I wonder whats taking them so long to desginate it from Greensboro all the way to Danville. And there's a gap which is the loop which I think will prevent them signing I-785 on the existing US-29 highway?
I'm hoping it takes even longer. I see nothing wrong with the US 29 designation, also 29 as a number is much less mouthful than 785 imo.
Is this an actual pending Interstate designation? US 29 north out of Greensboro is pretty dumpy by Interstate standards. I'm assuming it is a former surface expressway converted into a freeway?
The issue is part of US 29 north of the Greensboro loop is not yet a freeway much less interstate standards.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 24, 2021, 07:51:54 PM
Is this an actual pending Interstate designation? US 29 north out of Greensboro is pretty dumpy by Interstate standards. I'm assuming it is a former surface expressway converted into a freeway?
If you're referring to the 1950s era freeway closer to I-40, that would not be apart of the interstate. It follows the northeastern portion of the I-840 loop (currently designated as I-785 already), then US-29 north of there. The only portion that needs to be upgraded is from the loop to Reidsville. From there to Danville, US-29 is a 70 mph interstate standard freeway.
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 24, 2021, 07:45:28 PM
I'm hoping it takes even longer. I see nothing wrong with the US 29 designation, also 29 as a number is much less mouthful than 785 imo.
It would provide a continuous interstate corridor between Danville and the Greensboro / Winston-Salem metro / the I-85 - I-73 - I-40 system and give Danville interstate access.
It's a reasonable addition to the interstate system, IMO. Most of the corridor already meets interstate standards. The "gap" likely will be complete by the end of the decade and fully designated.
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 24, 2021, 08:36:06 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 24, 2021, 07:45:28 PM
I'm hoping it takes even longer. I see nothing wrong with the US 29 designation, also 29 as a number is much less mouthful than 785 imo.
It would provide a continuous interstate corridor between Danville and the Greensboro / Winston-Salem metro / the I-85 - I-73 - I-40 system and give Danville interstate access.
It's a reasonable addition to the interstate system, IMO. Most of the corridor already meets interstate standards. The "gap" likely will be complete by the end of the decade and fully designated.
I believe it's been one of the projects indefinitely delayed due to COVID. Personally, it's not the end of the world. Not really going to save that much driving time in the grand scheme of things.
^ It would be better if they could raise the 55 mph limit to at least 60 mph (ideally 65 mph or 70 mph, but that would never happen) in the interim. Not that it matters, the limit is purely artificial and universally ignored. The flow is closer to 70-75 mph. Doesn't even increase that much once the speed limit actually increases 15 mph to 70 mph!
Quote from: ahj2000 on July 25, 2021, 10:18:37 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 24, 2021, 08:36:06 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 24, 2021, 07:45:28 PM
I'm hoping it takes even longer. I see nothing wrong with the US 29 designation, also 29 as a number is much less mouthful than 785 imo.
It would provide a continuous interstate corridor between Danville and the Greensboro / Winston-Salem metro / the I-85 - I-73 - I-40 system and give Danville interstate access.
It's a reasonable addition to the interstate system, IMO. Most of the corridor already meets interstate standards. The "gap" likely will be complete by the end of the decade and fully designated.
I believe it's been one of the projects indefinitely delayed due to COVID. Personally, it's not the end of the world. Not really going to save that much driving time in the grand scheme of things.
According to the latest version (July 2021) of the 2020-2029 STIP, the US 29 upgrade project between Hicone Road and US 158 in Reidsville is to start in FY 2029. The majority, however ($143 million of the $206 million total cost) is to take place in FY 2030 and beyond.
The latest STIP document is at:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIPDocuments1/NCDOT%20Current%20STIP.pdf (https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIPDocuments1/NCDOT%20Current%20STIP.pdf)
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 24, 2021, 08:36:06 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 24, 2021, 07:45:28 PM
I'm hoping it takes even longer. I see nothing wrong with the US 29 designation, also 29 as a number is much less mouthful than 785 imo.
It would provide a continuous interstate corridor between Danville and the Greensboro / Winston-Salem metro / the I-85 - I-73 - I-40 system and give Danville interstate access.
It's a reasonable addition to the interstate system, IMO. Most of the corridor already meets interstate standards. The "gap" likely will be complete by the end of the decade and fully designated.
It'd be a decent alternative to I-85 from the Richmond area to Greensboro, via US 360.
Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on July 25, 2021, 01:00:29 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on July 24, 2021, 08:36:06 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 24, 2021, 07:45:28 PM
I'm hoping it takes even longer. I see nothing wrong with the US 29 designation, also 29 as a number is much less mouthful than 785 imo.
It would provide a continuous interstate corridor between Danville and the Greensboro / Winston-Salem metro / the I-85 - I-73 - I-40 system and give Danville interstate access.
It's a reasonable addition to the interstate system, IMO. Most of the corridor already meets interstate standards. The "gap" likely will be complete by the end of the decade and fully designated.
It'd be a decent alternative to I-85 from the Richmond area to Greensboro, via US 360.
The PREFERRED way to Richmond (especially the western parts) and Charlottesville areas from a lot of the western half of NC. Shaves off a few minutes and avoids the inevitable collision and slowdown on 85 in Durham.