North Carolina

[wdcrft63]

A judge has dismissed an environmental group's suit, clearing the way for construction to begin on "jug-handle" bridge carrying NC 12 around the chronically flooded section just north of Rodanthe on the Outer Banks.
https://www.wral.com/judge-clears-way-for-new-outer-banks-bridge/17606156/

[Jmiles32]

The last few times I drove from Greenville to Raleigh on US 264 / I-587 I noticed the beautiful wooded median full of trees between Wilson and Zebulon is being cleared.  Does anyone know what they are doing, and to what extent they will clear it?  That, to me, was one of the prettiest stretches of highway around.  You don't see many medians that wide anymore

The same thing is happening on I-95 in South Carolina -- large swaths of trees are being clear-cut from the median. When questioned elsewhere here, someone said it is a federal mandate that medians be cleared in the name of "safety" (although it doesn't make sense to remove beneficial trees around highways).

Wonder if this would ever lead to Virginia clearing the long tree medians along I-85 and I-64.

[jcarte29]

As the widening of I-85 in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties nears completion, NCDOT has opened the new overpass carrying Centergrove Road over the expressway.
https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15302

Wait, doesn't this project go all the way up to the China Grove exit, or am I just off on my mile numbers?

[Beltway]

The same thing is happening on I-95 in South Carolina -- large swaths of trees are being clear-cut from the median. When questioned elsewhere here, someone said it is a federal mandate that medians be cleared in the name of "safety" (although it doesn't make sense to remove beneficial trees around highways).

Wonder if this would ever lead to Virginia clearing the long tree medians along I-85 and I-64.

I certainly hope not.  Many places they are 100 to 200 feet or more wide.  Other than ensuring 20 to 25 feet of clear roadside, there is no other safety justification for clearing trees.

[Jmiles32]

The same thing is happening on I-95 in South Carolina -- large swaths of trees are being clear-cut from the median. When questioned elsewhere here, someone said it is a federal mandate that medians be cleared in the name of "safety" (although it doesn't make sense to remove beneficial trees around highways).

Wonder if this would ever lead to Virginia clearing the long tree medians along I-85 and I-64.

I certainly hope not.  Many places they are 100 to 200 feet or more wide.  Other than ensuring 20 to 25 feet of clear roadside, there is no other safety justification for clearing trees.

Agreed, both Interstates would be completely unrecognizable, and not for the better. If NC really is clearing the entire wide tree median on US-264/I-587, could it perhaps be for a new rest stop similar to the recently completed one in the median of I-77?
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.9017511,-80.8565064,1486m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0

[ccurley100]

As the widening of I-85 in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties nears completion, NCDOT has opened the new overpass carrying Centergrove Road over the expressway.
https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15302

Wait, doesn't this project go all the way up to the China Grove exit, or am I just off on my mile numbers?

It does. Centergrove Rd is mm 61.


iPhone

[froggie]

The last few times I drove from Greenville to Raleigh on US 264 / I-587 I noticed the beautiful wooded median full of trees between Wilson and Zebulon is being cleared.  Does anyone know what they are doing, and to what extent they will clear it?  That, to me, was one of the prettiest stretches of highway around.  You don't see many medians that wide anymore

The same thing is happening on I-95 in South Carolina -- large swaths of trees are being clear-cut from the median. When questioned elsewhere here, someone said it is a federal mandate that medians be cleared in the name of "safety" (although it doesn't make sense to remove beneficial trees around highways).

What's happening in South Carolina got mentioned last year (see Billy's post and my follow-up).  In short, SCDOT is clearing those trees from I-95 because over 40% of the fatalities and injuries on that stretch were the result of drivers hitting trees.

-----------------------

Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that North Carolina won a Federal grant that will widen parts of I-95 on both sides of the Fayetteville bypass (north to around Dunn and south to Lumberton) as well as upgrading US 70 to Interstate-grade from Selma to Princeton and from New Bern to Havelock.

[Beltway]

What's happening in South Carolina got mentioned last year (see Billy's post and my follow-up).  In short, SCDOT is clearing those trees from I-95 because over 40% of the fatalities and injuries on that stretch were the result of drivers hitting trees.

