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Hwy. 74 should be converted to Interstate 74 from Asheville to Charlotte to Wilmington. With bypasses added around Shelby, Gastonia, and possibly Wadesboro. Charlotte already has I-485 loop and now Monroe Bypass is open.
I-74 has already been designated and it doesn't extend west of Rockingham, so any interstate designation for Hwy 74 between Asheville and Rockingham will have to be something different and is very unlikely to happen, to say the least.
The Wadesboro bypass is nowhere on the horizon, and there are lots of other sections of the road that still need to be upgraded.
I’m not even sure the Monroe Expressway could become part of an interstate anyway. There was a rule by FHWA that had forbidden tolled roads that were built with federal funding involved from becoming interstates unless the funds were paid back by the state. That’s why the Triangle Expressway was signed as NC-540 and not I-540. The tolled interstates that currently exist, such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, were grandfathered into the original interstate system. Whether or not that rule still exists, I don’t know.
In the short term, making US-74 an interstate between I-26 and I-85 (ex: I-426) would be much easier. Over half of that stretch is already a freeway, albeit with narrow shoulders that would need widening, and the Shelby Bypass is being built to interstate standards. An interstate there wouldn’t give Charlotte an interstate link to Wilmington, but at the very least it would create an interstate connection between Asheville and Charlotte that doesn’t involve I-40/I-77.
But either way, as mentioned above, an interstate is still a long ways off. NCDOT’s biggest focus on US-74 is east of I-95.
In the short term, making US-74 an interstate between I-26 and I-85 (ex: I-426) would be much easier. Over half of that stretch is already a freeway, albeit with narrow shoulders that would need widening, and the Shelby Bypass is being built to interstate standards. An interstate there wouldn’t give Charlotte an interstate link to Wilmington, but at the very least it would create an interstate connection between Asheville and Charlotte that doesn’t involve I-40/I-77.
I definitely can see a three-digit even numbered interstate shield slapped onto US-74 from I-26 to I-85 once it's up to interstate standards, considering how "interstate happy" North Carolina seems to be.
Finally got out there to drive it today. Very beautiful and well designed roadway. Have to say job well done by the NCDOT on that one. NC has some of the most aesthetically pleasing highways in the country.
A long term goal of the NCDOT is to eventually have US 74 be a freeway or expressway between Asheville and Wilmington. As of right now the only thing in the cards is finishing upgrading Independence Blvd in Charlotte out 485 and a bypass of Shelby. Nothing in development yet for the other parts.
They really need to connect both parts of I-74. There are gaps in Richmond and Scotland Counties that need to be addressed.
I definitely can see a three-digit even numbered interstate shield slapped onto US-74 from I-26 to I-85 once it's up to interstate standards, considering how "interstate happy" North Carolina seems to be.
Who is ready for 226, 426, 626, or 826? There is already a North Carolina Highway 226 from Grover to the Tennessee state line (Tennessee State Route 107). North Carolina does not have any interstate highways in the 6xx yet. I would be okay with Interstate 626.
Who is ready for 226, 426, 626, or 826? There is already a North Carolina Highway 226 from Grover to the Tennessee state line (Tennessee State Route 107). North Carolina does not have any interstate highways in the 6xx yet. I would be okay with Interstate 626.
I could go with I-626. I think the only even three-digit I-85 left is 685 right?
I-485 is the Charlotte Loop/Beltway, the new I-285 is US-52 connecting Lexington and W-S, and the future I-885 is the new East End Connector in the Triangle, connecting I-85 and I-40.
Interstate 885 remains proposed. I think it will be approved.
Interstate 685 would be the last even auxiliary route for Interstate 85 in North Carolina. It could be proposed for United States Route 321 between Gastonia and Hickory.
The entire US 74 corridor needs to be clamoring for making the entire stretch a freeway. The southern Piedmont especially needs a West-east freeway.
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