Future Interstate 587 (Zebulon-Greenville)

[CanesFan27]

A contract was awarded for repaving US-264 in Greene and Pitt counties. The project includes shoulder widening, which will bring this stretch up to interstate standards, leaving only the stretch between Sims and Zebulon to contend with. That stretch will need increased bridge clearances in addition to wider shoulders.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-05-30-pavement-rehab-greene-pitt-counties.aspx

This project could be big for Greenville. Once that stretch is completed, US-264 will meet full interstate standards between I-95 and Greenville, and could be getting some I-587 shields as soon as next year as it will link to another interstate (I-95 and I-795).

They'll finally get that blue-and-red shield, and could bring big opportunities for Greenville now having a "direct link to I-95" (granted, it's always been there via the US-264 freeway, but now they'll be able to say they have I-587 linking directly to I-95, and eventually to Raleigh)

Yes, but would AASHTO approve an orphaned Interstate route, considering that it wouldn't link to I-87 yet?

Yes, see I-369 in Texas.

[LM117]

A contract was awarded for repaving US-264 in Greene and Pitt counties. The project includes shoulder widening, which will bring this stretch up to interstate standards, leaving only the stretch between Sims and Zebulon to contend with. That stretch will need increased bridge clearances in addition to wider shoulders.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-05-30-pavement-rehab-greene-pitt-counties.aspx

This project could be big for Greenville. Once that stretch is completed, US-264 will meet full interstate standards between I-95 and Greenville, and could be getting some I-587 shields as soon as next year as it will link to another interstate (I-95 and I-795).

They'll finally get that blue-and-red shield, and could bring big opportunities for Greenville now having a "direct link to I-95" (granted, it's always been there via the US-264 freeway, but now they'll be able to say they have I-587 linking directly to I-95, and eventually to Raleigh)

Yes, but would AASHTO approve an orphaned Interstate route, considering that it wouldn't link to I-87 yet?

Yes, see I-369 in Texas.

I thought the only reason I-369 was allowed to be signed was because of it being part of a Congressionally designated HPC. US-264/I-587 isn't a HPC, so wouldn't that be a problem?

[sprjus4]

I thought the only reason I-369 was allowed to be signed was because of it being part of a Congressionally designated HPC. US-264/I-587 isn't a HPC, so wouldn't that be a problem?

I really don't see how it would be an issue. To qualify for an interstate designation, it has to link to another interstate highway, and meet interstate standards. It may not be apart of an HPC, but it's apart of Future Interstate 587 which was approved by the FHWA. When the repaving / shoulder widening project is completed, the highway will meet interstate standards, link to I-95, and has already been approved by the FHWA with a Future I-587 designation. I wouldn't see a reason why it could not be signed, just because it doesn't yet link to I-87.

Here's something - In Charlotte, Interstate 485 first opened connecting to I-77 in 1994, and many pieces of it continued opening around the southern side until 2003, it was finally connected to I-85. Nothing stopped it from being called Interstate 485 even though it didn't fully link to I-85 yet. It connected to I-77, another interstate, and met interstate standards, therefore it was signed.

[froggie]

To qualify for an interstate designation, it has to link to another interstate highway, and meet interstate standards.

Also needs a logical termini at the other end.  General FHWA policy on such is that it should be a NHS route or a major traffic generator (like an airport or military base).

[sprjus4]

To qualify for an interstate designation, it has to link to another interstate highway, and meet interstate standards.

Also needs a logical termini at the other end.  General FHWA policy on such is that it should be a NHS route or a major traffic generator (like an airport or military base).

The Greenville metropolitan area has a population of 175,000. It's the largest city in North Carolina currently not linked to the interstate highway system, is home to East Carolina University, the 4th largest university in North Carolina, and is home to the Vidant Medical Center, the third largest Level I Trauma Center in the nation, a research hospital for East Carolina University, and the largest medical center in the entire region of Eastern NC.

To sum it up, it's a major metropolitan area, and warrants an interstate designation. It's easily a logical termini, and generates a significant amount of traffic heading to I-95 and Raleigh & points west. Even the initial link to I-95 once this stretch meets full interstate standards would make sense.

