I-840 Northeast section between Lawndale Drive and US 29 now open and
I-840 signs have been added as of July, Go
to Photos (New 11/12/23)
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 (July 2023):
Map cropped from the 2023-2024 NCDOT State Transportation Map, Triad
Inset.1
Loop History
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. Work
to update I-840 signage along the eastern section of the Loop was not
completed until late July.
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:
Southeast Segment
Exits 131 to 121 (with from Exit
126 to 121)
10 Miles, Completed in 2004
Exits This Segment, North to South
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
Photos from this Segment
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):
Photos taken while I-40 was routed on the Greensboro Loop in 2008:
Taken by Adam Prince:
After I-40 was routed off the Loop in 2009
(by Adam Prince):
Photos taken while segment was under
construction in 2003:
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.
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:
The 1/2 mile
advance overhead sign for US 220/Battleground Avenue on I-840 West:
The signage at
the westbound exit ramp to US 220:
The signage at
the bottom of the westbound exit ramp:
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:
The left hand sign was revised after the rest of the Loop was
completed in January 2023.
On Bryan Blvd. heading west, here's the
first advance sign for I-73 North, from Strider:
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
Along US 220/Battleground Avenue and looking
west and east of US 220
Plans for sign changes for this Segment after the Loop is completed in
2023, from NCDOT:4
Signage placed along W. Friendly Avenue will have an overlay panel for
Raleigh.
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 July 2023.
Here's the signage at the future on-ramp to West I-840 from Lawndale
Drive:
Northeast Segment Exits 8 to 21 (with
Exits 14 to 21)
Lawndale Drive to US 29 Section, 6 Miles,
Complete*, Opened on January 23, 20234 [2 Mile section
between Lawndale Dr and North Elm St opened on December 23, 2020]5
US 29 to US 70 Section, 5 Miles, Complete,
Opened on December 7, 20176 (except for ramps from
I-785 North to US 29 South and I-785 South to US 29 North, completion
date 12/28/18, open as of July 2019)7
US 70 to I-40 Section, 2 Miles, Complete,
Opened in 2002
*Except for signage, still being put up
as of August 2023.
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 photo
section for the latest images. Not all exit signage was ready when the
portion was opened in January, most of the I-840 overhead signage had
been put up as of late May, nearly 4 months after the last section was
opened. Ground mounted and exit signage had not all been installed as
of early August.
Exits on this Segment, Going West to East on I-840
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
**shields removed from updated signage after route was decommissioned
in 2021
Plans for future Exit signs along this
Segment after I-785 is completed to Virginia:9, 10
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 2029 at the earliest.12
Here's the
signage at the exit ramp itself when I-785 is extended north of the
Loop:
Signage
still awaiting placement as of August 2023 at the US 70 on-ramps after
the final stretch of I-840 was completed:
At the other
end of the segment, here's the signage plans when the contract was
let, to be put up after the Loop's completion along I-40 West/I-85
South:
However, when the signage was finally put up in July 2023, there was
no signage for I-73 at all (see photos below). Perhaps the appearance
of I-73 is planned for an auxiliary sign, or that its placement on the
new digital travel time signs was thought to be sufficient.
In addition to signing I-840 eventually along the eastern segment of
the Loop after the final I-840 section was completed, NCDOT also
removed the Business 85 and US 70 designations through Greensboro. An
End I-785/I-840 replaced the auxiliary sign for Business 85, see photo
below.
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.
Photos from this Segment
Images from Google Maps Street View of new signage along US 70:
The ramp to
the north Loop with new I-840 signs on US 70 East.
The ramp to
the south Loop with 2 new I-840 signs on US 70 East.
The ramp to
the north Loop with new I-840 signs on US 70 East.
Photos taken by Strider of newly placed I-840 shields at the Huffine
Mill Road exit in September 2023:
Photos taken by Strider after the first I-840 signs were put up along
US 29 in early August 2023:
The 1 mile advance sign for the Loop on US 29 North now has an I-840
shield and an additional control city, Winston-Salem.
