I-785

[tolbs17]

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?

[SkyPesos]

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.

[Max Rockatansky]

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?

[tolbs17]

Is this an actual pending Interstate designation?

Yes.

[Mapmikey]

The issue is part of US 29 north of the Greensboro loop is not yet a freeway much less interstate standards.

[sprjus4]

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.

[sprjus4]

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.

[ahj2000]

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.

[sprjus4]

^ 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!

[bob7374]

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

[WillWeaverRVA]

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.

[ahj2000]

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.

[brian440i]

Important for progress in NC completing I-785 as scheduled is the Development of the Danville Va Mega Site.  The Megasite have had a few near misses with Ford, etc... but have their first tenant.  Likely thanks to the Toyota Battery Plant Megasite South of Greensboro on Future I-685

As well developing the new roadway directly to US58 to US29 (Fture I785) prior to site selection which hurt them in previous bidding, by being truly "shovel ready"

https://cardinalnews.org/2024/11/13/virginias-largest-megasite-lands-the-biggest-project-southside-has-ever-seen-after-years-of-trying/

North Carolina understands a large portion of employees will be coming from Reidsville, NC and Eden, NC

[brian440i]

Reedy Creek Parkway Modernization Opened in October 2024 replacing the 1961 Interchange on US29 (Future I-785)
NC DOT Project 4707

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/public-meetings/Documents/R-4707_rdy_phm_3-12-2018.pdf

Adding the Link to the Permit Drawings to this Thread as they are much more detailed than those more ready visible on the NC DOT Site.

https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/pdea/4B4CMtgPkgDraw/R-4707%204C/R-4707%20Permit%20Drawings.pdf

[The Ghostbuster]

Will the parallel Kylind Ave. be extended northward, possibly connecting with Turner Smith Rd. and the residence currently attached to US 29 in between?

[Strider]

It's possible. It can serve as another frontage road for US-29/Future I-785. It would serve houses that is currently served by the driveway on US-29 just past Reddy Fork Parkway interchange, and give another access to the community itself without having to use Reddy Fork Parkway itself.

The local Fire Station (#59) is already there, so don't be surprised if Kylind Ave is extended northward.

[Henry]

Will the parallel Kylind Ave. be extended northward, possibly connecting with Turner Smith Rd. and the residence currently attached to US 29 in between?

Turner Smith Road is also a dead-end street, so I think it's only fair to be extended west to meet Kylind Avenue, which would serve as a NB complement to the SB frontage road (Summit Avenue).

[brian440i]

It appears the Public Input is still available these suggestions on frontage road should be added.  I reviewed all the new developer sites but could not find a master road plan.  All of them are building independently along Reedy Fork Parkway.

R-5889AB - U.S. 29 Upgrade
https://publicinput.com/u0146

Maybe Grrensboro Comprehensive Plan has info on Turner Smith Road as as a Frontage Road.

[Strider]

No, nothing in Greensboro DOT's comprehensive plan yet. I think since the US-29 upgrade is a priority, they don't list any future updates for local roads. However, it has to happen in the future and/when traffic in the Reddy Fork neighborhood increases.

[froggie]

As well developing the new roadway directly to US58 to US29 (Fture I785) prior to site selection which hurt them in previous bidding, by being truly "shovel ready"

Took me a little digging but I found this new connector road they mention in the article.  And it does *not* connect directly to US 29.  58, yes, at what had long been a "useless" interchange near the west end of the bypass.  But its other end connects to US 311 towards the southwest.  No direct connection to 29.

[brian440i]

As well developing the new roadway directly to US58 to US29 (Fture I785) prior to site selection which hurt them in previous bidding, by being truly "shovel ready"

Took me a little digging but I found this new connector road they mention in the article.  And it does *not* connect directly to US 29.  58, yes, at what had long been a "useless" interchange near the west end of the bypass.  But its other end connects to US 311 towards the southwest.  No direct connection to 29.

Correct.
And Since my post - Google Maps has updated to show the road with its name:
Harville-Saunders Parkway.

