Beware of Triad I-40 Signage
We’ve discussed interstate highway signage here before. However no situation in this state is as screwy as the signage and routing of Interstate 40 through Greensboro. For decades Interstate 40 proceeded through a narrow section of road in southeast Greensboro westward by Four Seasons, and onward to Winston-Salem. Over the past decade sections of Greensboro’s perimeter highway, I-840, have opened and now offer travelers many new options.
When the southern half of I-840 opened, all west and southbound traffic on I-40 and I-85 (respectively) was routed onto the new road. In recent months, though, only I-40’s westbound route reverted to the old, much quieter highway.
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The problem lies with Eastbound I-40 traffic. From the gas farm west of Greensboro, I-40’s east bound traffic is guided onto the new perimeter highway. After skirting south Greensboro, it picks up Northbound I-85 traffic and eventually merges back into the old highway on the east side of Greensboro (near Replacements). From the western gateway the old road is labeled 40-Business, and has a green badge.
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There are two important points here. Westbound I-40 traffic is guided to the old highway, while Eastbound I-40 traffic is guided to the new bypass highway. Huh?
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Additionally, on the west side of Greensboro, traffic staying on I-40 is instructed to remain in left-hand lanes while exiting traffic (continuing on the old highway) exits to the right. The eventual pathways cross, so the intersection is exactly the same as ours at the Wade Avenue exit on I-40. The big advantage with the interchange’s signage in Greensboro is that only one pathway carries a red and blue interstate badge. The exiting route carries a green badge. Because only one route is clearly marked with a typical interstate badge, it is obvious to drivers which of the two options is correct for staying on the current interstate. A similar situation exists on 421 west of Winston-Salem. Drivers have two options; I-40 (red/blue badge) and 40-business (green badge). For the casual driver, these two interchanges are extremely easy to navigate.
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If the DOT insists upon marking the Wade Ave exit with a “To I-440” badge, they should consider renaming I-440 to “40-Business” and applying green badges. This would allow I-40 traffic to clearly understand the difference between the two roads.
Fearrington House Promotes Sous Chef
Triangle Business Journal is reporting that the five diamond Fearrington House Restaurant has promoted Colin Bedford to Executive Chef. He will replace Graham Fox whose departure is not being discussed publicly.
Fearrington House is located just north of Pittsboro.
Fleetwood Mac Coming to Greensboro
Legendary rock bank Fleetwood Mac is going to be in the Greensboro Coliseum on Sunday, April 26. Tickets go on sale to the public on January 26 (10am). However, there is a special presale that runs from tomorrow (Friday) at 10am thru Sunday at 10pm. The password is "HITS"
Dead Revival
The remaining members of the Grateful Dead are hitting the road this spring, and will kick off the tour in Greensboro. Presale tickets for the 4/12/09 show will be available thru dead.net on Tuesday (1/13). Official sales for the tour begin on January 23.
The lineup for this edition of The Dead will be "The Core Four" of Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, joined by Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes and RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti (both veterans of the 2004 Dead "Wave That Flag" tour).
"It’s not a concert! It’s a showww" – Dillon Fence’s "Preppie Deadhead"
Navigating to the DPAC
The new Durham Performing Arts Center has gotten plenty of press coverage, but the pervasive question is,”Where is the thing?” It is basically behind the Blue Monster in the DBAP (beyond Left Field in the Bulls’ stadium).
Here is a Google map
Here is a detailed view of the area, including the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the Performing Arts Center, and the American Tobacco Complex.
‘Vanities’ Sets A Date
“Vanities: A New Musical“, the new Broadway musical featuring Raleigh native Lauren Kennedy, will open on February 26 at the Lyceum Theater (map it) in NYC. Previews of the production will begin on February 2.
The musical features music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum and chronicles the lives of three friends from the 1960s to the 1980s. The show also stars Sarah Stiles and Anneliese van der Pol.
Buddy Guy Coming to Tarboro
Bill Cosby Coming to Durham
Durham’s new performing arts center is on a roll. Bill Cosby is coming March 29 for two shows (5pm and 8:30pm). Tickets go on sale at 10:00am TODAY.
Robin Williams Coming to Durham
The Durham Performing Arts Center will welcome Robin Williams on Friday the 13th…of March 2009. Tickets are $75 – $100 and go on sale tomorrow at Ticketmaster outlets at 10am.
Anthony Bourdain Coming to Durham
Outspoken chef Anthony Bourdain will be speaking in Durham Thursday, February 19 at the new Performing Arts Center. Bourdain’s flagship work, Kitchen Confidential, is an expose on the dubious side of the culinary industry. The work gained him instant celebrity status, and led to TV shows such as A Cook’s Tour and No Reservations. Tickets are $20, $35, and $100 and are available through Ticketmaster.
Kennedy to Direct DRIFT
If you are in New York on November 3rd, you can catch Raleigh native Lauren Kennedy’s latest venture; an all-star benefit concert performance of DRIFT with music and lyrics by Jeremy Schonfeld. It will take place at the BB King Blues Club & Grill on 42nd St. in New York City. The event will star:
- Adam Pascal (Rent)
- Jarrod Emick (Tony Award winner: Damn Yankees),
- Adam Kantor (Rent)
- Julia Murney (Wicked)
- Kris Coleman (Jersey Boys)
- Karla Mosley (Expatriate)
- Terrence Mann (two time Tony Award nominee: Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables)
The concert also features Scott Coulter and Michelle Kinney. Produced by the PATH Fund, Inc. (“Rockers on Broadway”), the evening benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights and Atlanta’s Broadway Dreams Foundation will take place on Monday, November 3, 2008. Tickets are $60, with standing room available at $30.
With a rock score from acclaimed composer Jeremy Schonfeld, DRIFT weaves raw and gracefully honest songs together to tell the story of one man’s divorce and reconciliation. Originally released as a concept recording by Sh-K Boom Records, a book musical version of DRIFT (with collaborator Craig Pospisil) premiered at the 2005 New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF), and was subsequently produced in an award-winning full-scale production as part of the 2006 Festival. Tickets are available through Tickemaster.
After DRIFT, Kennedy will be preparing for the Broadway premiere of Vanities, beginning in February.
Ratdog Coming to Greensboro
Bob Weir’s Ratdog is coming to the Greensboro Coliseum’s War Memorial Auditorium on November 16. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
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