Interstate 87 (NC-VA)

[Bobby5280]

Does anyone think that if I-87 makes it to Hampton Roads that I-464 would become I-87 if I-87 does ever make it into the Old Dominion State?

Only if I-87 manages to overlap US-17 all the way to the I-64/I-464/US-17 interchange. Even if it does chances are good I-87 would simply end at that interchange with I-64. It would be kind of like how I-49 ends on the South edge of the Kansas City metro.

[jcil4ever]

I saw repaving has started west of 95. Only left lane so far, but no evidence of widening the right shoulder 😢

[sprjus4]

I saw repaving has started west of 95. Only left lane so far, but no evidence of widening the right shoulder 😢

They're very inconsistent. I think the shoulder widening was limited to that segment east of Rocky Mount.

[bob7374]

I saw repaving has started west of 95. Only left lane so far, but no evidence of widening the right shoulder 😢

They're very inconsistent. I think the shoulder widening was limited to that segment east of Rocky Mount.

The inconsistency can be explained by the 3 different contracts involved in pavement rehabilitation of US 64 in Nash and Edgecombe counties. The first one let in 2021, from Old Carriage Road west of I-95 to Kingsboro Road. This apparently did not initially include plans to widen the shoulders. Some additional funds however became available to at least widen them to interstate standards at the eastern end of the work zone. The next contract, Kingsboro Road to NC 33, as photos have shown, includes 10 foot shoulder widening. The third, back west of I-95 from South Old Franklin Road to Old Carriage Road was let in the summer of 2023, but did not start until the beginning of this year. The plans may, or may not show, possible shoulder widening. I have included a link to the plans. Typical Sections 1 and 2 deal with US 64, the other sections with exit ramps. The diagrams for these sections start on p. 4 and appear to show (though I'm no plan expert) for Section 1 the removal of the existing shoulder and replacement by a 12 foot wide shoulder, while Section 2 shows only a 4 foot shoulder replacing the existing 3 foot one.

[jcil4ever]

I drove on 64 westbound today from US-13 to NC-58. Nice to see so much smooth asphalt, especially west of I-95. However, as nice as the ride was, sadly it looks like shoulder widening was not in the cards for this project. Here's video of 64/Future I-87 between I-95 (exit 464) and NC-58 (Exit 459) back and forth. No interstate-standard shoulders after the 95 interchange, except around a few bridges and guardrails.

[jcil4ever]

Also noticed some additional lighting was added in the median south of Old Carriage Rd. (Exit 463), but it's not functioning yet.

There was also a message sign approaching the 95 interchange from 64 east advising that the ramp to southbound I-95 will close starting Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 8pm. I assume this means the opening of the interchange with Sunset Ave. is imminent.

[bob7374]

I drove on 64 westbound today from US-13 to NC-58. Nice to see so much smooth asphalt, especially west of I-95. However, as nice as the ride was, sadly it looks like shoulder widening was not in the cards for this project. Here's video of 64/Future I-87 between I-95 (exit 464) and NC-58 (Exit 459) back and forth. No interstate-standard shoulders after the 95 interchange, except around a few bridges and guardrails

Thanks for the video. Certainly gives the impression that you are more likely to see I-87 signed east of I-95 before west towards Raleigh. That will depend on whether TIP project U-6149, that was to improve US 64 to interstate standards from NC 58 through Rocky Mount to the Thomas Road overpass, the shoulders east of which have now been widened, is put back in the new Draft STIP due out in early 2025. Work was to start in 2029 before the project was dropped from the current STIP. There are no other I-87 related projects between US 264 (Future I-587) and I-95 in the proposed 2026-2035 STIP project list.

[The Ghostbuster]

I wish the upgrades for the corridor to become Interstate 87 could happen faster. However, with so many competing projects, upgrades to the US 17/64 corridors have to wait in line for other higher-priority corridors to undergo construction first.

[LM117]

Thanks for the video. Certainly gives the impression that you are more likely to see I-87 signed east of I-95 before west towards Raleigh.

You'd think NCDOT would be more focused on upgrades between Knightdale and I-95, given that a "northerly" interstate connection to I-95 was the Regional Transportation Alliance's reason for pushing I-495 back in 2013.

