Segment 11 / 
Segment 12
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Where: Open I-73/I-74 and US 220 Freeway,Future Rockingham Bypass FreewayLength: Approx. 10.5 MilesNeeded: Upgrade Current Highway to Interstate Standards and Construct New HighwayCompleted Route Signed as:
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[NCDOT released sign plans for the I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass Project on August 20, 2019. Jump to the Sign Plan Images.]
NCDOT contractors started to build the first phase of the a freeway bypass west of Rockingham, listed as STIP Project R-3421C, and Contract 202962 on March 3, 2014. I-73 and I-74 will be routed from an upgraded US 220 onto a bypass of Rockingham which is to be constructed during phase two. The first phase is 3.7 miles of the total project length of 10.5 miles, US 220 south of Ellerbe was upgraded to interstate standards along with new frontage roads on either side to allow access to current businesses. This section includes a new exit (23) at Dockery and Haywood Cemetery Roads. The completion date was April 9, 2018, delayed a month from March 2018 but at the end of April 2018 the work was listed as 94.4% complete (signifying the reason for the opening delay, the anticipated progress was 100%).1 At that time the route could have been open, but there were no reports about the work being completed by NCDOT or local media.Traffic is at least using the completed freeway lanes north from the Haywood Road exit, which is open according to Google Maps. On or before June 25, 2018 NCDOT removed the project from its project listings, indicating work on Phase 1 has been completed.2 In response to an e-mail sent to the NCDOT division overseeing the project on July 10, an NCDOT spokesman told Site contributor Strider that while there was still work to be done, all the lanes were open and traffic was using the final configuration along the new route.3 NCDOT sent a letter to the Raleigh office of the FHWA on August 1, 2018 asking that the upgraded US 220 between the former end of I-73/74 in Ellerbe to US 220 about 1/4 mile south of the interchange with Dockery Road/Haywood Cemetery Road, a total of 2.91 miles, be added to the Interstate System. The FHWA approved the request on September 27, 2018.4 Work was confirmed complete by a trip along the route by site contributor Ben Thurkill in September, his photos are below.
This project had already been delayed from a start date of January 2013, due to unresolved issues involving utility relocation along the current US 220 highway.5 For this part $14.4 million was allotted for Right-of-Way acquisition, which occurred in 2010 and 2011 and total costs are estimated at $59.7 million.6
Remainder of Bypass Work
Accelerated After Funding Announced
Work on the remaining part of the Bypass originally was to start in 2018, but it received low marks under the new NCDOT strategic allocation formula which made its debut in December 2014. Due to this, the project became unfunded, meaning, it was not included in the Final 2016-2025 STIP document released June 2015, and that meant that the earliest work could start is 2026.8 However, new funding for road construction announced by NC Governor McCrory in December 2015 became available finance unfunded projects, which included the plan to upgrade US 74 to the east of Rockingham (see I-74 Segment 14) to interstate standards by 2025. The funding of this project probably accelerated the proposal to complete the Bypass, since it would be the only gap in I-74 between Winston-Salem and Laurinburg. An updated February 2016 TIP document showed the project funded as two contracts, R-3421A from the US 74 Bypass near SR 1109, Zion Church Road to South of SR 1140, Old Charlotte Highway, 1.3 miles, with a construction cost of $65.5 million and R-3421B from SR 1140 to southwest of SR 1304, Harrington Road, 4.6 miles, costing $62.8 million lasting between 2022 to 2025.9 It would have include an interchange at Blewitt Falls Rd (Exit 17) and Cartledge Creek Rd (Exit 20), the US 74 interchange (Exit 15) would include a ramp to East Business 74 as well as to West US 74.7 About 1.5 miles of US 74 east of the new Bypass would also be reconstructed as part of the project (to add additional lanes). However, when the Draft 2017-2027 STIP was released in January 2017, the Rockingham Bypass work was put off to 'Post Years', meaning after 2027.10 Apparently the project received low marks in the new set of project scores, which also canceled the