Route
I 40 East, I 540 East, US 64 East, I 95 South, US 264 East, NC 33 East, Local (detour), NC 33 East, Local, NC 33 West, US 17 North, US 264 West, I 540 West, I 40 West
Notes
There was a detour on NC 33 through the town of Simpson and back to NC 33. NC DOT didn't do a good job of marking the end of the detour. The road came to a stop sign at NC 33 with no construction signing. You had to look around at the road to find NC 33 signs, which clued you in that you had reached the end of the detour.
Results
Mileage on US 264A and NC 33.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Madison NC
Route
I 40 West, NC 54 West, NC 87 North, US 158 East, NC 14 North, NC 700 East, NC 770 West, NC 135 West, US 220 Business North, US 220 North, NC 770 East, NC 14 South, US 158 East, NC 86 South
Notes
Checked out some of the US highway reroutings in the Madison NC area. The truncation of US 220 Business through Stanley NC has been signed properly now. The extension of US 311 from Madison to Eden is still not signed. The first had been approved by USRN in 1998; the second in 2003.
Results
Clinch US 220 Business in Madison/Mayoden, NC 700, NC 135. More mileage on NC 770.
I 40 West, NC 54 West, NC 87 North, US 158 East, NC 14 North, NC 700 East, NC 770 West, NC 135 West, US 220 Business North, US 220 North, NC 770 East, NC 14 South, US 158 East, NC 86 South
Notes
Checked out some of the US highway reroutings in the Madison NC area. The truncation of US 220 Business through Stanley NC has been signed properly now. The extension of US 311 from Madison to Eden is still not signed. The first had been approved by USRN in 1998; the second in 2003.
Results
Clinch US 220 Business in Madison/Mayoden, NC 700, NC 135. More mileage on NC 770.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Wilmington NC
Route
I 40 East, Holly Shelter Rd, US 177 South, US 17 Business North, US 74 West, US 421 North, I 140 East, US 17 North, US 17 Business South, Military Cutoff, US 76 West, US 117 South, US 421 North, US 76 West, NC 87 North, I 95 Business North, I 95 South, I 95 Business North, NC 87 North, US 15/501 North
Notes
There has been a discussion in the US highway mapping forum over what route US 17 Business takes through Wilmington after US 17 was routed over I 140. To answer this question and reclinch the US highways in Wilmington that were rerouted, I took a roadtrip to Wilmington and crisscrossed the city to check everything out.
In NC, when a town is bypassed by a US highway, the original routing is converted to a Business Route. As time goes on, some towns grow up around the bypass and a new bypass for the same highway is built. Then, usually, the old Business Route is decommissioned and the main route is converted to a new Business Route. However, this is not what happened in Wilmington. The original US 17 Business is still part of the new Business Route. The previous main routing of US 17 along Dawson from 3rd to 17th and along 17th was decommissioned. The rest of the main routing across the bridge and on Market from 17th to I 140 was added to the Business Route.
US 17 Truck Route appears to be decommissioned. I could find no signs for the route.
There is a BEGIN banner on an I 140 shield on the entrance ramp from US 421. There is an END banner on an I 140 shield just east of the I 40 bridge.
I took a side trip from NC 87 over to the Elwell Ferry, but the fog on the river was too heavy and the ferry was not running. I love these old two car ferries.
NC 87 is being divided from Elizabethtown to I 95.
The NC 87 freeway in Fayetteville has numbered exits, starting with exit 100 for the airport exit to 104B for Hay Street. The NC 87/24 exit is not numbered.
Results
Clinch I 40, I 95 Business. Mileage on US 17, US 74, US 117, US 311, US 421, NC 87.
Count Bladen, Columbus counties.
I 40 East, Holly Shelter Rd, US 177 South, US 17 Business North, US 74 West, US 421 North, I 140 East, US 17 North, US 17 Business South, Military Cutoff, US 76 West, US 117 South, US 421 North, US 76 West, NC 87 North, I 95 Business North, I 95 South, I 95 Business North, NC 87 North, US 15/501 North
Notes
There has been a discussion in the US highway mapping forum over what route US 17 Business takes through Wilmington after US 17 was routed over I 140. To answer this question and reclinch the US highways in Wilmington that were rerouted, I took a roadtrip to Wilmington and crisscrossed the city to check everything out.
In NC, when a town is bypassed by a US highway, the original routing is converted to a Business Route. As time goes on, some towns grow up around the bypass and a new bypass for the same highway is built. Then, usually, the old Business Route is decommissioned and the main route is converted to a new Business Route. However, this is not what happened in Wilmington. The original US 17 Business is still part of the new Business Route. The previous main routing of US 17 along Dawson from 3rd to 17th and along 17th was decommissioned. The rest of the main routing across the bridge and on Market from 17th to I 140 was added to the Business Route.
US 17 Truck Route appears to be decommissioned. I could find no signs for the route.
There is a BEGIN banner on an I 140 shield on the entrance ramp from US 421. There is an END banner on an I 140 shield just east of the I 40 bridge.