I had underestimated how large the area is until I visited it a few months ago. It's not some small town.

[froggie]

I was speaking generally, just as you were in your comment I replied to.

Yes, in this specific instance Greenville would qualify, but WHERE in Greenville would be limited to a couple of interchanges (namely, the SW Bypass and 13 North).

[sprjus4]

I was speaking generally, just as you were in your comment I replied to.

Yes, in this specific instance Greenville would qualify, but WHERE in Greenville would be limited to a couple of interchanges (namely, the SW Bypass and 13 North).

Likely just east of the SW Bypass interchange, dumping onto Stantonsburg Rd. As far as I'm aware, the US-264 Bypass / Future SW Bypass is not apart of the plan. The official Future I-587 designation approved by FHWA in 2016 spans from the I-87 / US-64 interchange at Zebulon to the US-264 / SW Bypass interchange.

An application sent to FHWA would likely request to sign part of Future I-587 as I-587 between I-95 and the already designated eastern end of the Future I-587 corridor.

[tolbs17]

This was a funny interstate plan from the middle of nowhere to Greenville and I don't really like the number or path it goes in. I'm surprised that someone was thinking about doing this type of plan anyway.

I don't ever think Greenville will get a two digit east-west interstate. I don't see where it's going to go to. Maybe onto I-540 that goes to Durham but doubt it.

I mean I-52 is not super bad but I don't really see it happening anytime soon.

I got it from this site: http://rsbodnar.tripod.com/newhiways.html

[tolbs17]

They should start widening the shoulders now. I'm not sure what they are waiting for.

[bob7374]

The shoulder widening contracts for US 264 from the Wilson County line east to the Greenville Bypass were awarded to S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson on May 28, 2019. The winning bid was $22,547,573.08. The award letter is at:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/Central%20Letting/05-21-2019%20Central%20Letting/I-6032,%20I-6035,%2047981.3.GV1,%20etc.,%20C204332.pdf

When work has started, a listing should show up on NCDOT's Construction Progress Report (nothing yet) with a completion date.

[tolbs17]

The shoulder widening contracts for US 264 from the Wilson County line east to the Greenville Bypass were awarded to S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson on May 28, 2019. The winning bid was $22,547,573.08. The award letter is at:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/Central%20Letting/05-21-2019%20Central%20Letting/I-6032,%20I-6035,%2047981.3.GV1,%20etc.,%20C204332.pdf

When work has started, a listing should show up on NCDOT's Construction Progress Report (nothing yet) with a completion date.

Neat. Also, LM117 said the section that routes Zebulon, Middlesex, Bailey, and Sims need bridge replacements to increase the clearances of it. He said it needs more than shoulder widening.

[tolbs17]

FHWA still needs to sign off on it, though I'm pretty sure they will. NCDOT appears to be coordinating with FHWA and FHWA usually goes along with AASHTO's decisions.

US-264 is already interstate standard between I-95 and the Wilson/Greene County line. All that is needed to bring US-264 to interstate standards between the Wilson/Greene County line and I-587's ending point at Exit 73 in Greenville is widening the outside shoulders to 10ft. They're currently only 4ft.

US-264 between Sims just west of I-95 and Zebulon will need more than shoulder widening. The overhead bridge clearances will need to be increased, either by replacing the bridges or lowering the highway.

This post.

[sprjus4]

FHWA still needs to sign off on it, though I'm pretty sure they will. NCDOT appears to be coordinating with FHWA and FHWA usually goes along with AASHTO's decisions.

US-264 is already interstate standard between I-95 and the Wilson/Greene County line. All that is needed to bring US-264 to interstate standards between the Wilson/Greene County line and I-587's ending point at Exit 73 in Greenville is widening the outside shoulders to 10ft. They're currently only 4ft.

US-264 between Sims just west of I-95 and Zebulon will need more than shoulder widening. The overhead bridge clearances will need to be increased, either by replacing the bridges or lowering the highway.

This post.