funding for the planned work to upgrade US 74 further east. Then in late June 2017, NCDOT announced that the project would be added to STIP whose formal approval came in August. Right of way work would continue while actual construction would start in 2026 continuing at least through 2028, the construction cost for R-3421A being $35.1 million and for R-3421B $37.3 million.11 In August 2018, NCDOT announced, as part of its 2020-2029 STIP development process, that the contract to build the Bypass was to be included in the funded projects for Region 8. At that time it was thought construction most likely would start at the end of the period, 2028 or 2029.12 However, in December 2018, NCDOT added the R-3421A and B Bypass projects to its tentative list of lettings for October 2019. According to the Final STIP released in September 2019, the project will cost $278 million (including the previously built Section C), with the state contributing $100 million in "Build NC Bonds" to be paid off between 2020 and 2034, will start in early 2020 and be completed in 2023.13 In April 2019, the project let date was moved from October to December 2019, however in July 2019, it was moved back to October 15, 2019.14 When project plans were released (see below) in August 2019, 8 weeks prior to the letting date, there was no longer an interchange included for Blewitt Falls Rd, only Cartledge Creek Road, perhaps the Blewitt Falls exit was seen as too close to the US 74/Business 74 exit. The contract was awarded to the firm of Vecellio & Grogan, Inc. of Beckley, WV with a bid of $146,176,682.77 on October 17, 2019.15 Work started November 25, 2019 and 5 years later, as of November 30, 2024 was 92.7% complete.16 In the spring of 2020 work was started to clear the future interchange area along US 74 east of Rockingham. By 2024 substantial progress had been made at the southern end at the US 74 interchange, including completing the new exit ramps for US 74 and Business 74, but there was less progress in the middle section of the project, see photos below.17 A news report at the end of October indicated the project was near completion, but did not state a date this was to happen.18 As of mid-December there has been no announcement of an impending opening. The anticipated completion date is now in September 2025, almost 2 years after the original date in the fall of 2023.19
Changes in Plans over the
past Decade
In 2002, then NCDOT Secretary Lyndo Tippett indicated that NCDOT planned to lobby the Federal Highway Administration to have the existing four-lane section of US 220 designated Business I-74 when the bypass is complete.20 However, sign plans released for the project in December 2013 (see below) indicate that the current US 220 will keep its designation when the Bypass opens and there were no indications of any Business interstate designation(s).21 In 2000, a couple Future I-73/74 corridor signs were put up along existing US 220 in this area (see below). In July 2002 a Formal Design Public Hearing was held on the campus of Richmond Community College to discuss the project.22 Several more public hearings have been held since to keep local citizens updated.
US 74 Business East through I-73/I-74 interchange construction zone, part of drive along US 74 East from Wingate to Rockingham by Driving Around NC posted on May 2, 2024 (construction zone around 22 minute mark)
US 74 East through I-73/I-74 interchange construction zone, part of drive along US 74 East from Wadesboro to Lumberton, posted by Driving Around NC posted on Feb. 24, 2024 (construction zone around the 51 minute mark)
US 220 North approaching future I-73/I-74 interchange: Just South of Harrington Road
1. US 74 West approaching the Bypass
Recently
placed overhead signs at the ramp to the former Cordova exit (now
Galestown Road/Zion Church Road) on US 74 West approaching the future
start of the I-73 North/ I-74 West Rockingham Bypass.
The
1/2 Mile advance sign on US 74 West for the US 74/Business 74 exits,
pull through sign for I-73 North/I-74 West covered up.
The
overhead signs at the ramp for US 74 West. All traffic still has to
exit at Business 74.
2. US 74 East and Business 74 approaching the Bypass
This new guide signs has
appeared on US 74 East approaching the Business 74 exit.
The
3/4 Mile advance signs for the Business 74 East to I-73 North / I-74
West Rockingham Bypass is partially hidden by trees.
The
overhead signage for Business 74 East (open) and access to the I-73
North/ I-74 West Rockingham Bypass (not opened yet).
