Interstate 73/74

[wdcrft63]

On the forum a few years ago I proposed I-740 for the section of Wade Avenue connecting I-40 to I-440. That didn't get anywhere either. That Wade Avenue freeway doesn't even have a primary highway number.

Maybe the Wade Avenue freeway could be NC 340 since I do not see a NC 340 listed on the NCRoads.com annex—-unless Wade Avenue is owned by the city of Raleigh ala Sam Cooper Blvd. in Memphis.

Wade Avenue, like almost all major roads in NC, is maintained by the State.

It's also not going to be an interstate.  That went away when the current plans for the I-440/Wade interchange included a traffic signal for an interstate (I-440 EB) to possible interstate (Wade WB) movement. Per FHWA (at least the NC 'section), those movements must be free-flow, without signals or other traffic control devices (stop signs) other than the typical ramp yield signs used for merging.

I would be happy to see Wade Avenue as NC 340. I think a major freeway link used by visitors as well as locals should be signed with a route number, just like the NC 192 planned for Winston-Salem.

[roadman65]

Wade Avenue was originally I-40 before it got extended eastward. Although I-440 didn't exist then, it ended at US 1/64 then.

Why I bring this up is the same scenario with I-74 near Greensboro with part of an interstate being downgraded so it can be realigned to continue before its terminus.

I agree though, Wade Avenue should be numbered instead of having freeway with a non freeway street name. Even if it's an NC designation, it's an improvement.

[74/171FAN]

From Fictional Highways:  https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?msg=2115384

Wade Avenue Extension: Rerouted NC 54 (requires a short duplex with I-40 between exits 290 and 289,  I would extend this on Wade Avenue to US 70/NC 50 at Glenwood Ave).

[The Ghostbuster]

Wade Ave. is Secondary Route 1728. That's probably the only designation the freeway/boulevard needs. Maybe the interchanges could get numbers, since it is North Carolina's custom to number freeway exits, even on non-Interstates.

[wdcrft63]

Wade Ave. is Secondary Route 1728. That's probably the only designation the freeway/boulevard needs. Maybe the interchanges could get numbers, since it is North Carolina's custom to number freeway exits, even on non-Interstates.

If NCDOT calls Wade Avenue a secondary route, that seems silly to me but that's not what I'm arguing. I'm arguing that a road as important as Wade Avenue should have a visible number for the benefit of travelers. If 1728 is the official number then put 1728 above "Wade Avenue" on the big green signs.

[jdunlop]

Wade Ave. is Secondary Route 1728. That's probably the only designation the freeway/boulevard needs. Maybe the interchanges could get numbers, since it is North Carolina's custom to number freeway exits, even on non-Interstates.

If NCDOT calls Wade Avenue a secondary route, that seems silly to me but that's not what I'm arguing. I'm arguing that a road as important as Wade Avenue should have a visible number for the benefit of travelers. If 1728 is the official number then put 1728 above "Wade Avenue" on the big green signs.

It's been working for 50 or so years (40+ since I-40 was built past the interchange exit 289.). hasn't needed a number all that time for a roughly 2.5 mile road.

I don't believe any SR 'number is listed on an over head sign in N.C.

When it was built, the only cross-street was Blue Ridge.  The interchange there provided direct access to the fairgrounds, plus the connection to Carter-Finley parking lot, (and the connection to future I-40 and on to Durham releasing traffic on US 70).  It was just an extension of the section of Wade inside the belt line.  (Heck, they used to use the median for parking for the fair and football games.  That finally went away when Edwards Mill was extended.

On the flip side, a number (147) was added 20+ years after the East-West Expressway/IL "Buck" Dean Expressway/Durham Freeway existed (Erwin Road to I-40) once it was finally connected to 85.  That number WAS 'because numbers were easier to remember pre-GPS.  But that was for a longer road.

[74/171FAN]

I don't believe any SR 'number is listed on an over head sign in N.C.

US 64 says hi (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219660587945744&set=a.10219660683028121)

[PColumbus73]

Wade Avenue is short enough that adding a number would be a waste of signage at best, or worse just cause driver confusion. Signage already indicates that one can use it to access 40 and 440. Giving Wade Avenue an interstate number might encourage more drivers to use it to get Downtown when I-40 is likely the preferred route by NCDOT and Raleigh officials.

