Interstate 42 (E)

[Scott5114]

The first I-42 shield in history...and the number is off-center. Sigh.

You clearly have a better eye than me.

My boss is a stickler about proper centering of numbers in shields (far more than most actual DOTs are). I've had them get sent back if they're off by a mm or two. So I've had to learn. Fortunately for me, I get to use the 1957 shields, which have a lot more let than whatever standard NCDOT is using here—they are really not doing themselves a favor using digits that large.

I will grant them that numbers starting with 4 are usually the hardest to make look right.

[PColumbus73]

Seems like 2s 4s and 9s are most likely to throw off the spacing

[Scott5114]

9 isn't really that hard to work with, in my experience. At least in the FHWA fonts, the tail and the bowl line up well enough that it is basically "square".

2 is a pain in the ass if it's on the left, especially on the left side of an Interstate shield. That sharp corner in the lower left corner is a pain. The amount of time I've spent wrangling an uncooperative 2 on a 3di shield, trying to keep it from smacking into the curve of the shield while still keeping the full number appear centered, is higher than I'd like. No wonder Massachusetts used to make their 2s like this.

4 is probably the worst offender because of how inherently unbalanced a 4 is.

[PColumbus73]

NC occasionally uses Type C numbers for their shields

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0596529,-79.6727082,3a,15y,267.24h,98.83t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1slrxa6YcwUbMy4S_rkqD4YA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dlrxa6YcwUbMy4S_rkqD4YA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D340.82205%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

I guess it depends on who's designing the signs, cause I-885 shields are either Type C or D

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.9623907,-78.8649224,3a,22.2y,353.25h,98.85t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s3FkQkMRnU-l0WIlNw7XCdw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D3FkQkMRnU-l0WIlNw7XCdw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D99.28364%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0164476,-78.8648427,3a,15y,246.12h,97.2t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sh5pN713XystTZgAZD2Lt2Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dh5pN713XystTZgAZD2Lt2Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D301.9016%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

However, this sign outside Wilmington looks great.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.2341177,-77.9794864,3a,25.1y,129.16h,94.68t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1stSI_tFJsv3TMR2U9sXlhuA!2e0!5s20230901T000000!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

South Carolina uses a lot of oversized Interstate shields for their BGS's, but I like their proportions.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0976656,-80.9572476,3a,37.6y,149.07h,99.27t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stj-odwTM_nNiM4n48bmaFw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[bob7374]

The first I-42 trailblazer (or at least the back of one) has been spotted on the Goldsboro Bypass from the NCDOT traffic camera on NC 581:

[Interstate 69 Fan]

Another I-42 shield has been spotted, this one on northbound NC 581, courtesy of Ryan Nichols on Facebook.


Even NCDOT is getting in on the action on Twitter (or X, whatever you call it.) This BGS will clearly go on the I-795 SB ramp to I-42.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GXYGJFdXwAAKZlE?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[Bobby5280]

9 isn't really that hard to work with, in my experience. At least in the FHWA fonts, the tail and the bowl line up well enough that it is basically "square".

I've seen a lot of "neutered" I-x9 route shields with large numerals that just look hideous. The ones for I-29 and I-59 are the worst; the numerals are pushed too far to the right. Neutered I-49 shields look almost as bad. I-19 is the only one where the large numerals have enough space to be visually centered.

[Sapphuby]

Looks like the Wikipedia article on I-42 NC was just moved today. Seems like they finally decided it was time instead of jumping the gun like Google Maps does.

[Scott5114]

Looks like the Wikipedia article on I-42 NC was just moved today. Seems like they finally decided it was time instead of jumping the gun like Google Maps does.

And they're going to have to move it again when the western I-42 is signed.

Meanwhile, on AARoads Wiki, we have the experience to set things up properly—I-42 has been a disambiguation page for months pointing people to the relevant sections of both US 70 and US 412.

(Why did nobody ever seem to care this much about what the road pages on Wikipedia showed whenever there were actual roadgeeks running them?)

