Aren’t there distinct stops for RLine? Of the ones in my mind, I recall many that are just for its service. Or, are you saying that stops aren’t designed distinctively? If that’s the case, I agree that they could be branded experiences.
An example of something that needs to be worked on in regards to transportation. Direct access from 2 apartment complexes with 553 units and a 6 story office building. Within a half mile of an additional 200 units of SFH/townhomes. Speed limit is 45 mph down this road (which of course people may go more). Hoping the smaller things (such as sidewalks) are not being overlooked as budgets come through. The intersection isn’t the easiest to cross either.
14 Likes
I know council approved adding a full bus stop with seating and coverage for every stop that gets 10 people a day, so hopefully that will come soon.
8 Likes
Probably in the next fiscal year!!!
As someone who lives west of DTR, I wasn’t really aware of this before today’s RTA blog post. Turns out, parts of US64 and US17 are formally designated as “future Interstate 87”, and NCDOT talked about a lot of projects planned over the next decade aimed at getting rid of that “future” prefix.
This means the limited-access highways between Raleigh and Norfolk, VA could:
- be upgraded to interstate standards;
- fix potholes more reliably through better funding sources, and;
- let Triangle residents drive to the Outer Banks and Busch Gardens in Williamsburg faster.
It turns out this interstate is something that rural communities in the coastal plains have been fighting for years, too, so they can have better access to big job markets.
Normally, I’m not a huge fan of new highway projects. But since this project will be using existing roads (rather than tearing up sensitive habitats and making suburban sprawl easier to happen like 540), this doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me. After all, this will make eastern Raleigh and beyond more attractive for investors and business-owners, too, on top of giving Raleigh direct access to jobs at Pfizer in Rocky Mount or future residents studying at Elizabeth City State University. So at least by its own merit, it seems like a pretty neat idea. …but what do y’all think?
The RTA blog post also links to a map of the corridor in North Carolina’s side of the border, with projects of various levels of commitment (see below). The upgrades in orange places aren’t funded yet, whereas NCDOT has committed to fund the ones in blue. H171558 (the one in Raleigh) is aimed at widening the current US64 (for an HOV lane, I hope?).
6 Likes
Yes, it’s already officially I-87 along a small stretch from 440 to the east, with signage.
5 Likes
The part of US 64 that is known as the Knightdale bypass became I-495 in 2013 and changed to I-87 in 2017. The signage has been up for a little while now. It is the shortest primary interstate in the United States at 12.9 miles.
7 Likes
This planned highway is a bit of a boondoggle in that it is significantly more miles and zero time savings compared with the existing 64-95-58 route from Raleigh to Norfolk via Emporia. It does provide those rural NENC communities with a nice highway to get to cities but I am dubious that it will do anything at all to strengthen the connection between the Triangle and Hampton Roads.
5 Likes
Now there’s a trivia question!
2 Likes
The win isn’t for Raleigh or Hampton Roads; it’s for everyone in between.
7 Likes
Also the part of 440 between the intersections of the Knightdale bypass and I-40 is also now I-87 but they did not put up the signage for that.
1 Like
The only population center that sees much benefit is Elizabeth City which gets significantly improved access to points south and west and marginally improved access to Hampton Roads. Beyond that, population is pretty sparse or the highway is already a freeway.
Rocky Mount would also benefit, too. The Pfizer facility that makes 25% of all sterile injectables in American hospitals is there (instead of RTP for some reason?), as well as CSX’s upcoming intermodal transfer facility.
Sure, they already have I-95, but I highly that those existing businesses would not benefit from upgraded access to Raleigh?
1 Like
US-64 between Raleigh and Rocky Mt is already an ‘interstate-ish’ highway with a 70mph speed limit most of the way. Not sure what upgrading that portion will do to help connectivity.
3 Likes
I’m on this stretch of asphalt quite a bit with family out east and the interstate distinction MAY affect travel times a bit EVENTUALLY but this really is about the perception of better connecting INTO job centers…
IF they EVER fund a bypass scenario for the stretch between Williamston and Windsor, then you’d likely lean towards this route and avoid the scourge of 95. Plus, you could work in a stop off at Old Colony Smokehouse for some solid 'Que. 
3 Likes
The Piedmont Crescent represents the lion’s share of North Carolina’s prosperity and growth. It’s also well connected by the Interstate System. Wilmington and the Brunswick County coastal community have greatly benefitted by I40 extending from Raleigh to Wilmington. All the while northeast North Carolina continues to suffer job losses and population decline. I think that it’s really easy to make a case that Interstate access will improve the odds of a turn-around for communities to our east. Is it a guarantee? No. Will these communities continue to wither if nothing is done? Probably.
Frankly, I don’t see this future interstate driving (no pun intended) the increase of point-to-point travelers between Raleigh and Norfolk.
5 Likes
I agree; to @Kanatenah’s point, I think the benefits are mainly about appearances.
It’s nice that there’s already a solid highway connection to actually get people moving through this corridor. But it’s the same issue as the debates on light rail and commuter rail: perceptions of improvement matter just as much as practical upgrades.
After all, I’m sure there’s a solid number of people out there (I wonder if there’s any data on this?) who perceive places without direct interstate connections are backwater shitholes without any strategic advantages for businesses. Obviously that opinion is wrong and offensive, but it still makes you wonder…
Lest we eschew our state motto altogether…
Esse quam videri
2 Likes
An equivalent amount of money spent improving I-95 to make it less of a “scourge” as you say, would likely deliver far greater transportation benefit.
2 Likes
Perceptions do matter but allocating billions of dollars based on perceptions is precisely why American transportation planning and construction is so hideously broken.
When perceptions are out of line with reality, then WORK TO FIX THE PERCEPTIONS- don’t just go with it, wasting potentially billions of taxpayer dollars in the process!
4 Likes