I-74 is to leave US 52 near NC 65 and be routed on the planned eastern
half of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway to US 311. The Winston-Salem
Northern Beltway is a planned 34 mile arc freeway from US 158 southwest
of the city to US 311 in the southeast. The Eastern Half is to run from
US 52 to US 311. Though US 52 through Winston-Salem is a freeway, it is
substandard and NCDOT from the beginning of I-74 planning apparently
felt that routing through traffic away from Winston-Salem was a better
option than upgrading US 52 through downtown. (Though in recent years
they have completed projects to upgrade the highway and remove problem
interchanges, and, they plan for US 52, if completely upgraded, to serve
as an extension of I-285*).1
Though long-planned and constantly postponed, due to either litigation,
or the lack of funding, the first segment of the Beltway started
construction in December 2014. Both the pressing of NCDOT by local
officials and the, not coincidental, recalculation of the new
transportation funding mechanism announced by NCDOT in 2013, caused the
Beltway project not only to jump from last place in the state Loop
construction list, but to be placed on the Urban Loop Acceleration Plan
list. Thus a project that only a couple years ago was projected not to
start until the mid 2020's, has received enough funding, made possible
by Grant Anticipation Revenue, or GARVEE, bonds, which allow NCDOT to
borrow against future federal funding, to at least build the first
couple segments, the first from Business 40/US 421 to US 158 was let in
October, and awarded in early November 2014 to Dragados USA Inc of NYC
for $153,999,950.2 The starting date of the project was
December 10, 2014. The completion date has moved over the length of
construction.3 A NCDOT Press Release from April 17, 2019
indicated it could open by the end of that year, it didn't, a map
detailing new exit numbers for the US 421/Salem Parkway issued by NCDOT
in January 2020 indicated the completion date was Spring 2020, then
NCDOT said that it will open by August.4 Lanes were
closed on the Salem Parkway/US 421 starting in late April to allow final
paving of the ramps between the Beltway and US 421, and periodic
closings continued into early September, suggesting opening was near.
The segment was finally opened on the morning of September 55
(See photos section). (Drive on the new
segment with this video). Jumping the gun a bit, the NCDOT traffic
map, by Bing, added the first segment of the Beltway, despite it not
being open yet, to its North Carolina map the third week of April:
Work started on a second segment from US 158 to US 311 on January 19,
2018. NCDOT stopped posting information on the contract in November
2020, implying it would be open soon. NCDOT announced the roadway would
open on December 23, 2020, six months early, since the official
completion date was in 2021. The route ended up opening on December 27.6,7
(Check out this video
of a drive on the newly completed roadway.) On April 5, 2018,
NCDOT announced it had awarded the contract to build segments D, E and F
to Flatiron Constructors, Inc. for $120 million, this will take the
Beltway from US 311 to NC 66/University Parkway. Design work started on
April 30, 2018 and construction in April 2019. As of October 22,
2021 work was over 4/5 (81.1%) complete (though the percentage went
briefly down in April 2021 due to a cost increase in the project). Work
is now scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2022, the
original date of September 2021 proving unreasonable due to the pace of
progress over the past year.8 The remaining segments to be
built are I-40 to US 421/Salem Parkway (Former Business 40), which was
to be started in October 2020, is now scheduled to be let in December
2021 and between I-74 and I-40, first delayed in September 2019 from
late 2020 until March 2021, now with COVID-19 financial issues delayed
until 2023, and as a result the eastern section will now not be
completed until at least 2025.9 A Design-Build contract to
connect the Beltway at NC 66 to a new interchange with US 52 (Contract
C204137) was awarded in October 2018, and as of the end of September
2021 was 63.6% complete, work is supposed to be completed in September
2022, though that date was moved in early 2021 from September 1 to 23.4
Work on the new NC 65 bridge at the southern end of the project caused
US 52 to be closed over several nights in February 2021. (Preliminary
work on the interchange (Contract C203840), modifying the US 52 South
exit ramp with NC 65 and building a wider NC 65 bridge to accommodate
future ramps between US 52 and the Beltway was started in January 2017,
which also includes preliminary work on the western section interchange
with US 421, and is scheduled to be completed by October 2019, see
photos of construction below). Meanwhile, NCDOT's budget problems has
caused them to postpone work on the western section of the Beltway. For
a more detailed discussion of these projects, see the Project History
section, below.
Here's a map of the Beltway Project by NCDOT showing the construction
segments as of August 2017 with then dates of both Eastern and
Western Beltway construction:
Segment Photos
Image from Google Maps Street View taken in July and August 2021
The US 311/New Walkertown Road interchange:
Future
ramp to I-74 West blocked by traffic barrels with trailblazer for NC 74
East ramp opened in December 2020 on US 311 South.
US
311 bridge over partly opened Future I-74 Winston-Salem Northern
Beltway.
East
NC 74 and South US 311trailblazers at opened ramp to Future I-74
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. This will also be the future end of US
311 South.
From Old Walkertown Road:
View
of nearly completed Future Northern Beltway/ I-74 bridge over Old
Walkertown Road looking north.
A
slightly closer look at the Old Walkertown Road bridge looking north,
showing it also serves as a railroad bridge.
Looking
between the spans of the Old Walkertown Road/Railroad bridge, Future
I-74 West to the left and East to the right.
Here's
a view of nearly completed bridge looking south.
Closer look at the landscaping
near the bridge at the Old Walkertown Road/Dippen Road intersection.
A
closer look to the east of Old Walkertown Road showing landscaping still
underway for the bridge.
Along NC 66/Old Hollow Road:
Rerouted
NC 66 near the new bridge over the future I-74/Northern Beltway. It
appears they forgot to move a speed limit sign.
From the Stanleyville Drive Bridge:
Looking west along the Future
I-74/Northern Beltway toward the NC 66/University Parkway interchange.
The roadbed has been paved.
Looking east along the Future
I-74/Northern Beltway toward the NC 8/Germanton Road interchange. The
roadbed has been graded.
A zoomed in look east toward the
NC 8 interchange.
A zoomed in looking back west
toward the NC 66 interchange.
Looking across the completed
Stanleyville Drive bridge.
Taken from the NCDOT Traffic Camera at the US 158 exit in September
2021:
Closeup of overhead signage at
ramp to NC 74 Beltway East from US 158 West.
Taken by Val Melvin in July 2021 along US 52:
View
from US 52 North of start of Winston-Salem Beltway interchange
construction zone prior to NC 65 exit.
Construction
barrels mark construction along US 52 North of start of Winston-Salem
Beltway interchange prior to NC 65 exit, the blue Gas services sign for
that exit remains in place.
As
is the NC 65 exit sign prior to the new NC 65 bridge.
The
current traffic setup with the NC 65 exit starting prior to the bridge,
but the actual ramp on the other side.
The
new noise wall has been completed north of the future Winston-Salem
Beltway interchange along the ramp that will carry I-74 West to US 52
North.
View
of US 52 North heading toward future merge with ramp carrying I-74 West
from the Winston Salem Northern Beltway.
The
1 Mile advance sign for the Westinghouse Road exit sits near the end of
the future I-74 West ramp from the Winston Salem Northern Beltway to US
52 North.
Looking
further along US 52 towards the end of Beltway construction at the
Westinghouse Road exit.
A
close up look at the yet to be landscaped siding along US 52 approaching
the Westinghouse Road at exit.
A
closer look at what will be a temporary placed exit sign for
Westinghouse Road at the end of Winston Salem Northern Beltway
construction.
Heading back south on US 52
Concrete and construction barrels
separate US 52 traffic from Winston Salem Northern Beltway construction
approaching the NC 65 exit.
View of Winston Salem Northern
Beltway construction at the NC 65 exit. The future I-74 ramp is being
built to the right of US 52 South.
Closeup of the NC 65 bridge
completed as the first stage of Beltway interchange construction.
Workers on future Beltway ramp as
seen from US 52 North after NC 65 bridge.
Closeup of the Beltway ramp
construction.
Work proceeding on one of the
Beltway interchange bridges south of NC 65.
Closeup of the other end of the
interchange ramp bridge as seen from US 52 South.
Previous Photos
NCDOT Traffic camera image shows the new
signs on the US 421/Salem Parkway for the NC 74/Winston-Salem
Beltway exit, now with a US 311 shield instead of US 158:
And an earlier image showing the change
in shields on the exit sign of NC 74 West at the US 421 interchange:
From the newly opened section between US
158 and US 311 taken by Andrew B. Futrell:
Signage at US 158 exit with new exit sign for US
311 now uncovered after section opening.
