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[bob7374]

NCDOT finally got around to approving the signing of US 74 Bypass along the Monroe Expressway in a May 21 ordinances post, almost 6 months after asking AASHTO for its approval:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Ordinance%20Packages/2019/2019_05_21.pdf

[sprjus4]

NCDOT finally got around to approving the signing of US 74 Bypass along the Monroe Expressway in a May 21 ordinances post, almost 6 months after asking AASHTO for its approval:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Ordinance%20Packages/2019/2019_05_21.pdf

US-74 Bypass is already posted on the Monroe Expressway... it has been since November 27 when it opened.

[froggie]

^ What Bob is saying is that NCDOT's internal record keeping finally caught up.

[tolbs17]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

[sprjus4]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Haven't been on it yet, but from what I've heard yes.

It's 15-30 minutes faster than the toll free route, and the toll is only $2.54 with an E-ZPass or NC Quick Pass for the entire 20 miles.

If my travels took me down the US-74 corridor, I'd definitely use it without question.

[tolbs17]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Haven't been on it yet, but from what I've heard yes.

It's 15-30 minutes faster than the toll free route, and the toll is only $2.54 with an E-ZPass or NC Quick Pass for the entire 20 miles.

If my travels took me down the US-74 corridor, I'd definitely use it without question.

I can do that. I can dig $2.54. If it's $10 then no.

[tolbs17]

Never been to Charlotte either, once I go there, I will tell you about it when I drive on that road.

[Verlanka]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Probably not. Better to stick to the old route, I guess.

[tolbs17]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Probably not. Better to stick to the old route, I guess.

Yeah. I'm not sure why they want to toll routes in the first place. It won't take much traffic off the old route.

[sprjus4]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Probably not. Better to stick to the old route, I guess.

Yeah. I'm not sure why they want to toll routes in the first place. It won't take much traffic off the old route.

They toll the routes because there’s not enough funding to pay for it traditionally. They don’t just toll routes for no reason. All of that toll revenue goes directly into paying the road off.

The Monroe Expressway hasn’t had traffic counts released yet, but based on toll transactions, it’s a very successful roadway and has drawn a significant amount of traffic onto it, especially long-distance traffic.

[tolbs17]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Probably not. Better to stick to the old route, I guess.

Yeah. I'm not sure why they want to toll routes in the first place. It won't take much traffic off the old route.

They toll the routes because there’s not enough funding to pay for it traditionally. They don’t just toll routes for no reason. All of that toll revenue goes directly into paying the road off.

The Monroe Expressway hasn’t had traffic counts released yet, but based on toll transactions, it’s a very successful roadway and has drawn a significant amount of traffic onto it, especially long-distance traffic.

I didn't know many people like paying for tolls.

[sprjus4]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Probably not. Better to stick to the old route, I guess.

Yeah. I'm not sure why they want to toll routes in the first place. It won't take much traffic off the old route.

They toll the routes because there’s not enough funding to pay for it traditionally. They don’t just toll routes for no reason. All of that toll revenue goes directly into paying the road off.

The Monroe Expressway hasn’t had traffic counts released yet, but based on toll transactions, it’s a very successful roadway and has drawn a significant amount of traffic onto it, especially long-distance traffic.

I didn't know many people like paying for tolls.

That’s just not true.

For the Monroe, the incentive of bypassing heavy congestion on the old road and getting places 20 minutes faster outweighs the toll cost.

[tolbs17]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Probably not. Better to stick to the old route, I guess.

Yeah. I'm not sure why they want to toll routes in the first place. It won't take much traffic off the old route.

They toll the routes because there’s not enough funding to pay for it traditionally. They don’t just toll routes for no reason. All of that toll revenue goes directly into paying the road off.

The Monroe Expressway hasn’t had traffic counts released yet, but based on toll transactions, it’s a very successful roadway and has drawn a significant amount of traffic onto it, especially long-distance traffic.

I didn't know many people like paying for tolls.

That’s just not true.

For the Monroe, the incentive of bypassing heavy congestion on the old road and getting places 20 minutes faster outweighs the toll cost.

Yeah. Look at differences between toll and gas.

[index]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Probably not. Better to stick to the old route, I guess.

Yeah. I'm not sure why they want to toll routes in the first place. It won't take much traffic off the old route.

They toll the routes because there’s not enough funding to pay for it traditionally. They don’t just toll routes for no reason. All of that toll revenue goes directly into paying the road off.

The Monroe Expressway hasn’t had traffic counts released yet, but based on toll transactions, it’s a very successful roadway and has drawn a significant amount of traffic onto it, especially long-distance traffic.

Despite this, I have seen a pretty considerable amount of shunpiking from locals around me, who are reluctant to start using the bypass.

[fillup420]

Is the new bypass worth driving on since you have to pay tolls? I'm just asking.

Probably not. Better to stick to the old route, I guess.

100% false

The bypass skips over 22 stoplights, and several more at-grade “superstreet” intersections. Monroe is a major choke point on the Asheville-Charlotte-Wilmington corridor. That $2.54 can easily save upwards of 45 minutes during peak times. I grew up driving through there on 74, and drove the bypass when it opened. Total game changer.

