NCDOT Meets with Laurel Hill residents to discuss I-74

Laurel Hill is the only town along the US 74 stretch that sits between the Rockingham and Laurinburg Bypass. (Old Hundred is more of a tiny crossroads.)

The meeting basically was a chance to let local residents know the possible options for building I-74 through the area. Option 1 is a total upgrade of the at-grade US 74 to Interstate standards. The other option would be upgrading US 74 but with a bypass of Laurel Hill. The bypass would run slightly north then slightly south of the town.

No idea on the cost but it says the project could take seven to 10 years to complete.

Story Link: http://www.fayettevillenc.com/article?id=243246

Commentary:

This is the first clues to what NCDOT may do with building I-74 from Rockingham to Laurinburg. most of the route will be upgraded to a limited access highway from the divided four lane today. US 74 through here is rural with a few small homes and produce stands bordering it. There is one stoplight at NC 144 in Laurel Hill. Most of the town is on the north side of US 74.

The one possible obstacle is the CSX tracks which in Laurel Hill parallels US 74 (also on the north side of the highway. The road is years away but it is nice to have an idea what could possibly happen.

WV awards MFE contract

WVDOH has recently awarded an $11 million contract to realign CR 857 near Cheat Lake. The contract awarded to Mountaineer Contractors of Kingwood. Construction should begin on the 28th and wrap up in May 2008.

One note the existing BFS was purchased by the state. It's going to be torn down but the local landmark is gonna be rebuilt across the street. (WTRF)

Commentary:

This is another solid step towards the WVDOH's goal of having their segment of the Mon-Fayette Expressway completed by 2011. This realignment is near the current WV 857/I-68 interchange which will see an overhaul for the southern terminus of the two state freeway.

See: WV eyes 2011 completion for Mon-Fayette Expressway

Florida Update Review and down the pike

Well over the Labor Day weekend, I finished up a Destination Florida Update.

There are two new Sign Sections:

First, Florida Colored US Shields. The feeling and goal is that this will turn into a VA Cutouts or PA Keystone type collection page. And it looks like the Law of Updates is in effect as I got an e-mail from Jim Teresco to use his photos. (Note: The Law of Updates is that within 48 hours of an update, I'll receive photos from a contributor on the state or subject I updated on. This happens most of the time when I introduce a new state or feature.)

Second, Disney Signage. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with this. So I asked a few folks, and their answer was "Sure, Why Not." Well at least they know the blog site. :-p

Finally, Sign Gallery. The usual lot of photos from JP Natsiatka. It is soon becoming his own personal gallery!

So what is next:

Well right now I am working on South Carolina. The update will consist of the usual sign gallery additions (Doug Kerr is now relevant in SC!) I-73 and the Carolina Bays Parkway news and information updates (along with photos), and also with the help of a few others I'm able to make the Cooper River Bridges photos into a feature page. (It's up already if you've stopped by).

North Carolina: This is gonna take a while. A plethora of ends, Doug basically sent me a photo of every mile of US 17 in NC (from his drive back to NY from Brian's Wedding) so the Ocean Highway Page may see a heavy update, I have features of the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge and the Elwell Ferry over the Cape Fear River, I'm gonna trace the original Independence Blvd. with the help of Chris Curley, Carolina Lost will see some old billboards, weigh stations, and other stuff. Just got some I-485 construction photos from Lyndon Young. Of course sign gallery stuff, and I am sure I forgot a thing or two.

Virginia: Cutouts and signs. I'll expand the Lee Highway to New Market. Plus, a few features on a pair of inland ferries. Maybe a small town of Virginia series tied into one of them also.

West Virginia: Ends and Corridor H

PA: Kinzua Dam, some covered bridges as i start to work through my digital images from last year, A ton of old PA Turnpike Postcards for Bill Symons, some more Keystones. And of course sign photos. Of course I am certain this list will expand in the upcoming months.

Georgia: John Krakoff is sending me a cd-rom full of Douglass County goodies, which I should get this week.

One last thing, the last PA update I really enjoyed and specifically the Fred Yenerall Collection. It is a great honor to host and showcase those photos for his family, and I hope you have enjoyed them as much as I have.

Westbound lanes of I-88 reopen

The westbound lanes of I-88 that were washed out by flooding in June reopened Friday. Gov. Pataki was at the site to announce the reopening.

Traffic will run one lane in each direction over the 5.5 mile stretch of reopened highway. The eastbound lanes will reopen later this fall.

There are five other roads or bridges that remanin closed as a result of the June flooding, including parts of NY 357.

See Elmira Star-Gazette for more.