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124-504: The Great Smoky Mountains Expressway is a 43-mile (69 km) section of US 74 ; from US 19 (Alarka Road), near Bryson City , to I-40 , near Clyde . The expressway also shares concurrences with three other major highways in the region: US 19 , US 23 and US 441 . The Expressway is broken into five segments: three freeway segments, where all major interchanges occur with 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) speed limit, and two expressway grade segments that links

248-550: A traffic stop . This led the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to crack down on speeding tractor trailers and speeders in general through the area. This portion of the highway is also notorious for rockslides and rocks falling onto the highway. The main cause is that sections of the highway have been built on the north side of the Pigeon River, where the rock stratums foliate toward the highway. In 1985,

372-427: A 31-mile (50 km) concurrency through Guilford, Alamance, and Orange counties. The concurrency section uses I-85 exit numbers instead of I-40 exit numbers. The section goes south of Elon , Burlington , Graham , and Mebane , passing through generally suburban development. I-40 breaks ways from I-85 at exit 163, south of Hillsborough , where I-85 continues east. After I-40 breaks away from I-85, it heads in

496-522: A Cherokee chief known as Big Bear received a 640-acre (2.6 km ) reservation of land immediately west of the confluence of Deep Creek and the Tuckasegee River. Big Bear sold part of his reservation to Darling Belk in 1819 and another part to John B. Love in 1824. Throughout the 1830s, Belk's heirs and Love fought an extended legal battle over control of the former Big Bear land, with Love finally prevailing in 1840. The following year, Love sold part of

620-504: A bypass west of Waynesville, while also serving Lake Junaluska and Clyde. Having been built in the mid-1960s, it is the oldest segment of the Expressway and features a short grassy median with guardrails separating traffic lanes. There is also a quirk where westbound travelers can utilize Exit 107 and then re-emerge back onto the Expressway at the Exit 106 on-ramps. Some travelers may see this as

744-527: A cost around $ 300,000 (equivalent to $ 414,000 in 2023 ), all signage was replaced by July 1, 2009. In November 2009, US 421 was rerouted onto the Urban Loop, replacing most of I-40's brief alignment around Greensboro. The current alignment of I-40 is four miles (6.4 km) shorter than the 2008 Urban Loop routing and is the quicker route for any vehicle consistently traveling at the posted speed limits. In 2011, an eight-mile (13 km) widening project

868-498: A county seat. Initially known as Charleston, the county seat was laid out in a T-shape, formed by what are now Main and Everett streets (the latter street was named for the county's first sheriff, Epp Everett). The first Swain County Courthouse was completed in 1874. In 1872, shortly after completion of the new jail, a gang led by Harvey Cooper stormed the jail and freed Tom Colvert, whom they deemed unjustly imprisoned for killing

992-1089: A couple of years prior for US 158 and US 421, respectively, and did not benefit from the 1956 act; as a result, in 1988, the state was able to convince the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to build the Winston-Salem Bypass. Between Ridgecrest and Old Fort, US 70 along Youngs Ridge was four lanes as of 1954; I-40, however, was not officially designated until 1982, after additional highway improvements, including additional widening, runaway truck ramps , and warning devices. In 1960, I-40 made three expansions: in Burke County, from Dysartsville Road (SR 1129) to Hildebran (connecting to US 64/US 70 along I-40 Access Road Southeast (SR 1890)); from NC 16 in Conover to NC 90 in Statesville; and from NC 801 near Advance to

1116-599: A full upgrade of US 421 as several in the region supported. In 1979, I-40 was extended east from Patton Cove Road in Swannanoa to US 70 in Ridgecrest, and in 1982, it was designated in concurrency with US 70 along Youngs Ridge between Ridgecrest and Old Fort; this officially completed the original I-40 routing from Tennessee to Greensboro. In 1984, I-40 was extended in Raleigh from Wade Avenue (exit 289), along

1240-640: A hazard to truck traffic. There are several runaway truck ramps on this part of the highway. This stretch is about six miles (9.7 km) long. I-40 goes south of Black Mountain and Marion and north of Conover . There, it crosses the Eastern Continental Divide and the southern tip of the Black Mountains . When I-40 enters Hickory, it has a clover interchange with US 321 , providing access north to Hickory and south to Lincolnton and Gastonia . I-40 then heads south of Hickory and crosses