The
3/4 Mile advance sign on Business 74 East for the future I-73 North/
I-74 West Rockingham Bypass access ramp.
The
1/4 mile advance sign does not have an exit tab as of yet.
The
overhead ramp signage on Business 74 to I-73 North/ I-74 West Rockingham
Bypass is covered over, as well as the gore sign.
Looking
across to overhead signage on Business 74 West at the future ramp to
I-73 North/ I-74 West Rockingham Bypass.
Another
look across to Business 74 West at the 3/4 Mile advance sign for the
current ramp to US 74 East, already signed for I-74 East.
3. Cartledge Creek Road Interchange
Junction I-73/I-74 signs have
appeared heading west on Cartledge Creek Road.
Approaching the
Cartledge Creek Road ramp to the Bypass heading north.
A closer view of
the covered up I-73/I-74 trailblazers at the Cartledge Creek Road
on-ramp heading west.
Approaching the
I-73/I-74 Bypass bridges over Cartledge Creek Road.
Covered over
I-73 South/I-74 East trailblazers approaching the second ramp on
Cartledge Creek Road.
View of the 1
Mile advance sign for the US 220 South exit on I-73 North/I-74 West
overlooking the Cartledge Creek Road interchange.
4. Harrington Road Overpass
The 1 Mile advance sign for the
Cartledge Creek Road exit can be seen looking west/south.
The completed US 220 South exit
seen in the other direction
5. US 220 North
Approaching
the left-side Bypass exit on US 220 North.
The
partially covered Exit 5 gore sign for the Bypass exit on US 220 North.
A new 1 mile advance sign at the
end of the Bypass matching the overhead sign on US 220 North for the
Dockery Road/Haywood Cemetery Road exit.
EARLIER IN 2024
Completed future I-73
North/I-74 West roadway at beginning of Rockingham Bypass with US 74
West leaving via exit ramp to the right. Traffic in the left lane if for
Business 74 East.
Business
74 traffic about to leave the future Bypass, which appears mostly
complete.
View
from the start of the Business 74 East ramp.
Continuing on the Business 74
East ramp and about to cross the bridge over the US 74 lanes, Bypass
lanes to the left.
Continuing
on ramp to Business 74 East. The ramp that will carry traffic to the
Bypass from US 74 East via Business 74 is to the left.
Approaching
Business 74 East on the future Bypass exit ramp.
Ramp
about to merge with Business 74 East heading towards Rockingham.
The
future ramp to I-73 North/I-74 West is still under construction as seen
from Business 74 West.
View
from Business 74 East of the ramp that will carry future traffic to I-73
North/I-74 West.
Approaching
completed bridges that will carry I-73 /I-74 over Business 74.
Portable
VMS being used as a temporary advance sign for the upcoming split of
ramps to US 74 East and West.
Closeup
view of completed bridge that will carry the I-73/I-74 roadway over
Business 74.
Split
of ramps at the end of Business 74 West, left for US 74 (and Future
I-74) East, right for US 74 West.
View
from Business 74 of future ramp from US 74 East to Business 74 East that
will also carry traffic destined to the Rockingham Bypass.
Traveling
towards US 74 (Future I-74) East from Business 74 West.
View
of US 74 looking west towards reconstructed ramps for Business 74 at
western end of Bypass construction zone.
View
from reconstructed US 74 West lanes approaching future merge with the
end of the Rockingham Bypass.
The 1
mile advance for the Cordova exit on US 74 West ahead of the future
merge with the end of the Rockingham Bypass.
View
at future merge with the end of the Rockingham Bypass has not changed
significantly in past few months.
View
from US 74 West looking back along the near completed future I-73
South/I-74 East lanes at the end of the Rockingham Bypass.
Approaching
the interchange site under construction headed east.
The
initially paved future ramp to I-73 South / I-74 East.
On
the others side the ramp that will carry traffic from I-73 South/I-74
East to Cartledge Creek Road.
A
closer look at the bridges that will carry the Bypass of Cartledge Creek
Road. The southbound bridge not as complete as the northbound one.