View of newly opened section looking west
from under US 158 bridge.
1-Mile advance sign for US 311 exit and VMS sign in
the distance.
Now 2-lane roadway heading for new US 311 exit and
current end to the Beltway.
Signage at US 311 exit where all traffic must exit.
From NCDOT traffic cameras now operating
between US 158 and the soon to be opened US 311 interchange:
From December 12, 2020:
From
US 158 camera looking west, image showing near completion of concrete
roadway near US 158 bridge.
From December 4, 2020:
Looking west from US 311 bridge
showing lane markings and sign installation needed prior to road opening
by end of year.
From November
20, 2020:
Traffic
camera image showing roadway near completion still needing signage and
lane markings.
Photos taken from segment still under
construction north/west of US 311 in December 2020 by Andrew B.
Futrell:
Image showing
roadway bridge near completion over future I-74/Northern Beltway.
Graded section
of future Beltway lanes and another nearly completed bridge.
Taken along newly opened segment between
US 421/Salem Parkway and US 158 by David Johnson, September 11,
2020:
Uncovered 2 Miles advance
sign for NC 74 West (Future I-74 West) on US 421 North Salem Parkway
(apparently Exit 227 is 2 miles from 224).
The newly uncovered
1-Mile advance overhead for the opened NC 74 West/Winston-Salem Northern
Beltway exit.
The uncovered overhead
exit sign along US 421 North/Salem Parkway with room to the left for a
future I-74 East sign.
Driving along the
two-lane ramp from US 421 toward the newly opened Beltway.
Noise walls parallel the
right shoulder of the ramp from US 421 North as it merges with the
completed Beltway lanes.
Lanes from both North and
South US 421 about to merge onto Northern Beltway future I-74 West
lanes.
After merging onto NC 74
West. The extreme left lane apparently will not open until more of the
Beltway is completed.
First overhead sign
gantry heading west, this has a 1 3/4 Miles advance sign for US 158.
View along new section of
Beltway includes mountains in the distance along with much closer
temporary mile marker.
The only current West NC
74 reassurance marker along the opened section of the Beltway.
View heading further
northwest toward the US 158 exit.
The 1/2 mile advance
overhead sign for the US 158 exit with the All Traffic Exit banner.
Overhead signage at the
current western end of the Northern Beltway, the covered over US 311
exit sign already has its own All Traffic Exit banner, for the end of
the year.
Taking the ramp to US 158
at the current end of the Beltway. Another temporary mile marker has
been put up, for Mile 51, apparently NCDOT is not rounding up the number
for this exit.
Overhead signage at the
end of the ramp to US 158, only one arrow for North US 158.
Overhead signage at the
NC 74 West ramp on US 158 West, a bigger sign will replace the NC 74
sign when I-74 is routed on the Beltway.
Northern Beltway Eastern Section Construction Photos, 2016-2020 (Hover
over for larger images)
US 421 to US 158
Latest Photos taken by David Johnson, September 3, 2020:
Along the soon to be opened section between US 421/Salem Parkway and US
158:
Looking west from
Walkertown Guthrie Road bridge toward soon to open temporary end of NC
74 Winston-Salem Beltway at US 158.
Looking east from the bridge along NC 74 and first
overhead sign for US 421.
A zoomed image of the
overhead signage at the current western end of the Beltway at US 158,
notice the covered sign also includes an All Traffic Exit banner for the
next segment of roadway.
Looking west to nearly
complete C/D ramps along NC 74 East for the US 421/Salem Parkway
interchange.
Looking northwest from
current stub at eastern end of the current Beltway toward the soon to
open interchange between NC 74 and US 421.
Closer view of overhead
signage at beginning of NC 74 West at exit to US 421 North. The pull
through is West NC 74 to East US 158.
Noise walls border soon to
open ramp from NC 74 East to US 421 South Salem Parkway.
A panoramic shot of the soon open interchange
between NC 74 and US 421.
Along US 158 West:
Traffic restricted to one
lane approaching soon to open interchange.
A Junction NC 74
trailblazer approaching the interchange which will probably stay in
place for the next 5 years.
New traffic signals on flash mode awaiting the
opening of the Beltway/US 158 interchange.
Overhead signage at the
future ramp to NC 74 East. There is room for a much large ramp sign when
I-74 is completed.
Looking
across US 158 East at ready to open ramp from NC 74 West.
Looking
northwest beyond US 158 bridge showing section still under construction
headed towards US 311.
From US 421/Salem Parkway:
Overhead signage in place, though covered over, on
US 421 South awaiting opening of ramp to NC 74 West.
Noise wall along future
ramp to NC 74 West from US 421 South Salem Parkway.
Overhead signs on US 421
South approaching the Beltway bridge and soon to be opened ramp to NC 74
East. Why is exit tab for Kernersville Road covered up?
Now on US 421/Salem Parkway
heading north/west, the covered up overhead and gore signs at the soon
to be opened ramp to NC 74 West.
Between US 158 and US 311, taken by David Johnson, September 11, 2020:
Panoramic shot
looking at the Future I-74 Beltway being constructed west of US 158 from
Williston Court.
Looking west toward US 311 interchange along Future
I-74 Beltway from Williston Road bridge.
A closer look at the US 311 interchange from the
Williston Road bridge.
Another view
from Williston Road Bridge, a new VMS being put up heading east on
Future I-74.
Another view looking west toward US 311 interchange
along Future I-74 Beltway from the middle of the Williston Road bridge.
Between US 311 and Baux Mountain Road:
Looking east
from near the completed US 311 bridge back toward Williston Road bridge.
Now looking
west from US 311 bridge toward bridge being built for Dippen Road.
Now looking
back east from US 311 bridge along the Future I-74 roadway.
Now looking
west along Dippen Road following the Future I-74 roadway.
Further west
along Dippen Road following the Future I-74 roadbed being graded.
Closer look
along Dippen Road at the Future I-74 roadbed being graded.
View along Phelps Drive at site of Future I-74
bridge.
View along Phelps Drive looking east at site of
Future I-74 roadway.
Now on Phelps Drive looking west at grading work
continuing on site of Future I-74 Beltway.
Baux Mountain Parkway to NC 8/Germanton Road:
Now on NC 66/Old Hollow Road looking future bridge
over Future I-74 Beltway.
NC 8/Germanton Road to NC 66 University Parkway:
View looking west from NC 66/Old Hollow Road at
clearing and grading for Future I-74 ramp and roadway. Pilot Mountain
can be seen in the distance.
Another look west from NC 66/Old Hollow Road at
construction equipment clearing and grading for Future I-74 ramp and
roadway.
Photos taken on February 7, 2020 by Site Contributor, J. Austin Carter:
Starting in the area of the future US 311 interchange and heading east
(south):
Future
I-74 roadbed being graded in vicinity of US 311.
Looking along
Future I-74 / Winston-Salem Beltway roadbed heading (north)west from US
311.
New
US 311 bridge being constructed over Future I-74 lanes.
Looking
down future ramp from US 311 to I-74 East which appears to have been
recently paved.
US 311
in vicinity of its future interchange with the I-74 Beltway.
End of
future off-ramp to US 311 from I-74 East.
View looking south/east from US 311 along the
Future I-74 Beltway toward US 158.
View from US 311 looking along Future I-74 West.
Now looking northwest
toward Future US 311 interchange with the I-74 Beltway showing future
westbound lanes paved.
New
Dillon Farm Road bridge being built over the Future I-74 Beltway.
Future on-ramp from US 158
to I-74 East with concrete plant currently in the middle of the
interchange.
Future
on-ramp from US 158 to East I-74 now paved.
Looking across to off-ramp to US 158 from Future
I-74 West showing the installation of overhead guide signs at the end of
the ramp.
Looking north across Future I-74 Beltway lanes
towards US 158 showing overhead gantry ready for signage.
Closer look at new overhead signage at end of
future ramp from I-74 West to US 158. Looks like the sign on the right
is missing an arrow.
View looking west beyond US 158 along future route
the I-74 Beltway from Old Belews Creek Road.
Looking along Future I-74
East from Old Belews Creek Road bridge showing newly placed overhead
sign for US 421 exit (and back of sign for US 158 exit westbound).
Looking west from Old Belews Creek Road bridge
toward newly placed overhead sign for US 158 exit and tab for all
traffic exit above.
Looking south toward US
421/Salem Parkway interchange with overhead exit and ramp signs
installed.
