Where:   NC 68 and Bryan Blvd. from US 220-NC 68 Connector to Greensboro Urban Loop (Future I-73/I-840)  Length:   3 Miles Needed:   Build Freeway and Bring Existing Highway Up to Interstate Standards

The routing of this segment has changed since plans for I-73 were first proposed.  Initially it was assumed I-73 was to be routed onto NC 68 south from the end of the NC 68-US 220 connector to I-40. Though NC 68 is a divided highway for this entire length, it is not actually a freeway for 1/3 of a mile between the I-40 interchange and the Triad Center Drive intersection (which has a stoplight). The freeway portion north of there is also not up to Interstate standards with narrow shoulders and insufficient ramp acceleration and deceleration lanes. The current interchange between NC 68 and I-40 would also have had to be vastly upgraded, something not done when I-40 was recently widened.

In May 2003, the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization announced major highway planning initiatives around the Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTIA). Their proposals included a new 6-lane freeway to start at a relocated Bryan Boulevard and running to the proposed eastern half of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway (later dubbed the I-73/74 Connector, listed as an unfunded project in the Draft 2009-2015 STIP) with an additional spur leading to I-40 west of Greensboro at the split of Interstate 40 and Business 40 and a new I-73 routing which, from the NC 68-US 220 connector, put I-73 briefly onto NC 68 and then onto Bryan Boulevard (the western part to be relocated due to the need for a new airport runway for the FedEx hub facility under construction) to the Greensboro Urban Loop freeway (I-840). (For a map of these proposed highways and more about this Future NC Interstate, go HERE). The impetus for this new route was to avoid the expensive reworking of the the NC 68 interchange with I-40 and to take I-73 traffic off of I-40 between Winston-Salem and Greensboro. (1,2) In August 2003, NCDOT added all the Greensboro MPO PTIA area highway proposals to its list of Division projects, committing state funds to more fully study the proposals, and build them once approved.  In March 2004 NCDOT let the $44.3 million contract for the construction of the Bryan Boulevard relocation and the PTI Airport Authority gave permission to the contractor to start construction on April 23, 2004. (3, 4) The relocated highway opened in November 2006 and includes a new, temporary, entrance to the airport. Eventually by the time the Hub is to open in 2009 a permanent airport interchange involving four bridges and nine ramps will be open to connect Bryan Blvd to the PTI terminals. (5) (The other roadways proposed by the Greensboro MPO, if built, won't be constructed until after 2015.)

Though NCDOT never announced a change in I-73's route, maps put out by NCDOT, both for their Strategic Highway Corridors initiative and regarding their US64/NC 49 corridor study show Bryan Blvd between NC 68 and the Greensboro loop as I-73. (To look at the SHC Triad map, go HERE). And it was also shown in the map above from a report on the economic benefits of I-73 and I-74 (see Links section), which says the routing information came from NCDOT. The 2009 -2015 STIP, however, lists a feasibility study in progress (Number FS-0507A) "To Determine Routing of Future I-73 in the Greensboro Area." (6) At a June 2005 meeting in Greensboro when NCDOT announced the start of this study they said it could take two years to complete and would involve looking at four 15-mile corridors (two of which a spokesman said were almost likely to be ruled out, one of which is a routing using US 220 south of Summerfield to the Greensboro Loop that would require cutting through some of Greensboro's water supply lakes, the other is probably the routing along NC 68 to I-40), up to three miles of which would involve new construction. Greensboro officials stated at the time they would like the study completed sooner, since the building of the FedEx hub has increased development pressures in the area and they would like to know as soon as possible what land should be preserved for I-73. (9) The study was to produce a recommendation by July 2007, no formal announcement was made, and the project is still listed in the STIP. A newspaper article in early August on the Greensboro Urban Loop indicated that it was 'likely' I-73 would be routed on it from US 220 to Bryan Blvd, as depicted in previous NCDOT documents. (7) At a public meeting in Summerfield in September NCDOT officials discussed the two options for an I-73 interchange with NC 150 before local residents. This would only be needed if I-73 would be using the NC68-US 220 Connector. (8) Finally signs put up along the almost completed Greensboro Loop in December 2007 referred to the route as either 'Future I-73/I-840' or 'I-40/I-73,' clinching the new route as official (see photo in Segment 5). Signs on Bryan Blvd for the Loop, however, only refer indicated 'To I-40, Winston-Salem. ' A photo below shows that the new road built near the future Airport interchange may be up to Interstate standards, the interchange will be around the corner where a traffic lighted intersection currently exists.

