http://www.wral.com/dot-looks-to-hit-accelerator-on-nc-540-construction/16528818/ TLDR: They are combining 2 construction segments allowing for faster completion.
70 is going to be I-42 (signs are already posted on 70 as Future I-42), not I-70. Then there will be two 40/42 interchanges, and a 42/42 interchange.
5 years for the start of 540 to 70 BYPASS/I-42 and 10 years from 70 BYPASS/I-42 to NC64? Not sure how this is fast tracking anything...
It takes a long time to build a road like that, fast-tracked or not. Look back and see how long it took for them to build the 70 bypass.
Meanwhile, back in the 40s, they built 1422 miles of "highway" through some of the roughest terrain in North America in about a year. http://www.historynet.com/alaska-highway-the-biggest-and-hardest-job-since-the-panama-canal.htm
Even so, we are talking about 1422 miles vs less than 20 miles. Surely if you can built 1422 miles of real usable highway in 30 years or so, we can built 20 miles in a year or two. It's the red tape in the US these days that delays everything. https://machakosnewsonline.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/the-fastest-built-highway-ever-in-africa/ http://www.treehugger.com/infrastru...re-quickly-and-efficiently-learn-chinese.html
That and construction standards. The Alaskan highway was an impressive feat, to be sure. However, it isn't apples to apples at all. I don't think anyone was traveling 80mph on that road, nor did it require as many interchanges, had zero utility crossings that needed to be re-rerouted, etc. Yes, there is more red-tape these days, but most of that is pretty darn necessary.
Actual Construction was very fast. the main contractor subbed out 2 or 3 sections, they did the bridges concrete parts themselves.
70 was about 9-10 miles total with 4 interchanges. This section of 540 is about 17-18 miles with 9 interchanges. At least double the size of a project. But I agree, it should take no more than 2-3 years to build the road once started, the delays so far are all about paperwork and money.
Uhhh...I guess my point is we are not just talking about construction here. The I-540 hasn't even had it's final environmental impact study finished/submitted. In fact, despite years or property acquisition I am not sure they have that all tied up yet. They'll have to let the project out for bids. Point is...these things take a while, fast tracked or not.
Yes, I also recall an extensive drought during that period and the contractor being waaaaaay ahead of schedule because of the good weather (good weather for construction anyway).
when it is a new road like 540 it goes much faster than adding lanes, where you have to add temp lanes etc. access roads are going in, surveying etc. already.
