In WRAL's weekly rundown of restaurant ratings, the State Highway Building Luncheonette here on Wilmington St in Raleigh received a 'B' rating. It received an 88.5 score. Tops is 100. An 'A' Grade is 90 and above.
Issues were - numerous items were stored at the wrong temperature. And dirty utensils with food still stuck on them were found.
In the past, the luncheonette had previously ratings of 96.5 (April 2007) and 99 (November 2006).
Hopefully, the folks at the DOT working there will soon see improved conditions at the luncheonette.
Story and video: WRAL-TV
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
More news on the NC 218 improvements
Last month, I blogged about how safety improvements to NC 218 may be made thanks to some quick thinking over at NCDOT.
Well, there's some more information on the proposal and its status.
The NC 218 improvements plan goes in front of the Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization for its approval on July 16. And that if approved, construction would begin in 2012.
Story: News 14 Carolina - Charlotte
Well, there's some more information on the proposal and its status.
The NC 218 improvements plan goes in front of the Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization for its approval on July 16. And that if approved, construction would begin in 2012.
Story: News 14 Carolina - Charlotte
WV prepares to begin on the Shawnee Parkway
This is something I am sure Sherman Cahal will be tracking in the future.
On Monday, West Virginia broke ground on the first 1.26 miles of the Shawnee Parkway, a 21.7 two-lane 55 mph scenic highway that will run from Ghent in Raleigh County to the town of Crumpler in McDowell County.
The Parkway has been under consideration and in planning for over 20 years.
Interestingly, the highway is planned to end in Crumpler at what will become I-73/74 also known as the King Coal Highway.
Story: Bluefield Daily Telegraph
On Monday, West Virginia broke ground on the first 1.26 miles of the Shawnee Parkway, a 21.7 two-lane 55 mph scenic highway that will run from Ghent in Raleigh County to the town of Crumpler in McDowell County.
The Parkway has been under consideration and in planning for over 20 years.
Interestingly, the highway is planned to end in Crumpler at what will become I-73/74 also known as the King Coal Highway.
Story: Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Lots of NC Toll Road News
I don't even know where to begin.
After the NC House passed their budget - which would allocate money from the former Highway to General fund transfer towards 'gap financing' of toll roads - the Senate worked on their version of the budget with their own influences and what not.
So let's review:
Also, NC Senate Pro-Tem Marc Basnight has the Mid-Currituck Bridge on his list. The Mid-Currituck Bridge is seen as to provide access relief and hurricane evacuation support to and from the Outer Banks.
Well, Sen. Hoyle came close. In the recently released Senate version of the budget, the Garden Parkway would begin to see financing in 2010-2011. That gap funding transfer would be an annual $35 million.
The Senate did include beginning on 2009-2010 $15 million per year for the Mid-Currituck Bridge Project.
The Senate's budget includes the previously mentioned Triangle Expressway and Monroe Bypass funding that the House passed. In fact, there is no disagreement between the two legislative bodies.
So that's where we are now.
Here's a roundup of news stories and opinion on all the toll budgeting.
After the NC House passed their budget - which would allocate money from the former Highway to General fund transfer towards 'gap financing' of toll roads - the Senate worked on their version of the budget with their own influences and what not.
So let's review:
- NC House passes their version of the budget.
- The budget authorizes $25 million a year towards the completion of the Triangle Expressway.
- This transfer will begin in the upcoming budget (FY 2008-09) and would last 39 years.
- Next year (FY 2009-10), a $24 million 'gap financing' transfer would begin for the Monroe Bypass.
Also, NC Senate Pro-Tem Marc Basnight has the Mid-Currituck Bridge on his list. The Mid-Currituck Bridge is seen as to provide access relief and hurricane evacuation support to and from the Outer Banks.
Well, Sen. Hoyle came close. In the recently released Senate version of the budget, the Garden Parkway would begin to see financing in 2010-2011. That gap funding transfer would be an annual $35 million.
The Senate did include beginning on 2009-2010 $15 million per year for the Mid-Currituck Bridge Project.
The Senate's budget includes the previously mentioned Triangle Expressway and Monroe Bypass funding that the House passed. In fact, there is no disagreement between the two legislative bodies.
So that's where we are now.
Here's a roundup of news stories and opinion on all the toll budgeting.
- Rob Schofield of NC Policy Watch argues that with $4/gallon gas not many people are going to be using the Triangle Expressway toll road.
- The Monroe Bypass may cost as much as $757 million.
