Interstate 85 traverses a good portion of the Appalachian piedmont, as it provides a major travel corridor for the Deep South Region by connecting several major cities, including Atlanta and Charlotte. In addition, Interstate 85 links several smaller growing metropolitan areas such as Greenville, Spartanburg, the Triad (Greensboro), and the Triangle (Durham).
Parallel/Historic U.S. Routes
Interstate 85 largely follows U.S. 80 from Montgomery east to Tuskegee; U.S. 29 from there northeast to Atlanta, Greenville, Charlotte, and Greensboro; U.S. 70 from Greensboro east to Durham; U.S. 15 from Durham north to Oxford; and U.S. 1 from Oxford northeast to Petersburg.
History
The relocation of Interstate 85 onto the bypass of Spartanburg and the creation of Business Loop I-85 on the original Interstate 85 freeway was approved by AASHTO on April 22, 1995. In Atlanta, the relocated Interstate 85 northeast of Interstate 75 was approved by AASHTO on April 19, 1996. The old alignment of Interstate 85 was redesignated as Georgia 13. In North Carolina, the new alignment of Interstate 85 around Greensboro was approved on May 14, 2004, by AASHTO. The old alignment of Interstate 85 was approved as an extension of Business Loop I-85.
The first section of Interstate 85 to be awarded for a construction contract in South Carolina under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 was the bridge over the Broad River in Cherokee Contract on September 21, 1956.7
Planned Improvements
South Carolina
Due to the growth, much of Interstate 85 is programmed for expansion and widening, and several auxiliary routes (such as the Greenville Toll Road/Interstate 185) have been constructed to alleviate Interstate 85.
A lengthy widening of Interstate 85 sees the expansion of the highway from Exit 19/U.S. 76 northward through Greenville to six lanes. At the largest city in South Carolina, Interstate 85 varies between six to eight lanes with a modern feel. Widening north of Greenville is underway to continue the six lane affair to the Spartanburg metropolitan area.
A $70 million project to widen Interstate 85 between Exit 19/U.S. 76 northward to Exit 34 just completed this year (2003). The project adds an additional travel in both directions for the 15-mile stretch. Eleven of the 15 miles sees the 36 foot median replaced with a concrete barrier and two new travel lanes. The remaining four miles retain a grassy median with guardrail protection. Traffic counts along this stretch range from 38,500 to 44,300 vehicles per day (vpd). 35% of this volume is composed of truck traffic. SCDOT justified this project based upon 20 year traffic count projections that will see up to 85,900 vpd using this same section of Interstate 85. In addition various overpasses along the corridor were replaced or otherwise impacted to increase the overall height to at least 16 feet.2
North Carolina
Interstate 85 widens to eight lanes where it overlaps with Interstate 40 between Greensboro and Durham in North Carolina. The freeway travels a new bypass, known as Painter Boulevard, on a 13.5-mile alignment3 south and east of the Greensboro city center. The February 22, 2004 opened4 freeway carries between six and eight lanes between roughly milepost 120 of original Interstate 85 and the south end of the Future Interstate 840 interchange. The highway is part of the overall planned Greensboro Beltway. Other sections of the beltway include the two-mile Future Interstate 840 between Interstates 40 and 85 and U.S. 70. Construction is underway along the northwestern segment of the Interstate 840 portion of the beltway north of Interstate 40; it will extend west to the Piedmont Triad International Airport. Construction is expected to complete the southern element of the beltway between Interstate 40 and Interstate 840 to Interstate 85 by 2007. Upon completion of this section Interstate 40 will see a relocation from its in-city routing through Greensboro onto the beltway. As a result, Interstate 40 and Interstate 85 will overlap along the 13.5-mile Painter Boulevard freeway.
Why the new alignment for Interstate 85? The answer lies in the overwhelming and often congested "Death Valley" interchange where Interstate 40 and 85 used to merge/split. The tight interchange features a narrowing of travel lanes and tight ramps for two heavily traveled freeways. NCDOT estimated 120,000 vehicles per day (vpd) traveled through Death Valley until the new bypass opened. The nickname stems from a history of fatal accidents associated with the interchange. It is hoped that Death Valley will see immediate relief with the opening of the $160 million project.3
As for old Interstate 85, the freeway now carries Business Loop I-85 between Interstate 85 and Future Interstate 840. The designation extends northward from the Lexington and High Point Business Loop to the south. No plans exist to sign the Interstate 85 and Business Loop Interstate 85 overlap between the north end of the original loop and Painter Boulevard. Instead the Business Loop is treated as a hidden designation through here. However exit numbers on the old Interstate 85 will be based upon the Business Loop Interstate 85 mileposts from Lexington northward. Thus the interchange for Future Interstate 840 will be signed Exit 44.5 Interstate 40 and Business Loop Interstate 85 will cosign from Death Valley eastward to Painter Boulevard. Upon completion of the southern portion of the beltway, Interstate 40 will relocate southward and a second Business Loop Interstate 40 freeway will be born on the old alignment. Therefore by 2007 or 2008, a Business Loop I-40 and Business Loop I-85 multiplex will exist between Death Valley and Painter Boulevard. For photos and additional information concerning Painter Boulevard, please see Gribblenation.com's Interstate 85 Greensboro Bypass.
