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I-95 Widening in North Carolina

Started by sprjus4, April 19, 2020, 11:14:10 AM

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webny99

Quote from: sprjus4 on October 07, 2024, 01:34:00 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 07, 2024, 07:05:01 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on October 06, 2024, 01:49:13 PMI believe the entire Fayetteville bypass is eventually planned to be widened to 8 lanes, but I do agree it's going to cause issues having 8 lanes on either side (I-40 to Fayetteville, Fayetteville to I-74) but then a 4 lane segment in the middle.

As long as I-295 is complete around Fayetteville, I don't see it as a big problem since there will be significant traffic exiting to I-295 at either end.
During peak travel periods, it's going to cause issues. A lot of long distance traffic on I-95, not local.

We shall see. It's not like it desperately needs 8 lanes to begin with so it would take a lot of traffic hitting at once to cause issues. I would bet on the double lane drop at I-74 causing more issues than either end of I-295.


sprjus4

#251
Quote from: webny99 on October 07, 2024, 03:29:47 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on October 07, 2024, 01:34:00 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 07, 2024, 07:05:01 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on October 06, 2024, 01:49:13 PMI believe the entire Fayetteville bypass is eventually planned to be widened to 8 lanes, but I do agree it's going to cause issues having 8 lanes on either side (I-40 to Fayetteville, Fayetteville to I-74) but then a 4 lane segment in the middle.

As long as I-295 is complete around Fayetteville, I don't see it as a big problem since there will be significant traffic exiting to I-295 at either end.
During peak travel periods, it's going to cause issues. A lot of long distance traffic on I-95, not local.

We shall see. It's not like it desperately needs 8 lanes to begin with so it would take a lot of traffic hitting at once to cause issues. I would bet on the double lane drop at I-74 causing more issues than either end of I-295.
It doesn't desperately need 8 lanes necessarily, but 6 lanes on the bypass would be a better solution.

I do agree with you about I-74 though.

Update:
So here's the current data based on traffic volumes. Obviously, this could change once I-295 is opened.

Starting from south of the bypass, going north on I-95...

South of Exit 40 (I-95 Business) - 47,000 AADT (currently being widened to 8 lanes)

(Heading north, I-95 will drop from 8 lanes to 4 lanes after Exit 40)

Exit 40 (I-95 Business) to Exit 41 - 45,500 AADT
Exit 41 to Exit 44 - 50,500 AADT
Exit 44 to Exit 46 (NC-87) - 56,000 AADT
Exit 46 (NC-87) to Exit 49 - 58,500 AADT
Exit 49 to Exit 52 (NC-24) - 50,500 AADT
Exit 52 (NC-24) to Exit 55 - 50,500 AADT
Exit 55 to Exit 56 (I-95 Business) 55,500 AADT

(Heading north, I-95 will expand from 4 lanes to 8 lanes after Exit 55)

North of Exit 56 - 55,500 AADT

Overall, it seems the traffic volumes fluctuate on the bypass from 50,500 to 58,500 AADT, peaking in the middle portion. I could definitely see this causing some "choking" issues on either end when the lanes drop off, particularly northbound.

Again, any impacts from the I-295 opening are yet to be known, but this is the current situation.

jdunlop

Quote from: sprjus4 on October 06, 2024, 01:49:13 PM
Quote from: brian440i on September 27, 2024, 09:22:59 AMHowever, This project should have carried the 3rd Lane to Exit 46 NC 87 which is the Freeway for Downtown Fayetteville.  That would have been a natural drop for drivers and the cost would have been minimal exit 41, 44 and Doc Bennett Bridge already built to accommodate additional lanes, no additional right-of-way, flat.
I believe the entire Fayetteville bypass is eventually planned to be widened to 8 lanes, but I do agree it's going to cause issues having 8 lanes on either side (I-40 to Fayetteville, Fayetteville to I-74) but then a 4 lane segment in the middle.

The method of dropping from 4 to 2 lanes is the same as was used on I-85 north of Charlotte as each section was finished.  Drop one lane at an interchange ramp, and the second (the rightmost remaining lane) in between ramps at the interchange.  For I-95, IIRC, the lane drop is before the next interchange (since there's no on-ramp NB from old Business 85.)

In Charlotte, there was a lot more volume, and there definitely were backups during peak hours.  Other than the overwhelming volume, there wasn't any problems that I was aware of with the lane drop(s).