Bryan Blvd going east, the probable future route of I-73 south, near the current entrance to the PTI Airport. (Photo courtesy of Urban Planet Triad Area Member 11062, May 2007).

A look at the Airport Interchange under construction. (Photo courtesy of Urban Planet Triad Area Member 11062, May 2007.)

Here's a photo showing new pavement being laid down near the Airport interchange (September 2007).

Here's a view of the Future I-73/I-840 Greensboro Loop from the future I-73 Flyover Ramp to Bryan Boulevard (2/23/08)

Comment: If the freeways proposed by the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization between Bryan Blvd and I-40 and/or Bryan Blvd. to I-74 along the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway are constructed, why not give one an interstate designation such as I-273?

Where:  Greensboro Urban Loop Freeway from Bryan Blvd to US 220 Length:   Approx. 12 Miles   Needed:   Construct Remainder of Urban Loop Freeway from I-40 to I-85 Southwest of Greensboro                                                      Future                   Future          North of I-40 part signed:                                            The rest :

Because of the new official routing of I-73 discussed above, the route of this proposed section changed as well from its first conception. Originally, I-73 was to use I-40 to get from the NC 68 interchange to the US 220 freeway. This route had I-73 following I-40 along its current path to near the current Chimney Rock Road exit where it would then take the route of the Greensboro Urban Loop (Painter Blvd.). Now the I-73 route will use Bryan Blvd, a divided highway but not up to interstate standards its whole length (see above), and then I-73 will join the Loop 3.5 miles north of I-40 and travel south (with the highway being signed as Future I-73/ Future I-840, for now) (10)  then further along the I-40 section of the loop for about 7.5 more miles signed as I-40/I-73, then heading south at the US 220 exit just before I-40 joins I-85 going eastbound. I-73's path does overlap I-85 for a mile, but the routes never meet in either direction, I-73 north uses a C/D ramp for the ?? exit and merges with I-40 after it leaves I-85. The I-85 portion of the Loop was completed in February 2004, almost exactly 4 years before the latest section. A space was left on overhead signage for future I-73 shields at the new US 220 interchange heading south on I-85 (there is no US 220 access northbound from I-85, this means the the northbound exit has an I-85 exit number, but southbound it has an I-40 number, which, coincidentally is 220) implying I-73 would join I-85. All three interstates appear on many signs around the area (for photos of the roadway and signs, go HERE). (Curiously, signs put up for the US 220 exit for the new section of the Loop in April 2007 do not have a space for I-73). (11) I-73 North starts for now as an exit off of US 220. Meanwhile in anticipation of the construction of the Loop, NCDOT modernized and widened I-40 to 6 lanes east of the future bypass interchange towards Greensboro, and to 8-10 Lanes west of there from Chimney Rock to Sandy Ridge Road, just east of the I-40/Business I-40 split in Winston-Salem in 2004. (12) The widening work was completed a year late, hampered by contractor problems. (13) Work on the section north of I-40 (Future I-73/I-840) to serve the new FedEx hub started in August 2003, and was opened to traffic on December 18, 2007. The I-40 portion of the Loop west of  I-85 to current I-40, started at the same time and was finished on February 21, 2008. (14) The total cost of construction for both sections (12 miles in length) was listed as $592 million in the 2007-2013 STIP. (15)  

Here are some photos taken along the yet to be opened Future I-73/I-840 and I-40/I-73 portions of the Urban Loop in September 2007.

The view from the Bryan Blvd. bridge over Future I-73/I-840 before it opened in December 2007. Except for the future onramp to I-73 South/I-840 West on your left, the road is only graded because no construction is to take place north of here until after 2013.

Construction going on at the Future I-73/I-840 / West Friendly Avenue (Exit 2) interchange in anticipation of its opening.

The future I-40/I-73 Urban Loop interchange with Wendover Avenue due to open in January.

Looking westbound from the High Point Road bridge over the Future I-40/I-73 Loop section.

Also from the High Point Road bridge looking east along future I-40/I-73. The walls seen where the road curves are sound barriers, unlike much of the SE portion of the loop this freeway cuts through many existing neighborhoods.

Photo of only I-73 sign along segment after its opening in December:

For additional photos of the part open on December 18, go HERE

Here's a sneak peak of the signs for the new portion of the bypass to be unveiled soon on I-85 North (2/10/08):

The sign above will read when uncovered West I-40/North I-73 Winston-Salem (I-73 control city to be determined).

