Jump to Videos List (New video added 2/9/23)
I-840 Northeast section between Lawndale Drive and US 29 now open, Go to Photos (New 2/14/23)
The Greensboro Loop, completed on January 23, 2023, is a 39.5 mile interstate quality route that has four different interstate designations, plus a US Route, along its path. The southern half was completed first in 2008 and is signed as I-85, I-73 and US 421. The northern half completed in early 2023 has I-840 (part with I-73) and I-785 routed upon it, see map below (Oct. 2019):
Map courtesy of NCDOT's Greensboro Loop Website.1
The first proposal for a loop around Greensboro dates back to 1967 when the highway appeared in the City of Greensboro's transportation plan. Serious discussion of the future route did not happen until a decade later when the city's 1977 thoroughfare plan which included the Loop was officially adopted. Getting funding took longer, not until 1989 when the state created a funding mechanism for urban loops, was an official proposal passed along to NCDOT. In 1995 a Record of Decision for the Loop was approved allowing construction to start. The first segment to open, in 2002, was a short 2.2 mile connector between I-40/85 and US 70 east of Greensboro, which would be eventually be part of I-785. Work to extend this section on the eastern side from US 70 to US 29 started in 2014 and was opened to traffic on December 6, 2017. The first major segment of the Loop to open was in 2004, a 12.9 mile segment that would serve as a southeast bypass for Interstate 85. The next segment to open in 2008 was in the southwest, 8 miles long that, would initially carry I-40 and I-73, but later I-73 and US 421. This segment continued 3.6 miles further north to Bryan Blvd. and provided access to Greensboro-PTI International Airport. This segment would carry both I-73 and I-840 but, because of its short length, was signed as Future I-73/I-840 until 2018.2 The next segment to open was the extension of the I-840 Western Loop from Bryan Blvd. to US 220/Battleground Avenue, this opened to traffic on April 19, 2018.3 The last segment of the Western Loop, from US 220 to Lawndale Avenue, was completed in December 2019. The last remaining segment of the Eastern Loop, from Lawndale Avenue to US 29 started construction in late 2018, with a 2 mile segment from Lawndale Drive to North Elm Street opening in December 2020. The remainder was completed and opened to traffic on January 23, 2023.
This page provides Information, Exit Lists and Photos tracking the progress in building the Loop over the past 20+ years. The segments will start at the intersection of the Loop with I-40 east of Greensboro and move clockwise:
Exit 131
West
North (
South) Greensboro Danville
Exit 129 Youngs Mill Rd
Exit 128 Alamance Church Rd
Exit 126B Greensboro (Old )
Exit 126A
South Sanford
Exit 124 South Elm-Eugene St
Exit 122C
North Greensboro Coliseum Area
Exit 122B
South Asheboro
Exit 122A To Groometown Rd/To Grandover Pkwy
Exit 121
North to I-40 West Winston Salem
Signage approaching the Loop on I-40 West/I-85 South indicating alternate route to Winston-Salem (Photo by Adam Prince)
This will be augmented after the Loop is completed by travel time signs suggesting the fastest way to get around (or through) Greensboro, first heading west near the location in the photo above:
The plan for the sign on the other side of Greensboro on I-40 East:
New signage installed in July 2017 on I-85 South/I-40 East approaching the Loop. (Photo by Strider):
View looking south from near Randleman Rd bridge.
View of opened Randleman Rd bridge over future I-85 South lanes.
Future Alamance Rd on-ramp to I-85 South.
The opened Alamance Church Rd bridge.
By Adam Prince:
Looking at opened Alamance Church Rd bridge over unopened I-85 roadway.
Looking the other way from Alamance Church Rd bridge.
Construction in progress near Randleman Road exit.
The ramp to then US 421 North ramp being graded from unopened I-85 South.
Work at the future I-73/US 220 interchange looking south.
Exit 95 (SB)
South Asheboro
Exit 97C (SB) I-85 Exit 122C (NB) Groometown Road / To Grandover Pkwy
Exit 97B (SB)
South/
South/
South /
West High Point Charlotte
Exit 97A (SB)
North /
North /
East Greensboro
Exit 100 Gate City Blvd
Exit 102 Wendover Ave
Exit 103A
East Greensboro
Exit 103B
West
North Winston-Salem
From When I-40 was routed on the Loop in 2008:
Signage at the end of I-73 North in 2008.
Signage on I-40 East/I-73 South approaching I-85 and Business 85.
Visit the I-73 Segment 5 page for more Photos of this Segment
Northwest Segment- COMPLETE
Exits 103 to 107
Exits
5 to 8
I-40 to Bryan Blvd. Segment, Complete, Opened in 2008
I-840 Segment, Bryan Blvd. to US 220/Battleground Avenue, Complete-Opened on April 19, 2018
I-840 Segment, US 220/Battleground Avenue to
Lawndale Drive, Opened on December 30, 2019.
