Jump to content

Interstate 85: Difference between revisions

Route map:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Reverted Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5
 
(50 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Interstate across southeastern US}}
{{Short description|Interstate Highway across the southeastern US}}
{{Redirect|I-85|the submarine|Japanese submarine I-185}}
{{Redirect|I-85|the submarine|Japanese submarine I-185}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox road
{{Infobox road
|country=USA
| country = USA
|type=I
| type = I
|route=85
| route = 85
|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|type=line|from=Interstate 85.map}}
| map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|type=line|from=Interstate 85.map}}
|map_custom=yes
| map_custom = yes
|length_mi=666.05
| length_mi = 666.05
| length_ref = <ref name="fhwa">{{cite web |last=Starks |first=Edward |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm |access-date=August 17, 2022 |work=FHWA Route Log and Finder List |publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]]}}</ref>
|length_round=2
| established = {{start date|1958|08|04}}
|length_ref=<ref name="fhwa">{{cite web |first = Kevin |last = Adderly |date = February 21, 2017 |url = http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/routefinder/table1.cfm |title = Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2016 |work = Route Log and Finder List |publisher = [[Federal Highway Administration]] |access-date = March 21, 2017 }}</ref>
| direction_a = South
|established={{start date|1958|08|04}}
| terminus_a = {{Jct|country=USA|I|65|US|82}} in [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery, AL]]
|direction_a=South
| junction = <!-- Major junctions only; Only 5-8 most major intersections and cities belong here; please read [[WP:USRD/STDS]] for more info -->
|terminus_a={{Jct|country=USA|I|65|US|82}} in [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery, AL]]
|junction=<!-- Major junctions only; Only 5-8 most major intersections and cities belong here; please read [[WP:USRD/STDS]] for more info -->{{plainlist|1=
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|75}} through [[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|75}} through [[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|20}} in Atlanta, GA
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|20}} in Atlanta, GA
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|26}} near [[Spartanburg, South Carolina|Spartanburg, SC]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|26}} near [[Spartanburg, South Carolina|Spartanburg, SC]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|77}} in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte, NC]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|77|US|21}} in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte, NC]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|74}} near [[Archdale, North Carolina|Archdale, NC]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|74}} near [[Archdale, North Carolina|Archdale, NC]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|73}} in [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro, NC]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|73}} in [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro, NC]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|40}} from Greensboro, NC to [[Hillsborough, North Carolina|Hillsborough NC]] }}
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|40}} from Greensboro, NC to [[Hillsborough, North Carolina|Hillsborough, NC]]
|direction_b=North
| direction_b = North
|terminus_b={{Jct|country=USA|I|95|US|460}} in [[Petersburg, Virginia|Petersburg, VA]]
| terminus_b = {{Jct|country=USA|I|95|US|460}} in [[Petersburg, Virginia|Petersburg, VA]]
|states=[[Alabama]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[South Carolina]], [[North Carolina]], [[Virginia]]
| states = [[Alabama]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[South Carolina]], [[North Carolina]], [[Virginia]]
}}
}}
'''Interstate 85''' ('''I-85''') is a major [[Interstate Highway]] in the [[Southeastern United States]]. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with [[Interstate 65|I-65]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama]]; its northern terminus interchanges with [[I-95]] in [[Petersburg, Virginia]], near [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]]. It is nominally north–south as it carries an odd number, but it is physically oriented northeast–southwest and covers a larger east-west span than north-south. While most interstates that end in a "5" are cross-country, I-85 is primarily a regional route serving five southeastern states: [[Virginia]], [[North Carolina]], [[South Carolina]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and [[Alabama]]. Major metropolitan areas served by I-85 include the [[Greater Richmond Region]] in Virginia, the [[Research Triangle]], [[Piedmont Triad]], and [[Charlotte metropolitan area]] regions of North Carolina, [[Upstate South Carolina]], the [[Atlanta metropolitan area]] in Georgia, and the [[Montgomery metropolitan area]] in Alabama. There are plans to extend I-85 along the [[U.S. Route 80|US 80]] corridor into [[Mississippi]]. Because of its diagonal nature, portions of the highway are to the west of several other north-south interstates of lower numeric value, which puts it out of the Interstate grid.
'''Interstate&nbsp;85''' ('''I-85''') is a major [[Interstate Highway]] in the [[Southeastern United States]]. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with [[Interstate 65|I-65]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama]]; its northern terminus is an interchange with [[Interstate 95|I-95]] in [[Petersburg, Virginia]], near [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]]. It is nominally north–south as it carries an odd number, but it is physically oriented northeast–southwest and covers a larger east–west span than north–south. While most Interstates that end in a "5" are cross-country, I-85 is primarily a regional route serving five southeastern states: [[Virginia]], [[North Carolina]], [[South Carolina]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and [[Alabama]].


Major metropolitan areas served by I-85 include the [[Greater Richmond Region]] in Virginia, the [[Research Triangle]], [[Piedmont Triad]], and [[Charlotte metropolitan area]] regions of North Carolina, [[Upstate South Carolina]], the [[Atlanta metropolitan area]] in Georgia, and the [[Montgomery metropolitan area]] in Alabama. There are plans to extend I-85 along the [[U.S. Route 80|US Route&nbsp;80]] (US&nbsp;80) corridor into [[Mississippi]]. Because of its unusually diagonal nature, portions of I-85 are to the west of [[Interstate 75|I-75]], which puts I-85 out of the Interstate grid.
==Route description==
I-85 is a route that serves several major locations in the Southeastern United States, stretching from Alabama to Virginia and major metropolitan areas such as [[Atlanta]] and [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]].


==Route description==
{{lengths table|length_ref=<ref name=fhwa />}}
{{lengths table|length_ref=<ref name=fhwa />}}
|-
|-
Line 51: Line 51:
|{{convert|666.05|mi|km|disp=table}}
|{{convert|666.05|mi|km|disp=table}}
|}
|}
I-85 is a route that serves several major locations in the Southeastern United States, stretching from Alabama to Virginia serving major metropolitan areas such as [[Atlanta]] and [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]].