1364-518: A large rockslide at milemarker 2.6 along I-40 near the Tennessee state line shut down the freeway for several weeks. While the slide only caused minor injuries, it shut down I-40 in both directions. In February 2008, I-40 was relocated onto the southern section Greensboro Urban Loop, marking the first change to I-40 since it was rerouted onto the Winston-Salem Bypass in 1992. At a cost of $ 122 million (equivalent to $ 170 million in 2023 ),

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1488-661: A major concurrency one mile (1.6 km) after the interchange with US 220. The Interstate is generally a six-lane freeway throughout in this area. This 2.5-mile (4.0 km) corridor with concurrent routes ends in the east at the US ;29/US 70/US 220/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard junction. Both the beginning and ending interchanges of this corridor are quite unusual in design and are often operating at above full capacity, leading to frequent traffic jams and incidents. I-40 through Greensboro officially bears

1612-534: A major interchange, with the Salem Parkway which carries US 421 , gives access to downtown Winston-Salem. Continuing through the southern areas of the Winston-Salem, I-40 bears a more eastern direction, passing Hanes Mall and the surrounding commercial developments. After passing the area, it has a major cloverleaf interchange with I-285 / US 52 / NC 8 . It later meets I-74 , which exits off to

1736-607: A modified cloverleaf interchange . This interchange was redesigned to help smoothen out the driving surface from the I-40 bridges to I-95. I-40 continues southeast through rural Johnston County farmland, meeting NC 96 (exit 334) north of Peacocks Crossroads . Approaching Newton Grove , I-40 leaves Johnston County and crosses into Sampson County . I-40 travels along the southwestern side of Newton Grove, interchanging with NC 50 and NC 55 at exit 341 and US 701 at exit 343. US 13 crosses over I-40 in

1860-532: A new request to redesignate US 19A into US 19 Bypass ; it was so approved. Established on September 16, 1983, the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway was designated along US 19 , US 19 Bypass and the I-40 Connector, between Alarka Road and Interstate 40 . Unofficially, US 19A was still designated along most of the route between Bryson City and Lake Junaluska, despite

1984-471: A plan for I-40's routing east of Durham to Smithfield, with an estimated cost of $ 75 million (equivalent to $ 432 million in 2023 ). In December, new freeway opened between Davis Drive (SR 1999) in RTP to US 1/US 64 (Raleigh Beltline) in Raleigh; I-40 was added along seven miles (11 km) between Davis Drive and Harrison Avenue (SR 1654), while east of Harrison Avenue (future Wade Avenue)

2108-631: A primarily south-southeasterly routing to Wilmington. It departs Raleigh and runs along through eastern Garner between Jones Sausage Road (exit 303) and White Oak Road. I-40 meets US 70 in Garner at exit 306. Additionally, I-40 begins to parallel NC 50 starting near exit 306 in Garner and continuing through Kenansville . I-40 travels 4.1 miles (6.6 km) south to exit 309 with I-42 and NC 540 , where I-42 heads eastward toward Selma and New Bern . South of exit 309, I-40 leaves Wake County and enters Johnston County . As

2232-566: A proposed National System of Interstate Highways in 1947, which included a route that followed loosely to US 70 from the Tennessee state line to Greensboro. After years of planning and the passing of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, which established the route between Tennessee and Greensboro, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved the I-40 designation in 1957. In 1958,

2356-532: A rival at a saloon in Robbinsville . In 1889, the people of Charleston changed the city's name to "Bryson City" to acknowledge the role of Thaddeus Bryson in its development, and to eliminate confusion from sharing a name with Charleston, South Carolina . The Western North Carolina Railroad laid tracks through Bryson City in 1884, greatly improving transportation to the previously isolated area. The Bryson City Bank opened in 1904. The current Swain County Courthouse

2480-410: A severe rockslide buried the westbound entrance to one of two tunnels that carry the highway through the gorge. Repair of the slide area and the tunnel required shifting westbound traffic to the eastbound tunnel, while eastbound traffic was diverted onto a temporary viaduct around the tunnels. In July 1997, a rockslide near the Tennessee state line closed the entire road for nearly three months. In 2009,