Exits in this Segment, South to North:
Exit 103A (SB)
West
North Winston-Salem
Exit 103B (SB)
East Greensboro
Exit 104 W Friendly Ave
Exit 107A (NB) Bryan Blvd DOWNTOWN
Exit 107B (NB) Bryan Blvd PTI Airport (Future North Martinsville)
Exit 3A (WB)
North PTI-GSO Airport Martinsville
Exit 3B (WB) Bryan Blvd DOWNTOWN
Exit 6
/ Battleground Ave
Exit 8 (EB) Lawndale Dr
Article about opening of I-840 segment on April 19, includes link to video of drive from US 220 to beyond I-73 North/Bryan Blvd:
Photos from this Segment
Taken by site contributor David Johnson along East I-840 between I-73 and Lawndale Drive on July 11, 2020:
The first stand alone East I-840 reassurance marker before the first advance sign for US 220/Battleground Avenue.
The elevated roadway along I-840 east prior to the US 220/Battleground Avenue exit.
Overhead signage at the US 220 exit including advisory sign indicating 2 left lanes will end ahead approaching the next exit at Lawndale Drive.
I-840 East crossing US 220/Battleground Avenue.
Noise walls surround the I-840 roadway between US 220 and Lawndale Drive.
Barrels mark lane shifts prior to the current end of I-840 East at Lawndale Drive.
The current last East I-840 reassurance marker prior to the Lawndale Drive exit.
The roadway narrows further approaching Lawndale Drive.
Brown auxiliary sign ahead of last overhead sign at Lawndale Drive exit at current end of I-840 East.
Overhead signage at Lawndale Drive, the next section to North Elm Street is supposed to open by the end of 2020.
Taken by site contributor Strider on opening day for segment between Bryan Blvd and US 220/Battleground Ave, Dec. 30, 2019:
First reassurance marker after Battleground Avenue exit:
Overhead signs at the newly opened ramp to I-840 West from Lawndale Drive:
West I-840 reassurance marker and mile marker after ramp from Lawndale Drive:
Newly opened lanes heading west bordered by noise walls between Lawndale Drive and Battleground Avenue:
Another view of the parallel noise walls looking back toward Lawndale Drive along I-840 West:
Taken by site contributor Strider on opening day for segment between Bryan Blvd and US 220/Battleground Ave, April 19, and April 20, 2018:
Heading east from Bryan Blvd. on newly opened ramp:
Heading down newly opened ramp from Bryan Blvd.
I-840 Mile marker along ramp from Bryan Blvd. heading onto East I-840:
First standalone I-840 reassurance marker:
First overhead sign is 2-mile advance for US 220 exit:
The 1-Mile Advance sign:
The highway narrows and is surrounded by noise barrier walls heading toward the current end of the highway at US 220/Battleground Avenue:
I-840 is reduced to 1 lane prior to heading down the ramp at the end of
the opened Loop section toward US 220:
Signage at the end of the ramp to US 220/Battleground Avenue:
Taking the ramp to US 220 North showing work continuing on bridge
headed further east toward Lawndale Drive:
Signage along US 220 North for I-840 West:
Turning around and heading south on US 220, the junction trailblazer for I-840:
Signage at the on-ramp to I-840 from US 220 South:
Junction trailblazer (which no one can probably claim to have not seen) prior to interchange on US 220 North:
Heading west on I-840
Onto the ramp from US 220:
The westbound lanes after the on-ramp with the noise barrier walls paralleling the roadway:
The first West I-840 standalone reassurance marker:
Followed by the first overhead sign, the 2-mile advance sign for the I-73 North/Bryan Blvd. exit:
The one-mile advance sign heading west:
The overhead signs at the exit itself have the 2-mile advance sign for the W. Friendly Ave exit with I-73 exit number (interesting that the distance is 2 miles, since the I-73 exit number (see photo below, is 107):
Signage along the C/D Ramp at the I-73 North ramp:
The exit signs along the rest of the Loop to I-40, and on I-40 itself, have not been updated as of April 23. Turning around, to I-73 North/I-840 East, here's the first of three new Arrow-per-Lane overhead signs approaching the new split of I-840 and I-73:
There's an additional one at the 1/2 mile distance from Bryan Blvd.:
The signage at the exit itself, notice I-73 North exits itself:
New photos of more recently placed signage, by Strider in August
2018:
Bryan Blvd and I-73 North both appear on this distance sign on the Loop after the I-40 exit, the same with the next new overhead sign that was being put up just after W. Friendly Avenue:
Taken by Strider from Fleming Road bridge over unopened I-840, January 19, 2018:
Newly placed overhead signage on soon to open I-840 West at I-73/Bryan Blvd exit
Closeup of W. Friendly Ave exit 2-mile advance sign. Exit tab has I-73 mileage exit number, numbers that will be changed along the rest of the I-73 section of the Loop prior to this section being opened.
