My thoughts on NC Transportation Equity Formula

A few weeks ago, a blog reader made the following comment on my post "Will Charlotte stop complaining about I-485 now?":

Adam, do you have any idea if the equity formula will be modified or dropped in the next few years? With rural areas losing clout in the state government to the more urbanized Piedmont, and the larger number of discontented voters voicing their concerns in the Piedmont, it seems likely to me that NCDOT and/or the General Assembly will want to alter this some way soon. That would be a shame for our rural areas of course, particularly in the east and west, but as an urbanite in the Triangle, I frankly think it needs to happen, as right now the major metropolitan areas just are not getting what they need if they want to continue to boom transportation-wise this century. Your thoughts?

A great comment and question by the reader.  So here goes.  (Editors note: Brian or Bob if you want to write your own opinion to this comment - feel free.):

The first part of the comment asking about the chances of the equity formula being modified is certainly possible.  And we don't have to look any further than current Secretary of Transportation Gene Conti and Governor Beverly Perdue's efforts to reform the DOT.  The decision to move decision making ability away from the Board of Transportation is a good first step.  Conti's goal to have the DOT achieve 80-90% of proposed work TIP compared to 50% now is another example.  His goal is to put together a five year work plan based on what funding is available and what is the strongest needs in the state. 

Reforms like that will allow residents of the state to know when various projects will be completed and not have to see the dates change every other year because of political expediency and pull.

As for eliminating the formula all together, I can't see that happening just yet.  The Equity Formula exists from a 1989 act of the North Carolina Legislature.  It came about the same time as the Highway Trust fund and the various loop proposals.  As a result, any changes to the equity formula will have to come from the General Assembly.

And that's where the problem exists.  Even with a shift in population to more urban and suburban areas within the state, the political power in the state is based in the rural eastern counties, specifically Eastern North Carolina Democrats.  (The last three Democrat governors of NC are from that powerbase: Governor Perdue is from New Bern, former Governor Mike Easley is from Rocky Mount, former Governor Hunt is from Wilson.) 

Because of the strength within the legislature of the rural eastern counties, I just can't see State Senator Marc Basnight, who is the President pro tempore of the State Senate, championing a complete elimination of the Equity Formula.  However, I do see some slight modifications happening.  First, the previously mentioned reform efforts by Perdue and by Conti within NCDOT leads me to believe that some change in the funding will occur.

Though there hasn't been any talk of reforms to the equity formula, the upcoming release of the new NCDOT five year work plan may start the ball rolling.  Seeing what projects NCDOT considers as top priority (Yadkin River Bridge replacement, modernizing a 50 year old Interstate 95, completing various freeway loops, etc.), I think will have the biggest impact on any future reform.  These reforms may include: increasing/decreasing the requirements of the equity formula - specifically the 25% that is based on intrastate mileage that is remaining to be completed, funding of priority transportation projects first regardless of where they are located, changes in revenue accounts to fund various projects, etc.

As you can see, the equity formula is the biggest target when it comes to NC highway financing.  It doesn't matter if it comes from political leaders or local citizens.  It is certainly time for the NC State Legislature and Governor Perdue to look into reforming the equity formula.  It is outdated, easily manipulated, and in need of real reform.  The steps by Governor Perdue and Secretary of Transportation Gene Conti to reform NCDOT appear to be great first steps.  Now it is time for Governor Perdue to push equity formula reform within the state legislature.  Hopefully, the governor is willing to take on that task.

Town of Leland has numerous questions/concerns over Cape Fear Skyway

We've been documenting some of the concerns the town of Leland, NC has had over one of the routings of the proposed Cape Fear Skyway.  The northern routing option of the highway runs the closest to the town.

Leland Mayor, Walter Futch, has publicly come out against the highway.  He's stated that if the northern routing was built it would separate his town.

Leland's view is contrary to Brunswick County Commissioners, who on January 19th passed a resolution in support of the northern route.

The town has sent to the North Carolina Turnpike Authority 16 pages of questions in regards to the highway - from financing to routing to economic impacts.  Futch said he will not consider changing his mind until the NCTA answers the 16 page questionnaire.

The questions can be found here.

Story Link:
Alternatives to Skyway possible, officials say ---Wilmington Star News

Commentary:
There are a number of worthy questions from the town - but there are also a number of questions that I'm trying to figure out why they were asked.

Questions about cruise ships caught my attention.  The questions ranged from how many cruise ships would like to use the Port of Wilmington and cannot.  The town wants to also know the cruise line names and their specific reasons.   The last I read - the reasons for lack of cruise ships in Wilmington deal more with the Port of Wilmington than any highways. 

Another section of the questionnaire was on the Port of Wilmington.  One question asked: "If the Port of Wilmington is important to maintain, why not look for a bridge crossing up river from the port?"  This question ties into Futch's contention that a second bridge should be built parallel to the existing Cape Fear Skyway Bridge.  At the January 22nd workshop, the parallel bridge was mentioned by a member of the NCDOT.  Futch said this was the first time this suggestion was ever mentioned by a state official.