I took a side trip from NC 87 over to the Elwell Ferry, but the fog on the river was too heavy and the ferry was not running. I love these old two car ferries.
NC 87 is being divided from Elizabethtown to I 95.
The NC 87 freeway in Fayetteville has numbered exits, starting with exit 100 for the airport exit to 104B for Hay Street. The NC 87/24 exit is not numbered.
Results
Clinch I 40, I 95 Business. Mileage on US 17, US 74, US 117, US 311, US 421, NC 87.
Count Bladen, Columbus counties.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Danville VA
Route
NC 86 North, US 29 North, US 58 Business West, US 29 Business South, US 29 South, NC 700 West, NC 770 North, VA 863 North, US 58 Business East, VA 86 South, VA 360 North, US 58 Business East, US 29 South, NC 86 South
Notes
Went up to Danville to get the new State Highway maps for Virginia and North Carolina. The Visitors Center off US 29/58 had 2006-2008 Virginia maps. The Visitors Center on NC 700 only had 2006 NC maps. Drove through Danville twice, once to clinch the US Business routes and once to check out the architecture on East Main Street. Danville has a bunch of old bridges over the Dan River that I had not seen before. US 58 Business runs under the bridges and is a bridge enthusiast's dream.
NC 700 finished clinching state highways in Caswell County. I thought that I would clinch NC 700 when I planned the route, but NC 700 does not end at NC 770 but multiplexes with NC 770 to NC 87/14. When I head up that way to check out the US 311 from Madison to Eden question, I'll pick up that section of 700.
There are signs for US 29 and VA 86 with TRUCK banners on US 58 Business with arrows saying to exit onto US 29 Business/VA 86. Since US 29 has a bypass of Danville (which through trucks on US 29 should take), this indicates a Truck Route for Business US 29, to keep trucks off of Piney Forest Highway. Having a Truck Route for a State Highway is rare, but not unknown.
There is a sign on US 58 Business East pointing up the ramp onto US 29/58 Bypass that simply points to Chapel Hill. It does not say Chapel Hill NC. Since neither route on the Bypass goes to Chapel Hill, it seems a little odd.
Results
Clinch US 58 and 29 Business Routes in Danville VA. Clinch state highways in Caswell County. Added miles for NC 700 and 770.
NC 86 North, US 29 North, US 58 Business West, US 29 Business South, US 29 South, NC 700 West, NC 770 North, VA 863 North, US 58 Business East, VA 86 South, VA 360 North, US 58 Business East, US 29 South, NC 86 South
Notes
Went up to Danville to get the new State Highway maps for Virginia and North Carolina. The Visitors Center off US 29/58 had 2006-2008 Virginia maps. The Visitors Center on NC 700 only had 2006 NC maps. Drove through Danville twice, once to clinch the US Business routes and once to check out the architecture on East Main Street. Danville has a bunch of old bridges over the Dan River that I had not seen before. US 58 Business runs under the bridges and is a bridge enthusiast's dream.
NC 700 finished clinching state highways in Caswell County. I thought that I would clinch NC 700 when I planned the route, but NC 700 does not end at NC 770 but multiplexes with NC 770 to NC 87/14. When I head up that way to check out the US 311 from Madison to Eden question, I'll pick up that section of 700.
There are signs for US 29 and VA 86 with TRUCK banners on US 58 Business with arrows saying to exit onto US 29 Business/VA 86. Since US 29 has a bypass of Danville (which through trucks on US 29 should take), this indicates a Truck Route for Business US 29, to keep trucks off of Piney Forest Highway. Having a Truck Route for a State Highway is rare, but not unknown.
There is a sign on US 58 Business East pointing up the ramp onto US 29/58 Bypass that simply points to Chapel Hill. It does not say Chapel Hill NC. Since neither route on the Bypass goes to Chapel Hill, it seems a little odd.
Results
Clinch US 58 and 29 Business Routes in Danville VA. Clinch state highways in Caswell County. Added miles for NC 700 and 770.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
I 540 to US 64/264
Route
I 40 East, I 540 East, US 64/264 West, I 40 East, NC 42 West, Local Roads, US 64 Business West, NC 87, Local Roads
Notes
With the opening of I 540 from US 1 to US 64/264, I no longer had I 540 clinched. I also no longer had the lead at m-plex.com for clinched interstate miles in NC, trailing by one mile. I drove the new section to reclinch I 540 and regain the lead.
A fellow roadgeek in Michigan recently clinched the state highway system in Michigan, including all interstates, US highways, state highways and spur routes. I took a look at my North Carolina map and noticed that I had clinched all of the state highways in a cluster of counties around my home county. There are a few counties that I have only one segment of a state route to clinch the county. Driving this part of NC 42 clinched Chatham County and left one last route (NC 97 east of Lizard Lick) in Wake County.
Results
Reclinch I 540. Clinch Chatham County. Added miles for NC 42.