2604-638: A short-cut and will typically drive faster exiting off and then back onto the Expressway. Traffic congestion is also more common in this segment of the Expressway. The Great Smoky Mountains Expressway also makes up part of Corridor K and Corridor A in the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS). Corridor K connects I-75 , in Cleveland, Tennessee , with US 23 , in Dillsboro, North Carolina , overlapping 17 miles (27 km) of

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2728-445: A very southeasterly direction toward Chapel Hill , going through rural areas and a forest. I-40 parallels NC 86 until NC 86 crosses I-40 at exit 266. The interstate then passes more suburban areas as well as northern Chapel Hill and through southern Durham . I-40 enters Research Triangle Park (RTP) after an interchange with I-885 and NC 885 . The Interstate varies in width, from four to eight lanes, depending on

2852-463: Is being expanded to also including the future NC 540/Triangle Expressway. In December 2020, a new overhead flyover ramp between I-440 east and I-40 east was opened, replacing the older ramp to allow for the wider freeway underneath. The project was expected to be completed to exit 309 by 2023 while the I-40/NC ;42 interchange rebuild expected to be completed by 2024. The new lanes between

2976-652: Is believed to have met with Spanish explorer Juan Pardo in the French Broad Valley to the north. During the American Revolutionary War, many Cherokee allied with the British, hoping to expel European Americans from their territory. American soldiers burned and destroyed the town of Kituwa in 1776, but the Cherokee continued to hold annual ceremonial dances at the site throughout the 19th century. Around 1818,

3100-548: Is curvy and tends to become a bit narrow in some places when compared to other portions of the highway. Because much of the road was cut through mountainside and along the river, concrete retaining walls have been built on both sides of the road and in the median, cutting down on the width of the breakdown lanes. Coupled with speeding vehicles, the thick fog that tends to plague the area, winter weather, and little room to maneuver in case of accident, this area has become notorious for its severe and many times fatal accidents being twice

3224-590: Is immediately north of Bryson City, has a large campground and multiple trailheads. The park's main eastern entrance is located just a few miles east of Bryson City at Cherokee . Cherokee is the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway . It is also the base of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians , the only federally recognized tribe in North Carolina. Many are descendants of Cherokee who avoided removal in

3348-900: Is in the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina . Swain County Schools is the local school district. Swain County High School is the local high school. Interstate 40 in North Carolina Interstate ;40 ( I-40 ) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that travels 2,556.61 miles (4,114.46 km) from Barstow, California , to Wilmington, North Carolina . In North Carolina , I-40 travels 420.21 miles (676.26 km) across

3472-602: Is owned by Grace Christian Academy and broadcasts over the air and online 24/7. Bryson City is located just west of the confluence of the Tuckasegee River , which flows westward from its source in the mountains to the east, and Deep Creek, which flows south from its source near Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains . After flowing around the Bryson City Island Park , and passing through Bryson City,

3596-512: Is part of U.S. Route 19 , which connects Bryson City to Cherokee to the northeast and Murphy to the southwest. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km ), of which 2.1 square miles (5.4 km ) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km ) (5.33%) is water. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 1,558 people, 654 households, and 424 families residing in

3720-440: Is routed north of Cary and south of William B. Umstead State Park . At Wade Avenue, I-40 bears right to head south. It then has an interchange with I-440 / US 1 / US 64 at exits 293A and 293B. I-40 then runs a concurrency with US 64 along the south side of Raleigh. The concurrency ends at an interchange with I-87 /I-440/US 64 at exit 301, where I-40 turns south. Beyond exit 301, I-40 follows

3844-750: Is the James Harrington Freeway from US 70 to I-95 . In Duplin County , a section of I-40 is known as the Henry L. Stevens Jr. Highway . From the Pender – New Hanover county line to the eastern terminus of I-40, the freeway is known as the Michael Jordan Highway . I-40 was an original Interstate Highway planned in the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 . In North Carolina, the original highway

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3968-577: Is the older highway that follows more closely to the banks of the Tuckasegee River . The Expressway itself is routed along the north slopes of the Alarka Mountains and briefly through the Qualla Boundary before crossing the Tuckasegee River, at the Swain - Jackson county line. A 7-mile (11 km) expressway grade segment separates western and central freeway segments; curving along the north banks of

