Interstate 73/74

[Strider]

I would rather to have I-74 multiplex with I-40 and use US 52 instead of using the beltway. I don't think Winston Salem needs a beltway (money saved from the beltway can easily go to US 52 improvements). The city already has a business loop that is about to be upgraded anyways. I don't get the story about Winston Northern Beltway and why do they need it.. especially with I-840 (Greensboro Loop) a few miles to the east?

[jcarte29]

I would rather to have I-74 multiplex with I-40 and use US 52 instead of using the beltway. I don't think Winston Salem needs a beltway (money saved from the beltway can easily go to US 52 improvements).

Not only is US 52 close to completion, and I-74 will (technically already does) exist in Winston, you could sign the rest of this almost immediately and it would give Downtown another interstate.

I'm ok with the loop, but its so far out, it's just pointless almost. But it would allow the whole thing to be I-274 and the east belt would hit an interstate (its parent- I-74) sooner.

[WashuOtaku]

I would rather to have I-74 multiplex with I-40 and use US 52 instead of using the beltway. I don't think Winston Salem needs a beltway (money saved from the beltway can easily go to US 52 improvements).

Not only is US 52 close to completion, and I-74 will (technically already does) exist in Winston, you could sign the rest of this almost immediately and it would give Downtown another interstate.

I'm ok with the loop, but its so far out, it's just pointless almost. But it would allow the whole thing to be I-274 and the east belt would hit an interstate (its parent- I-74) sooner.

Though you could, I rather like the idea what they are trying to accomplish here.  Manly, keeping the freeways in the downtown Winston-Salem area more for local traffic while regional traffic goes around the city.  They attempted the same with Greensboro by moving I-40 onto the beltway... only to move it back because of money and confusion.  They are unlikely then to make the same mistake if they went ahead and signed the downtown area only to rip it later.

[MBHockey13]

I would rather to have I-74 multiplex with I-40 and use US 52 instead of using the beltway. I don't think Winston Salem needs a beltway (money saved from the beltway can easily go to US 52 improvements). The city already has a business loop that is about to be upgraded anyways. I don't get the story about Winston Northern Beltway and why do they need it.. especially with I-840 (Greensboro Loop) a few miles to the east?

I disagree. I use I-40 West to BUS-40/US-421 North to US-52 North on occasion to head up to I-74 to I-77 and points north, and it would be nice to not have to go into downtown Winston to then go north. Based on what I see a LOT of traffic has to head downtown just to get to US-52 north of the city, and even after they shutdown and rebuilt BUS-40/US-421 downtown it's still going to be a squeeze. I'm not sure about the rest of the loop, but the part from BUS-40 West/US-421 North to US-52 north of the city makes a LOT of sense - and it's the perfect route for I-74 from US-311 to US-52.

[CanesFan27]

I would rather to have I-74 multiplex with I-40 and use US 52 instead of using the beltway. I don't think Winston Salem needs a beltway (money saved from the beltway can easily go to US 52 improvements). The city already has a business loop that is about to be upgraded anyways. I don't get the story about Winston Northern Beltway and why do they need it.. especially with I-840 (Greensboro Loop) a few miles to the east?

Because they are two separate cities. 

Even though he pulls for Buffalo (I'm Sorry), MBHockey13 is right.  The outer loop of Winston makes a lot of sense moving west to north/s to e or e/n or s/w traffic away from the downtown area.  Time and traffic savings makes a lot of sense since you have quite a few major freeways (US 52 from North and South, US 421 from the west, I-40/Business I-40 from the East & West and US 311 from the southeast.) meeting in nearly one concentrated areas.  The outer loop would facilitate those directional changes in a more efficient manner.

[Alps]

Wow. It seems as if NC is constantly upgrading its US Highways into freeways, and its freeways into interstates. I guess NC has the money to do that kind of stuff. Too bad Alabama is out of money and takes a century and a half to get anything done to the roadways.. 

My understanding is they're about to run into a multi-billion dollar crisis due to deferred maintenance and all these new highway miles to maintain. Of course, their population is growing by leaps and bounds right now, but they've frontloaded the infrastructure (as they should). More toll highways and higher taxes, on the way...

[Strider]

Any updates on I-73/I-74 signing south of Asheboro? I drove by Greensboro area and see if they already begun updating the signs, but nothing yet.

[cpzilliacus]

Wow. It seems as if NC is constantly upgrading its US Highways into freeways, and its freeways into interstates. I guess NC has the money to do that kind of stuff. Too bad Alabama is out of money and takes a century and a half to get anything done to the roadways.. 

My understanding is they're about to run into a multi-billion dollar crisis due to deferred maintenance and all these new highway miles to maintain. Of course, their population is growing by leaps and bounds right now, but they've frontloaded the infrastructure (as they should). More toll highways and higher taxes, on the way...

Deferred maintenance? 

At least North Carolina does not have miles and miles of passenger rail systems (the only system I am  aware of is in Charlotte) to try and keep in a state of good repair out of their motor fuel tax revenues.

[NE2]

Er...NC does own miles and miles of passenger rail...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_Railroad

[jcarte29]

Any updates on I-73/I-74 signing south of Asheboro? I drove by Greensboro area and see if they already begun updating the signs, but nothing yet.

Signing project on-going from Greensboro to Ellerbe, slated for fall completion.

Apparently even Winston to High Point wil be signed by summer too, but nothing let yet.

[SP Cook]

Er...NC does own miles and miles of passenger rail...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_Railroad

From the article:

NCRR does not receive any state appopriations, and its properties are subject to North Carolina city and county property taxes, most but not all of which are paid by Norfolk Southern under the agreements.