The proposed northern route saw the most in depth questions in the document.  Some of the more interesting questions include:

• Why has it taken four years to think of the Northern alternative through Brunswick County? Is it possible that a better alternative might be found if more time is allotted?
• What group of people came up with the Northern alternative? When was it first proposed? Who are the members of that group? Who outside the group participated in the process? Are there minutes of that meeting or meetings? Where would they be found? At what point did the Northern alternative become evident?
• I have heard Mr. Earp of Brunswick Forest state that he offered a much more southerly alternative which would not affect as many residents or as valuable land. Why has this alternative not been revealed and added to the mix of alternatives? Doesn’t the NEPA* process require looking at all the alternatives available during the EIS process? Why has this alternative not been added to the possible corridors on the map?
• Will the proposed exit on Highway 17 create a commercial district that the Town of Leland can take advantage of?

I take objection to the "I have heard Mr. Earp...offered a much more southerly alternative..."  Asking a question based on rumor is never a good thing.

The financing questions highlight the uncertainty on how many of the NCTA projects will be financed.  Questions that other NC residents facing a toll project are certain to ask.  With suggestions to toll existing free highways, gap financing, the I-485 design-build-finance project all swirling around this and other toll projects, I applaud the Town of Leland for asking them and anticipate NCTA's response.

I am unsure if these questions are typical from a town, organization, or any other community or group in regards to a highway project like this.  While there are many questions that have merit and are questions many in the state have about the NCTA, a fair number of the questions seem trivial and unimportant. 

As the Town of Leland asks in their final question, "Has anyone asked these questions before? If so, are the answers readily available somewhere? If not, why have they not been asked?"

Hopefully when the NCTA answers these questions, their responses will be made available to the public.

Mackinac Bridge to be featured on a postage stamp

For the second time in its history, the Mackinac Bridge, "The Mighty Mac", will be featured on a U.S. Postage Stamp.  The latest stamp will formally go on sale Wednesday, February 3rd. 

The new stamp is a Priority Mail stamp and will cost $4.90.  The Mackinac Bridge Authority and Michigan Department of Transportation will unveil the stamp at an 11 a.m. Wednesday ceremony at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace.

The bridge was first featured on a U.S. Postage stamp in 1958 (shown below) - the first class stamp cost only three cents.

Story Links:

Mighty Mac stamp to be unveiled ---Detroit Free Press

HT: Jim Parker

When the TIGER Discretionary Grants are awarded, there are going to be a lot of unhappy people

Tonight I was curious in knowing what other projects have other state's applied for the $1.5 billion in TIGER Discretionary Funds that will be awarded next month.  My original thinking was that it was only one project per state, and it would be a neat idea to maybe research and blog about them  Bzzzztttt, was I wrong!

The USDOT received 1380, yes 1380, applications from all 50 states, plus Guam, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.  The total amount of requests total $56.5 billion.  That is nearly 38 times the amount that will be awarded!!!!  No wonder why the final decisions have been delayed.

Texas led with 125 applications - followed closely by California (117), and Florida (115).  The least amount of applications came from Hawaii with only 1. New Hampshire, South Dakota, and North Dakota only had two applications.

It appears that any organization could apply for the TIGER Grants - and that would explain why SCDOT encouraged Horry County to put in an application for upgrading SC 22 to Interstate standards a number of months ago.

The amount of money asked for in each applications was varied also. 514 of the 1380 (37.2%) applications were asking for amounts of less than $20 million.  Over 56% (785) were applications for $20-100 million in funds.  The rest, 81 applications, were from $100 billion to the maximum of $300 billion.

Applications came in for highway improvements, transit improvements, rail improvements, and other.  (Most likely pedestrian and bike projects.)

Check out the USDOT's two page summary of the TIGER Grant applications here.

I'm going to start looking into what projects applied for grant money and what they are for.

One of the first ones I did find was an application by NYSDOT for completing the final upgrades for the US 15/I-99 project.  The amount of the application was for $38 million.

Exit question: What are some of the projects being applied for in your state?  And which of them are the most pressing? So leave a comment.

NC's New (Very Welcoming) I-73/74 Visitor Centers

Since a snowstorm forecast for this weekend would probably scuttle my road trip plans, I decided to take advantage of the temporarily spring-like weather on Thursday (1/28) to visit the two newly opened I-73/74 Rest Areas/Visitor Centers.

SOUTHBOUND VISITOR CENTER
My first stop was the southbound rest area that is up a hill and looks over the freeway corridor below. Below is a photo of the complex, except for the vending area:
Here's a closer look at the Visitor Center itself:
The controversy over building these rest areas was whether they should be 'Welcome Centers' or 'Visitor Centers.' The state backed down on Welcome Centers because they would be run on state funds and were seen as inappropriate for this location. From looking at the photos above, and the what was put into the surroundings, it appears what we have here though is Welcome Centers in all but name. The parking lots for both are very large, at least just as large as the I-85 South Welcome Center near the Virginia line. While this Center concentrates on information about the local pottery region, they also have brochures on all NC regions-Coastal, Piedmont, Mountain, that the other Welcome Centers do. Like them also, they also have state maps, (there were plenty available, so I took one, even though I have 2 others). There were 2 staff members who were available to answer any question I had. A closer look at the restroom facilities also shows that little expense was spared, everything automatic, they even have those 'airplane engine' hand drying fans (and some may see a familiar car):
There is a separate building for vending machines (Pepsi products only, this is NC) and various snacks. The rest area also has picnic tables above the Center buildings so people can sit and or eat with a view (area was closed off, not quite finished yet apparently).
Before heading off to the Northbound rest area, here's the view of it from southbound:
NORTHBOUND VISITOR CENTER
Signage approaching the Northbound Center:
The material in the right lane was salt brine put down to help de-ice the road for the upcoming storm. Another photo at the off ramp, for those who like signs...
The buildings are designed similarly in the northbound center, though the layout is a little different. Instead of a hill with a view, the attraction here is the fountain in front of the Visitor Center entrance:
The fountain is also in proximity to the US and state flagpoles:
You can see part of the southbound rest area's parking lot in the distance. Finally, since you probably want to check out the facilities:
Again, probably much fancier than the public imagined when they got the legislature to 'downgrade' the rest areas to Visitor Centers. As you would imagine, on a winter weekday, there were not many visitors. There were 4 cars at the southbound and perhaps 5 northbound. It will be interesting if there are any complaints about the costs of construction, once more people get to visit these two Centers.