I 40 East, I 540 East, US 64/264 West, I 40 East, NC 42 West, Local Roads, US 64 Business West, NC 87, Local Roads
Notes
With the opening of I 540 from US 1 to US 64/264, I no longer had I 540 clinched. I also no longer had the lead at m-plex.com for clinched interstate miles in NC, trailing by one mile. I drove the new section to reclinch I 540 and regain the lead.
A fellow roadgeek in Michigan recently clinched the state highway system in Michigan, including all interstates, US highways, state highways and spur routes. I took a look at my North Carolina map and noticed that I had clinched all of the state highways in a cluster of counties around my home county. There are a few counties that I have only one segment of a state route to clinch the county. Driving this part of NC 42 clinched Chatham County and left one last route (NC 97 east of Lizard Lick) in Wake County.
Results
Reclinch I 540. Clinch Chatham County. Added miles for NC 42.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Augusta GA - Christmas 2006
Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, GA 338, GA 232, I 520, GA 104, GA 104 Connector, GA 4, US 25 Business, Local Roads
I 20 East, Detour ( US 1 South, Frontage Road, Wire Road), I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
The construction on I 85 from the Yadkin River to Salisbury continues. One exit has been changed from an underpass to an overpass. You can hardly tell now where the old exit was.
As we were traveling east on I 20, there was an orange detour sign propped up on a exit sign just before US 1 for Aiken. When we got to US 1, the police were closing the eastbound freeway and directing us all off onto US 1 South. We were the fifth or sixth car to be diverted. If we had been a couple of minutes farther down the road, we would have been trapped in the closed freeway. The police directed us onto the frontage road south of the freeway, which eventually ended at Wire Road. There was no police there, so we just followed the other cars left (east). A quarter mile down the road, a police car with lights flashing passed us heading west. I suspect that he was going to direct traffic at the unmarked turn. Wire Road intersected with I 20 and we got on heading east with no indication of the reason for the detour.
Results
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, GA 338, GA 232, I 520, GA 104, GA 104 Connector, GA 4, US 25 Business, Local Roads
I 20 East, Detour ( US 1 South, Frontage Road, Wire Road), I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
The construction on I 85 from the Yadkin River to Salisbury continues. One exit has been changed from an underpass to an overpass. You can hardly tell now where the old exit was.
As we were traveling east on I 20, there was an orange detour sign propped up on a exit sign just before US 1 for Aiken. When we got to US 1, the police were closing the eastbound freeway and directing us all off onto US 1 South. We were the fifth or sixth car to be diverted. If we had been a couple of minutes farther down the road, we would have been trapped in the closed freeway. The police directed us onto the frontage road south of the freeway, which eventually ended at Wire Road. There was no police there, so we just followed the other cars left (east). A quarter mile down the road, a police car with lights flashing passed us heading west. I suspect that he was going to direct traffic at the unmarked turn. Wire Road intersected with I 20 and we got on heading east with no indication of the reason for the detour.
Results
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Clinch I 95 in NC
Route
I 40 East, I 540 East, US 1 North, NC 98 East, US 401 North, NC 561 East, NC 4 South, NC 33 East, I 95 North, US 158 East, US 158 Business to Warrenton, US 401 North, US 1 South, I 85 South to Chapel Hill
Notes
The new NC 98 bypass of Wake Forest goes east from a SPUI with US 1. NC 98 multiplexes with US 1 for a bit and heads west on the previous road. NC 98 through Wake Forest is now NC 98 Business. NC has created a number of these business routes for state highways lately. Historically, the state has been retiring them. I do not know of any existing by the middle of the 1990's. Now, NC 24 has a couple and NC 98 has one.
US 158 Business through Warrenton is shown as US 158A on the state map. However, it is clearly signed as business. I saw no indication of an old Alternate signing.
Results
Clinch I 95 in NC. Reclinch NC 98.
I 40 East, I 540 East, US 1 North, NC 98 East, US 401 North, NC 561 East, NC 4 South, NC 33 East, I 95 North, US 158 East, US 158 Business to Warrenton, US 401 North, US 1 South, I 85 South to Chapel Hill
Notes
The new NC 98 bypass of Wake Forest goes east from a SPUI with US 1. NC 98 multiplexes with US 1 for a bit and heads west on the previous road. NC 98 through Wake Forest is now NC 98 Business. NC has created a number of these business routes for state highways lately. Historically, the state has been retiring them. I do not know of any existing by the middle of the 1990's. Now, NC 24 has a couple and NC 98 has one.
US 158 Business through Warrenton is shown as US 158A on the state map. However, it is clearly signed as business. I saw no indication of an old Alternate signing.
Results
Clinch I 95 in NC. Reclinch NC 98.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Beaufort County NC
Route
I 40 East, NC 24 East, NC 24 Business West, US 258 North, NC 11 North, NC 102 East, US 17 North, US 264 West, US 301 South, US 70 Business West, NC 210 West, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
NC 24 has an extremely rare multiplex with I 40 bypassing Warsaw and Kenansville. The only other multiplex of Interstate and NC state highways that I know of is NC 150 and I 40 Business from Kernersville and downtown Winston-Salem. Old NC 24 is now NC 24 Business through Warsaw and Kenansville.