===Alabama===
===Alabama===
{{Main|Interstate 85 in Alabama}}
{{Main|Interstate 85 in Alabama}}
<!-- keep it short and sweet -->
<!-- keep it short and sweet -->
[[File:Auburn-AL-city-map.png|150px|thumb|left|City map of Auburn, Alabama, showing I-85 passing to the south]]
[[File:I-85 North Exit 70 - CR 388 (32908261035).jpg|thumb|left|I-85 southwest of Cusseta]]
I-85 begins as a [[T-intersection]] off [[Interstate 65|I-65]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]]. From there, I-85 parallels [[U.S. Route 80]] (US&nbsp;80) until the highway nears [[Tuskegee, Alabama|Tuskegee]]. At Tuskegee, I-85 leaves US 80 and starts to parallel [[U.S. Route 29|US&nbsp;29]], which the highway parallels for much of its length.
I-85 begins as a [[T intersection]] off [[Interstate 65|I-65]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]]. From there, I-85 parallels [[U.S. Route 80|US&nbsp;80]] until the highway nears [[Tuskegee, Alabama|Tuskegee]]. At Tuskegee, I-85 leaves US&nbsp;80 and starts to parallel [[U.S. Route 29|US&nbsp;29]], which the highway parallels for much of its length.


I-85 also passes near [[Auburn, Alabama|Auburn]], [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika]], [[Valley, Alabama|Valley]] and [[Lanett, Alabama|Lanett]] before crossing the [[Chattahoochee River]] into [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].
I-85 also passes near [[Auburn, Alabama|Auburn]], [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika]], [[Valley, Alabama|Valley]], and [[Lanett, Alabama|Lanett]] before crossing the [[Chattahoochee River]] into [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].


I-85 is planned to be rerouted southward just east of Montgomery, where it will intersect with I-65 just south of [[Downtown Montgomery, Alabama|downtown Montgomery]] and then have a future southern terminus at the concurrency of [[Interstate 20|I-20]]/[[Interstate 59|59]] just northeast of [[Cuba, Alabama|Cuba]]. Future [[Interstate 685|I-685]] will be the new designation for the route of current I-85, which leads directly to I-65 in downtown Montgomery.
I-85 is planned to be rerouted southward just east of Montgomery, where it will intersect with I-65 just south of downtown Montgomery and then have a future southern terminus at the concurrency of [[Interstate 20|I-20]]/[[Interstate 59|I-59]] just northeast of [[Cuba, Alabama|Cuba]]. Future [[Interstate 685 (Alabama)|I-685]] will be the new designation for the route of current I-85, which leads directly to I-65 in downtown Montgomery.


=== Georgia ===
=== Georgia ===
<!-- keep short and sweet -->
<!-- keep short and sweet -->
{{Main|Interstate 85 in Georgia}}
{{Main|Interstate 85 in Georgia}}
[[File:Atlanta 75.85.jpg|thumb|right|[[I-75]] co-signed with I-85 in downtown [[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]]]
[[File:Atlanta 75.85.jpg|thumb|right|I-75 cosigned with I-85 in Downtown Atlanta]]
In Georgia, I-85 (unsigned State Route 403) bypasses [[West Point, Georgia|West Point]] before coming into the [[LaGrange, Georgia|LaGrange]] area. East of LaGrange, I-85 intersects [[Interstate 185 (Georgia)|I-185]] which connects to [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]] and [[Fort Benning, Georgia|Fort Benning]]. In the Atlanta area, I-85 intersects [[Interstate 20|I-20]] and merges with [[Interstate 75|I-75]] ([[Downtown Connector]]) through the downtown area. North of Atlanta, [[Interstate 985|I-985]] provides a link to [[Gainesville, Georgia|Gainesville]] before heading through northeastern Georgia and then crossing into [[South Carolina]].
In Georgia, I-85 (unsigned State Route&nbsp;403 [SR&nbsp;403]) bypasses [[West Point, Georgia|West Point]] before coming into the [[LaGrange, Georgia|LaGrange]] area. East of LaGrange, I-85 intersects [[Interstate 185 (Georgia)|I-185]] which connects to [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]] and [[Fort Moore]]. In the Atlanta area, I-85 intersects [[Interstate 20|I-20]] and merges with [[Interstate 75|I-75]] ([[Downtown Connector]]) through the downtown area. North of Atlanta, [[Interstate 985|I-985]] provides a link to [[Gainesville, Georgia|Gainesville]] before I-85 continues through northeastern Georgia and then crosses into [[South Carolina]].


===South Carolina===
===South Carolina===
<!-- keep short and sweet -->
<!-- keep short and sweet -->
[[File:SC I-85 North-Exit 1.jpg|thumb|left|I-85 North after Exit 1 in [[Oconee County, South Carolina]], in 2008]]
{{Main|Interstate 85 in South Carolina}}
{{Main|Interstate 85 in South Carolina}}
[[File:Junction of I-185 and I-85, Greenville, South Carolina (6120538540).jpg|thumb|I-85 southbound at interchange with I-185/US&nbsp;29 in Greenville]]
I-85 provides the major transportation route for [[the Upstate]] of [[South Carolina]], linking together the major centers of [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]] and [[Spartanburg]] with regional centers of importance. In Spartanburg, [[BMW]] has a major manufacturing plant that can be seen from the highway. In South Carolina, I-85 bypasses [[Clemson, South Carolina|Clemson]] and [[Anderson, South Carolina|Anderson]] on the way to Greenville. Beginning at Anderson, I-85 widens from four to six lanes. Near [[Powdersville, South Carolina|Powdersville]], US&nbsp;29 joins I-85 and they [[concurrency (road)|run concurrently]] until they cross the [[Saluda River]]. I-85 bypasses just south of Greenville, but provides two links into the city via spur routes [[Interstate 185 (South Carolina)|I-185]] and [[Interstate 385|I-385]]. I-85 also has direct exits to [[Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport]], which serves the Greenville–Spartanburg metropolitan area. I-85 then bypasses the city of Spartanburg to the north. Its original route is now signed as [[Interstate 85 Business (Spartanburg, South Carolina)|Business Loop 85]] and was approved by AASHTO on April 22, 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.interstate-guide.com/i-085.html |title = Interstate 85 |work = Interstate-Guide.com |access-date = May 27, 2007 }}{{self-published source|date=March 2017}}</ref>{{self-published inline|certain=y|date=March 2017}} Near mile marker 70, I-85 intersects with I-26. The exits are signed as exits 70A for eastbound traffic and 70B for westbound traffic. North of Spartanburg, I-85 narrows from six lanes back to four lanes and bypasses [[Gaffney, South Carolina|Gaffney]]. Much of the terrain between Spartanburg and the North Carolina border is rural in nature but congested to the state line due to its location near Charlotte.
I-85 provides the major transportation route for [[the Upstate]] of [[South Carolina]], linking together the major centers of [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]] and [[Spartanburg]] with regional centers of importance. In Spartanburg, [[BMW]] has a major manufacturing plant that can be seen from the highway. In South Carolina, I-85 bypasses [[Clemson, South Carolina|Clemson]] and [[Anderson, South Carolina|Anderson]] on the way to Greenville. Beginning at Anderson, I-85 widens from four to six lanes. Near [[Powdersville, South Carolina|Powdersville]], US&nbsp;29 joins I-85 and they [[concurrency (road)|run concurrently]] until they cross the [[Saluda River]]. I-85 bypasses just south of Greenville but provides two links into the city via spur routes [[Interstate 185 (South Carolina)|I-185]] and [[Interstate 385|I-385]].