"establish a 55 foot clear zone along the outside shoulder and median in both the northbound and southbound directions"

If that is 55 feet on each side of a directional roadway, then that is wastful, IMO.   30 feet is recognized by historical safety studies as being sufficient to prevent virtually all such potential impacts.

[VTGoose]

What's happening in South Carolina got mentioned last year (see Billy's post and my follow-up).  In short, SCDOT is clearing those trees from I-95 because over 40% of the fatalities and injuries on that stretch were the result of drivers hitting trees.

"establish a 55 foot clear zone along the outside shoulder and median in both the northbound and southbound directions"

If that is 55 feet on each side of a directional roadway, then that is wastful, IMO.   30 feet is recognized by historical safety studies as being sufficient to prevent virtually all such potential impacts.

The I-95 median not far north of the Georgia line is about 100 feet wide -- so by the 55-foot rule, ALL the trees must go away. It would make more sense to clear the trees closest to the road and put up guardrail to prevent most people from hitting a tree (and it would be better for the environment).

[Beltway]

If that is 55 feet on each side of a directional roadway, then that is wastful, IMO.   30 feet is recognized by historical safety studies as being sufficient to prevent virtually all such potential impacts.

The I-95 median not far north of the Georgia line is about 100 feet wide -- so by the 55-foot rule, ALL the trees must go away. It would make more sense to clear the trees closest to the road and put up guardrail to prevent most people from hitting a tree (and it would be better for the environment).

Looks much better too, retaining as many trees as possible, and it helps to block headlight glare from oncoming vehicles.

[froggie]

What's happening in South Carolina got mentioned last year (see Billy's post and my follow-up).  In short, SCDOT is clearing those trees from I-95 because over 40% of the fatalities and injuries on that stretch were the result of drivers hitting trees.

"establish a 55 foot clear zone along the outside shoulder and median in both the northbound and southbound directions"

If that is 55 feet on each side of a directional roadway, then that is wastful, IMO.   30 feet is recognized by historical safety studies as being sufficient to prevent virtually all such potential impacts.

Years ago, an engineer with MDOT (Mississippi) told me that FHWA desired a 70' clear zone.  Subsequent to this, acres of trees were mowed from the I-59 median in the state, though many of these trees were less than 10 feet from the inside shoulder edge.

[Beltway]

If that is 55 feet on each side of a directional roadway, then that is wastful, IMO.   30 feet is recognized by historical safety studies as being sufficient to prevent virtually all such potential impacts.

Years ago, an engineer with MDOT (Mississippi) told me that FHWA desired a 70' clear zone.  Subsequent to this, acres of trees were mowed from the I-59 median in the state, though many of these trees were less than 10 feet from the inside shoulder edge.

I would have to disagree with him, based on my "years ago" roadway design experience.  30 feet is the maximum that I ever saw recommended.  I don't know of any recommendations for 55 or 70 feet, and few if any instances of seeing any clear roadside that wide.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

The last few times I drove from Greenville to Raleigh on US 264 / I-587 I noticed the beautiful wooded median full of trees between Wilson and Zebulon is being cleared.  Does anyone know what they are doing, and to what extent they will clear it?  That, to me, was one of the prettiest stretches of highway around.  You don't see many medians that wide anymore

The same thing is happening on I-95 in South Carolina -- large swaths of trees are being clear-cut from the median. When questioned elsewhere here, someone said it is a federal mandate that medians be cleared in the name of "safety" (although it doesn't make sense to remove beneficial trees around highways).

Wonder if this would ever lead to Virginia clearing the long tree medians along I-85 and I-64.

I was wondering the same thing during a drive on I-85 through Virginia last month. I noticed a lot of stretches have guardrail, and others do not, depending on the adjacent slope . I'm not sure what impact that has, if any, on the clearance requirement. You're talking millions of dollars in tree removal and grubbing. I wonder if it would be cheaper to install guardrail and achieve the same thing?

Random example from Google.

