Oh Dear!

An American Institution Is Dead

Pictures from Opening Day

I took a ride on the new Interstate 40 section in Greensboro today.

The road was really nice, even though the only real exit on it is the Wendover Avenue picture above. I'm not sure when that new High Point Road interchange will open.

Also, Interstate 73 was mentioned a few times as well.

On the older 2004 Interstate 85 part, Interstate 40 is now signed on it as well, although I noticed the signs on the interchanges still showed Interstate 40 as "To Interstate 40".

You can take a look at the pictures here.

New Section of Urban Loop to Open Tomorrow!

Well it's about time!

Tomorrow, the next section of the Greensboro Urban Loop, from Interstate 40 near the airport to Interstate 85 in SW Greensboro will open. This will be exactly 4 years after the Interstate 85 bypass section opened.

Again folks, I can not stress this enough. Interstate 40 will be moved onto the new section of the loop, including the 2004 Interstate 85 section. The old section of Interstate 40 will be renamed Business 40.

This also means that Death Valley will no longer have an Interstate other than an Interstate business route. I just hope the DOT doesn't wait 6 months to replace the old exit number signs and shields on the old Interstate 40.

I will try my best to take a ride on it tomorrow afternoon and take pictures. Tomorrow might not be the best day for me because I may have other plans to tend to.

Read more here.

Grand Opening of Western Loop Segment

Well after 3 1/2 years, the next chapter of the Greensboro Urban Loop has begun.

This section, which runs from Interstate 40 to Bryan Boulevard, is about 4 miles long and includes exits for Interstate 40, Friendly Avenue, and Bryan Boulevard.

One of the most interesting things I noticed was the extensive use of Interstate 73 markers. It appears that they're really serious about routing the new Interstate onto the loop.

And now for your viewing pleasure, 24 pictures that I took this afternoon. Click here

New Section of Greensboro Loop to Open Tuesday

Well, it's been since February 2004 that the last segment of the Greensboro Urban Loop opened. Well, the next wait is about over.

According to WFMY News 2, a three mile segment of the loop from Interstate 40 to Bryan Boulevard near PTI Airport will open Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 10:00 AM.

I doubt you will be seeing signs for it, but this segment will be a part of the future Interstate 840 and if all goes well, it may even be a part of the future Interstate 73.

The exciting part, the segment from Interstate 40 to the current end near Grandover Resort won't open until early 2008.

Coincidentally on August 4, 1976, Carolina Circle Mall opened at 10:00 AM as well. Coincidence? I think not! I apologize for my really bad comedy.

You can read more about this here. I'm planning to take a ride on it Tuesday afternoon and I will take plenty of pictures and post them here at Road City.

18th Birthday

Well, at 11:30 this morning, I officially turned 18.

18 is a pretty big step. During my 18 years of life, I've seen roads open, stores open and close, schools close, and malls close. I've seen a lot and I'm looking forward to what's ahead of me during the next 18 years.

Great Progress on Painter Boulevard

I must say that the current segment of the Greensboro Urban Loop that is under construction is making pretty great progress.

What I've seen so far recently:

• Concrete and pavement have seemed to have been laid out.
• Sign posts have been put up and even a couple of signs.
• You can now make out the on/off-ramps.

What still needs to be done:

• More road signs need to be put up.
• Lines need to be painted.
• Medians need to be installed.

Now please bare with me on these observances. I've mainly seen the interchange at Interstate 40 in-between Exits 211 & 213 so those observances are greatly localized to that one area.

Overall, I wouldn't be surprised to see this road open in November.

If you would like to see some great recent pictures of the construction, Robert Malme has some great pictures on his website here.