And
a closer look at the ramps to and from I-73 North/I-74 West to Cartledge
Creek Road still under construction.
Another
closer look at the bridges still under construction, the northbound
bridge in front.
Looking
along the future on-ramp to I-73 North/I-74 West.
View
along the future off-ramp to Cartledge Creek Road from I-73 North/I-74
West.
View
of the interchange under construction heading west.
Photos taken along US 74 through the Rockingham Bypass construction zone
Screen Grabs from Driving Around NC video from Business 74 East at the Bypass Construction Zone, posted May 2, 2024:
Approaching
the future I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass bridges still under construction.
Driving
under the future I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass bridges.
Passing
the future ramp that will carry traffic from US 74 East to I-73
North/I-74 West on the Rockingham Bypass.
Approaching
the ramp from US 74 West (Future I-73 North/I-74 West to Business 74
east in the early morning sun.
Screen Grabs from video from Driving Around NC, showing Bypass construction along US 74 East, posted February 24, 2023:
Approaching the future
ramp from I-73 South/I-74 East on US 74 East. The former US 74 West
alignment has been removed, the new one further to the left.
Better look at the
former US 74 West alignment now removed and part of median between the
two approaching ramps.
Approaching the future
merge with I-73 South/I-74 East on US 74 East. The approaching Bypass
lanes appear to be getting there last pavement layer.
After
merging from the future ramp from I-73 South/I-74 East on US 74 East now
4 lanes wide. The fourth lane ending up ahead. The roadway becomes two
lanes again at the top of the hill.
2023 PHOTOS
View from July 2023 from Google Maps Street View showing lane marking on the completed section at the northern end of the Bypass from US 220 South:
View
from US 220 South bridge at completed part of Rockingham Bypass, now
with lane markings.
Screen Grabs from video from North Carolina Backroads, released July 1, 2023 showing open ramp at future Bypass interchange:
Completed
section of US 74 West widened to 3 lanes approaching the future I-73
North/I-74 West interchange.
Further
along US 74 West with no permanent signage up a VMS sign indicates
through traffic uses the right 2 lanes at the 73 North/I-74 West
interchange.
Heading
onto the future US 74 West ramp, Business 74 traffic uses the current
left lane.
US 74 West now using future exit ramp from future I-73 North/I-74 West
prior to the start of the Bypass.
US 74 West ramp heading under the new ramp to Business 74.
Further
along US 74 West with VMS sign indicating through traffic must use right
2 lanes at the future I-73 North/I-74 West interchange.
US 74 West traffic returning to old alignment after future I-73
North/I-74 West interchange, old lanes removed.
Widening continues along US 74
West after Business 74 on-ramp at then end of the Rockingham Bypass
construction zone.
New Google Maps Satellite Photo shows future Bypass corridor:
Google Maps Street View images along US 74 West taken in March 2023 (Hover over for larger view):
Paving underway along US 74 West's closed lanes
heading towards future the I-73/I-74 Bypass interchange.
Paving underway on Future US 74 West ramp lanes
that will run under the I-73/I-74 Bypass lanes.
Paving underway also on Future Business 74 East
exit ramp.
Looking back at the Future US 74 West lanes
returning to the current roadway after going under the future I-73/I-74
Bypass overpass.
Closer
look at the nearly completed I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass bridges over
the future US 74 West lanes.
Recently
constructed crossover for US 74 East traffic to use US 74 West lanes
after westbound traffic is moved to the new lanes while eastbound lanes
are reconfigured, this project will run from May to July.
Taken in January 2023 by Tracy Hamm along US 74 West:
Paving had
started along ramp that will carry US 74 West traffic under the
I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass lanes, and the new US 74 Business exit, in
the distance. These lanes were opened in March.
2022 PHOTOS
Taken on Dec. 24, 2022 by David Gallo:
New future lane has been paved approaching the
future I-73 North/I-74 West interchange.
New paved lane continues to the future I-73
North/I-74 West interchange.
Concrete barriers stand in front of the future I-73
North/I-74 West off-ramp from US 74 West.