4092-533: The Blue Ridge Mountains , the foothills of Western North Carolina, suburban communities, and the urban core of several Piedmont cities, along with Eastern North Carolina farmland. There are five auxiliary Interstates in the state related to I-40: I-140 , I-240 , I-440 , I-540 , and I-840 . I-40 formerly had one business loop which primarily ran through Winston-Salem and briefly was extended through Greensboro. The freeway bears several names in addition to

4216-635: The Catawba River on the Cecil H. Hoffman Bridge. After that, it enters Iredell County and passes Statesville north of the city. It has major interchanges with US 64 and US 21 before utilizing a partial turbine/cloverleaf interchange with I-77 . This interchange was reconstructed to help alleviate congestion around the area. I-40 heads northeast upon entering into the region, passing through Mocksville and Clemmons . From here, I-40 widens to six lanes upon entering into Winston-Salem. It has meets with

4340-472: The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 , North Carolina was originally allocated 714 miles (1,149 km) for their share of the Interstate Highway System ; 219 miles (352 km) of which was subsequently allocated for a route from the Tennessee state line, through Asheville and Winston-Salem, to Greensboro. Designated as I-40, it became the first Interstate in the state after opening on a completed three-mile-long (4.8 km) section in Winston-Salem in 1958. For

4464-799: The Good Roads Movement in North Carolina. Between US 15/US 501 in Chapel Hill to I-885/NC 885 in Durham, I-40 is known as the John Motley Morehead III Freeway who was a noted philanthropist and graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . I-40 is the Dan K. Moore Freeway through the Research Triangle Park. The section is named after Dan K. Moore who was

4588-654: The Nantahala National Forest , and along the Nantahala River and Fontana Lake , and serves as the home of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad , a heritage railroad that provides tours of the Nantahala valley. The popular Nantahala Outdoor Center provides guide services for many of the outdoor activities in the area. Indigenous cultures of Native Americans have been living and hunting along

4712-470: The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) approved a corridor location between Raleigh and Wilmington. The discussions on its routing started since the initial extension in 1969 and arguments from several area groups why the routing should go to their port city. In the end, the routing approval to Wilmington came with a caveat to build new freeway in parallel to US 117 instead of

4836-872: The North Carolina State Highway Commission (NCSHC) submitted a request to the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) to extend I-40 east of Greensboro to Raleigh via RTP . In 1969, both BPR and AASHTO approved the extension, allowing I-40 to continue east of Durham through Raleigh to Smithfield. Also in the same year, I-40 was extended west from NC 191 to connect with I-26 and end at US 19/US 23 in Enka. In 1970, I-40 extended west from NC 801 near Advance to US 64 near Mocksville. In 1971, two gaps were completed: Wiggins Road (SR 1200) to US 19/US 23 in Enka; and US 64 in Statesville to US 64 near Mocksville. In July, NCSHC finalized

4960-839: The Piedmont , and Eastern North Carolina . In the Piedmont region, I-40 connects the Piedmont Triad and Research Triangle metropolitan regions. Included in these regions are the cities of Raleigh , Greensboro , Durham , and Winston-Salem which represent the second through fifth largest cities in the state, respectively. In addition, I-40 connects the cities of Asheville and Hickory in Western North Carolina, Wilmington in Eastern North Carolina, and many smaller communities along its route. The landscapes traversed by I-40 include

5084-538: The Tuckasegee River in the vicinity of what is now Bryson City for nearly 14,000 years. The village of Kituwa , which the Cherokee believed to be their oldest village and "mother town", was located along the Tuckasegee River. The ancient mound and village site is now controlled again by the federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is preserved as a sacred site. (Bryson City developed downstream from this site.) In 1567, an orata (minor chief) from Kituwa

Great Smoky Mountains Expressway - Misplaced Pages Continue

5208-629: The Western North Carolina Railroad ) dropped passenger service in 1948. After Norfolk Southern ended freight traffic on the railroad in 1985, the state of North Carolina purchased the tracks. In 1988, the state established a scenic line, known as the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad , with its depot and departure point in Bryson City. In 2015, the city's first FM station was launched. WTIJ-LP (100.7) broadcasts local and nationally syndicated ministers, and Christian music. The station