Looking along future section of I-840 East showing newly placed 2-mile Advance sign for US 220/Battleground Avenue exit just beyond I-73/Bryan Blvd exit. A couple other sign photos taken from the Horsepen Creek Road bridge:
Looking south/west at the 1-Mile advance sign for I-73/Bryan Blvd. The name for the PTI Airport was recently changed to Central North Carolina International Airport, guess too late to be accounted for in the signage.
Looking at the 1-Mile Advance overhead for US 220/Battleground Ave. Road looks ready to open when the snow and ice melts.
Taken by Trent Heberling in April 2017:
Taken along Drawbridge Parkway in vicinity of future interchange with US 220/Battleground Avenue
Signage placed along W. Friendly Avenue will have overlay for Raleigh once the entire northern section is completed.
Signage to be placed at the ramp from US 220 South to East I-840, the route was temporarily signed to Lawndale Drive until the rest of the loop to US 29 was completed. Signage should be in place by June 2023.
Here's the signage at the future on-ramp to West I-840 from Lawndale Drive:
View other Photos of this Segment.
Though the contractor had until the end of 2018 to complete the US 70 to US 29 segment, the roadway was completed a year earlier than scheduled, except for ramp from I-785 North to US 29 South which is being constructed along with a flyover ramp from the future I-840 East roadway to US 29 (Future I-785) North that opened a year later in December 2019. Meanwhile the completion date for the US 29 to Lawndale Drive segment was moved from May to November 2022 in March 2019, and then to July 2023 in the summer of 2021.8 In early January, however, Greensboro media reported that NCDOT was not planning to open the last segment early, by the end of that month, perhaps as early as January 20, it ended up opening on the 23rd.4 See the video section for the latest images.
Exit 8 (WB) Lawndale Dr
Exit 10 N Elm St (EB)
Exit 11 Yanceyville St
Exit 14 (Future
) North Reidsville Danville VA (WB)
Exit 17 Huffine Mill Rd
Exit 18*
Burlington Greensboro
Exit 21A (EB)
West (
South) Greensboro
Exit 21B (EB)
East /
North Durham Raleigh
* Changed from 19 in Nov. 2017
Signage at
the ramp to Lawndale Drive on I-840 East when I-785 is signed north
of the Loop:
Signage southbound approaching US 29 (Future I-795 North) ramp:
Plans for
2-Mile advance sign for I-840 West/I-785 North at US 29, the first
for when I-785 is designated north of the Loop, the second for when
the highway opens in December 2017. Construction of future I-785 got
a boost in August 2018 when NCDOT announced that a project that will
improve US 29 to interstate standards from Hicone Road north to US
29 Business in Reidsville will be funded as a Regional Impact
project in the upcoming 2020-2029 STIP document due out in January
2019. Construction probably won't start until 2028 at the earliest.12
Here's the signage at the exit ramp itself when I-785 is extended north of the Loop:
Signage planned for the US 70 on-ramps when the final stretch of I-840 is completed:
At the other end of the segment, here's the signage at the beginning of North I-840 which will be temporarily only signed as I-785 until the Loop is completed to Lawndale Drive:
Plans for signage approaching the Loop from I-40 West/I-85 South. Includes spaces for Future placement of I-840 shield and another I-73 marker, compare to actual signage installed in July 2017 in photos below.
In addition to signing I-840 along the eastern segment of the Loop when the final I-840 section is completed, NCDOT also will be removing the Business 85 and US 70 designations through Greensboro. This End I-785/I-840 sign will replace the current auxiliary sign for Business 85 seen in the photos below. Sign plans were made before NCDOT got approval to reroute US 70 away from US 29 and I-40 and through downtown Greensboro in 2021:
Here's plans for signage at the interchanges. First US 29:
The signs do not have I-840 listed on them. These are to be updated soon since the full Loop is open.
Street View images
Google Maps Street View captured images in late January soon after the segment opened, here is a sample of some screen captures:
Signage at the North Elm Street exit, former end of I-840 East.
The 10.5 mile marker on I-840 West.
Signage along North Elm Street at the new ramp to I-840 West. Not all the ramp signage had been put in place.
The new East I-840 reassurance marker after the North Elm Street exit.
The one Yanceyville Street overhead sign up along I-840 East when the segment opened.
