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I-95 Widening in North Carolina

Started by sprjus4, April 19, 2020, 11:14:10 AM

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LM117

Quote from: snowc on April 07, 2021, 05:45:45 PMI-785 goes through Danville, right?

That was the original plan, but in reality it'll end at the US-58 interchange at the VA state line. VDOT has no plans to upgrade the Danville bypass and I seriously doubt they have any intention of doing so.
“I don’t know whether to wind my ass or scratch my watch!” - Jim Cornette


1995hoo

Quote from: Mapmikey on April 07, 2021, 07:36:09 PM
Quote from: jmacswimmer on April 07, 2021, 01:18:48 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 07, 2021, 12:37:53 PM
A few years ago, I forget which year but I do recall it was Christmastime, I decided to take I-795 down to I-40 to Wilmington, then take US-17 (and SC-31) down the coast back to I-95 at Yemassee. It added about two hours versus just staying on I-95 the whole way...

During a trip that began in OBX & ended in Charleston, I decided to take US 17 the whole way down versus heading further inland on US 64 to I-95 (fewer miles this way, but an hour longer).  I stuck with US 17 itself the entire distance from US 64 to Charleston except in Wilmington (I-140) and Myrtle (Hickman Road, SC 9, SC 31, SC 707).  It was a fun change-of-pace drive with a lot of cool bridges over waterways (and of course, much quieter than I-95), but the lights and congestion in un-bypassed towns definitely got irritating at times.

Quote from: 1995hoo on April 07, 2021, 12:37:53 PM
...the commentary from the passenger seat began getting quite....shall we say, tart....

Similarly, I got some snarky comments during the aforementioned red lights about how we could have been sailing down I-95, and then once we arrived in Charleston I got an earful about how much more we could have accomplished with the extra hour had I taken I-95 :spin:

4 hr 13 from N of Richmond to N of Florence via I-95

only 43 min longer to do this - https://goo.gl/maps/1NpiydiKMUNAgN2Z8
There are numerous ways to get from Sanford back to I-95 that are only a few minutes more...my personal favorite is to use US 1, NC 177, US 74, and SC 38 which is 4 lane south of Bennettsville


I used to avoid Myrtle Beach entirely driving to Charleston from the Wilmington area using Hickman Rd, SC 90 and US 701 to Georgetown.  This was the late 90s and other than Conway was just about completely empty.  Google says this is a few minutes slower than US 17 and SC 31/707 these days.

Thanks for this idea. I might consider going that way because it's not much longer and it offers the chance to try some new roads that didn't exist during my time in Durham. Guess I'll see how promptly we get out the door in the morning when we're leaving.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

Mapmikey

Quote from: 1995hoo on April 08, 2021, 09:13:54 AM
Quote from: Mapmikey on April 07, 2021, 07:36:09 PM

4 hr 13 from N of Richmond to N of Florence via I-95

only 43 min longer to do this - https://goo.gl/maps/1NpiydiKMUNAgN2Z8
There are numerous ways to get from Sanford back to I-95 that are only a few minutes more...my personal favorite is to use US 1, NC 177, US 74, and SC 38 which is 4 lane south of Bennettsville


I used to avoid Myrtle Beach entirely driving to Charleston from the Wilmington area using Hickman Rd, SC 90 and US 701 to Georgetown.  This was the late 90s and other than Conway was just about completely empty.  Google says this is a few minutes slower than US 17 and SC 31/707 these days.

Thanks for this idea. I might consider going that way because it's not much longer and it offers the chance to try some new roads that didn't exist during my time in Durham. Guess I'll see how promptly we get out the door in the morning when we're leaving.