5332-402: The "Central Highway", designated on the route between Asheville and Greensboro. By the time US 70 was established in 1926 and placed on concurrency on all of NC 10, nearly all of the route was either paved or oil-treated. After World War II , the federal government began planning on a new Interregional Highway system, as mandated by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 , and released

5456-431: The 1980s and 1990s, modernizations were done on the Piedmont stretches. The East-West Expressway which carried I-40 through central Winston-Salem , had stretches that both was built to 1950s Interstate Highway standards and predating the system entirely, leading to notable congestion when all combined. After a study with the city and state, decisions to build a new stretch was concluded, rather than widening and modernizing

5580-618: The 66th governor of North Carolina . From the Wade Avenue Extension to US 70 in Garner, the freeway is known as the Tom Bradshaw Freeway, named after the 33rd mayor of Raleigh . I-40 is the James Harrington Freeway from US 70 to I-95. In Johnston , south of I-95, and Sampson counties, I-40 is dedicated to Robert D. Warren Sr. who was a former State Director of Driver's Licenses and State Senator from

5704-824: The Appalachian Development Act of 1965. The ADHS was designed to generate economic development in previously isolated areas, supplement the interstate system, and provide access to areas within the region as well as to markets in the rest of the nation. US 19A benefited from the ADHS by being designated as part of Corridor K (Ela- Dillsboro ) and Corridor A (Dillsboro- Clyde ). The first freeway section opened in 1967, bypassing west of Waynesville and continuing northeast to I-40 . The second freeway section opened in 1974, bypassing north of Dillsboro and Sylva . The third and final section of freeway opened in 1976, bypassing east of Bryson City to US 441 . By 1979,

5828-567: The Expressway. Corridor A connects I-285 , in Sandy Springs, Georgia , to I-40 , near Clyde, North Carolina , overlapping 26 miles (42 km) of the Expressway. ADHS provides additional funds, as authorized by the U.S. Congress, which has enabled the Expressway to be built and successive improvements along its route. The white-on-blue banner "Appalachian Highway" is used to mark the ADHS corridor. The Great Smoky Mountains Expressway has two overlapping truck routes. US 19 Truck traverses

5952-716: The I-40 designation. Throughout the state, the freeway is known as the Blue Star Memorial Highway , a name shared with multiple Interstates across the state. From the Guilford–Alamance county line to one mile (1.6 km) east of NC 54, in Graham, I-40/ I-85 is known as the Sam Hunt Freeway. The freeway is known as the Harriet Morehead Berry Freeway through Orange County, named for a leader in

6076-700: The I-40 designation. Throughout the state, the freeway is known as the Blue Star Memorial Highway , a name shared with multiple Interstates across the state. From the Guilford – Alamance county line to one mile (1.6 km) east of NC 54 , in Graham , I-40 and I-85 is known as the Sam Hunt Freeway . From Orange County to Raleigh, I-40 is known as the Harriet Morehead Berry Freeway , John Motley Morehead III Freeway , and Tom Bradshaw Freeway . I-40

6200-424: The I-40/I-440 split (exit 301) in Southeast Raleigh, including the easternmost two miles (3.2 km) of I-440 as well. The project necessitated a complete teardown and rebuild of the roadway, widening of the roadway, rehabilitation and widening of bridges and overpasses along the entire route, and extension and widening of several highly congested exit and entrance ramps. The project was divided into two phases,

6324-403: The Interstate, will also include a redesign of the former interchange. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 at a cost of $ 68.8 million. There are five auxiliary routes and three former business routes for I-40 in the state. I-140 is a spur route in Wilmington that bypasses US 17 and forms a partial loop in the city. I-240 loops around downtown Asheville and the districts in

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6448-457: The Raleigh Beltline and the Clayton Bypass were opened to traffic in April 2023. Damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024 washed away the eastbound lanes in the Pigeon River Gorge in several places resulting in a complete closure. Part of the Asheville I-26 Connector project in Asheville involves improvements to I-40 from east of the bridge over the French Broad River to just west of the US 23/US 19/US 74A interchange. The improvements will widen

