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U.S. Route 74

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(Redirected from Independence Freeway)
U.S. Route 74 marker
U.S. Route 74
Map
US 74 highlighted in red
Route information
Length515 mi[citation needed] (829 km)
Existed1927[citation needed]–present
Tourist
routes		 Ocoee Scenic Byway
Mountain Waters Scenic Byway
Major junctions
West end I-24 / I-75 at Chattanooga, TN
Major intersections
East endLumina Avenue in Wrightsville Beach, NC
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesTennessee, North Carolina
CountiesTN: Hamilton, Bradley, Polk
NC: Cherokee, Macon, Swain, Jackson, Haywood, Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, Cleveland, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Union, Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Robeson, Columbus, Brunswick, New Hanover
Highway system

← US 73US→ US 75
← SR 73TN→ SR 74
← I-74NC→ NC 75

U.S. Route 74 (US 74) is an east–west United States highway that runs for 515 miles (829 km) from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Primarily in North Carolina, it serves as an important highway from the mountains to the sea, connecting the cities of Asheville, Charlotte and Wilmington. It is known as Andrew Jackson Highway throughout most of North Carolina.

Route description

[edit]
Lengths
  mi km
TN 63.0 101.4
NC 451.8 727.1
Total 514.8 828.5

Tennessee

[edit]

US 74 was designated in 1927. The 63-mile (101 km) route travels from the I-24/I-75 interchange, in Chattanooga, northeast to Cleveland, where it then continues east, along with US 64, to the North Carolina state line.[1] The highway is predominantly freeway or expressway grade four-lane, except between Ocoee and Ducktown, where it is a curvy two-lane mountain highway along the Ocoee River known as the Ocoee Scenic Byway.

TDOT's signage for US 74 is poor. Most highways that cross it will typically only list I-75 or US 64 instead; I-75 completely ignores US 74 along its route, even ignoring it at their intersection, showing instead the US 64 Bypass.

North Carolina

[edit]
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway through Waynesville
The Charlotte Skyline from Independence Freeway
I-277/US 74 directional signs at Stonewall Street, in Charlotte

From the Tennessee state line, US 74 traverses across the southern portion of the state, connecting the major cities Asheville, Charlotte, and Wilmington, for a total of 451.8 miles (727.1 km).

US 74 in western North Carolina just before it reaches Tennessee

In western North Carolina, US 74 enters the state with a concurrency with US 64. Routed along on pre-existing highways in the region, specifically the: Appalachian Highway (at-grade expressway, except in the Nantahala Gorge) and the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway (controlled-access freeway, which is broken in three sections along the route); it shares a revolving door of concurrency changes with US 19, US 129, US 441 and US 23. The alternating named highway (depending on grade of road) is considered the commercial back-bone and main truck route of Western North Carolina, connecting the cities of Murphy, Andrews, Bryson City, Cherokee, Sylva, and Waynesville. In or around October, the fall colors create an influx of more tourists in the region. In the winter months, the highway is the first to be salted and plowed; however, both the Nantahala Gorge and Balsam Gap tend to get the most snow and/or ice in the region and should be traveled with care.

North of Clyde, US 74 merges with Interstate 40 and goes east, in concurrency, to Asheville. From there, it then goes southeast, in concurrency with Interstate 26 till Columbus, where it separates and continues east along a mostly controlled-access highway, except in Shelby, to Interstate 85, in Kings Mountain.

After crossing a unique weave intersection with Interstate 85, it joins with US 29 and travels through downtown Gastonia along Franklin Boulevard. East of Gastonia, it becomes Wilkinson Boulevard as it goes through McAdenville, Cramerton and Belmont. After crossing the Lake Wylie/Catawba River, via Sloans Ferry Bridge, it enters Charlotte, with connections with Interstate 485 and Interstate 85/Charlotte Douglas International Airport, via Little Rock Road. At Morehead Street, west of Center City, it splits with US 29 for Interstate 277 along the John Belk Freeway. East of Center City, it goes solo again along Independence Freeway/Boulevard to Matthews, where it connects again with Interstate 485.

After leaving the Charlotte city limits, the route turns southeast as it goes through Stallings, Indian Trail and Monroe, where it briefly overlaps with US 601, before continuing east again through Wingate, Marshville, Peachland, Polkton, Wadesboro and Lilesville. On this stretch, prior to 2018, signage for the route was very poor, only being found at a few locations along the route. As part of the US 74 Monroe Bypass project, signage along the route was improved by the NCDOT.

Crossing the Pee Dee River and into the Sandhills region, US 74 meets up with Future Interstates I-73/I-74, in Rockingham. After a future interchange near NC 38 that will end its overlap with Interstate 73, US 74/Future I-74 continues southeast, bypassing Laurinburg and Maxton. East of Maxton and through Lumberton, the highway is officially US 74/Interstate 74, before dropping back to Future I-74 west of Boardman; the concurrency with Future I-74 ends at Bolton, where a future interchange will split from US 74 to continue south towards South Carolina. This is one of only two instances (along with I-41 in Wisconsin) of similarly numbered U.S. and Interstate routes being designated on the same road.

Near Chadbourn, US 74 overlaps with US 76, which continue mostly together till Wrightsville Beach, where US 74 dead-ends north and US 76 dead-ends south. Eastbound after the overlap with US 76, US 74 continues on Salisbury Street through some residential areas and businesses before coming to a traffic light separating Salisbury Street and Lumina Avenue. Drivers are directed to take a left on to North Lumina Avenue to continue on US 74 while South Lumina Avenue connects to Jack Parker Boulevard, which leads to US 76. Approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) on North Lumina, US 74 reaches its eastern terminus at a dead end circle with an entrance to the local Shell Island Resort hotel.