- No Tolls on 540 lists the State Senators that voted 'In Favor' of the recent budget.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Weekend trip to Asheville
Last weekend, took a trip to Asheville to beat the heat.
For the 100 photo flickr set, go here.
On Saturday, we spent the day exploring town. There is a lot to see in Downtown Asheville. It is unique to most of the major North Carolina cities, in that most if not all of the older buildings have been preserved allowing for a character you don't find in a Charlotte or a Raleigh.
Basilica St. Lawrence:
Built in 1909, the Basilica is awe inspiring, and the rose garden was in full bloom.
Here are a few shots from Downtown Asheville:
Wall St. has an older European feel.
Facade at the top of the Public Service Building.
The S&W Building. Now home to a very nice restaurant.
Facade of the Grove Arcade. We ate dinner at Carmel's Restaurant and Bar here.
The second day was a bit more of exploring.
Route: US 19/23, NC 63, NC 209, US 25/70, (NC 213), I-26, I-240, I-40...etc home.
NC 63 north of Leicester is a very thrilling and twisty drive. It's also not that heavily travel. Prior to the rather twisty climb up and down the mountains. There was this view near the buncombe/Madison County Line.
There were some interesting looking NC shields at NC 63's North End at NC 209 in Trust.
This one has an odd font and the corners of the diamond aren't rounded.
So basically, this is what an NC shield would look if Michigan did it.
This patch of Tiger Swallow butterflies were located just off highway 209 in Trust.
At the Spring Creek Cafe, there's this wall painting of a map of the area. Very good detail!
After stopping at Hot Springs, I had to solve the mystery on whether or not NC 213 actually is signed in Walnut. It's been a mystery to most people who follow NC Highway's where NC 213 actually ends. The state map shows an off shoot into Walnut, and there are even signs near Marshall for NC 213. But around Walnut, NC 213 just disappears from US 25/70. Last year, I received an e-mail explaining why continues on US 25/70 and ends at Walnut. There were to be improvements to a number of secondary roads to allow NC 213 to connect to NC 209 in Spring Creek. That never happened. So the NC 213 extension ended in Walnut. So after exploring a number of off shoots from US 25/70 around the Barnard/Walnut area. I did find on Walnut Road (an old alignment of US 25/70) one East NC 213 shield.
This shield is located on Walnut Road. Which is signed off of US 25/70 as SR 1439 (There's no hint of NC 213 signed at all into Walnut on US 25/70 or NC 213 East joining the two routes either.) There wasn't any 'END' signs or begin shields....just this NC 213 shield on a less than one mile loop road off of US 25/70. But it does, prove that NC 213 is indeed signed in Walnut.
Before heading back to Raleigh, we stopped in Asheville one more time for lunch. I certainly would recommend Salsa's for a great Mexican/Caribbean cuisine mix.
Accomplishments:
Clinched: NC 63 and completed NC 213.
Added mileage to: US 19 and 23.
For the 100 photo flickr set, go here.
On Saturday, we spent the day exploring town. There is a lot to see in Downtown Asheville. It is unique to most of the major North Carolina cities, in that most if not all of the older buildings have been preserved allowing for a character you don't find in a Charlotte or a Raleigh.
Basilica St. Lawrence:
Built in 1909, the Basilica is awe inspiring, and the rose garden was in full bloom.
Here are a few shots from Downtown Asheville:
Wall St. has an older European feel.
Facade at the top of the Public Service Building.
The S&W Building. Now home to a very nice restaurant.
Facade of the Grove Arcade. We ate dinner at Carmel's Restaurant and Bar here.The second day was a bit more of exploring.
Route: US 19/23, NC 63, NC 209, US 25/70, (NC 213), I-26, I-240, I-40...etc home.
NC 63 north of Leicester is a very thrilling and twisty drive. It's also not that heavily travel. Prior to the rather twisty climb up and down the mountains. There was this view near the buncombe/Madison County Line.
There were some interesting looking NC shields at NC 63's North End at NC 209 in Trust.
This one has an odd font and the corners of the diamond aren't rounded.
So basically, this is what an NC shield would look if Michigan did it.
This patch of Tiger Swallow butterflies were located just off highway 209 in Trust.
