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It may have been covered - but why is Wade Ave not signed as an Interstate when it seems like it's built like one between 40 and 440, but instead it's "TO 40" or "TO 440". There are Aux. routes as short as less than 1 mile elsewhere...
Because NCDOT would have to eliminate the at-grade access linking Peter Karmanos Jr Drive to eastbound Wade Ave in order for the road to meet current interstate standards. Given it's short distance, NCDOT probably thinks it isn't worth the effort.
There is something to be said for numbering the Wade Avenue extension as NC 340. Technically it's SR 1729 but not posted as anything. A number on road signs would simplify giving directions to out-of-towners.
The All-American Freeway in Fayetteville is another example of a highly-used but unnumbered state road.
Wow, thanks folks. I didn't know about the historical designation as I-40 during construction. It would seem to make sense as I-340; that P. Karmanos Jr Drive seems to be blocked off more often than not anyway. They could file an exception request with the interstate application I believe, especially as that access link is only open for events typically (or am I wrong on that?)
As this expressway links to I-40 and I-440 wouldn't it have to have an even number designation because it connects to two segments of the interstate system? So I-240 perhaps?
2nd question -- was there ever a plan to have 440 be a full loop around 40, or was it always intended to have 40 make up the southern quarter of the loop?
I believe the Wade Ave extension wouldn't qualify for an Interstate designation even if the parking lot entrance is usually blocked off. The fact that it's there at all is the problem. Whether NCDOT could get a waiver for it, who knows. NC 340 would be the expedient solution.
There is already an I-240 in North Carolina (Asheville). Can't reuse that number within the state. Can't use I-440 or I-840, either. I-640 is the only available one, and it was being held back for I-540 when the loop is finally closed (don't know whether that's still true).
I-440 was signed all the way around Raleigh from 1991 (when the Interstate designation was first applied) to 2008, when 440 was removed from the south arc.
NCDOT would arrive at the conclusion that adding an actual number to Wade Ave "might confuse motorists." Never mind that it actually, y'know, wouldn't...
I believe the Wade Ave extension wouldn't qualify for an Interstate designation even if the parking lot entrance is usually blocked off. The fact that it's there at all is the problem. Whether NCDOT could get a waiver for it, who knows. NC 340 would be the expedient solution.
There is already an I-240 in North Carolina (Asheville). Can't reuse that number within the state. Can't use I-440 or I-840, either. I-640 is the only available one, and it was being held back for I-540 when the loop is finally closed (don't know whether that's still true).
It's very unlikely that NCDOT could get a waiver. FHWA is a lot more anal about interstate standards than they used to be.
I-540 was originally planned to become I-640 once the loop was finished, but that changed when the rest of the loop began being built as a toll road. Once the Knightdale Bypass became I-495, NCDOT applied and got a waiver from FHWA for I-540 to remain as the permanent designation.
If they do that, NCDOT might as well just extend I-87 along I-40 and the US-1 corridor to connect with I-73/I-74 near Rockingham.
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Never mind that it actually, y'know, wouldn't...
