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Perhaps not. I've wondered why NCDOT has never put a number on the Wade Avenue Extension, other than the hidden designation of SR 1789. Calling it NC 140 or 340 would help people navigate there.
I was under the impression that Wade Avenue Extension was originally the route of I-40, terminating at the 440 interchange.
No?
I was under the impression that Wade Avenue Extension was originally the route of I-40, terminating at the 440 interchange.
No?
Yes, I-40 in eastern North Carolina has had a tortuous history. Originally, the eastern terminus of I-40 was in Greensboro at the I-85 interchange (it's now Business I-85). Raleigh was not connected to the Interstate system in any way. Then a disconnected segment of I-40 was opened between downtown Durham and Wade Avenue in Raleigh, connecting with what was then the US 1 bypass around Raleigh.
In the mid 1980s, a new expressway opened between the Wade Avenue split and Cary/south Raleigh; this became I-40, and the existing expressway between the Wade Avenue split and Wade Avenue lost its publicized number. Soon thereafter, a "new" I-40 opened between Davis Drive in RTP and I-85 near Mebane; the original expressway through downtown Durham was renamed NC 147.
There had been a big political battle between New Bern/Morehead City and Wilmington about where an eastward extension of I-40 from Raleigh should go. Wilmington won. In the late 80s and early 90s, I-40 opened in stages to Wilmington.
The last missing link was to finish NC 147 in from Swift Avenue in Durham westward to connect with I-85. So, if you drive from Greensboro to downtown Raleigh via downtown Durham and Wade Avenue, you are actually on two former segments of I-40 (from downtown Durham to the NC 147/I-40 interchange in RTP, and from the Wade Avenue split to Wade Avenue).
Last edited by wizard-xyzzy; 10-13-2013 at 09:30 AM..
Yes, I-40 in eastern North Carolina has had a tortuous history. Originally, the eastern terminus of I-40 was in Greensboro at the I-85 interchange (it's now Business I-85). Raleigh was not connected to the Interstate system in any way. Then a disconnected segment of I-40 was opened between downtown Durham and Wade Avenue in Raleigh, connecting with what was then the US 1 bypass around Raleigh.
In the mid 1980s, a new expressway opened between the Wade Avenue split and Cary/south Raleigh; this became I-40, and the existing expressway between the Wade Avenue split and Wade Avenue lost its publicized number. Soon thereafter, a "new" I-40 opened between Davis Drive in RTP and I-85 near Mebane; the original expressway through downtown Durham was renamed NC 147.
There had been a big political battle between New Bern/Morehead City and Wilmington about where an eastward extension of I-40 from Raleigh should go. Wilmington won. In the late 80s and early 90s, I-40 opened in stages to Wilmington.
The last missing link was to finish NC 147 in from Swift Avenue in Durham westward to connect with I-85. So, if you drive from Greensboro to downtown Raleigh via downtown Durham and Wade Avenue, you are actually on two former segments of I-40 (from downtown Durham to the NC 147/I-40 interchange in RTP, and from the Wade Avenue split to Wade Avenue).
A history lesson!
Thanks!
Now...
North Salem Street in Apex.
Was that once Old US 1 from about Laura Duncan to Davis Drive, passing the front of the church and the punkin patches?
Or has it always followed Old Apex Road, past the office condos and Stock Building Supply, meeting the 64 West ramp?
Yes and no here - again the sign is that it's North to I-540, not North I-540.
Disagree with you here...it says "540 North" and "To 70", not "North to 540 and 70". There's no sign convention for the latter interpretation. It is simply an exit for 540 North (which should be East), with an additional trailblazer designation of "To 70" in order to help people find their way to 70.
In concept, there would be no problem with them calling it 540 North there, but the sign is clearly outdated or in error, as I-540 is currently designated East/West along its entire length.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeJaquish
I was under the impression that Wade Avenue Extension was originally the route of I-40, terminating at the 440 interchange.
No?
My understanding is that the Wade Avenue Extension was never actually signed as "I-40" because it never met Interstate standards. Instead, it was signed as "To I-40" back when I-40 didn't go beyond the current Wade Ave split.
540 is a confusing road. There's actually three separate 540s. Interstate 540 runs from just west of exit 283 of I-40 to US 64 East of Raleigh, and is signed East-West. NC 540 is the 2.5 mile stretch between Exit 1 of I-540 and 147, and is also signed East-West. NC 540-TOLL is the road running from the southern end of 147 into Apex, and is signed North-South.
The sign which you are referencing was replaced about a year ago with a very large sign correcting the direction to east as well as including many other routes to which I-540 connects.
The sign which you are referencing was replaced about a year ago with a very large sign correcting the direction to east as well as including many other routes to which I-540 connects.
Disagree with you here...it says "540 North" and "To 70", not "North to 540 and 70". There's no sign convention for the latter interpretation. It is simply an exit for 540 North (which should be East), with an additional trailblazer designation of "To 70" in order to help people find their way to 70.
In concept, there would be no problem with them calling it 540 North there, but the sign is clearly outdated or in error, as I-540 is currently designated East/West along its entire length.
I concede to your correction and completely concur. I misremembered the sign when I posted, so apologies there.
The sign which you are referencing was replaced about a year ago with a very large sign correcting the direction to east as well as including many other routes to which I-540 connects.
Bingo...you can see the new sign on Bing Maps here.
North Salem Street in Apex.
Was that once Old US 1 from about Laura Duncan to Davis Drive
Several maps from the 1950s and before show US 1 on North Salem Street. This was before the original "super two" version of the current US 1 opened. That said, the layout of the junction of the old US 1 and US 64 went through many variations.
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