Will be even better when I-885 opens

1995hoo

Quote from: Mapmikey on April 08, 2021, 09:16:44 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 08, 2021, 09:13:54 AM
Quote from: Mapmikey on April 07, 2021, 07:36:09 PM

4 hr 13 from N of Richmond to N of Florence via I-95

only 43 min longer to do this - https://goo.gl/maps/1NpiydiKMUNAgN2Z8
There are numerous ways to get from Sanford back to I-95 that are only a few minutes more...my personal favorite is to use US 1, NC 177, US 74, and SC 38 which is 4 lane south of Bennettsville


I used to avoid Myrtle Beach entirely driving to Charleston from the Wilmington area using Hickman Rd, SC 90 and US 701 to Georgetown.  This was the late 90s and other than Conway was just about completely empty.  Google says this is a few minutes slower than US 17 and SC 31/707 these days.

Thanks for this idea. I might consider going that way because it's not much longer and it offers the chance to try some new roads that didn't exist during my time in Durham. Guess I'll see how promptly we get out the door in the morning when we're leaving.

Will be even better when I-885 opens

I thought of that when I looked at the map. The idea of being able to exit from southbound I-85 to eastbound US-70 is weird enough–it was a simple Y-interchange during my years there.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

Dirt Roads

Quote from: Mapmikey on April 07, 2021, 07:36:09 PM
only 43 min longer to do this - https://goo.gl/maps/1NpiydiKMUNAgN2Z8
There are numerous ways to get from Sanford back to I-95 that are only a few minutes more...my personal favorite is to use US 1, NC 177, US 74, and SC 38 which is 4 lane south of Bennettsville

That looks crazy, but I can vouch for the South Miami Boulevard to Ellis Road cutover from US-70 to the Durham Freeway.  That was my shortcut when I worked in RTP.  However, if one stays on South Miami Boulevard it will take you all the way to I-40 and avoids two-lane Ellis Road with a railroad crossing and no escape routes.  I'm surprised that South Miami Boulevard is not marked as a state highway.  All that will be unnecessary when the Rand Route (I-885) is completed.

Henry

I've read in the I-42 thread that I-95 may be moved east to a new location so that a new interchange can be built, because to construct one on the current alignment is impossible with many other interchanges close by. What's the latest on that plan?
Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!

Dirt Roads

Quote from: Henry on April 08, 2021, 10:38:56 AM
I've read in the I-42 thread that I-95 may be moved east to a new location so that a new interchange can be built, because to construct one on the current alignment is impossible with many other interchanges close by. What's the latest on that plan?


Just in case you missed this, wdcrft63 posted the plans from the Design Review Meeting on this project inthe I-42 thread.  Although I-95 would be relocated, it is not technically a relocation from the AASHTO perspective.  It's just sliding the interchange a tad to the east so that all of the ramps fit.  However, it misses the concept that there would be sufficient traffic from I-95 southbound to I-42 eastbound to warrant a flyover (because many folks will stay on I-95 rather than taking I-795 to Goldsboro).

Quote from: tjcreasy on April 02, 2021, 09:57:27 AM
I'm sure a better answer will be provided but here's my take: The interchange complexity for an I-42 I-95 interchange at the current location is more than what NCDOT wants to take on. There is a proposal out their to shift I-95 to the east on new location to simplify the interchange design.

Quote from: abqtraveler on April 02, 2021, 10:16:15 AM
They couldn't just build a simple cloverleaf interchange to connect I-42 and I-95?

Quote from: wdcrft63 on April 02, 2021, 06:06:54 PM
A cloverleaf is proposed, but the relocation would avoid wiping out a lot of development along the west side of I-95. There's open country on the east side. Here's the map:
https://jocoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Conceptual-design-of-95-and-70-interchnage.pdf


LM117

Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 11:11:08 AM
However, it misses the concept that there would be sufficient traffic from I-95 southbound to I-42 eastbound to warrant a flyover (because many folks will stay on I-95 rather than taking I-795 to Goldsboro) .