An I-73/74 Extra. When is a freeway both a current and a future interstate at the same time?
Just beyond Exit 51 Northbound where the signs indicate you are on North I-73 and West Future I-74. This is actually an apt mistake since this section of the road is close to interstate standards and continues to just before the next exit. NCDOT signs this section at 65 MPH and the medians are narrower but still wider than other parts of US 220. The section ends at the next exit which is not a National Highway System Route, otherwise NCDOT may have been able to extend the Interstates further north for real.

New York's Rest Areas May Close

According to a recent article in the Albany Times Union, New York Governor David Paterson is considering closing a number of rest areas along the highways of the Empire State. The number of rest stops that are subject to closure could be as many as 35. Some of the rest areas in question are in more populated areas, such as along I-87 (Northway) in Clifton Park. Others are in more sparsely populated areas in the Catskills, Adirondacks and Southern Tier regions of New York State.

According to the proposed 2010-2011 budget, the closure of rest areas could garner as much as $2 million in annual savings. Also, which rest areas are closed and which rest areas remain open are subject to the availability of services near the rest area. So while the very nice looking rest area in Clifton Park may be shut down because there are places to stop nearby, some of the rest areas along I-81, I-86, I-87, I-88, I-390 and NY 17 could remain open.

This would not affect rest areas along the Thruway, since New York State does make money off of those rest areas.

Paterson looks to close rest stops - Albany Times Union

Virginians for Appropriate Roads I-73 Appeal Denied

Virginians for Appropriate Roads (VAR) may have suffered a fatal blow in their attempt to block the eventual construction of Interstate 73. 

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal by VAR.  VAR announced their intentions to appeal U.S District Court Judge James C. Turk's decision last October.  Turk ruled that the Virginia Department of Transportation did all that was necessary required by Federal Law in studying the route.

Even with this decision, Interstate 73 in Virginia is a long long way from reality.  Funding is not available for the route at this time and the foreseeable future.

Story:
Appeal on I-73 is denied --Martinsville Bulletin

As decision on Yadkin River Bridge looms, status of Wil-Cox Bridge uncertain

Piggybacking on my earlier post on the Yadkin River Bridge, there is also information about the oldest standing of the Yadkin River Crossings.

The future ownership of the Wil-Cox Bridge, built in 1922, will be determined by the pending decision on TIGER Grant funds to replace the newer I-85 Yadkin River Bridge.

NCDOT has offered to sell the bridge to Davidson County for a sum of $2.5 million.  Davidson County would then convert the historic concrete arch bridge for use by pedestrians only.  After the bridge is converted for pedestrian use - any of the 2.5 million not spent will be returned to Davidson County for maintenance on the bridge.

However, there are concerns on how much the conversion will cost and how much Davidson County would annual spend on maintenance.  NCDOT has given a deadline of March 1st on their offer.  That was contingent on NCDOT being awarded the TIGER funds.  Funds that may not be awarded until February 17th.  Of course, if NCDOT doesn't receive any grant money, it is unclear when any construction of a new I-85 bridge would take place.

Story Link:
Commissioners mull Wil-Cox bridge decision ---The Dispatch

Commentary:

Personally, I would love to see this bridge kept standing, and preserved for pedestrian use.  The bridge is one of only a few open-spandrel concrete arch bridges standing in North Carolina.  In addition, why not make it part of the nearby North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer.  There are a lot of possibilities that could take place.

Fortunately, the new I-85 bridges would be built further downstream from the Wil-Cox bridge and that may help in building a linear park highlighting the crossing's history as part of a Native American trading path.

The issue is obviously whether or not NCDOT receives any grant money from the Feds.  If the state doesn't receive the maximum amount of $300 million that can be awarded, it will be interesting to see how the state finds the additional money for the I-85 Yadkin River Bridge replacement project.  Once that is decided, hopefully the State and Davidson County can come to an agreement to preserve this historic bridge.

NC and SC await TIGER Grant decision

Within the next 30 days, we'll know if North Carolina and South Carolina will receive all, some, or none of the maximum $300 million of $1.5 billion highway grant money that can be awarded to states for large highway or bridge projects.  The money is part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

States were allowed to submit applications to the federal government for these funds.  North Carolina's application is for the replacement of the aging I-85 bridges over the Yadkin River.  South Carolina's request is to help construction the first six miles of Interstate 73 in the state.  (I-95 to US 501 near Latta.)

