GDOT Annual Report 2019

M E T R O P O L I T A N P L A N N I N G O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Key Project Updates The Greensboro Urban Loop is nearing completion. The last two pieces of the loop are currently under construction. The shorter section is from Battleground Avenue to Lawndale Avenue and the more extensive section is from Battleground Avenue to US 29. They are expected to open to trafc December 2019 and November 2022, respectively. In addition, NCDOT hopes to open the section of the Urban Loop from Lawndale Avenue to Elm Street by late 2020. The City of Greensboro is well positioned for future economic development with the completion of the Urban Loop, I-73 Connector, and I-40 widening from US 220 to Sandy Ridge Road. The I-73 Connector and I-40 widening projects were completed years ago but along with the Urban Loop create a more reliable transportation network. These projects, along with the City’s expertly managed trafc signal system, have a lot to do with Greensboro still being rated as the #1 City in the USA for driver satisfaction after three years at the top of the list. The MPO staf has also been working closely with the city’s trafc engineering staf on identifying new projects for consideration under Prioritization 6.0 as well as for the City’s next transportation bond. This includes studying new trafc patterns prompted by the loop completion. Such projects are much smaller in scope compared to the Urban Loop, but are very important to avoid creation of new bottlenecks so trafc can fow smoothly. Other smaller scale but important safety and mobility projects include US 29 and I-40. US 29 north of the Urban Loop will be upgraded to interstate standards and will be known as I-785. The section south of the Urban Loop is scheduled for safety improvements including ramp closures to reduce confict points. These two projects are tentatively scheduled for 2027 and 2029, respectively. Eforts will be made to accelerate the US 29 safety improvements since this is a key corridor under the Vision Zero Greensboro initiative.

Another project is at Friendly Avenue, Pembroke Road and Green Valley Road. It includes the construction of turning lanes, access management, and safety improvements at the intersections. This project, currently scheduled for 2026 construction, will complement the FY 2021 project to add turn lanes and reduce delays at the West Friendly and Lindell Road intersections. To view projects currently under construction or near term construction, visit the City’s online road project mapping tool at www.greensboro-nc.gov/gdot.

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