Interstate 73 in North Carolina

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This article is about the section of Interstate 73 in North Carolina. For the entire length of the highway, see Interstate 73.

Interstate 73 marker

Interstate 73
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length: 42.0 mi[1] (67.6 km)
Existed: 1997 – present
Major junctions
South end: US 220 near Candor
  US 64 / NC 49 in Asheboro
I-85 / US 421 in Greensboro
North end: I-40 / US 421 in Greensboro
Location
Counties: Montgomery, Randolph, Guilford
Highway system

North Carolina Highway System

← NC 72 NC 73 →

Interstate 73 (I-73) is a partially completed Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Currently in two distinct segments, when completed, it will traverse north–south through the central Piedmont, connecting the cities of Rockingham, Asheboro and Greensboro.

Contents

Route description[edit]

Interstate 73 begins south of Candor, traversing 26.6 miles (42.8 km) in concurrency with Interstate 74 and US 220, to north of Asheboro.[2][3] Future Interstate 73 signage fills the gap, along US 220, from Asheboro to Greensboro. Interstate 73 then continues 7.5 miles (12.1 km) along the southwestern section of the Greensboro Urban Loop, in concurrency with US 421, connecting Interstate 85 and Interstate 40.[4]

History[edit]

Future I-73 and I-74 (US 220) northbound near Asheboro, NC

Authorized by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), Interstate 73 was established as a north-south high priority corridor from Charleston, South Carolina to Detroit, Michigan.[5][6]

In North Carolina, because of several U.S. Routes were already planned for improvements in the central piedmont area, Interstate 73 was initially aligned to go through Rockingham, Asheboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, and Mount Airy.[7] The route through High Point was approved in May 1993.[8] However, in November of 1993, an organization called Job Link, made up of business leaders from northern North Carolina and southern Virginia, wanted a major highway to connect Roanoke with the Greensboro area. It could be Interstate 73, the group said, but did not have to be.[9] In April 1995, John Warner, who chaired the Senate subcommittee which would select the route of Interstate 73, announced his support for the Job Link proposal. This distressed Winston-Salem officials who were counting on Interstate 73, though Greensboro had never publicly sought the road. But an aide to US Senator Lauch Faircloth said the 1991 law authorizing Interstate 73 required the road to go through Winston-Salem. Faircloth got around this requirement, though, by asking Warner to call the highway to Winston-Salem Interstate 74.[10] In May, Warner announced plans to propose legislation that made the plan for two Interstates official.[11]

When I-73 crossed a border between two states, the federal law authorizing the road required that the two states agree that their sections meet. Originally, both Carolinas selected a route running south from Rockingham. However, North Carolina had more money to spend on roads,[12] and on May 10, 1995, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved North Carolina's plan for I-73 to run eastward to the coast and enter South Carolina at North Myrtle Beach.[13] Later that year, officials in both states agreed that I-73 would enter South Carolina south of Rockingham and that the other highway would be I-74. This raised the possibility of I-73 bypassing the Myrtle Beach area entirely, since I-74 would run to the Myrtle Beach area.[14]

In May, 1997, the first section of Interstate 73 was established, a 12.6 miles (20.3 km) section from south of Candor to Ulah. Signage of "Future Interstate 73" was also placed all along US 220, from Rockingham north to I-40 in Greensboro and south to Candor.[15][16] On January 7, 2008, an 17 miles (27 km) extension south of Candor to Ellerbe was completed; however, because NCDOT had not applied to the FHWA to add the segment to the interstate system, signage along the new stretch of freeway was listed as Future Interstate 73, thus not an "official" addition to the interstate at that time.[17]

The next section to be completed, and bannered Interstate 73, was the 7.5 miles (12.1 km) southwestern section of the Greensboro Urban Loop, in concurrency with Interstate 40, in February, 2008.[18] The concurrency later changed to US 421 in September of same year (signage corrected by July, 2009).[19][20][21]

The newest section of Interstate 73 to be completed is the 8 mile stretch of US 220 freeway in Asheboro. This section had several deficiencies that needed to be corrected before it could be designated an Interstate. Work started on this segment from Business 220/NC 134 south of Asheboro to US 220 Business/Vision Drive North of Asheboro in 2010. Work was completed in October 2012. When work was finished Interstate 73 (and 74) shields replaced the Future I-73(and I-74) shields that had been originally posted in 1997.[2] NCDOT had already reached an agreement with the FHWA that they could sign the entire length of the US 220 freeway south of Greensboro to Ellerbe as Interstate 73 once this project was completed. [22]A contract to change the Future I-73 signs to I-73 shields and replace current exit signage with Interstate standard ones was let on December 11, 2012 and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2013.[23]

