Interstate 140 (North Carolina)

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This article is about the highway in Wilmington. For the road previously with this number in Asheville, see Interstate 240 (North Carolina).

Interstate 140 marker

Interstate 140
Wilmington Outer Loop, Wilmington Bypass, Northern Outer Loop
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length: 27 mi[2] (43 km)
Existed: August 22, 2005[1] – present
Major junctions
West end: 2007: US 17 / US 421 near Navassa
Future: US 17 near Belville
  I-40 in Wilmington
East end:
US 17 / US 17 Bus. near Ogden
Location
Counties: New Hanover
Highway system

Auxiliary route of the Interstate Highway System
Main • Auxiliary • Business

North Carolina Highway System

← NC 138 NC 141 →

Interstate 140 (abbreviated I-140; also known as the Wilmington Outer Loop, Wilmington Bypass and the Northern Outer Loop) is a part of the Interstate Highway System in the US state of North Carolina. It is a spur route that will run for 27 miles (43 km) upon its completion within both New Hanover and Brunswick Counties in serving as a bypass of Wilmington. Presently, its termini are at the I-40 interchange in Murraysville and U.S. Highway 421 (US 421) in Wilmington. The entire length is concurrent with U.S. Highway 17 (US 17), with US 17 continuing as an at grade thoroughfare from its western end and as an expressway from its eastern end. In March 2010, construction of the westernmost segment between US 17 and US 74-76 commenced and is scheduled to be completed by July 2013. The segment between US 421 and US 74-76 is tentatively scheduled to open in the mid-2010s.

Contents

[edit] Route description

Interstate shield on a cloudy day.
End I-140 shield at I-40

I-140 begins at its interchange with US 421 as a half cloverleaf northwest of downtown Wilmington.[3] From US 421, I-140 continues in a northeasterly direction where it crosses the Northeast Cape Fear River on the Dan Cameron Bridge.[4] After crossing the river, the route travels in an easterly direction where it meets North Carolina Highway 133 (NC 133) at Exit 18 as another half cloverleaf interchange in Wrightsboro.[5] From NC 133, I-140 continues to the west en route to its eastern terminus at a partial cloverleaf interchange with I-40 and US 17 in Murraysville.[6] The completed segment of I-140 is 6.7 miles (10.8 km) in length.[7]

The most notable feature of the existing route is the bridge spanning the Northeast Cape Fear River.[8] The bridge measures 1.43 miles (2.30 km) in length with a main span of 479 feet (146 m) and 82 feet (25 m) of vertical clearance above the river, Rat Island and adjacent marshlands.[9] Its construction consists of precast girders with cast-in-place decks leading to the main span consisting of cast-in-place cantilevered box girder elements.[9] In November 2005, the North Carolina Board of Transportation voted unanimously to name the I-140 bridge across the Northeast Cape Fear River in honor of former Wilmington mayor and businessman Dan Cameron.[10]

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.[11] Some of the restrictions of the overlay include the banning the construction of billboards, limiting outdoor storage and increasing setback requirements for structures adjacent to the roadway.[11][12] Only nine applications for billboards along I-140 were processed and approved prior to its passage.[11]

[edit] History

Two green signs are located above a portion of roadway with several vehicles visible on a cloudy day.
I-140 at I-40

[edit] Northern Outer Loop

The idea of constructing a northern bypass for Wilmington was initially identified by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (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 through central Wilmington in serving as both an additional crossing of the Cape Fear River and providing for better regional connectivity.[13] However, the project was not included as part of the departments construction schedule until 1989.[14] In 1991, NCDOT initiated the evaluation of a pair of proposed routes for the Northern Outer Loop.[15] The northern routing was to have been approximately 22 miles (35 km) in length and resulted in the relocation of 19 homes, 19 businesses, traversed 1,247 acres (5.05 km2; 1.95 sq mi) of wetlands, nine potential hazardous waste sites and five historic sites.[15] The southern routing was to have been approximately 20 miles (32 km) in length and resulted in the relocation of 58 homes, 8 businesses, traversed 2,064 acres (8.35 km2; 3.22 sq mi) of wetlands, seven potential hazardous waste sites and eight historic sites.[15]

