Skip to main content

Tour of the now opened Phase II of the Triangle Expressway

Image
By
VMS announcing hey the road just opened today...you'll be tolled tomorrow

The second phase of the Triangle Expressway from NC 55 near Apex southwards to US 64 opened on August 1st.  It was the only free day for the new highway as tolls on the new highway would go into effect the following day Thursday, August 2nd.  So we had an impromptu Triangle Road Meet and six of us met up at Trali in Brier Creek to check out the new road.  Not bad for 48 hour notice!

126

We had a small surprise when we got to I-40.  First Lady Michelle Obama was in town and we just caught her motorcade getting onto I-540 East headed back to RDU.   Here's the temporary roadblock at the ramp from 540 East to 40 East.

127

So now lets get back to touring Phase II of the Triangle Expressway.

Toll NC 540 begins in a half mile

Last Exit before toll and by the way Tolls begin tomorrow.

Some of the signs on the now truncated NC 540 (Free) approaching the NC 54 interchange.  This is the only free interchange south of I-40.  If you look closely enough at the bottom of the second photo, you will seen an 'END' sign for the free portion of NC 540.

135

The overhead toll gantries at the NC 540 and NC 147 tolled interchange.  They now work.

NC 540 Toll South approaching NC 55

Overhead for NC 55 with the decorative style all sign posts have along the Triangle Expressway.

139

And here we are on the newly opened road.  People are taking advantage of the only 'free' day on the new highway.

141

These pedestal sign gantries are getting more popular in North Carolina.

143

The next overhead toll gantry just prior to the Green Level West Road interchange on NC Toll 540 South.

150

It's a quick drive to the new south end of the highway at US 64 in Apex.

156

Looking Southbound at the current construction that will extend the highway to NC 55 in Holly Springs.  This next segment should be open in January 2013.

158

Close-up of the more decorative style for bridges and overpasses along the TriEx.

159

Overheads on US 64 East to go onto NC 540 North.  Surprisingly, there aren't any exit numbers based on US 64 mileage here.

162

Getting back on to the TriEx at US 64 - a on-ramp overhead toll gantry greets you.

167

Morrisville Parkway isn't ready for traffic just yet

Just north of the Green Level West Road interchange is a ghost bridge for Morrisville Parkway.  The NCTA built the bridge for whenever Morrisville Parkway will be extended.  There is no current date for filling in the nearly two mile gap of Morrisville Parkway between NC 55 and Green Level Church Road.  There also are plans to build an interchange with the TriEx at Morrisville Parkway in the future.  However, no grading for a future interchange was apparent.

Overheads approaching Exit 67

Now back on what was once Free NC 540 and now Toll NC 540 approaching the interchange with NC Toll 147. 

TOLL NC 540 ENDS - FREE NC 540 BEGINS

Finally, just prior to the NC 54 interchange this guide sign informs drivers of the end of the tolled section of NC 540 and the beginning of the free section of NC 540. 

Start of I-540 East - Exits 1B and 2

NC 540 doesn't last long for about a mile later is Interstate 40 and NC 540 becomes Interstate 540.  Lots of different '540's I know.  For my entire set on flickr, head here.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Grand Loop Road of Yellowstone National Park

By
  Grand Loop Road is a 140 mile loop highway which traverses the interior of Yellowstone National Park.  Grand Loop Road connects all of the major attractions and geological features of Yellowstone National Park along with the entrance roads.  Grand Loop Road is a seasonal highway and despite some conjecture never has been part of the US Route System.   Part 1; the history of Grand Loop Road The majority of history pertaining to Grand Loop Road was taken from the below National Park Service article: Historic Roads - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) Yellowstone was declared the first National Park of the United States on March 1st, 1872.  The first real highway to access Yellowstone National Park came in 1873 when a tolled facility was constructed from Bozeman, Montana via Yankee Jim Canyon to Mammoth Hot Springs.  Numerous attempts were made to fund construction of roadway infrastructure during the early years of Yellows...
Post a Comment
Read more

The last 1956-63 era California Sign State Route Spade?

By
Along southbound California State Route 170 (the Hollywood Freeway Extension) approaching the Hollywood Freeway/Ventura Freeway interchange a white California State Route 134 Sign State Route Spade can be observed on guide sign.  These white spades were specifically used during the 1956-63 era and have become increasingly rare.  This blog is intended to serve as a brief history of the Sign State Route Spade.  We also ask you as the reader, is this last 1956-63 era Sign State Route Spade or do you know of others?  Part 1; the history of the California Sign State Route Spade Prior to the Sign State Route System, the US Route System and the Auto Trails were the only highways in California signed with reassurance markers.  The creation of the US Route System by the American Association of State Highway Officials during November 1926 brought a system of standardized reassurance shields to major highways in California.  Early efforts to create a Sign State Route ...
Post a Comment
Read more

California State Route 70; the Feather River Highway

By
From 2017 through to early 2019 I drove the majority of the California State Route 70; the Feather River Highway from CA 89 southwest to CA 99. CA 70 is an approximately 178.5 mile state highway which starts at US 395 near the Nevada State Line and travels west through the Feather River Canyon to CA 99.  CA 70 is often referred to as the Feather River Highway" given it's close association with the river.  Historically CA 70 was previously signed as US 40A and CA 24.  The Legislative Routes prior to the 1964 California Highway Renumbering that made up the current route of CA 70 are as follows: -  Legislative Route Number 21 from US 395 westward to Oroville. -  LRN 87 from Oroville south to Marysville. -  LRN 232 from Marysville to the current junction with CA 99.  CA 70 was even dual signed with CA 99 into Sacramento on what was LRN 232 for a time. The change from US 40A/LRN 21/LRN 87/LRN 232 can be seen by comparing the 1963 State Highway Ma...
Post a Comment
Read more