[Beltway]

I was wondering the same thing during a drive on I-85 through Virginia last month. I noticed a lot of stretches have guardrail, and others do not, depending on the adjacent slope . I'm not sure what impact that has, if any, on the clearance requirement. You're talking millions of dollars in tree removal and grubbing. I wonder if it would be cheaper to install guardrail and achieve the same thing?
Random example from Google.

Very typical cross-section for VA I-85.  Mid-1960s design, about 25 feet clear roadside on the right and about 15 feet on the left.  Fill slopes steep enough to require guardrail, treeline begins at top of cut slope, which you can see there.  Unless they are going to flatten and widen the slopes, IMHO they should leave the trees alone.

[LM117]

Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that North Carolina won a Federal grant that will widen parts of I-95 on both sides of the Fayetteville bypass (north to around Dunn and south to Lumberton) as well as upgrading US 70 to Interstate-grade from Selma to Princeton and from New Bern to Havelock.

Here's NCDOT's press release, which contains a link to the project page:

https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15330

[wdcrft63]

NCDOT has announced it will replace the tight diamond interchange on I-40 at US 64 in Morganton with -- wait for it -- another tight diamond. On the bright side, there will be a new bridge over I-40, there will no longer be a surface street intersecting with the eastbound entrance ramp, and the intersection of US 64 with Ross Street will be pushed away from I-40.

[wdcrft63]

NCDOT has announced it will replace the tight diamond interchange on I-40 at US 64 in Morganton with -- wait for it -- another tight diamond. On the bright side, there will be a new bridge over I-40, there will no longer be a surface street intersecting with the eastbound entrance ramp, and the intersection of US 64 with Ross Street will be pushed away from I-40.

Forgot the link: https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15338

[ARMOURERERIC]

NCDOT has announced it will replace the tight diamond interchange on I-40 at US 64 in Morganton with -- wait for it -- another tight diamond. On the bright side, there will be a new bridge over I-40, there will no longer be a surface street intersecting with the eastbound entrance ramp, and the intersection of US 64 with Ross Street will be pushed away from I-40.

As someone who encounters this interchange 4 times a day, I am disgusted.  "Input from business"  , I bet Days Inn threatened a lawsuit or the $18mil construction/$27 mil ROW cost for the SPUI was a non starter.  The last iteration that was worth a darn was the SPUI design we saw last fall.  There is so much left turn traffic at every leg of this junction.....there is sooo much fail here.  Please tell me that at least they are keeping the aux lanes on 40 between Enola Rd and 64.  I am really shamed at the watering down this project has taken in the last 24 months.

[wdcrft63]

The General Assembly is preparing to vote on something called the Build NC Bond Act. If I understand it correctly the act authorizes NCDOT to borrow money against future federal revenues in order to keep highway projects in the STIP ten-year plan on schedule if gas tax revenues become insufficient.

Here's one description of the plan: http://www.tarpo.org/2018/05/17/bill-draft-for-proposed-build-nc-bond-act/

The bill is sponsored by Republicans, which means it is very likely to pass. However, some conservative groups are opposing it, saying voters should be allowed to decide on new state indebtedness.

[Strider]

NCDOT has announced it will replace the tight diamond interchange on I-40 at US 64 in Morganton with -- wait for it -- another tight diamond. On the bright side, there will be a new bridge over I-40, there will no longer be a surface street intersecting with the eastbound entrance ramp, and the intersection of US 64 with Ross Street will be pushed away from I-40.

As someone who encounters this interchange 4 times a day, I am disgusted.  "Input from business"  , I bet Days Inn threatened a lawsuit or the $18mil construction/$27 mil ROW cost for the SPUI was a non starter.  The last iteration that was worth a darn was the SPUI design we saw last fall.  There is so much left turn traffic at every leg of this junction.....there is sooo much fail here.  Please tell me that at least they are keeping the aux lanes on 40 between Enola Rd and 64.  I am really shamed at the watering down this project has taken in the last 24 months.

I don't think they are keeping the aux lanes on I-40 between Enola Rd. and 64. I just zoomed close to the map and nope. Doesn't look like this way.