The awarding of the grant money should occur by February 17th.  It either state receives funding, construction on either project should begin later this year.

Story Links:
Yadkin River bridge decision may come next month  --High Point Enterprise

Yet another rockslide on I-40 in Western NC

Another rockslide hit Interstate 40 in Western North Carolina last week.  This time the rock slide occurred at mile 6.5 near the Harmon's Den exit (Exit 7).  This landslide occurred a few miles east of the major October 25th landslide that has kept Interstate 40 closed ever since.  Because of the I-40 closure from the October landslide, there was no traffic on the highway when the slide occurred.

Recent heavy rains in the area appear to have initiate the slide.  The amount of debris that has covered the roadway is about 50 dump trucks worth.  NCDOT expects to have this slide cleared in about three to four weeks.

NCDOT has said that the most recent slide has no impact on their cleanup from the October 25th slide.  They still expect Interstate 40 to be re-opened through the western mountains sometime in March.

You can follow updates on the I-40 Slide on twitter at: http://twitter.com/i40_rockslide

Story Links:
Heavy rains spawn rock, mud slides in WNC ---Asheville Citizen-Times
New rock slide hits I-40 ---Raleigh News & Observer

Lanny Wilson resigns from NC Board of Transportation and Turnpike Authority Board

(Editors Note: I am trying to get as many blog entries done as possible prior to the NC State/North Carolina Basketball game.  I have about three or four more entries including a response to a reader's comment to do.)

Within the past week, Lanny Wilson, a Wilmington developer, resigned from both the State Board of Transportation and his vice chairmanship on the board of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.  Wilson, who was a key fundraiser for the campaigns of former governor Mike Easley and current governor Beverly Perdue, served on the State Board of Transportation for nine years and on the NCTA's board since 2002. 

Wilson was appointed to the State Board of Transportation by then governor Easley.

Wilson's name has come up in an North Carolina Board of Elections investigation and hearing on campaign finance violations.  He testified in an October Board of Elections' hearing on contributions to the North Carolina Democrat Party and Easley's 2004 re-election campaign.

Wilson's testimony was a key part in the indictment of former Easley aide Ruffin Poole on 51 counts of corruption.

Story Links:
DOT board member linked to Easley case resigns ---WRAL-TV
Lanny Wilson resigns as local representative to N.C. transportation board ---Wilmington Star-News
Lanny Wilson resigns from Turnpike Authority board ---Bruce Siceloff
Wilson, staunch supporter of Skyway project, resigns from toll road board ---Wilmington Star-News

Mid-Currituck Bridge Environmental Impact Study to be released soon

Soon, perhaps within weeks, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority will release the Environmental Impact Study on the Mid-Currituck Bridge.  This is the next big step needed to be completed before construction can begin on the approximately $660 million project.

The study was to have been released last year, but the NCTA held back as they wanted to include an 'Option B' design in the study.  'Option B', plans for which was released to the public last October, would move toll booths closer to US 158 and also change the location of Aydlett Road.  Aydlett residents and Currituck County Commissioners both oppose 'Option B'.

After the study is formally made public, the NCTA plans to hold another round of public hearings on the results.

Story Links:
Currituck Mid-County Bridge study close to release ---The Daily Advance

Although years away from construction, PTC begins ROW acquisition for next leg of Southern Beltway

Though we may not drive on it for at least another 10 years - if ever, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has slowly begun to acquire property for the next leg of the Southern Beltway in suburban Pittsburgh.  The right-of-way acquisition is happening along the path of the 13 miles US 22 to I-79 section for PA Turnpike 576.

The PTC will acquire approximately 100 homes in Cecil, Robinson, and South Fayette Townships.  Although the Turnpike Commission currently has funds available to purchase land along the proposed highway, it is nowhere near procuring the projected $730 million in funds to build the highway.  As a result, the PTC is allowing property owners to vacate the land at their discretion.

For more:
Proposed highway prompts vacancies ---Washington Observer-Reporter

Flooding causes rare I-376 message sign to be revealed

Monongahela River flooding closed Interstate 376 in downtown Pittsburgh.  As a result of the closure, a variable message or is it rotating message guide sign that reads West I-376 displayed its other message.  The Road is Closed and all traffic must exit left. (Grant St. - Exit 71A.)

Blog Reader Ed Szuba sends along this shot.

New I-73/74 Visitor Center Rest Areas Open*

*(At least the Northbound one)

From Sunday's (1/17/10) Asheboro Courier Tribune-
"After years of planning and a little over one year of construction, the Piedmont Visitor Centers on the Randolph/Montgomery County line are open for business — at least to northbound travelers.

Those headed south may have to wait about one more week.

DOT officials project that half a million travelers will stop at the two Visitors Centers each year.

On Friday [1/15], facilities on the northbound side of U.S. 220 Bypass began welcoming visitors. The doors were opened at roughly 3:30 p.m. after some last-minute work to remove traffic barrels and check on guard rails.

Jeff Loflin, DOT regional engineer, said final work on signage is stalling the opening of the facility on U.S. 220 Bypass South. He expects those concerns to be cleared up quickly.

Visitor Centers in the center of the state are a unique phenomenon for North Carolina. North Carolina has nine state-operated welcome centers operated by a division of the state Department of Commerce.

