Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[wdcrft63]

The project to extend NC 540 across southern Wake County to its connection with I-40/Future I-42 is about to get underway; I think it deserves a separate thread.

NCDOT will advertise three design-build contracts, and the first one should go out for proposals next month. The estimated total cost of the three projects is about $1 billion. This is a toll road project to be operated by the NC Turnpike Authority when it is complete.

On April 12 NCDOT is holding a "optional industry event to discuss the projects and the upcoming procurements." There's a news release on this event here:
https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15003

[Strider]

The project to extend NC 540 across southern Wake County to its connection with I-40/Future I-42 is about to get underway; I think it deserves a separate thread.

NCDOT will advertise three design-build contracts, and the first one should go out for proposals next month. The estimated total cost of the three projects is about $1 billion. This is a toll road project to be operated by the NC Turnpike Authority when it is complete.

On April 12 NCDOT is holding a "optional industry event to discuss the projects and the upcoming procurements." There's a news release on this event here:
https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15003

I hope they leave I-540 section alone after the loop is finished. That road doesn't need to be tolled. (see C-470/E-470/NW Parkway in Denver as the only portion of their beltway that isn't tolled is the C-470 one.)

[LM117]

I hope they leave I-540 section alone after the loop is finished. That road doesn't need to be tolled. (see C-470/E-470/NW Parkway in Denver as the only portion of their beltway that isn't tolled is the C-470 one.)

IIRC, NCDOT cannot legally toll I-540 as it is now, but they can build new toll lanes if they wanted to, like they’re currently doing on I-77 near Charlotte.

[froggie]

^ Technically, NCDOT could apply tolls to I-540 at the Neuse River Bridge, with the caveat that any toll revenue could only be used to maintain/improve that segment of I-540 (US 401 to Buffaloe Rd, include the river bridge).  This is because current Federal law allows jurisdictions to apply tolls to Interstate bridges and tunnels as long as the revenue is only used to maintain/improve that bridge or tunnel location and immediately adjacent segments of the Interstate in question.  This is how VDOT was able to reinstate tolls on the I-264 Downtown Tunnel between Portsmouth and Norfolk, VA.

[Strider]

^ Technically, NCDOT could apply tolls to I-540 at the Neuse River Bridge, with the caveat that any toll revenue could only be used to maintain/improve that segment of I-540 (US 401 to Buffaloe Rd, include the river bridge).  This is because current Federal law allows jurisdictions to apply tolls to Interstate bridges and tunnels as long as the revenue is only used to maintain/improve that bridge or tunnel location and immediately adjacent segments of the Interstate in question.  This is how VDOT was able to reinstate tolls on the I-264 Downtown Tunnel between Portsmouth and Norfolk, VA.

They could, but I don't think they're going to do it. Building a toll lane(s)? I could see that.

[LM117]

^ Technically, NCDOT could apply tolls to I-540 at the Neuse River Bridge, with the caveat that any toll revenue could only be used to maintain/improve that segment of I-540 (US 401 to Buffaloe Rd, include the river bridge).  This is because current Federal law allows jurisdictions to apply tolls to Interstate bridges and tunnels as long as the revenue is only used to maintain/improve that bridge or tunnel location and immediately adjacent segments of the Interstate in question.  This is how VDOT was able to reinstate tolls on the I-264 Downtown Tunnel between Portsmouth and Norfolk, VA.

They could, but I don't think they're going to do it. Building a toll lane(s)? I could see that.

Yeah, I’m inclined to agree. I can’t see tolling that short stretch. Toll lanes are far more likely and I think NCDOT has even floated that idea in recent years. I don’t know if it’s still on their radar though.

[froggie]

I would agree that it's unlikely they would toll the existing stretch.  My point was to show that, under current Federal law, they technically could instate tolls on that segment under the conditions I specified.

[WashuOtaku]

I would agree that it's unlikely they would toll the existing stretch.  My point was to show that, under current Federal law, they technically could instate tolls on that segment under the conditions I specified.

NCDOT isn't going to do that.  Nothing is going to happen to I-540 that currently exist.

[The Ghostbuster]

Are there construction and completion dates for when the entire 540 beltway will be completed?

[wdcrft63]

Are there construction and completion dates for when the entire 540 beltway will be completed?

The section from US 401 to I-40/Future I-42 should be under contract by mid 2019, so 2022 is a reasonable guess for completion. The eastern section, from I-40/Future I-42 to US 64/Future I-87, is not scheduled for construction until FY 2027. NCDOT's web site for the project is here:
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/complete540/

[architect77]

I would agree that it's unlikely they would toll the existing stretch.  My point was to show that, under current Federal law, they technically could instate tolls on that segment under the conditions I specified.

