1452 replies to this topic

[kickazzz2000]

Why does Shelby get another bypass when they royally fudged up the one they had?

[ajfunder]

I really think they should preserve the LRT/BRT corridor and continue to build the reserved lane for express buses. That corridor is going to need mass transit eventually and that is the only place there is really room for it. Despite what one study said, transit in the center of highways works well in many places, although not ideal for development, it moves people. Maybe preserve the corridor for adding heavy rail to Matthews and Monroe one day or build the silver line as planned when finnancial times improve.

[Third Strike]

ajfunder, on 20 May 2012 - 08:49 AM, said:

I really think they should preserve the LRT/BRT corridor and continue to build the reserved lane for express buses. That corridor is going to need mass transit eventually and that is the only place there is really room for it. Despite what one study said, transit in the center of highways works well in many places, although not ideal for development, it moves people. Maybe preserve the corridor for adding heavy rail to Matthews and Monroe one day or build the silver line as planned when finnancial times improve.

I agree. I was fond of LRT or BRT running down Independence. It reminded me of the Gold line in Pasadena CA, which also had Light Rail running down the median of I-210. I think the only other solution for mass transit for this corridor is either a Street Car down Monroe, or maybe Light/Heavy rail that utilizes the CSX railroad line (I don't know how plausible this is).

kickazzz2000, on 20 May 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

Why does Shelby get another bypass when they royally fudged up the one they had?

I believe the original bypass was created sometime in the 1950s/1960s. I suppose back then it acted as an effective bypass, but they didn't plan very well for the future, especially when they didn't make it a controlled-access highway.

[ajfunder]

Third Strike, on 20 May 2012 - 10:07 AM, said:

maybe Light/Heavy rail that utilizes the CSX railroad line (I don't know how plausible this is).

Running commuter trains over the CSX would require multiple sidings to be added if not double track from Uptown Charlotte to Monroe. Also the CSX/NS seperation project doesn't include a direct track from the NS and Gateway Station trackage to the CSX track that heads out to Monroe so this would have to be fixed unless the commuter trains do a wye type move when coming/leaving Gateway Station.

[dubone]

The same could be said of Charlotte about screwing up our bypasses with 50s/60s-style auto-oriented trashy businesses.   Independence was ours.   At the end of the day, Shelby is a bottleneck on the way to the mountains, and ought to have a freeway connection, regardless of whether the current 74 was originally intended for through traffic.  Same goes for Monroe, as the traffic on both of those stretches of 74 is maddening when you're trying to get somewhere.

[kermit]

ajfunder, on 20 May 2012 - 01:01 PM, said:

Running commuter trains over the CSX would require multiple sidings to be added if not double track from Uptown Charlotte to Monroe. Also the CSX/NS seperation project doesn't include a direct track from the NS and Gateway Station trackage to the CSX track that heads out to Monroe so this would have to be fixed unless the commuter trains do a wye type move when coming/leaving Gateway Station.

Commuter rail on the CSX falls into the 'never gonna happen' category for me. Despite that, given the grade speration plans, a CSX station at Alpha Mill (where the BLE will cross over the CSX) combined with a BLE station might make as much sense as running to Gateway (given the cost of a CSX/NCRR connection post-grade seperation). The Alpha station would certainly be cheaper, just about as close to Tryon and Trade as Gateway (by foot) and would provide direct access to the blue line (rather than the streetcar).

There is nothing more emblematic of 'world city status' than multiple rail termini.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I drove across the new I-85 Yadkin River crossing yesterday evening. That is a loooooong bridge! It was also nice knowing I wasn't going to fall into the river.

Also drove through Shelby. As big of a PITA as usual! I can't wait for the bypass. I just hope they don't get half-way around and stop funding. I'm sure the Walmart distribution center will love it too (part of their deal when they located there . . . many years ago.)

Edited by cowboy_wilhelm, 21 May 2012 - 04:15 PM.

[NCMike1990]

A 1.6-mile segment of I-85 (from the Charlotte city limits to the Cabarrus County Line) will be named the "Jeff Gordon Expressway", with a dedication ceremony planned for this Friday.

Edited by NCMike1990, 23 May 2012 - 04:23 PM.

[dubone]

And post highway patrol every .4-mi to make sure that drivers don't get any ideas.

[norm21499]

....That's kinda dumb. I can understand say if it was 85 from 77 to Cabarrus....but only 1.6 miles!? Please, that's not worth the money.

[ah59396]

How long is the track at the Speedway?  I thought it was 1.6 miles, but I may be wrong.

[Bikeguy]

^ it's 1.5 miles

[ah59396]

Gracias^

My knowledge of racing is obviously paltry.

Edited by ah59396, 24 May 2012 - 07:08 AM.