Interstate 140 (North Carolina)
John Jay Burney Jr. Freeway | ||||
Route information | ||||
Auxiliary route of I-40 | ||||
Maintained by NCDOT | ||||
Length | 25.4 mi[1] (40.9 km) | |||
Existed | August 22, 2005[2]–present | |||
Interstate 140 | ||||
West end | US 17 near Winnabow | |||
Major intersections |
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East end | I-40 near Murraysville | |||
North Carolina Highway 140 | ||||
West end | I-40 near Murraysville | |||
East end | US 17 in Kirkland | |||
Location | ||||
Country | United States | |||
State | North Carolina | |||
Counties | Brunswick, New Hanover | |||
Highway system | ||||
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Interstate 140 (I-140) and North Carolina Highway 140 (NC 140) is a 25.4-mile (40.9 km)
The need for a bypass north of Wilmington was identified by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in 1972. However, the first contract for construction was not awarded until 2000. In August 2005, the first segment of I-140 between I-40 and North Carolina Highway 133 (NC 133) opened. This was followed by a westward extension to U.S. Route 421 (US 421) and an eastward extension to US 17 in June 2006. US 17 was routed along the entirety of the freeway between Kirkland and US 421, running concurrently with I-140. Construction on the western segment between Winnabow and US 74/US 76 began in March 2010 and was opened in September 2014. This segment was temporarily designated as NC 140 as it lacked connection with I-140 to the east. The final segment between US 74/US 76 and US 421 began construction in 2014 and was completed in 2017. I-140 was routed along the entirety of the freeway west of I-40. Additionally, US 17 was removed from its concurrency with I-140, being rerouted through Wilmington in 2017. The remaining section between I-40 and Kirkland was subsequently renumbered as NC 140.
Route description
The western terminus of I-140 is located at a
Entering New Hanover County, I-140 crosses through an industrial area and begins a turn to the northeast. I-140 meets with
At the I-40 interchange, the route number changes to NC 140 as the freeway continues to the east. Between I-40 and US 17, the highway runs slightly to the southeast primarily through a wooded area. An interchange is currently under construction with the proposed US 17 Byp. (Military Cutoff Road) northeast of Murraysville. The eastern terminus of NC 140 is located at a trumpet interchange with US 17 in the census-designated place of Kirkland. US 17 merges onto the road and continues as a multilane arterial highway to the northeast.[1]
History
First proposal: Raleigh to Sanford
During the 1990s, North Carolina originally proposed the I-140 designation for 32.36 miles (52.08 km) along the recently upgraded US 1 freeway between the Raleigh–Cary line and Sanford. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) ultimately disapproved of the routing in their 1999 meeting.[7]
Wilmington northern bypass
The idea of constructing a northern bypass for Wilmington was initially identified by NCDOT as a need in 1972. The outer loop was viewed as a means to help relieve traffic congestion along Market Street and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge,[8] serving as an additional crossing of the Cape Fear River and providing for better regional connectivity.[9] However, the project was not included as part of the department's construction schedule until 1989.[10] In 1991, NCDOT initiated the evaluation of a pair of proposed routes for the Northern Outer Loop.[11] The northern routing was to have been approximately 22 miles (35 km) in length; it would have resulted in the relocation of 19 homes and 19 businesses while traversing 1,247 acres (505 ha) of wetlands, nine potential hazardous waste sites, and five historic sites.[11] The southern routing was to have been approximately 20 miles (32 km) in length; it would have resulted in the relocation of 58 homes and eight businesses while traversing 2,064 acres (835 ha) of wetlands, seven potential hazardous waste sites, and eight historic sites.[11]
In November 1994, the North Carolina Board of Transportation elected to move forward with the southern routing.[12] The initial 5.8-mile (9.3 km) link between I-40 and US 421 was originally to begin construction in 1998 and open by 2001.[12] Due to significant opposition by both local residents and officials, NCDOT unveiled a revised routing in April 1996 that located the route one mile (1.6 km) north of the initial proposal.[13] This revised "central route" was selected as the final routing by NCDOT in April 1997.[10] At the time of its announcement, the route was estimated to cost $126.5 million (equivalent to $227 million in 2023[14]) to complete and result in the displacement of 20 homes, eight businesses, the loss of 118 acres (48 ha) of wetlands, and the loss of 290 acres (120 ha) of farmland.[10] Planning would continue through the late 1990s, culminating with the first contract awarded for its construction in November 2000 for the I-40 interchange.[15]
In 1997, local officials initially stated that an Interstate designation was sought for the bypass.
In an effort to protect scenic viewsheds for motorists utilizing the freeway, the Special Highway Overlay District of the New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance was adopted by the County Commission in June 2001.[19] Some of the restrictions of the overlay include banning the construction of billboards, limiting outdoor storage, and increasing setback requirements for structures adjacent to the roadway.[19][20] Only nine applications for billboards along I-140 were processed and approved prior to its passage.[19]
Construction and opening
The initial $36.7-million (equivalent to $58.3 million in 2023
In June 2006, NCDOT announced two additional segments of the I-140 project would open by the end of the month.