That doesn't make sense to me. For those headed to the Crystal Coast from Wilson & points north (and vice-versa), it would be quicker to drop down I-795 & get on I-42 in Goldsboro.
“I don’t know whether to wind my ass or scratch my watch!” - Jim Cornette

tolbs17

Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 11:11:08 AM
Quote from: Henry on April 08, 2021, 10:38:56 AM
I've read in the I-42 thread that I-95 may be moved east to a new location so that a new interchange can be built, because to construct one on the current alignment is impossible with many other interchanges close by. What's the latest on that plan?


Just in case you missed this, wdcrft63 posted the plans from the Design Review Meeting on this project inthe I-42 thread.  Although I-95 would be relocated, it is not technically a relocation from the AASHTO perspective.  It's just sliding the interchange a tad to the east so that all of the ramps fit.  However, it misses the concept that there would be sufficient traffic from I-95 southbound to I-42 eastbound to warrant a flyover (because many folks will stay on I-95 rather than taking I-795 to Goldsboro).

Quote from: tjcreasy on April 02, 2021, 09:57:27 AM
I'm sure a better answer will be provided but here's my take: The interchange complexity for an I-42 I-95 interchange at the current location is more than what NCDOT wants to take on. There is a proposal out their to shift I-95 to the east on new location to simplify the interchange design.

Quote from: abqtraveler on April 02, 2021, 10:16:15 AM
They couldn't just build a simple cloverleaf interchange to connect I-42 and I-95?

Quote from: wdcrft63 on April 02, 2021, 06:06:54 PM
A cloverleaf is proposed, but the relocation would avoid wiping out a lot of development along the west side of I-95. There's open country on the east side. Here's the map:
https://jocoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Conceptual-design-of-95-and-70-interchnage.pdf
https://ncdot.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=b7a26d6d8abd419f8c27f58a607b25a1

these ramps don't get a lot of traffic.

Dirt Roads

Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 11:11:08 AM
However, it misses the concept that there would be sufficient traffic from I-95 southbound to I-42 eastbound to warrant a flyover (because many folks will stay on I-95 rather than taking I-795 to Goldsboro) .

Quote from: LM117 on April 08, 2021, 12:02:41 PM
That doesn't make sense to me. For those headed to the Crystal Coast from Wilson & points north (and vice-versa), it would be quicker to drop down I-795 & get on I-42 in Goldsboro.

That should be true today as well, but I hardly see anybody taking the I-795 ramp to eastbound US-70, whereas there is still plenty of traffic coming from I-95 at Smithfield/Selma.  I do know that most GPS will select I-795 as both the faster route and the shorter route, so I suspect that many folks are not paying attention.  In days gone by, we could blame this on folks intentionally stopping at the Outlet Malls in Smithfield rather than taking the shortest route.  I don't understand it myself.  Quite often, I-540 to US-64/US-264 to I-795 is the better route from Raleigh/Durham due to construction traffic on I-40 during rush hour.

architect77

Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 12:19:40 PM
Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 11:11:08 AM
However, it misses the concept that there would be sufficient traffic from I-95 southbound to I-42 eastbound to warrant a flyover (because many folks will stay on I-95 rather than taking I-795 to Goldsboro) .

Quote from: LM117 on April 08, 2021, 12:02:41 PM
That doesn't make sense to me. For those headed to the Crystal Coast from Wilson & points north (and vice-versa), it would be quicker to drop down I-795 & get on I-42 in Goldsboro.

That should be true today as well, but I hardly see anybody taking the I-795 ramp to eastbound US-70, whereas there is still plenty of traffic coming from I-95 at Smithfield/Selma.  I do know that most GPS will select I-795 as both the faster route and the shorter route, so I suspect that many folks are not paying attention.  In days gone by, we could blame this on folks intentionally stopping at the Outlet Malls in Smithfield rather than taking the shortest route.  I don't understand it myself.  Quite often, I-540 to US-64/US-264 to I-795 is the better route from Raleigh/Durham due to construction traffic on I-40 during rush hour.
Locals don't use I-95 unless they're going way down in SC or to Florida. They certainly wouldn't use it to go to any of the beach regions. There are so many ways to go East to any beach that I-95 simply isn't a consideration. That's my 2 cents worth.