In November 1994, North Carolina Board of Transportation elected to move forward with the southern routing.[16] 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.[16] Due to significant opposition by both local residents and officials, NCDOT unveiled a revised routing in April 1996 that located the route 1-mile (1.6 km) north of the initial proposal.[17] This revised "central route" was selected as the final routing by NCDOT in April 1997.[14] At the time of its announcement, the route was estimated to cost $126.5 million to complete and result in the displacement of 20 homes, 8 businesses, the loss of 118 acres (0.48 km2; 0.18 sq mi) of wetlands and the loss of 290 acres (1.17 km2; 0.45 sq mi) of farmland lost.[14] Planning would continue through the late 1990s culminating with the first contract awarded for its construction in November 2000 for the I-40 interchange.[18]

[edit] I-140 designation

In 1997 local officials initially stated that an interstate designation was sought for the bypass.[19] In September 2002, the Federal Highway Administration announced that it would grant NCDOT's request and designate the Northern Outer Loop as Interstate 140.[20] The designation was to apply to the initial western segment constructed between I-40 and US 421 and the initial eastern segment constructed between I-40 and US 17.[20] At the time of its announcement, the designation was touted as a significant means to enhance economic development opportunities along its route in addition to potentially serving as a tie-in for moving the proposed eastern terminus of Interstate 74 from Myrtle Beach to Wilmington.[20] Later that month, it was announced the segment east of I-40, would be named the John J. Burney Freeway after the state senator and trustee of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.[21]

The initial $36.7 million contract for construction of a 6.5-mile (10.5 km) segment of the eastern leg was awarded by NCDOT to Barnhill Contracting Company in November 2003.[22] Its construction had been delayed due to several conflicts including the handling of stormwater runoff into Futch Creek and a slight redesign of an off-ramp at the Porters Neck Road interchange to avoid a 450-year old oak tree.[22][23] Construction of the eastern segment commenced on December 29, 2003.[24] As late as May 2005, NCDOT remained undecided as to whether or not to open only a portion of the road prior to completion of the elevated section due to the bridge section running behind schedule.[13] By summer NCDOT decided to open the first segment of I-140 to traffic on August 22, 2005.[1] Formally dedicated with Governor Mike Easley and U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre in attendance, the 3.2-mile (5.1 km) segment was located between I-40 and NC 133 (Castle Hayne Road).[1]

In June 2006, NCDOT announced two additional segments of the I-140 project would open by the end of the month.[2] Costing $187 million to complete, the US 17 expressway segment between Porters Neck Road and I-40 and the segment between NC 133 and US 421 both opened to traffic on June 30, 2006.[25] Concurrent with its opening, the routing of US 17 through Wilmington was also moved to the newly opened expressway. The previous routing of US 17 through Wilmington was changed to U.S. Highway 17 Business, and the US 17 Truck designation was removed from Military Cutoff Road and Oleander Drive upon the opening of the bypass with through trucks being directed to utilize the newly constructed freeway.[25]

[edit] Future expansion

Two road shields and a green sign on a cloudy day.
Begin I-140 East at US 421

In 2009, NCDOT announced plans to complete the southern portion of the western leg instead of the central portion requiring construction of a bridge across the Cape Fear River.[26] In response to this decision, city leaders from the town of Navassa filed a discrimination complaint against NCDOT claiming the town is frequently denied funding for infrastructure improvements and other projects.[27] Planning for future construction would continue, and in March 2010 NCDOT awarded a $81.7 million contract to Barnhill Contracting Company.[28] The project involves the construction of the 6.118-mile (9.846 km) segment between the US 74/76 intersection and US 17 south of Leland.[28] Construction of the segment began in March 2010 and is slated for completion by July 2, 2013, as a result of receiving partial funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.[28] This section was originally not funded with construction not expected to begin until after 2012 prior to receiving federal stimulus funding.[25]

Originally, the freeway was scheduled to be extended from its current terminus at US 421 to US 74-76 first.[29] Presently, this leg will be the final segment of the route to open, with construction estimated to begin in 2012 and be completed within three years.[29] Additionally, a proposed toll road could extend 8 miles (13 km) further southeast, from US 17 to a terminus at US 421 and Independence Boulevard using the proposed Cape Fear Skyway bridge.[30]