Brunswick County extension
Originally, the freeway was scheduled to be extended west from its current terminus at US 421 to
As part of the expansion into Brunswick County, NCDOT designed several wildlife crossings to allow the black bear and other animals to safely cross the corridor in the vicinity of the Battle Royal Natural Heritage Site.[32] The crossings included the extension of four bridges to provide some upland areas from animal crossings along water bodies and the construction of a 12-by-6-foot (3.7 by 1.8 m) wildlife tunnel just north of the US 74/US 76 interchange.[32] The section between US 17 and US 74/US 76 was opened to traffic in September 2014.[33]
With the opening of the Brunswick segment, NC 140 was routed along the entirety of the new freeway. On January 14, 2015, the Certification of Rulemaking was released, confirming the establishment of the new designation along not only the Brunswick segment but all existing and future sections of the Wilmington bypass. The justification in the paperwork for using NC 140 was it would serve as a temporary designation until the entire bypass was complete and the remaining segments could be submitted to AASHTO approval as I-140.[34] The other rationalization was to provide an alternate designation for the entire bypass if a proposal to return US 17 to the streets of Wilmington was enacted. This was prevalent as only the New Hanover segment of I-140 was concurrent with US 17. NCDOT officials in the summer of 2014 called for returning US 17 to its original routing through Wilmington on Market Street, with the exception of placing a part of it on Military Cutoff Road and Oleander Drive. This was due to traffic volume on these roads being large enough to merit a route designation. The proposal was endorsed by the Wilmington Area Transportation Advisory Committee in August 2014.[35] AASHTO's Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering approved the request on May 14, 2015.[36] On May 17, 2017, US 17 was officially rerouted through Wilmington.[37]
On December 15, 2017, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the final section of the freeway between US 74/US 76 and US 421, officially completing I-140 around Wilmington. However, this segment of road did not officially open to traffic until December 19, 2017, due to the road requiring final construction and cleanup.[38] The section costed $204 million (equivalent to $249 million in 2023[14]) and included two 1.4-mile-long (2.3 km) bridges over the Cape Fear River, with 300,000 short tons (270,000 long tons) of stone and 5,000,000 cubic yards (3,800,000 m3) of fill material.[39] I-140 was officially extended west to replace NC 140 between US 17 and US 74/US 76 on August 7, 2018.[40]
Future
In 2002, the North Carolina Board of Transportation appropriated $10 million for the construction of an interchange at Blue Clay Road.[41] The interchange would serve in providing better access to both Wilmington International Airport and the Cape Fear Community College North Campus. There is currently no timeline for the completion of the interchange.[26]
An interchange is currently being constructed with the proposed
The proposed Cape Fear Crossing project is proposed to have its western terminus at I-140 in Brunswick County. The proposed freeway would extend east, crossing the Cape Fear River along a newly constructed bridge. The project is currently funded for right-of-way acquisition in the 2019–2029 State Transportation Improvement Plan. However, no construction funding is currently allocated to the project. Once funding is received, it would take approximately five years to complete.[47]
Exit list
County | Location | mi[1] | km | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brunswick | | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | US 17 south to NC 87 – Shallotte, Myrtle Beach | Continuation as US 17 |
| 0.9 | 1.4 | 1 | US 17 north – Wilmington, Leland | Left exit | |
Leland | 5.6 | 9.0 | 5 | US 74 / US 76 – Leland, Whiteville | ||
8.0 | 12.9 | 8 | Mount Misery Road | |||
Navassa | 9.9 | 15.9 | 10 | Cedar Hill Road – Navassa | ||
Cape Fear River | 11.0 | 17.7 | L. Bobby Brown Bridge | |||
New Hanover | | 13.1 | 21.1 | 14 | US 421 – Clinton, Carolina Beach | |
NE Cape Fear River | 14.2 | 22.9 | Dan Cameron Bridge | |||
Wrightsboro | 17.0 | 27.4 | 17 | NC 133 – Castle Hayne, Burgaw | ||
UNC Wilmington | ||||||
NC 417 south (Military Cutoff Road) | Opened in 2023; Future US 17 Bypass planned to extend north as Hampstead Bypass in 2025 | |||||
24.8 | 39.9 | 25 | US 17 south – Wilmington | |||
25.4 | 40.9 | — | Topsail Island, Jacksonville | Road continues onto US 17 | ||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
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References
- ^ a b c d e Google (September 13, 2020). "Overview map of Interstate 140 (North Carolina)" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ "Vovici EFM Report: RN-08-03 (2008-12-15)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. December 15, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
- ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation (February 6, 2014). "Board of Transportation Meeting" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. p. 1113. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 3, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
- ^ Still, Johanna. "The Department of Defense wants a say in future development around MOTSU". Port City Daily. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ WECT Staff (October 9, 2019). "I-140 bridge named after former Navassa mayor". Wilmington, North Carolina: WECT-TV. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ "US-17 Wilmington Bypass". Miami, FL: GLF Construction Corporation. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (April 17, 1999). "Report of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering to the Standing Committee on Highways" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
- ^ State Road Maintenance Unit – Mapping & Information Section (December 9, 2009). Enlarged Municipal & Suburban Areas of New Hanover County (Map). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Sheet 3 of 6.