Dirt Roads

Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 11:11:08 AM
However, it misses the concept that there would be sufficient traffic from I-95 southbound to I-42 eastbound to warrant a flyover (because many folks will stay on I-95 rather than taking I-795 to Goldsboro) .

Quote from: LM117 on April 08, 2021, 12:02:41 PM
That doesn't make sense to me. For those headed to the Crystal Coast from Wilson & points north (and vice-versa), it would be quicker to drop down I-795 & get on I-42 in Goldsboro.

Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 12:19:40 PM
That should be true today as well, but I hardly see anybody taking the I-795 ramp to eastbound US-70, whereas there is still plenty of traffic coming from I-95 at Smithfield/Selma.  I do know that most GPS will select I-795 as both the faster route and the shorter route, so I suspect that many folks are not paying attention.  In days gone by, we could blame this on folks intentionally stopping at the Outlet Malls in Smithfield rather than taking the shortest route.  I don't understand it myself.  Quite often, I-540 to US-64/US-264 to I-795 is the better route from Raleigh/Durham due to construction traffic on I-40 during rush hour.

Quote from: architect77 on April 08, 2021, 01:45:36 PM
Locals don't use I-95 unless they're going way down in SC or to Florida. They certainly wouldn't use it to go to any of the beach regions. There are so many ways to go East to any beach that I-95 simply isn't a consideration. That's my 2 cents worth.

Agreed.  But I don't see locals using I-795 to get to Down East beaches either (they may be using I-795 to get to the Wilmington area, but I haven't run that enough to know for sure).  I do know some folks use NC-43 from Greenville to get Down East.

LM117

Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 04:40:12 PM
Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 11:11:08 AM
However, it misses the concept that there would be sufficient traffic from I-95 southbound to I-42 eastbound to warrant a flyover (because many folks will stay on I-95 rather than taking I-795 to Goldsboro) .

Quote from: LM117 on April 08, 2021, 12:02:41 PM
That doesn't make sense to me. For those headed to the Crystal Coast from Wilson & points north (and vice-versa), it would be quicker to drop down I-795 & get on I-42 in Goldsboro.

Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 12:19:40 PM
That should be true today as well, but I hardly see anybody taking the I-795 ramp to eastbound US-70, whereas there is still plenty of traffic coming from I-95 at Smithfield/Selma.  I do know that most GPS will select I-795 as both the faster route and the shorter route, so I suspect that many folks are not paying attention.  In days gone by, we could blame this on folks intentionally stopping at the Outlet Malls in Smithfield rather than taking the shortest route.  I don't understand it myself.  Quite often, I-540 to US-64/US-264 to I-795 is the better route from Raleigh/Durham due to construction traffic on I-40 during rush hour.

Quote from: architect77 on April 08, 2021, 01:45:36 PM
Locals don't use I-95 unless they're going way down in SC or to Florida. They certainly wouldn't use it to go to any of the beach regions. There are so many ways to go East to any beach that I-95 simply isn't a consideration. That's my 2 cents worth.

Agreed.  But I don't see locals using I-795 to get to Down East beaches either (they may be using I-795 to get to the Wilmington area, but I haven't run that enough to know for sure).  I do know some folks use NC-43 from Greenville to get Down East.

I've driven I-795 a few times over the last few years since I moved out of Wayne County (most recent visit was in December 2017), and I've noticed a lot of out-of-state plates on it. I initially thought they were headed for US-70, but I've seen them on US-117 south of Goldsboro as well, so the majority were definitely headed for Wilmington. I've also seen an increase in truck traffic, which I'm sure is partly due to the new Enviva plant that was built next to the I-40 interchange near Faison.

