I-40 in North Carolina

[architect77]

It was my intention to ask if Interstate 40 would be tolled to pay for the improvements suggested. Sorry I wasn't more specific.

I made a far-reaching assumption about what you meant. I apologize.

[carbaugh2]

Big Rig Steve traveled on I-40 through the Raleigh-Durham area on Friday. You can see the progress of the widening project around the 1:24:00 mark.

[bob7374]

Big Rig Steve traveled on I-40 through the Raleigh-Durham area on Friday. You can see the progress of the widening project around the 1:24:00 mark.

Looks like there's still much work yet to be done. Meanwhile, at the I-42/NC 540 interchange, I'm glad they finally removed the West US 70 reassurance marker after the I-42 on-ramp.

[webny99]

Has there been any official talk or proposals to widen the last 13 miles of I-40 from I-95 to the 8-lane segment south of Raleigh? I would think this will need to become high priority once the I-95 projects are complete. I noticed that it was pretty congested on Monday with traffic returning from their weekend destinations, especially the merge from I-95.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I've only found one proposed widening project between N.C. 4236 and N.C. 210. Appears to have been proposed as eight lanes during project Prioritization 6 and six lanes during Prioritization 7. Didn't score high enough to make it into the STIP either time. Draft statewide mobility scores for P8/2028 STIP were supposed to be released by the end of this month, but that didn't happen.

https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/Prioritization%20Data/Z%20-%20Archives%20(P7,%20P6,%20P5,%20P4,%20P3,%20P2,%20P1)/Prioritization%206.0/Final%20PDF%20Reports/Division%2004/H192754%20-%20P6%20Project%20Report.pdf

[webny99]

I've only found one proposed widening project between N.C. 4236 and N.C. 210. Appears to have been proposed as eight lanes during project Prioritization 6 and six lanes during Prioritization 7. Didn't score high enough to make it into the STIP either time. Draft statewide mobility scores for P8/2028 STIP were supposed to be released by the end of this month, but that didn't happen.

https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/Prioritization%20Data/Z%20-%20Archives%20(P7,%20P6,%20P5,%20P4,%20P3,%20P2,%20P1)/Prioritization%206.0/Final%20PDF%20Reports/Division%2004/H192754%20-%20P6%20Project%20Report.pdf

Thanks for sharing! I would actually think that I-95 to NC 242 would be a higher priority due to the merge  from I-95, followed by south of NC 36 to NC 210 and finally filling in the gap from NC 210 to NC 242. Volumes are highest north of NC 210 though so perhaps I am overrating weekend vs. commuter traffic.

[ARMOURERERIC]

They need to get going on widening exit 121-130, the row already exists 123-132

[wriddle082]

The bridge reconstruction project at the Fines Creek exit (Exit 15) and over the Pigeon River and one or two other bridges to the east is starting to wrap up.  Most importantly, two lanes are open in each direction in this area (I think since right before Memorial Day weekend), but I'm sure there will be additional temporary lane closures for center barrier wall reconstruction and to dismantle the gantry crane going over the whole highway at one of the bridges.

So now it's only one lane in each direction in the area of the big washout, from near the Tennessee Welcome Center at TN mm 446 to just past the Harmon Den exit at NC mm 7, which I think is a little over 13 miles total.

[Dirt Roads]

On Wednesday evening, I was surprised to find that the new APL signage approaching the I-85/I-40 split near Hillsborough had been installed earlier in the week.  This installation is related to the I-40 widening in Orange County.  As mentioned previously (either upstream or in a related thread), there were some short-term lane closures in the far left lane approaching the split to replace the foundations for the two BGS sign gantry bridges located east of Exit 161.  Both of those of were replaced and the old gantries apparently were removed at the same time. 

Between Exit 160 and Exit 161, the old BGS sign gantry was not replaced and still has the original diagrammatic version.  Although this is technically outside of the I-40 widening project limits, I was surprised that NCDOT didn't add this sign to the project scope.  The contractor offices and staging area are located on the other side of the fence alongside the C/D ramps, and moreso, the signage subcontractor staged the two new gantries on the inside of the fence right across from this old BGS gantry.

At the one-mile approach, the new APL signage simply replaces the old signage.  Two left lanes to I-85 and Durham; "middle" lane (second lane over) to both I-85 and I-40; and the far right lane to I-40 and Raleigh.  The signs are actually big enough to support another row of destinations or control cities on the signs.  (There is supplemental signage downstream that reminds everyone that North Durham is on I-85 and South Durham is on I-40).

At the approach itself, the APL is wider and will eventually accommodate an additional right lane to I-40.  Currently, the arrow for the original right lane is supplemented with the yellow "EXIT" and "ONLY" tabs on either side of the arrow.  The new lane is nearly completed and the APL should give the same information.  After the widening, the upgraded I-40 will officially be "more important" than I-85 so I'm surprised that NCDOT slapped the Exit Only tabs on the APL.  This will no longer need to function as an "exit" to I-40.