In the Durham metropolitan area, a grandiose metamorphosis is underway along Interstate 85. The aging four-lane highway and associated parkwayesque landscape of the freeway is quickly giving way to a modern eight-lane urban freeway. Begun in 1999, this expansion project alters a highway untouched by redesign in 30 years. The construction involves widening of most areas to eight lanes, the rebuilding of shoulderless bridges, the replacement of shoulder mounted guide signs with overhead versions, installation of variable message signs, and the placement of brick sound barriers among other safety improvements. The most impressive section of new construction will result in 12 lanes for Interstate 85 near the Duke and Gregson Street exits with the inclusion of two lane collector/distributor roadways. The $175 million reconstruction will be completed in three stages: From Midland Terrace near U.S. 70 to Camden Avenue by Fall 2004; from Camden Avenue to Broad Street by Winter 2005; from Broad Street to U.S. 15-501 by Winter 2007.1
In Charlotte, Interstate 85 is being widened to eight lanes from the U.S. 29/North Carolina 49 junction in Charlotte to Speedway Boulevard at Concord Mills. The interchange with U.S. 29/North Carolina 49 is being completely redone, as well. More information is available at i85widening.org.6
Future Aspirations
The Fiscal Year 2002 Transportation Appropriations Act includes funding for a feasibility study for extending Interstate 85 west from Montgomery, Alabama, to Interstate 20 and Interstate 59 near Meridian, Mississippi. During the fall of 2002, then-Governor Don Siegalman (D) of Alabama brought up the Interstate 85 extension as well as reinforcing the desire for a Black Belt freeway corridor (possible Interstate 63?) in Western Alabama between Mobile and Florence. Nearby is the planned Interstate 14 corridor, which would follow U.S. 84 and thus would be in addition to the Interstate 85 freeway corridor through central Alabama.
Funding for these projects is generally for preliminary planning, design, and engineering, but a large amount was allocated to this project in 2005. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (enacted into law on August 10, 2005) appropriated $100 million toward the Interstate 85 Extension Project. No construction for the Interstate 85 extension is planned at the present time.
For more information on this, visit the Interstate 85 Extension home page, which includes the corridor study and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List
* - 8.00 miles on I-75, # - 38.51 on I-40, ** - Interstate 85 grew by 3.0 miles with the opening of Painter
Boulevard at Greensboro, NC
Interstate 85 Virginia Annual Average Daily Traffic
State
Location
AADT Composite
Year
Virginia
18,000
South Hill
2002
Virginia
58,000
Petersburg
2002
Source: Virginia Department of Transportation 2002 AADT
Complete Interstate 85 AADT data.
The first indication of the impending junction with Interstate 65 on Interstate 85 southbound. The last downtown Montgomery interchange departs for Union Street (Exit 1) in 0.75 miles. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (12/29/01).
Interstate 85 southbound at Exit 1/Union Street. This exit serves the Alabama State Capital building and Perry Street. Interstate 85 is now within 1.25 miles of Interstate 65. The interchange is full access with Interstate 65, even though the right-hand panel displays "TO Interstate 65 North". Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/13/05).
To Maxwell Air Force Base, follow Interstate 65 north to Herron Street. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/13/05).
Interstate 85 ascends towards the terminus with Interstate 65. Not shown in the previous signage, an access ramp continues westward to Day Street at the terminus as well. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (12/29/01).
Two lanes are allocated for both directions of Interstate 65 from Interstate 85 southbound. This slotted overhead shows the lane distribution for Interstate 65 and the Day Street connector. Although not signed, this is Exit 0 of Interstate 85. Note the differences in shields between 2003 (first photo) and 1996 (second photo). Photos taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03) and Alex Nitzman (01/96).
