If the state's Draft Strategic Transportation Improvement Program for 2009-2015 stays the same, it will.
It is entirely possible that the construction to complete the I-485 loop around Charlotte will not start until 2015, meaning that the loop may not be finished until 2018.
More importantly, the desperately needed widening of I-485 from I-77 to US 521 in Southern Mecklenburg County would also be delayed until 2015, if no changes are made from the draft to the final version.
The official verbiage is "To assist in balancing funds, construction of Segment 'E' delayed from FY 13 to FY 15." Segment 'E' is the missing link from I-77 in Huntersville to I-85 near Concord. The same "to assist in balancing funds" is used in delaying the widening of I-485 in Southern Mecklenburg County from 2013 to 2015.
I would not be surprised that there will be a large uproar from Charlotte, Mecklenburg and regional officials over this delay. The widening has been pushed strongly by transportation advocates in the region for the past few years. Also, communities in the northern part of the county will also be pushing strongly for the completion of the loop between Huntersville and Concord. concord and University officials see the missing link as an opportunity for growth for their communities.
In the past, the two projects (widening and building the missing link) have been at odds for tight highway dollars. With both projects pushed back even further, will both sides work together towards the best solution or will they step over each other wanting the money and perhaps pushing completion and traffic improvements within the loop back even further?
Division Ten Draft 2009-2015 STIP ---NCDOT
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Hiking Old NC 10/US 70
Yesterday, I went with Dave Filpus to hike a former section of US 70 and prior to that NC 10 between Old Fort and Black Mountain. The goal was to hike the former highway (which is about three miles one way) and to see if any clues from the old road's past was still there.
It's not difficult to get there. Take I-40 to Exit 73 (the Old Fort Exit) Turn North into town. At the T-intersection with US 70 in town turn left on to US 70 West. You'll be on US 70 West for about a half mile or so where you will turn right onto Old US 70 there will be a sign for Andrew's Geyser as well. Follow that road until it ends. The hike begins here.
For the most part, the abandoned highway is still in decent shape, there are a handful of small washouts, and in numerous cases overgrowth has shrunk the old 20' roadbed to four-six feet wide. But there isn't really anything 'dangerous' to worry about with the old road.
Early in the hike, we encountered this fella, who had no interest in going along to Point Lookout and beyond.
There are not many artifacts from years gone left on the road. Every now and then though, a familiar double yellow line would show up.
It is very quiet on the trip, and aside from five mountain bikers we came across, the only noise we heard was this Norfolk Southern train whistling by overhead.
As we approached Point Lookout, we came by one of the rare highway artifacts that we saw on the three mile one way hike.
The concrete box protected the telephone junction/switch box from vehicles. The wiring is somewhat modern, Dave said that it resembled wiring and switches from the 1960s.
Point Lookout was the major attraction/stop point when this hill climb was in its vehicular heyday. There is an actual shoulder extending out from the curve at this point and the views of Royal Gorge are impressive.
Not far from Point Lookout is where the rail tunnel goes under the old highway. A great post card image of it can be seen here. Today, the growth of the forest surrounding the highway has blocked that clear view of the tunnel going under the highway. However, there is another old highway artifact from years gone by, possibly the original concrete double guide rail. Oddly, attached to the guide rail around the bend was a more modern metal guide rail.
Although the view of the railroad tunneling under the highway is no longer in clear view from the highway, just around the bend is a view of the train going underneath another tunnel.
Further up the mountain, what appears to be the remains of a double white center stripe remains.
Near the end of the the hike, the former highway's condition does begin to erode.
Overall, it took about three hours to hike. Round trip the hike is about six miles. The hike down the mountain is obviously much quicker than the climb up. There may be more remnants of the old highway just off the road and could be worth a more detailed exploration another time. If you wish to hike it, the best access is on the Old Fort side of the mountain (which was our access point). The general hike is pretty safe, but always caution is advised. Below are some other shots from the hike.
It's not difficult to get there. Take I-40 to Exit 73 (the Old Fort Exit) Turn North into town. At the T-intersection with US 70 in town turn left on to US 70 West. You'll be on US 70 West for about a half mile or so where you will turn right onto Old US 70 there will be a sign for Andrew's Geyser as well. Follow that road until it ends. The hike begins here.
For the most part, the abandoned highway is still in decent shape, there are a handful of small washouts, and in numerous cases overgrowth has shrunk the old 20' roadbed to four-six feet wide. But there isn't really anything 'dangerous' to worry about with the old road.
Early in the hike, we encountered this fella, who had no interest in going along to Point Lookout and beyond.
There are not many artifacts from years gone left on the road. Every now and then though, a familiar double yellow line would show up.
It is very quiet on the trip, and aside from five mountain bikers we came across, the only noise we heard was this Norfolk Southern train whistling by overhead.