The centers on U.S. 220 Bypass were built by the state’s Department of Transportation but will be operated in a joint public/private partnership by Asheboro-based Safe-T- Works. Owner Kim Price negotiated a three-year contract with the state to run the facilities.

The state is providing the facilities and paying for utilities (apart from telephone and Internet service). Price’s job will be to maintain the facilities, both inside and out, and to cater to the traveling public."

Click the title which has the URL for the entire article.

Comment: Some locals are angry that NCDOT plans to shut down the existing rest area in Seagrove due to these new ones being open. NCDOT has agreed to leave the old one open at least through the spring.

I'll probably wait until decent weather (so probably not this weekend) to visit the centers (and to make sure the southbound one, which is up on a hill, is open). I'll post photos to the blog.

Here's a photo approaching the northbound Visitor's Center from a couple months ago:

Meanwhile, those interested in seeing a few photos can see thumbnails (of photos you can buy here:
http://www.instantimagegallery.com/iig/a/372/160589;jsessionid=3C2E32F1089D69851C58044AC0285436?state:cat/Catalog=BrO0ABXcgAAAAAgEAByRCb3JkZXIAEG9yaWdpbmFsQ2xpZW50SWRzcgARamF2YS5sYW5nLkludGVnZXIS4qCk94GHOAIAAUkABXZhbHVleHIAEGphdmEubGFuZy5OdW1iZXKGrJUdC5TgiwIAAHhwAAABdHcMAAAJY2F0YWxvZ0lkc3EAfgAAAAABbA%3D%3D ).

National Road fans will enjoy this site

Steve Colby of Cumberland, MD has recently started a new website chronicling the history of the Cumberland Road. The Cumberland Road, more commonly known as The National Road, celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2011.

Colby's site will "document the history of the people, families, businesses, towns and cities that grew alongside." He currently has an extensive look at Maryland and is working west into Pennsylvania.

Steve's site can be found at - http://www.cumberlandroadproject.com/
He also has a blog - http://blog.cumberlandroadproject.org/

I've added it to my favorites, you should to.

Roadtrip to Greensboro Through High Point

As Adam indicated on his I-73 meeting post, I took a trip Thursday afternoon to attend the workshop put on by NCDOT showing the revised plans for the NC 68-US 220 Connector. I also was able to talk to engineers working on the project to start in 2012 which will widen US 220 south of NC 68 to the Connector. Adam posted what I learned on his previous entry.

On the way, I thought I'd take the opportunity to confirm sign revisions along the I-85 portion of the Greensboro Loop I hadn't visited before and to check on progress since December in building the new I-74 freeway. According to NCDOT documentation, only .3% progress had been made in the month since, not surprising given the weather. The project between Business 85 and Spencer Road at the end of the year was listed as being 81.2% complete.

1. US 421 signage. My trip took me down US 15-501 south to US 64 east to US 421 North to I-85.
I wanted to make sure the signage on 421 north had been revised after the I-40 re-routing:
The signs had been revised. It appears the I-85 sign was moved to the left with the US 421 shield and direction added on the right.
For the overhead sign on the left a similar act was done, however the sign on the right is the original, notice that I-40 is listed first, the 'To' was also never taken down so no revision was necessary when I-40 was taken off the Loop.

2. I-74 Construction. Since it was a weekday and there was a lot of construction activity still going on. I visited all the sites I could before the sun set, and then proceeded to the meeting.
A. Baker Road-A contact e-mailed me earlier in the day that they were placing what appeared to be a final layer of concrete on the bridge that morning. When I got there in the afternoon, they had closed the eastbound roadway so they could extend asphalt from the original road alignment to the new bridge:
This had already happened on the other side of the bridge. If they were able to place lane markings on Friday, and the concrete they put down cures very rapidly, then it's possible the bridge is open or will open during the next week. This is the last existing road bridge that needed to be built for the freeway. The only bridge construction left is for the new I-85 bridges over I-74 whose sides still only consist of wire mesh and need additional concrete. They also have to complete laying asphalt on the flyover ramp (more on that later).

2. Jackson Lake Road. The view from the bridge toward the west still shows a lack of a westbound lane. Though some of the dirt may have been removed. Dirt for landscaping, which work was proceeding on the other side of the bridge, can be seen on the completed lanes behind the remaining dirt that needs to be removed:
3. Kivett Road Bridge and area between Kivett and I-85. The view of the bridge actually shows more dirt from before. I assume removed as part of the westbound side landscaping process:
The vehicle seen going the wrong way on the future eastbound lanes by the bridge was one of many contractor vehicles still in operation around 5PM. It appears the contractors are trying to make up for time lost in December. Some of the landscapes built for the freeway are quite impressive, such as the size of the hill rising along the eastbound lanes as seen from Dresden Road. This is mostly made up of material dug up to grade the roadbed in the surrounding area:
The view toward the I-85 bridge shows progress on landscaping toward the new interstate bridges:
Dust from the ongoing work is obscuring the landscape beyond the construction equipment. Here's a closer look at all the landscaping work being done:
4. I-74 freeway on other side of I-85. Little progress is visible since most work, including guardrails has already been completed. The on ramp to I-85 North from I-74 West must be complete as the yellow contractor vehicle seen above the orange and white road closed barrier was using it at a high speed after 5, maybe in a hurry to go home?:
All the ramps to I-85 appear complete, the only unpaved section seems to be the part of the flyover ramp before the bridge. They also need to place guardrails along that ramp and the eastbound ramps as they have completed on the west side.

