Coming Soon: Interstate 40 the Next Generation

Interstate 40 Bypass Under Construction near PTI (3-20-05)

My all time favorite beltway has always been Painter Blvd. in Greensboro. When it is completed in the 2010's, it will ease congestion throughout the city. Currently the Interstate 85 Bypass and Interstate 40/85 and US-70 Connector portions are open.

But my favorite section of the beltway that is still under construction is the Interstate 40 Bypass. This section will run from Interstate 40 near Piedmont Triad International Airport to the end of the Interstate 85 Bypass near Grandover Resort. Interstate 40 will then multiplex with Interstate 85 along the already opened Interstate 85 Bypass. No matter how much Interstate 40 moves, it still can't escape Interstate 85. lol The old section of Interstate 40 will become Business 40.

But Interstate 40 won't be the only Interstate to be a part of this under construction section. Future Interstate 73 will multiplex with Future Interstate 840 (Painter) from Bryan Blvd. to Interstate 40. Interstate 73 will then multiplex with Interstate 40 (Eventualy I-85) until US-220.

Construction of this section (Bryan Blvd. to Interstate 85) began immediately after the Interstate 85 Bypass opened. As of today, the future I-40 split interchange near PTI is coming a long pretty quick. Concrete, guardrails, lights, and completed bridges already exist. However, the whole thing won't open until 2007. Areas that are effected by construction might result in a few headaches, but it will be worth it.

I really think that this bypass will be the beginning of a new era for Interstate 40 in the Triad. Because I was too young to witness the opening of the Winston-Salem Bypass in 1992, I'm going to benifit from the Greensboro opening in 2007 and you will too.