The highway connects the cities and towns of Whiteville, Lake Waccamaw, and Wilmington. The road through the Cape Fear region is flat, surrounded by parts of the Green Swamp.

ADHS corridors

[edit]

US 74 overlaps with two corridors that are part of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which is part of Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Passed in 1965, the purpose of ADHS is to generate economic development in previously isolated areas, supplement the interstate system, connect Appalachia to the interstate system, and provide access to areas within the Region as well as to markets in the rest of the nation.[2]

Scenic byways

[edit]

The Ocoee Scenic Byway is a 26-mile (42 km) National Forest Scenic Byway that traverses through the Cherokee National Forest, in East Tennessee. 19 miles of the Byway are concurrent with US 74 (in addition to U.S. Route 64). Features include the Ocoee Whitewater Center and scenic bluffs along Ocoee River and Gorge.[5]

Nantahala Byway is a 43-mile (69 km) byway from Marble to Whittier; it is known for its scenic views of the Nantahala Gorge, The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River. US 74 overlaps 38 miles (61 km) of the byway from Marble to Bryson City. The byway also overlaps with US 19 and US 129.[6]

Dedicated and memorial names

[edit]
A section of US 74 in Monroe, named in honor of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms

US 74 features several dedicated bridges and stretches of highway throughout its route.

  • American Indian Highway  – this name was authored by Tuscarora Indian Robert M. Chavis, he launched a campaign to obtain support from all the city councils and the Robeson county Commissioners, they all signed onto the partition Mr. Chavis sent to the NCDOT and it was approved by the state DOT, official North Carolina name of the 19 miles (31 km) section of US 74/I-74 in Robeson County (mile marker 191–213). It is named to honor the large American Indian population in Robeson County (approved: November 8, 2001).[7][8]
  • Andrew Jackson Highway – Official North Carolina name of US 74 throughout the state, except in Robeson County (it is still named along the old sections of US 74 now called US 74 Business and Alternate). It was established to honor of the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson (approved: April 4, 1963).[9] Signage is found primarily east of Charlotte, overlapping other official North Carolina dedicated sections.
  • C. Heide Trask Bridge – Official North Carolina name of bridge over the Inland Waterway, in Wrightsville Beach (approved: June 9, 1958).[9]
  • Cameron Morrison Bridge – Was an official North Carolina name of the first bridge and later westbound US 74 bridge, over the Pee Dee River. It was named in honor of Governor Morrison, who was a Richmond County native. The bridge, built in 1925, was dedicated to Morrison originally at an unknown date; in 1983, after the bridge was reconstructed to modern standards, it was rededicated to R.W. Goodman.[9]
  • Dean Arledge Memorial Highway – Official North Carolina name of US 74 between I-26 and NC 9, in Polk County (approved: March 3, 2000).[9]
  • G R Kindley Freeway – Official North Carolina name of US 74/I-74 along the Rockingham-Hamlet bypass. It is named in honor of the former mayor of Rockingham (approved: September 8, 2000).[9]
  • Herman H. West Bridge – Official North Carolina name of bridge over the Valley River, in Cherokee County. It was dedicated in honor of the former state Senator and Representative (approved: September 8, 2000).[9]
  • Hezekiah Pridgen Sr. Bridge – Official North Carolina name of bridge over US 701, in Columbus County (approved: August 4, 1995).[9]
  • James Archibald Hardison Bridge – Official North Carolina name of the eastbound US 74 bridge, over the Pee Dee River. It is named in honor of the former Highway Commissioner and member of the Highway Commission under three governors, from 1933 to 1937 and 1953-1961 (approved: December 30, 1958).[9]
  • J. Ollie Harris Highway – Official North Carolina name of US 74 Bypass at Kings Mountain (approved: October 3, 1997).[9]
  • James Arthur Callahan Freeway – Official North Carolina name of a 2.7-mile (4.3 km) section of US 74/I-26 in Rutherford County (approved: May 10, 1992).[9]
  • John Belk Freeway – Official North Carolina name of US 74/I-277, from I-77/US 21 to Independence Boulevard, in Uptown Charlotte. It is named in honor of John M. Belk, who was mayor of Charlotte from 1969 to 1977 (approved: September 11, 1981).[9]
  • R.W. Goodman Bridge – Official North Carolina name of the westbound US 74 bridge, over the Pee Dee River. It is named in honor of the former Richmond County sheriff R. W. Goodman (approved: March 11, 1983).[9]
  • Senator Jesse Helms Freeway – Official North Carolina name of US 74 between US 601 to the Anson-Union County line (approved: January 8, 1993). Named in honor of the late five-term U.S. senator who was born in Union County in 1921.[9]
  • Solon David Smart Memorial Highway – Official North Carolina name of highway from NC 120 to US 221A, in Rutherford County (approved: December 1, 2000).[9]
  • W Cliff Martin Highway – Official North Carolina name of US 74 from Union County line to Wadesboro, in Anson County (approved: May 2, 1997).[9]

History

[edit]

Established as an original U.S. Route in late 1926, US 74 traversed from Asheville to Chadbourn, in North Carolina. It was extended eastward in late 1934 to Wilmington, replacing an old alignment of US 17.[10]

In 1936, US 74 was extended eastward again from Wilmington, via Market Street, to Wrightsville Beach, then going north on Lumina Avenue to its current eastern terminus. US 74 also spawned two alternate routes the same year, the first and shortest (0.14 miles (0.23 km)) in Leland, and a second in Shelby; which eventually replaced all of US 74 through the downtown area by 1949 (later renamed US 74 Business in 1960).[10][11][12]

In 1937, US 74 was rerouted through Kings Mountain, replacing part of NC 7. Its old alignment became an alternate route, but was replaced a year later by both NC 161 and NC 274.