In Fayetteville, the volumes are much lower (normal peak hour volumes are less than 2000/ln/hr) and shouldn't be a problem in the interim until a project can be funded/built north of exit 40 (Fayetteville bypass.)  There was a feasibility study started back in 2021 (just before I retired; I did participate in a couple of online meetings about it) but I do not know the status of the project at this time.  The feasibility study looked at both 6 and 8 lane sections.  I would expect that eight lanes will be built, so that the corridor has consistent laneage.

froggie

Quote from: sprjus4 on October 07, 2024, 01:34:00 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 07, 2024, 07:05:01 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on October 06, 2024, 01:49:13 PM
Quote from: brian440i on September 27, 2024, 09:22:59 AMHowever, This project should have carried the 3rd Lane to Exit 46 NC 87 which is the Freeway for Downtown Fayetteville.  That would have been a natural drop for drivers and the cost would have been minimal exit 41, 44 and Doc Bennett Bridge already built to accommodate additional lanes, no additional right-of-way, flat.
I believe the entire Fayetteville bypass is eventually planned to be widened to 8 lanes, but I do agree it's going to cause issues having 8 lanes on either side (I-40 to Fayetteville, Fayetteville to I-74) but then a 4 lane segment in the middle.

As long as I-295 is complete around Fayetteville, I don't see it as a big problem since there will be significant traffic exiting to I-295 at either end.
During peak travel periods, it's going to cause issues. A lot of long distance traffic on I-95, not local.

There's enough of a split at the north end to be noticeable.  And a completed 295 will pull some traffic off 95 between the south end and 87 as there will be a more direct connection to Fort Bragg Liberty.

webny99

#254
Quote from: sprjus4 on October 07, 2024, 03:31:51 PMUpdate:
So here's the current data based on traffic volumes. Obviously, this could change once I-295 is opened.

Starting from south of the bypass, going north on I-95...

South of Exit 40 (I-95 Business) - 47,000 AADT (currently being widened to 8 lanes)

(Heading north, I-95 will drop from 8 lanes to 4 lanes after Exit 40)

Exit 40 (I-95 Business) to Exit 41 - 45,500 AADT
Exit 41 to Exit 44 - 50,500 AADT
Exit 44 to Exit 46 (NC-87) - 56,000 AADT
Exit 46 (NC-87) to Exit 49 - 58,500 AADT
Exit 49 to Exit 52 (NC-24) - 50,500 AADT
Exit 52 (NC-24) to Exit 55 - 50,500 AADT
Exit 55 to Exit 56 (I-95 Business) 55,500 AADT

(Heading north, I-95 will expand from 4 lanes to 8 lanes after Exit 55)

North of Exit 56 - 55,500 AADT

Overall, it seems the traffic volumes fluctuate on the bypass from 50,500 to 58,500 AADT, peaking in the middle portion. I could definitely see this causing some "choking" issues on either end when the lanes drop off, particularly northbound.

Again, any impacts from the I-295 opening are yet to be known, but this is the current situation.

Interesting. I was under the impression that I-295 was going to be the endpoint for the widening in both directions. Having it extend a bit further to Business 95 provides an outlet for traffic going towards downtown Fayetteville, so that should actually help a bit. Northbound does seem more likely to be a problem, but I would expect I-295 to remove a decent portion of the traffic that currently uses Exits 40 and 46... and even some traffic using Exit 58 northbound that will then be able to approach from the other direction on 295.



Quote from: froggie on October 07, 2024, 11:14:03 PM
QuoteDuring peak travel periods, it's going to cause issues. A lot of long distance traffic on I-95, not local.

There's enough of a split at the north end to be noticeable.  And a completed 295 will pull some traffic off 95 between the south end and 87 as there will be a more direct connection to Fort Bragg Liberty.

Another factor: the completed section of NC 540 that just opened could shift some southern Raleigh <> Fayetteville traffic that was previously using US 401 to I-95. That would increase traffic on I-95 but only between 40 and 295/Bus 95, making the split even more noticeable.




roadman65

Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

wriddle082

BREAKING NEWS:  The third and fourth lanes in each direction are finally opened up in both directions from mm 58 to mm 71!  Finally, some real progress with this PITA slog of a work zone!  Traffic flowed very smoothly, even at the lane drops (though it was around 2:30 PM so not a typical heavy traffic time).  Southbound the far right lane dropped just past the I-295 off-ramp, and then the next lane dropped before the BL 95 split.