Earlier this year, I posted on seroads a question about the numbering and signing of the new Jacksonville bypass. The bypass is eventually going to connect to US 17 north of town and carry US 17 mainline around town. However the bypass begins at US 258/NC 24 west of US 17 South and is only finished up to NC 24 east of town. The section east of US 17 will be US 17 mainline, but what is the short section west of US 17 be numbered? My proposal was to move US 258 onto the bypass and perhaps continue it to Morehead City. However, the state decided to move NC 24 onto the bypass and leave US 258 alone. Now, the old routing of NC 24 through town is, starting from the west: US 258/NC 24; US258/NC 24 Business; US 17/NC 24 Business; NC 24 Business; Freedom Way Boulevard. NC 24 Business turns off of Freedom Way on a new connector to the bypass. This makes two new business routes for NC 24. North Carolina has been historically eliminating business routes for state highways. This is a new trend.
When the bypass is completed to US 17 North, US 17 through town will become US 17 Business. The Business blades are already installed on the US 17 reassurance signs through town, but the the blades are covered up. Now, on the BGS's on and around the bypass, there is no indication of US 17, not even space for adding US 17 shields. All of the BGS's will have to be changed out then.
US 264 has a peculiar interchange with itself west of Greenville. It is currently a three way cloverleaf. US 264 runs on the west and north branches of the interchange, while the east branch exits to a city street signed to Downtown. US 264 exits to itself in both directions, with the eastbound exit being a tight cloverleaf. If US 264 were to become an Interstate this interchange would be the obvious end for it with US 264 exiting north.
The 264 freeway bypass of Greenville has a 70 mph speed limit west of US 13. It is a fairly narrow carriageway and seems a little dangerous.
Results
Beaufort County NC.
Additional mileage on US 264, US 258, US 17, US 301, NC 210.
Photographed western terminus of NC 118 and eastern (northern) terminus of NC 210.
I 40 East, NC 24 East, NC 24 Business West, US 258 North, NC 11 North, NC 102 East, US 17 North, US 264 West, US 301 South, US 70 Business West, NC 210 West, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
NC 24 has an extremely rare multiplex with I 40 bypassing Warsaw and Kenansville. The only other multiplex of Interstate and NC state highways that I know of is NC 150 and I 40 Business from Kernersville and downtown Winston-Salem. Old NC 24 is now NC 24 Business through Warsaw and Kenansville.
Earlier this year, I posted on seroads a question about the numbering and signing of the new Jacksonville bypass. The bypass is eventually going to connect to US 17 north of town and carry US 17 mainline around town. However the bypass begins at US 258/NC 24 west of US 17 South and is only finished up to NC 24 east of town. The section east of US 17 will be US 17 mainline, but what is the short section west of US 17 be numbered? My proposal was to move US 258 onto the bypass and perhaps continue it to Morehead City. However, the state decided to move NC 24 onto the bypass and leave US 258 alone. Now, the old routing of NC 24 through town is, starting from the west: US 258/NC 24; US258/NC 24 Business; US 17/NC 24 Business; NC 24 Business; Freedom Way Boulevard. NC 24 Business turns off of Freedom Way on a new connector to the bypass. This makes two new business routes for NC 24. North Carolina has been historically eliminating business routes for state highways. This is a new trend.
When the bypass is completed to US 17 North, US 17 through town will become US 17 Business. The Business blades are already installed on the US 17 reassurance signs through town, but the the blades are covered up. Now, on the BGS's on and around the bypass, there is no indication of US 17, not even space for adding US 17 shields. All of the BGS's will have to be changed out then.
US 264 has a peculiar interchange with itself west of Greenville. It is currently a three way cloverleaf. US 264 runs on the west and north branches of the interchange, while the east branch exits to a city street signed to Downtown. US 264 exits to itself in both directions, with the eastbound exit being a tight cloverleaf. If US 264 were to become an Interstate this interchange would be the obvious end for it with US 264 exiting north.
The 264 freeway bypass of Greenville has a 70 mph speed limit west of US 13. It is a fairly narrow carriageway and seems a little dangerous.
Results
Beaufort County NC.
Additional mileage on US 264, US 258, US 17, US 301, NC 210.
Photographed western terminus of NC 118 and eastern (northern) terminus of NC 210.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
US 117 Freeway
Route
I 40 East, Wade Avenue, I 440 Inner, US 264 East, NC 91 South, US 264 Alt West, Local Streets in Wilson, NC 42 West, US 117 South, US 13 North, US 70 West, US 70A West, US 70 West, Local streets around Smithfield, US 70 West, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
Starting from I 440, the US 64/264 freeway splits at Zebulon, then the US 264 freeway morphs to US 117/264 at I 95 and splits south of Wilson. The multiplexing of US 64/264 and US 117/264 are odd in that one of the highways starts multiplexed. Historically, this was not the case. US 264 once started at the split in Zebulon and US 117 once started at US 301. Both were extended in the 1990's and 2000's. There is speculation that US 64, US 264 and US 117 freeways could be upgraded to interstates with x95 numbers: I 195 from Raleigh to Rocky Mount or even Tarboro, I 395 from Zebulon to Wilson or even Greenville, I 795 from Wilson to Goldsboro or even I 40. This would make Raleigh look like Atlanta. We shall see.
