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Tight turns at hectic 77, 85 interchange eyed for redesign
Just say slow? Nice idea. Not working.
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Published: June 30, 2009
CHARLOTTE - It's the busiest interchange in the state. It's also one of the most poorly designed.
The junction of Interstate 77 and 85, built in 1976, doesn't have soaring flyover ramps found on more modern interchanges. Instead, it has a number of tight, cloverleaf turns -- two of which have proved particularly accident prone.
To keep trucks from tipping and to reduce accidents, the N.C. Department of Transportation has tried a number of measures to get people to slow down.
It has installed a special warning sign. It installed white-and-yellow plastic markers to designate the boundaries of the ramp. And last year it installed a flashing sign that gives motorists their real-time speed, encouraging them to slow down.
The flashing "your speed" signs are at two ramps: I-85 southbound to I-77 southbound and I-85 northbound to I-77 northbound.
But it's unclear if those fixes will be enough -- or if DOT will need to build a new flyover ramp to make the interchange safer.
Accident data in recent years is mixed.
From 2004 to 2007, there were 69 vehicle crashes on the I-85 south to I-77 ramp. In December 2007, the state installed the flashing "your speed" sign, and recorded 40 vehicle accidents in the next 12 months. That's on pace for 120 in three years.
On the other hand, there were nine truck rollover crashes from 2004 to 2007. There has only been one in the last year.
Last Saturday, the ramp from I-77 south to I-85 north was closed for several hours after an accident between a truck and car. A woman was driving too fast on the ramp and hit a truck carrying diesel
heading north on I-85.
That ramp doesn't have a flashing "your speed" sign.
"We have done everything that we know to do," said Barry Moose, the division engineer with the N.C. Department of Transportation who oversees the Charlotte region. "The next step in my mind is: Can we construct a new ramp?"
Moose said the state could build new flyover ramps for the two ramps deemed most dangerous. But each bridge would likely cost at least $20 million, and there's no money in the budget. Because of a shortfall in gas tax revenue and taxes collected on the sales of new cars, the DOT is cutting a number of projects slated for construction.
Moose said the state is planning to do a study on how to extend the I-77 south HOV lane to Fifth Street. He might ask the consultant to also study how to build a flyover for the I-85 south to I-77 south ramp.
The interchange will likely need to be rebuilt in the next 20 or 30 years.
Randy Rorie is an instructor at the Charlotte Truck Driving Training School on Hovis Road. He said most of the accidents are likely caused by drivers not paying attention.
"They get tired, they get complacent," Rorie said.
He also said some inexperienced drivers may tip over or lose loads because they are trying to keep up their speed on the ramp so they can easily merge into traffic.
"The more experienced drivers aren't concerned about that," Rorie said. "They are used to making people mad."
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