ODOT tags $809 million for possible I-74 extension in Cincinnati

North Carolina may no longer be alone in building/extending I-74 to South Carolina.  The Ohio Department of Transportation recently tagged $809 million for an Interstate 74 extension to the eastern suburbs of Cincinnati.  The $809 million comes from ODOT's 2011-2015 Major New Construction Program List.

I-74 would be extended from its current eastern terminus along I-75 North to the Norwood Lateral (OH 562).  I-74 would follow OH 562 eastwards to I-71 and head North to around Exit 9 (Red Bank Road).  Red Bank Road to US 50 would be upgraded to Interstate standards.  Then a new freeway would be built eastwardly over the Miami River to OH 32 near Bells Lane.  OH 32 would be upgraded (via grade separations) to an Interstate to Old OH 74 east of I-275.  (This would include a redesign of the current OH 32/I-275 Interchange.)

Map of I-74 Cincinnati extension (UrbanCincy.com)

Currently, ODOT is in the process of rebuilding I-75 in the vicinity of the I-74 and Norwood Lateral interchanges.  The Mill Creek Expressway Project, a total rebuild of I-75, consists of eight different major projects and scheduled to be completed in 2020.  

The $809 million that ODOT has targeted for the I-74 project is broken down into four sections.  Section 1: $204.6 million to upgrade Red Bank Road to an Interstate from I-71 to US 50.  Section 2: $366.2 million for a new highway from US 50, over the Miami River, to OH 32 near Bells Lane.  Section 3: $178.9 million for upgrades to OH 32 from Bells Lane to I-275 including modifications to the OH 32/I-275 interchange.  Section 4: $61.4 million to upgrade OH 32 to Interstate standards from Eastgate Blvd. to Old Ohio Route 74.

ODOT does not list any planned upgrades to the Norwood Lateral or Interstate 71.  The Norwood Lateral would need a significant overhaul to meet modern Interstate standards.  

The jury is out whether or not this extension will ever happen.  But it is an interesting development in the I-73/74 saga.

Story Link: $809M tagged to extend I-74 through Hamilton County ---Cincinnati Business Courier

HT: Frank Brosnan

Is Virginia considering to extend I-785 further North?

Though it's not even a signed route, Interstate 785 may be extended further north within Virginia.  The 'Future' Interstate, which is to run from I-85 east of Greensboro, NC then follow US 29 to Danville, Virginia, was first came into existence in 1997 when AASHTO approved the designation.  In 1998, Congress passed a bill authorizing the designation.  Later that same year, a "public announcement" was held trumpeting the new Interstate.

Fast forward another 13 years to the present, and the Virginia State Assemblyman, Daniel W. Marshall, III (R), proposed a resolution (HB 2481) to extend Interstate 785 northwards along US 29 to Altavista.

The summary of the bill is as follows:

Designating a portion of U.S. Route 29 as Interstate 785.  Designates U.S. Route 29 from the Virginia-North Carolina line to north of the Town of Altavista as Interstate 785. The bill provides that such designation shall not take effect until the Virginia Department of Transportation consults with the Federal Highway Administration to identify any steps that need to be taken along the designated route to meet federal interstate standards, and VDOT shall report to the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability the steps that need to be taken for such designation by December 1, 2011.

 The bill is currently in the Virgina House Transportation Sub-committee.

For Interstate 785 to even exist to Altavista, the non-access controlled segments of US 29 between the Danville and Chatham bypasses, the Chatham and Gretna bypasses, and the Gretna and Hurt/Altavista bypasses would have to be upgraded.  That is about 22 miles of roadway.

In addition, upgrades to the Chatham (1965), Gretna (1975), and Hurt/Altavsta (1974) would be necessary.  These would be just the key points the FHWA would suggest to VDOT for any Interstate designation to take place.  

