Traffic Congestion and Highway Construction

[cowboy_wilhelm]

At least there will be a couple of years of respite before the widening begins to 321 in Gastonia. I have a feeling congestion is going to be worse with that project than the Cabarrus County widening due to the higher volume of traffic and number of structures along that stretch. Hopefully they can maintain the existing three travel lanes throughout construction.

[KJHburg]

I-85 update in Cabarrus from my drive today.  4 lanes northbound to exit 60 Dale Earnhardt then 3 lanes to exit 63 Lane St then just 2 lanes to China Grove through the construction zone.  Southbound the 4 lanes open up at exit 63 Lane St.   More work is being done but it is open some repaving and restripping will be necessary.  

[NCMike1990]

Driving mobility into and leaving the Charlotte Metro will be much improved .

This. The I-85 widening, I-77 project, and Monroe Bypass are some of the most important things, currently happening that will move the Charlotte region's economy along in the coming years, IMO.

Business wants to be in metro areas with robust infrastructure and these projects should land more companies and expansions into the region.

 

[KJHburg]

9 minutes ago, NCMike1990 said:

This. The I-85 widening, I-77 project, and Monroe Bypass are some of the most important things, currently happening that will move the Charlotte region's economy along in the coming years, IMO.

Business wants to be in metro areas with robust infrastructure and these projects should land more companies and expansions into the region.

 

I agree.   That and our new LYNX line opened this year are so important.  In Nashville a few weeks back I saw no road or highway construction in the core and daytime traffic jams and of course no light rail or any planned at this point.  

[NCMike1990]

2 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

I agree.   That and our new LYNX line opened this year are so important.  In Nashville a few weeks back I saw no road or highway construction in the core and daytime traffic jams and of course no light rail or any planned at this point.  

That's right, and some folks might be annoyed at all this construction, and I'm sure it's a major headache for drivers. It's going to pay off in the long run.

My stepdad works for a Wilmington based company "American Fire Tech." that has an office in Charlotte. He has to commute to Charlotte regularly and usually takes Hwy. 49 just to avoid the I-85 mess.

[grodney]

 

grodney travel time to beach pre-bypass: 3:47

grodney travel time to beach with bypass 3:37

 

This is beautiful:

Edited December 11, 2018 by grodney

[KJHburg]

77 express lanes are looking more and more done especially up north.  Went up to Cornelius today.   Even if putting your vehicle into snowbank to get a close in parking space....saw this in Cornelius and not me. I look for a parking spot even further away that has no snow in it!  You can't tell very good but that Toyota was leaning to left. 

 

[NCMike1990]

Monroe Expressway now live on Google Maps. No street view yet.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hushpuppy321]

FYI - I drove on the Monroe Expressway recently and looks like it's being used pretty regularly already.  Not heavy by any means but I'd estimate about 100 cars per hour (both directions) during off-peak times.  Not sure how much during morning  & evening rush-hours.

NC-540 usage in Wake County was pretty slow too when that opened in 2012.  Guess people will have to grow more accustomed to Toll Roads/Lanes in the next 5 years with 77, 485 & Independence Blvd heading towards Tolls.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Pretty quick for Google. I've been trying to get the new I-26/US 74 ramps in Columbus added for a few months.

[SgtCampsalot]

Anyone else coming into Uptown from either the north side, or I-74? Traffic has been horrible.

One whole lane is closed on I-277, inner loop, between 10th St exit, and 3rd St exit. I also thought I read that the 5th St exit from Independence is closed?

This has caused every single North-to-South route through Uptown packed with traffic. McDowell, N Davidson, Brevard, College, Church, Graham...

My own commute, 5-8 minutes by car, has taken 25-30 minutes the last two weeks. 

Story:

https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/bridge-construction-shuts-down-lanes-of-i-277-through-december/275-620693663

 

Edited December 14, 2018 by SgtCampsalot

[Guest]

Who's sick joke was building roads like this?

 

[Nick2]

7 minutes ago, ricky_davis_fan_21 said:

Who's sick joke was building roads like this?

 

Maybe they visited Boston and really liked the historic style of the roadways so they tried to copy it. 

[KJHburg]

Just seen on Twitter according to WSOC TV

""Joe Bruno‏Verified account @JoeBrunoWSOC9 35m35 minutes ago

Also breaking right now: Cintra says #I77tolls will not open in 2018 as originally advertised. Northern section of the project from Hambright to exit 36 will open in the first quarter of 2019. Entire project opens summer 2019 @wsoctv""

photos from today.  Basically toll express lanes north of I-485 

[AuLukey]

Meanwhile, Charlotte Stories is “reporting” that the toll lanes are opening early... *facepalm*

http:// https://www.charlottestories.com/i-77-toll-lanes-now-set-to-open-ahead-of-schedule/

[KJHburg]

I am ready to roll on the Monroe Expressway with my free toll stickers.  These work anywhere in NC (just up in the Triangle for now) and in Georgia and Florida.

I can now make a Bee Line to the Bee Line or pass a Peach in Georgia.   One account for both my vehicles.  $20 credit card balance to set up for the toll deductions.  They do have other options with the EZ Tag but that costs money to buy and to set up initially.  Their office is at Harris Blvd and I-485 right by Northlake Mall. It took 5 minutes. 

[videtur quam contuor]

I have the transponder. How do the stickers function?

[tozmervo]

Just now, tarhoosier said:

I have the transponder. How do the stickers function?

Same. Technology has shrunk transponders down to stickers.

[KJHburg]

9 minutes ago, tozmervo said:

Same. Technology has shrunk transponders down to stickers.

only work in 3 states NC GA and FL.  But NC invented the sticker and won an award for it. 

[videtur quam contuor]

and the sticker goes on the license plate? windshield? forehead

[QCxpat]

1 hour ago, tarhoosier said:

and the sticker goes on the license plate? windshield? forehead

The bar code on the NC Quick Pass should face towards the inside of your car.  The NC Quick Pass adheres to the interior of your windshield just to the left or right of your rear view mirror just like a transponder.

Here's a nice little video (just 46 sec.) showing how to install the NC Quick Pass sticker. 

 

Edited December 28, 2018 by QCxpat
Add short You tube video

[Bikeguy]

A nice article on Bill Finger, CDOT Traffic guru, who passed away this week..  

"Finger told the Observer’s Dianne Whitacre about the time he was on a weekend bike ride and encountered a traffic jam at Randolph and Sharon Amity roads. Finger pulled over, used his city key to open the roadside cabinet that controls the traffic signal and began operating the light manually.According to that article, Finger ended up explaining to police officers why some guy in spandex shorts was monkeying around with the traffic lights — a task made tougher because he didn’t have his city ID."

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article223669740.html

 

[southslider]

^The street design in Prosperity Village around 485 is part of Finger's broad legacy in Charlotte.

[SgtCampsalot]

5 hours ago, southslider said:

^The street design in Prosperity Village around 485 is part of Finger's broad legacy in Charlotte.

That street design was the result of one man? That alone deserves a lot of respect.

[southslider]

Just now, SgtCampsalot said:

That street design was the result of one man? That alone deserves a lot of respect.

No, but he heavily influenced the concept of not doing a conventional interchange, but instead multiple two-lane streets to support a more walk-friendly center.