Gribblenation

Part 2 will focus on I-74. Besides the construction projects indicated in Part 1, there are also 2 others currently on US 74 that will be useful when signed as an interstate. In Columbus County NCDOT contractors are working on upgrading the current at-grade intersections with NC 242 north of Whiteville, and NC 211 just east of Whiteville bypass freeway into interchanges. Work began on both projects in the summer of 2010 and are scheduled for completion in 2012. Currently the NC 242 project is farther along, at about 75% complete compared to about 50% for NC 211, and should open first. These two projects, along with a bridge replacement just south of the current end of I-74, that extends the de facto I-74 freeway another 4 miles, suggest a piece-meal approach to bringing US 74 between Whiteville and Lumberton up to interstate standards. While there is a project on the books, still unfunded, to upgrade US 74/76 from Whiteville to Wilmington to Interstate standards, there's no compar...

It's been about a year since my last post and moving up to MA. Thought I'd reintroduce myself by posting on familiar topics from NC and then perhaps some new posts about recent road trips in the Boston area. When I left NC in Nov. 2010, NCDOT was about to open the next segment of I-74/US 311 freeway near High Point. Adam provided a good summary of the road after it opened on November 2010. It hadn't changed much in my trip on the road in October. The last year has seen NCDOT contractors quietly continue progress on two I-73 and I-74 related projects in Randolph County. First is the extension of I-74 to US 220 (I-73) near Randleman. The second is the reconstruction of US 220 through the Asheboro area so it can be signed officially as I-73/74. Both these projects are to be completed in the fall of 2012, perhaps allowing I-73 and I-74 to be signed between Randleman and Asheboro. Two more contracts are to be let this upcoming year for projects at either end of the current corri...

I was able to get through all of my New England photos from the past 6 months or so, spending the last few weeks uploading what I have for Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Here's the links to those collections for your enjoyment. CT - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157607561048312/ MA - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157607253434712/ NH - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157607251994954/ VT - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157607252483558/ I also uploaded some photos from my recent trip into Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia (for the 2nd ICC meet). MD - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157622760590627/ NJ - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157622937824688/ PA - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157607613959654/ VA - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/collections/72157622038789435/ Currently, I'm sorting...

It's been nearly 20 years since we've seen this number on a North Carolina highway. The first leg of the 20 mile Goldsboro Bypass opened to traffic Friday Morning - with no fanfare at all .  The 3.9 miles of freeway carries the designation of NC 44.  This is the second incarnation of NC 44 - the first lasted from the 1930 until 1994 in the northeastern part of the state.  In 1994, NC 44 was replaced by extensions to NC 33 and 111. This version of NC 44 won't last more than a decade either.  When the entire bypass is complete - most likely in 2016 - US 70 will move onto the new bypass.  This might me a first, as I don't know of any other new highway in North Carolina receiving a temporary number - only to be redesignated another route number when the highway is completed. For the entire photo set on flickr - head here . NC 44 begins at Interstate 795. I-795 North and South will have flyover ramps connecting to the bypass - while NC 44 will have con...

Due to significant damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene in late August, a portion of MA Route 2 connecting the towns of North Adams, Florida, Savoy, and Charlemont in northern Berkshire and Franklin counties was closed. Because MA 2 (Mohawk Trail) is a major connecting route between the communities in the area, it was imperative to reconstruct the damaged portion of the roadway in a quick fashion. Construction had to be done from the base up. As a result, this section of MA 2 has finally reopened to traffic, effective December 15, 2011. This is one of the final stretches of roadway that has reopened to traffic after being damaged from the remnants of Hurricane Irene. http://www.flickr.com/photos/massdot/sets/72157627932012320/ MA 2 construction photos from MassDOT on Flickr. 2005 Doug Kerr photo from the aforementioned stretch of roadway.

Early in May, I took a road trip up US 401 into Virginia.  Later that day I took, US 301 south from Skippers to Halifax, NC (but that is a separate series and post that will come later). Photo Set on flickr . This trip generated a handful of locations for the Carolina Crossroads Project....   ...but as I headed further away from Raleigh - there were some goodies. I like the stenciled zero in this US 401 shield. I need to go back and photograph the towns of Warrenton and Wise, but my focus that day was US 301, and it certainly didn't disappoint.

NCDOT confirmed to me on twitter today that the first leg of the Goldsboro Bypass will be open to traffic by week's end. The first leg of the new freeway runs from I-795 east to Wayne Memorial Drive. The new highway will be designated NC 44. This is the re-commissioning of an Eastern North Carolina route that was removed in 1994 . The designation, however, will not last long as when the bypass is completed, US 70 will be moved onto the freeway bypass. I will have a photo tour posted on the blog once the highway opens.