I-285 North Carolina

[bob7374]

An update on the I-285 overhead signing project. According to the NCDOT Construction Progress Report entry, work started on 02/26/2020. Don't know though if the I-285 portion will be first or the part of the contract that will remove US 311 signs along I-40 and I-74 in Forsyth County. I'll monitor traffic camera images and traffic advisories along those routes and US 52 to see what roads they're working on.

[The Ghostbuster]

Now that Business 85 #1 (between Interstate 85's Exits 87 and 120) is being decommissioned, perhaps NCDOT could start numbering the exits along US 29/70 like they did on the now-decommissioned Business 85 #2. In fact, both Business 85 #1 and #2's exits should have their exits numbered via the mileage of US 29 (ditto with the exits along the portion of US 29 that follows Ohenry Blvd. between Interstate 40 and Interstates 785/840).

[jcarte29]

Now that Business 85 #1 (between Interstate 85's Exits 87 and 120) is being decommissioned, perhaps NCDOT could start numbering the exits along US 29/70 like they did on the now-decommissioned Business 85 #2. In fact, both Business 85 #1 and #2's exits should have their exits numbered via the mileage of US 29 (ditto with the exits along the portion of US 29 that follows Ohenry Blvd. between Interstate 40 and Interstates 785/840).

In a perfect world the exits from I-85 to I-40 (23-ish miles) would be re numbered to I-285 exit numbers. But, right now, I'll just take completion of the ongoing signing project in total lol.

[wriddle082]

An update on the I-285 overhead signing project. According to the NCDOT Construction Progress Report entry, work started on 02/26/2020. Don't know though if the I-285 portion will be first or the part of the contract that will remove US 311 signs along I-40 and I-74 in Forsyth County. I'll monitor traffic camera images and traffic advisories along those routes and US 52 to see what roads they're working on.

As of last Tuesday, none of the overheads in the Lexington area had been changed.  Had to make a trip from Charlotte to W-S and back.  Going back to Charlotte I got on I-285 from the Hickory Tree Rd exit, so I did not get to see any overheads along I-40.  But I did drive the newly reopened Salem Pkwy from US 52 to Peters Creek Pkwy.  Very nice!!!

[bob7374]

Contractors have put up overhead signs on I-85 with I-285 shields, here's one, thanks to Billy Riddle:


They are also adding new signs to I-285 itself, including replacing the reassurance markers put up in the fall of 2018 with new small green signs, also thanks to Billy Riddle:


Work under this contract will include new signage at the split with US 29 and 70 (Former Business 85), at on-ramps, and along I-40 in Winston-Salem in the next few months.

[Roadsguy]

Contractors have put up overhead signs on I-85 with I-285 shields, here's one, thanks to Billy Riddle:


They are also adding new signs to I-285 itself, including replacing the reassurance markers put up in the fall of 2018 with new small green signs, also thanks to Billy Riddle:


Work under this contract will include new signage at the split with US 29 and 70 (Former Business 85), at on-ramps, and along I-40 in Winston-Salem in the next few months.

Has all the Business 85 signage been removed from I-285 at this point, or is it still ongoing? My understanding from reading the plans was that Business 85 (even if it may still officially exist there until its planned total decommissioning) would be completely unsigned on I-285, even at the split with US 29/70 (except for a single northbound supplemental sign).

I do find it funny how both the I-85/I-285 and the I-285/Business 85 splits are both Exit 87, so they're just relocating the existing supplemental sign from I-85 without any modification.

[bob7374]

Not very good traffic camera image from earlier today showing replacement of previous I-40 East/US 311 South exit sign with one with I-40 only earlier this week, part of I-285 overhead sign project:

[bob7374]

A Traffic Alert has now appeared on the DriveNC.gov state map that indicates lane closures on I-285 for sign installation:
I-285 (US 52)
- Mile Marker 85 to 100, Both Directions
- Lexington and Welcome, Davidson County
Construction: Lane Closed. The NCDOT contractor will be placing periodic lane closures, to replace the existing overhead roadway signs. 1 of 2 lanes closed. Expected impact to traffic is Medium.

Timeframe
Start : Thu, Apr 2, 2020, 7:00 PM   End: Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 11:00 PM

A similar alert appears for I-74 in Forsyth County, for removal of US 311 signs with the same timeframe. It appears then that the sign replacement projects should be complete by the end of this month.

[bob7374]

It appears all the new I-285 overheads have been put up on that route and for the I-85 and I-40 approaches as well. Here are some new photos contributed by Strider. First, from I-85 North:


At the now I-285 and US 52 split with Business 85 (only on an auxiliary sign), US 29 and US 70:


and along I-40, in this case westbound:


Some shields have been removed from the new signage as well. The complete set of photos are at:
http://www.malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut285.html