By 1949, US 74 was on its first bypass around Rutherfordton, via Ruth; its former route becoming an alternate route (later renamed US 74 Business in 1960). In 1952, the first Monroe Bypass was completed, leaving a short-lived alternate route going through the downtown area. By 1953, the first bypass around Rockingham was completed, leaving a short lived alternate route through the downtown area.[10][11][12]

In 1970, US 74 was placed on new freeway alignment bypassing Spindale, Forest City, Ellenboro, and Mooresboro; the old route was replaced by an extension of US 74 Business. In 1973, US 74 was realigned onto new road south of Lumberton. In 1975, US 74/US 76 was rerouted onto new freeway bypass south of Leland and then east of Belville, its old alignment becoming secondary roads.[13] In 1976, US 74/US 76 was bypassed north of Chadbourn and Whiteville, leaving behind US 74 Bus./US 76 Bus.[14][15]

In 1984, Maxton was bypassed, replaced by an extension of US 74 Bus.[16] In 1985, US 74 was rerouted north of Kings Mountain onto new freeway bypass; its old alignment becoming US 74 Bus.[17] In 1986, Hallsboro and Lake Waccamaw were bypassed; its old alignment replaced by NC 214.[18]

Also in 1986, US 74 was extended west, from Asheville to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The routing extension started at its former western terminus with US 70, going northerly, in concurrency with US 70, to I-240, where it overlapped briefly before joining US 19/US 23. From Asheville, in concurrency with US 19/US 23, it went through Canton and Lake Junaluska. From Lake Junaluska, in concurrency with US 23, it went through Waynesville. Near Dillsboro it switches US 23 for US 441 and continues till it splits north within the Qualla Boundary. West of Bryson City, it overlaps with NC 28. In Topton, it joins with US 129 and continues southwesterly till at Murphy, where it joins with US 64 and separates from US 19/US 129. Heading west, in concurrency with US 64, it enters Tennessee; traversing through Ducktown, it reaches Cleveland, where it then follows the US 64 Bypass to I-75. Continuing southeasterly, as a hidden concurrency with I-75, it connects with Chattanooga, ending at its new terminus at I-24.[19][20][21]

In 1988, US 74 was extended 1.46 miles (2.35 km) east to its current eastern terminus in Wrightsville Beach.[22] In 1990, US 74 was rerouted onto I-277 (John Belk Freeway), this left a section of Independence Boulevard that was still overlapped with NC 27.[23][24] In 1992–1993, Bolton was bypassed to the north, with its old alignment becoming an extension of NC 214.[25][26]

In 1994, US 74 was rerouted onto I-40 for 1.58 miles (2.54 km), in Asheville, and then onto I-26, from Asheville to Columbus. East of Columbus, it traverses along new freeway to Forest City, where it meets back with its old alignment. The former routing between Asheville and Forest City becomes US 74A.[27] In 1996, US 74 was rerouted through Wilmington.[28] In late 1997, US 74 was rerouted onto I-40, between Clyde and Asheville.[29][30]

In 2002, US 74 was placed on its second bypass around both Rockingham and Hamlet, its old alignment becoming US 74 Business.[31] In 2005, US 74 was rerouted north of downtown Wilmington.[32] In 2007, US 74 was placed on new freeway, in concurrency with I-74 from Maxton to just east of I-95; its old alignment becoming US 74 Alternate.[33]

In 2018, US 74's new toll bypass around Monroe was completed.[34]

Independence Boulevard

[edit]

Independence Boulevard and Independence Expressway are two major interconnected roads in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina that carry US 74. Originally constructed in the 1940s and early 1950s, Independence Boulevard was the city of Charlotte's first expressway. The road has undergone numerous realignments, extensions, upgrades, truncations, and renamings since the mid-20th century.

Ben Douglas, former mayor of Charlotte and member of the North Carolina State Highway Commission, helped lead the push for the urban highway project in the 1940s that would become Independence Boulevard. In 1946, Charlotte voters passed a referendum in favor of a $200,000 bond issue to fund the project; this was coupled with over $2 million in federal funding. The expressway was to be named after Independence Park that was largely demolished to make way for the road; the name suggestion was coined by City Clerk Lillian Hoffman on May 4, 1949, after a previous suggestion naming it after the current mayor, Herbert Baxter, was rejected. Construction commenced in the late 1940s and the new expressway which traversed east–west along the southern part of the city opened in two parts; the first opened to traffic in 1949 and the other opened in 1950. US 74 and NC 27 were subsequently shifted from their central business district alignments to the new expressway.