The existing 1/2 mile advance sign for the I-785 South exit on US 29
North now also has an I-840 shield and an additional 3/4 Mile advance
sign for I-840 West on the left.
The new 1/4 mile advance sign for I-840 West at the ramp for now both
I-785 South and I-840 East.
The new I-840 West exit sign, replacing the sign for a To US 29 South
exit. Turning around....
The new 1/4 mile advance sign for the Loop C/D ramp now with added
I-840 West and Winston-Salem as a control city.
The new exit sign for I-840 West with the I-785 South and I-840 East
exit now numbered 135A.
Photos taken by Strider after the first I-840 signs were added to the
eastern section of the Loop on July 24, 2023:
The new South I-785/East I-840 sign replacing the former South I-785
reassurance marker after the US 70 exit.
The End I-840/I-785 sign replacing the former Business 85 South
auxiliary sign prior to the I-40/I-85 North exit.
The new North I-785/West I-840 sign after the ramps from I-85/I-40.
The revised northern half of Greensboro Loop 1 1/2 Mile advance sign
now with I-840 shield on I-85 North/Greensboro Loop.
The revised 1/2 Mile advance sign also with new I-840 shield on I-85
North/Greensboro Loop.
The revised Greensboro Loop 1 1/2 Mile advance sign now with I-840
shield on I-85 North/Greensboro Loop.
The revised 1 Mile advance arrow-per-lane sign for the I-85
South/I-40 West split with new overlay for To I-840 North. The I-85
section is now without a note for To South I-73, perhaps due to the
information to be on a travel time sign (see below). There is still
space on the I-40 sign for the planned To I-73 North overlay (see sign
plans).
The similar revised 1/2 Mile advance arrow-per-lane sign for the I-85
South/I-40 West split with same new overlay for To I-840 North and
lack of To I-73 information.
The 1/2 covered digital travel time sign prior to the I-85 South/I-40
West split, includes an I-73 shield, see sign plans.
The revised 1/4 Mile advance sign for the northern Loop on I-40 West
with new I-840 shield.
The revised exit sign on I-40 West with new I-840 shield. Turning
around and heading east...
The revised exit sign for the Loop on I-40 East with its new I-840
shield.
The revised ramp signage, the northern Loop exit with new I-840
shield (should these exits have numbers?).
Traffic camera at Huffine Mill Road showing newly placed North
I-785/West I-840 sign.
This traffic camera image taken August 6 now shows I-840 shields on
the I-785 / Loop signage and the removal of the Business 85 sign which
is part of the same contract. Work on putting up supports for the new
ground mounted reassurance signs (see sign plans) started in early
July.
EARLIER PHOTOS
Another image from the same traffic camera on June 27 showed no I-840
shields and the to be removed the Business 85 sign.
Photos Taken 7/9/23
Photos taken by Strider along I-840 between North Elm Street and US
29 showing new signage put up in early July 2023:
A new median post-interchange distance sign after the North Elm
Street exit heading east on the I-840 Greensboro Loop.
The new 1/2 Mile advance sign for the Yanceyville Street exit.
A new almost 2 Miles advance sign for the US 29 exits further east on
I-840. Notice the supports for the larger sign that will be needed
when I-785 is completed north of the Loop.
Another median post-interchange distance sign after the Yanceyville
Street exit on I-840 East.
Another new advance sign for the US 29 exits.
The final new 1/2 Mile advance sign for the US 29 exits.
Turning around onto I-840 West....
The new 1 Mile advance for the Yanceyville Street exit, the VMS used
to mark the exit now turned off and awaiting removal.
The new median distance sign after the US 29 exit, showing the
distance to the next 3 exits.
The new 1/2 Mile advance for the North Elm Street exit.
The exit sign for the Yanceyville Street is also new.
The median distance sign after the Yanceyville Street exit, I-73 is 6
1/2 miles away.
