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[D-Dey65]

They should base the project on what improves traffic conditions, not on what pacifies NIMBYists.

"The way to deal with traffic is to not make Asheville more car friendly."

Sorry Roberta Wall, but nothing could be more opposite from the truth.

"Some said DOT should not be taking such a big step to cater to automobile travel in an era of global warming or that the connector runs counter to a trend whereby other cities are covering up or closing freeways to create parks or for other uses."

And I say it's the effort to do just that which is contributing to global warming.

[D-Dey65]

A meeting is being held on December 13 in Rocky Mount to discuss several proposed projects in the area, including building a new interchange on I-95 with Sunset Avenue.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-12-05-nash-county-meeting-for-road-improvements.aspx

I figured if they were going to do something like this, they'd have to extend the C-D roads further south. Otherwise, this would be a project I'd oppose.

[LM117]

A contract was awarded for the next phase of the I-40/I-77 interchange improvement project. Construction to start next year and should be complete by the end of 2022.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-12-03-i-40-i-77-contract-award.aspx

[OracleUsr]

I don't know what to make of that.  By then, Dana and I might be living elsewhere, but I work in Statesville.

[jcarte29]

A contract was awarded for the next phase of the I-40/I-77 interchange improvement project. Construction to start next year and should be complete by the end of 2022.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-12-03-i-40-i-77-contract-award.aspx

It just might finish before I-77 toll lanes!! lol

[LM117]

The new high-rise bridge in Surf City is open.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-12-04-surf-city-bridge-ahead-schedule.aspx

[VTGoose]

A contract was awarded for the next phase of the I-40/I-77 interchange improvement project. Construction to start next year and should be complete by the end of 2022.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-12-03-i-40-i-77-contract-award.aspx

It just might finish before I-77 toll lanes!! lol

If we are still making trips to Florida (depends on where daughter-in-law gets a job when she finishes her residency and fellowship), it looks like I-40 and NC 16 will be the preferred route to avoid yet another construction fiasco on I-77.

Bruce in Blacksburg

[jcarte29]

The new high-rise bridge in Surf City is open.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-12-04-surf-city-bridge-ahead-schedule.aspx

Over Thanksgiving, I was able to go over the swing bridge one more time but at the time had no idea the new bridge would be finished so quickly. But just lookin at it I was impressed and figured it wasn't far off from opening.

Like the Sunset Beach bridge, it was time to retire. And Sunset's was one lane if anyone remembers! LMAO

[RoadPelican]

Bridges have certainly come a long way in Eastern NC.  I think the only drawbridge left on the NC Coast is the one at Wrightsville Beach and I would not expect that to be replaced any time soon, if ever.

I know there is a drawbridge in Manteo, but I really don't count that one because thru traffic can take the 4 lane US 64 bridge around that.

[RoadPelican]

Question: Why is NC so strict with the 70 MPH Speed Limit?  I feel it's almost as bad as my old home state of Maryland!!  I was driving on I-73 in NW Guilford County yesterday (from PTI to US 220) and it is 100% rural, yet it's only 65 MPH.  The Monroe Bypass is 65 MPH yet it's also VERY rural.

I will say that the I-140 bypass around Wilmington used to be 65 MPH, but then around 2012 it was increased to 70 MPH.  So maybe NC has a habit of setting freeways at 65 and then 5-10 years later, set them at 70 MPH?

Also, most of I-40 from Asheville to Durham is also 65, yet I think 70 would be okay, except for the short urban areas of Statesville, W/S & Greensboro.

Should they really sign these roads at 65 MPH? or is this just collusion between NCDOT and local Sheriff's Depts to get more revenue?, if most people drive 80+ we can get more $ for 80 in a 65 than we would if they were only going 80 in a 70 MPH zone.

[Beltway]

Bridges have certainly come a long way in Eastern NC.  I think the only drawbridge left on the NC Coast is the one at Wrightsville Beach and I would not expect that to be replaced any time soon, if ever.
I know there is a drawbridge in Manteo, but I really don't count that one because thru traffic can take the 4 lane US 64 bridge around that.