The first advance sign for the US 158 exit on
Future I-74 West will be at the 1 3/4 miles, seen from the vicinity of
West Mountain Street.
The next advance sign for US 158 is for 1 1/4
miles. The empty bracket to the right I assume is for a right lane ends
advisory sign.
Earlier photos taken on July 1, 2019 by Site Contributor, J. Austin
Carter:
Traffic on US 52 North
heading under bridge carrying ramp from US 52 South to NC 66, the
construction signs in the distance for project upgrading US 52 for
future I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange.
US 52 North at exit
ramp to NC 65 work on Future Winston-Salem Beltway interchange in
distance that includes new NC 65 bridge being constructed behind old
one across both lanes of traffic.
Work for future ramps
for the I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange along US 52
North beyond the NC 65 exit.
Future ramps from the
Winston-Salem Northern beltway intersecting US 52 North around the
1-Mile advance sign for the Westinghouse Road exit.
Now heading south on US
52 (Future I-74 East) looking toward the Northern Beltway interchange
work zone after the NC 65 exit.
Closer view of the
start of the construction area which involves moving the NC 65 exit
ramp for US 52 South.
Looking towards the new
lane for moved NC 65 exit and newly installed guardrail behind orange
construction barrels.
While the new ramp to
NC 65 is open, landscaping work continues along the roadway.
Former NC 65 exit ramp
blocked off by temporary barriers prior to new NC 65 bridge over US
52.
A 1/4 mile advance sign
for the left NC 66 exit sits before new longer and wider NC 65 bridge
nearing completion over US 52/Future I-74. (The NC 66 ramp is the
approximate location the future Beltway will cross US 52).
Earlier Photos taken on April 21, 2019 by Site Contributor, J. Austin
Carter:
US 158 traffic using new
bridge over Future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway.
Looking south from US
158 bridge along future I-74/Beltway concrete roadbed. Work has
started on landscaping along the sides of the roadway.
Further along the US 158
bridge looking east showing progress in completing Future I-74
roadbed.
Now looking directly east/south from US 158
bridge towards Walkertown Guthrie Road with Business 40/US 421
interchange beyond.
Looking at under
construction roadbed north of US 158 bridge, this section still not
paved.
A look north/west toward
the future US 158 interchange and beyond from Walkertown Guthrie Road
bridge.
Looking south/east along
future Beltway lanes from Walkertown Guthrie Road bridge.
Looking west/north from Walkertown Guthrie Road
bridge along future I-74 roadway back to US 158.
Going further east,
looking north/west back toward Walkertown Guthrie Road bridge.
Now looking south toward
the future Business 40/US 421 interchange showing the built up ground
for future Beltway lanes.
Looking north/west along
built up graded roadbed for future I-74 lanes leading up hill from
Business 40/US 421.
Looking from top of hill
south and east back over future Business 40/US 421 interchange.
Another view looking
down at the future Beltway interchange showing future flyover ramps to
current Business 40 East, Future US 421/Salem Parkway South.
Earlier photos taken on December 13, 2018 by Site Contributor, J.
Austin Carter:
Business 40 to US 158 Segment:
Taken after a December snowstorm, the view from
Business 40 East (Future US 421 Salem Parkway) of flyover ramp for
I-74/Beltway interchange with bridges to carry I-74 over the highway
in the distance.
Looking north at
roadway under construction to connect to flyover ramp over Business 40
East.
Now looking south at
ramp under construction to connect flyover bridge to Future I-74
lanes.
Closer look at ramp
bridge over Business 40 East. Appears to be still significant work to
do, one of the reasons the opening has been pushed back to the end of
next year instead of April 2019.
Close view of I-74
bridges over Business 40 East, as with the flyover ramp, there's still
a lot of work to do here also to complete the bridges.
Looking across the
Business 40/US 421 West lanes toward the future I-74/Beltway still
under construction. A noise wall is going up along the future ramp to
I-74 West.
Another look at the
interchange construction area from across Business 40.
A noise wall is being
constructed along the future ramp from I-74 to East Business 40.
Moving north to the
vicinity of E. Mountain Street, the roadbed for I-74 is being built up
to meet the existing bridge.
Looking east at the
built up roadbed in the vicinity of E. Mountain Street.
Looking further east
back toward the Business 40/US 421 interchange area.
Now further north,
looking west from Walkertown-Guthrie Road bridge towards the future US
158 interchange.
Now looking east from
the same spot back toward Business 40/US 421.
Looking back west
toward US 158 at another angle showing completed US 158 bridge and
work started on the next section to US 311 beyond.
Looking at another
angle to the east, a noise wall under construction can be seen after
the curve in the distance.
Looking to the east
from the completed US 158 bridge back toward Walkertown-Guthrie Road.
Sign on US 158 bridge
heading east indicating dedicated to Officer Stephen Levi Amos II.
US 158 to US 311 Section:
Looking west from Williston Road near site of
future bridge over the Beltway, looking towards US 311.
Looking east from
current Williston Road over future bridge under construction over
I-74/Beltway lanes.
Another view west from
site of new Williston Road bridge under construction. Road in distance
is US 311.
Looking east again,
over the frame of the future Williston Road bridge to the I-74/Beltway
lanes under construction.
Previous Photos taken on April 1, 2018 by Site Contributor, J. Austin
Carter:
Looking south toward the
future interchange with Business 40/US 421 showing little progress in
grading the roadway but construction proceeding on a flyover ramp for
the Beltway exit.
A closer view of the new
flyover ramp at the future Business 40/US 421 interchange beyond the
US 421 roadway.
Looking north or west
along the future Beltway alignment toward West Mountain Street showing
lack or progress in grading this part of the roadway.
View of the Beltway
bridge over West Mountain Street, which appears to be mostly complete,
except for final grading.
View of concrete Beltway
roadbed from completed Walkertown Guthrie Road bridge.
Looking south or east
along the Beltway from the Walkertown Guthrie Road Bridge showing
progress in grading along the roadbed completed the year before.
Looking north/west
toward the future US 158 interchange from Walkertown Guthrie Bridge
showing progress in extending the concrete roadbed toward the exit,
some landscaping and on US 158 itself the construction of bridges to
take the final alignment of the highway over I-74.
Previous Photos taken on October 11, 2017 by Site Contributor, J.
Austin Carter:
Looking
northwest toward US 158 from completed Walkertown-Guthrie Road bridge
over Future I-74. There has been significant progress with placement
of the concrete road bed.
A closer look at the
new concrete roadbed for Future I-74 from Walkertown Guthrie Road
looking towards the future US 158 interchange.
Looking now southeast
from the completed Walkertown Guthrie bridge along I-74 roadway headed
toward Business 40 showing progress in completing road surface.
Traveling south to near
Business 40, view looking northwest toward bridge under construction
over Mountain View Rd.
Closer look at progress
grading Future I-74 Roadbed heading northwest toward bridge over
Mountain View Road.
Looking south toward
Business 40/US 421 showing grading underway for Future I-74/Beltway
interchange.
Earlier Photos taken on April 13, 2017 by J. Austin Carter:
View of paved Future
I-74/Beltway lanes just south of US 158.
Looking north toward US 158 across the future
interchange construction zone, including the temporary concrete plant
between the original and current US 158 alignment.
View southeast from completed Walkertown Guthrie
Bridge over now paved Future I-74 East lanes.
Now
looking north along graded Future I-74 lanes toward the nearly
completed West Mountain Street and Railroad Bridge (photos of bridge
below).
View looking south toward Future I-74/Business 40
(US 421 Salem Parkway) and progress in constructing the interchange
(photos from Business 40 below).
Recent Photos taken on March 30, 2017:
Looking west Business 40/US
421/NC 150 entering the Winston-Salem Beltway construction zone.
Approaching site of future
I-74/Beltway interchange with Business 40 showing clearing and early
structure construction.
Still continuing west and
approaching the grading to support future I-74/Beltway Bridges over
Bus. 40/US 421/NC 150.
A closer look at
construction going on to the south of the Eastbound lanes on Bus.
40/US 421/NC 150.
Looking north from Bus.
40/US 421/NC 150 along Future I-74/Beltway alignment showing
construction of support structures for future bridges.
A closer look at the
buildup of soil for the future crossing of I-74 West then I-74 East
lanes over Business 40/US 421 and NC 150.
Heading now east on Bus.
40/US 421/NC 150 approaching the I-74/Beltway construction zone.
Looking northwest over Bus.