The exits on US 264 for US 117 and US 301/117 Alternate are numbered 43A and 43BC, respectively. Exit 43A is for eastbound traffic only. Westbound traffic for US 117 exits on 43B and takes US 301 past the turn for US 117 Alternate to the interchange for US 117.
US 264A through Wilson follows the old US 264 bypass (Ward Ave) which circles downtown. Some maps show US 264 on both the north and south sides of the circle as well as going on Nash street through downtown. The only signage I saw was for US 264A on the south side of the circle.The other routings are defunct or never were.
The new US 117 freeway is a typical rural freeway, with few exits and long curves.
The north end of the new US 117 A is well marked, if a little confusing for traffic from westbound US 264. The south end of the new US 117 A is not marked at all. The exit is marked US 13. Then the road is marked as US 117 Bypass.
With the clinching of US 70A through Pine Level, I have clinched all of the versions of US 70 in the Smithfield area.
US 70 Business through Smithfield is closed at the I 95 interchange for bridge work.
Results
Greene County NC.
Clinched US 70A.
Additional mileage on US 264, US 264 A, US 117.
I 40 East, Wade Avenue, I 440 Inner, US 264 East, NC 91 South, US 264 Alt West, Local Streets in Wilson, NC 42 West, US 117 South, US 13 North, US 70 West, US 70A West, US 70 West, Local streets around Smithfield, US 70 West, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
Starting from I 440, the US 64/264 freeway splits at Zebulon, then the US 264 freeway morphs to US 117/264 at I 95 and splits south of Wilson. The multiplexing of US 64/264 and US 117/264 are odd in that one of the highways starts multiplexed. Historically, this was not the case. US 264 once started at the split in Zebulon and US 117 once started at US 301. Both were extended in the 1990's and 2000's. There is speculation that US 64, US 264 and US 117 freeways could be upgraded to interstates with x95 numbers: I 195 from Raleigh to Rocky Mount or even Tarboro, I 395 from Zebulon to Wilson or even Greenville, I 795 from Wilson to Goldsboro or even I 40. This would make Raleigh look like Atlanta. We shall see.
The exits on US 264 for US 117 and US 301/117 Alternate are numbered 43A and 43BC, respectively. Exit 43A is for eastbound traffic only. Westbound traffic for US 117 exits on 43B and takes US 301 past the turn for US 117 Alternate to the interchange for US 117.
US 264A through Wilson follows the old US 264 bypass (Ward Ave) which circles downtown. Some maps show US 264 on both the north and south sides of the circle as well as going on Nash street through downtown. The only signage I saw was for US 264A on the south side of the circle.The other routings are defunct or never were.
The new US 117 freeway is a typical rural freeway, with few exits and long curves.
The north end of the new US 117 A is well marked, if a little confusing for traffic from westbound US 264. The south end of the new US 117 A is not marked at all. The exit is marked US 13. Then the road is marked as US 117 Bypass.
With the clinching of US 70A through Pine Level, I have clinched all of the versions of US 70 in the Smithfield area.
US 70 Business through Smithfield is closed at the I 95 interchange for bridge work.
Results
Greene County NC.
Clinched US 70A.
Additional mileage on US 264, US 264 A, US 117.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Augusta GA - August 2006
Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, SC 277 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, GA 338, GA 232, I 520, GA 104, GA 104 Connector, Local Roads
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 485 East/North, I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
US 521 is no longer indicated on a BGS over I 77 at Billy Graham Parkway in south Charlotte NC. The BGS over the exit ramps from southbound I 77 now shows I 485 East and West. However, the BGS over the exit ramps from northbound I 77 still shows I 485 East and Inner.
Results
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, SC 277 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, GA 338, GA 232, I 520, GA 104, GA 104 Connector, Local Roads
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 485 East/North, I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
US 521 is no longer indicated on a BGS over I 77 at Billy Graham Parkway in south Charlotte NC. The BGS over the exit ramps from southbound I 77 now shows I 485 East and West. However, the BGS over the exit ramps from northbound I 77 still shows I 485 East and Inner.
Results
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Virgilina, VA
Route
NC 50 North, NC 56 North, I 85 North, US 15 North, US 15 Truck, US 15 North, US 58 West, VA 49 South, VA 96 North, US 501 South, NC 157 South
Notes
US 15 Truck Route is part of the Oxford loop. The north side of the loop is US 158 Bypass and is a reasonable bypass of Oxford for through east/west traffic.. The south side of the loop runs through the business and industrial areas of town and is designed for local traffic only. For US 15, it is still better than going through downtown.
