021/12/i-73i-74-and-nc-future-interstates-year.html

Enjoy.

We're all in your debt for your years of work documenting these projects. Thanks and Happy New Year.

[LM117]

A contract has been awarded for building the next eastern section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway between I-40 and US-421/Salem Parkway. Work can start next month and is expected to be complete by November 2026.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2022/2021-01-05-winston-salem-northern-beltway-contract-award.aspx

[tolbs17]

A contract has been awarded for building the next eastern section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway between I-40 and US-421/Salem Parkway. Work can start next month and is expected to be complete by November 2026.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2022/2021-01-05-winston-salem-northern-beltway-contract-award.aspx

So it will be done in two phases. Great.