Agenda - 03-05-1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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R-2 17 rather than six lanes. This widening is recommended to allow - traffic to be accommodated more efficiently and safely. Projected traffic volumes for Projects I-303 and I-304 and capacity analysis results for both six-lane and eight-lane widening are presented in Section II of this report. The six-laning proposed in the FONSI included provisions for future widening of I-85 to eight lanes. The 46-foot median proposed in that report was sufficient to allow for the addition of two lanes (one in each direction) when the need arises. In addition, the EA states that structures and interchanges along the project will be designed to be compatible with any future improvements. The proposed seventh and eighth lanes are to begin between the I-85/McConnell Road (SR 3000) and I-85/Mount Hope Church Road (SR 3045) interchanges east of Greensboro. This western limit of the proposed eight-lane widening is based upon the location of the future I-85 Greensboro Bypass (Project I-2402) . That facility is anticipated to tie into existing I-85 between the McConnell Road and Mount Hope Church Road interchanges. Project I-2402 is scheduled for preparation of an EIS and/or right of way protection in the NCDOT Transportation Improvement Program. The TIP calls for right of way acquisition to begin in Fiscal Year 1994 and construction to begin in Fiscal Year 1996. The proposed eight-laving of I-85 is to end just east of the I-85/SR 1144 .intersection near Efland. The segment of I-85 from • that point to the I-85/SR 1006 intersection east of 1-40 was re- cently improved under Project I-9 (I-40 from I-85 to the Research Triangle Park) . No improvements are to be performed within that segment of I-85. 2. Widening West of the I-85/US 421 Intersection In the FONSI no improvements to I-85 are proposed west of the I-85/US 29 intersection in Greensboro. It is now recommended that a third eastbound lane be added to I-85 between the I-85/Asheboro Street (US 421) and I-85/US 29 interchanges (see Figure 1). This will provide three. eastbound lanes along I-85 throughout Greensboro. This extension of the project will require approximately 0.4 mile of additional widening. It is anticipated no additional richt of way will be required to accommodate this widening. Capacity analysis results for both two and three eastbound lanes in this area are presented in Section II.B. of this report. 3. I-85/US 70 Connector and I-85/SR 1120 Interchanoes In the FONSI it is recommended that the existing I-85/US 70 Connector interchange near Efland be removed. That report calls for realigning the US 70 Connector and extending it westward to tie into SR 1120 just north of the I-85/SR 1120 interchange. The existing I-85/US 70 Connector interchange is only partially directional in that access is provided only from eastbound I-85 to the US 70 Connector and from the US 70 Connector to westbound I-85.