Traffic Congestion and Highway Construction

[Third Strike]

Will the Monroe Expressway open immediately as a tollway, or will there be a few weeks/months were it will be free to ride? I think I recall NC 540 in Raleigh starting off with a “free trial”, but I’m not completely sure. 

[southslider]

^Open fully with tolls but much cheaper ones than 77

 

[Hushpuppy321]

Yes - Monroe Bypass will be fully tolled from day 1.   I-540 was free for a few weeks because it opened partially.

[WCUP]

Not sure if it's been mentioned but I heard it would be tolled from the start.  

[KJHburg]

Here is an article how first responders are practicing on the new Monroe Toll Bypass.  Opens Nov. 27.  I have to get my toll transponder soon I guess.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2018/11/16/photosfirst-responders-test-out-monroe-expressway.html

Edited November 18, 2018 by KJHburg

[NCMike1990]

15 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

Here is an article how first responders are practicing on the new Monroe Toll Bypass.  Opens Nov. 27.  I have to get my toll transponder soon I guess.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2018/11/16/photosfirst-responders-test-out-monroe-expressway.html

The overpasses look nice with the brick. Also, cool that the name of the road is on there.

[elrodvt]

I got the transponder with the hov switch. I believe hov isn't valid on the Monroe bypass but might as well be prepared for 77 if you go that way often.

[Hushpuppy321]

On 11/17/2018 at 10:47 PM, NCMike1990 said:

The overpasses look nice with the brick. Also, cool that the name of the road is on there.

True - The Aesthetics on the Monroe (Bypass) Expressway are really nice looking.  Here's a close up:

[JorgiPorgi]

1 hour ago, Hushpuppy321 said:

True - The Aesthetics on the Monroe (Bypass) Expressway are really nice looking.  Here's a close up:

I hope the Shelby Bypass has some characteristics similar to this, though it won’t be a toll road. 

77 between Uptown and 85 is starting to look so much better. God I wish they would do the same from uptown-to 485 south. Love the flyovers- something Charlotte doesn’t have a lot of for some reason. Also- I noticed today that the new sound barrier walls they are putting up are actually white brick, or made to look like white brick. Never noticed that on any other new sound barrier walls. 

[KJHburg]

Video about the new tolls on the Monroe Bypass

https://vimeo.com/298601757

[Spartan]

4 hours ago, JorgiPorgi said:

Also- I noticed today that the new sound barrier walls they are putting up are actually white brick, or made to look like white brick. Never noticed that on any other new sound barrier walls. 

I think they are stamped precast concrete.

[KJHburg]

Little more detail on the initial tolls and how the tolls are being set in north Mecklenburg and south Iredell from the Mooresville Tribune

https://www.mooresvilletribune.com/news/lake-norman-toll-lanes-nearing-completion/article_6689a954-e9f2-11e8-ae4c-cbe6a83c784d.html

[tozmervo]

[KJHburg]

Talk about a slow rebuild this Hawthorne Ave bridge over Independence and some other shots today on the highway out by Idlewild Rd exit.  Remember these will have toll lanes in each direction then one reversible toll lane inbound in the morning and outbound closer to uptown .

[videtur quam contuor]

I ordered the NC Quickpass today for toll use. After several attempts to complete the form online and each time it said "enter a valid county" and I spelled Mecklenburg every possible way I surrendered and used the phone. After a not too long hold time the nice woman in Morrisville said the website was not functioning (well, yes) and she took me through the process manually. Then she tried to walk me through establishing my account (which is different from ordering the transponder) and she could not make the site work on her end. We agreed to let it go for now and I should have my transponder in a week and my account debited for the device plus 20$ for first usage. I can go online later and complete my account information.

If you believe that will all happen stand on one leg, touch your nose and sing Hallelujah Chorus.

[asthasr]

On 11/19/2018 at 4:25 PM, JorgiPorgi said:

I hope the Shelby Bypass has some characteristics similar to this, though it won’t be a toll road. 

I put the probability at approximately 0%. Shelby/Cleveland County is very bad at aesthetics.

[Hushpuppy321]

I agree with the above noted comment.  Typically Toll Road Facilities in NC have an Aesthetics Package included in them to make the thoroughfare attractive and distinctive.  Obviously this upfront cost will be recouped by the Toll Paying Drivers.  Most non-tolled facilities won't / don't have them because due to streamlining costs.

[KJHburg]

This is one toll road I will use for sure.  The Monroe Bypass toll road opens tomorrow.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2018/11/26/charlotte-area-s-first-toll-road-opens-tuesday.html?ana=e_ae_set1&s=article_du&ed=2018-11-26&u=oAaDx%2B74FoP4qOJ%2By4AU6dhJPpc&t=1543263786&j=85197291

[CTiger]

On 11/20/2018 at 9:04 AM, tozmervo said:

I drove by this for the first time this past week while travelling for Thanksgiving, and man . . . that red is way more vibrant in person.  I thought it looked really bad and doesn't really look all that much like brick.  They probably should have just painted the fake brick and left the support beams unpainted.  It looks like it is being  painted by a kindergarten class.

[grodney]

 

16 hours ago, KJHburg said:

This is one toll road I will use for sure.  The Monroe Bypass toll road opens tomorrow.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2018/11/26/charlotte-area-s-first-toll-road-opens-tuesday.html?ana=e_ae_set1&s=article_du&ed=2018-11-26&u=oAaDx%2B74FoP4qOJ%2By4AU6dhJPpc&t=1543263786&j=85197291

Waiting patiently for it to show up on google maps.

[Hushpuppy321]

1 hour ago, grodney said:

 

Waiting patiently for it to show up on google maps.

Ha ha yes!  Could take some time before it shows up there.  Highway is opening early this afternoon, after Dignataries, VIP's and Politicians have their ribbon cutting Pomp n Circumstance I'm sure.

 

[drumsy]

On 11/4/2018 at 9:08 PM, Eightane said:

Any news on when northbound is due to open, or has it already? I haven't had the chance to drive it and Google isn't turning up any news to that effect.

Northbound I-85 is two lanes past Exit 58 (US29, US601; Kannapolis, Concord) but just recently opened up to the full four lanes halfway between Exits 58 and 60.  The highway narrows down back to two lanes as you approach Exit 63 (Kannapolis).

I'm also pleased to say that southbound I-85 has opened up to all four lanes through most of Concord/Kannapolis.  I didn't pay close enough attention to remember which exit this starts at, but I believe it's somewhere around Exit 63.

[KJHburg]

77 Express lanes construction today and look how Legacy tower is impacting the skyline from here. 

[drumsy]

Southbound I-85 opens up to four lanes just north of Exit 63 (Kannapolis).  The above picture was taken yesterday, headed southbound on approach to Exit 60 (Dale Earnhardt Blvd).

[Hushpuppy321]

Yes - Most of I-85 through Cabarrus County will be opening all lanes fully within the next few weeks (maybe a month or two).  Contractor completing work in phases on some ramps, lanes, shoulder etc.

I-85 widening through Rowan County (the dreaded China Grove bottleneck) won't be completed until much later next year.  I believe until sometime around July/Nov timeframe of 2019.  

That'll be a joyous day once I-85 & I-77 (Yes, Toll lanes and all...) are completed towards the end of 2019.  Driving mobility into and leaving the Charlotte Metro will be much improved .