6572-439: The Tom Bradshaw Freeway, to the Cliff Benson Beltline (exit 301). Also same year, AASHTO approved of designation of I-40 between Wallace and Wilmington, currently under construction at the time. By 1985, construction began on a 22-mile (35 km) project, connecting the Durham Freeway in the RTP with I-85 west of Hillsborough at an estimated cost of $ 103 million (equivalent to $ 248 million in 2023 ). In 1985, I-40

6696-497: The Tuckasegee River, the route's main feature is short cement median or cement wall that separate the lanes of traffic. The 4.5-mile (7.2 km) central freeway segment serves as a bypass north of both Dillsboro and Sylva . Routed along the south slopes of the Plott Balsams , the Expressway features the major interchange with US 23/US 441, where travelers can go south to Franklin and on to Atlanta, Georgia . A 12.5-mile (20.1 km) expressway grade segment separates

6820-405: The Tuckasegee flows southwestward for another 12 miles (19 km) before emptying into the Little Tennessee River . Fontana Lake , an impoundment of the Little Tennessee, covers the lower 11 miles (18 km) of the Tuckasegee. The town is surrounded on all sides by mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains rise to the north, the Cowee Mountains rise to the south, and the Plott Balsams rise to

6944-423: The US 158/US 421 split east of Winston-Salem. In 1961, I-40 extended west from Dysartsville Road to NC 226 near Marion. In Statesville, I-40 extended east along a completed widening project of the US 64 Bypass, between NC 90 to US 64. In 1962, I-40 extended west from NC 226 near Marion to link-up with US 70 near Old Fort. In 1963, the gap between Winston-Salem and Kernersville

7068-440: The US 421 concurrency with I-40 as well as the western terminus of I-840. From here, I-40 heads through southwestern Greensboro passing several interchanges that connects to various major areas in the city, including a junction with US 70 which carries Wendover Avenue. The interstate Four Seasons Town Centre before having a large interchange with US 220 . US 29 / US 70 all merge into I-40/US 220 for

7192-438: The area. In Duplin County , a section of I-40 6.95 miles (11.18 km) north of NC 24 west of Warsaw to 6.95 miles (11.18 km) south of NC 24 is known as the Henry L. Stevens Jr. Highway, who was a commander of the American Legion and a North Carolina Superior Court judge. From the Pender–New Hanover county line to the eastern terminus of I-40, the freeway is known as the Michael Jordan Highway , named after

7316-403: The average family size was 2.78. In the town, the population was spread out, with 17.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males. The median income for a household in the town

7440-440: The average of any other Interstate Highway in North Carolina. Even some minor accidents have been known to tie up traffic in this area because there is little room to move accidents off or to the side of the road with the terrain. Speeding semitrucks have led to many accidents. In 2001 and 2003, two state troopers were killed in two separate accidents by speeding trucks that drifted off the road and hit their police car conducting

7564-407: The bad concrete used in the botch widening project, at a cost of $ 21.7 million (equivalent to $ 32.5 million in 2023 ). The first section of I-40 in North Carolina is the section that travels through the Pigeon River Gorge in Haywood County . Known locally as simply "The Gorge", this part of I-40 cuts a path from the Tennessee state line to Waynesville . This section of the Interstate

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7688-425: The city. I-440 serves as much of the inner loop in Raleigh, while I-540 serves as an outer loop in the Raleigh area, also bypassing the suburbs. I-840 serves as part of the north portion of the Greensboro Urban Loop. I-40 Bus. used a freeway grade going that went through downtown Winston-Salem and the districts surrounding downtown, while I-40, using mostly newer construction, diverted away from downtown to

7812-459: The distance to Barstow, California , as 2,554 miles (4,110 km). In December, AASHTO approved the I-40 designation between Raleigh and Wallace; and in January 1991, NCDOT certified the designation. The final gap of I-40 was completed when it was designated along existing I-85 from Greensboro to west of Hillsborough c.  1992 . By the end of the 20th century, I-40 had experienced notable expansions and modernizations on its route. During