Major changes to Independence Boulevard occurred in the 1980s. A portion of West Independence Boulevard was converted from expressway to limited-access freeway and made a part of the John Belk Freeway and Interstate 277. The portion west of Interstate 77 was renamed Wilkinson Boulevard. A new intersection with I-277 (which would also connect to the Brookshire Freeway that was upgraded as part of the I-277 project) was constructed and the connecting freeway along with the updated portion of East Independence Boulevard was given the name Independence Freeway; US 74 was shifted to this new alignment. After the massive transportation revamp, a few disconnected segments of the original Independence Boulevard remained. These segments were later reorganized and given the names Carson Boulevard, Stonewall Street, and South Independence Boulevard; the latter was downgraded to a surface street and renamed Charlottetown Avenue in 2007 to prevent confusion with the unconnected East Independence Boulevard. In 2021, Stonewall Street was renamed to Brooklyn Village Avenue to honor a Charlotte neighborhood that had been demolished for expansion of the Uptown area.

The freeway and bus lanes of Independence Freeway were extended to Albemarle Road in 2005. The limited-access road extension has caused numerous businesses along the corridor to leave the area and vacate their commercial real estate, resulting in brownfield land.

"American Indian Highway" controversy

[edit]

In Robeson County, the highway is designated "American Indian Highway," a name that was the brain child of Robert M. Chavis, the Wolfclan chief of the NC Tuscarora; Cherokee Indians of Robeson County, and Nottoway Nation, who authored the name in the late 1990s. American Indian people of Robeson County, NC had attempted to remove Andrew Jackson's name from the highway for some sixty years. Knowing that the new US 74 was to come, Chavis started a campaign to change the name to American Indian Highway. Chavis did this in honor of all the Indian people that had lost their lives along the Trail of Tears during the Indian Removal Act of the 1830s authored by Andrew Jackson. Chavis was cited in many newspapers across North Carolina stating that the name should be changed, because that name on this section of road was tantamount to having a major road named Adolf Hitler that ran across a Jewish state or county. Chavis, with the help of the Tuscarora East of the Mountains, obtained the information on how to attempt the name change from Rep. Ronnie Sutton and the NCDOT. Then Chavis presented the reasons for the name change to all the cities of Robeson County and the Robeson County Commissioners. Once he obtained support from these entities, he presented the proposal to the NCDOT. Rep. Sutton supported the name change at the state level and the name change was approved by the NCDOT. The new signs of American Indian Highway were placed on the new sections of I-74 once the highway construction was completed.[35]

Future

[edit]

Western North Carolina

[edit]

In Graham County, NCDOT has proposed to relocate US 74 onto a new divided four-lane highway from Robbinsville to Stecoah. This new routing will feature controlled at-grade intersections, viaduct and tunnel (at Stecoah Gap).[36][37] At a cost of $383 million, right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to begin in 2014 and construction to begin in 2016; however, this is subject to reprioritization. The project is part of an overall project to bypass the current routing through the Nantahala Gorge, where bottlenecks are common along the two-lane highway through protected valley area within the Nantahala National Forest. The overall project, from Andrews to Almond, would complete a four-lane expressway from Cherokee County to Asheville.[38]

The portion of US 74 that is concurrent with I-40 near Asheville and I-26 south of Asheville is being improved as part of the Asheville I-26 Connector project and the widening project of I-26 between Hendersonville and Asheville.[39]

Future interstate corridor (Columbus to Kings Mountain, North Carolina)

[edit]

On April 10, 2023, a bill was introduced to further upgrade the entire stretch of US 74 from I-26 in Columbus, and I-85 in Kings Mountain to interstate highway standards.[40] Most of the corridor is already a freeway with the exception of sections in Mooresboro and Shelby in Cleveland County.[41] Currently, a 18.5-mile (29.8 km) controlled-access highway is being constructed under the designation of US 74 Bypass to bypass Shelby to the north. When completed, it will improve vehicle capacity along the US 74 corridor, reduce future traffic congestion, increase safety and improve roadway continuity between I-26 and I-85. Being built in six sections, the cost is estimated at $295.9 million and has been fully funded. Construction first began on Section AA in July 2013 and was completed in September 2016. The next two sections (AB and B) being started in July 2014 and ending in April 2018; an additional paving project for Section AB (listed as Section F) was completed in 2020 as well. Construction on Section C began in 2017 and is expected to be completed by June 2024. The final design as well as right-of-way purchase for sections D and E are underway and construction of these final sections is expected to begin by the end of 2023 and be completed by 2029.[42]

In Mooresboro, there are plans to convert the last remaining at-grade intersections (US 74 Business/Lattimore Road/Academy Street) into an interchange, as well as improving the bridges over Sandy Run Creek. When the interchange and the rest of the Shelby Bypass are completed, US 74 will become a full freeway between I-26 in Asheville and I-85 in Kings Mountain. The project had been in the State Transportation Improvement Program since 2000, but activities on it were limited until funding was secured in 2018. Public input from the community on these improvements, which gave four alternatives construction plans (1, 1A, 2, and 2A) as well as three options for service roads, was requested from late August to early September 2022. In December 2022, NCDOT announced the findings from the responses given and later stated that they had chosen Alternative 1A. This alternative will transform the US 74 Business/Lattimore Road/Academy Street intersection with a parclo interchange that will include a roundabout on the ramps to and from eastbound lanes. Service road plans were not announced, but public feedback showed almost unanimous support for option 3. Right-of-way acquisition and construction began in 2023.[43]

Charlotte and Wadesboro

[edit]

The Independence Widening project, in Mecklenburg County, is to enhance and improve traffic flow and safety along US 74 in east Charlotte, by converting the corridor into an expressway grade highway from Center City to Matthews. Construction on three new interchanges at Sharon-Amity Road, Idlewild Road and Conference Drive were completed by October 15, 2016, at a cost of $101.2 million.[44] NCDOT is now planning to add two-way grade-separated express lanes to this segment along with converting it to an expressway with additional interchanges as well.[45][46] Partial funding for part of the project was provided in the NCDOT's 2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program and right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to start in 2024; construction will begin in 2028.[39]

