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US 74 in Shelby NC

Started by 2trailertrucker, August 06, 2018, 11:19:21 AM

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2trailertrucker

I have noticed some new construction taking place at the western end of the US 74 bypass in Shelby NC.
Does anyone know what is going on with this?


jcarte29

I didn't think half of this project was even funded? Am I wrong?
Interstates I've driven on (Complete and/or partial, no particular order)
------------------
40, 85, 95, 77, 277(NC), 485(NC), 440(NC), 540(NC), 795(NC), 140(NC), 73, 74, 840(NC), 26, 20, 75, 285(GA), 81, 64, 71, 275(OH), 465(IN), 65, 264(VA), 240(NC), 295(VA), 526(SC), 985(GA), 395(FL), 195(FL)

ARMOURERERIC

I believe they are getting ready to pave to NC 226

cowboy_wilhelm

#3
Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on August 06, 2018, 09:53:14 PM
I believe they are getting ready to pave to NC 226

Correct. This has to be one of the more convoluted projects in NCDOT's recent history.

R-2707 Project Breakdown Map

There are separate contracts for paving the first three sections. Until now, they've only graded and built structures for sections A and B. Now they're going back in and cutting the grass that grew up over the last two years and re-grading to pave sections A and B (up to NC 226). It's scheduled to be finished next year, six and a half years after they first started construction in 2013, and will open a third of the bypass (which ain't very helpful).

Section C is currently under construction from NC 226 to NC 150 (grading and structures). It also has a separate project/contract for paving in 2020. It's not scheduled to be finished until 2022, which is a 5 1/2 year contract to construct less than five miles of new freeway.

Sections D and E are funded. Right-of-way and utilities are scheduled for FY 2019, with construction starting in 2021 and lasting approximately three to four years. Section D will build the rest of the bypass, and E will upgrade existing 74 to freeway standards.

So, if you're keeping track, that's about 11-12 years to build the entire bypass. Here are the timelines of similar projects currently or soon-to-be under construction:


  • US 64 Asheboro Bypass: 2015-2020
  • US 264 Greenville Southwest Bypass: 2015-2020
  • US 70 Havelock Bypass: 2019-2022
  • US 74 Monroe Expressway: 2015-2018
  • US 17 Pollocksville & Maysville Bypass (to bypass two traffic lights): 2015-2020

If you look at a map of where General Assembly members live, you'll notice that none have to drive 74 through Shelby to get to Raleigh. And if Shelby was between Raleigh and the beach, it would have been bypassed 20 years ago.

Here's a nice view of the current situation, courtesy of Google Street View. Try to count the number of trucks.

Sorry, had to rant on this one.

2trailertrucker

Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on August 08, 2018, 06:10:52 PM
Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on August 06, 2018, 09:53:14 PM
I believe they are getting ready to pave to NC 226

Correct. This has to be one of the more convoluted projects in NCDOT's recent history.

R-2707 Project Breakdown Map

There are separate contracts for paving the first three sections. Until now, they've only graded and built structures for sections A and B. Now they're going back in and cutting the grass that grew up over the last two years and re-grading to pave sections A and B (up to NC 226). It's scheduled to be finished next year, six and a half years after they first started construction in 2013, and will open a third of the bypass (which ain't very helpful).

Section C is currently under construction from NC 226 to NC 150 (grading and structures). It also has a separate project/contract for paving in 2020. It's not scheduled to be finished until 2022, which is a 5 1/2 year contract to construct less than five miles of new freeway.

Sections D and E are funded. Right-of-way and utilities are scheduled for FY 2019, with construction starting in 2021 and lasting approximately three to four years. Section D will build the rest of the bypass, and E will upgrade existing 74 to freeway standards.

So, if you're keeping track, that's about 11-12 years to build the entire bypass. Here are the timelines of similar projects currently or soon-to-be under construction:


  • US 64 Asheboro Bypass: 2015-2020
  • US 264 Greenville Southwest Bypass: 2015-2020
  • US 70 Havelock Bypass: 2019-2022
  • US 74 Monroe Expressway: 2015-2018
  • US 17 Pollocksville & Maysville Bypass (to bypass two traffic lights): 2015-2020

If you look at a map of where General Assembly members live, you'll notice that none have to drive 74 through Shelby to get to Raleigh. And if Shelby was between Raleigh and the beach, it would have been bypassed 20 years ago.