7936-414: The east. The boundary of the Nantahala National Forest passes just south of the city, and the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park passes just to the north. The Qualla Boundary , which comprises the bulk of the reservation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians , dominates the area to the east. Bryson City is centered around the junction of Everett Street and Main Street. Main Street

8060-401: The east. Interchanges with Charity Road (exit 380), NC 11 (exit 384), and NC 41 (exit 385) provide access to these towns and to US 117. I-40 begins to run parallel to the Northeast Cape Fear River and enters Pender County after crossing Rockfish Creek near Wallace. The highway once again meets US 117, at an interchange south of Wallace, and crosses to

8184-432: The eastern and western areas of our state". The new routing was placed in concurrency with I-73 , while its original alignment became an extension of former I-40 Bus. The glowing sentiment the NCDOT secretary gave on the new I-40 routing was not reciprocated, however. NCDOT received many complaints by local residents and motorists on the confusion between "Blue" 40 and "Green" 40. Greensboro residents also had concerns with

8308-447: The entire project is $ 251 million (equivalent to $ 329 million in 2023 ) with construction started in March 2012. The first phase, completed in mid-2019, involved the widening of I-40 from four to six lanes. The second phase, begun in 2020, involves a similar widening of I-77 and the reconstruction of the interchange into a partial turbine interchange . The original completion date was supposed to be late 2022. The completion date

8432-437: The entirety of the state from the Tennessee state line along the Pigeon River Gorge to U.S. Highway 117 (US 117) and North Carolina Highway 132 (NC 132) in Wilmington. I-40 is the longest Interstate Highway in North Carolina and is the only Interstate to completely span the state from west to east. Traveling from west to east, I-40 connects the three major regions of North Carolina— Western North Carolina ,

8556-513: The exit, while westbound I-40 is concurrent with US 117 and NC 132 for approximately 0.5 miles (0.80 km) due to the design of the interchange. The eastern terminus of I-40 is located at US 117 and NC 132 north of Kings Grant Road in Wilmington, where both US 117 and NC 132 drop the concurrency. The highway continues south as North College Road toward US 74 , the University of North Carolina Wilmington , and Carolina Beach . The freeway bears several names in addition to

8680-448: The famous basketball player who grew up in Wilmington and was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I-40 has also been given the name Tobacco Road by college sports fans because the freeway links up the four North Carolina schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference . On February 1, 2024, I-40 was named the Jimmy Capps Freeway, after Jimmy Capps , a country music singer and songwriter from Benson. Authorized by

8804-447: The first (completed in mid-2015) was a rebuilding and repaving of I-40 and I-440 from I-40 exit 301 to I-440 exit 14. The second phase, completed in late 2018, was the more extensive rebuild of I-40 from exit 293 to exit 301. In Statesville , the I-40/I-77 interchange (exit 152), originally built as a cloverleaf in the late 1960s, was upgraded to increase capacity and improve safety. The initial estimated cost for

8928-692: The first construction job in the country that was designated specifically for I-40 was in Haywood County , along the Pigeon River . That same year, the first two sections of I-40 opened: the first was the three-mile-long (4.8 km) East–West Expressway in Winston-Salem ; the second was from US 421 in Kernersville to US 29/US 70 in Greensboro. In both cases, these first freeways were constructed

9052-422: The flaws from the preliminary era of those standards. By 1996, it had been competed at the cost of $ 175 million.(equivalent to $ 314 million in 2023 ) By 1997, Interstate 40 in Greensboro between west of the infamous former Interstate 85 split, to Wendover Avenue, was renovated to most of the same standards, as the other Piedmont renovations. In December 2004, a 10.6-mile (17.1 km) widening project

9176-587: The former US 19A route, between Bryson City and Lake Junaluska; signage appears only at the end points, with no reassurance signs along route. US 64 Truck overlaps between Dillsboro and Clyde; it is well signed throughout the route. Though US 441 has no truck route, commercial traffic is not allowed through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ; recommended instead to traverse east on US 74 and then west I-40 into Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountains Expressway roughly follows

9300-524: The freeway connector (future Great Smoky Mountains Expressway ) near Clyde. I-40 also extended east from Porters Cove Road in Oteen to Patton Cove Road (SR 2740) in Swannanoa. In 1976, a gap of I-40 was completed between Henry River Road (SR 1002) in Hildebran and NC 16 in Conover. In April 1978, after years of debate on where I-40 should be routed east of I-95, either Morehead City or Wilmington,