An Interstate 85 end shield is posted at the entrance to the terminus interchange with Interstate 65. The previous end shield carried 1988 specifications and the state name of Alabama. The sign replacement project of 1995-96 saw the replacement of that assembly with this one. On the close-up of the END Interstate 85 shield assembly, it appears that the state name originally included on this sign was taped over for the larger 24" numerals. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (08/22/03).
The mainline of Interstate 85 southbound defaults onto Interstate 65 southbound. This stack interchange sees Interstate 85 represent the highest level. The ramp to Interstate 65 southbound is almost like a left-hand turn at an intersection, thus requiring these "too fast - slow down when flashing" slotted overheads. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03) and Alex Nitzman (07/13/05).
Traffic entering Interstate 65 north is provided this sign bridge for the pending merge onto the mainline and encountering of Exit 172 for Herron Street. Interstate 65 otherwise quickly leaves the Montgomery central business district across the Alabama River into Elmore County. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03).
Back to the mainline, Interstate 85 south draws to a close as traffic splits for Interstate 65 southbound and Day Street westbound. A rural, nondescript 163-mile journey awaits those traveling southbound on Interstate 65 to the city limits of Mobile. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/13/05).
The gore point sign for the connection reads "South Interstate 65" with no control city. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/13/05).
Continuing westward onto Day Street, traffic descends back to street level and this traffic light. This ramp connects allows traffic to access Maxwell Air Force Base and eventually to U.S. 31-80 and Alabama 152. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
Perspective from Interstate 65 north
The first guide sign of Exit 171/the northbound beginning of Interstate 85 on Interstate 65 northbound. This sign is posted between exits 169 and 170 to give motorists advance notice of the busy partition of traffic. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/21/05).
Shortly thereafter is this mileage sign for the next three exits on northbound Interstate 65: Exit 170, Fairview Avenue; Exit 171, Junction Interstate 85 north; and Exit 172, Herron Street. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/21/05).
The next sign bridge for Interstate 85 is located after the offramp for Exit 170, Fairview Avenue. The first photo shows the original button copy sign bridge on Interstate 65 northbound, one mile south of Exit 171/Interstate 85 north. Similar button copy signage along Interstate 85 was replaced between 1995 and 1996; button copy signage on Interstate 65 lasted longer, but was replaced by 1999. The other two photos show the reflective sign replacements at the one-mile sign bridge for Exit 171. As is standard practice with button copy sign replacements in Alabama, the lighting fixtures were also removed. The northbound control city features just Atlanta. However, Interstate 85 north also serves the smaller Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area between Exits 51 and 64. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman (04/95, 08/22/03, 06/21/05).
Second to last set of Interstate 65 and 85 overheads for the split of the southeastern Interstates. The right-hand panel is the last remaining original sign for the meeting of the two highways from any direction. Photos taken by AARoads (10/04/01) and Alex Nitzman (06/21/05).
Interstate 65 north splits with Interstate 85 north, with the left two lanes following Interstate 65 north and the right two lanes turning northeast onto Interstate 85. The button copy signage and overhead lighting assembles shown in 1996 were replaced in 1999; the second two photos show more recent views of this interchange. Interstate 65 follows the second level of the three-level stack interchange. There is no access from northbound Interstate 65 to Day Street, located off to the west; however, Interstate 65 south does provide a connection to Day Street. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman (8/96), AARoads (10/04/01), and Alex Nitzman (06/21/05).
Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 65 north
First indication of the southern terminus of Interstate 85 interchange (Exit 171) on Interstate 65 southbound. The high rise to the left is that of the AM South building. It is essentially the only piece to Montgomery's non-existent skyline. The next exit (173) connects to the semi-freeway North Boulevard. The highway is actually Alabama 152, but this sign panel omits that distinction. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
Crossing the Alabama River on Interstate 65 southbound, one mile north of the southern terminus of Interstate 85. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/06/03).
Now within 0.75 miles of the southern terminus of Interstate 85, Exit 172 departs for downtown Montgomery via Clay Street. This interchange ties into the original in-city routing of U.S. 80. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
Traffic merging in from the Exit 172 interchange is faced quickly with the decision to move left onto the Interstate 65 mainline or to stay in place and depart onto Interstate 85 northbound or Day Street eastbound (Exit 171). Interstate 85 departs for Atlanta in one quarter mile. The capital city of Georgia will be entered via Interstate 85 in 155 miles to the northeast. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
A rather large Interstate 85 panel is in place at the gore point of Exit 171 from Interstate 65 southbound. A similar panel is in place at the gore on northbound as well, as both ramps utilize a sharp curve with a suggested speed limit of 40 MPH. The Day Street connector is accessible from Interstate 65 southbound to the right. It is also signed simply as Exit 171. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
A typical Interstate to Interstate connection in Alabama features the Interstates in question on the associated gore point signage. Note that traffic accessing Day Street must exit off of the Interstate 85 ramp first. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
The interchange between Interstate 65, 85, and the Day Street connector is a four level stack. This view shows the stack interchange from the southbound Interstate 65 to northbound Interstate 85 ramp. The ramp in the foreground is that carrying traffic from Interstate 85 southbound onto Day Street. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/96).
