Gribblenation

A few weeks ago, I took a roadtrip with Chris Allen to the Cumberland Gap.  This has long been on my list of one day roadgeeking trips and after a handful of times where plans had fallen through over the years.  I finally got to do the trip.  In addition, since Chris, myself, Brian all have kids now - random road trips aren't very common anymore.  However, once a year some combination of us try to make a long one day road trip. Route: I-40, Business 40, US 52, I-74, I-77, I-81, I-26, US 11W, TN 31, TN 131, US 25E to Cumberland Gap. Return home: US 25E, US 119, US 421, VA 224, TN 93, US 11W, I-81, detour into and out of Bristol on US 421 and I-381, I-81, I-77, etc to home. I gained six new counties one this trip - 4 in TN and 2 in KY. 50 for 2017 and 1144 overall. We left Chris' house at just after 6 am. I don't get to the North Carolina High Country much anymore - let alone in the morning.  And I found that this photo of I-74 West approaching Inters...

W hat began as Appalachian Regional Corridor 'B' in the mid-1960's and ended as an extension of Interstate 26 into the mountains north of Asheville and into Tennessee, is a spectacular highway that combines the scenic majesty of the mountains and the utmost importance in safety and high-speed travel in this modern era.  Built in various segments and not without its share of controversy, the new I-26 instantly became the crown jewel of the North Carolina Highway System when the last miles opened in August 2003.  Shortly after the highway opened that August, we hosted a road meet to tour the new highway.  Here are some of the photos from the trip.  Photos were taken by Chris Curley and Brian Reynolds. Lane instructions on I-26 West near the North Carolina/Tennessee State Line; Sams Gap. (Photo by Chris Curley) Overhead for US 23 (Exit 3) on I-26 East.  After the highways completion, most of US 23 stayed or was placed back on its old alignment.  Ten...

The Diverging Diamond Interchange - started in France - imported to Missouri - and slowly appearing in North Carolina - is being proposed at one of the busiest interchanges in the Asheville area.  If built, the Interstate 26 interchange with NC 280 will be home of the seventh type interchange within the state . This interchange also serves Asheville Regional Airport and the area has seen significant growth over the last two decades.  Construction on the new DDI interchange should begin in the fall of 2013 at a cost of $6.4 million.  For more: DOT previews interchange design for N.C. 280 ---Hendersonville Lightning

South Carolina has recently received approval from the federal government to add tolls to Interstate 95 and appears to be considering the same for Interstate 26. However, the state has no current plans to go forward with the tolling on either highway. The approval which comes after an August request by SCDOT to gain permission to toll the Interstate. The request was part of the "Corridors to the Future" program. South Carolina was not the only state to request tolling Interstate 95. It appears that Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida made similar requests as well. Rumors of when, how, and where Interstate 95 will be tolled seem to be widespread throughout the state. A November 15th story in the Greenville News said that the tolling of I-95 could begin in the Spring of 2008. Quoting SC Secretary of Transportation Buck Limehouse the article stated that the tolls would be placed on newly constructed 'hot lanes', which are added tolled express lanes. ...