On July 11, 2012, NCDOT gave final approval an extension of Interstate 73 from Interstate 85 to Asheboro to be designated as part of its network.[24] On February 2013, work crews began converting a 70-mile (110 km) stretch of signage for Interstate 73; work is expected to be completed by October 2013.[25]

Future[edit]

Interstate 73 from the South Carolina state line to US 74/NC 38 interchange is being planned and paid for by SCDOT. Environmental studies were completed in 2011, with a route that includes an interchange at Ghio Road and welcome centers at the state line. Time frame when construction will begin is unknown at this time.[26][27][28][29]

The Western Rockingham Bypass, from the US 74/US 74 Bus. interchange to US 220 Alt near Ellerbe. Currently all right-of-way purchases have been completed along the proposed route, with construction beginning in 2012 on upgrading US 220 north of Rockingham. The remaining sections of the new bypass is currently scheduled to begin construction in late 2017; however, it is subject to reprioritization.[30]

New freeway from NC 68, near PTI Airport, to NC 68, in Rockingham County. Currently all right-of-way purchases have been completed along the proposed route, with construction scheduled to begin April, 2014.[31]

Exit list[edit]

County Location Mile[32] km Old exit New exit Destinations Notes
Richmond
   Ghio Road Future interchange (unfunded).[28][29]
  Future I-74 east / US 74 east – Laurinburg Future interchange (unfunded).[28][29]
  NC 38 – Bennettsville Bypass built to interstate standards, signed as Future due to no connection to Interstate.
  NC 177 – Hamlet Bypass built to interstate standards, signed as Future due to no connection to Interstate.
  US 1 to US 220 – Rockingham, Southern Pines, Cheraw Bypass built to interstate standards, signed as Future due to no connection to Interstate.
  Galestown Road – Cordova Bypass built to interstate standards, signed as Future due to no connection to Interstate.
 
US 74 west / US 74 Bus. east – Wadesboro, Rockingham		 Future interchange (unfunded).[30]
  US 220 south – Rockingham Future interchange (unfunded).[30]
  8 25
US 220 Bus. north – Ellerbe		 Update Signage (funded)[33]
Ellerbe 11 28 Millstone Road Update Signage (funded)[33]
  13 30 Haywood Parker Road Update Signage (funded)[33]
  16 33
US 220 Alt. north / US 220 Bus. south / NC 73		 Update Signage (funded)[33]
Norman 18 35 Moore Street – Norman Update Signage (funded)[33]
Montgomery
   22 39 Tabernacle Church Road Update Signage (funded)[33]
Emery 24 41
US 220 Alt. – Candor		 Update Signage (funded)[33]; US 220 South/Alt US 220 North Candor after update
Candor 45.0 72.4 44 NC 211 – Candor, Pinehurst
Biscoe 49.0 78.9 49 NC 24 / NC 27 – Biscoe, Carthage, Troy
Star 53.8 86.6 52 Spies Road – Star, Robbins
Ether 56.4 90.8 39 55
US 220 Alt. – Ether, Steeds
Randolph
   59.0 95.0 41 58 Black Ankle Road
Seagrove 62.3 100.3 45 61 NC 705 – Seagrove, Robbins
  66.5 107.0 49 65 New Hope Church Road
  68.6 110.4 51 68
US 220 Alt. south / US 220 Bus. north / NC 134 south to NC 159 – Ulah, Troy		 To North Carolina Zoo
Asheboro 71 McDowell Road
72 US 64 / NC 49 – Raleigh, Lexington, Charlotte Signed 72A (east) and 72B (west); to North Carolina Zoo
74 NC 42 – Asheboro Exit left
75 Presnell Street
76
To US 220 Bus. north / North Fayetteville Street / Vision Drive
77 Spero Road
78 Pineview Street
Randleman 80 I-74 west – High Point, Winston-Salem
81 US 311 north – Randleman Update Signage (funded)[33]
82 Academy Street  – Randleman To Richard Petty Museum; update Signage (funded)[33]
Level Cross 86
US 220 Bus. south – Level Cross		 Update Signage (funded)[33]
Guilford
   89 NC 62 – Climax, High Point Update Signage (funded)[33]
  77 94 Old Randleman Road Update Signage (funded)[33]
Greensboro 95.0 152.9 78A 95A I-85 north / US 421 south – Durham, Sanford South end of US 421 overlap; update Signage (funded)[33]
95.2 153.2 95B US 220 north to I-85 Bus. to US 29 to US 70 – Charlotte, Burlington North end of US 220 overlap; straight exit; update Signage (funded)[33]
96.9 155.9 122A 96 To Groometown Road / To Grandover Parkway Northbound exit and southbound entrance only; update Signage (funded)[33]
96.9 155.9 219 97A I-85 Bus. north / US 29 north / US 70 east – Greensboro Southbound exit and northbound entrance
97.0 156.1 218 97B I-85 south / I-85 Bus. south / US 29 south / US 70 south – High Point, Charlotte Southbound exit and northbound entrance
102.3 164.6 213 102 Wendover Avenue
103.1 165.9 1A 103A I-40 east – Greensboro
103.3 166.2 1B 103B I-40 west / US 421 north – Winston-Salem West end of Future I-840 and US 421 overlap; northbound exit left
2 104 West Friendly Avenue Update signage (funded).[34]
107A Bryan Boulevard East East end of Future I-840 overlap; update signage (funded).[34]
107B Bryan Boulevard West  – PTI Airport Update signage (funded).[34][35]
NC 68 – High Point, Winston-Salem, Oak Ridge Future interchange (funded).[35][31]
Summerfield NC 150 – Summerfield, Oak Ridge Future interchange (funded).[31]
US 220 south – Summerfield, Greensboro Future interchange (funded).[31]
Stokesdale US 158 – Stokesdale, Reidsville Future interchange (funded).[31]
Rockingham
   NC 65 – Stokesdale, Reidsville Future interchange (funded).[31]
  NC 68 south – Stokesdale Future interchange (funded).[31]
Madison
US 311 south / US 220 Bus. north / NC 704 – Madison, Wentworth		 Upgrade to interstate standards (funded).[36]
Mayodan US 311 north / NC 135 – Mayodan, Eden Upgrade to interstate standards (funded).[36]
 
