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North Carolina

Started by FLRoads, January 20, 2009, 11:55:15 PM

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wdcrft63

FWIW:
(1) It's always popular on the Forum to propose making all of US 17 in NC an interstate, but the evidence on the ground is that NCDOT plans to convert much of it to superstreet status with interchanges and freeway sections where needed.

(2) I'm convinced someone in the political world will seize on the idea of making US 74 an interstate all the way from I-26 to Wilmington. But I've thought that for awhile now and it hasn't happened yet.


sprjus4

Quote from: wdcrft63 on May 31, 2021, 06:41:03 PM
FWIW:
(1) It's always popular on the Forum to propose making all of US 17 in NC an interstate, but the evidence on the ground is that NCDOT plans to convert much of it to superstreet status with interchanges and freeway sections where needed.
Their long range plans show a full freeway facility down the length of US-17, however it is true that most of the projects center on widening. It's likely planned to later upgrade those areas is my guess.

Much of US-17 was widened to 4 lanes north of Williamston after HPC 13 was authorized in the 90s, not build to freeway standards except where needed, and is only now going to be upgraded in the coming decade or two to full interstate standards.

tolbs17


Strider

Quote from: sprjus4 on May 31, 2021, 08:07:22 AM
Quote
And because NCDOT spent most of its money on the EASTERN section of NC. that's why the section between Hamlet and Laurinburg is still unfunded.
US-74 is a limited access highway with right of way reserved for future interchanges on its eastern segments, they've merely been spending $5 - $10 million for each individual interchanges in piecemeal fashion over the last decade to complete the gaps and provide a continuous freeway for a long distance. The Hamlet to Laurinburg stretch is a small segment and entirely non limited access. A couple hundred million at minimum. Not saying it's not needed, but there's more incentive to spend a few million for each interchange on the eastern segment and eventually have a hundred of miles of continuous freeway.

QuoteI-87 among other things.
Technically, no funding has of yet been allocated to upgrade any portion of US-64 or US-17 to interstate standards outside of routine resurfacing projects.

The state plans to complete US-64 first, IMO they would get more bang for their buck upgrading US-17 first because it would at least expand the percentage of the route that is freeway.

I see value in having a limited access connection between Hampton Roads, I-95, and Raleigh.


I wasn't just talking about US 74, US 64 corridors. I am talking about various projects in the eastern NC.

And even though you see value in I-87, I don't.

The projects that has been on the list for the last 10-20 years should be finished FIRST instead of putting them on hold.

sparker

Quote from: Strider on May 31, 2021, 08:24:19 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on May 31, 2021, 08:07:22 AM
Quote
And because NCDOT spent most of its money on the EASTERN section of NC. that's why the section between Hamlet and Laurinburg is still unfunded.
US-74 is a limited access highway with right of way reserved for future interchanges on its eastern segments, they've merely been spending $5 - $10 million for each individual interchanges in piecemeal fashion over the last decade to complete the gaps and provide a continuous freeway for a long distance. The Hamlet to Laurinburg stretch is a small segment and entirely non limited access. A couple hundred million at minimum. Not saying it's not needed, but there's more incentive to spend a few million for each interchange on the eastern segment and eventually have a hundred of miles of continuous freeway.

QuoteI-87 among other things.
Technically, no funding has of yet been allocated to upgrade any portion of US-64 or US-17 to interstate standards outside of routine resurfacing projects.

The state plans to complete US-64 first, IMO they would get more bang for their buck upgrading US-17 first because it would at least expand the percentage of the route that is freeway.

I see value in having a limited access connection between Hampton Roads, I-95, and Raleigh.


I wasn't just talking about US 74, US 64 corridors. I am talking about various projects in the eastern NC.

And even though you see value in I-87, I don't.

The projects that has been on the list for the last 10-20 years should be finished FIRST instead of putting them on hold.

The sole reason I-87 (still grimace when that number appears!) was designated as a full corridor encompassing both parts of US 64 and US 17 was that it was an existing federally designated high-priority corridor (#13, from the original batch from 1991/ISTEA); it was a simple process to append a "future Interstate" label to the original legislation congressionally in 2016.  Of course, it wasn't a unilateral move by NC's congressional delegation; NCDOT and their in-state political handlers were knee-deep in the process.  There was a push to put an Interstate across NE NC for regional benefit; the previously-designated corridor was an obvious candidate for such, as it connected two metro areas lacking a direct Interstate connection (not that the corridor is the most direct route; it obviously is not!).  That's basically it in a nutshell -- a "political animal", with the prospects for development reasonably good due to the fact that about two-thirds of it is already freeway (not all Interstate standard, but upgradable).  But OTOH, no one's in a particular hurry to widen/pave the shoulders in the substandard zones, so it'll probably retain its "future" status for the time being.  I fully agree that the corridors designated and planned first should get first crack at funding -- but unfortunately the "squeaky wheel" of localized politics tends to override those considerations, so things like projects along the 2016-designated I-42 corridor seem to be humming along while portions of the I-74 corridor, dating from 1995, languish unfunded and/or un-let.     