"Movable bridges are classified by the way they are raised, turned, or lifted.  All of North Carolina's surviving examples are swing spans or bascules, two of the most common types.   North Carolina's Historic Bridge Inventory includes eleven movable bridges with dates of construction from 1928 to 1960."

https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/bridges/historic-bridges/Pages/movable-bridges.aspx

[PiedmontHwys]

A contract was awarded for the next phase of the I-40/I-77 interchange improvement project. Construction to start next year and should be complete by the end of 2022.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-12-03-i-40-i-77-contract-award.aspx

About time!

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Question: Why is NC so strict with the 70 MPH Speed Limit?  I feel it's almost as bad as my old home state of Maryland!!  I was driving on I-73 in NW Guilford County yesterday (from PTI to US 220) and it is 100% rural, yet it's only 65 MPH.  The Monroe Bypass is 65 MPH yet it's also VERY rural.

I will say that the I-140 bypass around Wilmington used to be 65 MPH, but then around 2012 it was increased to 70 MPH.  So maybe NC has a habit of setting freeways at 65 and then 5-10 years later, set them at 70 MPH?

Also, most of I-40 from Asheville to Durham is also 65, yet I think 70 would be okay, except for the short urban areas of Statesville, W/S & Greensboro.

Should they really sign these roads at 65 MPH? or is this just collusion between NCDOT and local Sheriff's Depts to get more revenue?, if most people drive 80+ we can get more $ for 80 in a 65 than we would if they were only going 80 in a 70 MPH zone.

I'd say NC is doing pretty good with 70 mph sections of freeway. I made a quick map using NCDOT's data (don't immediately blame me if something isn't showing up correctly).

You'll never see 70 on I-40 up the mountain to Asheville, and you won't see it from Morganton to Statesville without major upgrades. Way too many out-dated interchanges and bridges without shoulders through there.

[wdcrft63]

Bridges have certainly come a long way in Eastern NC.  I think the only drawbridge left on the NC Coast is the one at Wrightsville Beach and I would not expect that to be replaced any time soon, if ever.

I know there is a drawbridge in Manteo, but I really don't count that one because thru traffic can take the 4 lane US 64 bridge around that.

There's no drawbridge at Manteo, but there is a still a drawbridge on US 64 at the Alligator River/Intracoastal waterway west of Manteo.

[LM117]

Update on the I-40 widening project in Wake & Johnston counties.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-12-06-i-40-widening-wake-johnston.aspx

[Mapmikey]

Bridges have certainly come a long way in Eastern NC.  I think the only drawbridge left on the NC Coast is the one at Wrightsville Beach and I would not expect that to be replaced any time soon, if ever.

I know there is a drawbridge in Manteo, but I really don't count that one because thru traffic can take the 4 lane US 64 bridge around that.

There's no drawbridge at Manteo, but there is a still a drawbridge on US 64 at the Alligator River/Intracoastal waterway west of Manteo.

There are also still drawbridges at New Bern, Washington, Elizabeth City, Hertford, and South Mills.

[ccurley100]

Question: Why is NC so strict with the 70 MPH Speed Limit?  I feel it's almost as bad as my old home state of Maryland!!  I was driving on I-73 in NW Guilford County yesterday (from PTI to US 220) and it is 100% rural, yet it's only 65 MPH.  The Monroe Bypass is 65 MPH yet it's also VERY rural.

I will say that the I-140 bypass around Wilmington used to be 65 MPH, but then around 2012 it was increased to 70 MPH.  So maybe NC has a habit of setting freeways at 65 and then 5-10 years later, set them at 70 MPH?

Also, most of I-40 from Asheville to Durham is also 65, yet I think 70 would be okay, except for the short urban areas of Statesville, W/S & Greensboro.

Should they really sign these roads at 65 MPH? or is this just collusion between NCDOT and local Sheriff's Depts to get more revenue?, if most people drive 80+ we can get more $ for 80 in a 65 than we would if they were only going 80 in a 70 MPH zone.

I'd say NC is doing pretty good with 70 mph sections of freeway. I made a quick map using NCDOT's data (don't immediately blame me if something isn't showing up correctly).

You'll never see 70 on I-40 up the mountain to Asheville, and you won't see it from Morganton to Statesville without major upgrades. Way too many out-dated interchanges and bridges without shoulders through there.