Variable message board used as temporary advance sign for the US 29 exit on I-840 East.
Signage at the US 29 (Future I-785 North) exit ramp on I-840 East. No further signage with both I-785 and I-840 shields exists along the Loop as of mid-February.
Signage at the US 29 (Future I-785 North) C/D ramp from I-840 East.
Signage at the US 29 (Future I-785) South exit ramp to newly opened segment of I-840 West. Note the blank space remains for an I-840 shield, still the case in mid-February.
Overhead signage on I-840 West from the ramp from US 29 South with 2 lane ends advisory signs.
Earlier photos taken by Strider along the newly opened section of I-840 between North Elm Street and US 29 (Future I-785 North) on January 24, 2023:
Signage heading onto the newly opened section after North Elm Street.
Newly opened section after the North Elm Street exit.
A new East I-840 reassurance marker after the North Elm Street on-ramp.
The new exit sign for Yanceyville Street on I-840 East.
The new lanes of I-840 East after the Yanceyville Street exit.
Not all the new signs had been put up, here's a temporary advance for the US 29 exits.
First signage showing the concurrency of South I-785 and East I-840 prior to the off-ramp for the US 29 exit.
Traveling along the US 29 exit ramp from I-840 East.
Taking the new flyover ramp from I-840 East to US 29 (Future I-785) North.
Turning around, now heading west on the new section of I-840 Greensboro Loop.
The first overhead advance sign for the Yanceyville Street exit on I-840 West.
The new West I-840 reassurance marker.
Approaching Yanceyville Street on I-840 West.
Overhead signage at ramp to Yanceyville Street on I-840 West.
I-840 West ramp signage on Yanceyville Street. (I would have included 'To I-73' on the sign).
The North Elm Street exit sign on I-840 West.
Trailblazers for East I-840 and To I-785 at North Elm Street ramp.
Ramp signage for I-840 on North Elm Street.
Overhead signage on I-840 West at the Yanceyville Street exit.
New overhead signage for I-840 West at the end of I-785 North at US 29.
Traffic Camera image showing the re-striping of I-840 East lanes in anticipation of the opening of the last Loop Segment, January 20, 2023:
Still taken by January 20, 2023 Heliflyer video (link at bottom of page) showing new pull through sign with both I-785 South and I-840 East listed just prior to the US 29 exit on soon to open final segment of the Greensboro Loop.
From Summit Avenue Bridge, just west of US 29:
View of recently placed concrete roadbed looking west.
View of roadbed looking west from near the center of the bridge.
View looking east toward future exit ramp to US 29 (and Future I-785 North).
Lees Chapel Road:
View of completed Loop bridges over Lees Chapel Road, heading south.
Looking north toward the bridges.
Traveling under the pair of bridges.
Hillcroft Road
Looking west along Hillcroft Road which parallels the Loop headed west between Lees Chapel and Yanceyville Street, showing work continuing on Loop roadbed.
A closer look at the railroad bridge constructed along Hillcroft Road.
The future Loop headed beyond the railroad bridge heading toward Yanceyville Street.
View of equipment along the Loop roadbed by the railroad bridge.
Looking back east from railroad bridge toward Lees Chapel Road.
Yanceyville Street
Heading south entering construction zone at future Loop interchange.
Widening of Yanceyville Street proceeding around new bridge over the Greensboro Loop.
Heading south over new Yanceyville Street bridge.
Heading south of the bridge the street widening continues.
The future on-ramp from the Loop eastbound to Yanceyville Street.
View looking north from future I-840 East Loop ramp.
Heading north toward the bridge and the future westbound ramp.
Heading north back across the bridge.
Across the bridge heading for future I-840 West /Loop ramps.
Heading south entering construction zone at future Loop interchange.
Paving taking place along future I-840 West on-ramp.
Another look at paving taking place along the future I-840 West ramps.
View looking east along the Loop near the Future I-840 West ramps.
Closer look east at the newly paved future I-840 West ramps and beyond.
Looking west along the Loop from the Yanceyville Street bridge.
Photos taken along I-785 North (Future I-840 West) between I-85 / I-40 and US 29 on October 17, 2022:
First reference to I-785 on signage approaching the split of I-85 South from I-40 West east of Greensboro.
Another I-785 shield on signage at the split of I-85 South from I-40 West east of Greensboro.
The only advance sign I-785 itself on I-40 West is at 1/4 mile.
Both I-785 signs are temporary to be replaced with larger versions once I-840 is added in 2023.
One of the several 'California style' median post-interchange signs along the Greensboro Loop.
The first North I-785 reassurance marker, will West I-840 go to the right?
The 1 Mile advance sign for the US 70/Burlington Road exit.