In Union and Anson counties, the US 74 freeway upgrade and Wadesboro Bypass is an estimated $741 million project. Plans include linking with the Monroe Expressway with the Rockingham Bypass with upgrading to existing facilities to freeway standards and bypass the cities of both Marshville (to the south) and Wadesboro (to the north).[47] The Wadesboro Bypass project remains only partially funded, but it was included in the NCDOT's 2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program.[39] Feedback from Anson County residents was requested from late-November–December 2023. Currently, the right of way for the project is tentatively scheduled for summer of 2028, with construction on the bypass beginning summer of 2030.[48]

Interstate 74 upgrades (Rockingham to Bolton, North Carolina)

[edit]

The US 74 corridor from Rockingham to Bolton is being upgraded to interstate standards as part of the I-74 extension. Currently, the only segment that has been completed and been officially signed as I-74 is between Maxton and Lumberton. This segment has an interchange with I-95, which meant that it could be signed as an interstate since it connected to the interstate highway system. The other portions of the route are in various stages of planning.[49]

Junction list

[edit]
StateCountyLocationmi[50]kmExitDestinationsNotes
TennesseeHamiltonChattanooga0.00.0
 I-75 south – Atlanta		Continuation south; west end of I-75 overlap
2


 I-24 west to I-59 south – Chattanooga, Birmingham		Eastern terminus and exit 185B on I-24
2.23.53 SR 320 (East Brainerd Road)Signed as exits 3A (east) and 3B (west) westbound
2.94.74
 SR 153 north – Chattanooga Airport, Chickamauga Dam
3.04.84AHamilton Place Boulevardwestbound exit and eastbound entrance
4.47.15Shallowford Road
6.210.07


 US 11 south / US 64 west (SR 2 west) / SR 317 west (Bonny Oaks Drive) / Old Lee Highway – Summit, Collegedale		West end of US 11/US 64/SR 2/SR 317 overlap; signed as exits 7A (Old Lee Hwy.) and 7B (SR 317) northbound
7.812.69
 SR 317 east (Apison Pike) / Volkswagen Drive – Collegedale		East end of SR 317 overlap; serves Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant
10.316.611

 US 11 north / US 64 east (SR 2 east) – Ooltewah		East end of US 11/US 64/SR 2 overlap
BradleyCleveland19.230.920


 I-75 north / US 64 Byp. begins (SR 311 begins) – Knoxville		East end of I-75 and west end of US 64 Byp./SR 311 overlap
19.831.9Cherokee GatewayInterchange
20.733.3 US 11 / US 64 (N Lee Highway/ SR 2) – ClevelandInterchange
22.936.9Blue Springs Road – Red Clay State Historic AreaInterchange
24.238.9 SR 60 (Dalton Pike) – Dalton Ga.Interchange via access road (McGrady Drive)
East Cleveland24.639.6 SR 74 (Spring Place Road)Interchange
25.841.5


 US 64 Byp. ends (SR 311 ends) / US 64 west / SR 60 (APD-40/Waterlevel Highway/ SR 40 west) – Cleveland, Dayton		Cloverleaf interchange; east end of US 64 Byp./SR 311 overlap; west end of US 64/SR 40 overlap; US 74 becomes signed
PolkOcoee33.353.6 US 411 (SR 33) – Benton, Chatsworth, GAInterchange
Parksville37.760.7
 SR 314 north (Parksville Road) – Benton		Southern terminus of SR 314
​42.969.0
 SR 30 west – Reliance		Eastern terminus of SR 30
Ducktown59.295.3 SR 68 – Copperhill, DucktownInterchange
 63.0
0.0		101.4
0.0		Tennessee–North Carolina line
North CarolinaCherokee​12.219.6
 NC 294 west – Hiwassee		To Hiwassee Dam
​14.022.5
 NC 60 south – Blue Ridge
​14.723.7

 US 19 south / US 129 south (Blairsville Highway) – Blairsville		West end of US 19/US 129 overlap
Murphy19.932.0

 US 19 Bus. north (Hiwassee Street)
20.332.7
 US 64 east – Hayesville, Franklin		East end of US 64 overlap
​23.137.2

 US 19 Bus. south (Andrews Road)
Marble29.146.8
 NC 141 south – Hayesville		To Tri-County Community College
Andrews34.455.4

 US 19 Bus. north (Main Street) / Airport Road – Western Carolina Regional Airport
37.460.2

 US 19 Bus. south (Main Street)
Topton44.471.5
 US 129 north (Tallulah Road) – Robbinsville, Fontana, Knoxville		East end of US 129 overlap
Macon
 No major junctions
SwainAlmond58.694.3
 NC 28 north (Mtn. Waters Scenic Byway) – Robbinsville, Fontana		West end of NC 28 overlap; to Fontana Dam
Lauada61.799.3
 NC 28 south – Franklin		East end of NC 28 overlap
​64.0103.064
 US 19 north (Alarka Road) – Bryson City, Cherokee		East end of US 19 overlap; west end of Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
Bryson City66.9107.767
 US 19 Conn. (Veterans Boulevard) – Bryson City, Great Smoky Mts National Park
​69.5111.869Hyatt Creek Road – Ela
JacksonWhittier71.9115.772Whittier
​73.6118.474
 US 441 north – Great Smoky Mts National Park, Cherokee		West end of US 441 overlap; to Blue Ridge Parkway
​81.1130.581A
 US 23 / US 441 south – Dillsboro, Franklin, Atlanta		East end of US 441 overlap; West end of US 23; signed as exit 81 westbound
​81BRufus Robinson RoadNo signage for exit; westbound access via exit 81 (see above)
Sylva83.2133.983Grindstaff Cove Road – Sylva
85.2137.185