40/US 421/NC 150 at construction crane at site of future I-74 bridges.
Now further north, heading
east on West Mountain Street approaching bridges being built to carry
I-74/Beltway traffic over the roadway and railroad tracks.
Now on the east side of the
bridge looking back from church parking lot on the old alignment of
West Mountain Street, showing support structures for bridges largely
in place.
Looking across both old and
new alignments of West Mountain Street showing construction to
complete grading of the I-74 lanes going on south of the bridges.
Looking west down railroad
tracks showing bridge crossing both the tracks and the new alignment
of West Mountain Street.
A closer look at the
northern end of the bridge above what was the old alignment of West
Mountain Street and showing further fill is needed before lanes can be
paved to meet the bridge structure.
Now at the northern end of
the project, looking west along US 158 approaching the interchange
construction area. US 158 traffic has been realigned to the south
through the work zone.
Further west on US 158 in
construction area showing work has largely been completed in creating
elevated areas for Future I-74 bridges.
Looking north of US 158 in
the construction zone showing future ramp concrete structures covered
over by tarps.
Now heading back east on US
158 looking down the hill to the Beltway interchange construction area
showing how US 158 has been re-routed around the work zone.
Looking from south of US
158 at temporary concrete plant built in the future interchange work
zone.
Looking south from US 158
over the alignment of I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway showing grading being
completed.
Another view of the
temporary concrete plant just east of the future I-74/Beltway lanes
being graded south of US 158.
Here are a few photos of construction progress on the first segment
of the Beltway taken by J. Austin Carter on August 27, 2016:
One of the many road closed barriers placed along residential streets
along the corridor of the Northern Beltway due to the road's
construction.
Future Beltway section
being graded between Business 40 and US 158.
Part of newly
constructed part of Beltway showing built-up roadway.
From West Mountain
Street portion of new bridge being constructed for Beltway near
temporary cement plant.
Looking at massive
clearing and earth moving being done at site of future interchange
between the Beltway and US 158, seen in the distance.
Future bridge being
constructed along path of Northern Beltway.
View from bridge under
construction shows the amount of earth moving being done along the
I-74/Beltway corridor south of US 158.
Closer look at same
bridge showing deck under construction over future Northern
Beltway/I-74 near US 158.
Another scene of grading
for future Beltway lanes east of Winston-Salem, here the future
eastbound lanes are further along than the west.
Beltway construction
being threaded between houses, seen in the middle and right.
A closer view of
construction at the northern end of the project for the future
interchange with US 158.
Here are a few more photos of construction progress on the first
segment of the Beltway taken by J. Austin Carter on April 19, 2016:
Looking along West
Business 40 showing clearing progress for future Beltway interchange.
Looking
at construction crews working just north of Business 40 on Future
Northern Beltway interchange.
Looking across Business
40 to view clearing for the interchange going on to the south.
Work is seen progressing
in building future bridge supports and concrete pipes are ready for
placing for site drainage.
Looking further north
showing cleared corridor for I-74/Northern Beltway's path toward US
158.
Here's some previous photos taken by J. Austin Carter on December 14,
2015:
Eastern Section Signage Plans
(Updated 10/23/21)
NCDOT plans to build the Eastern Half of the Northern Beltway in 7
segments. The latest segment to have plans released is for the section
from US 421/Salem Parkway to I-40, a contract to be let on December
21, 2021. The sign plans include some of the signs to be featured in
the last segment from I-40 to what the existing I-74 (Former US 311)
freeway. Here's a sample of the exit signs, headed west to east:
The 1/4 Mile advance sign for the US 421/Salem Parkway exit. There
will be auxiliary signs for the parkway itself.
The 1/2 mile advance for the next exit headed east, Kernersville
Road.
The 1/2 mile advance for the I-40 exit headed east. There will be a
C/D ramp for the eastbound exits, but not for traffic headed west.
Overhead sign plans for separate exit ramps for I-40 on the Beltway
headed west.
The sign plans also included an exit for the last segment of the
Eastern Beltway to be constructed:
The 1/4 Mile Advance sign for NC 192 East which will be the new route
number for the current I-74 west of the future Beltway interchange.
This sign placement plan shows how close the I-40 exit will be to the
end of the Beltway at current I-74.
Based on ramp sign and mile marker plans, it appears I-74 will be
signed along the Beltway when it is completed to I-40:
Plan for overhead ramp signs along Kernersville Road have I-74
shields, not reference to NC 74. Notice also that the control city for
I-74 West in Wytheville VA, not Mount Airy, currently the control city
along US 52 North in Winston-Salem.
Plans for 1 and 1/2 mile markers show inclusion of I-74 shields.
Posted plans also included those along I-40 which also refer to I-74,
not NC 74:
The plans for the overhead signs at the C/D ramp for the future I-74
Beltway exit on I-40 East. Notice the exit number discrepancy, 2 miles
between Exits 201 and 198, not the biggest one, see below.
The sign plans on I-40 West feature a 1 mile gap between Exits 201
and 198.
Here's a plan of the signage at the split of ramps from I-40 to the
I-74 Beltway (similar signage with an I-40 shield is on the C/D ramp
from the Beltway headed east.
Here's what the current I-74 East signage on I-40 West will look like
once the Beltway is completed:
Plan for the 2 Miles advance sign on I-40 West. The plans for I-40
East were not included, perhaps it will say "To I-74 East" unless they
would prefer traffic to use the Beltway ramps.
EARLIER SIGN PLANS
Based on a public relations request, AARoads Forum member Roadsguy
obtained copies of the plans from NC 66 to US 311 and was kind to
forward them to me. The plans feature updated signage for Exits 49 and
50 on I-74 East for when the Beltway is open west of US 311:
As can be seen on the US 311 sign, a future overlay with North is
provided, indicating NCDOT is planning to further shorten the route's
length, this time eliminating the route between the Beltway and US 52
in Winston-Salem.
Here's a plan for the next exit westbound, Baux Mountain Road:
The next interchange will be for NC 8, here's the 1/2 mile advance
sign:
The next exit is for NC 66/University Parkway, here's a plan for a
sign assembly at the NC 8 exit:
The next plan for the NC 66 exit shows what the future I-74/US 52
interchange signage will look like when the ramp opens, and later:
Plan for future ramp signage once I-74 is signed along the Beltway:
Plans for the second segment, from US 158 to US 311 were put on
NCDOT's website on August 22, 2017, with a letting in October. The
second segment will run almost 2 miles. Here's plans showing the new
exit number for the US 311 exit:
Sign plan for US 311 interchange
westbound at US 158 exit (already existing from previous contract, see
plans below) showing it will be designated Exit 49.
Plan for new arrow-per-lane sign
to be placed at US 158 exit when I-74 is completed east to US 311.
Notice the lack of reference to Business 40 (seen on the earlier plan
below) on the US 421 sign. In the spring of 2017, NCDOT announced that
the official name for the Business 40 route in the future will be the
US 421 Salem Parkway, implying that the Business 40 designation will
be dropped.
Plans for construction of the first segment of the Beltway were put
on NCDOT's website on August 19, 2014 as advertising for the project
letting on October 21. The first segment will run 3 miles between
Business 40/US 421 and US 158, Reidsville Road it will also include
the building of approximately 1 mile of the Loop further eastward
toward I-40 that will be completed in the future. The signing plans
indicate the route will be temporarily signed as NC 74, until the
route is connected to at least I-40. The NC 74 signs can be seen in
this plan for the initial signage at the Business 40 exit:
Plan
for signage on Business 40 East, showing temporary NC 74 designation,
to be changed to I-74 when Loop is, at least, partially completed east
to I-40.
Initial
and future signs for I-74 East at the Business 40/US 421 Exit. Since
these plans were published, NCDOT has announced it will remove the
Business 40 designation from what will be called the US 421 Salem
Parkway around 2020.
Signage plans for the US 158 exit ramp
signage to I-74 East.
Signage planned for I-74 West at the US 421
interchange.
Plans
for signage approaching I-74 along US 421 North at South Main St in
Kernersville, the exit number is now 227.
Route
shields to be featured on this segment of the Beltway. Though the
signs for the Business 40 exit do not included NC 150, which is routed
on the highway along with US 421, the ground signage still indicates
its presence. Again, the plan is for the Business 40 designation to be
removed from US 421 in 2020.
The plans indicate that the exit numbers
along this segment will be 53 A&B for US 42 and 50 for US
158. The sign plan for the next segment to be constructed, from
US 158 to US 311, indicates that US 311 will be Exit 49.