Many orange barrels block the former Business 74
exit ramp.
Gore sign marking site of former Business 74 exit
ramp being reconfigured as part of the future I-73 North/I-74 West
Bypass interchange.
A closer look at the still standing gore sign of
the former Business 74 exit being reconstructed in the distance.
I-73 North/I-74 West Bypass construction seen in
the distance from US 74 West.
Clearing for the future I-73 North/I-74 West Bypass
can be seen heading north from US 74 West.
Clearing seen from US 74 West for future ramps
from the I-73 South and I-74 East.
Images along US 74 East taken from Google Maps Street View, September 2022:
Approaching
the site of interchange construction along US 74 East.
View
from US 74 East at ramp for future I-73 North/I-74 West traffic from US
74 West.
The
off-ramp bridge under construction seen from US 74 East.
A
closer look at the bridge from US 74 East.
Now
looking back at cranes helping construct the new Bypass ramp from US 74
West.
View
of former Business US 74 East exit ramp now being used to store
construction equipment.
A
wider view of the interchange ramp construction from US 74 East.
Images taken from Google Maps Street View, May 2022:
View from US 74 West at start of
I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass construction zone showing more landscape
clearing beyond Mile Marker 307.
The future ramp carrying I-73
North/I-74 West can be seen on the right.
Approaching
the former US 74 Business exit where bridges for future ramps are being
constructed.
Closer view of the former US 74 Business ramp, now
used to store construction equipment.
The gore sign still stands for the former US 74
Business exit, with construction equipment beyond.
View of bridge for future
interchange ramp under construction beyond former US 74 Business exit.
Looking back along US 74 West at bridge under
construction over future interchange ramp.
Concrete pipes
with cleared land for the future interchange in the distance.
View from start of Business US 74 East of ramp
construction for the future interchange between that route and US 74.
View from Business US 74 East of support
construction for the future bridges over ramps and the new alignment for
that route.
View from Business US 74 West of Bypass
construction at the 1/2 mile advance sign for the US 74 East exit.
View from Business US 74 East of grading taking
place between the east and west lanes.
View of future ramp I-73 North/I-74 West ramp
from US 74 West paralleling Business 74.
View of landscaping along Business US 74 East.
Photos taken on December 24, 2021 by David Gallo:
View from along US 74 West of the
Rockingham Bypass construction area.
Closer look along US 74 West at the
grading running along the route for the Rockingham Bypass interchange.
Grading continues approaching the
former Business 74 exit, still with gore sign in place.
A closer look at the construction
area.
Looking at start of bridge
construction for the interchange ramps.
Photos from Google Maps Street View images from June to November 2021
1. At the current end of I-73/I-74:
Looking south from the what
will be the US 220 ramp from I-73 South/I-74 East towards Harrington
Road.
Looking
south a further along US 220 showing future I-73/I-74 Bypass after
Harrington Road.
The
completed future on-ramp to US 220 South from I-73 North/I-74 West.
Looking back at the future on-ramp to US 220 South
from I-73 North/I-74 West.
2. US 220 North at Future I-73/I-74 interchange
Gantry
at future ramp to Rockingham Bypass prior to merge with I-73 North and
I-74 West.
Looking
along future ramp to Rockingham Bypass prior to merge with I-73 North
and I-74 West.
3. Harrington Road
Looking
south from Harrington Road bridge, built as part of the first contract,
over paved section of the I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass.
Looking in the opposite direction, northeast from
Harrington Road bridge toward the US 220 South ramp.
Looking the same direction further along the
Harrington Road bridge toward the future ramp to US 220 South at the end
of the Bypass.
4. Dave Kings Road
Looking
south at cleared area for future roadbed of the I-73/I-74 Rockingham
Bypass, this is part of the current construction project.
Looking
south at cleared area for future roadbed of the I-73/I-74 Rockingham
Bypass.
5. Along Business 74
Construction
vehicles lined up in cleared area for part of future interchange between
US 74 and I-73/I-74.