As part of the expansion into Brunswick County, NCDOT designed several wildlife crossings to allow for the black bear and other animals to safely cross the corridor in the vicinity of the Battle Royal Natural Heritage Site.[31] The crossings will include the extension of four bridges to provide some upland areas from animal crossings along water bodies and the construction of a 12-foot (3.7 m) by 6-foot (1.8 m) wildlife tunnel just north of the US 74-76 interchange.[31]

In addition to the segments of I-140 slated for completion, a pair of additional exits have been proposed for the existing alignment at both Blue Clay and Military Cutoff Roads. In 2002 the North Carolina Board of Transportation appropriated $10 million for the construction of an interchange at Blue Clay Road.[32] The interchange would serve in providing better access to both Wilmington International Airport and the Cape Fear Community College North Campus, and will be constructed sometime in the future.[2] The interchange at Military Cutoff Road would involve the extension of the road from its present terminus at Market Street approximately 4 miles (6.4 km).[33] Presently NCDOT has $18.1 million budgeted in 2012 to purchase the necessary right-of-way and move forward with preliminary engineering.[33]

[edit] Exit list

The entire route is in unincorporated New Hanover County.[34]

Location Mile[7] Exit Destinations Notes
Wilmington 0.0 14 US 17 / US 421 south – Clinton, Carolina Beach, Leland Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
Castle Hayne 2.5 18 NC 133 – Castle Hayne, Wrightsboro
Murraysville 6.7 20 I-40 to US 421 – Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Burgaw Signed as exits 20A (west) and 20B (east)
East end of I-140; continues as US 17
Ogden 11.7
US 17 Bus. south / US 17 north – Wilmington, Hampstead

[edit] Northeast Cape Fear River Bridge

Dan Cameron Bridge
Official name Dan Cameron Bridge
Carries I-140 / US 17
Crosses Northeast Cape Fear River
Locale Wilmington, North Carolina
Maintained by NCDOT
ID number unknown
Design Box girder bridge
Opened 2005–Present