US 220 Bus. south – Stoneville		 Upgrade to interstate standards (funded).[36]
Stoneville NC 770 – Stoneville, Eden Upgrade to interstate standards (funded).[36]
  •       Concurrency terminus
  •       Closed/former
  •       HOV only
  •       Incomplete access
  •       Tolled/ETC
  •       Unopened

See also[edit]

Portal icon North Carolina portal
Portal icon U.S. Roads portal


References[edit]

  1. ^ Malme, Robert H. (2012). "Why I-73/I-74 in North Carolina?". Self-published. Retrieved October 24, 2012. [unreliable source]
  2. ^ a b Malme, Robert H. (2012). "I-73 Segment 8". Self-published. Retrieved October 29, 2012. [unreliable source]
  3. ^ Malme, Robert H. (2012). "I-73 Segment 9". Self-published. Retrieved October 29, 2012. [unreliable source]
  4. ^ Malme, Robert H. (2012). "I-73 Segment 5". Self-published. Retrieved October 29, 2012. [unreliable source]
  5. ^ Scism, Jack (June 9, 1991). "New Interstates Likely Impossible Dream". News & Record (Greensboro, NC). p. E1. ISSN 0747-1858. 
  6. ^ Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike; Adderly, Kevin (June 18, 2012). "High Priority Corridors". National Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved August 26, 2012. 
  7. ^ Scism, Jack (January 3, 1993). "Coming Soon—to a Highway Near You—I-73". News & Record (Greensboro, NC). p. E1. ISSN 0747-1858. 
  8. ^ Thompson, Kelly (May 15, 1993). "Interstate to Run Through Triad Detroit to Charleston, SC". News & Record (Greensboro, NC). p. B2. ISSN 0747-1858. 
  9. ^ Lounsbury, Helen (November 11, 1993). "Road to Roanoke Vital, Group Says Lobbying for New Interstate". News & Record (Greensboro, NC). p. B3. ISSN 0747-1858. 
  10. ^ Catanoso, Justin (April 14, 1995). "New Proposal for I-73 Stirs Triad Rivalry". News & Record (Greensboro, NC). p. B1. ISSN 0747-1858. 
  11. ^ Catanoso, Justin (May 2, 1995). "New Interstates May Cross Triad". News & Record (Greensboro, NC). p. A1. ISSN 0747-1858. 
  12. ^ Monk, John (April 11, 1995). "Despite S.C. Objections, N.C. Prepares I-73 Link". The State (Columbia, SC). p. B5. 
  13. ^ Pope, Charles (May 11, 1995). "I-73 Rolls Through Angry Thurmond's Roadblocks". The State (Columbia, SC). p. B1. 
  14. ^ Soraghan, Mike (June 17, 1995). "Carolinas Make a Deal on Routes of New Interstates". The State (Columbia, SC). p. B5. 
  15. ^ Steffora, Matt; Mapmikey; Prince, Adam (January 21, 2001). "I-73". NCRoads.com. Self-published. Retrieved August 26, 2012. [unreliable source]
  16. ^ Malme, Robert H. (2012). "I-73 Segment 9/I-74 Segment 10". Self-published. Retrieved October 24, 2012. [unreliable source]
  17. ^ Malme, Robert H. (2009). "I-73 Segment 10/I-74 Segment 11". Self-published. Retrieved October 24, 2012. [unreliable source]
  18. ^ Malme, Robert H. (2012). "I-73 Segment 5". Self-published. Retrieved October 24, 2012. [unreliable source]
  19. ^ Siceloff, Bruce (February 21, 2008). "I-40 Bypass Opens in Greensboro". The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC). p. b5. OCLC 11750106. 
