Gribblenation

With work on one new US 70 Bypass (Clayton) almost over, constructing another one is set to begin. The US 70 Bypass of Goldsboro (or in actuality a bypass of an existing bypass) is set to begin in the fall. Residents got to make comments last Thursday (5/22) at a forum sponsored by the U.S. 70 Corridor Commission which aims to improve the route from I-95 to the coast. The Bypass will be built in 4 phases, only the one to begin this fall running from I-795 (or maybe I-795/US 117) to Wayne Memorial Drive and costing $234 million is funded. The remaining 3 projects are unfunded and will start sometime after 2015. Story: Goldsboro News-Argus Commentary: Well, it appears building this bypass will certainly take longer than the US 70 Clayton Bypass. Hopefully this one will have more control over development than that of its predecessor preventing the building of yet another bypass in 10-20 years. What do you think the designations will be when the entire route is finished? Will Business 70 ...

Earlier in the month, I blogged about the possibility of part of the final segment of the Carolina Bays Parkway being shifted away from a subdivision . Well last week after a public meeting, SCDOT decided to shift the highway and the interchange at its terminus at SC 707 1,500 hundred feet to the north. The change will spare numerous homes at The Meadows subdivision along with a few businesses. The move will actually trim $5 million in right-of-way purchases from the cost of the $235 million project. In addition to the cost savings with the new routing, SCDOT is looking at changing the design of the Parkway's bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway and possibly having Enterprise Road cross over the highway than underneath it. Despite the possible $20 million in savings, SCDOT is holding firm to the $235 million project cost estimate because of inflation and the rising costs of materials. The 4.2 mile extension of the Carolina Bays Parkway, signed as SC 31, should see construction ...

Took one more weekend trip today. This time it was all over Northeastern NC. The main purpose was to get photos of some of the missing NC Highway Ends. Route: I-540, US 264, US 264A, NC 581, US 64A, US 64 Business, US 64, I-95, NC 43, NC 48, NC 481, NC 561, US 258, NC/VA 35, VA/NC 186, US 301, NC 48, NC/VA 48, Va. Secondary 611 and 659, US 58, VA 4, US Bike 1. Whew. Accomplishments: Clinched NC 481. Added miles to: NC 43, NC 4, NC 48, NC 581, NC 561, US 258, NC/VA 35, NC/VA 46. Notes: Over 50 photos on the trip. Of course, head over to flickr , if you want to see 'em all! At the crossroads of Glenview, which is the Western Terminus of NC 481, is this old abandoned B.M. Sykes General Merchandise store. A few years ago, a short NC 481 bypass was built to the south of Enfield. The reason was to bypass the heavily traveled train crossing through the center of town. Well, here's proof of why. At NC 481's East end in Tillery was a great former gas station. Who would've ...

Tolls along I-93 in Boston? It could happen, as one top transportation official in the administration of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has hinted that the concept is worth investigating. Officials are considering the idea of tolling I-93 as a means to reduce congestion, but a formal study would be conducted first before any decision is made. There are a number of other options on the table as well, 37 options in fact. Among the options that are also being considered are raising tolls on Interstate 90, reducing discounts for those who carpool and bringing back the toll barrier along I-90 in West Newton. Among the options being considered if I-93 were to be tolled would be converting a carpool lane to a tolled express lane, or installing sensors that would read license plate numbers, and send a bill for the tolls owed. That is similar to the ETR 407 in Toronto. The Federal Highway Administration has stated that they do not prefer tolling plans that would tie up traffic. Read...

In keeping with this morning's theme of cellular technology and highways. This latest news comes to us from the Hub of the Universe - Boston, Massachusetts, and a series of ducts that were constructed when the Big Dig was built. When the Big Dig was constructed, designers had drawn plans for a duct system that was meant for telecomminications wiring for cell phone technology and any other future technologies that come about. This cost about $13.9 million dollars. However, the ducts have gone unused, as cell phone companies are finding it cheaper to resort to other measures. Read the article... Big Dig's $13.9m ducts go unused - Boston Globe / Boston.com

Today's Albany Times Union had an article about increased cell phone coverage within the Adirondack Park. More cell phone towers are popping up within the population centers of the Adirondacks as the technology becomes increasingly common. However, while four cell phone towers along the I-87 Northway have been approved by the Adirondack Park Agency, the cell towers have not been built yet. Those plans should be coming along later in the year. Read the article... You can 'hear me now' way up north - Albany (N.Y.) Times Union

Gas prices be damned...I went on a roadtrip yesterday. Route: NC 50, I-85, US 15, NC/VA 96, US 501, VA 129, US 501, US 60, I-81, VA 232, US 11, VA 8, US 58, NC 86, US 158, US 15, NC 50. Accomplishments: Clinched the Independent Cities of Buena Vista and Radford. Cliched VA 129, 262, and finished VA 8. Completed US 501 in VA and I-81 within Virginia along with adding miles to US 58, US 60 and US 11 within Virginia. Notes: Of course for the entire photo set on flickr, go here . On NC 96 prior to Virgilina was this great remnant of an old highway store. I did a quick jaunt on the very short VA 349 in Halifax. It is signed when you turn on it off of US 501 and pretty much has no real purpose. It appears that in the past few years US 501 was slightly realigned in Volens at Secondary Route 603. The old alignment is now a Frontage Road (See below) and also is considered a 'Weight-Turn' out. I stopped to take photos of the town of Brookneal . Followed US 501...