I’m kind of amazed that 485 is 70 all the way around. I thought for sure they would leave the part around Ballantyne and Pineville 65.


iPhone

[Dustin DeWinn]

Is this the part that extends on Exit 26A/B? I-40; I-87?

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7701475,-78.5085362,1406m/data=!3m1!1e3?shorturl=1

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Is this the part that extends on Exit 26A/B? I-40; I-87?

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7701475,-78.5085362,1406m/data=!3m1!1e3?shorturl=1

If you're referring to 540, that section is still a ways off. The current estimate is 2027. The section that was just awarded is the middle section from US 401 to I-40. The section from NC 55 (not shown, but just east of US 1) to 401 will be let next year.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I’m kind of amazed that 485 is 70 all the way around. I thought for sure they would leave the part around Ballantyne and Pineville 65.

I am too, and just confirmed it in Google Street View. I was surprised when they increased the speed limit on the northern section of 540. I guess traffic volume and congestion isn't one of their variables?

I could see US 321 between Gastonia and Hickory and US 421 from somewhere in Wilkes County to I-40 at Winston being raised to 70. Now that the rehabilitation project on I-85 is almost complete, they may raise it to 70 all the way to Virginia. Maybe continue down from China Grove to Concord Mills once that widening is complete. Once I-95 is improved south of 40 (can't remember the section limits), it will probably go up as well.

Boogity, boogity, boogity!

[mvak36]

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2018/12/09/Grant-to-pay-replacement-bridge-costs.html

Eleven bridges in the Twin Counties will be replaced thanks to a $23 million federal transportation grant to fix dozens of bridges in rural communities in 17 of the state's most economically distressed counties.

Three bridges in Nash and eight in Edgecombe will replaced under the U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant. The overall cost of the replacements is projected at $119 million, with the State Highway Bridge Fund paying for 58 of the structures and the BUILD grant covering the cost of replacing 19 weight-restricted bridges that could not be replaced using state funds.

[LM117]

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2018/12/09/Grant-to-pay-replacement-bridge-costs.html

Eleven bridges in the Twin Counties will be replaced thanks to a $23 million federal transportation grant to fix dozens of bridges in rural communities in 17 of the state's most economically distressed counties.

Three bridges in Nash and eight in Edgecombe will replaced under the U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant. The overall cost of the replacements is projected at $119 million, with the State Highway Bridge Fund paying for 58 of the structures and the BUILD grant covering the cost of replacing 19 weight-restricted bridges that could not be replaced using state funds.

Here’s NCDOT’s press release regarding the BUILD grant. The press release also contains a link to a list of all 77 bridges slated for replacement.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-12-06-build-bridge-grant.aspx

[Mapmikey]

I-85 Business removed from Greensboro, north end truncated to the I-85/85 Bus split south of Exit 118, effective 10/31/18 - https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2018_10_31.pdf

The document to assign I-285 is from 2/1/18 and does NOT mention the truncation of I-85 Business on its overlap - https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2018_02_01.pdf

NC 47 has been rerouted slightly to cut west from Hargrave Rd over Hargrave Ln to I-285.  The old Hargrave Rd piece north to I-285 NB will be considered a ramp.  Effective 12/11/18 - https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2018_12_11.pdf

[Roadsguy]

The document to assign I-285 is from 2/1/18 and does NOT mention the truncation of I-85 Business on its overlap - https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2018_02_01.pdf

Was this something that people were expecting to happen? It seems silly if the southern section is to remain Business 85, since they'd probably sign "To Business 85" at the southern end of I-285 anyway.

Also, when are the Business 85 shields expected to be removed?

[OracleUsr]

The document to assign I-285 is from 2/1/18 and does NOT mention the truncation of I-85 Business on its overlap - https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2018_02_01.pdf

Was this something that people were expecting to happen? It seems silly if the southern section is to remain Business 85, since they'd probably sign "To Business 85" at the southern end of I-285 anyway.

Also, when are the Business 85 shields expected to be removed?

I imagine pretty soon.  The signage plans on I-40 seem to be using the existing signs with the Bus 85 shield removed.