Further along the Interstate 85 northbound ramp from Interstate 65 south. The bridges overhead are that of the Interstate 65 travel lanes, with the southbound flyover to southbound Interstate 65 from Interstate 85 positioned high above. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/96).
Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 65 south
The beginning of the Day Street connector ramps to Interstate 65 and Interstate 85 northbound. The connector features ramps to both Interstates, but only to the northbound direction of Interstate 65. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
A look at the shield/guide sign assembly on the Day Street connector beginning. Interstate 65 will reach the city limits of Birmingham in 86 miles. Interstate 85 meanwhile sees its first ten miles within the city limits of Montgomery. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
The Day Street connector partitions into ramps for Interstate 65 and 85 northbound. The flyover in the foreground is that of Interstate 85 south to Interstate 65 south. The bridges in the background are that of the Interstate 65 mainline. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
Interstate 65 and 85 shield assembly at the gore point and end of the Day Street connector. Traffic to Interstate 85 will merge with Exit 171 traffic from Interstate 65 southbound before becoming the Interstate 85 mainline. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/15/03).
Perspective from Interstate 85 north
Now traveling north on Interstate 85 and departing the Interstate 65 interchange, this sign designates Interstate 85 as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Expressway. Note the see-through overhead in the southbound direction on the left side of this picture. Interstate 85 north is three lanes wide and has urban features as it wends through downtown Montgomery. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/21/05).
The first exit on northbound Interstate 85 is Exit 1, Court Street, which serves downtown Montgomery and Alabama State University. The right lane becomes exit only, leaving the left three lanes to carry Interstate 85 north. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/21/05).
Reaching Exit 1 (Court Street), this is the first overhead pull-through sign for Interstate 85/Martin Luther King, Jr. Expressway north to Atlanta. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/21/05).
The next exit along northbound is Exit 2, Forest Avenue. Interstate 85 widens out to five lanes, with the right lane exit only for Exit 2. Note the combed concrete on this nascent freeway. Wider sections of Interstate 85 await the traveler in Atlanta, but this is still a pretty wide freeway! Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/21/05).
Northern Terminus - Interstate 95 - Petersburg, Virginia
Perspective from Interstate 85 north and U.S. 460 east
Traveling north on Interstate 85 and east on U.S. 460, the first advance sign for Interstate 95 is at this roadside sign, some 1.75 miles west of the Interstate 85-95 interchange. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (08/08/04).
For the continuation of U.S. 460 east, follow Exit 68, Junction Interstate 95 south. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (08/08/04).
To U.S. 301 (Crater Road), use Interstate 95 south and U.S. 460 east (via Exit 68). To U.S. 301 (Washington Street and Wythe Street), use Exit 69 for downtown Petersburg. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/22/05).
The final three exits on northbound Interstate 85 are as follows: Exit 68, Interstate 95 south and U.S. 460 east to U.S. 301; Exit 69, Wythe Street and Washington Street (which actually connects to Interstate 95's collector-distributor lanes for downtown Petersburg); and the direct transition onto northbound Interstate 95 for all through traffic. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/22/05).
For Virginia Beach, follow U.S. 460 east via Interstate 95 south (Exit 68). U.S. 460 overlaps with Interstate 85 from Exit 61 eastward to the terminus where it turns southward along Interstate 95 for one mile to Exit 50. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/22/05).
To Virginia 36 en route to Fort Lee and Hopewell, use the downtown exit (Exit 69). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/22/05).
Traffic wishing to turn south via Interstate 95 departs here, about three-quarters of a mile before mainline Interstate 85 north merges onto Interstate 95 north. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (08/08/04).
Continuing north, "END Interstate 85/NORTH Interstate 95" signage is posted on this overpass, just before Exit 69 and the merge onto northbound Interstate 95. Interstate 95 enters the Virginia capital city of Richmond in 18 miles. This connection was originally part of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The turnpike began as Interstate 85 at U.S. 1 (Exit 63) and continued northward to the Interstate 64 overlap of Interstate 95 in downtown Richmond. Tolls of this turnpike were removed by 1989. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (08/08/04).