[rickmastfan67]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GXYGJFdXwAAKZlE?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

Can't hotlink directly to the images on Twitter/X with the IMG code, as it will not work.  Have to use the 'URL' code, or just post a link to the tweet itself.

[Henry]

Looks like the Wikipedia article on I-42 NC was just moved today. Seems like they finally decided it was time instead of jumping the gun like Google Maps does.

And they're going to have to move it again when the western I-42 is signed.

Meanwhile, on AARoads Wiki, we have the experience to set things up properly—I-42 has been a disambiguation page for months pointing people to the relevant sections of both US 70 and US 412.

(Why did nobody ever seem to care this much about what the road pages on Wikipedia showed whenever there were actual roadgeeks running them?)

Just took notice of the new I-42 page today; I have a feeling that it will not be renamed to "I-42 (East)" until OK and AR put up signs for their own sections, and who knows how long it'll take before they do?

[Interstate 69 Fan]

Looks like the Wikipedia article on I-42 NC was just moved today. Seems like they finally decided it was time instead of jumping the gun like Google Maps does.

I went ahead and spent an hour or two making it last night. Fairly simple, but as far as I know I-42 isn't 100% confirmed for the western segment yet.

[Scott5114]

Looks like the Wikipedia article on I-42 NC was just moved today. Seems like they finally decided it was time instead of jumping the gun like Google Maps does.

And they're going to have to move it again when the western I-42 is signed.

Meanwhile, on AARoads Wiki, we have the experience to set things up properly—I-42 has been a disambiguation page for months pointing people to the relevant sections of both US 70 and US 412.

(Why did nobody ever seem to care this much about what the road pages on Wikipedia showed whenever there were actual roadgeeks running them?)

Just took notice of the new I-42 page today; I have a feeling that it will not be renamed to "I-42 (East)" until OK and AR put up signs for their own sections, and who knows how long it'll take before they do?

Ours is at https://wiki.aaroads.com/wiki/Interstate_42_(North_Carolina), which makes sense in the meantime even if OK-AR dawdle for a few years.

[Strider]

Looks like the Wikipedia article on I-42 NC was just moved today. Seems like they finally decided it was time instead of jumping the gun like Google Maps does.

And they're going to have to move it again when the western I-42 is signed.

Meanwhile, on AARoads Wiki, we have the experience to set things up properly—I-42 has been a disambiguation page for months pointing people to the relevant sections of both US 70 and US 412.

(Why did nobody ever seem to care this much about what the road pages on Wikipedia showed whenever there were actual roadgeeks running them?)

Just took notice of the new I-42 page today; I have a feeling that it will not be renamed to "I-42 (East)" until OK and AR put up signs for their own sections, and who knows how long it'll take before they do?

another I-42 coming to AR and OK? Why? Was it already decided or what?

[Henry]

Looks like the Wikipedia article on I-42 NC was just moved today. Seems like they finally decided it was time instead of jumping the gun like Google Maps does.

And they're going to have to move it again when the western I-42 is signed.

Meanwhile, on AARoads Wiki, we have the experience to set things up properly—I-42 has been a disambiguation page for months pointing people to the relevant sections of both US 70 and US 412.

(Why did nobody ever seem to care this much about what the road pages on Wikipedia showed whenever there were actual roadgeeks running them?)

Just took notice of the new I-42 page today; I have a feeling that it will not be renamed to "I-42 (East)" until OK and AR put up signs for their own sections, and who knows how long it'll take before they do?

another I-42 coming to AR and OK? Why? Was it already decided or what?

Yeah, this other I-42 is going to follow the US 412 corridor in those two states. In fact, we have extensive coverage on that in the Proposed US 412 Upgrade thread.

[Strider]

Looks like the Wikipedia article on I-42 NC was just moved today. Seems like they finally decided it was time instead of jumping the gun like Google Maps does.

And they're going to have to move it again when the western I-42 is signed.