Improving
News for Eastern Section Construction in recent years
The remaining segments of the Beltway
were unfunded, and their construction dates uncertain, until
December 2014. That month NCDOT released their latest draft
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document,
formally approved in June 2015, which listed all funded projects
in the state from 2016 to 2025. In the 2018-2027 STIP released
in August 2017, among Forsyth County projects to be funded,
included all of the remaining six Beltway segments. Next in line
was (Segment C) the 1.4 mile US 158 to US 311/Walkertown Road
segment which was awarded on December 6, 2017 at a cost of $68
million, work started in January 2018 with a planned completion
by November 2021.10 The two segments (AA and AB) to
connect these completed Beltway segments to I-74/US 311, from
Business 40/US 421 to I-40 and from I-40 to I-74/US 311, will
together cost $273 million and will start in 2020 and 2021.
Contracts for the other 3 segments, unfunded in the previous
TIP, D, US 311 to Baux Mountain Road, E, Baux Mountain Road to
NC 8, and F, NC 8 to US 52, all Design-Build projects, were put
out to bid in March 24, 2018, delayed 5 months in October 2017,
funded due to reforms to the 2015-17 state
budget that added over $700 million in new
moneys for transportation over the next two years, work is
to be completed in 2021.11
A contract which will build the Beltway interchange with US 52
was let in August 2018, work then start in November 2018 with
the project set to be completed in September 2022.12
Project History
Western Half of Beltway Construction Stopped by Lawsuit in 1999
The building of a beltway around Winston-Salem was first proposed in
1965 but was not seriously planned until the early 1990's. The first
hearings over choosing alternative paths for the route were held from
1992 to 1996. All permits for the western half of the freeway, from US
52 to I-40, were approved and construction was set to start in 1999.
However, in February 1999 a lawsuit was filed by 'Friends of Forsyth,'
a citizens group that opposed construction of the highway, halting
construction.Though the initial lawsuit was thrown out,
subsequent court decisions delayed the start of construction until a
judicial review of NCDOT's environmental impact study was completed.
With the review complete, the combined eastern and western-half
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) report was released in September
2004 and public hearings on the report were held in November and
December 2004.14
Support Builds for Constructing Eastern Half of Beltway
While waiting for NCDOT to wrap up its work, supporters of speeding
up construction of the Beltway and upgrading US 52 north of
Winston-Salem to interstate status formed the 'I-74 Piedmont Corridor
Group' in 2003 and enlisted the support of former Governor Jim Hunt to
help lobby legislators and NCDOT board members to build the highway.14
In March 2003, the Winston-Salem Journal wrote an
editorial encouraging NCDOT to build the eastern half of the Beltway
(I-74) first, arguing that there was less opposition to this part of
the highway and the increased traffic on US 52 since the completion of
the I-74 connector from I-77 to US 52 was leading to increased traffic
congestion and accidents in downtown Winston-Salem.16 The
FHWA signed off on the final environmental impact plans in December
2006. NCDOT then announced in March 2005 that construction on the
western half would be postponed to 2015 at the earliest.**17 Money
saved from the postponement would be used to construct the eastern
half, I-74, which was listed in the 2009-2015 STIP as Project No.
U-2579, and scheduled to start construction by 2009. However, in 2008
another lawsuit was filed regarding the accuracy of the environmental
study done for the western portion.18 Since NCDOT had
combined the west and east portions in the document sent to the FHWA,
the lawsuit stopped any activity on the Eastern segment as well, even
right- of-way acquisition.
New Construction Schedule set in 2009
While the new lawsuit was being settled, NCDOT moved forward on
planning to build the eastern segment. According to the 2009-2015
STIP, about $224 million was to be used to acquire the right-of-way
while about $450 million had been set aside for construction, a total
of $702 million.19 This new total cost was substantially
higher than that quoted in previous TlPs. The increased costs were due
to a few years since the last cost estimate, higher material costs,
and the agreement by NCDOT to build more bridges along the route to
help aide local traffic, plus expenses for environmental mitigation.19
Construction was to start first on the 3.4 mile portion of the highway
from US 158 (Reidsville Road) to US 421 (Business 40), the 2009 cost
estimate was $165 million. The 3.1 mile section between Business 40
and I-40 would start next with a cost of $160 million. Work would then
start on the 1.4 mile section between US 158 and US 311 at a cost of
$52 million.20 The remaining segments were unfunded but
officials at the time were confident moneys would be found to complete
them after the original three segments were complete.21 A
final alternative to what was originally called the Eastern Half
extension south of Bus. 40 to US 311 was chosen in March 2005.
Construction was to start on this 4.4-mile segment after the other
segments were completed.22 The chosen alignment puts the
location of the interchange between the Beltway (I-74) and US 311 to
the east of the current US 311/I-40 interchange and between the
Ridgewood and Union Cross Road exits.23 The decision by
Dell to locate a new company facility in Winston-Salem helped impact
the choice of alternatives for the one chosen (N2-S1) kept the Union
Cross Road interchange open to access the industrial park where the
Dell plant was built. Ironically, Dell decided to close the plant in
2009, before a final decision on the Beltway was made. The NCDOT
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway website has Maps
of the chosen alternative, along with a Supplemental Final
Environmental Impact Statement document released in January 2007.17
The last lawsuits were finally dismissed on May 20, 2010 by Federal
District Court Judge Thomas Schroeder who said neither the Friends of
Forsyth nor the NC Alliance for Transportation Reform could prove that
the environmental studies performed for the FHWA were inadequate.
Project Halted Again, This Time by NCDOT, in 2010
Before any of the work activity outlined above began in 2010,
however, NCDOT committed to a reform process which included devising a
new STIP process and a priority list for construction of the state's
21 beltway projects. Only the top eight projects on the list would go
forward at the present time given limits in funding. When the list was
produced in late July 2010 the Northern Beltway was listed last, 21st
out of 21 projects. This meant not only that the project was not
funded but that no work of any kind would happen until at least 2020,
even work on obtaining the right-of-way, which affected citizens were
promised would start in 2010.24 Citizens affected by the
ruling vowed to fight it. They got NCDOT to change it's priority
formula in 2011 allowing loop projects to be broken up and evaluated
in segments. The good news was the Winston-Salem Beltway was moved up,
the bad news was that it now ranked 13th, still not eligible for
funding. The project again looked to be in limbo. NCDOT meanwhile
appeared to be 'hedging its bet' where the next
Segment of I-74 would start by placing I-74 mileposts and I-74
exit numbers along the US 311 freeway east of Winston-Salem in late
2010 starting at its interchange with I-40, not where the Beltway is
planned to tie in. This could be if either I-74 ends up being routed
through downtown on US 52, or on an proposed extension on the US 311
freeway across I-40 and into Winston-Salem.
NCDOT Puts Beltway Back on Priority Track
Outcry by citizens affected by the Beltway's path and threats of
lawsuits by Winston-Salem and other cities with delayed loop projects
in 2010 and 2011 forced the governor to intervene. In March 2011,
under political pressure, the NCDOT Board of Transportation requested
that its department staff conduct a limited segment analysis of ten
Urban Loop projects, including Winston-Salem's. The loop projects were
rated as to their needs and benefits. Each factor under Needs and
Benefits was given a score. Those points were then added up and
divided by the project's total cost. NCDOT then used the resulting
numbers to rank the projects. Six projects, including Winston-Salem's,
were then 'accelerated' into the state's TIP Plan using $400 million
in Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle, or GARVEE, bonds.26
The new schedule for the Beltway started property acquisition in 2012
and started construction on the first segment from Business 40 to US
158 after the project was let in December 2014, including a bridge to
carry I-74 over Business 40 (see sign plans above).27 In
November 2016 NCDOT announced further acceleration of the Eastern
Section project segments, with each segment getting advance 2 to 3
years. From the NCDOT press release, here's a table of the new
construction schedule:30
Project
From
To
Current
Construction
Let Date
New
Design-Build
Let Date
Let date
Acceleration
Eastern
Section
I-40
US 421/B40
October 2020
April 2018
2+
years*
Eastern
Section
US 311
Baux Mtn Rd
October 2021
February 2018
3+
years
Eastern
Section
Baux Mtn Rd
NC 8
October 2021
February 2018
3+
years
Eastern
Section
NC 8
University Pkwy
June 2022
February 2018
3+
years
Western
Sectiona
University Pkwy
US 52
June 2022
July 2018
4
years
a. The Eastern Section interchange with US 52 will be part of a contract
building the first segment of the Western Section (I-274).