5. Poole Road Bridge. Not much progress seen here, again because most of the freeway roadbed had been completed in the fall. There is, however, a connection to a bridge over a creek, looking westbound, and landscaping, that still needs to be completed:
Meanwhile, the view toward the east from the Poole Road Bridge:
Shows further need of landscaping and possible guardrails as one proceeds toward Cedar Square Road.

6. Cedar Square Road and Exit Ramps. They have completed the new connection between Poole and Cedar Square Roads. Poole Road, however, still meets the old alignment at Cedar Square, forcing a 90 degree turn:
A view of the Cedar Square Road bridge from this intersection. They have started ripping up the old Cedar Square roadbed to build the new freeway lanes west of the bridge, they have many more truckloads of dirt to go:
This is looking westbound from the corner turn at Poole Road where Cedar Square Road used to go. They have not made this very clear to motorists on US 311. Several of which traveled up to the barrier and had to turn around while I was there. This is the view looking back toward Poole Road showing the progress in building the eastbound off ramp:
The ramp starts on the left lane after the yellow excavator and proceeds off the highway where the orange barrels are. This I guess is to signify construction trucks have to use the ramp, for now, to get to the other side of old Cedar Square alignment. Here's the new intersection of Poole and Cedar Square Roads which will be opposite both the westbound on and off ramps:
There will be a traffic signal placed at this location when the freeway ramps are opened. If the contractors can make it up to 85% completion by the beginning of March, then I think a June 2010 opening, quoted by NCDOT officials to those in High Point, is still possible.

PA Keystone Markers Preservation Update and a website update too!

Jim Carn of the Pine Creek Preservation Association sent along another restored PA Keystone Marker.

Little Pine Creek:

Here's the original taken by David Brunot.
Now for the restored sign.
Looks pretty sharp!

Nathaniel Guest continues to work on creating a preservation trust for Pennsylvania Keystones. The trust will assist Pennsylvania municipalities in repairing, restoring, or replacing a current or lost marker. He is currently working on designing a website that local municipalities can access to learn more on what they can do and what resources are available to them for the markers.

While we're at it, I started working through a bunch of PA Keystones on the website. So far I have added/update 10 markers. They include the towns of Leechburg, New Centreville, Lexington, Wilson, Forest City, Waterville, and Roaring Branch. The Keystones also served as geological guides for rivers, creeks, and streams - three of the keystones added were for them. Tunkhannock Creek, Ramsey Run, and Little Pine Creek.

The update can be found at PA Keystone Town Markers on Gribblenation.

Details of the NC68/US 220 I-73 connector

NCDOT was gracious to send me their plans of the proposed NC 68/US 220 Connector that will one day carry Interstate 73. The blog's Bob Malme also attended tonight's public workshop and was able to get additional details on the project and will be included below.

First, the entire project is 13 miles in length and will consist of three segments. The connector, which will be built totally on a new alignment, is approximately 8.5 miles in length and will be built to Interstate standards and a 70 mph design speed. Previously, it was thought that the road would be built just short of Interstate grade and upgrades made over time, but that is no longer the case.

The Connector itself is broken down into two sections (A & B). Going west(South I-73) to east (North I-73), there will be interchanges at NC 68, NC 150 in Summerfield and US 220.

Under the original plan, Interstate 73 was to follow NC 68 South to Interstate 40. But those plans have changed, I-73 will briefly bump NC 68 before turning south and east to connect with Bryan Blvd. near Piedmont-Triad International Airport. From there, I-73 will follow Bryan Blvd. until joining the Greensboro Urban Loop/I-840.

The change to the routing of I-73 has drastically changed how I-73 intersects NC 68. The new plans have the NC 68/I-73 interchange that will include flyovers that will carry I-73 South traffic over NC 68 as it heads towards Bryan Blvd.

Bob, who was able to see much larger versions of the plans in person, explains, "[I-73] from Bryan Blvd. will meet NC 68 south of the Connector, but they probably won't run together more than half a mile northbound and less southbound where a flyover ramp will take I-73 over NC 68 in the vicinity of today's Sedgefield Road intersection and have it merge about a 1/4 mile further south. The part of NC 68 that will be I-73 and the Connector will be built to 70 MPH/Interstate standards with 2 lanes in each direction."

Figure 1. The I-73 Connector tie in with NC 68. I-73 North will run left to right. (Larger pdf file accessible here.)

Figure 2. The I-73 Connector east of NC 68. I-73 North will run left to right. (Larger pdf file accessible here.)

Figure 3. The I-73 Connector continues east towards US 220. I-73 North will run left to right. (Larger pdf file accessible here.)

The connector ends at a partial interchange with US 220 just south of the Haw River. Bob describes the partial interchange, "The interchange will feature a flyover for US 220 South which will go over the river and I-73 as it turns right onto the Connector, there will be no access from US 220 North to I-73 South, I-73 North will just meet 220 on its current path."

Figure 4. After a diamond interchange with NC 150, the connector ends with a partial interchange with US 220 as I-73 turns north. (Larger pdf file accessible here.)