Virgilina is a little town on the NC/VA border which used to be a railroad town with the railway running along the state line. For roadgeeking, it is the site where two multistate state highways cross. Actually NC 49 and NC 96 merge in NC just south of the state line, cross into VA together and split keeping their original numbers, each continuing in the same general direction of their NC counterparts.
US 501 between Roxboro and the state line has been in the news lately as the planned upgrading to divided four lanes has been delayed yet again. The road certainly needs it.
Results
Clinch NC/VA 96.
NC 50 North, NC 56 North, I 85 North, US 15 North, US 15 Truck, US 15 North, US 58 West, VA 49 South, VA 96 North, US 501 South, NC 157 South
Notes
US 15 Truck Route is part of the Oxford loop. The north side of the loop is US 158 Bypass and is a reasonable bypass of Oxford for through east/west traffic.. The south side of the loop runs through the business and industrial areas of town and is designed for local traffic only. For US 15, it is still better than going through downtown.
Virgilina is a little town on the NC/VA border which used to be a railroad town with the railway running along the state line. For roadgeeking, it is the site where two multistate state highways cross. Actually NC 49 and NC 96 merge in NC just south of the state line, cross into VA together and split keeping their original numbers, each continuing in the same general direction of their NC counterparts.
US 501 between Roxboro and the state line has been in the news lately as the planned upgrading to divided four lanes has been delayed yet again. The road certainly needs it.
Results
Clinch NC/VA 96.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Vass Bypass and I-277
Route
US 15/501 South, US 64 West, NC 87 South, US 1 South, NC 2 West, US 15/501 North, NC 73 West, US 220 South, US 74 Business West, US 74 West, NC 200 South, NC 75 West, SC 75 West, US 521 North, I-485 West, I-77 North, I-277 East, I-77 North, I-85 North, I-40 East, NC 86 South to Chapel Hill
Notes
The Vass Bypass is expressway with narrow shoulders and 55 mph speed limits. NC 24/27 and NC 690 are diamond interchanges. There are other at-grade road intersections, which are a form of a Michigan Left. There are left turn lanes from US 1 onto each side road, but there is no crossover for the side road. All traffic must turn right from the side road. Left and straight through traffic takes a U-turn (with a turning pad for trucks).
NC 2 through Pinehurst has the narrowest lanes. The residents don't want to lose the pine trees in the median, but the lanes are unsafe.
Paving on the under construction I 73/74 ends at NC 73. South of the bridge you see asphalt; north of the bridge you see sand.
US 74 is called the Andrew Jackson Highway and dedicated to Jesse Helms in Anson county.
Polkton prides itself in being the birthplace of LL Polk, who was an early NC educator, no relation to Jame Polk, who was born in Mecklenburg County NC.
The BGS over US 521 for I 485 still says that US 521 goes onto the freeway, instead of ending at I 485, which it does.
There is a stub ramp merging in to the on-ramp from US 521 onto I 485 west. This may well be a leftover from when I 485 ended at US 521.
Results
Reclinch US 1 (NC). Clinch I 277 (NC) and US 521 (NC).
More mileage on US 74 in NC.
Union (NC), Anson (NC) and Lancaster (SC) counties, for a total of 890.
US 15/501 South, US 64 West, NC 87 South, US 1 South, NC 2 West, US 15/501 North, NC 73 West, US 220 South, US 74 Business West, US 74 West, NC 200 South, NC 75 West, SC 75 West, US 521 North, I-485 West, I-77 North, I-277 East, I-77 North, I-85 North, I-40 East, NC 86 South to Chapel Hill
Notes
The Vass Bypass is expressway with narrow shoulders and 55 mph speed limits. NC 24/27 and NC 690 are diamond interchanges. There are other at-grade road intersections, which are a form of a Michigan Left. There are left turn lanes from US 1 onto each side road, but there is no crossover for the side road. All traffic must turn right from the side road. Left and straight through traffic takes a U-turn (with a turning pad for trucks).
NC 2 through Pinehurst has the narrowest lanes. The residents don't want to lose the pine trees in the median, but the lanes are unsafe.
Paving on the under construction I 73/74 ends at NC 73. South of the bridge you see asphalt; north of the bridge you see sand.
US 74 is called the Andrew Jackson Highway and dedicated to Jesse Helms in Anson county.
Polkton prides itself in being the birthplace of LL Polk, who was an early NC educator, no relation to Jame Polk, who was born in Mecklenburg County NC.
The BGS over US 521 for I 485 still says that US 521 goes onto the freeway, instead of ending at I 485, which it does.
There is a stub ramp merging in to the on-ramp from US 521 onto I 485 west. This may well be a leftover from when I 485 ended at US 521.
Results
Reclinch US 1 (NC). Clinch I 277 (NC) and US 521 (NC).
More mileage on US 74 in NC.
