cowboy_wilhelm

Here's a project breakdown map of the western portion (R-2248). Note that it does not include the turbine interchange with 85 on the northern side (R-2123CE), which was around $100M itself. I'm not sure how the southeastern/eastern sections were split up, but R-2123 appears to be the project number. Not sure about additional interchanges and any widening either. I'm bad at math, but it's more than half a billion dollars just for that side. It will be hard to get exact numbers without digging up the contracts. Even then that is only the construction costs and doesn't include planning/design, R/W and utilities.

I'm pretty sure the Raleigh News & Observer did something like this several years ago. They had a spreadsheet that broke out dollars spent by NCDOT per county and per capita over the past x years. I can't remember the exact details, and I have no idea if you could find it today either.

It's a shame they're making the Asheboro bypass in the shape of a horseshoe to get traffic as close as possible to the NC Zoo. Unless traffic is especially heavy in Asheboro, it's only going to shave a couple of minutes off the trip. The only improvement coming for 64 between Asheboro and Apex is an "access management" (median) project through Siler City. There may be a few smaller intersection upgrades as well (a few have already become "superstreets" with the forced U-turn to make a left). A major upgrade is coming in a few years for the section between Apex and US 1, which is the worst part of the whole stretch. NCDOT has no additional widening projects scheduled for NC 49 at this time. None of the projects scored high enough in the prioritization process to receive funding. There are three widening projects scheduled for US 64 between Asheboro and I-85. I don't know if they think this is a better alternative than 49? Traffic volumes are slightly higher at 8,000-11,000 AADT versus 4,000-8,000 on NC 49, and it's less overall distance to upgrade and widen. It's estimated at $147 million for all three projects, and that's still leaving a gap in the middle. Enjoy your tolls on 77.

This is a well-written article from The News & Observer discussing the implementation and status of PTC in North Carolina. It also mentions that the third Piedmont service will begin in May (first updated date I've seen), and the fourth in 2020.

This is a well-written article from The News & Observer discussing the implementation and status of PTC in North Carolina. It also mentions that the third Piedmont service will begin in May (first updated date I've seen), and the fourth in 2020.

Anyone know if they're on schedule to finish this year? It doesn't really look like it, and I can't find the project on the NCDOT Construction Progress Report.

The NCRR is nowhere close to being double-tracked between Greensboro and Raleigh. They've added a few passing sidings, but it's probably 90%+ single track.

I-5000 Roadway Plans This sheet from the signing plans gives a good overview with less detail.

The N. C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting in January regarding sections D and E of the proposed Shelby Bypass project in Cleveland County.Section D extends from west of N.C. 150 to U.S. 74 west of Long Branch RoadSection E extends from U.S. 74 west of Long Branch Road to west of Stony Point Road at U.S. 74 Business in Kings Mountain.The public meeting will be held Thursday, January 18, 2018 between 4 and 7 p.m. at Elizabeth Baptist Church located at 301 North Post Road in Shelby.R-2707D Public Meeting Map (1 of 3) R-2707D Public Meeting Map (2 of 3) R-2707D Public Meeting Map (3 of 3) R-2707E Public Meeting Map (1 of 2) R-2707E Public Meeting Map (2 of 2)

But I-87 is in eastern North Carolina, so it goes to the top of the list.

Since the I-77 toll lanes have been discussed so much in this thread, I thought I'd mention that I-40 southeast of Raleigh is getting two additional free travel lanes per direction for eleven miles (ten lanes for three of those miles), plus one extra lane for an additional 1.5 miles. I'm not trying to rub salt in the wound, just pointing out the inequity. I-5111 Public Meeting Map 1 I-5111 Public Meeting Map 2 I-5111 Public Meeting Map 3 I-4739 Public Meeting Map

The NCDOT Rail Division hosted a tour of Union Station this past Monday, October 2. There are some great photos in the link.

