Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Both Virginia and North Carolina are talking about tolling I-95 in order to pay for upgrades. Most of I-95 between Petersburg and the South Carolina line hasn't been upgraded since it was built in the 50's and early 60's. The project cost would be circa $5 billion, and tolls are likely source of money.
The General Assembly must authorize putting tolls on existing roads. They did so, with respect to the already-built NC 540 between NC 54 and NC 55. If it's a federally funded highway, like all the Interstate highways are, the feds must also approve.
NCTA has other toll projects in mind for North Carolina. The Cape Fear Skyway over the Cape Fear River south of Wilmington would be another $1+ billion project.
Some of the paths are really peculiar.
I would think that the goal would be to keep the road pretty equidistant from the other routes already in place (55 Bypass, 401, 42) to to distribute traffic flow most evenly. The southern routes don't do as good a job of that.
IMO the best route would be the one that travels east towards the proposed Bells Lake Road intersection and puts the intersection with 401 roughly halfway between the intersections of 55/42/401 in Fuquay and the intersection of 401/70/40 in Garner/Raleigh. Beyond that I could see looking at different options, but tearing up Holly Springs to run the route so close to the 55 Bypass doesn't make sense to me.
Some of the paths are really peculiar.
I would think that the goal would be to keep the road pretty equidistant from the other routes already in place (55 Bypass, 401, 42) to to distribute traffic flow most evenly. The southern routes don't do as good a job of that.
IMO the best route would be the one that travels east towards the proposed Bells Lake Road intersection and puts the intersection with 401 roughly halfway between the intersections of 55/42/401 in Fuquay and the intersection of 401/70/40 in Garner/Raleigh. Beyond that I could see looking at different options, but tearing up Holly Springs to run the route so close to the 55 Bypass doesn't make sense to me.
It is SO time consuming to trace routes and look for land acquisition and apparent land acquisition options, but I think that route has significant corridor land parcels already acquired, or subdivided for acquisition, or under option. Might be an indicator that DOT agrees with you.
The northern most route (skirts to the south of Lake Wheeler and then to the north of Lake Benson) will be thrown out right away as I'm imagining it cuts though the Lake Benson watershed.
The southwestern most route (cuts to the west of Sunset Lake) also seems like it is a poor choice for a few reasons (close to existing high-volume roads, cuts through town of Holly Springs)
While my vote would be for the route which turns south at Holly Springs Rd, I'm betting like Mike that the original option will be selected. I just hope that they decide to turn south sooner than Johnson Pond Rd.
Y'all should be thankful that North Carolina, even with tolls, is delivering on transportation promises for future mobility.
Federal and state gas taxes (per gallon based) obviously won't suffice with 35mpg upcoming mandates.
Here in Georgia and many other places, nothing new is being built, and their only long-term plans consist of "managing", or tolling existing lanes on existing highways as a way out of gridlock.
North Carolina is so lucky to have conscientious planners studying every byway, highway and corridor across the state looking for ways to improve mobility, even if they can't afford it right now. I doubt if metro Atlanta's counties are actively holding town hall meetings, finalizing preferred routes for umpteen new roads and corridor improvements, etc. like y'all up there.
While my vote would be for the route which turns south at Holly Springs Rd, I'm betting like Mike that the original option will be selected. I just hope that they decide to turn south sooner than Johnson Pond Rd.
That's my favorite option, also. Less impact on Holly Springs, good access for downtown Fuquay, and most importantly, a good mile or so from my house. But it would obliterate the Pierce Olive Rd area, which up until this point has somehow remained untouched from any signs of progress...
Agree that they will go with what was originally planned. Way to freeze the real estate market in Southern Wake for a few months.
That's my favorite option, also. Less impact on Holly Springs, good access for downtown Fuquay, and most importantly, a good mile or so from my house. But it would obliterate the Pierce Olive Rd area, which up until this point has somehow remained untouched from any signs of progress...
Agree that they will go with what was originally planned. Way to freeze the real estate market in Southern Wake for a few months.
With the new section of I-540 you will have access to even more Food Lions!
Interesting to see these new route options. We live right next to Sunset Lake so none of the options will negatively impact us thankfully. One thing I noticed in recent months was that there was some logging that took place on Sunset Lake Road and I am pretty sure it was land that would be used for the original proposed route.
Also, I was wondering something. If and when this Southeast extension is built, would they wait to open the entire route or would they open it in sections? I would hope it would be the latter since thats what they did with 540 in north Raleigh. I was just wondering because I would love to see that intersection get to Holly Springs/Kildaire Farm Rd which would give us a two minute drive to the on ramp
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
