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.

[The Ghostbuster]

Although there are stubs at the interchange with Interstate 40, I highly doubt the NC 192 extension will ever be built. NC 192 will likely always be just an Interstate 40-to-Interstate 74 connector.

[bob7374]

Spotted in the NC traffic camera image from the NC 66 exit on the Beltway looking west today, a new I-74 West / US 52 North pull through sign (and Mount Airy control city):


According to the sign plans, NCDOT is also including I-74 West on the ramp trailblazer signs at NC 66. They are doing this I guess because I-74 (like NC 74) officially will end, for now, at the next exit, NC 65.

[MBHockey13]

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.

Can confirm all the signs on I-40 West to the current I-74 East/Future NC-192 East signs have now been all converted to just NC-192 East - To Ridgewood Rd. signs.

[bob7374]

There's a new video out by D~Town Drives which covers I-74 West between I-85 and I-40, driving through the nearly completed Beltway interchange area. It includes the new NC 192 number for the I-40 East exit near the end:


Video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqAPJjRCUtg

[fillup420]

I still can't figure out why the number 192 was chosen for the little spur route. I feel like it should've been a number related to either 40 or 74.

the only x74 in use is for NC 274, and 340 is also available. They could even call back to the old days of NCDOT with a 74x or 40x number.

192 seems random and just doesn't make sense.

[Dirt Roads]

I still can't figure out why the number 192 was chosen for the little spur route. I feel like it should've been a number related to either 40 or 74.

the only x74 in use is for NC 274, and 340 is also available. They could even call back to the old days of NCDOT with a 74x or 40x number.

192 seems random and just doesn't make sense.

Somebody upthread suggested that perhaps NCDOT is trying to get folks unfamiliar with the area to utilize the new I-40 eastbound ramp -to- I-74 [southbound].  FHWA required that particular ramp for Interstate-to-Interstate traffic, but otherwise it is so redundant that nobody should ever need it.  NCDOT did not include such a ramp when the Durham Freeway was connected to I-85 back about 20 years ago or so.

[sprjus4]

I still can't figure out why the number 192 was chosen for the little spur route. I feel like it should've been a number related to either 40 or 74.

the only x74 in use is for NC 274, and 340 is also available. They could even call back to the old days of NCDOT with a 74x or 40x number.

192 seems random and just doesn't make sense.

Somebody upthread suggested that perhaps NCDOT is trying to get folks unfamiliar with the area to utilize the new I-40 eastbound ramp -to- I-74 [southbound].  FHWA required that particular ramp for Interstate-to-Interstate traffic, but otherwise it is so redundant that nobody should ever need it.  NCDOT did not include such a ramp when the Durham Freeway was connected to I-85 back about 20 years ago or so.

Even if they required the ramp, that doesn't mean NCDOT had to sign it that way. The current movement has a much higher capacity and design speed, and is more direct than the new ramps. You can direct traffic onto the old connection, and still have these new ramps and sign it appropriately at that location.

Even for people unfamiliar with the area, they're still going to follow their GPS.

[The Ghostbuster]

Is the reason the future NC 192 designation is being implemented, is because the existing Interstate 74 segment being bypassed is not up to Interstate Standards? Wikipedia suggests that the shoulders aren't wide enough (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_Highway_192), but as we all know, we must take Wikipedia information with a grain of salt.

[sprjus4]

Is the reason the future NC 192 designation is being implemented, is because the existing Interstate 74 segment being bypassed is not up to Interstate Standards? Wikipedia suggests that the shoulders aren't wide enough (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_Highway_192), but as we all know, we must take Wikipedia information with a grain of salt.

Take Wikipedia with a grain of salt, but Google Maps is free to use. Previously, the shoulders were not wide enough, but it seems they have widened the NC-192 portion with auxiliary lanes and full shoulders where needed.

[bob7374]

Is the reason the future NC 192 designation is being implemented, is because the existing Interstate 74 segment being bypassed is not up to Interstate Standards? Wikipedia suggests that the shoulders aren't wide enough (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_Highway_192), but as we all know, we must take Wikipedia information with a grain of salt.

Take Wikipedia with a grain of salt, but Google Maps is free to use. Previously, the shoulders were not wide enough, but it seems they have widened the NC-192 portion with auxiliary lanes and full shoulders where needed.

Based on the video posted above, the shoulders are now interstate standard for almost the complete distance of future NC 192 West from the Beltway interchange to I-40 with the exception being the last 1/4 mile or so. Probably the same in the other direction. Upgrade that and you have an interstate quality roadway that gives you even more reason not to use the new Beltway lanes when travelling between Winston-Salem and High Point.

[Molandfreak]

Honestly it's just refreshing to see NCDOT thinking that a stretch of freeway doesn't need to be an interstate.

[sprjus4]

Honestly it's just refreshing to see NCDOT thinking that a stretch of freeway doesn't need to be an interstate.

I don't think the DOT is designating interstates.

[PColumbus73]

We'll just treat it like we treat Wade Avenue, I guess

[sprjus4]

We'll just treat it like we treat Wade Avenue, I guess

The difference is Wade Avenue actually lists "To I-440".

But otherwise, agreed.

[Molandfreak]

Honestly it's just refreshing to see NCDOT thinking that a stretch of freeway doesn't need to be an interstate.