The overhead signage at the ramp to US 70, originally Exit 19 (see below).
The second North I-785 reassurance marker, two posts for this one, it looks like any future West I-840 marker will go to the right.
The rather empty gantry at the Huffine Mill Road exit.
Another double-posted North I-785 reassurance marker, the last. All the I-785 shields are to be replaced by June 2023 by green signs with I-785 and I-840 shields.
The first advance sign for the US 29 exit and the current northern end of the Loop.
A very wide ranging destination auxiliary sign for the US 29 (Future North I-785) exit.
Overhead signage for the US 29 interchange C/D ramp at the current end of the Eastern Section of the Greensboro Loop.
The US 29 exit signage on the C/D ramp, heading toward the ramp for Future I-785 North.
The 1/2 Mile advance sign for the Hicone Road exit which will eventually have an I-785 exit number.
The End I-785 sign at the end of the ramp to US 29 North from the Greensboro Loop.
EARLIER PHOTOSPhotos taken from Google Maps Street View images from June and July 2021 along the construction zone, heading west to east:
North Elm Street
View of construction seen at current end of I-840 East.
Looking south along North Elm Street showing bridge abutments under construction. As of December 2021 the bridge supports over the roadway had been placed.
West I-840 trailblazer sits inside bridge construction safety barrier heading north on North Elm Street.
North Church Street
Looking east from completed bridge over Future I-840 showing partially graded roadbed.
View looking west from the new bridge back towards North Elm Street.
View of traffic on the new bridge and roadway construction along the north side.
Yanceyville Street
View looking west across newly constructed bridge towards Future I-885 roadway still being graded.
Looking east along the Future Loop with construction equipment lined up by future exit ramp.
Another look to the east closer to where the future westbound exit ramp will meet Yanceyville Street.
Looking south over the newly completed bridge, traffic, for now using only the west side of the bridge.
Lees Chapel Road
View heading south on Lees Chapel Road of bridge for Future I-840 being constructed over roadway.
Workers constructing east side of bridge for Future I-840 being built over Lees Chapel Road.
View of bridge under construction heading north on Lees Chapel Road.
Summit Avenue
View from temporary Summit Avenue roadway of new bridge construction underway. This bridge was completed by November and the temporary roadway was removed to allow a completion of grading of the Loop in this area (see latest video).
Looking west from Summit Avenue to the Future I-840 roadbed awaiting completion of the bridge to be excavated and graded.
Looking
east from the temporary roadway at the new bridge under
construction.
View looking north at the temporary detour around the new bridge construction.
US 29
The Future I-840 lanes await paving at the current end of the I-785 section of the Greensboro Loop looking west.
Photos from Strider taken on the newly opened section between Lawndale Drive and North Elm Street, December 24, 2020:
The new East I-840 reassurance marker, this part is also signed as an interstate even though new terminus may not be on the National Highway System.
Bridge over the newly opened roadway heading east, note landscaping work still incomplete.
Traffic exiting at new end of I-840 East and North Elm Street. Note exit signs have not been installed yet. Temporary orange signs and portable VMSs are being used in their place.
Traffic signals at the end of the ramp to North Elm Street.
Mile marker headed westbound after the on-ramp from North Elm Street.
The West I-840 reassurance marker headed towards Lawndale Drive.
Taken prior to the road opening on December 20:
Lane striping is proceeding along soon to be opened section.
Closeup of an I-840 East mile marker.
Looking west toward Lawndale Drive along the along the soon to be opened section.
NCDOT Traffic camera images showing progress completing the Loop east of the Lawndale Drive interchange in June 2020:
Photos of I-840 under construction between Lawndale Drive and North Elm Street from recently completed Lake Jeanette Road bridge by Strider, July 19, 2020
Looking toward North Elm Street:
Looking toward Lawndale Drive:
Photo of signage at future ramp to I-840 West, which currently takes you from US 29 North to US 29 South, by David Johnson, July 11, 2020:
Photos taken along segment from US 29 to US 70 by Site Contributors Strider, on December 7, 2017 shortly after road opened and, David Johnson on July 11, 2020:
First, along US 29 North approaching the partially open Greensboro Loop interchange:
The 1-Mile advance sign for the Greensboro Loop, blank space for future addition of an I-840 shield.
The overhead 1/2 mile advance signage, with space for East I-840 in the future.
The overhead signage at the ramp to I-785 South again with space for a East I-840 shield.
The ramp from I-785 North is seen merging onto US 29 North in the distance, the current US 29 is now interstate standard for about 1/4 mile north of the ramp.
Now heading onto the Greensboro Loop from US 29 South:
The completed ramp from I-785 North to US 29 South as seen from current start of I-785 South.