[sprjus4]

On Wednesday evening, I was surprised to find that the new APL signage approaching the I-85/I-40 split near Hillsborough had been installed earlier in the week.  This installation is related to the I-40 widening in Orange County.  As mentioned previously (either upstream or in a related thread), there were some short-term lane closures in the far left lane approaching the split to replace the foundations for the two BGS sign gantry bridges located east of Exit 161.  Both of those of were replaced and the old gantries apparently were removed at the same time. 

Between Exit 160 and Exit 161, the old BGS sign gantry was not replaced and still has the original diagrammatic version.  Although this is technically outside of the I-40 widening project limits, I was surprised that NCDOT didn't add this sign to the project scope.  The contractor offices and staging area are located on the other side of the fence alongside the C/D ramps, and moreso, the signage subcontractor staged the two new gantries on the inside of the fence right across from this old BGS gantry.

At the one-mile approach, the new APL signage simply replaces the old signage.  Two left lanes to I-85 and Durham; "middle" lane (second lane over) to both I-85 and I-40; and the far right lane to I-40 and Raleigh.  The signs are actually big enough to support another row of destinations or control cities on the signs.  (There is supplemental signage downstream that reminds everyone that North Durham is on I-85 and South Durham is on I-40).

At the approach itself, the APL is wider and will eventually accommodate an additional right lane to I-40.  Currently, the arrow for the original right lane is supplemented with the yellow "EXIT" and "ONLY" tabs on either side of the arrow.  The new lane is nearly completed and the APL should give the same information.  After the widening, the upgraded I-40 will officially be "more important" than I-85 so I'm surprised that NCDOT slapped the Exit Only tabs on the APL.  This will no longer need to function as an "exit" to I-40.

Will the new ultimate lane setup be 2 left lanes to I-85, middle lane to both, and right 2 lanes to I-40?

So three lanes to each highway?

[Dirt Roads]

Will the new ultimate lane setup be 2 left lanes to I-85, middle lane to both, and right 2 lanes to I-40?

So three lanes to each highway?

Correct.  The new far right lane will form just after the Sevenmile Creek bridge that is about a mile west of the split.

[architect77]

On Wednesday evening, I was surprised to find that the new APL signage approaching the I-85/I-40 split near Hillsborough had been installed earlier in the week.  This installation is related to the I-40 widening in Orange County.  As mentioned previously (either upstream or in a related thread), there were some short-term lane closures in the far left lane approaching the split to replace the foundations for the two BGS sign gantry bridges located east of Exit 161.  Both of those of were replaced and the old gantries apparently were removed at the same time. 

Between Exit 160 and Exit 161, the old BGS sign gantry was not replaced and still has the original diagrammatic version.  Although this is technically outside of the I-40 widening project limits, I was surprised that NCDOT didn't add this sign to the project scope.  The contractor offices and staging area are located on the other side of the fence alongside the C/D ramps, and moreso, the signage subcontractor staged the two new gantries on the inside of the fence right across from this old BGS gantry.

At the one-mile approach, the new APL signage simply replaces the old signage.  Two left lanes to I-85 and Durham; "middle" lane (second lane over) to both I-85 and I-40; and the far right lane to I-40 and Raleigh.  The signs are actually big enough to support another row of destinations or control cities on the signs.  (There is supplemental signage downstream that reminds everyone that North Durham is on I-85 and South Durham is on I-40).

At the approach itself, the APL is wider and will eventually accommodate an additional right lane to I-40.  Currently, the arrow for the original right lane is supplemented with the yellow "EXIT" and "ONLY" tabs on either side of the arrow.  The new lane is nearly completed and the APL should give the same information.  After the widening, the upgraded I-40 will officially be "more important" than I-85 so I'm surprised that NCDOT slapped the Exit Only tabs on the APL.  This will no longer need to function as an "exit" to I-40.

The old signs at this interstate split must have invoked feelings in people over the decades.

I had many coworkers in Atlanta who knew I was from the Triangle area literally call me out of the blue when they drove through there on the way to places further North. They would say, "I passed by the Raleigh exit" or similar dating back to the 90s when the 40/85 duplex was just completed.

So the lay of the land or something about this split must command respect in the eyes of visitors.

When you say you're surprised they only replaced one overhead sign, it's because they are cost-cutting, and that's because they haven't increased the gas tax like all the other states have.

GA maintains less than half the mileage of roads and the state gas tax is 33 cents per gallon.

NC maintains 80,000 miles and must repair hurricane damage every few years but only collects 41 cents per gallon.