I-85 also has direct exits to [[Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport]], which serves the Greenville–Spartanburg metropolitan area. I-85 then bypasses the city of Spartanburg to the north. Its original route is now signed as [[Interstate 85 Business (Spartanburg, South Carolina)|I-85 Business]] (I-85 Bus) and was approved by the [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] (AASHTO) on April 22, 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.interstate-guide.com/i-085.html |title = Interstate 85 |work = Interstate-Guide.com |access-date = May 27, 2007 |archive-date = May 14, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120514101249/http://www.interstate-guide.com/i-085.html |url-status = dead }}{{self-published source|date=March 2017}}</ref>{{self-published inline|certain=y|date=March 2017}} Near milemarker&nbsp;70, I-85 intersects with I-26. The exits are signed as exits&nbsp;70A for eastbound traffic and 70B for westbound traffic. North of Spartanburg, I-85 narrows from six lanes back to four lanes and bypasses [[Gaffney, South Carolina|Gaffney]]. Much of the terrain between Spartanburg and the North Carolina border is rural in nature but congested to the state line due to its location near Charlotte.


===North Carolina===
===North Carolina===
<!-- keep short and sweet -->
<!-- keep short and sweet -->
[[File:I40i85NC.jpg|thumb|right|I-40/85 through [[Burlington, North Carolina]]]]
{{Main|Interstate 85 in North Carolina}}
{{Main|Interstate 85 in North Carolina}}
[[File:I40i85NC.jpg|thumb|right|I-40/I-85 through Burlington]]
In North Carolina, I-85 enters a relatively rural area near Kings Mountain before entering the Gastonia and Charlotte areas. In Charlotte, I-85 bypasses [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport]] and turns northeastward just before reaching [[Charlotte center city|uptown Charlotte]]; thus I-85 just bypasses uptown to the north where it junctions with [[Interstate 77|I-77]]. North of Charlotte, the highway passes near [[Concord, North Carolina|Concord]], [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]], [[Lexington, North Carolina|Lexington]] and High Point before reaching Greensboro. At Greensboro, I-85 shifts away from downtown I-85 Business Loop (old I-85 through town). I-85 then joins I-40 east of downtown, and the two highways are cosigned as they pass through [[Burlington, North Carolina|Burlington]], [[Graham, North Carolina|Graham]] and [[Mebane, North Carolina|Mebane]] then separate near [[Hillsborough, North Carolina|Hillsborough]] where [[Interstate 40|I-40]] turns toward [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina|Chapel Hill]], [[Cary, North Carolina|Cary]] and [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]. After the split with I-40, I-85 continues to [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]], before turning northeastward through Oxford then Henderson toward [[Virginia]].
In North Carolina, I-85 enters a relatively rural area near Kings Mountain before entering the Gastonia and Charlotte areas. In Charlotte, I-85 bypasses [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport]] and turns northeastward just before reaching [[Uptown Charlotte]]; thus, I-85 just bypasses uptown to the north where it junctions with [[Interstate 77|I-77]]. North of Charlotte, the highway passes near [[Concord, North Carolina|Concord]], [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]], [[Lexington, North Carolina|Lexington]], and [[High Point, North Carolina|High Point]] before reaching [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]].

At Greensboro, I-85 shifts away from downtown I-85 Bus (old I-85 through town). I-85 then joins I-40 east of downtown, and the two highways are cosigned as they pass through [[Burlington, North Carolina|Burlington]], [[Graham, North Carolina|Graham]], and [[Mebane, North Carolina|Mebane]] then separate near [[Hillsborough, North Carolina|Hillsborough]] where [[Interstate 40|I-40]] turns toward [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina|Chapel Hill]], [[Cary, North Carolina|Cary]], and [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]. After the split with I-40, I-85 continues to [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]], before turning northeastward through [[Oxford, North Carolina|Oxford]] then [[Henderson, North Carolina|Henderson]] toward [[Virginia]].