- ^ a b McGrath, Gareth (May 4, 2005). "Going up – Six months past due, the U.S. 17 Wilmington bypass bridge is still up in the air". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1B.
- ^ a b c Hervey, Philip (April 24, 1997). "Northern Outer Loop; Central bypass route is chosen; 20 homes in path of U.S. 17 project". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1A.
- ^ a b c Myers, Richard (June 11, 1994). "Northern Outer Loop; Environmental impact weighed for routes of planned roadway". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 2B.
- ^ a b Hervey, Philip (November 5, 1994). "Board of transportation; 5.8-mile link between I-40 AND U.S. 421; State favors shorter of 2 routes for Outer Loop". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 5B.
- ^ Hervey, Philip (April 17, 1996). "Route moved; New plan for bypass brings little but groans". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 2B.
- ^ Gross Domestic Product deflatorfigures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
- ^ McGrath, Gareth (November 3, 2000). "1st U.S. 17 Wilmington bypass contract award is today". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1B.
- ^ Fennell, Bettie (May 15, 1997). "Interstate status sought for bypass". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 2B.
- ^ a b c McGrath, Gareth (September 19, 2002). "Outer Loop named Wilmington's 2nd interstate". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1A.
- ^ McGrath, Gareth (September 23, 2002). "Burney name goes on bypass". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1B.
- ^ a b c Talton, Trista (November 5, 2002). "I-140 corridor will have more scenic views – Highway overlay zone means green space is a legal priority". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 2B.
- ^ New Hanover County Planning Department (March 2009). "Section 59.6: Special Highway Overlay District" (PDF). New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance. New Hanover County. pp. 72–73. Retrieved April 26, 2010. [dead link]
- ^ a b McGrath, Gareth (November 6, 2003). "Awarding of contract moves loop forward". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1B.
- ^ McGrath, Gareth (March 31, 2001). "Circling history; New highway to bypass aged tree". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1A.
- ^ McGrath, Gareth (December 31, 2003). "Outer loop work starts eastward - Delays end for part of U.S. 17 project". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1A.
- ^ a b McGrath, Gareth (August 23, 2005). "First leg of I-140 is opened - road should ease area traffic". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1B.
- ^ Staff Report (November 3, 2005). "Bridge Named After Dan Cameron". Wilmington, North Carolina: WECT-TV. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
- ^ a b McGrath, Gareth (June 20, 2006). "Two sections of Outer Loop opening soon". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1A. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ a b McGrath, Gareth (June 29, 2006). "Relief for commuters". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. p. 1A. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ Gannon, Patrick (July 15, 2009). "U.S. 17 bypass's Brunswick leg to be started earlier than planned". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ Gannon, Patrick (September 16, 2009). "Navassa officials feeling bypassed by road-building schedule". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ Little, Ken (October 15, 2009). "Navassa alleges DOT racial discrimination in U.S. 17 bypass schedule". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ a b c Little, Ken (March 15, 2010). "Road work keeps construction workers on job". Star News Online. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ a b McGrath, Gareth (November 29, 2009). "DOT to spend millions on 'critter crossings' for bears, other wildlife". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ "After weather delays, next piece of Wilmington Bypass to open soon". wwaytv3.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
- ^ "Route Changes (2015-01-14)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. January 14, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- ^ McGrath, Gareth (August 27, 2014). "Committee endorses proposal to reroute U.S. 17 onto Wilmington city streets". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (May 14, 2015). "Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering Spring 2015 Report to the Standing Committee on Highways" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 3, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
- ^ "Route Changes (2017-05-17)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. May 17, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^ Buckland, Tim (December 19, 2017). "Breaking: Last stretch of I-140 opens". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. December 21, 2017. p. 3A.
- ^ "Route Changes (2018-08-07)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. August 7, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ McGrath, Gareth (September 22, 2002). "Budget includes highway project". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ a b "U.S. 17 Hampstead Bypass & Military Cutoff Road Extension". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ McGrath, Gareth (August 7, 2018). "Construction begins on complicated Military Cutoff link to I-140". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
- ^ Pociask, Megan (September 28, 2023). "With opening of Military Cutoff Road extension, traffic relief coming to northern New Hanover". Wilmington Star-News. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Darrough, Mark (September 6, 2018). "Hampstead Bypass now fully funded, construction to begin soon". Port City Daily. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
- ^ McGee, Kendall (March 11, 2022). "NC DOT officially breaks ground on Hampstead Bypass". www.wect.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ "Cape Fear Crossing". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
External links
- Media related to Interstate 140 (North Carolina) at Wikimedia Commons
- Interstate 140 North Carolina @ Interstate-Guide.com
- North Carolina @ SouthEastRoads.com - Interstate 140
- I-140 Wilmington Bypass @ NC Future Interstates
- I-140 Exit List
- NCRoads.com: I-140