From there, Section C of the project begins. Section C will build a four lane limited access highway northwards paralleling the current two lane US 220. The project length is 4.5 miles and is currently built to a 60 mph design speed. According to Bob's discussions with Section C project engineers this evening, "Since no federal money is [currently] involved, it will be built as initially as a 60 MPH speed limited access highway, with interchanges for NC 65 and US 158 (which already exists) and NC 68 at the northern end (could not tell if you could access 68 from north I-73). They hope to get federal funds once the Connector construction is underway in 2014 to upgrade the road to interstate status by the time the Connector is finished around 2017."

Construction on the connector is scheduled to begin in 2014 with completion by 2017.

For more details:
Residents can review N.C. 68 connector plan ---Greensboro News&Record
Interstate 73 Progress Page - Sections 2 & 3 ---Bob Malme

Leland, NCTA, NCDOT to hold Cape Fear Skyway public workshop on Jan. 22nd

The town of Leland along with NCDOT and the Turnpike Authority will host a public workshop on the Cape Fear Skyway on Friday, January 22nd. No details on where and when were available.

Leland has expressed the most concern over the Skyway project. Leland Mayor, Walter Futch, has express concern over the northern alternative of the project. That proposal would have the greatest impact on Leland

“It separates our town,” he has said.

Futch would like to state to spend some of that money on widening US 74/76 through town and to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

Story Link:
Town of Leland to hold public meeting for Skyway Bridge --WECT-TV

HT: Pat Batleman

NC Attorney General's Office: I-485 financing plan is legal

In a letter to NC Secretary of Transportation, Gene Conti, Chief Deputy Attorney General Grayson G. Kelly declared the "design-build-finance" plan for the missing Interstate 485 as legal. The letter, available here, pointed to a 2006 General Assembly Act as the legal precedent that will allow the Governor's plan to go forward.

The act "...further expanded NCDOT's contracting authority by allowing the Department, with Board of Transportation approval, to enter into agreements with private entities, political subdivisions and the North Carolina Turnpike Authority to finance by tolls and other financing methods authorized by law, the cost of acquiring, constructing, equipping, maintaining, and operating highways, roads, streets and bridges. "

Interestingly, later amendments to the law allow NCDOT to enter into similar agreements for all transportation projects including rail.

Additional Stories:
Plan for Charlotte Beltway Wins State Endorsement ---Charlotte Business Journal

Commentary:
So this clears the legal hurdles for Governor Perdue's plan. The plan, which is modeled after a method used by the Florida Department of Transportation, is the first of its kind in North Carolina.

Now it's a matter of how quickly NCDOT can move forward in putting the contract out to bid; and, more importantly, locating contractors that have the financial strength to chip in $50 million for construction.

I still have my reservations that this will all come together, but I must give credit to the Governor's office for coming up with a plan - at nearly the last minute - that can get construction of the missing link underway.

WVDOH: We may have the Mon-Fayette Expressway done by the end of this year

A WVDOH official indicated that the WV portion of the Mon-Fayette Expressway could be open by the end of the year.

The I-68/Bower's Lane interchange project should be completed by November. The northern half of the interchange which connects to Bower's Lane is 40 percent complete. The southern half of the interchange - a direct tie in to Interstate 68 - is 25 percent finished.

Story Links:
W. Va. portion of expressway could open this year ---The Charleston Gazette
Mon-Fayette Expressway ---WDTV w/video

Commentary:
I just can't see how the direct connection with I-68 will be finished by the end of the year. I expect that West Virginia will open the highway to Bower's Lane - forcing traffic to take a less than one mile detour on WV 857 to get to I-68 - then open the direct connection to I-68 sometime next year.

More Arizona Photos

Here's the rest of the Arizona photos on my Flickr gallery. This time, it's scenery photos from around Phoenix and Sedona, plus photos from that Coyotes-Islanders hockey game I attended.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157623194813862/

New York Comptroller Questions DOT on Bridge Repairs

According to an audit from New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, slightly more than a third of serious highway bridge defects were not handled by NYSDOT within an acceptable time frame. The audit finds that there are serious bridge defects on bridges throughout New York. Another report from the Comptroller's office had found that 93 bridges had a current safety rating that was as bad or worse than the Champlain Bridge, which was recently demolished after serious bridge defects were found on that bridge. A number of frequently used bridges, including the Tappan Zee Bridge and Peace Bridge, were not included in this audit, but are also in serious need of improvements and repairs.

Granted, New York State is also in a serious financial situation, but not paying attention to the infrastructure may have more dire circumstances.

DiNapoli hits DOT over bridge repairs: Albany Times Union

Wake Forest, NC to install wayfinding signs

If you're traveling through Wake Forest, North Carolina in the upcoming weeks, you may see some new signs.

The town is currently in the process of installing 15 new wayfinding signs. Road crews were setting anchors for the new signs today. The signs will be located on US 1A, NC 98 Business, along with local streets.

If you'd like to see the specs for all 15 signs, here's the link. (The file is rather large over 3.5 mb)

Arizona Road Photos Gallery

I just uploaded my road and sign photos from a recent trip to Arizona. I am still in the process of uploading my non-road photos to my Flickr account Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157623192320574/

Randolph County Visitor Center construction photos

I came across this post from Michael Mahan on the under construction I-73/74 Visitor Center in Randolph County. At the bottom of the post is a photo stream taken by Will Weaver showing the under construction Rest Area and Visitor Center near Seagrove.