Northbound Interstate 85 reaches its final offramp, Exit 69, Junction U.S. 301, Wythe Street/Washington Street. Note that the connection is merely to the Interstate 95 collector-distributor lanes. The two left lanes merge into one lane, and that one lane merges directly onto Interstate 95 north. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (08/08/04).
Northbound Interstate 85 merges directly onto Interstate 95 north. The next exit on northbound Interstate 95 is Exit 52, Bank Street. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/22/05).
Perspective from Interstate 95 south
The first advance sign for the junction with Interstate 85 south appears shortly before Exit 54, Junction Virginia 144/Temple Avenue. The split with Interstate 85 is at Exit 51 of southbound Interstate 95. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (07/01/05).
The split between Interstate 95 and Interstate 85 is a major division between two southerly routes: Interstate 95 chooses to follow the coastline through the Carolinas and Georgia into Florida, while Interstate 85 opts for a southwesterly take on the road toward Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Montgomery. In addition, this interchange serves the connection to U.S. 460 southeast to Norfolk and west to Lynchburg. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (07/01/05).
A mileage sign posted after the two-mile advance sign does not refer to the split with Interstate 85, but it does provide the distance to the three exits that serve the city of Petersburg. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (07/01/05)
Interstate 95 south will lose its third lane to the southbound beginning of Interstate 85 at Exit 51; the right lane becomes exit only. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (07/01/05).
Downtown Petersburg traffic is directed via Exit 52 to Wythe and Washington Streets. Meanwhile Interstate 95 will split from the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike in one mile. Note the long distance control cities for Interstate 85 including Durham and Atlanta in place of South Hill. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (07/01/05).
U.S. 460 eastbound merges onto Interstate 95 from Interstate 85 northbound. Therefore motorists wishing to access U.S. 460 eastbound to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Hampton Roads in general is advised to remain on Interstate 95. Incidentally, Virginia is one of only a handful of east coast states to still utilize overhead highway lighting. Other states include Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (07/01/05).
Interstate 95 southbound at the southbound beginning of Interstate 85 and U.S. 460 eastbound overlap at Exit 51. This sign bridge is notable in the road enthusiast community because of the choice of Miami as a southbound control city for Interstate 95 and Atlanta for Interstate 85 south. Both cities are several hundred miles to the south, yet Virginia decides to "go the distance" at this major Interstate partition. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (07/01/05).
This original overhead dates back to the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike days of Interstate 95 and the northern three miles of Interstate 85. U.S. 460 was not multiplexed with Interstate 85 at this time because of the tolls in place for the Turnpike. Therefore this overhead pointed the way to access U.S. 460 east and west. The control cities of Atlanta and Miami are still highlighted at this junction. Photo taken by Michael Summa (1976).
Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 95 south
The first sign of Interstate 85 appears 2.25 miles south of the northern terminus in the form of this Exit 51 overhead. U.S. 460 merges onto Interstate 95 near milepost 50 and continues westward with Interstate 95 to Exit 51 where it departs via Interstate 85 south. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03).
A collector/distributor roadway departs for Exits 50B, 50C, and 50D, facilitating travel to U.S. 460 east, U.S. 301, and into downtown Petersburg. Mainline traffic can continue unimpeded to Exit 51/Interstate 85 south/U.S. 460 west. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03).
Continuing northbound on Interstate 95/U.S. 460, Exit 50B for U.S. 301 south/Crater Road departs from the adjacent c/d lanes. Interstate 85 and U.S. 460 are displayed with Interstate 95 on the pull-through panel of the c/d roadway. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03).
Exit 50D departs for Washington and Wythe Streets into downtown Petersburg. The same streets are served by the final northbound interchange of Interstate 85. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03).
Interstate 85 southbound begins in one-eighth mile, just past the merge of the collector/distributor roadway into Interstate 95 north. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03).
Interstate 95 northbound at the departure of U.S. 460 west onto Interstate 85's southbound beginning. The control cities are the Virginia communities of South Hill (Interstate 85 junction at U.S. 58) and Blackstone for U.S. 460 west. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/02/03).
Even on northbound U.S. 1 in Petersburg, signs describe the connection to northbound Interstate 85 as "To Interstate 95." Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/22/05).
Footnotes:
"I-85 to be 12 lanes near Northgate." The Herald Sun, September 4, 2003.