Traveling the new ramp from US 29 South to I-785 South in late 2017, workers seen then working to complete ramp from I-785 North to US 29 South.
View looking south at the start of the new segment of I-785 prior to on-ramp from US 29 North.
The first mile marker, for I-785, to be replaced by I-840 versions when the Loop is complete.
The first South I-785 reassurance marker beyond the US 29 North on-ramp.
First destination mileage guide sign on I-785 South showing the distance to High Point and Charlotte via I-85 South.
First advance sign for Huffine Mill Road exit on I-785 South, along with shield-less, for now, mile marker which will be replaced by an I-840 shield in the future.
The one-mile advance sign for Huffine Mill Road prior to the West Buffalo Creek bridge on I-785 South.
This median interchange mileage sign stands 1/2 mile prior to the Huffine Mill Road exit on I-785 South.
Overhead signage at the Huffine Mill Road off-ramp includes the 1-Mile advance sign for US 70 on I-785/Greensboro Loop South.
US 70 exit signage seen in the distance at the on-ramp to I-785 South from Huffine Mill Road.
Another South I-785 reassurance marker precedes a US 70 exit 1/4 mile, instead of 1/2 mile, advance sign.
Overhead signage at the US 70 exit on I-785 South includes a 2-Mile Advance for the I-40/I-85 North exit and is accompanied by a rather small auxiliary sign for traffic to Greensboro and Burlington can use the US 70 exit.
View looking south toward I-40/I-85 from bridge over US 70.
The last South I-785 reassurance marker ahead of the 1-Mile Advance sign for the I-40/I-85 North exit.
An
auxiliary sign for Business 85 for the I-40/I-85 North exits
since that designation was taken from the previous overhead
sign. The Business 85 designation is to be dropped from I-40
West when construction of the US 29 to Lawndale Drive section is
completed, the sign will be replaced by and End I-785/I-840 sign
at that time, see sign plans above.
Turning
around and heading back north:
Another
median exit mileage guide sign this one placed 1/2 mile prior to
the US 70 exit. Given that this sign is before the 1-mile
advance sign (photo below) for US 70, it appears there's a
missing mile for both US 70 and Huffine Mill Road.
The newly replaced US 70 1-Mile advance sign with a new exit number, 18, probably due to the off-ramp being placed further north.
Overhead signs at the US 70 exit with the Huffine Mill Road sign now uncovered.
Looking north along the start of the new section of I-785 North toward Huffine Mill Road.
I-785 North expands to 3 lanes temporarily prior to the Huffine Mill Road exit.
Overhead sign gantry at Huffine Mill Road exit ramp. The blank space at left is for an advance sign for the future Cone Blvd. exit. Notice that Exit 17 is just beyond the Mile 18 marker.
After taking the Huffine Mill Road off-ramp:
View taken heading west on Huffine Mill Road showing guide signs and I-785 trailblazers in the distance.
A closer view of the trailblazers, getting back on I-785 North:
View looking north toward US 29 interchange.
The North I-785 reassurance marker, the last one in this direction, after the Huffine Mill Rd on-ramp.
The 2-Mile advance sign for the current end of I-785 North at US 29, just prior to crossing North Buffalo Creek.
The 1-Mile advance sign, the A and B exit tab is misleading as the southbound US 29 ramp (Exit 14A) is not open yet.
Orange barrels reappear approaching the US 29 interchange beyond the 15 Mile marker on I-785 North.
Overhead sign directs traffic off the soon to end Loop to the US 29 exit(s), the fore sign reads Exit 14B.
View at the current end of the Greensboro Loop. Traffic has to use US 29 North to access US 29 South until new exit ramp is completely built.
A new sign for the upgraded Hicone Road exit greets drivers merging onto US 29, or could we say I-785 North because...
There is an End I-785 sign after the exit sign along the C/D ramp from US 29 North. Work still continues in landscaping the ramp.
For
information about the rest of I-785, check out my new Future
I-785 webpage.
Turning
around and now coming toward the new Loop interchange on US 29
North:
There is a 1-Mile Advance sign heading this direction with space for an I-840 shield in the future.
Overhead 3/4 and 1/2 mile advance signage for Loop exits on US 29 North, the To US 29 South is a temporary ramp that will be replaced with access to I-840 North when complete.
View from the ramp to I-785 South from US 29 North showing incomplete bridge that will carry traffic to US 29 South from the Loop.
Further up
the US 29 North on-ramp approaching the merge with I-785 South
lanes.
Change signage at the US 70 interchange:
North I-785 trailblazer on US 70 East heading under the Loop bridge.
Trailblazers at the on-ramp to I-785 North from US 70 in Greensboro.
