Widest city streets in Charlotte?

[NDL]

Originally Posted by LordHelmit

I know Glenwood has 6 travel lanes for awhile and New Bern Ave has 6-8. There's probably a few others I can't think of. As for the buildings being set right by the road and not set back a bit, I see that very frequently in other places especially Fayetteville and other smaller cities. A lot of the roads in Raleigh with 4 travel lanes seem to have room for expansion if they took away the grassy/small tree medians. It will likely need it in the near future. The interstates here rarely get too backed up with traffic, but the surface streets can be a nightmare.

Appreciate the info

I don't have any links to provide, but I have read that buildings are set up on the road, to "frame" the road - in other words, to give it a sense of place (community).

Charlotte embraces smart growth principles and in many ways, this is a good thing. I especially appreciate that planners zone shopping plaza's within so many miles of residences, so people don't have to drive long distances to get everyday items. And as much as I don't appreciate the tight parking lots in some mixed use environments, again, the ideas are sound. One can accomplish many different tasks in one place, and get some exercise and fresh air too.

But road capacity is an area where thought is lacking.

In one way, traffic calming makes sense:

New road projects will improve Charlotte

But my concern is that inadequate laneage will create crippling traffic, should the City increase significantly in size.

In other words, if Charlotte had roads like the examples you cited, the City will have positioned itself for greater growth.

[NDL]

An example of inadequate laneage:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/11...400952!6m1!1e1

IMHO, this should be six travel lanes, instead of four:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/13...367afa!6m1!1e1

Same with this:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/12...f4e9b5!6m1!1e1

Or this:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/14...532313!6m1!1e1

[urbancharlotte]

In the case of I-77, I think Charlotte could use a North-South parallel frwy. I-71 and Ohio 315 in Columbus comes to mind.

[choloboy36]

Originally Posted by LordHelmit

Interesting, apparently Raleigh has Atlanta beat there too. I started this thread in the Atlanta subforum as well and oly got 1 response so far, but it's also 3 lanes in each direction. That would surprise me. What's the widest the highways get in Charlotte? I've driven on 85 and 77 but don't think I ever counted more than 5 in each direction, same as Raleigh. I've seen 6 in Greensboro on I40 and 7 in Atlanta on I think 85.

Near the CharMeck/Concord border I think the freeway for about 2 miles is 7 to 8 lanes on each side. One could also argue that 77 south near the 485 interchange is 6 lanes on each side also.


77 south near south Carolina border



85 coming out of Charlotte to Concord. I only wish all the freeways in Charlotte was this size and not just 1 stretch.

[swampfoxer]

E 3rd is 4 lanes in one direction

https://goo.gl/maps/wJg8F9LjkDx

and E 4th has 4 lanes:
https://goo.gl/maps/ajPgSM9nJKn

[Essequamvideri]

It may sound crazy, but widening lanes doesn't fix traffic problems. It actually contributed to worse congestion.

What’s Up With That: Building Bigger Roads Actually Makes Traffic Worse | WIRED

this is one area where I really hope we don't attempt to out compete Atlanta. We need to start growing smarter. I won't hold my breath. If you live in the suburbs and are dependent on a 2 lane road for a smooth commute you should have seen the writing on the wall. It's going to get worse before it gets better.