 US 23 Bus. to NC 107 – East Sylva, Cullowhee		To Western Carolina University
HaywoodBalsam94.1151.4 Blue Ridge ParkwayAt-grade intersection; access via connector road
Waynesville98.4158.498
 US 23 Bus. (Balsam Road) – West Waynesville
99.5160.1100Hazelwood Avenue
101.7163.7102 US 276 – Waynesville, Brevard, Maggie ValleySigned eastbound as exits 102A (south) and 102B (north)
Lake Junaluska103.3166.2103
 US 19 south – Maggie Valley, Cherokee		West end of US 19 overlap; eastbound entrance and westbound exit
104.0167.4104
 US 23 Bus. / NC 209 – Lake Junaluska, Waynesville, Hot Springs
​105.2169.3105West Jones Cove
Clyde106.0170.6106

 US 19 north / US 23 north – Clyde, Canton		East end of US 19/US 23 overlap
106.1170.8107East Jones CoveWestbound exit and entrance only; integrated with exit 106
107.0172.2
 I-40 west – Knoxville		West end of I-40 overlap; I-40 exit 27; east end of Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
US 74 overlaps with Interstate 40 (exits 27 to 46A) and Interstate 26 (exits 31B to 67)
PolkColumbus161259161

 I-26 east to NC 108 – Tryon, Spartanburg		East end of I-26 overlap; I-26 exit 67
163262163 NC 108 – Columbus, Mill Spring
​167269167 NC 9 – Mill Spring, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, New Prospect
​170270170Pea Ridge RoadTo Tryon International Equestrian Center
Rutherford​173278173Union Road
​178286178
 US 221 / US 74 Bus. – Rutherfordton, Spartanburg
Forest City181291181
 US 74A to US 64 – Spindale
182293182
 US 221 Alt. – Forest City
​184296184Old Caroleen Road
​187301187Henrietta, Caroleen, Ellenboro
​189304189 NC 120
ClevelandMooresboro191307

 US 74 Bus. west – Mooresboro		To be reconstructed as an interchange (future exit 192)[51]
​193311193Lattimore, Boiling Springs
​194312194

 To NC 226 north / Shelby Bypass		Interchange paved in 2018;[52] Future US 74 Byp.;[51][53] future east end of freeway section
Shelby198319
 NC 226 north (Polkville Road) – Polkville, Marion		West end of NC 226 overlap
199320

 US 74 Bus. east (Marion Street)
201323 NC 18 (NC 150) – GaffneyInterchange; access via connector road (Pine Street); signage only shows "To NC 18," ignoring NC 150 overlap
201.5324.3
 NC 226 south (Earl Road) – Grover		East end of NC 226 overlap
203327 NC 180 (Post Road) – Gaffney
204328

 US 74 Bus. west (Marion Street)
​

 US 74 Byp. west – Asheville		Future interchange
​209336209David Baptist Church Road, Bethlehem RoadFuture roundabout interchange
Kings Mountain211340211

 US 74 Bus. east (Shelby Road) – Moss Lake, Waco		West end of freeway section
212341Oak Grove Road
213343 NC 216 (Piedmont Avenue) – Kings Mountain, Cherryville
214344 NC 161 (Cleveland Avenue) – Bessemer City
Gaston215346

 US 74 Bus. west (King Street) – Kings Mountain		Westbound entrance and eastbound exit
215.1–
216		346.2–
348
 US 29 south / I-85 – Charlotte, Spartanburg		West end of US 29 overlap; east end of freeway section
Gastonia220350
 NC 274 north (Bessemer City Road) – Bessemer City		West end of NC 274 overlap
222357
 US 321 south (Chester Street)		One-way street

 US 321 north (York Street)		One-way street
223359
 NC 274 south (Broad Street)		East end of NC 274 overlap; train tracks in median of road
224360 NC 279 (New Hope Road)
224.5361.3Aberdeen BoulevardTo Cox Road/Shopping Mall
Belmont231372 NC 7 (Main Street)To Belmont Abbey College
231.5372.6 NC 273 (Park Street) – Mount Holly
232373
 NC 7 west (Catawba Street)
MecklenburgCharlotte235378 I-485 – Pineville, Huntersville
236380 Little Rock Road – CLT Airport
237381 Boyer Street to Billy Graham Parkway (Charlotte Route 4) – CLT Airport
239.5385.4
 US 29 north (Morehead Street)		East end of US 29 overlap
240390
 I-77 / US 21 / I-277 begins – Statesville, Columbia		South end of I-277 overlap; west end of freeway section
US 74 overlaps with Interstate 277 (exits 1A to 2B)
242389242
 I-277 / NC 16 north (Brookshire Freeway)		East end of I-277/NC 16 overlap
243391243Charlottetowne Avenue
244393244Briar Creek Road – Bojangles' ColiseumEast end of freeway section
245394245Wendover Road / Eastway Drive (Charlotte Route 4)Interchange; signed as exits 245A (Wendover) and 245B (Eastway)
246396246
 NC 27 east (Albemarle Road)		Interchange; east end of NC 27 overlap; eastbound left exit and westbound entrance