Now heading east on US 70, the newly place Junction I-785 trailblazer, replacing a similar one for Future East I-840.
The To I-40/I-85 trailblazers still remain approaching the southbound Loop on-ramp on US 70 East.
The previous Future I-840 trailblazer has been removed here also, replaced by I-785 South.
New overhead signage that includes I-785 North (and drops US 70) on I-85 North approaching its merge with I-40 East.
This is the last updated sign to be put up for I-785, with its placement, all the signage on I-85 and I-40 surrounding the merge/split of the 2 routes has been updated.
Heading north of I-40 and I-85 brings new exit signs for the US 70 exit:
Besides the new sign, the exit has a new number, 18, replacing 19, possibly due to the exit ramp now being beyond the US 70 bridge instead of before. On the exit ramp, the current end of I-785 North:
An overhead speed advisory sign with the exit number included. Some ramp repaving may be needed before the next segment opens.
Prior to the US 70 exit ramp there is now a To US 220 North trailblazer, and at the exit ramp itself:
Both signs for the US 70 exit and covered over, for now, for Huffine Mill Road, in the distance.
Going the other way after the US 70 interchange:
A South I-785 reassurance marker (the only one so far). And beyond the I-85/I-40 interchange:
An End I-785 sign prior to the Loop merging with I-85 South.
Looking toward completed I-785 bridge over US 70 looking east prior to existing exit ramp to Greensboro Loop heading south.
A new South I-785 and covered I-840 East trailblazer sit behind the earlier Future I-840/To I-40/85 trailblazers put up at the interchange with US 70 East in 2003.
Looking north from open on-ramp to I-785 South to soon to open ramp to US 70 from Greensboro Loop.
In anticipation of increased traffic once the next segment opens, the open section between I-40/I-85 and US 70 received a new layer of pavement on October 2017.
Looking over concrete barrier on US 70 off-ramp toward new section of I-785/Greensboro Loop to open by Thanksgiving 2017.
Looking across Huffine Mill Rd toward I-785 lanes with exit signage placed in the southbound lanes.
A North I-785 trailblazer covered over prior to opening of the new section of the Greensboro Loop in November 2017 (for uncovered versions, see sign plans above).
Looking south from the Huffine Mill interchange along the nearly complete (except of line painting) lanes of I-785, the on-ramp to I-785 South is to the right, the overhead sign gantry has an empty space for the Cone Blvd exit to be constructed in the future.
Looking north along the unopened lanes toward US 29 showing completed exit signing prior to the southbound off-ramp.
Looking south toward the US 70 interchange showing sign installation is complete, but grading work still in progress.
A zoomed in view looking in the same direction shows exit signing complete for US 70 exit which includes 2-mile advance sign for I-40/I-85 North exit at end of I-785 South.
New signage for I-785 on I-85 North, courtesy of site contributor, Tracy Hamm:
At the Youngs Mill Road exit:
And prior to I-40, the last exit sign at the ramp, seen in the background, had not been replaced at the time of the photograph:
New signage put up by NCDOT on I-85 South/I-40 West in July 2017. Photos by site contributor Strider:
Closer look at Arrow-per-Lane signage by Adam Prince:
Taken on April 15, 2017 by Site contributor Strider:
Taken by the Webmaster on March 30, 2017:
New exit support posts behind existing US 70 exit sign, new exit signs were placed along the route in mid-April 2017.
Traveling along the future exit ramp to US 70 now serving as the end of this segment of the Greensboro Loop heading north.
Looking over the barrier at the US 70 exit you can see the future I-785/I-840 Loop heading north with paving near completion.
Looking at the future I-785/I-840 Southbound Loop lanes you can see support posts being staged for future overhead signs.
View of future I-785/I-840 bridge over creek just south of the US 70 interchange.
Another Future I-840 sign along what will be the ramp from US 70 to the Loop Southbound. Despite new I-785 signs going up (see below), this sign still stands as of April 2017.
Sign for the end of I-785/I-840 as it existed from the opening of the southeastern segment of the route in 2005 (with a space for former Business I-40) until April 2017. Here's what the new signs looks like courtesy of site contributor Strider:
The new signs drop Business 85 which is now only referred to on an auxiliary trailblazer:
A closer look at the overheads seen at the official end of I-785:
Sign assemblies at the US 70 interchange, taken in 2002:
Photos taken at the Future US 29 interchange by Trent Heberling in April 2017:
View taking ramp from Hicone Road showing new bridge over US 29 completed.
Entering US 29 South from new Hicone Road interchange on-ramp about to go under new bridge.
View of future US 29/I-785 interchange showing bridge largely completed and exit ramp areas being graded.