Now for local traffic, it may not make as much sense to use the bypass due to it being a bit outside of town, but US 74 has become a heavily traveled long distance route, so taking that traffic off the local road makes a lot of sense.

[Chris]

I didn't know many people like paying for tolls.

A quote in the toll industry I've read is that 'people don't like paying tolls, but people like what toll roads provide'. In other words, the tolls must add value for people. Which the Monroe Expressway evidently does.

[sprjus4]

I didn't know many people like paying for tolls.

A quote in the toll industry I've read is that 'people don't like paying tolls, but people like what toll roads provide'. In other words, the tolls must add value for people. Which the Monroe Expressway evidently does.

One of the reasons roads like the New Jersey Turnpike are very successful.

Some toll roads here in Virginia like the VA-168 Chesapeake Expressway and the VA-895 Pocahontas Parkway on the other hand aren't that successful. They make enough to maintain the road (mostly due to high toll rates for short distances) but they don't draw the traffic volumes that they could if they were toll free. More people shunpike the roads then actually use them.

[RoadPelican]

I didn't know many people like paying for tolls.

A quote in the toll industry I've read is that 'people don't like paying tolls, but people like what toll roads provide'. In other words, the tolls must add value for people. Which the Monroe Expressway evidently does.

One of the reasons roads like the New Jersey Turnpike are very successful.

Some toll roads here in Virginia like the VA-168 Chesapeake Expressway and the VA-895 Pocahontas Parkway on the other hand aren't that successful. They make enough to maintain the road (mostly due to high toll rates for short distances) but they don't draw the traffic volumes that they could if they were toll free. More people shunpike the roads then actually use them.

Plus, the Chesapeake Expressway has a painfully slow 55 MPH, the same as the free US 17 a few miles west.

[sprjus4]

Plus, the Chesapeake Expressway has a painfully slow 55 MPH, the same as the free US 17 a few miles west.

Two issues with US-17 - It doesn't get you towards the Outer Banks and you have to take US-158 through Elizabeth City to cut over. Also, Dominion Blvd (the northern part of US-17 between George Washington Hwy and I-64) was recently expanded into a 4-lane freeway / expressway with a high-rise fixed span toll bridge over the Elizabeth River. It's only $1.16 as of now though, so it's still cheaper than the Expressway, but not free.

The best way to shunpike the Expressway going south is to get off at Exit 8, then drive down VA-168 Business for about 6 miles, then you get back on. It's only 3-5 minutes slower without traffic, and for saving $3 or $8 on weekends, it's worth it.

I agree, the Expressway should be 65 mph (or at minimum 60 mph) between south of Exit 11 and the end of the freeway. North of there is more urbanized and has some substandard design features, so 55 mph (or maybe 60 mph) is reasonable. US-17 reasonable could be 65 mph as it's limited-access, is designed like a rural freeway, but due to the few intersections, it can only be 60 mph, but that's still higher than the current 55 mph. North Carolina raised their section to 60 mph, Chesapeake needs to do the same.

[Mapmikey]

Plus, the Chesapeake Expressway has a painfully slow 55 MPH, the same as the free US 17 a few miles west.

Two issues with US-17 - It doesn't get you towards the Outer Banks and you have to take US-158 through Elizabeth City to cut over. Also, Dominion Blvd (the northern part of US-17 between George Washington Hwy and I-64) was recently expanded into a 4-lane freeway / expressway with a high-rise fixed span toll bridge over the Elizabeth River. It's only $1.16 as of now though, so it's still cheaper than the Expressway, but not free.
.

Using NC 343 shaves several minutes off of a US 17 to US 158 through Eliz City routing

[sprjus4]

Plus, the Chesapeake Expressway has a painfully slow 55 MPH, the same as the free US 17 a few miles west.

Two issues with US-17 - It doesn't get you towards the Outer Banks and you have to take US-158 through Elizabeth City to cut over. Also, Dominion Blvd (the northern part of US-17 between George Washington Hwy and I-64) was recently expanded into a 4-lane freeway / expressway with a high-rise fixed span toll bridge over the Elizabeth River. It's only $1.16 as of now though, so it's still cheaper than the Expressway, but not free.
.

Using NC 343 shaves several minutes off of a US 17 to US 158 through Eliz City routing

That is another option, but it's still slower than VA-168 overall.

Though now that US-158 is getting widened to 4-lanes all the way to NC-168, that will make that route more attractive.

If you're looking to avoid heavy weekend rush and the hefty toll, US-17 to NC-343 to US-158 may be a good alternative.

Years or even decades away, but long-range plans call for eliminating the intersection with US-17 / NC-343 (replacing it with an overpass over the highway then onto a new frontage road) when it's upgraded into I-87 - you'd have to get off at an interchange at Horseshoe Rd then travel through South Mills and over the drawbridge. That could change, but there's no good way to put an interchange at NC-343.

[sprjus4]

Bumping this thread, Street View from May / June 2019 has been added along the entire length of the Monroe Expressway.

From US-601 northwards, it's only in the southbound direction, and both directions from south of US-601.