Interstate 73/74

[bob7374]

I can confirm I just saw the I-74 West sign for the soon-to-be-NC-192 exit from I-40 West has been officially changed to NC-192 West - To Ridgewood Rd. I will try to get a picture tomorrow. Waze also had I-74 closed between the Ridgewood Rd and Union Cross Rd exits but it was still open - even if one lane. Ridgewood Rd. is now marked as Exit 2.

Yeah I saw the same sign this morning heading west on I-40 as well (the sign shows NC-192 East to Ridgewood Rd). I'm surprised to see that sign up that early.... sounds like the I-74 Beltway may be open sooner than later.

Happy Birthday to me... lol

It's very apparent that NCDOT wants traffic bound for I-74 East to continue along I-40 East and use the new Beltway interchange and not exit at what will be NC 192. You would think they would at least put up some temporary signage until the Beltway exit is open, perhaps they are assuming everyone has GPS and will be notified how to get to I-74.

[Strider]

I can confirm I just saw the I-74 West sign for the soon-to-be-NC-192 exit from I-40 West has been officially changed to NC-192 West - To Ridgewood Rd. I will try to get a picture tomorrow. Waze also had I-74 closed between the Ridgewood Rd and Union Cross Rd exits but it was still open - even if one lane. Ridgewood Rd. is now marked as Exit 2.

Yeah I saw the same sign this morning heading west on I-40 as well (the sign shows NC-192 East to Ridgewood Rd). I'm surprised to see that sign up that early.... sounds like the I-74 Beltway may be open sooner than later.

Happy Birthday to me... lol

It's very apparent that NCDOT wants traffic bound for I-74 East to continue along I-40 East and use the new Beltway interchange and not exit at what will be NC 192. You would think they would at least put up some temporary signage until the Beltway exit is open, perhaps they are assuming everyone has GPS and will be notified how to get to I-74.

I think most traffic will use NC-192W to go to I-40W for two reasons: 1. It is the usual route and everyone knows that route very well. and 2. The ramp from I-74W to I-40W is a tight 25mph loop ramp. Truckers aren't going to like that ramp and will take NC-192W instead.

The same goes for I-40E to NC-192E as it is the usual route that is well-known and the I-74 interchange is 2 miles east of it. Not everyone is going to drive east on I-40 for 2 more miles to get to I-74E.

I'm not sure what NCDOT's plan for NC-192 extension north to US-421 and US-158 interchange as it has been removed from W-S DOT's planning for time being. At least if a driver missed an exit in that area, he/she can use either interchange to get back on the way and/or if NCDOT needs to close NC-192 or I-74 between their interchange and I-40 for any reason, at least there is a detour already in place.