Gribblenation

Here's a good one for everyone: You are on US 70 East/NC 50 South (Glenwood Ave.) at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh. The overhead signs date to a time when a whole mess of highways were on what is now the I-440 Beltline. Now, only a 'TO' US 64 shield stays. I am not sure what all could have gone on the signs. But the middle sign would indeed have East US 70, South NC 50, and North US 1. It appears there is room for even more. Maybe an I-440 shield maybe a 'TO' US 401, who knows. The right overhead sign was most likely just US 1 South, but it could have had more. So what was once there? Anyone out there know?

NC 218 has become a 'Monroe Bypass' by default, and as a result the rural Union County highway is starting to show some wear in addition to safety deficiencies. So there's a plan to improve it. Resurface 30 miles of highway, widen the roadway to 24 feet (from 20-22 feet), build turning lanes at various major intersections (US 601, NC 200 and 205.) Cost: $15.5 million. Not a big deal, right? Well, the Charlotte Division of NCDOT (Division 10) is about $14 million short in funds to start the project this year. So the division's engineer, Barry Moose, came up with the suggestion that some of the funds come from a project to add additional lanes to US 601. Well this proposal didn't sit to well with Monroe City Council. In fact, they passed a resolution against the idea. Their concern is that the wider US 601 will be needed when the real US 74 Monroe Bypass is built. (which, quite honestly, no one has a clue on when that actually will see the light of day - unfortun...

The once, current, and future northern end of US 117 at US 301? Since Adam introduced me by saying I had yet to post, I thought this would be as good time as any. Many of you may have seen my recent post on SERoads regarding AASHTO's decision on US 117 between Wilson and Goldsboro. For those that haven't, or cannot access the AASHTO decisions since they used some new Microsoft coding only good on Internet Explorer, I thought I'd summarize it here. This is the text of AASHTO's denial: Disapproved were: North Carolina U.S. 17 – disapproved see next remarks North Carolina U.S. 17 ALT – disapproved since the Alternate must be as good as or better than the primary route and suggest NC designate this as a business route. North Carolina U.S. 117 – disapproved see next remarks North Carolina U.S. 117 ALT – disapproved since the map was incomplete as it did not show where 117 came back at the north end. Alternate must be as good as o...

As you all well and know, earlier this week , Governor Mike Easley announced his own plan for improving road financing within the state of North Carolina. And as we predicted (and Bob made note of in the comments), the Governor's 21st Century Transportation Committee came up with their own suggestions. Story: Raleigh News & Observer There was a plethora of items within the Committee's conclusions, but since the governor specifically targeted the annual transfer of $172.6 million from the Highway Trust Fund to the General Fund, lets look at the differences there first. Gov. Easley suggested that the transfer be reduced by $25 million this year and eventually be eliminated completely. (He didn't give a timetable for how long that would take.) The $25 million would then be applied for the necessary gap funding for the proposed Triangle Expressway Toll Road. (Which needs about $22-25 million per year for 40 years to cover the cost of building the highway.) I pointed out ...

I've really enjoyed the blog over the past couple of years. Of course there have been posting frenzies and droughts...but I try to keep it as current as possible. Hopefully, you have enjoyed the roadtrips and oddities, news stories and opinions (even when there is internal disagreement) and at times even commented. So to add to the roadtrips and oddities, news stories and opinions, I've invited a few new folks to participate in adding their own input to the blog. So, here's the somewhat formal introduction. Bob Malme - Although he has yet to post, he's added to the blog in numerous comments. Bob adds a strong research background and insight on various projects throughout North Carolina (as if the blog has enough NC material as it is :-p), but also hails originally from New England. Charles Slater - His unique viewpoint of transportation and of the roadgeeking hobby is well known. He's already added his own opinions to the blog and along with Doug has expanded o...

On May 4, 2008, AASHTO officials met and discussed a few changes to some of New York State's Interstate Highway system. The changes to the Interstate system in this state were obvious choices to be made. I-695 in the Bronx is now officially I-695, as it has been signed as such by NYSDOT since 1986. Technically, it had been considered to be a spur of I-295 between I-95 and I-295 near the Throgs Neck Bridge. Corresponding AASHTO Document The other topic of discussion was increasing the length of I-86's mileage here in New York. I-86 has been signed from the New York/Pennsylvania state line near Erie out to Exit 52 (NY State Route 14) in Horseheads, and from I-81 just east of Binghamton to NY State Route 79 in Windsor. With the completion of the Horseheads Bypass, I-86 will now be signed between Exits 52 and Exit 56 (NY State Route 352) in Elmira. Corresponding AASHTO Document To me, these are obvious moves that gets New York State in line with AASHTO about how roads are sign...

With the short session of the North Carolina Legislature just underway, Governor Mike Easley proposed some changes in the annual transfer of funds from the Highway Trust Fund to the General Fund. The governor's proposal - reduce the transfer of $172.6 million by $25 million. The ultimate goal is to reduce the transfer in its entirety. The governor did not mention how many years it would take to complete phase out the funds transfer. Where would the $25 million go? As the gap funding for the Triangle Expressway. The change in the transfer of funds would ultimately need to be approved by the legislature. Story: Triangle Business Journal Commentary: Where should I begin on this one. First, I am sure Sue Myrick, Pat McCrory, and others will enjoy this one. Myrick and McCrory, both from Charlotte, will certainly not like the fact that Raleigh would get funding to build another piece of 540 while I-485 gets delayed. The opponents of tolling 540 will not like this because it pretty...