===Virginia===
===Virginia===
<!-- keep short and sweet -->
<!-- keep short and sweet -->
[[File:I-95 exit 51.jpg|thumb|left|I-85's terminus at I-95 near Petersburg, VA]]
{{Main|Interstate 85 in Virginia}}
{{Main|Interstate 85 in Virginia}}
[[File:I-95 exit 51.jpg|thumb|left|I-85's terminus at I-95 near Petersburg]]
Starting from the Virginia border, the route passes [[South Hill, Virginia|South Hill]] and [[McKenney, Virginia|McKenney]] before heading into a large forest. After the forest, I-85 reaches Petersburg and ends at [[Interstate 95 in Virginia|I-95]]. The highway is briefly cosigned with [[U.S. Route 460|US&nbsp;460]] from a few miles west of Petersburg in [[Dinwiddie County, Virginia|Dinwiddie County]] to I-95. I-85 follows the same general path as [[U.S. Route 1|US 1]] (Boydton Plank Road and [[Jefferson Davis Highway]]), as the two cross several times between the North Carolina border and the northern terminus outside Petersburg.
Starting from the Virginia border, the route passes [[South Hill, Virginia|South Hill]] and [[McKenney, Virginia|McKenney]] before heading into a large forest. After the forest, I-85 reaches Petersburg and ends at [[Interstate 95 in Virginia|I-95]]. The highway is briefly cosigned with [[U.S. Route 460|US&nbsp;460]] from a few miles west of Petersburg in [[Dinwiddie County, Virginia|Dinwiddie County]] to I-95. I-85 follows the same general path as [[U.S. Route 1|US&nbsp;1]] (Boydton Plank Road and [[Jefferson Davis Highway]]), as the two cross several times between the North Carolina border and the northern terminus outside Petersburg.
{{clear}}


==History==
==History==
{{See also|Interstate 85 bridge collapse}}
{{See also|Interstate 85 bridge collapse}}
In the northern half of I-85, the route roughly parallels an ancient Indian trading path documented since colonial times from Petersburg, Virginia, to the [[Catawba (tribe)|Catawba]] Indian territory.
In the northern half of I-85, the route roughly parallels an ancient Indian trading path documented since colonial times from Petersburg, Virginia, to the [[Catawba people|Catawba]] Indian territory.


I-85 near Petersburg once formed the southern end of the [[Richmond–Petersburg Turnpike]], which was completed in 1958. The tolls were removed in 1992 after [[Interstate 295 (Virginia)|I-295]] was completed.<ref>{{cite web |last = Kozel |first = Scott |url = http://www.roadstothefuture.com/RPT_I295.html |title = Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (I-95/I-85) and I-285 |work = Roads of the Future |access-date = May 27, 2007 }}{{self-published source|date=March 2017}}</ref>{{self-published inline|certain=y|date=March 2017}}
I-85 near Petersburg once formed the southern end of the [[Richmond–Petersburg Turnpike]], which was completed in 1958. The tolls were removed in 1992 after [[Interstate 295 (Virginia)|I-295]] was completed.<ref>{{cite web |last = Kozel |first = Scott |url = http://www.roadstothefuture.com/RPT_I295.html |title = Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (I-95/I-85) and I-285 |work = Roads of the Future |access-date = May 27, 2007 }}{{self-published source|date=March 2017}}</ref>{{self-published inline|certain=y|date=March 2017}}


Before a 2010 decision to raise the speed limit in the state to {{convert|70|mph|km/h}}, Virginia's portion of I-85 was also the only Interstate Highway in the state with a posted [[speed limit]] greater than {{convert|65|mph|km/h}}. It was raised from {{convert|65|to|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} on July 1, 2006, by the state legislature.
Before a 2010 decision to raise the speed limit in the state to {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, Virginia's portion of I-85 was also the only Interstate Highway in the state with a posted [[speed limit]] greater than {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. It was raised from {{convert|65|to|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on July 1, 2006, by the state legislature.


In 2004, I-85 was rerouted around Greensboro; and it split with I-40 {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} east of the original departure point. I-40 ran with I-85 along the bypass to the southern/western end and I-40 continued on a new freeway alignment at exit 121 until September 2008, when it was rerouted back to its old alignment through the city. Despite its reroute around Greensboro, the overall length for I-85 in North Carolina remains the same as before.
In 2004, I-85 was rerouted around Greensboro; and it split with I-40 {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} east of the original departure point. I-40 ran with I-85 along the bypass to the southern/western end and I-40 continued on a new freeway alignment at exit 121 until September 2008, when it was rerouted back to its old alignment through the city. Despite its reroute around Greensboro, the overall length for I-85 in North Carolina remains the same as before.
On the evening of March 30, 2017 a massive fire [[Interstate 85 bridge collapse|collapsed a bridge]] on I-85 in Atlanta. As a result, I-85 was closed to traffic for approximately {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} between its split with I-75 and the interchange with [[Georgia State Route 400|State Route 400]].
On the evening of March 30, 2017 a massive fire [[Interstate 85 bridge collapse|collapsed a bridge]] on I-85 in Atlanta. As a result, I-85 was closed to traffic for approximately {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} between its split with I-75 and the interchange with [[Georgia State Route 400|SR&nbsp;400]].