When I moved out in late 2009, I-795 was a ghost town. More often than not, you could've done donuts on it and not worry about getting smacked. Definitely not the case anymore.
“I don’t know whether to wind my ass or scratch my watch!” - Jim Cornette

Mapmikey

Per NCDOT traffic data - https://ncdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5f6fe58c1d90482ab9107ccc03026280

I-795 has these values:
Segment between US 264 and US 301: 2012 (7.9k); 2019 (12.5k)
Segment just north of Future I-42:  2012 (13k); 2019 (18.5k)
Segment just north of Future I-42:  2012 (13k); 2019 (17k)

The US 13-117 segment with the Neuse River Br is 34k for 2019.

architect77

Quote from: LM117 on April 10, 2021, 10:25:12 AM
Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 04:40:12 PM
Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 11:11:08 AM
However, it misses the concept that there would be sufficient traffic from I-95 southbound to I-42 eastbound to warrant a flyover (because many folks will stay on I-95 rather than taking I-795 to Goldsboro) .


Quote from: LM117 on April 08, 2021, 12:02:41 PM
That doesn't make sense to me. For those headed to the Crystal Coast from Wilson & points north (and vice-versa), it would be quicker to drop down I-795 & get on I-42 in Goldsboro.

Quote from: Dirt Roads on April 08, 2021, 12:19:40 PM
That should be true today as well, but I hardly see anybody taking the I-795 ramp to eastbound US-70, whereas there is still plenty of traffic coming from I-95 at Smithfield/Selma.  I do know that most GPS will select I-795 as both the faster route and the shorter route, so I suspect that many folks are not paying attention.  In days gone by, we could blame this on folks intentionally stopping at the Outlet Malls in Smithfield rather than taking the shortest route.  I don't understand it myself.  Quite often, I-540 to US-64/US-264 to I-795 is the better route from Raleigh/Durham due to construction traffic on I-40 during rush hour.

Quote from: architect77 on April 08, 2021, 01:45:36 PM
Locals don't use I-95 unless they're going way down in SC or to Florida. They certainly wouldn't use it to go to any of the beach regions. There are so many ways to go East to any beach that I-95 simply isn't a consideration. That's my 2 cents worth.

Agreed.  But I don't see locals using I-795 to get to Down East beaches either (they may be using I-795 to get to the Wilmington area, but I haven't run that enough to know for sure).  I do know some folks use NC-43 from Greenville to get Down East.

I've driven I-795 a few times over the last few years since I moved out of Wayne County (most recent visit was in December 2017), and I've noticed a lot of out-of-state plates on it. I initially thought they were headed for US-70, but I've seen them on US-117 south of Goldsboro as well, so the majority were definitely headed for Wilmington. I've also seen an increase in truck traffic, which I'm sure is partly due to the new Enviva plant that was built next to the I-40 interchange near Faison.

When I moved out in late 2009, I-795 was a ghost town. More often than not, you could've done donuts on it and not worry about getting smacked. Definitely not the case anymore.

In 2019 I drove to Wilmington in the Summer on US74. Once I crossed I-95 and the license plates on US74  and at a gas/convenience store were from all over the country including some far flung states.

I knew that NC beaches were popular for folks in the mid Atlantic and as far West as Ohio,  but NC and Va plates on US74 were in the minority compared to the mulitple  Florida, Penn, NY and states as far away as Oklahoms, Nevada, snd Iowa.

All seemingly headed to the Cape Fear region. NC truly seems to have become central to America than just "locally enjoyed"

bob7374

NCDOT has posted the 8-week advertisement for the contract to widen I-95 between Exits 71 and 81 in Harnett and Johnston Counties. (And as the text actually reads: Note: ELETRONIC BIDDING FILES WILL BE POSTED AT A LATER DATE*)

The plans, including for signage, are available at:
https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/dsplan/2021%20Highway%20Letting/07-20-21/Plans%20and%20Proposals/HARNETT_JOHNSTON_47532.3.3_I-5986B,%20I-5878,%20I-5883C204543/Individual%20Sheets/

D-Dey65


sprjus4

Quote from: D-Dey65 on June 07, 2021, 01:15:06 AM
I found a huge flaw in the southbound off-ramp for Exit 70:
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i-95-widening/Documents/preliminary-design-section-b-map-7.pdf

That ramp looks way to tight to me,
Note the long deceleration lane before the radius.