 To US 74 west / Pierson Drive		Interchange; eastbound exit and entrance only
247

 To NC 27 east / Sharon Amity Road		Interchange
248Idlewild RoadInterchange[54][55]
Matthews252406 NC 51 (Matthews Township Parkway) – Matthews, Mint HillInterchange
254409253 I-485 – Pineville, HuntersvilleInterchange; I-485 exits 51A-B
UnionStallings254McKee Road / Stallings Road / Marie Garris Drive
255

 US 74 Byp. east (Monroe Expressway) – Rockingham, Wilmington		Toll road; eastbound left exit and westbound entrance
Monroe264.5425.7 NC 200 (Dickerson Boulevard)West end of NC 200 overlap
265426Concord AvenueInterchange
265.5427.3

 US 601 north / NC 207 south (Skyway Drive) – Fairview, Concord		Interchange; West end of US 601 overlap; Northern terminus of NC 207
266428
 NC 200 north – Unionville		East end of NC 200 overlap
268431
 US 601 south – Pageland		East end of US 601 overlap
​273

 US 74 Byp. west (Monroe Expressway) – Charlotte		Toll road; westbound left exit and eastbound entrance
Marshville276444 NC 205 (Elm Street) – New Salem
AnsonPolkton285459
 NC 218 west (Williams Street) – New Salem, Mint Hill
Wadesboro285459

 US 52 north / NC 742 north – Albemarle, Anson County Airport		West end of US 52/NC 742 overlap
293472
 NC 109 (Greene Street) / NC 742 south – Mount Gilead		East end of NC 742 overlap
295475
 US 52 south – Cheraw		East end of US 52 overlap
​304489
 NC 145 south – Morven, Chesterfield
RichmondRockingham306492306
 US 74 Bus. – Rockingham		Interchange currently be reconstructed; Future west end of Future I-74 overlap; Future temporary western terminus of Future I-73
308496308Cordova
311501311
 US 1 to US 220 – Rockingham, Southern Pines, Cheraw
Hamlet316509316 NC 177 – Hamlet
319513319
 NC 38 east – Bennettsville
320510320 NC 381 – Hamlet, Gibson
321517321
 US 74 Bus. – Hamlet		Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
ScotlandLaurel Hill329529
 NC 144 east (Morgan Street)
US 74 overlaps with Interstate 74 (exit 181 to Broadridge Road)
RobesonOrrum373600
 NC 72 west (Wilmington Highway) – Lumberton, Red Springs		Eastern terminus of NC 72


 NC 130 west / NC 72 west (Wilmington Highway) – Fairmont, Lumberton, Red Springs		Future interchange; future west end of NC 130 overlap; future eastern terminus of NC 72[56]
374602
 NC 130 west – Fairmont		West end of NC 130 overlap
Boardman225Macedonia Church Road / Old Boardman RoadInterchange opened in September 2023
ColumbusEvergreen380610228 NC 242 (Haynes Lennon Highway) – BladenboroWest end of freeway section; exit numbers follow Future I-74
Chadbourn385620233


 US 74 Bus. east / NC 130 east / NC 410 – Chadbourn, Bladenboro		East end of NC 130 overlap
387623235
 US 76 west – Chadbourn, Fair Bluff		West end of US 76 overlap; westbound exit and eastbouond entrance
​390630238Union Valley Road – Southeast Regional Industrial Park
Whiteville392631241 US 701 – Whiteville, Clarkton
395636244


 US 74 Bus. / US 76 Bus. west – Whiteville		Also to NC 214
Hallsboro400640248Hallsboro Road (SR 1001)Opened to traffic June 12, 2020
Lake Waccamaw404650252Chauncey Town Road (SR 1735)Roundabout interchange opened in October 2024; exit number follows Future I-74
Bolton
 I-74 east – Myrtle Beach		Proposed Interchange (unconfirmed); future east end of I-74 overlap
410660258 NC 211 – Clarkton, Bolton, SupplyInterchange; exit number follows Future I-74
413665
 NC 214 west (Sam Potts Highway) – Bolton		Eastern terminus of NC 214
Freeman417671
 NC 11 north – Burgaw		Southern terminus of NC 11
Delco422679
 NC 87 north (Old Stage Road) – Riegelwood, Elizabethtown		West end of NC 87 overlap; formerly marked as Exit 270
BrunswickMaco426686
 NC 87 south – Southport, Northwest		East end of NC 87 overlap
Leland429.7691.5 I-140 – Shallotte, Myrtle Beach, Topsail Island, JacksonvilleInterchange
431694Lanvale Road – Leland
435700
 US 17 south – Shallotte, Myrtle Beach		West end of US 17 overlap
436702
 NC 133 south – Leland, Belville, Southport, Oak Island		West end of NC 133 overlap
​438705


 US 17 north / US 76 east / US 421 south – Wilmington, Carolina Beach		East end of US 17, east end of US 76 and west end of US 421 overlap
New HanoverWilmington439707S. Thomas Rhodes Bridge over the Cape Fear River
439.2706.8

 US 421 north to I-140 – Jacksonville, Clinton		East end of US 421 overlap
440710Isabel Holmes Bridge over the Northeast Cape Fear River
440.6709.13rd Street – Downtown WilmingtonInterchange
441710McRae StreetInterchange; eastbound exit and westbound entrance
441.5710.5
 NC 133 north – Castle Hayne		East end of NC 133 overlap
442711 23rd Street/Airport Boulevard – Wilmington International AirportInterchange
445716