[plain]

Thanks for the video. Certainly gives the impression that you are more likely to see I-87 signed east of I-95 before west towards Raleigh.

You'd think NCDOT would be more focused on upgrades between Knightdale and I-95, given that a "northerly" interstate connection to I-95 was the Regional Transportation Alliance's reason for pushing I-495 back in 2013.

Basically this is what I thought they were going to do in the first place.

[jcil4ever]

You'd think NCDOT would be more focused on upgrades between Knightdale and I-95, given that a "northerly" interstate connection to I-95 was the Regional Transportation Alliance's reason for pushing I-495 back in 2013.

I wonder if not adding shoulders is just indicative of the other improvements that also need to be done to bring 64 up to Interstate standards. I'm guessing the eastbound bridges over NC-58 and Stony Creek need to be replaced, along with maybe the ones carry Alston St. and 1st St. over 64.

[bob7374]

You'd think NCDOT would be more focused on upgrades between Knightdale and I-95, given that a "northerly" interstate connection to I-95 was the Regional Transportation Alliance's reason for pushing I-495 back in 2013.

I wonder if not adding shoulders is just indicative of the other improvements that also need to be done to bring 64 up to Interstate standards. I'm guessing the eastbound bridges over NC-58 and Stony Creek need to be replaced, along with maybe the ones carry Alston St. and 1st St. over 64.

That's certainly part of it. The NCDOT feasibility study done several years ago indicated that at least 6 bridges between US 264 and NC 58 would have to be replaced at a cost then of around $75 million. East of NC 58 the study said most of the bridges would only need widening but a new EB bridge would have to be built over Stony Creek. Most of the exit ramps would also have to be rebuilt to interstate standards, all with an estimated cost then of over $30 million. None of these projects are currently funded. 

[sprjus4]

New Street View from October, November, and December 2024 has been added along US-64 east of Rocky Mount. You can clearly see progress (and in some areas completion) with the resurfacing & addition of full width shoulders along the highway. The extents of the project run approximately 12 miles long between Thomas Rd (overpass 2 miles east of the US-64 Bus interchange east of Rocky Mount) and the Tar River Bridges. The highway to the east already meets full interstate standards extending out to Williamston.

To the west of this project, however, the Rocky Mount bypass does not meet interstate standards and does not have full width shoulders. It was recently resurfaced though... I'm guessing more extensive upgrades are planned. They probably went ahead and added shoulders on the rest because it has no long range improvements planned.

[brian440i]

I-87 Work in Wake and Franklin County scheduled to be Let in a few months.

TENTATIVE LETTING : TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025
PS&E TURN IN DATE : TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025
PS&E REVIEW DATE : TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025

I-6001 SR 1003 (ROLESVILLE ROAD) TO NASH COUNTY LINE. PAVEMENT REHABILITATION. (East of Knightdale through US64(Future I87) and US264(Future 587) Interchange.

With the Draft STIP 2026-2035 No Longer Showing I-6005 (Which including adding additional lanes) until after 2035, it leaves only I-6001, can we expect NC DOT to perform Pavement Rehabilitation similar to what occurred in Tarboro? 

This would bring this section on US64 up to Interstate Standards by adding the necessary Full Width Shoulders/Emergency Lane? (Appears minimal earthwork would be needed from Google Maps) resulting in a few more mile of I-87 to US64/US264 Interchange?

PS
With US264 Rehabilation scheduled for 2026 and 2027 could this mean I-587 and I-87 will meet in only a few short years.

[sprjus4]

I-87 Work in Wake and Franklin County scheduled to be Let in a few months.

TENTATIVE LETTING : TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025
PS&E TURN IN DATE : TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025
PS&E REVIEW DATE : TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025

I-6001 SR 1003 (ROLESVILLE ROAD) TO NASH COUNTY LINE. PAVEMENT REHABILITATION. (East of Knightdale through US64(Future I87) and US264(Future 587) Interchange.

With the Draft STIP 2026-2035 No Longer Showing I-6005 (Which including adding additional lanes) until after 2035, it leaves only I-6001, can we expect NC DOT to perform Pavement Rehabilitation similar to what occurred in Tarboro? 

