US 70 between Salisbury & Statesville - death road (Albemarle, Cleveland: houses, construction)

[silverwing]

I'm posting this archived link since it has gone from the front section of the paper's web site. A search of the Post turns up equally distressing articles on the other accidents.

We happened to be in Salisbury the afternoon this crash happened. Driving along Jake Alexander, we saw a flatbed carrying the mangled wreckage of the Food Lion truck that struck and killed the woman and child. I was horrified. That company is known for its truck/driver safety. Later I read the article.

The Salisbury Post - 3-year-old, grandmother die in U.S. 70 crash

Coming back from a trip to Virginia in early October, we made the mistake of getting off I-77 to US 70 to go down to Salisbury. Lord preserve us, what a mess that road is I've read posts from a few people considering the Cleveland area; I would seriously reconsider until construction is finished. 6 people have died in one month; community leaders are trying to come up with ways of alerting people to be more careful. People living along US 70 have complained long and bitterly about the disruption of their lives because of the construction and how it will affect their driving habits and ability to commute. I, personally, don't understand the reasoning for the expansion except that the route is a high use area for truckers taking a shortcut from I-40 to I-85. The only problem is they are funneled smack dab into Salisbury, where they have to traverse the incredibly busy commercial area of Jake Alexander to get to I-85.

Along the route north of Salisbury, much of the land on each side of the route is now zoned commercial. I suppose that it's hoped that corridor will become a manufacturing/commercial development. Whatever the reason, US 70 between Statesville and Salisbury is an area to avoid for the next few years

[cooperwx]

It's easily the shortest route from the mountains to Salisbury/Albemarle, and the expansion to four lanes is certainly to support the truck traffic.

The problem with the new section of road is that they've been working on it for at least two years. It's a totally new alignment (the old route will probably be renamed "Old 70" as is the custom around here), and those that live around it are so used to it not being open that they're not paying attention when they cross it.

I know I'll be on the lookout for those running those new stop signs...

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by silverwing

............ That company is known for its truck/driver safety. ....

I assume you don't mean anything negative... I can only imagine what was going through that driver's mind as he realized she was not stopping and he broadsided her. I can hear his air brakes and horn in my mind's eye and imagine his anguish as he jumped out of that cab yelling "call 911" and trying to help get that poor woman and precious child out of that wreck and knowing there was no hope. What is even more tragic is that there's been a huge media blitz and it still happened again. I hope the rumble strips help at this new intersection.

I never travel OLD US-70 without being hypervigilant. The road is straight and flat and has historically (in the past) lent itself to people making stupid driving choices. I was surprized on my last trip early this month going via the new section - it will be a nice road once finished. I came upon the first fatal accident (Mr. Dishman) during the clean-up. I knew it must have been fatal..... I do believe that the HP/Sheriff must make a presence similiar to when "new" US-90 opened - most people stick to the speed limit, due in part, to a heavy patrol presence early on with a zero-tolerance-lotsa-tickets to speeders.

[silverwing]

Originally Posted by mm_mary73

I assume you don't mean anything negative...

Yeah, that. Food Lion can boast a very good record for # miles driven/accident free, especially considering their huge fleet of trucks. The accident on 70 is going to cause a blot that will probably require some 'splainin' to people outside the area; it certainly wasn't the truck driver's fault. For any investigation, all they'll have to do is pull the on board computer from the truck. Nowww, those little half-track drivers who only pull the cargo containers from slots at the warehouse on Executive Dr. and move them to Harrison Rd warehouses and vis-versa, those guys can be nuts. If I have reason to travel up Harrison Rd, and see one of them getting ready to zip out of Executive, I make way

At some point, I hope NCDOT sees the wisdom, and can appropriate funds, for a US 70 Salisbury bypass to be built ... I dunno, somewhere north of Barringer, I guess. Before the road reaches the school, anyway. It's just nuts to see trucks funneled into Salisbury, make that sharp right onto Jake Alexander at the rebuilt McDonalds (where I once saw a truck tip over, he made the turn so sharply) and then thru the busy commercial area.

It's easily the shortest route from the mountains to Salisbury/Albemarle, and the expansion to four lanes is certainly to support the truck traffic.

Unless you're a shun piker I see newbies directed on interstate routes and major roads to the mountains and think "yanno, there are other ways to go besides those crazy roads" A map of the state roads, more detailed than just the fold up Rand McNally's; even a topo map; would be handy. You miss a lot of neat stuff taking the fastest way.