==Future==
==Future==
{{Update|section|date=December 2023}}
{{See also|U.S. Route 80 in Alabama}}
{{See also|U.S. Route 80 in Alabama}}
An extension of I-85 has been proposed west from [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]] to interchange with [[Interstate 20|I-20]]/[[Interstate 59|I-59]] just east of the [[Mississippi]]–[[Alabama]] state line,<ref>{{cite web |author-link = Volkert, Inc. |author = Volkert and Associates |url = http://www.i85extension.com/ |title = I-85 Extension Corridor Study & EUIS |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081219165056/http://www.i85extension.com/ |archive-date = December 19, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> where it will connect with I-20/I-59 near [[Cuba, Alabama]]. This extension will roughly follow the route of [[U.S. Route 80|US 80]], going through or bypassing [[Selma, Alabama|Selma]] and [[Demopolis, Alabama|Demopolis]].<ref>{{cite news |last = Dinnen |first = Jerry |url = http://www.demopolistimes.com/articles/2005/01/18/news/news02.txt |title = Shelby shares views with Hale, Greene counties |work = The Demopolis Times |date = January 17, 2005 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The [[Federal Highway Administration]] (FHWA) approved the alignment on February 17, 2011, after the [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] (AASHTO) approved at its Fall 2010 meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi. Also approved was the proposal to re-designate part of existing I-85 south and east of Montgomery to be bypassed as part of the extension of I-85 as [[Interstate 685|I-685]]. Alabama has permission to co-sign this part of I-85 as I-685 until the new alignment is built.<ref>FHWA letter downloaded from http://cms.transportation.org/sites/route/docs/Alabama%20Interstate%20FHWA%20Decision%20Letter.pdf April 14, 2011{{dead link|date=March 2017}}</ref> This section is also envisioned by some as part of a proposed [[Interstate 14|I-14]]. If this extension were to be completed, I-85 and I-20 would meet each other twice.
An extension of I-85 has been proposed west from [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]] to intersect [[Interstate 20|I-20]]/[[Interstate 59|I-59]] just east of the [[Mississippi]]–[[Alabama]] state line,<ref>{{cite web |author-link = Volkert, Inc. |author = Volkert and Associates |url = http://www.i85extension.com/ |title = I-85 Extension Corridor Study & EUIS |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081219165056/http://www.i85extension.com/ |archive-date = December 19, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> where it will connect with I-20/I-59 near [[Cuba, Alabama]]. This extension will roughly follow the route of [[U.S. Route 80|US&nbsp;80]], going through or bypassing [[Selma, Alabama|Selma]] and [[Demopolis, Alabama|Demopolis]].<ref>{{cite news |last = Dinnen |first = Jerry |url = http://www.demopolistimes.com/articles/2005/01/18/news/news02.txt |title = Shelby shares views with Hale, Greene counties |work = The Demopolis Times |date = January 17, 2005 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The [[Federal Highway Administration]] (FHWA) approved the alignment on February 17, 2011, after [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials|AASHTO]] approved at its Fall 2010 meeting in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]]. Also approved was the proposal to redesignate part of existing I-85 south and east of Montgomery to be bypassed as part of the extension of I-85 as [[Interstate 685 (Alabama)|I-685]]. Alabama has permission to cosign this part of I-85 as I-685 until the new alignment is built.<ref>FHWA letter downloaded from http://cms.transportation.org/sites/route/docs/Alabama%20Interstate%20FHWA%20Decision%20Letter.pdf April 14, 2011{{dead link|date=March 2017}}</ref> This section is also envisioned by some as part of a proposed [[Interstate 14|I-14]]. If this extension were to be completed, I-85 and I-20 would meet each other twice.

I-85 is scheduled to have several new auxiliary routes in the future. [[Interstate 785|I-785]] is planned by the [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] (NCDOT) to run from Greensboro to [[Danville, Virginia]]. The proposed route would follow the current [[U.S. Route 29|US&nbsp;29]] corridor. [[Interstate 885|I-885]] is also planned by NCDOT to run from I-40 to I-85 in the [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]] area, following [[North Carolina Highway 147|NC&nbsp;147]], the under-construction East End Connector, and [[U.S. Route 70 in North Carolina|US&nbsp;70]].


There are plans for I-85 from [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson County]] to [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina]], to become four to five lanes in each direction including [[High-occupancy vehicle lane|HOV lanes]].
There are plans for I-85 from [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson County]] to [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina]], to become four to five lanes in each direction including [[high-occupancy vehicle lane]]s (HOV lanes).


There are also plans in Georgia for I-85 to have three lanes in each direction from the state line in [[Hart County, Georgia|Hart County]] to meet up with the newly expanded portions just outside of Metro Atlanta in [[Jackson County, Georgia|Jackson County]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://majormobilityga.com/projects/i85widening/ | title=I-85 Widening, Phase I &#124; MMIP | date=June 17, 2019 }}</ref>
There are also plans in Georgia for I-85 to have three lanes in each direction from the state line in [[Hart County, Georgia|Hart County]] to meet up with the newly expanded portions just outside of the Atlanta metropolitan area in [[Jackson County, Georgia|Jackson County]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://majormobilityga.com/projects/i85widening/ |title=I-85 Widening, Phase I &#124; MMIP |date=June 17, 2019 }}</ref>