Here's a nice view of the current situation, courtesy of Google Street View. Try to count the number of trucks.

Sorry, had to rant on this one.

Thanks for the rundown. As one of those truck drivers, Shelby is as unsafe of an
area to drive, traffic wise, as was Kokomo Indiana before their bypass was built!
Yesterday, I had a car do a u turn in front of me, go a few hundred feet, then come to a complete stop to turn right!!

What is interesting is I took NC-16 from I-485 to I-40.
That road was great!! Even through the construction area where they are 4 laning the rest of it, traffic moved easily. I kept thinking, "Why can't they do this around Shelby?"

jcarte29

WOw! Thanks for the update on 74, I like to go around and picture up current projects and I was unaware of all the delay of this project.

A side note, has construction of the 64 By-Pass around Asheboro really been goin on since 2015??!

Side note 2- I drove 17 last week (I have a home in Maysville) I knew when one of my friends said it was "completed" that it was too good to be true. I do not get opening it partially at all. Just made no sense, but thats the NCDOT for ya lol.
Interstates I've driven on (Complete and/or partial, no particular order)
------------------
40, 85, 95, 77, 277(NC), 485(NC), 440(NC), 540(NC), 795(NC), 140(NC), 73, 74, 840(NC), 26, 20, 75, 285(GA), 81, 64, 71, 275(OH), 465(IN), 65, 264(VA), 240(NC), 295(VA), 526(SC), 985(GA), 395(FL), 195(FL)

bob7374

Quote from: jcarte29 on August 08, 2018, 10:41:27 PM
WOw! Thanks for the update on 74, I like to go around and picture up current projects and I was unaware of all the delay of this project.

A side note, has construction of the 64 By-Pass around Asheboro really been goin on since 2015??!
According to the NCDOT project page, the Asheboro Bypass project started in August 2016.
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-64-asheboro/Pages/default.aspx

cowboy_wilhelm

#7
Quote from: bob7374 on August 08, 2018, 11:10:40 PM
Quote from: jcarte29 on August 08, 2018, 10:41:27 PM
WOw! Thanks for the update on 74, I like to go around and picture up current projects and I was unaware of all the delay of this project.

A side note, has construction of the 64 By-Pass around Asheboro really been goin on since 2015??!
According to the NCDOT project page, the Asheboro Bypass project started in August 2016.
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-64-asheboro/Pages/default.aspx

I was going by the let date and construction progress report. It says work began 06/22/2015, but it was a design-build contract, so some of that time in 2015 was probably spent on final design, right-of-way acquisition and relocating utilities.

You can also see a rough outline of the bypass (mainly at the interchanges) on Google Maps in satellite view.

cowboy_wilhelm

Quote from: 2trailertrucker on August 08, 2018, 09:12:30 PM
Thanks for the rundown. As one of those truck drivers, Shelby is as unsafe of an
area to drive, traffic wise, as was Kokomo Indiana before their bypass was built!
Yesterday, I had a car do a u turn in front of me, go a few hundred feet, then come to a complete stop to turn right!!

What is interesting is I took NC-16 from I-485 to I-40.
That road was great!! Even through the construction area where they are 4 laning the rest of it, traffic moved easily. I kept thinking, "Why can't they do this around Shelby?"

As a truck driver, what's your opinion of them narrowing US 74 eastbound to one lane at I-26 in Columbus (assuming you've been through there)?

2trailertrucker

Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on August 09, 2018, 05:45:32 PM
Quote from: 2trailertrucker on August 08, 2018, 09:12:30 PM
Thanks for the rundown. As one of those truck drivers, Shelby is as unsafe of an
area to drive, traffic wise, as was Kokomo Indiana before their bypass was built!
Yesterday, I had a car do a u turn in front of me, go a few hundred feet, then come to a complete stop to turn right!!

What is interesting is I took NC-16 from I-485 to I-40.
That road was great!! Even through the construction area where they are 4 laning the rest of it, traffic moved easily. I kept thinking, "Why can't they do this around Shelby?"