*This section, along with the section from current I-74 east of
Winston-Salem to I-40 are now to be let in September 2020.
The project has been further accelerated since, with work starting on
the 2 mile section from US 158 to US 311 on January 20, 2018 with
completion anticipated for November 2021.6 The letting of
the remaining projects from US 311 to US 52, design-build contracts
covering 6.9 miles from US 311 to just east of US 52 was delayed until
March 2018, work started in April 2018 and no delay in completion is
expected. NCDOT has also let a design-build contract to build the
future Beltway interchange with US 52. Work started in October 2018
with an anticipated completion date of September 2022, the project is
15.0% complete as of June 30, 2019.31
*In November 2004, NCDOT released, as part of its Strategic Highway
Corridors initiative, a map of existing and proposed Triad area
highways showing an I-285 extending from I-85 in Lexington to I-40 in
Winston-Salem with a note saying it would be extended to I-74 if US 52
was upgraded to interstate standards.28 Finally, in 2019,
I-285 from I-85 to I-40 was signed, after all projects to upgrade the
highway to interstate standards were completed. In May 2019, NCDOT got
permission from AASHTO to designate US 52 from I-40 to the future
Northern Beltway interchange as Future I-285. It is unknown at this
time when projects to upgrade this part of the highway will be funded.
For more information, visit my
Future I-285 page.
**On the same SHC Triad map29 the western half of the
Beltway, from US 52 (I-74) to I-40, is signed as:
***There seems to have been some confusion over the years as to the
actual Eastern Beltway mileage. The 2004- 2010 TIP listed the distance
for the Beltway from US 52 to I-40 as 12.6 miles and the extension to
US 311 as 1.6 miles (for a total of 14.2 miles). Then the subsequent
TIP listed the entire length as 12.6 miles (used in the map below).
The Strategic Corridors list says the total mileage is 16.2. A 2006
newspaper article listed the distance as 17.4 miles. The 2009-2015
STIP listed the project distance from US 52 to I-40 as 14.3 miles. A
document released at a public hearing on August 14, 2008 indicated the
Eastern section as 12.4 miles and the Eastern Extension as 4.4 miles,
for a total of 16.8.31 This, however, doesn't include the
interchange at US 52. The Draft STIP released in December 2014 and all
subsequent STIPs, lists the combined mileage for projects U-2579 and
U-2579A as 17.1 miles, so this is the mileage number I am using.32
Here's a map showing the then newly funded Beltway segments, from the
Winston-Salem Journal, the numbers refer to all the funded projects in
the Draft NCDOT 2015-2024 STIP:
Graphic by Cassandra Sherrill16
If anyone else has photos of the current roads in the vicinity of
this segment, feel free to E-mail
me.
A detailed map from 1999 showing part of the proposed I-74 route
between Bus. 40 and US 311 in more detail:
Segment 4
until Loop extends to I-40 in 2024
Future
ramp to I-74 West blocked by traffic barrels with trailblazer for NC 74
East ramp opened in December 2020 on US 311 South.
US
311 bridge over partly opened Future I-74 Winston-Salem Northern
Beltway.
East
NC 74 and South US 311trailblazers at opened ramp to Future I-74
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. This will also be the future end of US
311 South.
View
of nearly completed Future Northern Beltway/ I-74 bridge over Old
Walkertown Road looking north.
A
slightly closer look at the Old Walkertown Road bridge looking north,
showing it also serves as a railroad bridge.
Looking
between the spans of the Old Walkertown Road/Railroad bridge, Future
I-74 West to the left and East to the right.
Here's
a view of nearly completed bridge looking south.
Closer look at the landscaping
near the bridge at the Old Walkertown Road/Dippen Road intersection.
A
closer look to the east of Old Walkertown Road showing landscaping still
underway for the bridge.
Rerouted
NC 66 near the new bridge over the future I-74/Northern Beltway. It
appears they forgot to move a speed limit sign.
Looking west along the Future
I-74/Northern Beltway toward the NC 66/University Parkway interchange.
The roadbed has been paved.
Looking east along the Future
I-74/Northern Beltway toward the NC 8/Germanton Road interchange. The
roadbed has been graded.
A zoomed in look east toward the
NC 8 interchange.
A zoomed in looking back west
toward the NC 66 interchange.
Looking across the completed
Stanleyville Drive bridge.
Closeup of overhead signage at
ramp to NC 74 Beltway East from US 158 West.
View
from US 52 North of start of Winston-Salem Beltway interchange
construction zone prior to NC 65 exit.
Construction
barrels mark construction along US 52 North of start of Winston-Salem
Beltway interchange prior to NC 65 exit, the blue Gas services sign for
that exit remains in place.
As
is the NC 65 exit sign prior to the new NC 65 bridge.
The
current traffic setup with the NC 65 exit starting prior to the bridge,
but the actual ramp on the other side.
The
new noise wall has been completed north of the future Winston-Salem
Beltway interchange along the ramp that will carry I-74 West to US 52
North.
View
of US 52 North heading toward future merge with ramp carrying I-74 West
from the Winston Salem Northern Beltway.
The
1 Mile advance sign for the Westinghouse Road exit sits near the end of
the future I-74 West ramp from the Winston Salem Northern Beltway to US
52 North.
Looking
further along US 52 towards the end of Beltway construction at the
Westinghouse Road exit.
A
close up look at the yet to be landscaped siding along US 52 approaching
the Westinghouse Road at exit.
A
closer look at what will be a temporary placed exit sign for
Westinghouse Road at the end of Winston Salem Northern Beltway
construction.
Concrete and construction barrels
separate US 52 traffic from Winston Salem Northern Beltway construction
approaching the NC 65 exit.
View of Winston Salem Northern
Beltway construction at the NC 65 exit. The future I-74 ramp is being
built to the right of US 52 South.
Closeup of the NC 65 bridge
completed as the first stage of Beltway interchange construction.
Workers on future Beltway ramp as
seen from US 52 North after NC 65 bridge.
Closeup of the Beltway ramp
construction.
Work proceeding on one of the
Beltway interchange bridges south of NC 65.
Closeup of the other end of the
interchange ramp bridge as seen from US 52 South.
Signage at US 158 exit with new exit sign for US
311 now uncovered after section opening.
View of newly opened section looking west
from under US 158 bridge.
1-Mile advance sign for US 311 exit and VMS sign in
the distance.
Now 2-lane roadway heading for new US 311 exit and
current end to the Beltway.
Signage at US 311 exit where all traffic must exit.
From
US 158 camera looking west, image showing near completion of concrete
roadway near US 158 bridge.
Looking west from US 311 bridge
showing lane markings and sign installation needed prior to road opening
by end of year.
Traffic
camera image showing roadway near completion still needing signage and
lane markings.
Image showing
roadway bridge near completion over future I-74/Northern Beltway.
Graded section
of future Beltway lanes and another nearly completed bridge.
Uncovered 2 Miles advance
sign for NC 74 West (Future I-74 West) on US 421 North Salem Parkway
(apparently Exit 227 is 2 miles from 224).
The newly uncovered
1-Mile advance overhead for the opened NC 74 West/Winston-Salem Northern
Beltway exit.
The uncovered overhead
exit sign along US 421 North/Salem Parkway with room to the left for a
future I-74 East sign.
Driving along the
two-lane ramp from US 421 toward the newly opened Beltway.
Noise walls parallel the
right shoulder of the ramp from US 421 North as it merges with the
completed Beltway lanes.
Lanes from both North and
South US 421 about to merge onto Northern Beltway future I-74 West
lanes.
After merging onto NC 74
West. The extreme left lane apparently will not open until more of the
Beltway is completed.
First overhead sign
gantry heading west, this has a 1 3/4 Miles advance sign for US 158.
View along new section of
Beltway includes mountains in the distance along with much closer
temporary mile marker.
The only current West NC
74 reassurance marker along the opened section of the Beltway.
View heading further
northwest toward the US 158 exit.
The 1/2 mile advance
overhead sign for the US 158 exit with the All Traffic Exit banner.
Overhead signage at the
current western end of the Northern Beltway, the covered over US 311
exit sign already has its own All Traffic Exit banner, for the end of
the year.
Taking the ramp to US 158
at the current end of the Beltway. Another temporary mile marker has
been put up, for Mile 51, apparently NCDOT is not rounding up the number
for this exit.
Overhead signage at the
end of the ramp to US 158, only one arrow for North US 158.