==Major junctions==
==Major junctions==
;Alabama
;Alabama
* {{jct|country=USA|I|65|US|82}} in [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|65|US|82}} in [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|80|US|231}} in Montgomery. I-85/US&nbsp;80 travels concurrently to [[Waugh, Alabama|Waugh]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|80}} in Waugh
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} in [[Auburn, Alabama|Auburn]]. The highway travels concurrently to [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|280}} in Opelika. The highway travels concurrently through Opelika.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|280|US|431}} in Opelika
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} in Opelika
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} in [[Valley, Alabama|Valley]]
;Georgia
;Georgia
* {{jct|state=GA|I|185}} near [[LaGrange, Georgia|LaGrange]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|27}} in [[LaGrange, Georgia|LaGrange]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|185|dab1=Georgia}} near LaGrange
* {{jct|state=GA|I|285}} near [[College Park, Georgia|College Park]]; I-85 intersects this highway twice.
* {{jct|country=USA|I|75}} in [[Atlanta]]; the two highways run concurrently through much of the city.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} in [[Grantville, Georgia|Grantville]]
* {{jct|country=USA|I|20}} in Atlanta
: {{jct|country=USA|US-Alt|27|US|29|dab1=Georgia}} in [[Newnan, Georgia|Newnan]]
* {{jct|state=GA|I|985}} near [[Buford, Georgia|Buford]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|285|dab1=Georgia}} near [[College Park, Georgia|College Park]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|19|US|41}} in [[Atlanta]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|75}} in Atlanta. The highway travels concurrently through Atlanta.
: {{jct|country=USA|I|20}} in Atlanta
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29|US|78|US|278}} in Atlanta
: {{jct|country=USA|US|23}} near Atlanta
: {{jct|country=USA|I|285|dab1=Georgia}} near [[Doraville, Georgia|Doraville]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|985}} near [[Buford, Georgia|Buford]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|129}} near [[Jefferson, Georgia|Jefferson]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|441}} near [[Commerce, Georgia|Commerce]]
;South Carolina
;South Carolina
* {{jct|state=SC|I|185}} near [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|76}} north of [[Anderson, South Carolina|Anderson]]
* {{jct|state=SC|I|385}} near Greenville
: {{jct|country=USA|US|178}} north of Anderson
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} northeast of Anderson. The highway travels concurrently to I-185.
* {{jct|state=SC|I|26}} near [[Spartanburg, South Carolina|Spartanburg]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|185|US|29|dab1=South Carolina}} near [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]]
* {{jct|state=SC|I|585}} near Spartanburg via [[Interstate 85 Business (Spartanburg, South Carolina)|I-85 Business Loop]]; An extension is currently underway that will extend I-585 to I-85.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|25}} in Greenville
: {{jct|country=USA|US|276}} in Greenville
: {{jct|country=USA|I|385}} in Greenville
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} near [[Greer, South Carolina|Greer]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|26}} near [[Spartanburg, South Carolina|Spartanburg]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|176}} near Spartanburg
: {{jct|country=USA|US|221}} near [[Cherokee Springs, South Carolina|Cherokee Springs]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} near [[Grover, North Carolina]]
;North Carolina
;North Carolina
* {{jct|state=NC|I|485}} around [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]]; I-85 intersects I-485 twice.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} near [[Kings Mountain, North Carolina|Kings Mountain]]. The highway travels concurrently to US&nbsp;74.
* {{jct|country=USA|I|77|US|21}} in Charlotte
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29|US|74}} in Kings Mountain
* {{jct|country=USA|I|285|US|29|US|52|US|70|dab1=North Carolina}} in [[Lexington, North Carolina|Lexington]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|321}} in [[Gastonia, North Carolina|Gastonia]]
* {{jct|country=USA|I|73}} in [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|485}} in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]]
* {{jct|country=USA|I|40|US|220|US|421}} in Greensboro; they [[Concurrency (road)|run concurrently]] until [[Hillsborough, North Carolina]].
: {{jct|country=USA|I|77|US|21}} in Charlotte
: {{jct|country=USA|I|485}} in Charlotte
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29|US|601}} in [[Concord, North Carolina|Concord]]. I-85/US&nbsp;601 travels concurrently to [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|601}} in Salisbury
: {{jct|country=USA|US|52}} in Salisbury. The highway travels concurrently to I-285.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29|US|70}} near [[Spencer, North Carolina|Spencer]]. The highway travels concurrently to I-285.
: {{jct|country=USA|I|285|US|29|US|52|US|70|dab1=North Carolina}} in [[Lexington, North Carolina|Lexington]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|64}} southeast of Lexington
: {{jct|country=USA|I|74}} near [[Archdale, North Carolina|Archdale]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} in [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]. The highway travels concurrently to I-73/US&nbsp;421.
: {{jct|country=USA|I|73|US|29|US|421}} in Greensboro. I-73/I-85/US&nbsp;421 travels concurrently through Greensboro.
: {{jct|country=USA|I|73|US|220}} in Greensboro
: {{jct|country=USA|US|421}} in Greensboro
: {{jct|country=USA|I|40|I|785|I|840|dab3=North Carolina}} in Greensboro. I-40/I-85 travels concurrently until reaching [[Hillsborough, North Carolina|Hillsborough]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|70}} in [[Eno, North Carolina|Eno]]. The highway travels concurrently to [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|15|US|501}} in Durham. I-85/US&nbsp;15 travels concurrently to near [[Butner, North Carolina|Butner]]. I-85/US&nbsp;501 travels concurrently through Durham.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|501}} in Durham
: {{jct|country=USA|I|885|US|70}} in Durham
: {{jct|country=USA|US|15}} near Butner
: {{jct|country=USA|US|15}} near [[Oxford, North Carolina|Oxford]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|158}} in Oxford
: {{jct|country=USA|US|158}} in [[Henderson, North Carolina|Henderson]]. The highway travels concurrently through Henderson.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|1}} in Henderson
: {{jct|country=USA|US|1|US|158}} in [[Middleburg, North Carolina|Middleburg]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|1|US|401}} northeast of [[Manson, North Carolina|Manson]]
;Virginia
;Virginia
* {{jct|country=USA|I|95|US|460}} in [[Petersburg, Virginia|Petersburg]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|58}} near [[South Hill, Virginia|South Hill]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|1}} in South Hill
: {{jct|country=USA|US|1}} near [[Sturgeonville, Virginia|Sturgeonville]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|460}} near [[Petersburg, Virginia|Petersburg]]. The highways travel concurrently to I-95.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|1}} near Petersburg
: {{jct|country=USA|I|95|US|460}} in Petersburg
<ref name=randmcnally>{{cite book |author = Rand McNally |year = 2014 |title = The Road Atlas |edition = Walmart |location = Chicago |publisher = Rand McNally |pages = 4, 28, 74–75, 92, 107|isbn = 978-0-528-00771-2}}</ref>


==Related routes==
==Related routes==
{{I-85 aux}}
{{I-85 aux}}


*[[Interstate 85 Business (North Carolina)|I-85 Business Loop]] in [[Lexington, North Carolina|Lexington]] and [[High Point, North Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 85 Business (North Carolina)|I-85 Bus]] in [[Lexington, North Carolina|Lexington]] and [[High Point, North Carolina|High Point]], North Carolina.
*[[Interstate 85 Business (South Carolina)|I-85 Business Loop]] in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 85 Business (South Carolina)|I-85 Bus]] in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 185 (Georgia)|I-185]] to [[Columbus, Georgia]].
*[[Interstate 185 (South Carolina)|I-185]] in [[Greenville, South Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 285 (Georgia)|I-285]] in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]].
*[[Interstate 285 (North Carolina)|I-285]] to [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 385|I-385]] in [[Greenville, South Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 485|I-485]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 585|I-585]] to [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 785|I-785]] in [[Greensboro, North Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 885|I-885]] in [[Durham, North Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 985|I-985]] to [[Gainesville, Georgia]].


==See also==
==See also==
Line 141: Line 210:
* [[Death Valley (North Carolina)]]
* [[Death Valley (North Carolina)]]
* [[I-85 Rivalry]]
* [[I-85 Rivalry]]
*[[Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion]] the megalopolis that largely follows I-85
*[[Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor]]
*[[Charlanta]]
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


Line 147: Line 219:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Interstate 85}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
*{{Commons category-inline|Interstate 85}}
* {{osmrelation-inline}}
* {{osmrelation-inline}}


Line 154: Line 226:
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Interstate 85| ]]
[[Category:Interstate 85|Interstate 85]]
[[Category:Interstate Highway System|85]]
[[Category:Interstate Highway System|85]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 1|085]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 1|085]]

Latest revision as of 09:08, 11 September 2024

"I-85" redirects here. For the submarine, see Japanese submarine I-185.