[jdunlop]

I don't believe any SR 'number is listed on an over head sign in N.C.

US 64 says hi (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219660587945744&set=a.10219660683028121)

Figured somebody would find an exception.  OK, RARELY does NCDOT post an SR 'number on an exit sign.   

[Mapmikey]

Wade Avenue was originally I-40 before it got extended eastward. Although I-440 didn't exist then, it ended at US 1/64 then.

Why I bring this up is the same scenario with I-74 near Greensboro with part of an interstate being downgraded so it can be realigned to continue before its terminus.

I agree though, Wade Avenue should be numbered instead of having freeway with a non freeway street name. Even if it's an NC designation, it's an improvement.

Although Wade Ave might have been signed as Temp 40 or TO 40 or something, it has never been in the interstate system.  See the 1972 Wake County map which clearly shows Wade Ave as FAP and the existing and proposed I-40 as FAI.

Per gribblenation it also had at-grade accesses.  Historicaerials confirms 2 accesses up through the mid-1990s.

There is also no route change document at the NCDOT site changing it to SR 1728.

[carbaugh2]

Here is the most recent from Tar Heel Dashcam showing progress traveling northbound on 52 through the Beltway interchange. It also includes the progress made on the Hanes Mall Rd improvements and the replacement Ziglar Rd overpass.

[CanesFan27]

I don't believe any SR 'number is listed on an over head sign in N.C.

US 64 says hi (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219660587945744&set=a.10219660683028121)

Figured somebody would find an exception.  OK, RARELY does NCDOT post an SR 'number on an exit sign.   

There are a little over a handful of examples more but it seems to be more common in the eastern part of the state.

[bob7374]

Google Maps has updated their Street View imagery of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway heading west from US 421 to US 52 to April. I have taken some screen grabs from their traveling through the US 52 interchange construction zone, such as:


and have put them on my I-74 Segment 4 page.

[bob7374]

Google Maps has updated the Street View coverage of US 52 (Future I-74) to April headed south through the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway construction zone:


Other screen grabs are available at: My I-74 Segment 3 Page

Meanwhile, they also have updated travel along I-74 at the other end of the future Beltway as well.


More images can be found on the I-74 Segment 4 Page.

[bob7374]

Local media report on NCDOT looking into causes for the increasing number of car accidents on I-40 in the I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction zone (plus good news about timeline for completion in 2026):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ufZ0SomlWg

[RoadPelican]

Local media report on NCDOT looking into causes for the increasing number of car accidents on I-40 in the I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction zone (plus good news about timeline for completion in 2026):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ufZ0SomlWg

People forget that you the faster you drive the more distance you need to put between your car and the car in front of you.

I'm not surprised that crashes are increasing on this stretch of I-40. When this alignment of I-40 was built in the early 90's, it should have had 3 lanes each way instead of 2. (There is a project in the 2024-2033 STIP to widen, but it is for preliminary engineering only)

Plus, you have barrier walls that block the right shoulder in this construction zone along a highway that is over capacity.

[bob7374]

Google Maps has updated its April 2024 Street View coverage now to include I-40 East through the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway/Future I-74 interchange construction zone. Highlights include new, though covered up, overhead signage:


as well as progress on building the flyover ramps at the interchange site itself:


Further screen grabs can be found on my I-74 Segment 4 page.

[bob7374]

NCDOT announcing traffic will be moved to the permanent I-74 East lanes between Ridgewood Road and Union Cross Roads (though some of it will become NC 192 East) later this week:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-25-06-traffic-shift-i74-.aspx

[LM117]

Upcoming closure on I-40 East in Forsyth County as part of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway project.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-10-07-i-40-cloures-forsyth-county.aspx

[MBHockey13]

It's more the part in Virginia, but it's about the connection to US-220/I-73 in North Carolina.

https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/07/16/commonwealth-transportation-board-revisits-routing-decision-interstate-73/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR39ILiZiR9wq6oxf3V8nTX6UT98sD8SuIxY3Qt-T4i26onxHYlLBcQ_IiA_aem_17hGDSPO0CsfJluJCt2W_g

The board is now considering a recommendation to rescind the 2001 decision that established the corridor for I-73 in Virginia, and confirm the route for the Southern Connector, a new bypass around Martinsville.

Salem District Board Member Ray Smoot said he believes local officials and state lawmakers are on board with those recommendations.