Though I will agree, it could've been designed better.

tolbs17

Quote from: sprjus4 on June 07, 2021, 01:16:41 AM
Quote from: D-Dey65 on June 07, 2021, 01:15:06 AM
I found a huge flaw in the southbound off-ramp for Exit 70:
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i-95-widening/Documents/preliminary-design-section-b-map-7.pdf

That ramp looks way to tight to me,
Note the long deceleration lane before the radius.

Though I will agree, it could've been designed better.
Like they turn it into a Diamond interchange?

sprjus4

Quote from: tolbs17 on June 07, 2021, 09:49:10 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on June 07, 2021, 01:16:41 AM
Quote from: D-Dey65 on June 07, 2021, 01:15:06 AM
I found a huge flaw in the southbound off-ramp for Exit 70:
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i-95-widening/Documents/preliminary-design-section-b-map-7.pdf

That ramp looks way to tight to me,
Note the long deceleration lane before the radius.

Though I will agree, it could've been designed better.
Like they turn it into a Diamond interchange?
Wider ramp radius would have less impact than a full conversion to another interchange type.

jeffandnicole

Quote from: D-Dey65 on June 07, 2021, 01:15:06 AM
I found a huge flaw in the southbound off-ramp for Exit 70:
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i-95-widening/Documents/preliminary-design-section-b-map-7.pdf

That ramp looks way to tight to me,





Appears they tried keeping it within the current right of way.  The actual curvature is greater than what currently exists. The sight line approaching the intersection is substandard though.

Because of the local roadways, a diamond interchange probably wouldn't be the most appropriate interchange type for this area.

froggie

Based on the PDF, it appears the curve radius is approximately 250ft.  With a 2% superelevation, that translates to a design speed of roughly 27 MPH.  Pretty typical for a loop ramp.

Could the intersection approach be longer?  Sure.  But then you'd be impacting that house on the corner enough to make it a potential ROW take.  I don't see anything wrong with the proposed design.

D-Dey65

#72
Quote from: sprjus4 on June 07, 2021, 10:05:19 AM
Wider ramp radius would have less impact than a full conversion to another interchange type.
And provides more room for drivers to slow down before reaching the intersection.

Quote from: froggie on June 07, 2021, 09:08:07 PM
Could the intersection approach be longer?  Sure.  But then you'd be impacting that house on the corner enough to make it a potential ROW take.
I didn't think either version impacted the house there.



sprjus4

Quote from: froggie on June 07, 2021, 09:08:07 PM
Based on the PDF, it appears the curve radius is approximately 250ft.  With a 2% superelevation, that translates to a design speed of roughly 27 MPH.  Pretty typical for a loop ramp.

Could the intersection approach be longer?  Sure.  But then you'd be impacting that house on the corner enough to make it a potential ROW take.  I don't see anything wrong with the proposed design.
I believe that's more of the issue - the distance between the loop radii and the intersection is very minimal - than the loop radii itself.

For the current conditions, it's likely fine given low traffic volumes, but if there's ever any truck stops or businesses established in the area that would increase truck volumes, that could present a safety concern.

Quote from: D-Dey65 on June 08, 2021, 10:54:38 AM
I didn't think either version impacted the house there,
If you expanded the interchange footprint any larger to accommodate a longer connection between the radii and crossroad, you'd have to purchase the house for the wider right of way.

D-Dey65

Aside from the proposed easement for drainage, construction and/or utility, I can't see any reason to purchase the house, From what I see in the PDF, there's not that much of an expansion of the footprint to begin with. Just a reconfiguration, and the elimination of one frontage road.



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