Business 74
heading east about to pass under future bridge for interchange between
US 74 and I-73/I-74.
Closer view
of support for future bridge being built for interchange between US 74
and I-73/I-74. The gore sign for the current Business 74 can be seen in
the distance.
Looking south
along Business 74 to site of future bridge being built for interchange
between US 74 and I-73/I-74. .
Path for
future ramp to carry I-73 North/I-74 West from US 74 West.
5. From East US 74
View of
cleared area north of closed Business 74 exit for future Bypass
interchange looking across US 74 West.
View of
grading and bridge construction for future Bypass interchange looking
across US 74 West.
View of
cleared area running alongside US 74 West.
Construction
crews excavating as part of interchange construction alongside US 74
West.
Looking
northwest across US 74 West at construction at former Business 74 exit
ramp.
PHOTOS FROM 2021
Taken on July 6, 2021 by David Johnson:
View of completed section of Rockingham Bypass
looking south from US 220 South exit ramp north of Rockingham, the
current end of I-73 South.
Traveling US
74 West into the Rockingham Bypass construction zone.
The future
I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass interchange as seen down the hill from US 74
West.
Sign on US
74 West indicating the Business 74 exit is closed due to construction of
the future I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass interchange.
Exit sign
for the Business 74 exit which still should be covered up (see earlier
photo below) as ramp is closed due to construction of the future
I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass interchange.
Orange
barrels blocking the Business 74 exit ramp and construction activity
beyond for the future I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass interchange.
The gore
sign for the closed Business 74 exit ramp, also should be covered over,
and construction activity beyond for the future I-73/I-74 Rockingham
Bypass interchange.
A closeup of
piles being driven for the future I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass
interchange ramp bridge, along with concrete culverts for drainage.
Land being
graded alongside US 74 West for the future I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass
interchange.
More land clearing for the future I-73/I-74
Rockingham Bypass interchange as seen from the US 74 Business bridge
over US 74.
Another view looking north from the US 74 Business
bridge over US 74, some of the landscaping looks finished.
US 74 Business actual bisects the I-73/I-74 Bypass
interchange construction zone, here traveling east.
Still heading east on US 74 Business through the
construction zone, a future bridge for the interchange now under
construction.
A closer look at the bridge construction for the
Bypass on both sides of US 74 Business.
US 74 Business East approaches the end of the
construction zone for the future Bypass.
Taken on April 18, 2021 by Nick Schaut:
Portable
VMS alerting drivers on US 74 West that the Business 74 exit is closed
due to I-73/I-74 interchange construction.
Traveling
on US 74 West toward the Pee Dee River bridges, the massive excavation
to the right is required to accommodate the Future I-73/I-74
interchanges and ramps.
Continuing
down the hill on US 74 West. There was a hill to the right, which has
been removed to make way for the new exit to I-73/I-74 North.
The
Business 74 exit sign. This sign should either be covered up or have a
CLOSED banner over it.
A
closer look at the excavation. Crews are quite literally obliterating
a hill to make way for the new lanes and ramps for the future
I-73/I-74 Bypass and US 74 interchange.
Cranes,
an excavator and sheet piles all staged and ready for the next phase
of Bypass construction.
Looking
back toward Business 74 from the US 74 West Pee Dee River bridge, with
a brief look at the large scale excavation that is taking place to
accommodate the new I-73/I-74 Bypass.
Taken in January 2021 by Tracy Hamm:
Area
now nearly cleared and graded for future I-73/I-74 exit from US 74 West
approaching the current Business 74 exit.
Photos taken in May 2020 by Tracy Hamm:
View
of area being cleared and graded for future I-73/I-74 exit from US 74
West approaching the current Business 74 exit.
Closer
view or early work for the future I-73/I-74 exit at the ramp to Business
74.
Photo taken in April 2020 by Tracy Hamm:
Area of future I-73/I-74
interchange being cleared as seen from US 74.