This would bring this section on US64 up to Interstate Standards by adding the necessary Full Width Shoulders/Emergency Lane? (Appears minimal earthwork would be needed from Google Maps) resulting in a few more mile of I-87 to US64/US264 Interchange?

PS
With US264 Rehabilation scheduled for 2026 and 2027 could this mean I-587 and I-87 will meet in only a few short years.

You would think, but NCDOT has been inconsistent so we won't know until anything is done.

Assuming shoulder work is all that is needed to bring the segment up to interstate standards, that it would be prioritized with these resurfacing projects in order designate more mileage of interstate, but who knows.

[bob7374]

I-87 Work in Wake and Franklin County scheduled to be Let in a few months.

TENTATIVE LETTING : TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025
PS&E TURN IN DATE : TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025
PS&E REVIEW DATE : TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025

I-6001 SR 1003 (ROLESVILLE ROAD) TO NASH COUNTY LINE. PAVEMENT REHABILITATION. (East of Knightdale through US64(Future I87) and US264(Future 587) Interchange.

With the Draft STIP 2026-2035 No Longer Showing I-6005 (Which including adding additional lanes) until after 2035, it leaves only I-6001, can we expect NC DOT to perform Pavement Rehabilitation similar to what occurred in Tarboro? 

This would bring this section on US64 up to Interstate Standards by adding the necessary Full Width Shoulders/Emergency Lane? (Appears minimal earthwork would be needed from Google Maps) resulting in a few more mile of I-87 to US64/US264 Interchange?

PS
With US264 Rehabilation scheduled for 2026 and 2027 could this mean I-587 and I-87 will meet in only a few short years.

You would think, but NCDOT has been inconsistent so we won't know until anything is done.

Assuming shoulder work is all that is needed to bring the segment up to interstate standards, that it would be prioritized with these resurfacing projects in order designate more mileage of interstate, but who knows.

Guess we'll have to wait until the project is advertised in July and the contract plans become available.

[bob7374]

Google Maps Street View has updated its coverage along US 64 between Rocky Mount and Tarboro eastbound to January. I have added several screen grabs showing where the widened shoulders were recently built:


as well as updated the bad news about construction along the future interstate on my New/Future I-87 in NC page. Remaining images at:
https://malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut87.html#photos

[brian440i]

Bob,

I appreciate you updating your site but you are categorizing I-6001 incorrectly on your site.

I-6001 SR 1003 (ROLESVILLE ROAD) TO NASH COUNTY LINE.  (Rolesville Road Exit is the current end of I-87 and covers through Exit 442 (Tant Road) of I-64 in Franklin County.

Meaning I-6001 covers all of Segment 3 and 1/3 of Segment 4 on your site.

[bob7374]

The latest NCDOT 12-Month Tentative Letting List delays the pavement rehab project along Future I-87, US 64/264 east of Knightdale 1 month from August to September 2025.

[sprjus4]

The latest NCDOT 12-Month Tentative Letting List delays the pavement rehab project along Future I-87, US 64/264 east of Knightdale 1 month from August to September 2025.

Hopefully this one will include shoulder widening... interstate or not this section most certainly should have shoulders. A 70 mph freeway with high traffic volumes.

[brian440i]

Just a quick question to sprjus4 on the other end of I-87 in Virginia.

Has there been any local talk in the Hampton Roads Area about renumber I-464 to I-87?

As an out of town visiter coming up from N.C., it is a bit confusing with your wrap-around I-64 and I-264 as East-West
and
I-664, I464 and I64(Toward Newports News/Richmond) as North-South.

Would be great to have I464 become I87 as a North/South to Norfolk....  and it would free up I464 that Richmond, VA or others could cities reuse in the future.

[sprjus4]

Just a quick question to sprjus4 on the other end of I-87 in Virginia.

Has there been any local talk in the Hampton Roads Area about renumber I-464 to I-87?

As an out of town visiter coming up from N.C., it is a bit confusing with your wrap-around I-64 and I-264 as East-West
and
I-664, I464 and I64(Toward Newports News/Richmond) as North-South.

Would be great to have I464 become I87 as a North/South to Norfolk....  and it would free up I464 that Richmond, VA or others could cities reuse in the future.