Traffic on US 29 South about to be shifted to new southbound lanes under Future I-785/Greensboro Loop East bridge.
US 29 South traffic heading under Future I-785/Greensboro Loop East Bridge with work starting on westbound bridge.
1. Exits 14 to 21 South/Eastbound
2. Interstates 785 & 840 North/Westbound
3. Interstate 840 Exits 10 to 3 Westbound
4. Interstate 840 Exits 3 to 10 Eastbound
2023
1. I-785/US 29 to N. Elm Street, Loop Segment Opening Preview - January 20
2022
1. I-785/US 29 to N. Elm Street - December 1, 2022
2. I-785/US 29 to N. Elm Street - October 6, 2022
3. I-785/US 29 to N. Elm Street - August 10, 2022
4. I-785/US 29 to N. Elm Street - March 22, 2022
2021
1. I-785/US 29 to Yanceyville Street - Dec. 7, 2021
2. Yanceyville Street to N. Elm Street - Dec. 7, 2021
3. I-785/US 29 to Yanceyville Street - October 18, 2021
4. Yanceyville Street to N. Elm Street - October 18, 2021
5. I-785/US 29 to Yanceyville Street - August 27, 2021
6. Yanceyville Street to N. Elm Street - August 27, 2021
7. Yanceyville Street to N. Elm Street - April 7, 2021
8. I-785/US 29 to Yanceyville Street - April 7, 2021
9. I-785/US 29 to Yanceyville Street - January 28, 2021
10. Yanceyville Street to N. Elm Street - January 28, 2021
2020
1. N. Elm Street to Lawndale Drive, just prior to section opening, December 22, 2020
2. I-785/US 29 to Yanceyville Street - December 9, 2020
3. Yanceyville Street to N. Elm Street - December 9, 2020
4. N. Elm Street to Lawndale Drive - December 9, 2020
5. US 29 to Lees Chapel Road - November 5, 2020
6. Yanceyville Street to North Elm Street - November 5, 2020
7. North Elm Street to Lawndale Drive - November 5, 2020
8. Yanceyville Street to North Elm Street - Sept. 3, 2020
9. North Elm Street to Lawndale Drive - Sept. 3, 2020
10. Lake Jeannete Road to Lawndale Drive- August 4, 2020
11. Yanceyville Street to North Elm Street - July 7, 2020
12. North Elm Street to Lawndale Drive - June 5, 2020
13. Yanceyville Street to North Elm Street - May 6, 2020
14. Summary of US 29 interchange construction - 2017-2020
15. Construction from North Elm Street to Lawndale Drive - April 16, 2020
16. Summary of Loop interchange with Battleground Avenue construction, 2017-2020 - April 15, 2020
17. I-785/US 29 interchange west to Summit Avenue - March 22, 2020
18. Lawndale Avenue to North Elm Street - February 14, 2020
19. US 220/Battleground Avenue to Lawndale Drive - February 13, 2020
20. I-840 Construction from I-795/US 29 to Lee's Chapel Road - January 8, 2020
2019
1. US 220/Battleground Avenue Area - August 2019
2. Lawndale Avenue/Cotswold Avenue - August 2019
3. View from I-785 to Lee's Chapel Road - August 2019
4. View from Lee's Chapel Road to Yanceyville Street - August 2019
5. View from Yanceyville Street to North Elm Street - August 2019
6. View from North Elm Street to Lawndale Avenue - August 2019
7. View from Battleground Avenue towards Lawndale Drive - June 2019
8. View Between Lawnsdale Avenue and Cotswold Avenue- June 2019
9. View between North Elm Street and Lake Jeanette Road- June 2019
10. View between North Elm Street and Yanceyville Road- June 2019
11. View from North Church Street to Lawndale Drive- May 2019
12. View of construction of Future I-840 east of Lawndale Drive-April 2019
14.
East of US 220/Battleground Avenue-March 2019
15. Vicinity of Lawndale Drive to Cotswold Avenue-March 2019
2018
1. East of US 220/Battleground Avenue-December 2018
2. Vicinity of Lawndale Drive-December 2018
4. View
over US 220/Battleground Ave and to the east, August 2018
5. View of Lawndale Avenue area construction, August 2018
6. View over US 29 interchange construction at US 29 (Future I-785), August 2018
7. Taken of the I-785/US 29 interchange, April 2018
8. Taken of the Lawndale Drive interchange area, April 2018
9.
Taken of the I-785/US 29 interchange, Jan. 2018
10. Eastern Segment of the Greensboro Loop,
11.
Earlier video of the Battleground Ave interchange
Video of US 29 (Future I-785) North in Rockingham County by Tarheel Travels (Oct. 6, 2022)