As a truck driver, what's your opinion of them narrowing US 74 eastbound to one lane at I-26 in Columbus (assuming you've been through there)?
I come off I-26 at the foot of Saluda to US 74. It isn't really a problem, but I know it is there.
For someone making their first trip, especially if they have hot brakes, it could be a problem.

cowboy_wilhelm

#10
Quote from: 2trailertrucker on August 09, 2018, 09:42:23 PM
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on August 09, 2018, 05:45:32 PM
Quote from: 2trailertrucker on August 08, 2018, 09:12:30 PM
Thanks for the rundown. As one of those truck drivers, Shelby is as unsafe of an
area to drive, traffic wise, as was Kokomo Indiana before their bypass was built!
Yesterday, I had a car do a u turn in front of me, go a few hundred feet, then come to a complete stop to turn right!!

What is interesting is I took NC-16 from I-485 to I-40.
That road was great!! Even through the construction area where they are 4 laning the rest of it, traffic moved easily. I kept thinking, “Why can’t they do this around Shelby?”

As a truck driver, what's your opinion of them narrowing US 74 eastbound to one lane at I-26 in Columbus (assuming you've been through there)?
I come off I-26 at the foot of Saluda to US 74. It isn’t really a problem, but I know it is there.
For someone making their first trip, especially if they have hot brakes, it could be a problem.

I meant east of the exit, where the new ramp from I-26 west to US 74 east is being built and all traffic on 74 is now forced into a single lane to make room for the new ramp.


ARMOURERERIC

I am hearing from the locals that the Shelby bypass from NC 226 West to Dixon may open late this month, at least this will get the WB Walmart trucks off Dixon West of town.

The Ghostbuster

Although the rest of the US 74 bypass east of Highway 226 is unfunded, hopefully it gets funded and constructed ASAP. Does anyone think this stretch of US 74 will become a future Interstate? I think North Carolina has enough Interstates at present.

wdcrft63

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on November 13, 2018, 03:34:24 PM
Although the rest of the US 74 bypass east of Highway 226 is unfunded, hopefully it gets funded and constructed ASAP. Does anyone think this stretch of US 74 will become a future Interstate? I think North Carolina has enough Interstates at present.
It could happen, but AFAIK there's no push for it as yet.

ARMOURERERIC

Actually, the Shelby bypass is well under construction eastward to the 180/150 intersection right now.

wriddle082

Quote from: wdcrft63 on November 13, 2018, 06:12:21 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on November 13, 2018, 03:34:24 PM
Although the rest of the US 74 bypass east of Highway 226 is unfunded, hopefully it gets funded and constructed ASAP. Does anyone think this stretch of US 74 will become a future Interstate? I think North Carolina has enough Interstates at present.
It could happen, but AFAIK there's no push for it as yet.

Yes I think it needs to be I-226 since they're basically out of x85s that would work, plus mile 0 would be at I-26 anyway.

ARMOURERERIC

I have seen unofficial reference to 426.

TimQuiQui

None of the reat of the stretch between 85 and 26 is anywhere close to interstate standard shoulders. Any interstate is a long ways off.

I went through the west end of the bypass a few weeks ago and it was freshly paved where current 74 splits off.

mvak36

According to the 2020-2029 STIP Development page, the cost to upgrade US74 to interstate standards from I-26 to the Shelby bypass is $212.5 million. It doesn't look like the project scored high enough to be included in the STIP.
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sparker

Long-term, US 74 between I-26 and Rockingham might be considered as a 2di; it's likely that's not going to occur until well after (a) the Shelby bypass is fully open, (b) plans are made to upgrade or bypass 74 between the east end of the toll Monroe bypass and I-73/74, and (c) how to get such a route through metro Charlotte is determined:  bypass it multiplexed with I-485, use the upgraded US 74 through the east part (if projects on that segment even approach Interstate standards), or some new-terrain route TBD (least likely).  Probably not on anyone's radar right now. 

cowboy_wilhelm

Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on November 11, 2018, 06:48:41 PM
I am hearing from the locals that the Shelby bypass from NC 226 West to Dixon may open late this month, at least this will get the WB Walmart trucks off Dixon West of town.