Meanwhile, on AARoads Wiki, we have the experience to set things up properly—I-42 has been a disambiguation page for months pointing people to the relevant sections of both US 70 and US 412.

(Why did nobody ever seem to care this much about what the road pages on Wikipedia showed whenever there were actual roadgeeks running them?)

Just took notice of the new I-42 page today; I have a feeling that it will not be renamed to "I-42 (East)" until OK and AR put up signs for their own sections, and who knows how long it'll take before they do?

another I-42 coming to AR and OK? Why? Was it already decided or what?

Yeah, this other I-42 is going to follow the US 412 corridor in those two states. In fact, we have extensive coverage on that in the Proposed US 412 Upgrade thread.

Thank you for the link. I didn't know that it was already decided. I thought it was proposed as another I-xx or something like that.

[Henry]

Looks like the Wikipedia article on I-42 NC was just moved today. Seems like they finally decided it was time instead of jumping the gun like Google Maps does.

And they're going to have to move it again when the western I-42 is signed.

Meanwhile, on AARoads Wiki, we have the experience to set things up properly—I-42 has been a disambiguation page for months pointing people to the relevant sections of both US 70 and US 412.

(Why did nobody ever seem to care this much about what the road pages on Wikipedia showed whenever there were actual roadgeeks running them?)

Just took notice of the new I-42 page today; I have a feeling that it will not be renamed to "I-42 (East)" until OK and AR put up signs for their own sections, and who knows how long it'll take before they do?

another I-42 coming to AR and OK? Why? Was it already decided or what?

Yeah, this other I-42 is going to follow the US 412 corridor in those two states. In fact, we have extensive coverage on that in the Proposed US 412 Upgrade thread.

Thank you for the link. I didn't know that it was already decided. I thought it was proposed as another I-xx or something like that.

You're welcome.

[jcil4ever]

While I know the western end of (eastern?) 42 has grabbed our attention, I drove out to Havelock today to see how some of the eastern stretches are doing.

Parts of the Havelock bypass look ready to go, like the portion near the Lake Rd. intersection:

Approaching the intersection


Looking westbound from the bridge


Looking eastbound from the intersection


Looking down what will be the ramp from eastbound I-42


Looking down what will be the ramp from westbound I-42

The new traffic pattern is taking shape on the eastern end of the bypass:

Approaching the eastern end of the Havelock Bypass on US-70 East.


Sorry the focus is off (it focused on the cropped guardrail), but this is looking westbound down what will be I-42. It looks like there's still a lot of work to be done on the railroad bridge, which also looks further behind on the satellite view.


Approaching the future interchange for the Havelock Bypass heading west. You can see that traffic on US-70 West is moved here to the old 70 East lanes.


Traveling west on the old eastbound lanes


Future US-70/I-42 (/US-70 Bypass?) split


Little bit closer view of the intersection

Construction also continues at the western end of the Bypass. While there have been some lane shifts, there's no big traffic shift onto the new pattern there.

[jcil4ever]

I get to drive to the Triangle a few times over the next week. From what I can tell, sign replacement on the Goldsboro bypass was limited to the US-117 exit and west (at least westbound). I think the attractions signs had been updated for US-117, and I saw these changes for I-795:

The exit numbers on the signs for I-795 have been updated, but not the tabs on the larger guide signs (seen in distance).


All signage for the NC-581 exit has been updated, including attractions...


... and the guide signs (along with the exit signs).

None of the overhead signage has been updated (including when I looked back at the western split of 70 and Bypass 70), but I did see an I-42 reassurance shield at the beginning of the Goldsboro Bypass heading east.


Also, there was a digital message sign approaching the Wilsons Mills construction zone announcing a new traffic pattern starting 9/23. Based on the fact that they were striping the Wilsons Mills Rd. bridge when we drove by, hopefully it will be opening up soon! 70 West was reduced to one lane on the eastern end of the construction zone, and it looked like they were preparing to route all westbound traffic up the new onramp from Wilsons Mills Rd. after the stop light, but we still used the older two-lane portion. Another view:


I wonder if some of these crews got called on to help with the flood-related repairs elsewhere this week. Still good to see some progress!