I don't think the DOT is designating interstates.

They are requesting the designations.

[Strider]

Spotted in the NC traffic camera image from the NC 66 exit on the Beltway looking west today, a new I-74 West / US 52 North pull through sign (and Mount Airy control city):


According to the sign plans, NCDOT is also including I-74 West on the ramp trailblazer signs at NC 66. They are doing this I guess because I-74 (like NC 74) officially will end, for now, at the next exit, NC 65.

According to this video link taken on June 17th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhkQzQlDSg4&t=11s, I-74 is signed on the overhead signage where US-52 splits away and the exit number has changed to Exit 41 from Exit 119 (the ground mounted Exit 119 was still there) but NC-74 shields were still there (no change).

You will have to scroll it all the way to 2:12:00 and start watching from there. This trucker drove on I-77 and I-74 for most of his/her channel. I'm guessing he/she is a local trucker.

I don't know if NCDOT already make some more changes since the video was taken, but I will have to assume they haven't as the video was kind of recent.

[carbaugh2]

According to this video link taken on June 17th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhkQzQlDSg4&t=11s, I-74 is signed on the overhead signage where US-52 splits away and the exit number has changed to Exit 41 from Exit 119 (the ground mounted Exit 119 was still there) but NC-74 shields were still there (no change).

You will have to scroll it all the way to 2:12:00 and start watching from there. This trucker drove on I-77 and I-74 for most of his/her channel. I'm guessing he/she is a local trucker.

I don't know if NCDOT already make some more changes since the video was taken, but I will have to assume they haven't as the video was kind of recent.

Thanks for the video referral. If you start at 2:04:00, you can see that the pavement rehabilitation project is widening the shoulders to interstate standards. With the project wording on the DriveNC alert, it still is a nice surprise to have that step towards I-74 through the area.

[bob7374]

According to this video link taken on June 17th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhkQzQlDSg4&t=11s, I-74 is signed on the overhead signage where US-52 splits away and the exit number has changed to Exit 41 from Exit 119 (the ground mounted Exit 119 was still there) but NC-74 shields were still there (no change).

You will have to scroll it all the way to 2:12:00 and start watching from there. This trucker drove on I-77 and I-74 for most of his/her channel. I'm guessing he/she is a local trucker.

I don't know if NCDOT already make some more changes since the video was taken, but I will have to assume they haven't as the video was kind of recent.

Thanks for the video referral. If you start at 2:04:00, you can see that the pavement rehabilitation project is widening the shoulders to interstate standards. With the project wording on the DriveNC alert, it still is a nice surprise to have that step towards I-74 through the area.

Other things noticed in the video: On the Beltway they had started placing enhanced I-74 shield mileposts next to the existing ones, covered over.
This is apparently what they are going to do with the I-74 reassurance markers as well as a traffic camera image taken of an East NC 74 marker beyond the NC 8 exit now shows a new sign post placed to the left of it as of Friday 6/26.
It also confirms the exit sign for New Walkertown Road now reads US 311 North.
It also shows no change to I-77 mileposts or exit numbers shown changed to I-74 versions in the Beltway project sign plans, supporting the view this work has been canceled.
With the shoulders being widened in Stokes County this leaves only the Surry County portion of Future I-74 north of Cook School Road with substandard versions with the current bridge replacement project at Toms Creek has widening the shoulders in the project area.
UPDATE: Curiously, a new traffic incident has appeared on the NCDOT traffic page in this exact area:
"Construction on US-52 Southbound in Surry County from Cook School Rd to I-74 Eastbound. All Lanes Intermittent.
Start Time   Jun 16 2024, 4:13 PM
Anticipated End Time   Dec 28 2027, 5:13 PM"
Will this involve shoulder widening too?

[sprjus4]

I-73/74 still has a portion south of Asheboro that lacks full depth right paved shoulders.

[Strider]

I-73/74 still has a portion south of Asheboro that lacks full depth right paved shoulders.

And that work was supposed to start a few years ago, but was postponed until sometime after 2035. SMH....

[bob7374]

I-73/74 still has a portion south of Asheboro that lacks full depth right paved shoulders.

As well as I-74 east of the Beltway interchange to Guilford County, apparently not included in the contract building that piece of I-74

[carbaugh2]

UPDATE: Curiously, a new traffic incident has appeared on the NCDOT traffic page in this exact area:
"Construction on US-52 Southbound in Surry County from Cook School Rd to I-74 Eastbound. All Lanes Intermittent.
Start Time   Jun 16 2024, 4:13 PM
Anticipated End Time   Dec 28 2027, 5:13 PM"
Will this involve shoulder widening too?

It's at the location of the Toms Creek bridge replacement and also has the same completion date listed as that project, so I think it's just an incorrect description.

[jcil4ever]

Here's a look at I-74 on 7/4:

360º View (you can pan around)

This stretch definitely looks close to completion, although I did see some work ongoing, especially on some of the bridges at I-40 (especially the tallest flyover), along with a lack of road paint and final alignment for 40. Only reference to NC-74 were assurance shields on the highway itself.

Looks like all the exits along the open portion of of the beltway have been updated to blue and white:


Here's a look at the end of NC-192: