interesting and unique road design

[fillup420]

I recently drove up I-85 from Charlotte to Raleigh NC. there is a point where the northbound and southbound lanes switch sides and weave around a bit before returning the the correct side. Its out in the middle of the woods with only 1 exit to a rest area; I could not see a reason for it to be built in such a way.

[1995hoo]

I recently drove up I-85 from Charlotte to Raleigh NC. there is a point where the northbound and southbound lanes switch sides and weave around a bit before returning the the correct side. Its out in the middle of the woods with only 1 exit to a rest area; I could not see a reason for it to be built in such a way.

It's to give right-lane access to the rest area, and the state's Vietnam Veterans memorial, located in the middle of the highway in that area.

[sprjus4]

I-5 north of Los Angeles, CA does a similar switch over. No rest areas or anything significant shared in the median, so who knows.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.5253246,-118.6464463,11039m/data=!3m1!1e3

[sprjus4]

I recently drove up I-85 from Charlotte to Raleigh NC. there is a point where the northbound and southbound lanes switch sides and weave around a bit before returning the the correct side. Its out in the middle of the woods with only 1 exit to a rest area; I could not see a reason for it to be built in such a way.

It's to give right-lane access to the rest area, and the state's Vietnam Veterans memorial, located in the middle of the highway in that area.

Interestingly enough, they recently closed 4 rest areas on I-77, and replaced it with one single median rest area, but since the lanes do not swap like I-85, you exit / enter left to access it. Poor design, IMO, especially with large trucks, which there's a decent amount on I-77.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.9001874,-80.8563603,1357m/data=!3m1!1e3

[ilpt4u]

I-5 north of Los Angeles, CA does a similar switch over. No rest areas or anything significant shared in the median, so who knows.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.5253246,-118.6464463,11039m/data=!3m1!1e3

Appears there is a RIRO Frontage Road on the Wrong Way Segment that grants some Local Access to the median

Without the Crossover, that Median Access Road would have to be LILO...not as nice on a Freeway

[CtrlAltDel]

I recently drove up I-85 from Charlotte to Raleigh NC. there is a point where the northbound and southbound lanes switch sides and weave around a bit before returning the the correct side. Its out in the middle of the woods with only 1 exit to a rest area; I could not see a reason for it to be built in such a way.

For others who are curious, I believe that the rest area in question is here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/35.8402818,-80.1338996

[sprjus4]

^ That's the one, south of High Point on I-85.

[bemybear]

I-5 north of Los Angeles, CA does a similar switch over. No rest areas or anything significant shared in the median, so who knows.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.5253246,-118.6464463,11039m/data=!3m1!1e3

The famous Grapevine crossover is done to provide a less steep uphill climb by having the lanes swap in that section.
https://www.quora.com/Why-does-the-eight-lane-I5-freeway-switch-sides-for-several-miles-on-the-Grapevine-north-of-Los-Angeles-Why-is-oncoming-traffic-on-this-stretch-on-the-right-and-the-not-left-Seems-needlessly-expensive

https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-795294.html

Obviously the roads end up at the same elevation but the downhill side is on a more severe slope than the uphill side with the cross over.