[brian440i]

NC42-NC36 Update 09/21/24 Images

Took the opportunity this morning to drive over to Section D of the Proposed NC36.  NC 36 should be completed prior to NC 42 being removed.  Whether that truly does delay I42 Signage and the "potential" confusion for drivers with NC 42 and I 42, we will shortly find out.



Project Site #1: Ranch Road & New Little Creek Church Intersection





Existing End of Ranch Road (Stop Sign) looking North


Project Site #2: Boling Street & Rose Street Extension





Project Site #3: US 70 Business & Rose Street Extension







PS:
Hopefully the road will be repaved between Exit 323 US 70 (Future I42) and Little Creek Church Rd as part of the project as approximately 100 potholes exist. 
While Boling Street has already been repaved after the Rose Street Extension to US 70 Business (Future US70)

[brian440i]

US 70 (Future I42) Swift Creek-Wilson Mills Frontage Road

As in Area looking at Proposed NC36... decided to answer the eternal question of which public map is up to date.

Google Maps:
Shows Sadisco Road not connected to Meta Drive Yet:



Bing Maps:
Shows Sadisco Road connected and Displayed as US 70 Frontage Road



Bing Maps for the Win:
Though a little work between Sadisco Rd. and Businesses.

[PColumbus73]

Is it an interchange between I-42 & NC 42 that would be potentially confusing? Or would it be internal or maintenance logs?

Instead of having a random route number change and a gap in a pretty well known state route, what if NC 42 was simply hidden for the same length that NC 36 is supposed to be signed?

How is I/NC 42 the problematic one when they have US/Bus/Byp/Alt 70, I/US 74, and several other bannered routes that change at various interchanges. Also, once I-74 is finished around Rockingham, they'll have an interchange with I-74, US 74 and Business 74

[jcil4ever]

Noticed tonight that NC-540 signs have been added (uncovered) above I-40 E approaching the turbine. No signs of changing 70 to 42 while they were up there:


The main difference I saw between the progress of signing I-42 on the Goldsboro Bypass eastbound instead of westbound was that reassurance shields have been added. From what I can tell, signs were exchanged like-for-like. This TO BYP 70 sign was replaced with a TO I-42 sign:


The first BYP 70 shield was replaced with an I-42 sign:


I believed there was one more updated shield, but...yeah, my phone was not doing a great job at capturing these. Maybe I'll actually drive home at a decent hour!

[bob7374]

Noticed tonight that NC-540 signs have been added (uncovered) above I-40 E approaching the turbine. No signs of changing 70 to 42 while they were up there:


The main difference I saw between the progress of signing I-42 on the Goldsboro Bypass eastbound instead of westbound was that reassurance shields have been added. From what I can tell, signs were exchanged like-for-like. This TO BYP 70 sign was replaced with a TO I-42 sign:


The first BYP 70 shield was replaced with an I-42 sign:


I believed there was one more updated shield, but...yeah, my phone was not doing a great job at capturing these. Maybe I'll actually drive home at a decent hour!

Thanks for the photos. If it's anything like what was done with I-587 on US 264, they'll put up all the ground mounted signs and mile markers first before they start with the overhead signs. Hopefully done faster though since there are still overheads that have not been changed on US 264/I-795 in the Wilson area.

[jcil4ever]

Just drove up to Durham. Saw the first signs for I-42's Exit 42:

Didn't notice much else that had changed over the last two days...

On the other hand, it does look like the Wilsons Mills Rd. westbound overpass is about to open!


New center line striped!


So close!


Mile Marker on the new bridge:


Hopefully the last time I'll drive down these old lanes of US-70!


The old US-70 lanes beside what will be the onramp from Wilsons Mills Rd. to US-70 West:


Putting on some final touches to the turbine interchange:


The turbine ramp from US-70W/I-42W toward NC-540W/I-40E has been striped. Only a few days away!