I want outerloop to be all named I-640, and tolled part can add a T or "toll" but hate NC540 as a freeway designation.

[wdcrft63]

I would agree that it's unlikely they would toll the existing stretch.  My point was to show that, under current Federal law, they technically could instate tolls on that segment under the conditions I specified.

I want outerloop to be all named I-640, and tolled part can add a T or "toll" but hate NC540 as a freeway designation.

I think there was an idea in the past that the loop would be renumbered 640 when it was complete; that's why the 640 number hasn't been used elsewhere in NC. But it's not going to happen now, because everyone calls the road 540 and no one sees any reason to change. Except, of course, us geeks here in the Forum who remember how interstate highways are supposed to be numbered.

[LM117]

Plus, NCDOT got a waiver from FHWA to keep I-540.

[Roadsguy]

Just pull an MDSHA and sign the rest as I-540, but leaving it officially NC 540. :P

[wdcrft63]

NCDOT has received the Record of Decision for Complete 540 from FHWA. This is the final federal approval; it allows NCDOT to proceed immediately with acquiring right of way and preparation of contract documents. NCDOT plans to award three design-build contracts for the project within the next 12-15 months.
https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15318

[jcarte29]

That interchange with both I-40 and (Fut) I-42 is gonna be some kind of structural marvel to drive through and around!!

[WashuOtaku]

That interchange with both I-40 and (Fut) I-42 is gonna be some kind of structural marvel to drive through and around!!

Not really. They are simply overlaying the existing infrastructure with a turbine interchange that NC 540 will use; this already exists in North Carolina with I-85 and I-485 near Concord.

[wdcrft63]

That interchange with both I-40 and (Fut) I-42 is gonna be some kind of structural marvel to drive through and around!!

Not really. They are simply overlaying the existing infrastructure with a turbine interchange that NC 540 will use; this already exists in North Carolina with I-85 and I-485 near Concord.

The interchange is a 5-way junction (I-40 both directions, NC 540 both directions, and I-42/US 70 East). The existing trumpet interchange of I-40 with I-42/US 70 will be retained and overlaid with a complicated cloverstack interchange that includes several flyovers but also includes three loop ramps. Here's the plan:
https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/PDEA/Web/Complete540/final-eis/design-maps/C540_dphm_06.pdf
It's somewhat like a turbine interchange, but not a complete turbine.

[wdcrft63]

Wait: there's something unusual in the design, a "roundabout" or "U-turn" ramp. If you're driving eastbound on NC 540, there's only one exit opportunity. It puts you on a huge circular ramp that has exits to I-40 East, I-42 East, and I-40 West. If you somehow miss all of those exits, the ramp will carry you to NC 540 westbound, so you'll be headed back the way you came! Does anyone have another example of a ramp like this?

[1]

Wait: there's something unusual in the design, a "roundabout" or "U-turn" ramp. If you're driving eastbound on NC 540, there's only one exit opportunity. It puts you on a huge circular ramp that has exits to I-40 East, I-42 East, and I-40 West. If you somehow miss all of those exits, the ramp will carry you to NC 540 westbound, so you'll be headed back the way you came! Does anyone have another example of a ramp like this?

MA 213's western end.

[LM117]

The lawsuit has expanded.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article213780889.html

[Beltway]

The lawsuit has expanded.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article213780889.html

"Expensive loop highways around cities that lead to sprawl, increased driving, and contribute to a low quality of life."

Straight out of the 50-year-old Anti-Roads Playbook.

[LM117]

The lawsuit has expanded.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article213780889.html

"Expensive loop highways around cities that lead to sprawl, increased driving, and contribute to a low quality of life."

Straight out of the 50-year-old Anti-Roads Playbook.

Yep. That area is gonna sprawl anyway, with or without NC-540. NC-540 may speed up the sprawl, but not building the road isn’t gonna stop it. The Triangle is one of the fastest growing metros in the nation. Raleigh is already under consideration for Amazon HQ2 and Apple.

[LM117]

The SELC has filed a petition objecting to a water quality permit issued by the NC Division of Water Resources.

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article226581274.html

[goobnav]

The SELC has filed a petition objecting to a water quality permit issued by the NC Division of Water Resources.

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article226581274.html

SMH, they really need to give it up, nothing is going to stop it from being completed and delaying is only make these desperate fools look worse but, we are dealing with people who have some demented view of the world.  Reality is going to hurt them with a 6 lane highway.