At the Spring Creek Cafe, there's this wall painting of a map of the area. Very good detail!After stopping at Hot Springs, I had to solve the mystery on whether or not NC 213 actually is signed in Walnut. It's been a mystery to most people who follow NC Highway's where NC 213 actually ends. The state map shows an off shoot into Walnut, and there are even signs near Marshall for NC 213. But around Walnut, NC 213 just disappears from US 25/70. Last year, I received an e-mail explaining why continues on US 25/70 and ends at Walnut. There were to be improvements to a number of secondary roads to allow NC 213 to connect to NC 209 in Spring Creek. That never happened. So the NC 213 extension ended in Walnut. So after exploring a number of off shoots from US 25/70 around the Barnard/Walnut area. I did find on Walnut Road (an old alignment of US 25/70) one East NC 213 shield.
This shield is located on Walnut Road. Which is signed off of US 25/70 as SR 1439 (There's no hint of NC 213 signed at all into Walnut on US 25/70 or NC 213 East joining the two routes either.) There wasn't any 'END' signs or begin shields....just this NC 213 shield on a less than one mile loop road off of US 25/70. But it does, prove that NC 213 is indeed signed in Walnut.Before heading back to Raleigh, we stopped in Asheville one more time for lunch. I certainly would recommend Salsa's for a great Mexican/Caribbean cuisine mix.
Accomplishments:
Clinched: NC 63 and completed NC 213.
Added mileage to: US 19 and 23.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Triangle Expressway clears first legislative hurdle
Construction of the proposed Triangle Expressway toll road took a small legislative step to becoming a reality this week when the NC House approved an annual transfer of $25 million for 39 years to finance the highway.
The $25 million will come from the phasing out of the controversial transfer of an annual $172.5 million from the Highway Fund to the General Fund. In the following year, 2010, the transfer would grow to $49 million to provide gap funding to the Monroe Bypass outside of Charlotte.
The decision to slowly eliminate the annual transportation funds transfer to the general fund was passed in the House's version of the state budget. The budget now goes to the House.
Last year, two different versions of 'gap funding' for toll roads were passed by the NC House and Senate. However, an agreement between both legislative bodies was never made and no money was allocated towards the highway.
NCTA officials claim that if the 'gap funding' is approved - construction on the highway could begin this fall. If this happens, the toll highway is expected to open in 2011.
Story: Raleigh News & Observer
Triangle Business Journal
The $25 million will come from the phasing out of the controversial transfer of an annual $172.5 million from the Highway Fund to the General Fund. In the following year, 2010, the transfer would grow to $49 million to provide gap funding to the Monroe Bypass outside of Charlotte.
The decision to slowly eliminate the annual transportation funds transfer to the general fund was passed in the House's version of the state budget. The budget now goes to the House.
Last year, two different versions of 'gap funding' for toll roads were passed by the NC House and Senate. However, an agreement between both legislative bodies was never made and no money was allocated towards the highway.
NCTA officials claim that if the 'gap funding' is approved - construction on the highway could begin this fall. If this happens, the toll highway is expected to open in 2011.
Story: Raleigh News & Observer
Triangle Business Journal
Sunday, June 01, 2008
I-73/74 Corridor Association has their own "road meet" in Greensboro
...and we weren't invited.
A few days ago, May 22nd and 23rd to be exact, the National Interstates 73/74 Corridor Association held their annual Spring Road Rally at the Grandover in Greensboro. Now this isn't a new concept, we held a "road rally" of our own in Greensboro last October.
The folks at the I-73/74 Association even have photos of their gathering online and available here.
Various states made presentations on the progress of I-73 and I-74 in their states. Obviously, North Carolina would have a lot to say and Ohio very little. It is unknown whether or not any other items on their agenda were accomplished.
You'd think with all that, they'd at least invite our own Bob Malme to attend.
Also, the folks at the I-73/74 Corridor Association have started their own blog. It'll be added to the blog roll along with a recently added link to the US 50 Corridor Association of Maryland and West Virginia blog.
A few days ago, May 22nd and 23rd to be exact, the National Interstates 73/74 Corridor Association held their annual Spring Road Rally at the Grandover in Greensboro. Now this isn't a new concept, we held a "road rally" of our own in Greensboro last October.
The folks at the I-73/74 Association even have photos of their gathering online and available here.
Various states made presentations on the progress of I-73 and I-74 in their states. Obviously, North Carolina would have a lot to say and Ohio very little. It is unknown whether or not any other items on their agenda were accomplished.
You'd think with all that, they'd at least invite our own Bob Malme to attend.
Also, the folks at the I-73/74 Corridor Association have started their own blog. It'll be added to the blog roll along with a recently added link to the US 50 Corridor Association of Maryland and West Virginia blog.
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