I've not really heard any talk about I-87 in general, let alone anything with I-464. It would be an interesting idea though, to extend I-87 north to Downtown Norfolk.

There just hasn't been any momentum or push for I-87 in Virginia, or any outlet to the south (nothing for US-58 either). I'm sure once North Carolina begins upgrades on US-17 and extends the freeway closer, there may be some interest many years from now.

[roadman65]

Just a quick question to sprjus4 on the other end of I-87 in Virginia.

Has there been any local talk in the Hampton Roads Area about renumber I-464 to I-87?

As an out of town visiter coming up from N.C., it is a bit confusing with your wrap-around I-64 and I-264 as East-West
and
I-664, I464 and I64(Toward Newports News/Richmond) as North-South.

Would be great to have I464 become I87 as a North/South to Norfolk....  and it would free up I464 that Richmond, VA or others could cities reuse in the future.

I've not really heard any talk about I-87 in general, let alone anything with I-464. It would be an interesting idea though, to extend I-87 north to Downtown Norfolk.

There just hasn't been any momentum or push for I-87 in Virginia, or any outlet to the south (nothing for US-58 either). I'm sure once North Carolina begins upgrades on US-17 and extends the freeway closer, there may be some interest many years from now.

I bet I-69 in Arkansas gets built before I-87 in Virginia 😂🤣

[The Ghostbuster]

If Interstate 87 is ever completed in Virginia, I think it should connect with the Interstate 64/Interstate 464/VA 168 interchange, and then replace 464 to terminate at Interstate 264.

[sprjus4]

Just a quick question to sprjus4 on the other end of I-87 in Virginia.

Has there been any local talk in the Hampton Roads Area about renumber I-464 to I-87?

As an out of town visiter coming up from N.C., it is a bit confusing with your wrap-around I-64 and I-264 as East-West
and
I-664, I464 and I64(Toward Newports News/Richmond) as North-South.

Would be great to have I464 become I87 as a North/South to Norfolk....  and it would free up I464 that Richmond, VA or others could cities reuse in the future.

I've not really heard any talk about I-87 in general, let alone anything with I-464. It would be an interesting idea though, to extend I-87 north to Downtown Norfolk.

There just hasn't been any momentum or push for I-87 in Virginia, or any outlet to the south (nothing for US-58 either). I'm sure once North Carolina begins upgrades on US-17 and extends the freeway closer, there may be some interest many years from now.

I bet I-69 in Arkansas gets built before I-87 in Virginia 😂🤣

That's certainly a long shot. US-17 exists as a limited access roadway in Virginia with a number of rural at-grade intersections, two signalized intersections, and 3 interchanges. The northern 3 miles is already built as a freeway. That area is currently growing. I think it's more likely US-17 is upgraded over the next couple of decades in piecemeal fashion (interchanges replacing the signalized intersections first, for example) as growth creeps south. The remaining intersections can be dealt with in a single project with an interchange or two and an overpass or two... maybe a frontage road somewhere for local access.

All of that is more likely than Arkansas to build a hundred miles of freeway through the middle of nowhere and four lane it. Arkansas has higher priorities with I-49 and I-57, not to mention widening along I-40.

The difference is Virginia has a framework, they have the main highway built - and it has access control. It's just missing a few interchanges and finishing touches.

-

Maybe a long shot, but I'd expect the Elizabeth City to Norfolk portion complete before the remaining portions south of Elizabeth City. That is a growing corridor, and NCDOT had a project in the STIP for it at one point. If NCDOT upgraded the portion between the Elizabeth City bypass and the Virginia state line to interstate standards, I'm sure VDOT might bat an eye and decide to study it... or at least the city of Chesapeake would express some interest in it. It's all talk until the bulldozers and cones come up to the state line and it's now a glaring gap.

Elizabeth City has been growing as a suburb of Hampton Roads, Chesapeake has plans for a megasite development near the state line, and various suburbs and growth is planned in Camden County between the two. The traffic on US-17, while plenty adequate today with the current road, has increased notably over the years as well, between the two. 10-20 years from now, I could certainly see the desire for upgrades being escalated - between Elizabeth City and Chesapeake.