Interstate 85 marker
Interstate 85
Map
Route information
Length666.05 mi[1] (1,071.90 km)
ExistedAugust 4, 1958 (1958-08-04)–present
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end I-65 / US 82 in Montgomery, AL
Major intersections
North end I-95 / US 460 in Petersburg, VA
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesAlabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia
Highway system

Interstate 85 (I-85) is a major Interstate Highway in the Southeastern United States. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with I-65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus is an interchange with I-95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond. It is nominally north–south as it carries an odd number, but it is physically oriented northeast–southwest and covers a larger east–west span than north–south. While most Interstates that end in a "5" are cross-country, I-85 is primarily a regional route serving five southeastern states: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

Major metropolitan areas served by I-85 include the Greater Richmond Region in Virginia, the Research Triangle, Piedmont Triad, and Charlotte metropolitan area regions of North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, the Atlanta metropolitan area in Georgia, and the Montgomery metropolitan area in Alabama. There are plans to extend I-85 along the US Route 80 (US 80) corridor into Mississippi. Because of its unusually diagonal nature, portions of I-85 are to the west of I-75, which puts I-85 out of the Interstate grid.

Route description

[edit]
Lengths
  mi[1] km
AL 80.00 128.75
GA 179.90 289.52
SC 106.28 171.04
NC 231.23 372.13
VA 68.64 110.47
Total 666.05 1,071.90

I-85 is a route that serves several major locations in the Southeastern United States, stretching from Alabama to Virginia serving major metropolitan areas such as Atlanta and Charlotte.

Alabama

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 85 in Alabama
I-85 southwest of Cusseta

I-85 begins as a T intersection off I-65 in Montgomery. From there, I-85 parallels US 80 until the highway nears Tuskegee. At Tuskegee, I-85 leaves US 80 and starts to parallel US 29, which the highway parallels for much of its length.

I-85 also passes near Auburn, Opelika, Valley, and Lanett before crossing the Chattahoochee River into Georgia.

I-85 is planned to be rerouted southward just east of Montgomery, where it will intersect with I-65 just south of downtown Montgomery and then have a future southern terminus at the concurrency of I-20/I-59 just northeast of Cuba. Future I-685 will be the new designation for the route of current I-85, which leads directly to I-65 in downtown Montgomery.

Georgia

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 85 in Georgia
I-75 cosigned with I-85 in Downtown Atlanta

In Georgia, I-85 (unsigned State Route 403 [SR 403]) bypasses West Point before coming into the LaGrange area. East of LaGrange, I-85 intersects I-185 which connects to Columbus and Fort Moore. In the Atlanta area, I-85 intersects I-20 and merges with I-75 (Downtown Connector) through the downtown area. North of Atlanta, I-985 provides a link to Gainesville before I-85 continues through northeastern Georgia and then crosses into South Carolina.

South Carolina

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 85 in South Carolina
I-85 southbound at interchange with I-185/US 29 in Greenville

I-85 provides the major transportation route for the Upstate of South Carolina, linking together the major centers of Greenville and Spartanburg with regional centers of importance. In Spartanburg, BMW has a major manufacturing plant that can be seen from the highway. In South Carolina, I-85 bypasses Clemson and Anderson on the way to Greenville. Beginning at Anderson, I-85 widens from four to six lanes. Near Powdersville, US 29 joins I-85 and they run concurrently until they cross the Saluda River. I-85 bypasses just south of Greenville but provides two links into the city via spur routes I-185 and I-385.

I-85 also has direct exits to Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport, which serves the Greenville–Spartanburg metropolitan area. I-85 then bypasses the city of Spartanburg to the north. Its original route is now signed as I-85 Business (I-85 Bus) and was approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on April 22, 1995.[2][self-published source] Near milemarker 70, I-85 intersects with I-26. The exits are signed as exits 70A for eastbound traffic and 70B for westbound traffic. North of Spartanburg, I-85 narrows from six lanes back to four lanes and bypasses Gaffney. Much of the terrain between Spartanburg and the North Carolina border is rural in nature but congested to the state line due to its location near Charlotte.

North Carolina

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 85 in North Carolina
I-40/I-85 through Burlington

In North Carolina, I-85 enters a relatively rural area near Kings Mountain before entering the Gastonia and Charlotte areas. In Charlotte, I-85 bypasses Charlotte Douglas International Airport and turns northeastward just before reaching Uptown Charlotte; thus, I-85 just bypasses uptown to the north where it junctions with I-77. North of Charlotte, the highway passes near Concord, Salisbury, Lexington, and High Point before reaching Greensboro.

At Greensboro, I-85 shifts away from downtown I-85 Bus (old I-85 through town). I-85 then joins I-40 east of downtown, and the two highways are cosigned as they pass through Burlington, Graham, and Mebane then separate near Hillsborough where I-40 turns toward Chapel Hill, Cary, and Raleigh. After the split with I-40, I-85 continues to Durham, before turning northeastward through Oxford then Henderson toward Virginia.

Virginia

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 85 in Virginia
I-85's terminus at I-95 near Petersburg

Starting from the Virginia border, the route passes South Hill and McKenney before heading into a large forest. After the forest, I-85 reaches Petersburg and ends at I-95. The highway is briefly cosigned with US 460 from a few miles west of Petersburg in Dinwiddie County to I-95. I-85 follows the same general path as US 1 (Boydton Plank Road and Jefferson Davis Highway), as the two cross several times between the North Carolina border and the northern terminus outside Petersburg.

History

[edit]
See also: Interstate 85 bridge collapse

In the northern half of I-85, the route roughly parallels an ancient Indian trading path documented since colonial times from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Catawba Indian territory.

I-85 near Petersburg once formed the southern end of the Richmond–Petersburg Turnpike, which was completed in 1958. The tolls were removed in 1992 after I-295 was completed.[3][self-published source]

Before a 2010 decision to raise the speed limit in the state to 70 mph (110 km/h), Virginia's portion of I-85 was also the only Interstate Highway in the state with a posted speed limit greater than 65 mph (105 km/h). It was raised from 65 to 70 mph (105 to 113 km/h) on July 1, 2006, by the state legislature.