 US 117 / NC 132 to I-40 / US 421 – Castle Hayne, Raleigh, State Port, Carolina Beach
446718
 US 17 Bus. (Market Street) – Wilmington, Ogden
448721
 US 17 / US 76 west (Military Cutoff Road) – Wilmington, Jacksonville		West end of US 76 overlap
Wrightsville Beach449723
 US 76 east (Causeway Drive)		East end of US 76 overlap
450720Lumina AvenueEnd of US 74 is 1.8 miles (2.9 km) from intersection, north on Lumina Avenue
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Tennessee 2014 Official Transportation Map [back] (PDF) (Map). 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  2. ^ "Appalachian Development Highway System". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Status of Corridors in North Carolina" (PDF). Appalachian Regional Commission. September 30, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  4. ^ "Status of Corridors in Tennessee" (PDF). Appalachian Regional Commission. September 30, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  5. ^ "Cherokee National Forest - Ocoee Scenic Byway".
  6. ^ "NCDOT: Scenic Byways". Retrieved 2011-03-01.
  7. ^ "Media Advisory: I-74 "The American Indian Highway" Naming Ceremony". Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  8. ^ "Road and Bridge Namings in North Carolina" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. July 30, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "North Carolina Memorial Highways and other Named Facilities" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. July 15, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c "NCRoads.com: U.S. 74". Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  11. ^ a b "NCRoads.com: U.S. 74-A". Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  12. ^ a b "NCRoads.com: U.S. 74 Business". Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  13. ^ "US Route Change (1975-09-01)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. September 1, 1975. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  14. ^ "US Route Change (1976-02-01)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. February 1, 1976. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  15. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (July 6, 1977). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 2. Retrieved August 31, 2014 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  16. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (December 7, 1984). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 4. Retrieved August 31, 2014 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  17. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (June 26, 1985). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda" (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 3-4. Retrieved August 31, 2014 – via Wikisource.
  18. ^ "US Route Change (1986-10-01)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. October 1, 1986. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  19. ^ "US Route Change (1986-06-09)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. June 9, 1986. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  20. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (June 9, 1986). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda" (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 3. Retrieved August 31, 2014 – via Wikisource.
  21. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (November 8, 1986). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 4. Retrieved August 31, 2014 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  22. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (December 2, 1988). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 4. Retrieved August 31, 2014 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  23. ^ "US Route Change (1990-08-10)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. August 10, 1990. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  24. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (June 4, 1990). "Report of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering to the Executive Committee" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  25. ^ "US Route Change (1993-07-14)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. July 14, 1993. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  26. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (October 3, 1992). "Report of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering to the Executive Committee" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  27. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (November 12, 1994). "Report of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering to the Standing Committee on Highways" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  28. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (April 21, 1996). "Report of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering to the Standing Committee on Highways" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  29. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (April 27, 1997). "Report of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering to the Standing Committee on Highways" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  30. ^ "US 74 Route Change (1998-01-30)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. January 30, 1998. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  31. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (November 5, 2002). "Report of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering to the Standing Committee on Highways" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  32. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (May 6, 2005). "Report of the Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  33. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (September 29, 2007). "Report for SCOH" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  34. ^ Henson, Christian (November 27, 2018). "The Charlotte Area's First Toll Road, the Monroe Expressway, Opens". Charter Communications. Spectrum News Charlotte. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  35. ^ "I-74 North Carolina exit list". Retrieved November 19, 2009.
  36. ^ US 74 Relocation, from US 129 to NC 28: Roll 1 of 2 (PDF) (Map). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  37. ^ US 74 Relocation, from US 129 to NC 28: Roll 2 of 2 (PDF) (Map). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  38. ^ Staff. "US 74 Relocation Project". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  39. ^ a b c "2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. January 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  40. ^ Robinson, Chuck (18 April 2023). "Bill proposes making North Carolina's U.S. 74 a future interstate". Land Line. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  41. ^ Pridgen, Denise (14 April 2023). "Edwards introduces bill to designate part of US 74 a future interstate". WLOS. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  42. ^ Staff. "US 74 Bypass (Shelby Bypass)". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  43. ^ Staff. "Public Input for US 74 Improvements in Mooresboro". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  44. ^ Staff. "US 74 Widening & Improvements". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  45. ^ "NCDOT: U.S. 74 Express Lanes: I-277 to Idlewild Road". NCDOT. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  46. ^ "NCDOT: U.S. 74 Express Lanes: Conference Drive to I-485". NCDOT. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  47. ^ "SPOT ID: H090281" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. May 29, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  48. ^ Monica, Lauren (November 30, 2023). "State transportation leaders give update on projects planned for Anson County". Richmond County Daily Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  49. ^ "NCDOT: I-74 Feasibility Study - Project Highlights". NCDOT. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  50. ^ "US 74" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  51. ^ a b "Signing Plan" (PDF). NCDOT. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  52. ^ "NCDOT Current STIP: January 2017" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-26. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  53. ^ "US 74 Bypass (Shelby Bypass)". NCDOT. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  54. ^ "Signing Plan" (PDF). NCDOT. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  55. ^ "U.S. 74 Widening & Improvements" (PDF). NCDOT. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  56. ^ Bright, Dennis (8 March 2023). "$24.6M awarded to upgrade Highway 74 intersections in Robeson County to interstate standards". WBTW. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
[edit]
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