Union (NC), Anson (NC) and Lancaster (SC) counties, for a total of 890.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
US 158 West
Route
I 40 West, I 840 North, US 220 North, US 158 West, US 601 North, NC 801 South, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
US 601 north of I 40, NC 801 South and Farmington Road are marked with I 40 shields with a blue "Incident" banner over them. What is there between those the US 601 and Farmington Road exits that requires a permanent "Incident" detour?
The eastbound exit for NC 801 from I 40 goes into and out of a roundabout. The quadrant toward I 40 is blocked, so you cannot go all of the way around.
Results
US 158 is now complete from Merchant Mill Pond west. Connected US 601 from NC 801 to Mocksville.
I 40 West, I 840 North, US 220 North, US 158 West, US 601 North, NC 801 South, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
US 601 north of I 40, NC 801 South and Farmington Road are marked with I 40 shields with a blue "Incident" banner over them. What is there between those the US 601 and Farmington Road exits that requires a permanent "Incident" detour?
The eastbound exit for NC 801 from I 40 goes into and out of a roundabout. The quadrant toward I 40 is blocked, so you cannot go all of the way around.
Results
US 158 is now complete from Merchant Mill Pond west. Connected US 601 from NC 801 to Mocksville.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Six Flags Over Georgia - March 2006
Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 285 North, I 20 West to Six Flags Over Georgia
I 20 East, I 285 North, US 78 to Stone Mountain and return
I 20 East, I 75/85 North to Downtown, US 19 South, I 75/85 North, I 20 West
I 285 North, I 75 North to Marietta GA and return
I 20 East, I 285 South, I 20 East to Augusta GA
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 485 Inner, I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
The I 485 exit from I 85 is labelled I 485 Outer.
US 521 is still indicated on BGS in both directions over I 85 at Billy Graham Parkway in west Charlotte NC.
On the ramp from I 77 North to I 485, the lanes are labelled I 485 East and I 485 Inner (instead of West).
Results
Clinch I 285 (GA) and I 485 (NC).
More mileagle on I 20 and I 75 in GA.
Douglas County GA, for a total of 887.
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 285 North, I 20 West to Six Flags Over Georgia
I 20 East, I 285 North, US 78 to Stone Mountain and return
I 20 East, I 75/85 North to Downtown, US 19 South, I 75/85 North, I 20 West
I 285 North, I 75 North to Marietta GA and return
I 20 East, I 285 South, I 20 East to Augusta GA
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 485 Inner, I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
The I 485 exit from I 85 is labelled I 485 Outer.
US 521 is still indicated on BGS in both directions over I 85 at Billy Graham Parkway in west Charlotte NC.
On the ramp from I 77 North to I 485, the lanes are labelled I 485 East and I 485 Inner (instead of West).
Results
Clinch I 285 (GA) and I 485 (NC).
More mileagle on I 20 and I 75 in GA.
Douglas County GA, for a total of 887.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Pinnacles of the Dan - February 2006
Route
I 40 West, Bus I 40 West, I 40 East, US 52 North, Bus US 52 North, NC 103 East, VA 103 East, Local Roads, VA 103 East, VA 8 South, NC 8 South, NC 89 South, US 311 South, NC 65 East, US 158 East, NC 68 South, I 40 East
Notes
I've started to document exit numbers on NC non-Interstate freeways. I logged US 52 from Winston-Salem to Mount Airy on this trip.
NC 103/VA 103 is a pretty sorry multistate highway. Neither segment is more than 10 miles long. They both seem to be stubs.
There are light boards warning of "Narrow Lanes" on I 40 East at the construction of the interchange for the Greensboro Bypass. Both roadways are diverted around the bridge construction over the mainline. Only the eastbound lanes have the sign.
Since the Sheetz opened at Mebane-Oaks Road Exit on I 40/85, gas prices have fallen at other gas stations both at Mebane-Oaks and Buckhorn exits, as well as in Hillsborough. Maybe it will creep into Chapel Hill, the apex of gas prices in North Carolina.
Results
Clinch NC 103, VA 103. Clinch the section of VA/NC 8 from Hanging Rock to Stuart. I have just a few miles of VA 8 in the Blacksburg area to clinch VA 8.
I 40 West, Bus I 40 West, I 40 East, US 52 North, Bus US 52 North, NC 103 East, VA 103 East, Local Roads, VA 103 East, VA 8 South, NC 8 South, NC 89 South, US 311 South, NC 65 East, US 158 East, NC 68 South, I 40 East
Notes
I've started to document exit numbers on NC non-Interstate freeways. I logged US 52 from Winston-Salem to Mount Airy on this trip.
NC 103/VA 103 is a pretty sorry multistate highway. Neither segment is more than 10 miles long. They both seem to be stubs.
There are light boards warning of "Narrow Lanes" on I 40 East at the construction of the interchange for the Greensboro Bypass. Both roadways are diverted around the bridge construction over the mainline. Only the eastbound lanes have the sign.
Since the Sheetz opened at Mebane-Oaks Road Exit on I 40/85, gas prices have fallen at other gas stations both at Mebane-Oaks and Buckhorn exits, as well as in Hillsborough. Maybe it will creep into Chapel Hill, the apex of gas prices in North Carolina.
