"Proposed Raleigh-Norfolk corridor clears U.S. House, heads to conference with Senate" (Hampton: design, areas)

[LM117]

Disregard the curiosity in my last post about whether VDOT is aware of I-89 being used by NC for the Raleigh-Norfolk corridor. According to AASHTO's Interstate Routes Binder, VDOT agreed to use I-89. VDOT hasn't submitted an application to AASHTO for US-17 on the VA side yet, though.

[JeffConn]

So, if i got this right, the new Interstate 89 will just be upgrading of existing roads? That will definitely shorten the amount of time it will take to get this done. No need to do a ton of environmental surveys, and it can be done in short segments a little bit at a time. I'm not familiar with those roads, however i would think that closing off certain access points and creating new exits and access roads would be most of the work.

[LM117]

Originally Posted by JeffConn

So, if i got this right, the new Interstate 89 will just be upgrading of existing roads? That will definitely shorten the amount of time it will take to get this done. No need to do a ton of environmental surveys, and it can be done in short segments a little bit at a time. I'm not familiar with those roads, however i would think that closing off certain access points and creating new exits and access roads would be most of the work.

Yes, most of the route is upgrading existing roads. I-89 would follow US-64 from the I-440 junction in Raleigh, NC, crossing I-95 in Rocky Mount, and ending in Williamston, NC. I-89 would leave US-64 in Williamston and follow US-17 from Williamston to the I-64/I-464 junction in Chesapeake. The US-17/I-64/I-464 interchange might have to be reconfigured to meet interstate standards for US-17. VDOT might also extend I-89 to I-264 in Norfolk by using I-464. It would make sense, IMO.

[lammius]

Does it matter that I-89 already exists?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_89

[NOVAEER]

This is what VA should have been concentrating on instead of that absurd interstate parallel to Rte. 460 idea McDonnell tried to push.

[LM117]

Originally Posted by lammius

Does it matter that I-89 already exists?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_89

According to NCDOT's AASHTO application, their reasoning is that the future I-89 is far enough away from the existing I-89 that there would be no driver confusion and the fact that since all odd-numbered 2-digit interstate numbers are already being used, it's impossible to assign an odd-numbered 2-digit route without duplicating an existing number. VDOT hasn't mentioned if they're going to apply for I-89 on the VA side in time for AASHTO's next meeting this fall.

[LM117]

Originally Posted by NOVAEER

This is what VA should have been concentrating on instead of that absurd interstate parallel to Rte. 460 idea McDonnell tried to push.

Agreed.

[NorthernGator]

I've got no sense of direction/ time so please don't throw virtual tomatoes.


I used to drive to Hampton/ VB from Raleigh and it took about 2.5 to 3 hours.


Any ideas on how much quicker it would be?

[Pyroninja42]

Technically the route is 23 miles longer, but you wouldn't have to deal with stop lights, stop signs, and would likely be able to drive faster through the entire length of it. Also, you wouldn't have to deal with the speed traps in Southampton County.

And just having a direct route to Raleigh is nice. And you would get to avoid all that nastiness on I-95.

[LM117]

Originally Posted by Pyroninja42

Also, you wouldn't have to deal with the speed traps in Southampton County.

You forgot Greensville County and Emporia.