The intermediate contract completion date is 9/15/2019, so I doubt it is opening this month. The NCDOT construction progress report is showing 35% completion through 10/15/2018. Total project completion west of NC 226 is scheduled for 3/13/2020.

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on November 13, 2018, 03:34:24 PM
Although the rest of the US 74 bypass east of Highway 226 is unfunded, hopefully it gets funded and constructed ASAP. Does anyone think this stretch of US 74 will become a future Interstate? I think North Carolina has enough Interstates at present.

The rest of the bypass IS funded. Right-of-way acquisition starts next year for sections D and E (NC 180 to existing US 74, plus upgrades on existing 74). Construction contracts are tentatively scheduled for letting 6/15/2021.

Quote from: mvak36 on November 14, 2018, 01:04:48 PM
According to the 2020-2029 STIP Development page, the cost to upgrade US74 to interstate standards from I-26 to the Shelby bypass is $212.5 million. It doesn't look like the project scored high enough to be included in the STIP.

The estimated cost was $76.8 million for the 2018-2027 STIP prioritization (P4.0). I'm not sure where the cost increase came from, and if it's more accurate ($7.1 million per mile vs. $2.6 million). That's a lot of coin to throw down pavement you can't even drive on.

A separate project to replace the bridges over the Second Broad River in Rutherford County is funded for construction in the spring of 2020 (B-5876). The bridges at Sandy Run east of Mooresboro will also need to be replaced to meet Interstate standards.

The bigger problem is that project R-4045 in Mooresboro still isn't funded in the 2020-2029 STIP. That's the last at-grade intersection between Asheville and Charlotte. Other than that, you have a four-lane, (mostly) 70 mph freeway from I-26 to Kings Mountain. Use that $200+ million for a project that's needed (probably to add shoulders and put up blue signs on a highway through a soybean field in northeastern North Carolina).

Henry

Quote from: sparker on November 14, 2018, 05:18:39 PM
Long-term, US 74 between I-26 and Rockingham might be considered as a 2di; it's likely that's not going to occur until well after (a) the Shelby bypass is fully open, (b) plans are made to upgrade or bypass 74 between the east end of the toll Monroe bypass and I-73/74, and (c) how to get such a route through metro Charlotte is determined:  bypass it multiplexed with I-485, use the upgraded US 74 through the east part (if projects on that segment even approach Interstate standards), or some new-terrain route TBD (least likely).  Probably not on anyone's radar right now. 
I agree, something in the 30s should do the trick.
Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!

froggie

Quote from: sparkeruse the upgraded US 74 through the east part (if projects on that segment even approach Interstate standards)

They're not.  More akin to a Jersey freeway....no median crossovers but several RIRO's and private driveways.

sparker

Quote from: froggie on November 15, 2018, 10:46:01 AM
Quote from: sparkeruse the upgraded US 74 through the east part (if projects on that segment even approach Interstate standards)

They're not.  More akin to a Jersey freeway....no median crossovers but several RIRO's and private driveways.


Sort of what I suspected all along -- a quasi-freeway!  Chances are that if some sort of continuous E-W Interstate were to be pursued in the future, it would utilize I-485 as part of its route much as I-465 is utilized for I-74 around Indianapolis.  Simple "path of least resistance" planning.

jcarte29

#24
Quote from: sparker on November 15, 2018, 06:05:49 PM


...Chances are that if some sort of continuous E-W Interstate were to be pursued in the future, it would utilize I-485 as part of its route much as I-465 is utilized for I-74 around Indianapolis.  Simple "path of least resistance" planning.

Can you imagine how that would impact traffic on I-485 when it constructs its express lane? Ha!
Interstates I've driven on (Complete and/or partial, no particular order)
------------------
40, 85, 95, 77, 277(NC), 485(NC), 440(NC), 540(NC), 795(NC), 140(NC), 73, 74, 840(NC), 26, 20, 75, 285(GA), 81, 64, 71, 275(OH), 465(IN), 65, 264(VA), 240(NC), 295(VA), 526(SC), 985(GA), 395(FL), 195(FL)



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