As we approached Point Lookout, we came by one of the rare highway artifacts that we saw on the three mile one way hike.
The concrete box protected the telephone junction/switch box from vehicles. The wiring is somewhat modern, Dave said that it resembled wiring and switches from the 1960s.Point Lookout was the major attraction/stop point when this hill climb was in its vehicular heyday. There is an actual shoulder extending out from the curve at this point and the views of Royal Gorge are impressive.
Not far from Point Lookout is where the rail tunnel goes under the old highway. A great post card image of it can be seen here. Today, the growth of the forest surrounding the highway has blocked that clear view of the tunnel going under the highway. However, there is another old highway artifact from years gone by, possibly the original concrete double guide rail. Oddly, attached to the guide rail around the bend was a more modern metal guide rail.
Although the view of the railroad tunneling under the highway is no longer in clear view from the highway, just around the bend is a view of the train going underneath another tunnel.
Further up the mountain, what appears to be the remains of a double white center stripe remains.
Near the end of the the hike, the former highway's condition does begin to erode.
Overall, it took about three hours to hike. Round trip the hike is about six miles. The hike down the mountain is obviously much quicker than the climb up. There may be more remnants of the old highway just off the road and could be worth a more detailed exploration another time. If you wish to hike it, the best access is on the Old Fort side of the mountain (which was our access point). The general hike is pretty safe, but always caution is advised. Below are some other shots from the hike.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Another new blog...this time on The National Road (US 40)
Got another blog tip in the mailbag today...this time it's an excellent blog on US 40 specifically the National Pike in Maryland and Pennsylvania. It's called, '125 N to B: The National Pike and National Road' and is run by Christopher Busta-Peck. Check it out!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Another I-540 Blogsite
As you know from earlier this year, the future of Interstate 540 in Wake County is a pretty hot topic around these parts (Raleigh, NC.) Earlier today, I was tipped off on another I-540 blog site called Build 540 run by Kyran Connelly. If you have some time, check it out!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Guess what....I-485 delayed again
Well...one of the blog's favorite theme's from the past year or so is back.
New delays push completion of I-485 further back. Where and how many times have we read that before, eh?
Story in the October 14th Charlotte Observer:
http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/318586.html
Anyways, here's the scoop on the latest section of I-485 to be delayed. The currently under construction six mile section from NC 16 to NC 115 -- including the large interchange with I-77 near Huntersville -- will not be opened until at least late summer of next year (2008). Originally this section was to open this past March, then this coming December, you get the idea.
And like prior delays, there is some bickering between the contractor (this time Skanska USA Civil Southeast) and NCDOT. The issue this time (not signs) but issues on utility relocation and right of way purchases. The contractor contends that the DOT did not acquire all of the right of way. The state freely admits that the relocation of utilities took longer than expected.
As a result, there's still a lot of concrete to be poured. Skanska has recently built a small concrete plant near Vance Road and some work should start soon.
Oh one last thing, if the $96 million project is delayed. There's a $10,000 day fine to the contractor for each day the opening falls late. The DOT hasn't given Skanska any waivers (yet) and pretty much expects that there will be negotiations as to any fines and fees due (if any) and who is at fault for what delays. (Which of course means more blog entries here!)
So there's one good thing, because of the delays..the gap between the completion of I-485 to I-77 and construction of the missing link to I-85 near University (currently scheduled to begin in 2013) will only be about five years vs. six. (Unless that too - as it already has been - gets delayed.)
New delays push completion of I-485 further back. Where and how many times have we read that before, eh?
Story in the October 14th Charlotte Observer:
http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/318586.html
Anyways, here's the scoop on the latest section of I-485 to be delayed. The currently under construction six mile section from NC 16 to NC 115 -- including the large interchange with I-77 near Huntersville -- will not be opened until at least late summer of next year (2008). Originally this section was to open this past March, then this coming December, you get the idea.
And like prior delays, there is some bickering between the contractor (this time Skanska USA Civil Southeast) and NCDOT. The issue this time (not signs) but issues on utility relocation and right of way purchases. The contractor contends that the DOT did not acquire all of the right of way. The state freely admits that the relocation of utilities took longer than expected.
As a result, there's still a lot of concrete to be poured. Skanska has recently built a small concrete plant near Vance Road and some work should start soon.
Oh one last thing, if the $96 million project is delayed. There's a $10,000 day fine to the contractor for each day the opening falls late. The DOT hasn't given Skanska any waivers (yet) and pretty much expects that there will be negotiations as to any fines and fees due (if any) and who is at fault for what delays. (Which of course means more blog entries here!)
So there's one good thing, because of the delays..the gap between the completion of I-485 to I-77 and construction of the missing link to I-85 near University (currently scheduled to begin in 2013) will only be about five years vs. six. (Unless that too - as it already has been - gets delayed.)
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