I-85 through Spartanburg

[cbalducc]

Why was I-85 built on a new right-of-way around Spartaburg instead of widening what was already there?  God bless.

CKB

[dfilpus]

The right of way and interchanges on what is now Business 85 were so inadequate that building a new interstate up to standards was considered more economical and less disruptive to adjacent properties. According to http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/boombelt.cfm , Section 139 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (which was written for building the I 40 Bypass of Winston-Salem NC) accidentally applied to I 85 through Spartanburg. This act provided Federal funding for the bypass.

[triplemultiplex]

What's the traffic situation like now on Bus I-85?  Is a full freeway, albeit old and dumpy, still justified?  Might we anticipate some "downgrading" to one or more interchanges in the future?  For example, the I-26 interchange reconfigured into a 6-ramp parclo.

[formulanone]

I drove on Business I-85 in Spartanburg last July, and it's kind of scenic...pine trees bordering much of it, smaller, compact interchanges just sort of remind you of freeways/highways decades ago. Most of it was fairly well-paved and smooth, but a few ramps are a little too short (at I-585, for example). Then again, I-585 is odd in its own right.

[CarolinaPaladin]

What's the traffic situation like now on Bus I-85?  Is a full freeway, albeit old and dumpy, still justified?  Might we anticipate some "downgrading" to one or more interchanges in the future?  For example, the I-26 interchange reconfigured into a 6-ramp parclo.

Business 85 is a freeway loop with good traffic count.  The "freeway loop" designation was added after attempts to redesignate the highway Interstate 685 failed. 

Business 85's interchanges will never be downgraded.  Some interchange improvements would be beneficial at Exits 1 (North Blackstock Road), 2C (Fairforest Road) and 3 (New Cut Road).