Yes, but I-95 to Greenville could be signed as I-587 once this shoulder widening project is completed. At that point, the route from I-95 to Greenville will have full 10 foot shoulders and meet interstate standards.

[tolbs17]

FHWA still needs to sign off on it, though I'm pretty sure they will. NCDOT appears to be coordinating with FHWA and FHWA usually goes along with AASHTO's decisions.

US-264 is already interstate standard between I-95 and the Wilson/Greene County line. All that is needed to bring US-264 to interstate standards between the Wilson/Greene County line and I-587's ending point at Exit 73 in Greenville is widening the outside shoulders to 10ft. They're currently only 4ft.

US-264 between Sims just west of I-95 and Zebulon will need more than shoulder widening. The overhead bridge clearances will need to be increased, either by replacing the bridges or lowering the highway.

This post.

Yes, but I-95 to Greenville could be signed as I-587 once this shoulder widening project is completed. At that point, the route from I-95 to Greenville will have full 10 foot shoulders and meet interstate standards.

So that's the part that's being built first? I think so, even though parts of it are already interstate standards.

[sprjus4]

FHWA still needs to sign off on it, though I'm pretty sure they will. NCDOT appears to be coordinating with FHWA and FHWA usually goes along with AASHTO's decisions.

US-264 is already interstate standard between I-95 and the Wilson/Greene County line. All that is needed to bring US-264 to interstate standards between the Wilson/Greene County line and I-587's ending point at Exit 73 in Greenville is widening the outside shoulders to 10ft. They're currently only 4ft.

US-264 between Sims just west of I-95 and Zebulon will need more than shoulder widening. The overhead bridge clearances will need to be increased, either by replacing the bridges or lowering the highway.

This post.

Yes, but I-95 to Greenville could be signed as I-587 once this shoulder widening project is completed. At that point, the route from I-95 to Greenville will have full 10 foot shoulders and meet interstate standards.

So that's the part that's being built first? I think so, even though parts of it are already interstate standards.

The segment around Wilson meets interstate standards. The shoulder widening project is taking place between where the shoulder drops off to the US-264 / Greenville Southwest Bypass interchange.

That would complete an interstate-standard US-264 between I-95 and Greenville and at that point NCDOT could send an application to FHWA requesting it be designated and incorporated into the interstate highway system as Interstate 587.

[tolbs17]

What year did the Wilson bypass open was it 2004? Or 2005? I'm talking about US 264, not I-795.

[sprjus4]

What year did the Wilson bypass open was it 2004? Or 2005? I'm talking about US 264, not I-795.

It opened in February 2003.

Check out my Freeway Openings map for North Carolina for other highway opening dates -
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RG1L4_lwuU-BDH-f1B3f5o9cpzdIxXPR&usp=sharing

[tolbs17]

What year did the Wilson bypass open was it 2004? Or 2005? I'm talking about US 264, not I-795.

It opened in February 2003.

Check out my Freeway Openings map for North Carolina for other highway opening dates -
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RG1L4_lwuU-BDH-f1B3f5o9cpzdIxXPR&usp=sharing

Nice sprjus! Is the Harvey parkway one right? It says 2004 and I think it opened in 2012 or 2013.

[sprjus4]

What year did the Wilson bypass open was it 2004? Or 2005? I'm talking about US 264, not I-795.

It opened in February 2003.

Check out my Freeway Openings map for North Carolina for other highway opening dates -
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RG1L4_lwuU-BDH-f1B3f5o9cpzdIxXPR&usp=sharing

Nice sprjus! Is the Harvey parkway one right? It says 2004 and I think it opened in 2012 or 2013.

It did open in the early 2010s... I don't know why I had put 2004, I'll fix that. Thanks for the feedback.

Edit - It opened on May 22, 2014, I had put May 22, 2004. Appears it was just a typo.

[tolbs17]

What year did the Wilson bypass open was it 2004? Or 2005? I'm talking about US 264, not I-795.

It opened in February 2003.