[CanesFan27]

Wow. It seems as if NC is constantly upgrading its US Highways into freeways, and its freeways into interstates. I guess NC has the money to do that kind of stuff. Too bad Alabama is out of money and takes a century and a half to get anything done to the roadways.. 

It really doesn't.  They've been robbing Peter to pay Paul on a lot of projects.

[NE2]

Er...NC does own miles and miles of passenger rail...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_Railroad

From the article:

NCRR does not receive any state appopriations, and its properties are subject to North Carolina city and county property taxes, most but not all of which are paid by Norfolk Southern under the agreements.

Misleading if not actually incorrect: http://www.bytrain.org/track/

"The NCDOT provided the preliminary engineering and design plans and is paying for all of the rail improvements with state transportation funds. Norfolk Southern will provide the final plans and do the actual construction."

[jcarte29]

Wow. It seems as if NC is constantly upgrading its US Highways into freeways, and its freeways into interstates. I guess NC has the money to do that kind of stuff. Too bad Alabama is out of money and takes a century and a half to get anything done to the roadways.. 

It really doesn't.  They've been robbing Peter to pay Paul on a lot of projects.

And some of them have been built using GARVEE bonds (don't quote me but I think I-140, I-295 are two examples)

[Strider]

Wow. It seems as if NC is constantly upgrading its US Highways into freeways, and its freeways into interstates. I guess NC has the money to do that kind of stuff. Too bad Alabama is out of money and takes a century and a half to get anything done to the roadways.. 

It really doesn't.  They've been robbing Peter to pay Paul on a lot of projects.

And some of them have been built using GARVEE bonds (don't quote me but I think I-140, I-295 are two examples)

Yeah.. The last leg of I-485 also use GARVEE bonds.

[jcarte29]

Strider, just curious...

has Robert (Bob) Malme announced any word about the new server for the I-73/74 page?

[bob7374]

Strider, just curious...

has Robert (Bob) Malme announced any word about the new server for the I-73/74 page?

I hope to have a new one lined up by next week. If anyone has suggestions, recommendations, in the meanwhile, feel free to pass them along.

[jcarte29]

Strider, just curious...

has Robert (Bob) Malme announced any word about the new server for the I-73/74 page?

I hope to have a new one lined up by next week. If anyone has suggestions, recommendations, in the meanwhile, feel free to pass them along.

Lol good to hear from ya Bob, I wish I could help, but that's about the one area of computers I lack the knowledge. Any word on the Randleman connector in the meanwhile? Still on track for mid (hopefully sooner) April?

I have a trip upcoming to Salisbury for my youngest nephew, hope to get shots of Future I-74 from I-95 (where i left off) to Rockingham and I-85 from yadkin river to US 52. And maybe the connector, but I'd rather do that at same time as I-73 signing from Ellerbe north, which looks more like Oct completion

[Strider]

Another nice update to US 220 north of Greensboro:

Although the project is behind in schedule due to weather (lots of rain lately), but I have seen the progress just south of US 158 interchange. They are now trying to build twin bridges over a small Haw River (the future southbound I-73 lanes and the off ramp to US 220 South). But, the bridge piers and the sides are already built and is ready for some steel gliders to connect on the future US 220 south ramp over I-73. A lot of heavy construction and grading is very noticeable there, and I didn't had time to take pictures because of weather and I had to head to work.

But, as of US 220 south of the future I-73 interchange, not much have changed except for moving stoplights at both NC 150 intersections and a bridge over the creek near Greensboro.

Not much progress are ongoing on US 220 north of US 158 interchange as well.

[jcarte29]

Thank yah Strider. Really look forward to I-73/74 being signed non-stop from Ellerbe to each G/boro (73) and Winston (74) respectively.

[Strider]

Looks like they are starting to get ready to replace the signs in the Greensboro area.  Yesterday, while driving home from work, I saw a sign for "I-73 SOUTH, US 220 SOUTH, ASHEBORO" and a couple of other signs on the truck, getting ready to be put up.

[OracleUsr]

Figures, I was just going through that area.

[Strider]

Yeah... I will try to swing by to the same area and see if the truck with the signs are still at the same place and then try to take pictures of them as long as they don't move it already.

[jcarte29]

Looks like they are starting to get ready to replace the signs in the Greensboro area.  Yesterday, while driving home from work, I saw a sign for "I-73 SOUTH, US 220 SOUTH, ASHEBORO" and a couple of other signs on the truck, getting ready to be put up.

Haha great update, Bob said yesterday that the small stretch from Vision Drive (Exit 77 I think?) to I-74 exit to Winston (Exit 80) is almost done, bout darn time.

[bob7374]

Looks like they are starting to get ready to replace the signs in the Greensboro area.  Yesterday, while driving home from work, I saw a sign for "I-73 SOUTH, US 220 SOUTH, ASHEBORO" and a couple of other signs on the truck, getting ready to be put up.

Haha great update, Bob said yesterday that the small stretch from Vision Drive (Exit 77 I think?) to I-74 exit to Winston (Exit 80) is almost done, bout darn time.

I will update my site with this and hopefully other signage news. The signage is said to be all up along the yet to be opened section of the I-74 freeway.

Speaking of my webpages, they have moved to be part of the Gribblenation family of sites. The address for the I-73/I-74 pages is now: http://www.gribblenation.net/i7374nc/
My related future NC Interstates site is now at http://www.gribblenation.net/ncfutints/