PREVIOUS PHOTOS
Photos approaching and along I-840 West on completed Loop taken by
Adam Prince, March 31, 2023, still not changed nearly 2 months later:
The 1 1/2 Miles advance sign for the start of the northeast section
of the Loop on I-85 North, still missing an I-840 shield.
The exit sign for the northeast section of the Loop on I-85 North,
also still missing an I-840 shield. The To Business 85 sign seen in
the distance is also to be taken down as part of the still incomplete
signage work.
The 1 Mile advance for the start of the northeast section of the Loop
on I-85 North, still missing an I-840 shield.
Signs on the newly opened section:
The I-840 West pull through sign at the US 29 (Future I-785 North)
exit, the start of the new section of the Loop.
Sign related construction continues after the US 29 exit on I-840
West.
Overhead signage at the Yanceyville Street exit ramp, with the gore
sign for Exit 11 sitting just behind a Mile 12 marker.
The exit and gore signs for the North Elm Street exit at the end of
the newest section of I-840/Greensboro Loop.
The 1 Mile advance for Lawndale Drive.
The 1 1/2 Miles advance for the US 220/Battleground Avenue sign
shares the gantry at the Lawndale Drive exit on I-840 West.
The 1/2 Mile advance for the US 220/Battleground Avenue exit.
The exit sign for the Bryan Blvd and I-73 North exit, along with the
2 Miles advance for the next Loop exit on I-73.
The signs on the C/D ramp for the Bryan Blvd and I-73 North exit,
prior to I-840's merge with I-73 South.
PREVIOUS PHOTOS
Street View images
Google Maps Street View captured images in late January along I-840
East 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 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.
Construction photos along Future
I-840, from east to west, taken October 17, 2022
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, though changes have not
taken place as of July 9.
One of the several 'California style' median post-interchange
signs along the Greensboro Loop.
The first North I-785 reassurance marker. This and other I-785
reassurance markers on the Loop will be removed for green signs
with both I-785 and I-840 on them (see sign plans). The supports
for these signs started going up in early July 2023.
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, will they be used for the I-785/I-840 sign?
The rather empty gantry at the Huffine Mill Road exit.
The last North I-785 shield on the Loop.
The first advance sign for the US 29 exit at the then 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 then
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.
Photos 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.
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 (Future I-785 North)
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 Loop segment opening on December 20, 2020:
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, photos by Strider:
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.
Photos by David Johnson taken in July 2020 after I-785 was
signed:
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 post-interchange distance 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. This was also replaced by a green
sign with I-785 and I-840 shields in July 2023.
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 was officially dropped from
I-40 West when construction of the US 29 to Lawndale Drive
section was completed in January 2023, the sign was replaced by
and End I-785/I-840 sign, see 2023 photos. This traffic camera
view from August 2023 shows the sign no longer present also on
I-85 North approaching the now signed I-785 North/I-840 West
exit:
Turning
around and heading back north, photos taken by Strider on
December 7, 2017:
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 then 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) was 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 had to
use US 29 North to access US 29 South until new exit ramp was
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.
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.
Taken from US 70 interchange by site
contributor, Strider on November 26, 2017:
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.
Earlier photos by Strider from October
29, 2017:
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.
Taken by Strider on I-785 North
approaching current end at US 70:
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.
Photos by Strider from nearly
completed Huffine Mill Road interchange:
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:
PREVIOUS PHOTOS
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:
The first I-785 shield to appear on the Greensboro Loop just prior
to the I-84/I-40 Exit heading south.
In early 2017 NCDOT started putting up new overhead signs with I-785
at the Greensboro Loop Exit, the extra space is for a future I-840
shield, photo by Adam Prince.
Taken by the Webmaster on March 30, 2017:
A Future I-840 sign that has been up since shortly after the route
was opened in 2002. Unknown whether this will remain when I-785
signs go up
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.
VIDEOS
Video Driving
I-840 East by Tarheel Travels, showing some progress in new
sign installation, posted May 20. (NEW)
West 
North (
South) Greensboro Danville
)
North Greensboro Coliseum Area
South/
South / 
West* High Point Charlotte