The Visitor Center is scheduled to be opened later this month.

A few years ago there was some controversy on whether or not this would be a State Welcome Center. Originally legislated to be a Welcome Center, backlash from the decision forced a reversal and the Welcome Center became a Visitor's Center.

The difference between the two is Welcome Centers are manned by state employees compared to local volunteers at a Visitor Center. The cost to man a Welcome Center and the fact that it was 50 miles from the South Carolina line helped to fuel the backlash.

Also, check out Mid South Irrigation and Landscape's photo gallery of the fountain that will be on display at the Visitor's Center.

Randolph County Visitor Center construction photos

View more presentations from WillWeaver.

Some 2010 Massachusetts Sign Photos

The recent holidays gave me an excuse to travel back to my home state and check out progress on the various highway projects, particularly signing projects, going on. While not much progress has been made on MA 3 , one old sign taken down (the original Exit 20 sign for I-93 South), nor on I-93 from Randolph to Boston (1% completed since last spring, a few blue gas/food/lodging signs), there has been new signage put up for other road construction related projects south of Boston.

1. The "128" Add-A-Lane Project. This project, which will add a fourth travel lane between the MA 24 Exit (Exit 4 on I-93/US 1) and the MA 9 Exit (Exit 20 on I-95/128), has started its lane adding-phase after several years of bridge reconstruction projects. Currently, work is mostly complete around the I-95 South interchange and is proceeding north (on I-95) toward the South US 1 Exit and north (on I-93) to MA 24 South exit (confused yet?). New signs started going up on I-95 toward US 1 last fall. Here are the only new ground-level signs on I-95/US 1/MA 128 after the I-95 north merge. Notice one new sign missing in the center?
No US 1 sign. None has ever been put up on the I-95 portion of '128' going this direction, while only 1 appears after the US 1 on ramp going southbound. Here's some of the newer overhead signs heading toward the US 1 South Exit:
Ironically, US 1 is the second ramp at the interchange and is mentioned first. You can see on the left with the widening the grass median has been replaced by cement barriers. This will be the case from MA 24 northward to just before US 1 where the median becomes much wider. Here you can contrast old (left) and new (right) overhead signs:
The final overhead assembly northbound (for now) is made up completely of new signage:
You can also see the sign on the road above has been replaced also, there are, as of now, no references to MA 128 along the road as existed before construction. Turning around now:
At the MA 109 exit, an old sign appears on a new VMS assembly. While the signs on this gantry are old:
The new bridge being built as part of the project can be seen behind it. They have added a new sign assembly 1/2 mile later:
Remnants of the old bridge can be seen on the right. On the road above the sign is new and you can make out a North US 1 trailblazer, but again, no MA 128 signs (there are no more until the 'End 128' sign at what MassDOT now refers to as the the I-93/95 split. The project has also produced a better advanced guide sign for I-93:
The previous sign was a small sign on the left with I-93 and I-95 shields and '2 miles'. This sign is not new, put up last summer, but it's one of the few signs I've seen in Mass. that has the distance in feet:
The posting of this sign allows me to digress by taking the exit ramp and seeing some of the unique signs on the streets around this exit. For example, at the intersection with University Avenue, if one is looking to access '128' North this is what you see:
A 'Mass. Green Sign' before a differentiation was made between state and US routes (Notice again no 128 sign). Turning the corner, however, one gets these signs:
Did we suddenly enter New Jersey? There is also another circle 128 sign across from the intersection in the distance (no photo). And after one turns around one can get directed to interstates directed in opposite directions:
The extra I-95 sign was apparently put up on behalf of unions. What will it read when updated to include US 1?

2. The Burgin Parkway Extension onramp project. This is another project now almost complete which involved moving access to MA 3 south and I-93 from the Parkway from a surface street to a flyover ramp to remove traffic accessing the Crown Colony office development near the Quincy Adams T Station (Exit 19 of off MA 3) from the onramp traffic. In the course of the project, new overhead signs were put up on the existing parkway and new ramp to match those being changed along MA 3. The previous overhead signs were after the T station, now the new first overhead sign is a 1/2 mile earlier and tries to fit in all the possible destinations:
As the road splits the signs provide more detail for the three destinations of traffic:
In this case, the split between the access point for the T Station and office park (the old route to the MA 3 ramps) and the new highway ramps. Notice the shield signs have MA 3 first. Definitely not correct according to MUTCD rules which say interstates should be listed first. However, since MA 3 and I-93 North go together, putting MA 3 after the I-95 shield would imply it is routed on I-93 to I-95 or I-93 South, which is not correct. This is not repeated in the next sign:
There are not, however, like the BGS sign assemblies on MA 3 North itself, any MA 3 or US 1 North trailblazers which are to be put on the right pole of the sign. While one for MA 3 does appear in the photo below (bottom right), sorry about the sun glare, no US 1 sign is present:
I did spot in Downtown Boston, US 1 and MA 3 shields added to a pole of one of the I-93 Big Dig tunnel entrance ramp overhead signs, did not have my camera though. Hopefully more will be put up this year, and maybe the Route 3 signage project will be completed. It appears only 4 more signs (on the Washington Street onramp, opposite where I was taking photos) need replacing, and the promised pole signage to be added, to complete the project which started in 2005. The I-93 project is to be done by 2012, but at the 1% a year pace, dare we say 2099?