In 2004, I-85 was rerouted around Greensboro; and it split with I-40 eight miles (13 km) east of the original departure point. I-40 ran with I-85 along the bypass to the southern/western end and I-40 continued on a new freeway alignment at exit 121 until September 2008, when it was rerouted back to its old alignment through the city. Despite its reroute around Greensboro, the overall length for I-85 in North Carolina remains the same as before.

On the evening of March 30, 2017 a massive fire collapsed a bridge on I-85 in Atlanta. As a result, I-85 was closed to traffic for approximately two miles (3.2 km) between its split with I-75 and the interchange with SR 400.

Future

[edit]
See also: U.S. Route 80 in Alabama

An extension of I-85 has been proposed west from Montgomery to intersect I-20/I-59 just east of the Mississippi–Alabama state line,[4] where it will connect with I-20/I-59 near Cuba, Alabama. This extension will roughly follow the route of US 80, going through or bypassing Selma and Demopolis.[5] The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the alignment on February 17, 2011, after AASHTO approved at its Fall 2010 meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi. Also approved was the proposal to redesignate part of existing I-85 south and east of Montgomery to be bypassed as part of the extension of I-85 as I-685. Alabama has permission to cosign this part of I-85 as I-685 until the new alignment is built.[6] This section is also envisioned by some as part of a proposed I-14. If this extension were to be completed, I-85 and I-20 would meet each other twice.

There are plans for I-85 from Anderson County to Spartanburg County, South Carolina, to become four to five lanes in each direction including high-occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV lanes).

There are also plans in Georgia for I-85 to have three lanes in each direction from the state line in Hart County to meet up with the newly expanded portions just outside of the Atlanta metropolitan area in Jackson County.[7]

Major junctions

[edit]
Alabama
I-65 / US 82 in Montgomery
US 80 / US 231 in Montgomery. I-85/US 80 travels concurrently to Waugh.
US 80 in Waugh
US 29 in Auburn. The highway travels concurrently to Opelika.
US 280 in Opelika. The highway travels concurrently through Opelika.
US 280 / US 431 in Opelika
US 29 in Opelika
US 29 in Valley
Georgia
US 27 in LaGrange
I-185 near LaGrange
US 29 in Grantville

 US 27 Alt. / US 29 in Newnan
I-285 near College Park
US 19 / US 41 in Atlanta
I-75 in Atlanta. The highway travels concurrently through Atlanta.
I-20 in Atlanta
US 29 / US 78 / US 278 in Atlanta
US 23 near Atlanta
I-285 near Doraville
I-985 near Buford
US 129 near Jefferson
US 441 near Commerce
South Carolina
US 76 north of Anderson
US 178 north of Anderson
US 29 northeast of Anderson. The highway travels concurrently to I-185.
I-185 / US 29 near Greenville
US 25 in Greenville
US 276 in Greenville
I-385 in Greenville
US 29 near Greer
I-26 near Spartanburg
US 176 near Spartanburg
US 221 near Cherokee Springs
US 29 near Grover, North Carolina
North Carolina
US 29 near Kings Mountain. The highway travels concurrently to US 74.
US 29 / US 74 in Kings Mountain
US 321 in Gastonia
I-485 in Charlotte
I-77 / US 21 in Charlotte
I-485 in Charlotte
US 29 / US 601 in Concord. I-85/US 601 travels concurrently to Salisbury.
US 601 in Salisbury
US 52 in Salisbury. The highway travels concurrently to I-285.
US 29 / US 70 near Spencer. The highway travels concurrently to I-285.
I-285 / US 29 / US 52 / US 70 in Lexington
US 64 southeast of Lexington
I-74 near Archdale
US 29 in Greensboro. The highway travels concurrently to I-73/US 421.
I-73 / US 29 / US 421 in Greensboro. I-73/I-85/US 421 travels concurrently through Greensboro.
I-73 / US 220 in Greensboro
US 421 in Greensboro
I-40 / I-785 / I-840 in Greensboro. I-40/I-85 travels concurrently until reaching Hillsborough.
US 70 in Eno. The highway travels concurrently to Durham.
US 15 / US 501 in Durham. I-85/US 15 travels concurrently to near Butner. I-85/US 501 travels concurrently through Durham.
US 501 in Durham
I-885 / US 70 in Durham
US 15 near Butner
US 15 near Oxford
US 158 in Oxford
US 158 in Henderson. The highway travels concurrently through Henderson.
US 1 in Henderson
US 1 / US 158 in Middleburg
US 1 / US 401 northeast of Manson
Virginia
US 58 near South Hill
US 1 in South Hill
US 1 near Sturgeonville
US 460 near Petersburg. The highways travel concurrently to I-95.
US 1 near Petersburg
I-95 / US 460 in Petersburg

[8]

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Starks, Edward (January 27, 2022). "Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". FHWA Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  2. ^ "Interstate 85". Interstate-Guide.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2007.[self-published source]
  3. ^ Kozel, Scott. "Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (I-95/I-85) and I-285". Roads of the Future. Retrieved May 27, 2007.[self-published source]
  4. ^ Volkert and Associates. "I-85 Extension Corridor Study & EUIS". Archived from the original on December 19, 2008.
  5. ^ Dinnen, Jerry (January 17, 2005). "Shelby shares views with Hale, Greene counties". The Demopolis Times.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ FHWA letter downloaded from http://cms.transportation.org/sites/route/docs/Alabama%20Interstate%20FHWA%20Decision%20Letter.pdf April 14, 2011[dead link‍]
  7. ^ "I-85 Widening, Phase I | MMIP". June 17, 2019.
  8. ^ Rand McNally (2014). The Road Atlas (Walmart ed.). Chicago: Rand McNally. pp. 4, 28, 74–75, 92, 107. ISBN 978-0-528-00771-2.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Interstate 85.
KML file (edit • help)
Template:Attached KML/Interstate 85
KML is from Wikidata
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Interstate_85&oldid=1245150361"