NC's state gas tax is now in the middle of what other states collect despite it maintaining the 2nd largest system. It needs to be increased.

[RoadPelican]

I don't think the gas tax in NC should be raised. The DMV in NC already raises fees every 4 years and these are tied to the rate of inflation. They were last raised in 2024 and a lot of us residents here were sticker shocked because our annual registration fee went from $36 to $44 and renewing our Driver's License went from $44 to $52, granted the DL is over a 8 year period but still the state gets plenty of money for roads. We are one of the fastest growing states in the country and we have to pay property taxes on vehicles here too, every single year! And we are still one of 15 unlucky states that require annual vehicle inspections

Also, we are surrounded with states that have lower gas taxes and prices so raising the gas tax here would just make more people buy gas in VA or SC on their way to and from Florida.

[Dirt Roads]

The old signs at this interstate split must have invoked feelings in people over the decades.

I had many coworkers in Atlanta who knew I was from the Triangle area literally call me out of the blue when they drove through there on the way to places further North. They would say, "I passed by the Raleigh exit" or similar dating back to the 90s when the 40/85 duplex was just completed.

So the lay of the land or something about this split must command respect in the eyes of visitors.

I wasn't here back then, but the locals here feel like Exit 163 is an "exit off the main road". 

When you say you're surprised they only replaced one overhead sign, it's because they are cost-cutting, and that's because they haven't increased the gas tax like all the other states have.

Actually, two sets of diagrammatic signs were replaced with APLs, both in the construction zone limits for the I-40 widening (hopefully that is clear in the original post).  The one diagrammatic BGS that remains is quite a bit west of the construction zone limits.

[jdunlop]

NC maintains 80,000 miles and must repair hurricane damage every few years but only collects 41 cents per gallon.

NC's state gas tax is now in the middle of what other states collect despite it maintaining the 2nd largest system. It needs to be increased.

The NCSL changed the funding mechanism for NCDOT a few years ago, recognizing that the gas tax alone would not suffice, as revenues were decreasing due to improved gas mileage and electric vehicles.  A portion of the state sales tax revenue (~176M in the new budget) is directed to Department needs.  This amount, based on a quick calculation from the new budget (the sales tax allocation divided by the gas tax revenue), equates to a roughly 9% increase in the gas tax.

[CanesFan27]

NC maintains 80,000 miles and must repair hurricane damage every few years but only collects 41 cents per gallon.

NC's state gas tax is now in the middle of what other states collect despite it maintaining the 2nd largest system. It needs to be increased.

The NCSL changed the funding mechanism for NCDOT a few years ago, recognizing that the gas tax alone would not suffice, as revenues were decreasing due to improved gas mileage and electric vehicles.  A portion of the state sales tax revenue (~176M in the new budget) is directed to Department needs.  This amount, based on a quick calculation from the new budget (the sales tax allocation divided by the gas tax revenue), equates to a roughly 9% increase in the gas tax.

And I have done enough focus groups on what the best solutions to this can or could be.  It's been interesting

[wriddle082]

NC maintains 80,000 miles and must repair hurricane damage every few years but only collects 41 cents per gallon.

NC's state gas tax is now in the middle of what other states collect despite it maintaining the 2nd largest system. It needs to be increased.

The NCSL changed the funding mechanism for NCDOT a few years ago, recognizing that the gas tax alone would not suffice, as revenues were decreasing due to improved gas mileage and electric vehicles.  A portion of the state sales tax revenue (~176M in the new budget) is directed to Department needs.  This amount, based on a quick calculation from the new budget (the sales tax allocation divided by the gas tax revenue), equates to a roughly 9% increase in the gas tax.

And I have done enough focus groups on what the best solutions to this can or could be.  It's been interesting

Do electric vehicles pay an annual surcharge on vehicle registrations to offset what they're saving on the gas tax?  Many states do this now.

[jdunlop]

Yes to a surcharge for EVs; the rate is $214.50/year.  That is almost exactly what I paid in gas tax in the past 12 months (my gallons times the 41.25 cents/gallon, noting that not all my gasoline was purchased in NC.  I drove about 15.5K last year; my average while still working was closer to 30K.)

Regarding gas tax replacement, the likely substitute is going to be a mileage tax.  Based on the EV tax, at 16K (a reasonable average), the rate would be between 1.4-1.5 cents/mile. 
The question is if it'll be applied just in the state of registration (requiring just an odometer read) or if it'll be per state driven in, which would require a GPS and raise many privacy questions.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Doesn't Texas now have a highway dedicated 2% sales tax on auto parts?

[architect77]

NC maintains 80,000 miles and must repair hurricane damage every few years but only collects 41 cents per gallon.

NC's state gas tax is now in the middle of what other states collect despite it maintaining the 2nd largest system. It needs to be increased.