Photos taken heading south on June 17, 2018 by J. Austin Carter:
South I-73 mile marker
at start of Rockingham Bypass segment, followed by South I-73/US 220,
East I-74 reassurance marker.
View southbound from
hill just prior to 1 Mile advance sign for Dockery Road/Haywood Cemetery
Road exit from where you can see the exit itself.
Overhead gantry with
ramp signage for Dockery Road/Haywood Cemetery Road exit and 1-Mile
advance sign for US 220 South, the current end of I-73 South (and
temporary end of this segment of I-74 East.
The overhead 1/2 mile
advance sign for South US 220, the bracket on the right is either for a
right lane ending advisory sign or speed advisory sign seen on the next
sign.
The last South I-73/US
220, East I-74 reassurance marker just prior to the I-73 Mile 23 post.
Overhead sign at South
US 220 exit ramp. Speed limit 45 advisory sign was added this past
spring to reduce further truck rollover incidents caused by high speeds
around sharp curve on ramp carrying traffic to South at end of freeway
(see photo taken last September, below).
View of graded roadway
to become part of the I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass when construction
begins in the spring of 2020.
First overhead sign with
I-73 North and I-74 West on US 220 North approaching future interchange
with the I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass.
View of US 220 North at
future split of ramps to the I-73 South/I-74 East Rockingham Bypass on
the left and the open ramp to join I-73 North/I-74 West.
1-Mile advance sign for
now open Dockery Road/Haywood Cemetery Road exit on US 220 North ramp to
I-73 North/ I-74 West in Richmond County. The exit only arrow is over
the correct lane. The far right lane ends at the merge with the future
Bypass lanes before the exit.
First set of
reassurance markers for I-73 North and I-74 West after US 220 North ramp
merge. The shield set up is different from markers further north which
have the interstate shields on the same post.
Overhead signage at now
open Dockery Road/Haywood Cemetery Road exit on I-73 North/I-74 West.
Trailblazers
at on-ramp to I-73 South/I-74 East/US 220 South at on-ramp from Dockery
Road/Haywood Cemetery Road.
1-Mile advance sign for
US 220 Ellerbe exit. The Business banner is an error, US 220 without the
banner is still signed on the remaining exit signs (1/2 mile advance
seen in the distance) and there is no reference to Business US 220 on
the signs at the end of the exit ramp.
Heading southbound now,
the empty gantry for what will be the 1-Mile Advance sign for the split
of US 220 South from I-73/I-74 once the rest of the Bypass is completed.
The last set of I-73
South/I-74 West reassurance markers just before the I-73 South Mile 23
marker.
US 220 South sign
on gantry that will hold the future I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass/US 220
South exit signage.
End I-73 and I-74 signs
are placed at the start of the future US 220 South ramp. These signs
will probably be here another 10 years.
View from the US 220
South ramp bridge over the future I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass lanes
showing preliminary grading. Future ramp from US 220 North to the Bypass
seen in the distance.
Looking the other way
from the US 220 ramp bridge shows grading for the future Bypass
proceeding a short distance further to the south.
It appears not everyone
is familiar with the new US 220 South ramp. This truck overturned while
apparently going too fast on the curve prior to the bridge over the
future I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass lanes.
Earlier photos taken on March 13, 2018 by Charles M. Kunz:
Photo
looking north at future Dockery Rd/Haywood Cemetery Rd exit on Future
I-73 North/I-74 West showing ramp near completion. Exit is now open as
of June 2018.
Photos taken on February 3, 2018 by AARoads Forum member Thing 342:
View heading north on
US 220 using future frontage road along side future lanes of I-73 North
and I-74 West still under construction with VMS sign in place.
Looking north on future
frontage roads toward under construction interchange with Haywood
Cemetery Road. Traffic transfers to new I-73/I-74 lanes just before
exit.
New overhead signage
with exit sign for Dockery Road/Haywood Cemetery Road covered over until
ramp is completed. The I-73 and I-74 shields are uncovered with the
freeway completed north to Ellerbe, despite the routes not officially
extended to the segment as of yet.