Results
Clinch NC 103, VA 103. Clinch the section of VA/NC 8 from Hanging Rock to Stuart. I have just a few miles of VA 8 in the Blacksburg area to clinch VA 8.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Augusta GA - Christmas 2005
Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 338, GA 232, I 520, GA 4, Local Roads
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 85 North, US 29 North (Kannapolis), I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
US 521 is still indicated on a BGS over I 77 at Billy Graham Parkway in south Charlotte NC.
After stopping for lunch on US 29 in Kannapolis, stayed on US 29 North to Spencer to avoid the the construction on I 85 in Salisbury.
Results
Filled in some mileage on US 29. US 29 is now clinched from Concord NC to US 33 in VA.
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 338, GA 232, I 520, GA 4, Local Roads
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 85 North, US 29 North (Kannapolis), I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
US 521 is still indicated on a BGS over I 77 at Billy Graham Parkway in south Charlotte NC.
After stopping for lunch on US 29 in Kannapolis, stayed on US 29 North to Spencer to avoid the the construction on I 85 in Salisbury.
Results
Filled in some mileage on US 29. US 29 is now clinched from Concord NC to US 33 in VA.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Wilson Creek Backpacking Trip
Route
NC 86 North, I 40 West, US 64 East (Morganton), NC 181 North, Local Roads, NC 90 West to Wilson Creek
NC 90 East, Local Roads, US 64 East (Gameville), I-40 East, NC 86 South
Notes
NC 90 is a gravel road in the middle of the Wilson Creek wilderness. It is a real highway and is co-signed with US 64 in Lenoir and point east.
I 40 East has been diverted around the interchange being constructed for the west end of the Greensboro I 85/I 40 bypass, similar to the configuration on the east end of the bypass, where I 40/I 85 Business swerves under I 85 and merges from the right.
Results
Alexander County, NC, for a total of 883 counties.
NC 86 North, I 40 West, US 64 East (Morganton), NC 181 North, Local Roads, NC 90 West to Wilson Creek
NC 90 East, Local Roads, US 64 East (Gameville), I-40 East, NC 86 South
Notes
NC 90 is a gravel road in the middle of the Wilson Creek wilderness. It is a real highway and is co-signed with US 64 in Lenoir and point east.
I 40 East has been diverted around the interchange being constructed for the west end of the Greensboro I 85/I 40 bypass, similar to the configuration on the east end of the bypass, where I 40/I 85 Business swerves under I 85 and merges from the right.
Results
Alexander County, NC, for a total of 883 counties.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Bedford County, VA
Route
I 40 West, US 70 Business East, NC 86 North, VA 86 North, US 29 North, VA 43 North, VA 24 East, US 501 South, NC 157 South to Durham
Notes
Results
Bedford County, VA, for a total of 882 counties.
I 40 West, US 70 Business East, NC 86 North, VA 86 North, US 29 North, VA 43 North, VA 24 East, US 501 South, NC 157 South to Durham
Notes
Results
Bedford County, VA, for a total of 882 counties.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Augusta GA - August 2005
Route
I 40 West, Bus I 85 South, I 85 South, I 77 South, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, GA 104, Local Roads
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
US 521 is still indicated on a BGS over I 77 at Billy Graham Parkway in south Charlotte NC.
The differential cost of gas is smaller between NC and Georgia. Unleaded was 2.49 in Haw River NC and 2.42 in Augusta GA. My brother told me that ever since Kenan bought out Smile gas, the Circle K gas stations are not pushing the price curve down.
Results
I 40 West, Bus I 85 South, I 85 South, I 77 South, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, GA 104, Local Roads
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 85 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill
Notes
US 521 is still indicated on a BGS over I 77 at Billy Graham Parkway in south Charlotte NC.
The differential cost of gas is smaller between NC and Georgia. Unleaded was 2.49 in Haw River NC and 2.42 in Augusta GA. My brother told me that ever since Kenan bought out Smile gas, the Circle K gas stations are not pushing the price curve down.
Results
Sunday, August 14, 2005
US 64 Bypass
Route
NC 54 East, I 40 East, Harrison Road, NC 54 East, Western Boulevard, I 440 West, I 40 East, I 440 West, US 64 East to Business US 64 (Wendell)
US 64 West, I 440 West, I 40 West, NC 54 West
Notes
Rode the new freeway for the first time. Two interchanges, New Hope Road and I 540 are still under construction. The "End US 264" sign is the largest End sign I have ever seen.
Results
NC 54 East, I 40 East, Harrison Road, NC 54 East, Western Boulevard, I 440 West, I 40 East, I 440 West, US 64 East to Business US 64 (Wendell)
US 64 West, I 440 West, I 40 West, NC 54 West
Notes
Rode the new freeway for the first time. Two interchanges, New Hope Road and I 540 are still under construction. The "End US 264" sign is the largest End sign I have ever seen.
Results
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