I-26

[wriddle082]

And how the hell did NCDOT get away with designing what appears to be a left exit and left entrance for the westbound lanes?

NCDOT seems to have a thing for left exits and entrances... whereas most other states have realized they're not a good idea and have shifted away from them.

This is a very poor and dangerous design.

These left exits are also a lame excuse for why NC still has not implemented any sort of traffic laws targeting left lane bandits.  These days, many of the LLB's I come across are sporting NC plates.

[chrisdiaz]

And how the hell did NCDOT get away with designing what appears to be a left exit and left entrance for the westbound lanes?

NCDOT seems to have a thing for left exits and entrances... whereas most other states have realized they're not a good idea and have shifted away from them.

This is a very poor and dangerous design.

These left exits are also a lame excuse for why NC still has not implemented any sort of traffic laws targeting left lane bandits.  These days, many of the LLB's I come across are sporting NC plates.

I definitely agree. In fact, my friends and I often joke that its someone from NC before the license plate comes into view.

[fillup420]

And how the hell did NCDOT get away with designing what appears to be a left exit and left entrance for the westbound lanes?

NCDOT seems to have a thing for left exits and entrances... whereas most other states have realized they're not a good idea and have shifted away from them.

This is a very poor and dangerous design.

These left exits are also a lame excuse for why NC still has not implemented any sort of traffic laws targeting left lane bandits.  These days, many of the LLB's I come across are sporting NC plates.

I definitely agree. In fact, my friends and I often joke that its someone from NC before the license plate comes into view.

I never wanted to believe this about my home state, but after extensive driving in other states... most folks do actually move back over after passing, or at least to let you pass. But here, I regularly see drivers enter a freeway and immediately go all the way left, and plant firmly at the speed limit in the left lane. Its kinda ridiculous. 

[freebrickproductions]

And how the hell did NCDOT get away with designing what appears to be a left exit and left entrance for the westbound lanes?

NCDOT seems to have a thing for left exits and entrances... whereas most other states have realized they're not a good idea and have shifted away from them.

This is a very poor and dangerous design.

These left exits are also a lame excuse for why NC still has not implemented any sort of traffic laws targeting left lane bandits.  These days, many of the LLB's I come across are sporting NC plates.

I definitely agree. In fact, my friends and I often joke that its someone from NC before the license plate comes into view.

I never wanted to believe this about my home state, but after extensive driving in other states... most folks do actually move back over after passing, or at least to let you pass. But here, I regularly see drivers enter a freeway and immediately go all the way left, and plant firmly at the speed limit in the left lane. Its kinda ridiculous. 

I honestly have to wonder if folks like that just simply think God's called on 'em to be a volunteer traffic cop or something...

[bob7374]

NCDOT post about upcoming I-26 Connector project related rock removal operations:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2026/2026-03-10-rock-removal-i-26-connector.aspx

(for those who think driving I-26 is already a blast.  )

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I wish they'd quit referring to this part of the project as the I-26 connector. Nearly all work for this section (including this blasting) is on I-40.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

From what I could tell this past weekend (3/7), the Green River bridges is substantially complete. No temporary barriers and full width across both directions of travel. The roadway approaches on both sides are still being worked on, but shouldn't be much left.

[bob7374]

The FHWA has apparently approved construction of the northern section of the I-26 Connector project:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2026/2026-03-26-i-26-connector-federal-approval.aspx

[cowboy_wilhelm]

The final(?!) traffic shift will occur tomorrow morning for eastbound traffic.

[bob7374]

Permanent ramp closures have been announced as part of the I-26 Connector project:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2026/04-10-26-i-26-ramp-closures.aspx

[bob7374]

NCDOT held a groundbreaking for the I-26 Connector Project on Thursday, they expect completion by 2031:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2026/2026-04-23-interstate-26-connector-groundbreaking.aspx

[cowboy_wilhelm]

There will be overnight closures in both directions this week between exits 33 and 37/40 in Buncombe County "in preparation for an increase in lane capacity."

https://drivenc.gov/?type=incident&id=771654
https://drivenc.gov/?type=incident&id=771659