I-40 in Durham County is now the most traveled section of highway in North Carolina. The section between Page Road and I-540 saw an annual average daily traffic (AADT) volume of 192,000 vehicles in 2016. This surpassed I-77 in Mecklenburg County - historically the most traveled highway in North Carolina - by 11,000 vehicles in 2016. Two other sections of I-40 in Durham and Wake counties also saw traffic volumes exceed those of I-77 between I-277 and I-85 in 2016. Below is a table highlighting some traffic volume statistics across North Carolina in 2016. Category Highway County Location AADT Most traveled Interstate highway I-40 Durham Exit 282 to Exit 283 192,000 Least traveled Interstate highway I-73/I-74 Montgomery Exit 35 to Exit 39 7,400 Most traveled section of Interstate that is still four-lanes and not under construction (yet) I-440 Wake Exit 2 to Exit 3 91,000 Most traveled Interstate loop I-440 Wake Exit 7 to Exit 8 148,000 Least traveled Interstate loop I-840 (incomplete) Guilford Exit 19 to Exit 21 17,000 Most traveled Interstate spur I-795 Wilson Exit 38 to Exit 40 30,000 Least traveled Interstate spur I-795 Wilson Exit 107 to Exit 108 12,000 Interstate lowest maximum AADT I-140 New Hanover Exit 17 to Exit 20 18,000 Interstate greatest minimum AADT I-495/I-87 Wake Exit 419 to Exit 420 85,000 Greatest Interstate traffic increase (volume), 2011-2016 I-485 Mecklenburg Exit 30 to Exit 32 +57,000 Greatest Interstate traffic increase (percent), 2011-2016 I-74 Guilford Exit 75 to Exit 79 +167.9% Greatest Interstate traffic decrease (volume), 2011-2016 I-77 Mecklenburg Exit 25 to Exit 28 (construction) -5,000 Greatest Interstate traffic decrease (percent), 2011-2016 I-73/I-74 Montgomery Exit 35 to Exit 39 -22.1% Most traveled non-Interstate highway US 74/ Independence Blvd Mecklenburg Exit 243 to Exit 244 107,000

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before on this forum, but I keep hoping that Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina will get on board with a shortened, daytime service of the Crescent between Atlanta and Washington. Depart ATL or DC at 7:00 AM, arrive in CLT around lunch northbound and 2:00 PM southbound, then arrive at the final destination between 8:30 and 9:00 PM. It would also add another frequency to the Virginia service with some morning and late afternoon alternatives for southbound and northbound, respectively. Connecting bus service from Greenville (9:49 AM NB, 5:14 PM SB) to the North Carolina mountains would also become feasible.

Speaking of the S-Line, has there been any more discussion about reactivation? There are a couple of grade separation projects along the S-Line in Wake County funded in NCDOT's State Transportation Improvement Program, but nothing beyond that. The News & Observer had an article a year or more back about the NCDOT Rail Division wanting to proceed with reactivating/rebuilding the line mostly as-is to expedite completing the shortcut to VA. The idea being that full implementation of high speed rail would be too costly at this time and incremental improvements could be made in the future to straighten curves and grade separate road crossings. There has also been speculation about what will happen to the active section of the S-Line now that CSX is under new management.

The US 74 corridor is currently undergoing some major improvements across the state, with more to come in the next several years. Going from west to east: Parts of the Shelby Bypass (R-2707) are currently under construction. Construction of the last two sections (D and E) should begin in either 2018 or 2021 and take three years to complete. The 2018-2027 Draft STIP has 2021 as the start date, but the amended 2016-2025 STIP has been updated to show construction starting in 2018 with GARVEE Bond funding. Constructing the final interchange and upgrading one mile of US 74 to freeway in Mooresboro is not funded (R-4045). The Monroe Expressway is under construction, with completion scheduled for 2018-2019. No major improvements (i.e. freeway) are currently funded between Marshville and Rockingham. A median will be constructed through Wadesboro from Graham St. to Allen Pond Rd. to eliminate the continuous center turn-lane. Construction is scheduled for 2020 (R-5798). To the north, the last section of I-74 between Ellerbe and the Rockingham Bypass has been scheduled for construction to start around 2026. A Feasibility Study (FS-1508A) is in progress to analyze upgrading the section between Hamlet and Laurinburg to Interstate standards. Several grade separation projects between Lumberton and Bolton are scheduled in the 2018-2027 Draft STIP. With the exception of one or two at-grade intersections, US 74 will be up to freeway standards from Laurinburg to Bolton within the next five to six years. R-5752: N/S Broadridge Rd. interchange (Orrum) – Construction 2018-2019 (No STIP number): N/S Creek Rd. grade separation or interchange (Orrum) – Not funded R-5751: NC 72 and NC 130 interchange (Orrum) – Construction 2022-2023 R-5797: Old Boardman Rd./Macedonia Church Rd. interchange (Boardman) – Construction 2021-2022 W-5518: Old US 74 grade separation (Evergreen) – Under construction, 2018 completion R-5749: N/S Hallsboro Rd. interchange (Hallsboro) – Construction 2018-2019 R-5820: Chauncey Town Rd. (Lake Waccamaw) interchange – Construction 2022-2023 R-5819: Old Lake Rd./Fire Tower Rd. grade separation (Lake Waccamaw) – Construction 2022-2023 R-4462: NC 87 interchange (Delco) – Construction 2027+ NCDOT Planning NCDOT Draft STIP Map