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c McGrath, Gareth (August 23, 2005). "First leg of I-140 is opened - road should ease area traffic". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 1B. 
  2. ^ a b c McGrath, Gareth (June 20, 2006). "Two sections of Outer Loop opening soon". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 1A. http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20060620/NEWS/606200440?p=1&tc=pg. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  3. ^ Google, Inc. Google Maps – Interstate 140/Exit 14 interchange (Map). Cartography by Google, Inc. http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=34.290277,-77.967594&spn=0,0.005681&z=18&layer=c&cbll=34.290214,-77.96766&panoid=_4nHI99jfxZesYFn3jRY9A&cbp=12,217.81,,0,-1.54. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  4. ^ Google, Inc. Google Maps – Interstate 140/Dan Cameron Memorial Bridge (Map). Cartography by Google, Inc. http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=34.302376,-77.956265&spn=0,0.005681&z=18&layer=c&cbll=34.302321,-77.956508&panoid=Ob4Um9_J_58tW6dx9mLmVA&cbp=12,216.39,,0,5. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  5. ^ Google, Inc. Google Maps – Interstate 140/Exit 18 interchange (Map). Cartography by Google, Inc. http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=34.315828,-77.915425&spn=0,0.045447&z=15&layer=c&cbll=34.315679,-77.914843&panoid=QtJZ1_d68c7ocsAv5r2usw&cbp=12,286.52,,0,1.94. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  6. ^ Google Maps street maps and USGS topographic maps, accessed April 25, 2010 via ACME Mapper
  7. ^ a b NCDOT State Road Maintenance Unit - Mapping & Information Section (December 3, 2009) (PDF). New Hanover County, North Carolina (Map). http://www.ncdot.org/travel/statemapping/default.html#New%20Hanover. Retrieved December 18, 2010. 
  8. ^ McGrath, Gareth (February 27, 2000). "New roads should ease county's traffic problems". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 14A. 
  9. ^ a b "US-17 Wilmington Bypass". Miami, FL: GLF Construction Corporation. http://www.glfconstructioncorp.com/project-US17-wilmington-bypass.php. Retrieved April 26, 2010. 
  10. ^ Staff Report (November 3, 2005). "Bridge Named After Dan Cameron". Wilmington, NC: WECT TV6. http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=4070309&nav=2gQc. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  11. ^ 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, NC): p. 2B. 
  12. ^ New Hanover County Planning Department (March 2009). "Section 59.6: Special Highway Overlay District". New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance. New Hanover County. pp. 72–73. http://www.nhcgov.com/AgnAndDpt/PLNG/Documents/Ordinance/Ordinance,%20cover,%20and%20TOC.pdf. Retrieved April 26, 2010. [dead link]
  13. ^ 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, NC): p. 1B. 
  14. ^ 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, NC): p. 1A. 
  15. ^ a b c Myers, Richard (June 11, 1994). "Northern Outer Loop; Environmental impact weighed for routes of planned roadway". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 2B. 
  16. ^ 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, NC): p. 5B. 
  17. ^ Hervey, Philip (April 17, 1996). "Route moved; New plan for bypass brings little but groans". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 2B. 
  18. ^ McGrath, Gareth (November 3, 2000). "1st U.S. 17 Wilmington bypass contract award is today". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 1B. 
  19. ^ Fennell, Bettie (May 15, 1997). "Interstate status sought for bypass". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 2B. 
  20. ^ a b c McGrath, Gareth (September 19, 2002). "Outer Loop named Wilmington's 2nd interstate". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 1A. 
  21. ^ McGrath, Gareth (September 23, 2002). "Burney name goes on bypass". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 1B. 
  22. ^ a b McGrath, Gareth (November 6, 2003). "Awarding of contract moves loop forward". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 1B. 
  23. ^ McGrath, Gareth (March 31, 2001). "Circling history; New highway to bypass aged tree". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 1A. 
  24. ^ McGrath, Gareth (December 31, 2003). "Outer loop work starts eastward - Delays end for part of U.S. 17 project". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 1A. 
  25. ^ a b c McGrath, Gareth (June 29, 2006). "Relief for commuters". Star-News (Wilmington, NC): p. 1A. http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20060629/NEWS/606290388?p=1&tc=pg. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  26. ^ Gannon, Patrick (September 16, 2009). "Navassa officials feeling bypassed by road-building schedule". Star-News (Wilmington, NC). http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090916/ARTICLES/909169940?tc=ar. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  27. ^ Little, Ken (October 15, 2009). "Navassa alleges DOT racial discrimination in U.S. 17 bypass schedule". Star-News (Wilmington, NC). http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090916/ARTICLES/909169940?tc=ar. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  28. ^ a b c Staff Reporters (March 10, 2010). "$81.7 million contract awarded for Brunswick segment of U.S. 17 bypass". Star-News (Wilmington, NC). http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20100310/ARTICLES/100319967. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  29. ^ a b Gannon, Patrick (July 15, 2009). "U.S. 17 bypass's Brunswick leg to be started earlier than planned". Star-News (Wilmington, NC). http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090715/ARTICLES/907159988/0/archive. Retrieved April 26, 2010. 
  30. ^ Reynolds, David (April 22, 2010). "House District 17 hopefuls lukewarm on Skyway, port". Star-News (Wilmington, NC). http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20100422/ARTICLES/100429880. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 
  31. ^ a b McGrath, Gareth (November 29, 2009). "DOT to spend millions on 'critter crossings' for bears, other wildlife". Star-News (Wilmington, NC). http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091129/ARTICLES/911299986. Retrieved April 26, 2010. 
  32. ^ McGrath, Gareth (September 22, 2002). "Budget includes highway project". Star-News (Wilmington, NC). http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20020922/NEWS/209220309. Retrieved April 26, 2010. 
  33. ^ a b Gannon, Patrick (August 23, 2007). "Traffic capacity at issue as I-140 link studied". Star-News (Wilmington, NC). 
  34. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation (December 9, 2009). Enlarged Municipal & Suburban Areas of New Hanover County (Map). Sheet 3 of 6. Cartography by State Road Maintenance Unit – Mapping & Information Section. 

[edit] External links

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