Member Briefing: July 1, 2022
- June 30, 2022
- Posted by: Jacob Rigg
- Category: Member briefing
Here is a brief weekly update from the RTA business coalition – the voice of the regional business community on transportation.
Our newest Interstate opens — welcome I-885…
I-885 officially opened this afternoon, June 30, 2022. RTA celebrated the I-885 ribbon cutting that was led by several dignitaries including Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal, Durham County Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton, NCDOT Chief Operating Officer Joey Hopkins, NCDOT Board of Transportation member Valerie Jordan, N.C. Representative Zack Hawkins, and N.C. Senator Natalie Murdock.
The opening of the I-885 connector is a big deal for accessibility; many Durham area travelers will be able to shave 10+ minutes off of their travel while relieving through traffic from Downtown. Today’s opening has also created a freeway loop around Downtown Durham, and a new north-south signal-free route between I-85, Research Triangle Park, and Sanford via I-885, Toll 885, and US 1 South. RTA is proud to have supported the project for well over a decade and is thrilled to see it open for public use and posted on online maps.
… Which means I-587 is now our region’s second-newest Interstate …
Greenville is the home of East Carolina University, some of the state’s best barbecue, and now the eastern terminus of Interstate 587. Running along the (now former) US 264 corridor from I-95 to NC 11 at Vidant Medical Center, I-587 puts Greenville on the national Interstate map, and it also brings our extended Triangle metropolitan area another new Interstate corridor. Read more about this new Interstate along with some quotes in this week’s blog.
… And yet we are just getting started
There are even more Interstates coming, including Interstate 42 from Garner to the coast and the expansion of I-87 in eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Our freeway network is the backbone of commerce and opportunity, and improving and leveraging that network is a vital part of our Accelerated Metropolitan Mobility strategy for our region. RTA will continue our 20+ year push to make our transportation network second to none as our market and state grows.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to regional business leadership on mobility. Happy Birthday America, and have a great Independence Day weekend.
Let’s get moving,
Joe
RTA Executive Director
Click here for prior RTA Member Briefings and RTA Blogs.