[LM117]

The General Assembly is preparing to vote on something called the Build NC Bond Act. If I understand it correctly the act authorizes NCDOT to borrow money against future federal revenues in order to keep highway projects in the STIP ten-year plan on schedule if gas tax revenues become insufficient.

Here's one description of the plan: http://www.tarpo.org/2018/05/17/bill-draft-for-proposed-build-nc-bond-act/

The bill is sponsored by Republicans, which means it is very likely to pass. However, some conservative groups are opposing it, saying voters should be allowed to decide on new state indebtedness.

The General Assembly passed it. It's headed to Gov. Cooper's desk.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article213022929.html

The US-70 Corridor Commission has also shown it's support for it.

http://www.super70corridor.com/wp-content/uploads/Build-NC-Resolution.pdf

[bob7374]

The General Assembly is preparing to vote on something called the Build NC Bond Act. If I understand it correctly the act authorizes NCDOT to borrow money against future federal revenues in order to keep highway projects in the STIP ten-year plan on schedule if gas tax revenues become insufficient.

Here's one description of the plan: http://www.tarpo.org/2018/05/17/bill-draft-for-proposed-build-nc-bond-act/

The bill is sponsored by Republicans, which means it is very likely to pass. However, some conservative groups are opposing it, saying voters should be allowed to decide on new state indebtedness.

The General Assembly passed it. It's headed to Gov. Cooper's desk.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article213022929.html

The US-70 Corridor Commission has also shown it's support for it.

http://www.super70corridor.com/wp-content/uploads/Build-NC-Resolution.pdf

NCDOT's press release about the Build NC bill headed to the governor's desk:
https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=15350

[brownpelican]

The state Senate passed an amendment today that would have removed the tolls from the Interstate 77 widening project in Mecklenburg County. The House, however, wasn't on board and says there hasn't been much communication from Senate leaders.

[ccurley100]

I just wish they'd hurry up and finish the 77 widening. Traffic was backed up in both directions between Huntersville and Mooresville this morning.


iPhone

[LM117]

The last few times I drove from Greenville to Raleigh on US 264 / I-587 I noticed the beautiful wooded median full of trees between Wilson and Zebulon is being cleared.  Does anyone know what they are doing, and to what extent they will clear it?  That, to me, was one of the prettiest stretches of highway around.  You don't see many medians that wide anymore

Here's yesterday's article from Wilson's newspaper talking about it:

http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/safety-at-the-heart-of-tree-clearing-on-us-264,130341

It's hard to ignore the removal of hundreds of trees along the U.S. 264 corridor in Nash County, but N.C. Department of Transportation officials said it's all an effort to improve safety and visibility.

"The project is intended to accomplish several goals. Primarily, this is a safety clearing project that will serve to maintain the clear recovery zone by pushing the treeline back along that section of roadway,"  said Byron Bateman, a roadside environmental engineer with the N.C. Department of Transportation. "The clear recovery zone is an area without fixed objects that is adjacent to a highway and intended to provide safe passage and a recovery area for vehicles that veer off the roadway."

Trees are being cleared just west of U.S. 264's junction with N.C. 581 near Bailey to a point just east of the Nash-Wake county line.

Crews from Sawyer's Land Developing in Belhaven began the $490,000 project in April and are slated to wrap up work later this month.

"(This project) will also eliminate a number of trees and limbs that could potentially fall into the roadway during hurricanes, snow and ice events, or even strong thunderstorms,"  Bateman said. "Lastly, it will daylight roadway throughout the project area, particularly on the eastern and western ends of the project area, so that ice and snow will melt more quickly in chronic trouble spots when we have those events."

Officials considered various environmental aspects when planning began for the project and Bateman said there will be no effect on streams, wetlands or riparian buffers.

"The vast majority of the wooded median will remain intact and undisturbed,"  he said.

Once the trees are removed, the contractor will sell the marketable timber.

"This provision likely got us a better price on the tree-clearing work as well, since the contractor was able to market a commodity that may have been burned or gone to a landfill in the past,"  Bateman said.

The N.C. Department of Transportation plans to plant some native trees and shrubs in the project area as well as low-maintenance turfgrass once the project is complete.