Overhead signage at the
NC 74 West ramp on US 158 West, a bigger sign will replace the NC 74
sign when I-74 is routed on the Beltway.
Looking west from
Walkertown Guthrie Road bridge toward soon to open temporary end of NC
74 Winston-Salem Beltway at US 158.
Looking east from the bridge along NC 74 and first
overhead sign for US 421.
A zoomed image of the
overhead signage at the current western end of the Beltway at US 158,
notice the covered sign also includes an All Traffic Exit banner for the
next segment of roadway.
Looking west to nearly
complete C/D ramps along NC 74 East for the US 421/Salem Parkway
interchange.
Looking northwest from
current stub at eastern end of the current Beltway toward the soon to
open interchange between NC 74 and US 421.
Closer view of overhead
signage at beginning of NC 74 West at exit to US 421 North. The pull
through is West NC 74 to East US 158.
Noise walls border soon to
open ramp from NC 74 East to US 421 South Salem Parkway.
A panoramic shot of the soon open interchange
between NC 74 and US 421.
Traffic restricted to one
lane approaching soon to open interchange.
A Junction NC 74
trailblazer approaching the interchange which will probably stay in
place for the next 5 years.
New traffic signals on flash mode awaiting the
opening of the Beltway/US 158 interchange.
Overhead signage at the
future ramp to NC 74 East. There is room for a much large ramp sign when
I-74 is completed.
Looking
across US 158 East at ready to open ramp from NC 74 West.
Looking
northwest beyond US 158 bridge showing section still under construction
headed towards US 311.
Overhead signage in place, though covered over, on
US 421 South awaiting opening of ramp to NC 74 West.
Noise wall along future
ramp to NC 74 West from US 421 South Salem Parkway.
Overhead signs on US 421
South approaching the Beltway bridge and soon to be opened ramp to NC 74
East. Why is exit tab for Kernersville Road covered up?
Now on US 421/Salem Parkway
heading north/west, the covered up overhead and gore signs at the soon
to be opened ramp to NC 74 West.
Panoramic shot
looking at the Future I-74 Beltway being constructed west of US 158 from
Williston Court.
Looking west toward US 311 interchange along Future
I-74 Beltway from Williston Road bridge.
A closer look at the US 311 interchange from the
Williston Road bridge.
Another view
from Williston Road Bridge, a new VMS being put up heading east on
Future I-74.
Another view looking west toward US 311 interchange
along Future I-74 Beltway from the middle of the Williston Road bridge.
Looking east
from near the completed US 311 bridge back toward Williston Road bridge.
Now looking
west from US 311 bridge toward bridge being built for Dippen Road.
Now looking
back east from US 311 bridge along the Future I-74 roadway.
Now looking
west along Dippen Road following the Future I-74 roadway.
Further west
along Dippen Road following the Future I-74 roadbed being graded.
Closer look
along Dippen Road at the Future I-74 roadbed being graded.
View along Phelps Drive at site of Future I-74
bridge.
View along Phelps Drive looking east at site of
Future I-74 roadway.
Now on Phelps Drive looking west at grading work
continuing on site of Future I-74 Beltway.
Now on NC 66/Old Hollow Road looking future bridge
over Future I-74 Beltway.
View looking west from NC 66/Old Hollow Road at
clearing and grading for Future I-74 ramp and roadway. Pilot Mountain
can be seen in the distance.
Another look west from NC 66/Old Hollow Road at
construction equipment clearing and grading for Future I-74 ramp and
roadway.
Future
I-74 roadbed being graded in vicinity of US 311.
Looking along
Future I-74 / Winston-Salem Beltway roadbed heading (north)west from US
311.
New
US 311 bridge being constructed over Future I-74 lanes.
Looking
down future ramp from US 311 to I-74 East which appears to have been
recently paved.
US 311
in vicinity of its future interchange with the I-74 Beltway.
End of
future off-ramp to US 311 from I-74 East.
View looking south/east from US 311 along the
Future I-74 Beltway toward US 158.
View from US 311 looking along Future I-74 West.
Now looking northwest
toward Future US 311 interchange with the I-74 Beltway showing future
westbound lanes paved.
New
Dillon Farm Road bridge being built over the Future I-74 Beltway.
Future on-ramp from US 158
to I-74 East with concrete plant currently in the middle of the
interchange.
Future
on-ramp from US 158 to East I-74 now paved.
Looking across to off-ramp to US 158 from Future
I-74 West showing the installation of overhead guide signs at the end of
the ramp.
Looking north across Future I-74 Beltway lanes
towards US 158 showing overhead gantry ready for signage.
Closer look at new overhead signage at end of
future ramp from I-74 West to US 158. Looks like the sign on the right
is missing an arrow.
View looking west beyond US 158 along future route
the I-74 Beltway from Old Belews Creek Road.
Looking along Future I-74
East from Old Belews Creek Road bridge showing newly placed overhead
sign for US 421 exit (and back of sign for US 158 exit westbound).
Looking west from Old Belews Creek Road bridge
toward newly placed overhead sign for US 158 exit and tab for all
traffic exit above.
Looking south toward US
421/Salem Parkway interchange with overhead exit and ramp signs
installed.
The first advance sign for the US 158 exit on
Future I-74 West will be at the 1 3/4 miles, seen from the vicinity of
West Mountain Street.
The next advance sign for US 158 is for 1 1/4
miles. The empty bracket to the right I assume is for a right lane ends
advisory sign.
Traffic on US 52 North
heading under bridge carrying ramp from US 52 South to NC 66, the
construction signs in the distance for project upgrading US 52 for
future I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange.
US 52 North at exit
ramp to NC 65 work on Future Winston-Salem Beltway interchange in
distance that includes new NC 65 bridge being constructed behind old
one across both lanes of traffic.
Work for future ramps
for the I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange along US 52
North beyond the NC 65 exit.
Future ramps from the
Winston-Salem Northern beltway intersecting US 52 North around the
1-Mile advance sign for the Westinghouse Road exit.
Now heading south on US
52 (Future I-74 East) looking toward the Northern Beltway interchange
work zone after the NC 65 exit.
Closer view of the
start of the construction area which involves moving the NC 65 exit
ramp for US 52 South.
Looking towards the new
lane for moved NC 65 exit and newly installed guardrail behind orange
construction barrels.
While the new ramp to
NC 65 is open, landscaping work continues along the roadway.
Former NC 65 exit ramp
blocked off by temporary barriers prior to new NC 65 bridge over US
52.
A 1/4 mile advance sign
for the left NC 66 exit sits before new longer and wider NC 65 bridge
nearing completion over US 52/Future I-74. (The NC 66 ramp is the
approximate location the future Beltway will cross US 52).
US 158 traffic using new
bridge over Future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway.
Looking south from US
158 bridge along future I-74/Beltway concrete roadbed. Work has
started on landscaping along the sides of the roadway.
Further along the US 158
bridge looking east showing progress in completing Future I-74
roadbed.
Now looking directly east/south from US 158
bridge towards Walkertown Guthrie Road with Business 40/US 421
interchange beyond.
Looking at under
construction roadbed north of US 158 bridge, this section still not
paved.
A look north/west toward
the future US 158 interchange and beyond from Walkertown Guthrie Road
bridge.
Looking south/east along
future Beltway lanes from Walkertown Guthrie Road bridge.
Looking west/north from Walkertown Guthrie Road
bridge along future I-74 roadway back to US 158.
Going further east,
looking north/west back toward Walkertown Guthrie Road bridge.
Now looking south toward
the future Business 40/US 421 interchange showing the built up ground
for future Beltway lanes.
Looking north/west along
built up graded roadbed for future I-74 lanes leading up hill from
Business 40/US 421.
Looking from top of hill
south and east back over future Business 40/US 421 interchange.
Another view looking
down at the future Beltway interchange showing future flyover ramps to
current Business 40 East, Future US 421/Salem Parkway South.
Taken after a December snowstorm, the view from
Business 40 East (Future US 421 Salem Parkway) of flyover ramp for
I-74/Beltway interchange with bridges to carry I-74 over the highway
in the distance.
Looking north at
roadway under construction to connect to flyover ramp over Business 40
East.
Now looking south at
ramp under construction to connect flyover bridge to Future I-74
lanes.
Closer look at ramp
bridge over Business 40 East. Appears to be still significant work to
do, one of the reasons the opening has been pushed back to the end of
next year instead of April 2019.