Furthermore, Altavista doesn't seem to make sense as the northern terminus for the Interstate.  Lynchburg, a much larger city, is located approximately 18 miles further north on US 29.  Virginia has plans to build the South Lynchburg Bypass from where US 29 (Madison Heights Bypass) meets US 460 southeast of Lynchburg to near where current US 29 meets VA 24 today.  The City of Lynchburg is currently not served by an Interstate; and if Interstates mean "economic development" then the route should ultimately reach Lynchburg.   Which, personally, I believe is the ultimate goal for I-785. 

Interstate 785 shield courtesy Shields Up! 

James Madison's Montpelier

Over the Christmas Holiday, Maggie and I had a chance to tour James Madison's Montpelier.  Montpelier is located on VA 20 just south of Orange, VA.  Like Jefferson's Monticello outside of Charlottesville, Montpelier is open to the public and offers various tours and activities.  Admission is $16 for adults and $8 for children.



Montpelier has a unique history of its own, something that the both of us grew to learn and appreciate from our touring the estate.  The grounds that is the birth place of James Madison has a colorful and unique history.  Montpelier's history dates to the 1720's when Madison's grandfather moved them to 'Mount Pleasant'.  Mount Pleasant would evolve into Montpelier upon the construction of a two story brick home in the mid-1760's by Madison's father.  Madison himself would oversee the construction of two additions to the home (in 1797-1800 and 1809-1812).



Madison would remain at Montpelier until his death in 1836.  His widow, Dolley, would sell the home in 1844.  The remainder of the 19th century would see seven owners of the estate until the duPont family purchased the grounds in 1901.  Montpelier would remain property of the duPont's until the passing of Marion duPont Scott in 1983.  Following her wishes, Scott's heirs transferred Montpelier to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1984.

Montpelier was first opened to the public in 1987.  However, the home had seen numerous changes and additions built by the duPont's.  It wasn't until 2003 that renovations began to return the home to its 1836 design.  The deconstruction of the additions and restoration of the home lasted until 2008.  Since then, an ongoing restoration of the interior to Madison's era has begun.  This never ending sleuth and scavenger hunt has led to numerous discoveries about the interior of the home, location of various roads, fence posts, and other items on the grounds, and also the location of various slave quarters.



When you visit Montpelier, there is plenty to see and do.  First, at the visitor's center, there is a brief movie about Madison and Montpelier to view prior to touring the home. The tour of the home discusses how archeologists and other researchers are looking for and have found clues about the interior of the home that has led them to slowly piece together a furnished interior of the house.  The tour also includes an opportunity to take in the fabulous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west.



On the second floor of the home, there is a more interactive and detailed story of the restoration process in what they call a "Presidential Detective Story".  The cellar is also open for a self-guided look.  The archeological laboratory is open to the public as well as active open-air digs - weather permitting.  The Madison and duPont gardens are also open to the public, in addition to numerous walking trails.  Within the visitor's center, there are two galleries - the Grills, which features the found treasures of Montpelier - and the duPont which features numerous artifacts and heirlooms of the duPont family.



If you have the time, a must-see is located just off the grounds of Montpelier.  A total restoration of Montpelier Junction Train Depot - a former Southern Railway station - is a fascinating look at America during the time of segregation.  The depot has been restored to how it appeared when it opened in 1910 - complete with segregated waiting rooms, "white" and "colored".  Within each waiting room, modern visitors can see the difference of accommodations during the time of "separate but equal". 



It is a powerful reminder of how much African-Americans had to overcome, and the powerful realization that it wasn't that long ago that segregation was an unfortunate part of our lives.



The old freight room is home to the local post office but part of it has been open for the self-guided tour.  Inside are numerous technological items from the early 20th century.  Telegraph, telephone, and typewriters from the era have been restored and are included in the exhibit.

James Madison's Montpelier is an excellent stop for learning and being a part of history.  Interactive tours and activities for all ages can make a memorable visit to this scenic and historic part of Central Virginia.

My entire photo set from Madison's Montpelier can be found on flickr.