Photos taken in June 2017 by David Johnson:
Looking south on US 220
at start of construction zone where traffic is shifted to the future
parallel frontage road lanes.
Looking south at
construction of Future I-73/I-74 lanes between current US 220
Lanes/Future Frontage Roads.
Approaching the future
Haywood Cemetery Road exit and completed bridge over the Future
I-73/I-74 lanes.
Further down US 220 South
looking at future Bypass lanes, graded, going straight and to the right
of the current route and then curving away.
View of future bridge
taking US 220 traffic to and from I-73/I-74 from current US 220 South.
The southern end of the
work zone along US 220 heading towards Rockingham.
Photos taken in August 2016 by J. Austin Carter:
View of the future US 220
interchange construction area as seen from Sandy Ridge Church Road, of
what will be part of the future I-73/74 Bypass south of US 220.
Looking from new Sandy
Ridge Church Road bridge, not yet opened, over future I-73/I-74 Bypass.
Taken
in the median of US 220 looking south over the future US 220 interchange
area with the nearly completed bridge that will take US 220 South from
I-73/I-74 in the distance.
View from Harrington Road
looking north along future roadbed of I-73/I-74 Bypass south of US 220
(Harrington road is being realigned to meet US 220 further south of the
interchange).
View taken along new
bridge over future I-73/I-74 Bypass south of US 220.
Construction in the
vicinity of Haywood Cemetery Road.
Closeup of detour sign
for Haywood Cemetery Road which is closed while interchange is being
constructed.
Looking
north at bridge pier under construction in US 220 median for future
Haywood Cemetery Rd Bridge over I-73/I-74.
Looking south on US 220
at northern end of construction zone showing completion of building the
southbound frontage roads along path of future I-73/I-74 with US 220
traffic moved onto them so the upgrading of the existing lanes to
interstate standards can start.
Closer view of the work
underway to upgrade US 220 to Interstate Standards.
View along South US 220
earlier in 2016 showing progress in constructing the frontage roads and
upgrading the existing lanes to interstate standards. Photo by Tracy
Hamm, 2/26/16.
View of US 220 looking
south toward Rockingham. This is 3 miles south of where the Ellerbe
bypass highway will connect back with current US 220 and where they plan
to upgrade the road to an interstate. There are many businesses and
driveways along the route that will complicate matters. (October 2005)
The sign plans published by NCDOT on August 20, 2019 indicate that I-73 will end at the southern end of the Bypass, and not continue along with I-74 along the US 74 Rockingham Bypass until any construction occurs in South Carolina. There have also been changes to the sign plans since the last set was published in January 2014:
Plan
for Arrow-per-Lane sign at current end of I-73/I-74 at US 220.
Notice that previous plan for Future Exit 22 Sign showed that US 220 will keep its current alignment, but had Myrtle Beach and that Wilmington as control cities for I-73/I-74. (plan dated 12/21/13):
New sign plan for US 220 North at
I-73/I-74 interchange.
Previous (2014) sign plan for I-73/I-74
exit on US 220 North.
Sign
plan for only exit on the Bypass, Cartledge Creek Road.
The sign plans for the US 74
East Exit 306 showing I-73 ending, for now, at the Bypass. Access to the
Bypass from US 74 East will be through the Business 74 exit.
Sign plan for split of I-73/I-74
North/West and US 74 West at the I-73/I-74 Bypass, showing future I-73
exit number.
Sign plan for Business 74 exit at
southern end of Bypass showing future message for the inclusion of I-73
and that the control city for I-74/US 74 East is Lumberton.
The exit signs at the western end of
Business 74 will have their own exit numbers, appropriately being 1A and
1B (there are no other exits). There will be a future overlay panel made
for Exit 1A adding South I-73.
The signs at the beginning of
Business 74 East showing access to the I-73 North/I-74 West Bypass from
US 74 East will be from a loop ramp from Business 74. with its own
number, Exit 1 (New 1/30/23).
Plan showing future location of
End I-73 sign just before the bridge crossing Business 74.
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