Something to keep in mind is that some of these original bypasses were built before the Interstate highway system even existed. The first Shelby bypass, for example, was built in the early 50's. Land use planning and control of access was not what they had in mind back then. At least construction of the Monroe Expressway is proceeding as a reasonable rate. The new Shelby bypass started in 2013 and won't be finished until 2024, if funded. They're not paving the first section for another year. Heck, even the Asheboro bypass that will dump traffic back onto a two lane road was started last year and will be finished in 2020.

I can't remember all the stakeholders' positions, but I wonder if this will change things with the CSX and NS grade separation in Charlotte and the future of Gateway Station? I know between CSX and ADM that the project was dead in the water, and there probably isn't any funding available for it now, but it seems unlikely that CSX is going to hold on to any assets west of Mt. Holly. Maybe a reduction in volume will deem the grade separation unnecessary? What even happened to Gateway? I thought there was a TIGER grant to start something a couple of years ago, but I haven't seen or heard anything.

If the Monroe Expressway is anything like the Triangle Expressway, there are multiple camera/transponder gantries along the mainline and exits that charge you for each segment you travel and where you exit. There will be no free ride to the beach on this road, but I guess you can potentially avoid a couple of the zones.

I've witnessed that interchange debacle several times and don't even live there, but I usually go that way around holidays. That seems like a pretty good quick and cheap solution. Just drop 85 SB lane four at the Sam Wilson Rd exit, then pick back up with lane four as lane one of the on-ramp from 485 less than half a mile later. Even though I hate to see a choke point on 85, it would probably be an overall improvement. The other option requires replacing the Sam Wilson Rd overpass, so I doubt that would happen any time soon.

Oh boy... I guess no one at the state has realized that yet. It's the abbreviation for Strategic Transportation Investments. Took me a minute too, since I still say/think STD instead of STI.

And here's the web map to go along with it. NCDOT STI Results Map - P4.0

I know these are only concept drawings, but are they not leaving any room to add additional platforms in the future?

One day I'll go in the afternoon or evening when the lighting isn't as terrible.

That's certainly good news, especially that Virginia is still willing to invest in SEHSR. I'd say North Carolina has more to gain from the S-Line rebuild than Virginia does. You're right, I don't think passenger rail to Asheville will be feasible without a Class I owner. I don't know that it was ever feasible. Don't forget to add in the cost of implementing PTC on a line that would otherwise not need it. However, a shortline operator may be much more willing than Norfolk Southern to welcome the public monies that would come with adding passenger rail service on a line with declining revenue. It's not so bad that NCDOT will be acquiring the line any time soon. There is still local freight in Asheville and on the branch lines that require rail access, and that's the business NS seems to be moving away from. I suspect NS will sell the S-Line around the time the Duke coal plant in Skyland is converted to natural gas (2020) and reroute their remaining coal unit trains to Allen and Marshall via the mainline, leaving the locals to the shortline operator. We're almost there. I think once the PIP is complete we'll see the improved performance and additional frequencies needed to get more people on the train.