"And that looking at ways that we can enhance transportation in ways that are perhaps fundable in the future and address much of the issues that are trying to be addressed is a good resolution," Smoot said.

Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin Co.) serves on the multi-state I-73 commission. He supports the Southern Connector, and said it could become part of I-73 in the future.

"I think building the Southern Connector first means that we're committed to I-73 over the long haul, but in the short term what we need is that connection between 58 Bypass and I-73 in North Carolina, so I'm not giving up hope," Stanley told WDBJ7 in an interview.

The Southern Connector will require hundreds of millions of dollars, but that's much cheaper than the billions needed for I-73.

[bob7374]

New photos of Future I-74 construction, thanks to Nick Zachetti.
1. Bridge structure is up and future ramps have been graded at the NC 72/NC 130 West interchange site in Robeson County:


2. Bridge structure also up and future ramps have been paved at future Lake Waccamaw interchange site:


Other recent photos can be found at the I-74 Segment 17 and I-74 Segment 18 sites.

[brian440i]

(Apologize if below has been asked in previous pages, I am new to Search capability)

Q1: Was the US220 Freeway between I85 and I40 ever considered as an x73  (Example: Interstate 273)



Q2: Does NC DOT have an plans to update horrible Signs at I73 North and I85 Interchange.



I73 is primarily still a Local NC Route and thus locally known what is ahead but as a 2D Interstate should Signs not explain what is Straight Ahead for out of state travellers? 

Whether they only Sign US220 & to US29 with a Thru Sign or any of the below additional information. 

1. to I85 South via US29  [Signs of I85 South after Interchange]
2. to I40 Greensboro Exits (213 to 226)  [Signs for I40 East and West after Interchange]
3. to Greensboro Coliseum  [Signs after Interchange]
4. to Greensboro (Downtown)  [Never Stated]

[wdcrft63]

(Apologize if below has been asked in previous pages, I am new to Search capability)

Q1: Was the US220 Freeway between I85 and I40 ever considered as an x73  (Example: Interstate 273)



Q2: Does NC DOT have an plans to update horrible Signs at I73 North and I85 Interchange.



I73 is primarily still a Local NC Route and thus locally known what is ahead but as a 2D Interstate should Signs not explain what is Straight Ahead for out of state travellers? 

Whether they only Sign US220 & to US29 with a Thru Sign or any of the below additional information. 

1. to I85 South via US29  [Signs of I85 South after Interchange]
2. to I40 Greensboro Exits (213 to 226)  [Signs for I40 East and West after Interchange]
3. to Greensboro Coliseum  [Signs after Interchange]
4. to Greensboro (Downtown)  [Never Stated]

Last time I looked Martinsville was in Virginia. You wanted Roanoke maybe?

[brian440i]

I would Prefer Existing Signs Shifted Right with a New Sign on Left. 
The North 73 Exist is Fine other than add ",VA" behind Martinsville.


New Sign:
North   North      South
220        273         ToI85

Greensboro (Downtown) via Freeman Mill Rd
To 40 Greensboro Exits (213 to 226)

[bob7374]

(Apologize if below has been asked in previous pages, I am new to Search capability)

Q1: Was the US220 Freeway between I85 and I40 ever considered as an x73  (Example: Interstate 273)



Q2: Does NC DOT have an plans to update horrible Signs at I73 North and I85 Interchange.



I73 is primarily still a Local NC Route and thus locally known what is ahead but as a 2D Interstate should Signs not explain what is Straight Ahead for out of state travellers? 

Whether they only Sign US220 & to US29 with a Thru Sign or any of the below additional information. 

1. to I85 South via US29  [Signs of I85 South after Interchange]
2. to I40 Greensboro Exits (213 to 226)  [Signs for I40 East and West after Interchange]
3. to Greensboro Coliseum  [Signs after Interchange]
4. to Greensboro (Downtown)  [Never Stated]

Last time I looked Martinsville was in Virginia. You wanted Roanoke maybe?

The first proposed route of I-73 around Greensboro used US 220, I-40 and NC 68. Future I-73 signs were placed along the US 220 freeway from I-40 southward. These signs were removed when the Greensboro Loop was funded and the route shifted there. I do not know of any proposal to sign US 220 north of I-85 as an I-x73. I agree that US 220 signage for what is just now US 29 could use signs to I-85 South.