Close view of I-74
bridges over Business 40 East, as with the flyover ramp, there's still
a lot of work to do here also to complete the bridges.
Looking across the
Business 40/US 421 West lanes toward the future I-74/Beltway still
under construction. A noise wall is going up along the future ramp to
I-74 West.
Another look at the
interchange construction area from across Business 40.
A noise wall is being
constructed along the future ramp from I-74 to East Business 40.
Moving north to the
vicinity of E. Mountain Street, the roadbed for I-74 is being built up
to meet the existing bridge.
Looking east at the
built up roadbed in the vicinity of E. Mountain Street.
Looking further east
back toward the Business 40/US 421 interchange area.
Now further north,
looking west from Walkertown-Guthrie Road bridge towards the future US
158 interchange.
Now looking east from
the same spot back toward Business 40/US 421.
Looking back west
toward US 158 at another angle showing completed US 158 bridge and
work started on the next section to US 311 beyond.
Looking at another
angle to the east, a noise wall under construction can be seen after
the curve in the distance.
Looking to the east
from the completed US 158 bridge back toward Walkertown-Guthrie Road.
Sign on US 158 bridge
heading east indicating dedicated to Officer Stephen Levi Amos II.
Looking west from Williston Road near site of
future bridge over the Beltway, looking towards US 311.
Looking east from
current Williston Road over future bridge under construction over
I-74/Beltway lanes.
Another view west from
site of new Williston Road bridge under construction. Road in distance
is US 311.
Looking east again,
over the frame of the future Williston Road bridge to the I-74/Beltway
lanes under construction.
Looking south toward the
future interchange with Business 40/US 421 showing little progress in
grading the roadway but construction proceeding on a flyover ramp for
the Beltway exit.
A closer view of the new
flyover ramp at the future Business 40/US 421 interchange beyond the
US 421 roadway.
Looking north or west
along the future Beltway alignment toward West Mountain Street showing
lack or progress in grading this part of the roadway.
View of the Beltway
bridge over West Mountain Street, which appears to be mostly complete,
except for final grading.
View of concrete Beltway
roadbed from completed Walkertown Guthrie Road bridge.
Looking south or east
along the Beltway from the Walkertown Guthrie Road Bridge showing
progress in grading along the roadbed completed the year before.
Looking north/west
toward the future US 158 interchange from Walkertown Guthrie Bridge
showing progress in extending the concrete roadbed toward the exit,
some landscaping and on US 158 itself the construction of bridges to
take the final alignment of the highway over I-74.
Looking
northwest toward US 158 from completed Walkertown-Guthrie Road bridge
over Future I-74. There has been significant progress with placement
of the concrete road bed.
A closer look at the
new concrete roadbed for Future I-74 from Walkertown Guthrie Road
looking towards the future US 158 interchange.
Looking now southeast
from the completed Walkertown Guthrie bridge along I-74 roadway headed
toward Business 40 showing progress in completing road surface.
Traveling south to near
Business 40, view looking northwest toward bridge under construction
over Mountain View Rd.
Closer look at progress
grading Future I-74 Roadbed heading northwest toward bridge over
Mountain View Road.
Looking south toward
Business 40/US 421 showing grading underway for Future I-74/Beltway
interchange.
View of paved Future
I-74/Beltway lanes just south of US 158.
Looking north toward US 158 across the future
interchange construction zone, including the temporary concrete plant
between the original and current US 158 alignment.
View southeast from completed Walkertown Guthrie
Bridge over now paved Future I-74 East lanes.
Now
looking north along graded Future I-74 lanes toward the nearly
completed West Mountain Street and Railroad Bridge (photos of bridge
below).
View looking south toward Future I-74/Business 40
(US 421 Salem Parkway) and progress in constructing the interchange
(photos from Business 40 below).
Looking west Business 40/US
421/NC 150 entering the Winston-Salem Beltway construction zone.
Approaching site of future
I-74/Beltway interchange with Business 40 showing clearing and early
structure construction.
Still continuing west and
approaching the grading to support future I-74/Beltway Bridges over
Bus. 40/US 421/NC 150.
A closer look at
construction going on to the south of the Eastbound lanes on Bus.
40/US 421/NC 150.
Looking north from Bus.
40/US 421/NC 150 along Future I-74/Beltway alignment showing
construction of support structures for future bridges.
A closer look at the
buildup of soil for the future crossing of I-74 West then I-74 East
lanes over Business 40/US 421 and NC 150.
Heading now east on Bus.
40/US 421/NC 150 approaching the I-74/Beltway construction zone.
Looking northwest over Bus.
40/US 421/NC 150 at construction crane at site of future I-74 bridges.
Now further north, heading
east on West Mountain Street approaching bridges being built to carry
I-74/Beltway traffic over the roadway and railroad tracks.
Now on the east side of the
bridge looking back from church parking lot on the old alignment of
West Mountain Street, showing support structures for bridges largely
in place.
Looking across both old and
new alignments of West Mountain Street showing construction to
complete grading of the I-74 lanes going on south of the bridges.
Looking west down railroad
tracks showing bridge crossing both the tracks and the new alignment
of West Mountain Street.
A closer look at the
northern end of the bridge above what was the old alignment of West
Mountain Street and showing further fill is needed before lanes can be
paved to meet the bridge structure.
Now at the northern end of
the project, looking west along US 158 approaching the interchange
construction area. US 158 traffic has been realigned to the south
through the work zone.
Further west on US 158 in
construction area showing work has largely been completed in creating
elevated areas for Future I-74 bridges.
Looking north of US 158 in
the construction zone showing future ramp concrete structures covered
over by tarps.
Now heading back east on US
158 looking down the hill to the Beltway interchange construction area
showing how US 158 has been re-routed around the work zone.
Looking from south of US
158 at temporary concrete plant built in the future interchange work
zone.
Looking south from US 158
over the alignment of I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway showing grading being
completed.
Another view of the
temporary concrete plant just east of the future I-74/Beltway lanes
being graded south of US 158.
Future Beltway section
being graded between Business 40 and US 158.
Part of newly
constructed part of Beltway showing built-up roadway.
From West Mountain
Street portion of new bridge being constructed for Beltway near
temporary cement plant.
Looking at massive
clearing and earth moving being done at site of future interchange
between the Beltway and US 158, seen in the distance.
Future bridge being
constructed along path of Northern Beltway.
View from bridge under
construction shows the amount of earth moving being done along the
I-74/Beltway corridor south of US 158.
Closer look at same
bridge showing deck under construction over future Northern
Beltway/I-74 near US 158.
Another scene of grading
for future Beltway lanes east of Winston-Salem, here the future
eastbound lanes are further along than the west.
Beltway construction
being threaded between houses, seen in the middle and right.
A closer view of
construction at the northern end of the project for the future
interchange with US 158.
Looking along West
Business 40 showing clearing progress for future Beltway interchange.
Looking
at construction crews working just north of Business 40 on Future
Northern Beltway interchange.
Looking across Business
40 to view clearing for the interchange going on to the south. 
Work is seen progressing
in building future bridge supports and concrete pipes are ready for
placing for site drainage. 
Looking further north
showing cleared corridor for I-74/Northern Beltway's path toward US
158.
Sign plan for US 311 interchange
westbound at US 158 exit (already existing from previous contract, see
plans below) showing it will be designated Exit 49.
Plan for new arrow-per-lane sign
to be placed at US 158 exit when I-74 is completed east to US 311.
Notice the lack of reference to Business 40 (seen on the earlier plan
below) on the US 421 sign. In the spring of 2017, NCDOT announced that
the official name for the Business 40 route in the future will be the
US 421 Salem Parkway, implying that the Business 40 designation will
be dropped.
Plan
for signage on Business 40 East, showing temporary NC 74 designation,
to be changed to I-74 when Loop is, at least, partially completed east
to I-40.
Initial
and future signs for I-74 East at the Business 40/US 421 Exit. Since
these plans were published, NCDOT has announced it will remove the
Business 40 designation from what will be called the US 421 Salem
Parkway around 2020.
Signage plans for the US 158 exit ramp
signage to I-74 East.
Signage planned for I-74 West at the US 421
interchange.
Plans
for signage approaching I-74 along US 421 North at South Main St in
Kernersville, the exit number is now 227.
Route
shields to be featured on this segment of the Beltway. Though the
signs for the Business 40 exit do not included NC 150, which is routed
on the highway along with US 421, the ground signage still indicates
its presence. Again, the plan is for the Business 40 designation to be
removed from US 421 in 2020.