This connects to US58 West on US29 (Which is Freeway but not sure if fully Interstate Standards)
While US 58 East of US29 while be co-named I-785 to the Intersection where US29 and US 58 Split East of Danville.

I think my point is that this Intersection(Harville-Saunders Parkway) which is 1 Exit up from I785 and MegaSite adding 2,000 Jobs within the next 2 years as the 1st Tenant (May lead to additional large tenants)  All prior to the 2031 Build Date for R-5889A Updating the 1st portion of US29 to I785)

Getting Tenants especially those affilated with EV Components for the now 13 Billion planned Toyota Investment down on US421 (Future 685) will increase importance of the cooridor.

R-5889A already in the STIP related to the New Reedy Fork Parkway Completion and the 1000 new suburban homes being developed at that exit.
R-5889B not currently funded... is what I was trying to infer could make STIP 2026 as its use as a commuter route North and Increased Commercial Vehicle becomes more apparent.

[The Ghostbuster]

Looking at the US 29 corridor between Greensboro, NC and Danville, VA, I think it is a good thing the Interstate 785 upgrade wasn't proposed to follow the portion of US 29 south of the Greensboro Urban Loop. Could you imagine them trying to upgrade that portion of US 29 to Interstate Standards? Not only would the right-of-way impacts be astronomical, but the uproar from the locals would likely be deafening. Even if Interstate 85 had stayed on its pre-2008 alignment, and Intestate 840 had been a full beltway around Greensboro, I'm sure Interstate 785 would still follow Interstate 840 from 40/85 to US 29.

[Henry]

Looking at the US 29 corridor between Greensboro, NC and Danville, VA, I think it is a good thing the Interstate 785 upgrade wasn't proposed to follow the portion of US 29 south of the Greensboro Urban Loop. Could you imagine them trying to upgrade that portion of US 29 to Interstate Standards? Not only would the right-of-way impacts be astronomical, but the uproar from the locals would likely be deafening. Even if Interstate 85 had stayed on its pre-2008 alignment, and Intestate 840 had been a full beltway around Greensboro, I'm sure Interstate 785 would still follow Interstate 840 from 40/85 to US 29.

Actually, I-85 had been moved off its original alignment in 2004. It was I-40 that was rerouted onto the bypass in 2008, then returned to its old alignment later that year. And I tend to agree with you, US 29 inside the loop would've been a pain to convert to modern standards, which is why building the NE quadrant of the beltway to accommodate I-785 was the right thing to do. Ironically, there was a lot of uproar from the locals when I-40 was rerouted the first time, with increased traffic and unfamiliar signage being part of the main reason why the second reroute (or un-reroute, maybe?) occurred.

[PColumbus73]

I had a thought after NC announced the future I-685...

Why not just make US 421 an extension of I-785? Either down to US 64, or all the way to Sanford?

[Strider]

Looking at the US 29 corridor between Greensboro, NC and Danville, VA, I think it is a good thing the Interstate 785 upgrade wasn't proposed to follow the portion of US 29 south of the Greensboro Urban Loop. Could you imagine them trying to upgrade that portion of US 29 to Interstate Standards? Not only would the right-of-way impacts be astronomical, but the uproar from the locals would likely be deafening. Even if Interstate 85 had stayed on its pre-2008 alignment, and Intestate 840 had been a full beltway around Greensboro, I'm sure Interstate 785 would still follow Interstate 840 from 40/85 to US 29.

Actually, I-85 had been moved off its original alignment in 2004. It was I-40 that was rerouted onto the bypass in 2008, then returned to its old alignment later that year. And I tend to agree with you, US 29 inside the loop would've been a pain to convert to modern standards, which is why building the NE quadrant of the beltway to accommodate I-785 was the right thing to do. Ironically, there was a lot of uproar from the locals when I-40 was rerouted the first time, with increased traffic and unfamiliar signage being part of the main reason why the second reroute (or un-reroute, maybe?) occurred.

Not just that, but if Business I-40 remains, that road will lose interstate status, which means that road would be ineligible for 90% of the federal funds for any future improvements.

Also, the current I-40 routing is 4 miles shorter than the I-73/I-85 Loop.