Originally Posted by
DU82
The project on I-85 is to rebuild the entire road from the VA border to Henderson. This pavement was constructed in 1977. Other sections further south from Falls Lake to Henderson, have been rebuilt over the past decade or so.
Last year, the first two (of four) ~five mile stretches of NB 85 were re-built. The intent was to then finish the other two sections this year, then two sections on the SB side over each of the following two years. Given the length of time that would take, the decision was to create the 21 mile single lane operation, so that the work could be finished next year, at least a year early. Other than possibly holiday periods, the traffic volume is not heavy enough to create significant delays, although obviously getting stuck behind somebody driving 40 or 45 isn't great. (And Friday would have counted as a holiday, albeit a minor one from a traffic standpoint.)
In the sections of road that have been reconstructed on the NB side, the SB traffic is in a full, newly constructed, lane. NB is half on a new lane and half on a shoulder that was designed to hold traffic for a year. The sections that haven't been reconstructed are not great, but not "crappy" in that you could only go 20-30. I drove back from DC last night, and was doing right about 60 the entire stretch. (Drove NB on Saturday, again at 60.)
So, no, not "truly awful planning" but intentional to get the job done faster, and plenty of planning and analysis was done to determine how bad it would be during the worst part of the year to determine the cost/benefit/risk of doing it. (And a possible backup on holidays is one of the "risks" that was considered.)
Regarding the alternative route mentioned, down I-95 to future I-87 (formerly future I-495, usually called US 64) and then to I-40, that adds 20 miles to the trip (measuring from Emporia), and includes driving right past Carter-Finley Stadium. So the backup on I-85 would have to be severe, and no backups on 95 or 40, to make it worth your while. Perhaps on Labor Day Friday/Monday (Saturday is not a high-volume day.) OTher than a crash, I wouldn't be that worried about other Saturdays.
(If I was coming to WW from Rocky Mount, I'd get off 64 onto I-540, exit at US 70, go two signals west to TW Alexander, then on TW-A to NC 147 (Durham Freeway.) I-40 in south Raleigh should be completed late summer/early fall. Similar issue with replacing almost 40 year old pavement.)