  20. ^ Wireback, Taft (September 16, 2008). "old I- 40 gets back on track". News & Record (Greensboro, NC). p. A1. ISSN 0747-1858. 
  21. ^ Nadolny, Tricia L. (July 31, 2009). "Mapping by car". News & Record (Greensboro, NC). p. A1. ISSN 0747-1858. 
  22. ^ Malme, Robert H. (2012). "I-73 Segment 6". Self-published. Retrieved October 29, 2012. [unreliable source]
  23. ^ NCDOT. TIP No. I-5329 (Contract DH00095) Upgrade signs to interstate standards along I-73/74 from I-85 in Guilford County to south of Ellerbe in Richmond County. Project Letting, Division 8, December 11, 2012. Downloaded from: https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/Pages/Letting-Details.aspx?let_type=8&let_date=2012-12-11%2000:00:00
  24. ^ "I-73 Route Change (2012-07-11)". North Carolina Department of Transportation. July 11, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012. 
  25. ^ "Work on the Signing of I-73 between Greensboro and Ellerbe starts Monday". North Carolina Department of Transportation. February 20, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2012. 
  26. ^ Malme, Robert H. (2012). "I-73 Segment 13". Self-published. Retrieved October 24, 20012. [unreliable source]
  27. ^ Staff. "Project Status: Northern Project". I-73 Environmental Impact Study. South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 26, 2012. 
  28. ^ a b c South Carolina Department of Transportation (PDF). I-73 Northern Map (Map). Wallace inset. http://www.i73insc.com/download/northernpage/wallace.pdf. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  29. ^ a b c Staff. "Project #I-4923". Project Details. North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 27, 2012. 
  30. ^ a b c Staff. "Project #R-3421". Project Details. North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 26, 2012. 
  31. ^ a b c d e f g Staff. "Project #R-2413". Project Details. North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 26, 2012. 
  32. ^ Google Inc. Google Maps – Interstate 73 in North Carolina (Map). Cartography by Google, Inc. https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=I-73+N%2FI-74+W&daddr=I-73+N&hl=en&ll=35.706377,-79.649506&spn=0.933359,1.783905&sll=36.030638,-79.858246&sspn=0.116195,0.222988&geocode=FX6XGgIdHnA_-w%3BFZJNJgIdZYY8-w&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=13&t=p&z=10. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o NCDOT. 2012. I-73-74 Signing, Final Plans. Project I-5329. PDF file. Downloaded from https://connect.ncdot.gov/letting/Pages/Letting-Details.aspx?let_type=8&let_date=2012-12-11%2000:00:00, 12/11/12.
  34. ^ a b c Staff. "Project #U-2524". Project Details. North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 27, 2012. 
  35. ^ a b Staff. "Project #I-5110". Project Details. North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 27, 2012. 
  36. ^ a b c d Staff. "Project #W-5324". Project Details. North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 27, 2012. 

External links[edit]

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