I'll post a couple of photos later on tonight.

sprjus4

#257
Quote from: wriddle082 on November 01, 2024, 05:19:36 PMBREAKING NEWS:  The third and fourth lanes in each direction are finally opened up in both directions from mm 58 to mm 71!  Finally, some real progress with this PITA slog of a work zone!  Traffic flowed very smoothly, even at the lane drops (though it was around 2:30 PM so not a typical heavy traffic time).  Southbound the far right lane dropped just past the I-295 off-ramp, and then the next lane dropped before the BL 95 split.

I'll post a couple of photos later on tonight.

Have they increased the speed limit yet to 70 mph?

Edit: I saw your other post in the NC thread.
Quote from: wriddle082 on November 01, 2024, 05:24:10 PMRight now the variable work zone speed limit signs were still set at 60 mph, and the permanent 70 mph signs were still covered up.  I wouldn't be surprised if they went ahead and at least changed the variable signs to 70 when no workers are nearby, like they often seem to do in the I-485 work zone on the south end of Greater Charlotte.

wriddle082

Almost forgot the photos.  Admittedly not the best views since I was driving into the sun and I wasn't in a truck or SUV with a higher seating position, but nevertheless here's the proof:





epzik8

Quote from: wriddle082 on November 02, 2024, 06:22:27 PMAlmost forgot the photos.  Admittedly not the best views since I was driving into the sun and I wasn't in a truck or SUV with a higher seating position, but nevertheless here's the proof:






Suddenly, this looks indistinguishable from my stretch of 95 in Maryland.
From the land of red, white, yellow and black.
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froggie

Quote from: epzik8 on November 02, 2024, 10:05:17 PMSuddenly, this looks indistinguishable from my stretch of 95 in Maryland.

Last I checked, neither MdTA nor SHA used a wide shoulder & concrete median on most of their 8-lane I-95 sections.  Between the Beltways especially...

epzik8

Quote from: froggie on November 03, 2024, 01:19:30 PM
Quote from: epzik8 on November 02, 2024, 10:05:17 PMSuddenly, this looks indistinguishable from my stretch of 95 in Maryland.

Last I checked, neither MdTA nor SHA used a wide shoulder & concrete median on most of their 8-lane I-95 sections.  Between the Beltways especially...

Right, I just meant with the four lanes in each direction.
From the land of red, white, yellow and black.
____________________________

My clinched highways: http://tm.teresco.org/user/?u=epzik8
My clinched counties: http://mob-rule.com/user-gifs/USA/epzik8.gif

bob7374

NCDOT includes news on the opening of the new 8-lane I-95 between Exits 58 and 71 as part of its latest weekly NCDOT Now video:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-11-08-this-week-at-ncdot.aspx

D-Dey65

Do you know what kind of interchange could be tied into a future widening? Exit 33 (US 301) near St. Paul's.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Corney+Transportation+Services+Inc/@34.8335218,-78.9797635,909m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m12!1m5!3m4!2zMzTCsDM3JzUyLjAiTiA3OcKwMDEnMDcuMCJX!8m2!3d34.631111!4d-79.018611!3m5!1s0x89ab18fcba765cd5:0x67799fb95c0fa37!8m2!3d34.8282339!4d-78.976944!16s%2Fg%2F1tpbcvkh?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEyOS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExMjMzSAFQAw%3D%3D

On my 2021 road trip to the New York Tri-State Area, I stopped at the BP gas station south of that interchange, because I saw an image of the picnic shelter there.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Refreshment_Center_(14402891791).jpg

There was some construction there at the time, but it didn't get as far as shown on the current Google Maps coverage. It's pretty obvious what's being done there. Besides a replacement bridge slightly off to the left, NCDOT is separating the Oakland Road from the interchange and using a temporary northbound on-ramp during the construction.

It looks like they're going to run part of the realigned section of US 301 through part of the BP gas station. I imagine the guy who originally took that picture of the "refreshment center" must think it's not such a big loss.






sprjus4

Quote from: D-Dey65 on January 31, 2025, 08:05:06 PMDo you know what kind of interchange could be tied into a future widening? Exit 33 (US 301) near St. Paul's.
I'm confused what you mean by future widening? They are widening I-95 in this area, between Exits 13 and 41, to 8 lanes.

D-Dey65

I didn't know they were working on that section already.




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