The NCSL changed the funding mechanism for NCDOT a few years ago, recognizing that the gas tax alone would not suffice, as revenues were decreasing due to improved gas mileage and electric vehicles.  A portion of the state sales tax revenue (~176M in the new budget) is directed to Department needs.  This amount, based on a quick calculation from the new budget (the sales tax allocation divided by the gas tax revenue), equates to a roughly 9% increase in the gas tax.

I forgot about the 5% of the state sales tax which is a good start, however I think they need to anticipate hurricane damage every 2 years from now on and have funding to address it without impacting their normal duties.

Florida now spends $16 billion a year on its highways, GA spends $5-6 billion a year on 35,000 miles or so of state roads, and NC spends $8.3 billion on 80,000 miles plus ferries, airports, transit.

I don't like the cost cutting in NC with it's skimpy small overheads, less precise typesetting, single posts holding up shoulder signs, etc. I mean they don't have to light the overheads anymore, and they should be keeping all highway lighting working perfectly and continue lighting up the overheads that have lights. It looks fantastic driving through Greenville, SC to have new overheads lit up even with the reflective technology.

County roads throughout NC also need a lot of small signs replaced like driving over culverts and creeks where the yellow caution signs are all old, bent out of shape with shotgun holes in them. One of the nation's fastest growing states shouldn't be greeting new residents with decaying and overlooked road infrastructure.

[architect77]

Yes to a surcharge for EVs; the rate is $214.50/year.  That is almost exactly what I paid in gas tax in the past 12 months (my gallons times the 41.25 cents/gallon, noting that not all my gasoline was purchased in NC.  I drove about 15.5K last year; my average while still working was closer to 30K.)

Regarding gas tax replacement, the likely substitute is going to be a mileage tax.  Based on the EV tax, at 16K (a reasonable average), the rate would be between 1.4-1.5 cents/mile. 
The question is if it'll be applied just in the state of registration (requiring just an odometer read) or if it'll be per state driven in, which would require a GPS and raise many privacy questions.

How about a congressman with the courage to get the federal 18.4 cent gas tax increased since it's been 33 years since Bill Clinton's term since it was last increased?

[Rothman]

Florida now spends $16 billion a year on its highways, GA spends $5-6 billion a year on 35,000 miles or so of state roads, and NC spends $8.3 billion on 80,000 miles plus ferries, airports, transit.

These don't look like apples-to-apples numbers to me.  Looks like they're including local and other spending in Florida and not the other states mentioned, or at least not taking into account how different states fund transportation improvements.

[sprjus4]

I don't like the cost cutting in NC with its skimpy small overheads, less precise typesetting, single posts holding up shoulder signs, etc. I mean they don't have to light the overheads anymore, and they should be keeping all highway lighting working perfectly and continue lighting up the overheads that have lights. It looks fantastic driving through Greenville, SC to have new overheads lit up even with the reflective technology.

This might be a nice to have, but these are not necessities. In my experience, North Carolina still has better signage than a lot of states, even with this so called "cost cutting".

[Beltway]

Florida now spends $16 billion a year on its highways, GA spends $5-6 billion a year on 35,000 miles or so of state roads, and NC spends $8.3 billion on 80,000 miles plus ferries, airports, transit.

Florida's total transportation budget runs about $15.1-15.4 billion, but that figure covers the entire multimodal system -- not just highways. It includes highways, bridges, resurfacing, airports, seaports, rail-and-freight, spaceport infrastructure, statewide safety programs, and rural infrastructure.

When you isolate only the highway portion --construction, maintenance, resurfacing, and preservation -- Florida spends roughly $4.9-5.4 billion, not $16 billion. That smaller figure is what FDOT's FY25-26 and FY2-27 budget presentations actually show for highway‑specific expenditures.

[wriddle082]

I don't like the cost cutting in NC with its skimpy small overheads, less precise typesetting, single posts holding up shoulder signs, etc. I mean they don't have to light the overheads anymore, and they should be keeping all highway lighting working perfectly and continue lighting up the overheads that have lights. It looks fantastic driving through Greenville, SC to have new overheads lit up even with the reflective technology.

This might be a nice to have, but these are not necessities. In my experience, North Carolina still has better signage than a lot of states, even with this so called "cost cutting".

Yes the signage is good and is getting better, but lighting and visibility in general, especially in poor weather conditions, is a big issue.  Whatever cheap thermoplastic they use for line paint pretty much disappears at night when it rains, and their maintenance forces don't bother to maintain it until it completely disappears.  Reflectors may be installed on resurfacing projects, but are rarely maintained/replaced as needed.  And many freeway lights don't work, especially in Charlotte.

Roadway visibility is very much a necessity, especially during bad weather, to prevent accidents.