The Ghostbuster

I wonder which corridor that isn't yet planned to become an Interstate corridor might become one in the future? Perhaps the US 421 corridor between Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem will be proposed as an Interstate 46? I also wouldn't be surprised if US 321 gets an Interstate designation. Maybe North Carolina will give the US 1 corridor southwest of Raleigh another attempt at joining the Interstate System?

sprjus4

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on June 03, 2021, 12:46:44 PM
I wonder which corridor that isn't yet planned to become an Interstate corridor might become one in the future? Perhaps the US 421 corridor between Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem will be proposed as an Interstate 46? I also wouldn't be surprised if US 321 gets an Interstate designation. Maybe North Carolina will give the US 1 corridor southwest of Raleigh another attempt at joining the Interstate System?
US-74 between I-26 and I-73.

rickmastfan67

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on June 03, 2021, 12:46:44 PM
I wonder which corridor that isn't yet planned to become an Interstate corridor might become one in the future? Perhaps the US 421 corridor between Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem will be proposed as an Interstate 46?

If anything, make that a I-x77 instead.  Way too short for a 2di IMO.

sprjus4

Quote from: rickmastfan67 on June 03, 2021, 09:49:59 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on June 03, 2021, 12:46:44 PM
I wonder which corridor that isn't yet planned to become an Interstate corridor might become one in the future? Perhaps the US 421 corridor between Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem will be proposed as an Interstate 46?

If anything, make that a I-x77 instead.  Way too short for a 2di IMO.
I'd argue it doesn't even need a designation. It doesn't really connect any major population centers to warrant one. Perhaps a 3di if desired, however. The US-421 freeway would need upgrading, given its age in many areas.

tolbs17


cowboy_wilhelm

I-26 was literally a parking lot for several hours this morning. Traffic was backed up more than 10 miles into South Carolina at one point due to a tractor-trailer that overturned in “the dip” between MM 62 and 61 shortly before 8:00 AM. Unfortunately, this has been the location of numerous tractor-trailer incidents over the years, including a fuel tanker that overturned and caught fire last October, also closing down the interstate for several hours.






cowboy_wilhelm

Same crap, different day on I-26. Gotta love the people turning around and using the median crossover.






tolbs17


Mapmikey

Quote from: tolbs17 on June 13, 2021, 11:46:49 AM
So, this shows the list of funded projects?

https://www.ncdot.gov/about-us/board-offices/boards/board-transportation/Documents/ItemM.pdf

This appears to show projects approved for funding at the June meeting.

I don't read this to be the entire list of funded DOT projects going on in North Carolina.

tolbs17


Dirt Roads

Quote from: tolbs17 on June 15, 2021, 12:09:54 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7801227,-78.1194657,3a,40.7y,210.92h,83.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJJX1gqS8zAjRFq_0neql-A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Will this bridge get replaced?

Not likely.  Since NCDOT Rail Division manages the entire railroad crossing program (including grade separations), these types of overpasses don't generally qualify for the same type of improvements I've seen in other states.  If trucks keep hitting the overpass (in this case, the protective I-beam), that often drives the railroad crazy and may result in a clearance improvement project similar to the famous Gregson Street "canopener" bridge in downtown Durham.  See 11foot8.com for more fun details on this topic.

BrianP

Quote from: Dirt Roads on June 15, 2021, 03:02:55 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on June 15, 2021, 12:09:54 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7801227,-78.1194657,3a,40.7y,210.92h,83.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJJX1gqS8zAjRFq_0neql-A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Will this bridge get replaced?

Not likely.  Since NCDOT Rail Division manages the entire railroad crossing program (including grade separations), these types of overpasses don't generally qualify for the same type of improvements I've seen in other states.  If trucks keep hitting the overpass (in this case, the protective I-beam), that often drives the railroad crazy and may result in a clearance improvement project similar to the famous Gregson Street "canopener" bridge in downtown Durham.  See 11foot8.com for more fun details on this topic.
Agreed.  There is a clearly signed truck route in this case.  Also this is a small town so there is likely not many trucks using that route.  And that bridge is more clearly a low clearance that it seems much less likely to not be noticed. 

tolbs17

In Vance and Warren counties, when will the bridges be replaced?

I'm talking about I-85 btw.

sprjus4

Quote from: tolbs17 on June 16, 2021, 12:08:05 AM
In Vance and Warren counties, when will the bridges be replaced?

I'm talking about I-85 btw.
Which bridges specifically?


Mapmikey

Quotehttps://www.google.com/maps/@35.7801227,-78.1194657,3a,40.7y,210.92h,83.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJJX1gqS8zAjRFq_0neql-A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Will this bridge get replaced?

Highly doubtful.  NC 581 was officially rerouted onto its truck route through Bailey in 2015 but signage has not been changed.

QuoteQuote from: sprjus4 on Today at 12:10:31 AM
Quote from: tolbs17 on Today at 12:08:05 AM
In Vance and Warren counties, when will the bridges be replaced?

I'm talking about I-85 btw.
Which bridges specifically?
These.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4066919,-78.3268286,3a,75y,37.93h,79.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAtFzZgTmSVw1tIpTeAIlJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4305974,-78.2958021,3a,75y,52.72h,90.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU07d_TdFVgvJRwWVQJhaWA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4544645,-78.2663969,3a,75y,33.58h,88.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siFBN1HuVb4PzlPH9O-V8tw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4844307,-78.2312673,3a,75y,46.08h,83.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sD8TYBxrJy2wvWOXyqWWdxw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.5344733,-78.1911262,3a,75y,30.6h,87.63t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-eF9WxrXrapKkr-B1Wdk6w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1

They are old, and rundown.

Can't be in very bad shape...they just finished rebuilding I-85 in this area.  If the bridges were in bad shape they would've replaced them then.  One they did replace are the I-85 bridges at Exit 220.

tolbs17

Quote from: Mapmikey on June 16, 2021, 06:21:18 AM
Quotehttps://www.google.com/maps/@35.7801227,-78.1194657,3a,40.7y,210.92h,83.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJJX1gqS8zAjRFq_0neql-A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Will this bridge get replaced?

Highly doubtful.  NC 581 was officially rerouted onto its truck route through Bailey in 2015 but signage has not been changed.

QuoteQuote from: sprjus4 on Today at 12:10:31 AM
Quote from: tolbs17 on Today at 12:08:05 AM
In Vance and Warren counties, when will the bridges be replaced?

I'm talking about I-85 btw.
Which bridges specifically?
These.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4066919,-78.3268286,3a,75y,37.93h,79.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAtFzZgTmSVw1tIpTeAIlJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4305974,-78.2958021,3a,75y,52.72h,90.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU07d_TdFVgvJRwWVQJhaWA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4544645,-78.2663969,3a,75y,33.58h,88.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siFBN1HuVb4PzlPH9O-V8tw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4844307,-78.2312673,3a,75y,46.08h,83.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sD8TYBxrJy2wvWOXyqWWdxw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.5344733,-78.1911262,3a,75y,30.6h,87.63t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-eF9WxrXrapKkr-B1Wdk6w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1

They are old, and rundown.

Can't be in very bad shape...they just finished rebuilding I-85 in this area.  If the bridges were in bad shape they would've replaced them then.  One they did replace are the I-85 bridges at Exit 220.
they have the 1950 and 1960s design. So they are not going to replace them?

Mapmikey

Quote from: tolbs17 on June 16, 2021, 08:29:26 AM

they have the 1950 and 1960s design. So they are not going to replace them?

You'd have to ask NCDOT or search the STIP for a definitive answer but IMO if they wanted to replace them they would have done so when rebuilding I-85 within the last few years.  While they are older, they look to be in ok shape.  Most of them don't see much truck traffic, I imagine.

sprjus4

^

They may be old, but given low traffic volumes, they are likely in adequate shape. As Mapmikey mentioned above, they would've been replaced otherwise apart of the I-85 reconstruction.

The mainline bridges were replaced in that project (much heavier traffic, obviously) not crossing roads though.

Henry

Quote from: sprjus4 on June 03, 2021, 10:01:10 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on June 03, 2021, 09:49:59 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on June 03, 2021, 12:46:44 PM
I wonder which corridor that isn't yet planned to become an Interstate corridor might become one in the future? Perhaps the US 421 corridor between Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem will be proposed as an Interstate 46?

If anything, make that a I-x77 instead.  Way too short for a 2di IMO.
I'd argue it doesn't even need a designation. It doesn't really connect any major population centers to warrant one. Perhaps a 3di if desired, however. The US-421 freeway would need upgrading, given its age in many areas.
I-340 would be a better fit for this corridor. Why that number wasn't used before I-540 or even I-140 is puzzling to me.
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