Here's some additional photos taken February 23 after the route was opened:

Here's the first reference to the split of I-85 from I-40 and I-73, as indicated above the three interstates actually do not share the road. I-73 uses a ramp from US 220 that joins I-40 after I-85 leaves the Loop.

  The next sign assembly with the interchange complex now seen in the distance. The road on the far right is actually I-73, a continuation of the US 220 on-ramp that does not access I-85 but also accesses Groometown Road. I-73 joins I-40 after the Groometown Road exit a mile down the ramp.

The split between I-85 and I-40, there are three lanes in each direction. I-73 is on the two lane ramp to the right and will join I-40 in about 1/2 mile.

Exit signage at the Wendover Avenue interchange, the only interchange currently on this section of the Loop. (3/16/08)

At the other end of the Loop, the current end to I-73 which will use the right-hand ramp and continue north with I-840. A 'End I-73' sign might be useful here.

Now going East on I-40 the last sign assembly before the I-40/Business 40 split. The Exit 212 sign someday will also have North I-73 and East I-840.

Exit sign for Wendover Avenue, currently the only exit not involving an Interstate on this stretch of the Loop. They will be building an exit to High Point Road later.

Currently the only ground-level shield assembly on this stretch of the loop, after the Wendover Avenue exit.

This is where the Loop meets I-85/Business 85 going eastbound. Again, I-73 just disappears, the US 220 exit signs going this way do not even have a space for I-73. Since the US 220 exit ramp going this way is before the I-85 merge it is I-40 exit 220 (nice coincidence), instead of I-85 Exit 122 the other way.

You can also find photos of the Loop at the Road City blog.

Comment: Since I-40 in this area recently underwent a multi-million dollar widening project, it seems a waste to label this modern interstate highway as Business Loop (Green) 40. This is bound to increase motorist confusion since it will be a continuation of the Business 40 in Winston-Salem. Why not make it something like I-740 and end it at what now is Business 40's intersection with Business I-85? The only thing substandard in this stretch is the bridge at the interchange with Business 85 and this is planned to be rehabilitated in 2008.

To see images from one of the several Traffic Web Cams for this segment go here.

An additional map showing the total route of the Greensboro Urban Loop:

 

Sources:  Maps-ADC 2002 North Carolina Atlas, p. 44, NC Transportation Map 2001; Piedmont Triad Council of Governments 2004.
(1) Muschick, Paul. 2003.  "Road Plan for Airport Approved." News & Record (Greensboro, NC). Downloaded from  http://www.news-record.com/ news/local/gso/ptiroads29rd.htm, May 30.
(2) NCDOT and GMPO. 2003. Piedmont Triad Airport Area Transportation Study. April 15: p. 12-13.
(3) NCDOT. June 2008. State Transportation Improvement Program, 2009-2015, Division 7, p. 7-21. 
(4) Johnson, Paul B. 2004. "FedEx Legal Filings Mount." High Point Enterprise. April 20.
(5) Wireback, Taft. 2006. "A New Road Leads into PTI." News & Record (Greensboro, NC). October 11.
(6) NCDOT. Nov. 2007. State Transportation Improvement Program, Draft, 2009-2015, Division 7, p. 7-20.
(7) Wireback, Taft. 2007. "Eastern Loop Construction Set for 2011." News & Record (Greensboro, NC). March 12.
(8) E-Mail from Mark Mortensen, September 25, 2007.
(9) Dominello, Amy. 2005. "PTI Connections." News & Record. (Greensboro, NC). June 23.
(10) WFMY News 2 (Greensboro). 2007. "Western Portion Of The Urban Loop To Open Tuesday."  December 16. Downloaded from: http://www.digtriad.com/video/default.aspx?aid=184472&cat=57&storyid=94695, December 17.
(11) Photos put up 4/14/07 on the Road City blog site, http://roadcity.blogspot.com.
(12) Muschick, Paul. 2002. "Deal Speeds Widening of I-40 Stretch." News & Record (Greensboro, NC). May 30: B1.
(13) Muschick, Paul. 2003. "Work on I-40 Contract To Miss Friday Deadline." News & Record (Greensboro, NC). Aug. 14: B1.
(14) NCDOT. 2008. "NCDOT to Open I-40/73 Greensboro Western Urban Loop Thursday". Press Release. Feb. 19, accessed from www.ncdot.org/news 2/19/08.
(15) NCDOT. March 2007. State Transportation Improvement Program, 2007-2013, Division 7, p. 7-20. 

Interstate shields courtesy of David R. Kendrick's Shield's Up! .