Check out my Freeway Openings map for North Carolina for other highway opening dates -
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RG1L4_lwuU-BDH-f1B3f5o9cpzdIxXPR&usp=sharing

Nice sprjus! Is the Harvey parkway one right? It says 2004 and I think it opened in 2012 or 2013.

It did open in the early 2010s... I don't know why I had put 2004, I'll fix that. Thanks for the feedback.

Edit - It opened on May 22, 2014, I had put May 22, 2004. Appears it was just a typo.

I see, nice fix! Anyway. I think the first part from 264 that opened was from Zebulon to Sims. And the next part was from Farmville to Greenville. And the next part was from 121 to 264 Alt was also opened in 1988. I'm surprised the Farmville bypass was opened in 1992. But some of it was an expressway just so you know, it wasn't a freeway then. If you go back to 1993 on Google Earth, you can see what I'm talking about. If I'm running a Windows computer I would put it there but I'm not so i apologize if i haven't post it yet.

[sprjus4]

I think the first part from 264 that opened was from Zebulon to Sims. And the next part was from Farmville to Greenville. And the next part was from 121 to 264 Alt was also opened in 1988. I'm surprised the Farmville bypass was opened in 1992. But some of it was an expressway just so you know, it wasn't a freeway then. If you go back to 1993 on Google Earth, you can see what I'm talking about. If I'm running a Windows computer I would put it there but I'm not so i apologize if i haven't post it yet.

If you look at the description for those segments, you'll see I indicated it was limited-access expressway when initially built, but was converted into freeway in the early 2000s with the construction of interchanges and overpasses where at-grade intersections existed. A similar process is happening along the US-74 expressway between Lumberton and Bolton, the remaining at-grade intersections are either getting interchanges, overpasses, or being closed. Most of the work has been completed over the past decade or two, though a few remain and at least 3 are under construction.

As for US-264, I don't know the exact date it fully became a freeway, but it was sometime in the early 2000s.

[tolbs17]

I think the first part from 264 that opened was from Zebulon to Sims. And the next part was from Farmville to Greenville. And the next part was from 121 to 264 Alt was also opened in 1988. I'm surprised the Farmville bypass was opened in 1992. But some of it was an expressway just so you know, it wasn't a freeway then. If you go back to 1993 on Google Earth, you can see what I'm talking about. If I'm running a Windows computer I would put it there but I'm not so i apologize if i haven't post it yet.

If you look at the description for those segments, you'll see I indicated it was limited-access expressway when initially built, but was converted into freeway in the early 2000s with the construction of interchanges and overpasses where at-grade intersections existed. A similar process is happening along the US-74 expressway between Lumberton and Bolton, the remaining at-grade intersections are either getting interchanges, overpasses, or being closed. Most of the work has been completed over the past decade or two, though a few remain and at least 3 are under construction.

As for US-264, I don't know the exact date it fully became a freeway, but it was sometime in the early 2000s.

I see the descriptions now. Interesting stuff. And I'm not sure what a "super-2" is.

Another issue is the Wilmington 140 interchange which is not up to freeway standards. I'm not sure how they will fix that.

[sprjus4]

And I'm not sure what a "super-2" is.

For the purpose of the map, it's a two-lane limited-access roadway designed to be expanded to four-lanes in the future. For instance, the US-1 freeway between Raleigh and Sanford was the same freeway it is today, except only one of the carriageways was paved and used as a two-lane roadway. The overpasses were designed for a second carriageway, but that wasn't built until the 90s.

Another issue is the Wilmington 140 interchange which is not up to freeway standards. I'm not sure how they will fix that.

What part isn't up to interstate standards?

[tolbs17]

What part isn't up to interstate standards?[/quote]

This part.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.2586027,-78.0814779,3a,75y,92.84h,86.7t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sV_UddFUuWzRWeU2wAJLdnQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DV_UddFUuWzRWeU2wAJLdnQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D218.41006%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

[sprjus4]

This part.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.2586027,-78.0814779,3a,75y,92.84h,86.7t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sV_UddFUuWzRWeU2wAJLdnQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DV_UddFUuWzRWeU2wAJLdnQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D218.41006%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

That's not I-140.