9424-450: The freeway gaps along the route at 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) speed limit. The western freeway segment begins at the US 19 (Alarka Road) interchange, south of Bryson City, and ends after the US 441 interchange, south of Cherokee . This 10-mile (16 km) segment serves as a bypass south of Bryson City, Ela , Whittier and Cherokee. All five exits in this segment provide direct or indirect link to nearby US 19, which

9548-525: The freeway through the area, the state lobbied the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to allow them new roadway, arguing that since some this section predated the 1956 Act, it never received federal highway dollars for its development and construction, thus I-40 was technically incomplete in Winston-Salem. In October 1988, the group were able to convince the FHWA, and Governor James G. Martin announced federal approval of $ 114.1 million for I-40 to be relocated onto

9672-584: The freeway, improve the interchanges with US 23/US 19/US 74A, I-240/I-26/US 74, and NC 191, and reconstruct bridges. Part of the project has started, but more funding will be needed to complete it. Further widening of the interstate west of that area to NC 215 is also planned, but not funded. Another widening project along I-40 is in development stage, between milemarkers 259 and 279 in Orange and Durham counties. After some initial delays due to noise concerns through populated areas and two public comment meetings,

9796-405: The highway leaves suburban regions surrounding Raleigh, it interchanges with NC 42 (exit 312), NC 210 (exit 319), and NC 242 (exit 325) which provide access to Clayton , Angier , and Benson . I-40 travels to the east of Benson, crossing over US 301 , but provides no access to the highway. Immediately south of US 301, I-40 meets I-95 at exit 328,

9920-445: The interchange, NC 24 begins an 8.4 miles (13.5 km) concurrency with I-40 to the southeast. An interchange with US 117 (exit 369) is located south of Warsaw and I-40 begins to travel around Magnolia to the east. NC 24 departs the freeway at NC 903 (exit 373) which provides access to Kenansville. After the interchange, I-40 primarily turns to the south, bypassing Teachey , Rose Hill , and Wallace to

10044-569: The land to James and Diana Shuler. The Shulers, in turn, sold parts of their land to Colonel Thaddeus Bryson and merchant Alfred Cline. A small hamlet known as Bear Springs developed on what was once Big Bear's reservation. With its population having increased, Swain County was formed from parts of Jackson and Macon counties in 1871, during the Reconstruction era . The new commissioners first met at Cline's store at Bear Springs. Lucy Ann (Raby) Cline agreed to sell several lots of her land to form

10168-609: The last section completed was the Winston-Salem Bypass in 1992. The highest point is at 2,786 feet (849 m), located at Swannanoa Gap, and the lowest point is at 15 feet (4.6 m), located at the Pender–New Hanover county line. I-40 travels through all of the diverse regions in North Carolina. Annual average daily traffic counts along the Interstate in 2023 reached a peak of 193,099 vehicles per day from Harrison Avenue (exit 287) to Wade Avenue in Raleigh. The lowest count

10292-508: The late 1830s. The completion of Fontana Dam in 1944 created a reservoir, which inundated the only highway connecting Bryson City with the remote area of the Smokies known as the North Shore. The U.S. government began constructing a new highway in 1948, now known as Lakeview Drive, but it was slow. By 1972, only 7 miles (11 km) had been completed. Environmental and financial issues stalled

10416-463: The location. It serves as a major thoroughfare between Raleigh , Cary , and Durham (the other being US 70 ). After leaving the Research Triangle area, I-40 has an interchange with I-540 near Raleigh–Durham International Airport . Several I-40 exits serve Raleigh–Durham, including Aviation Parkway, Airport Boulevard, and I-540. I-40 continues to head southeast toward downtown Raleigh. I-40

10540-533: The name "Michael Jordan Freeway". I-40 passes to the east of Castle Hayne and interchanges with Holly Shelter Road at exit 412. An interchange with I-140 and NC 140 is located 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of Holly Shelter Road at exit 416. From I-140 and NC 140, I-40 continues south passing east of Olsen Park before turning to the southwest and meeting US 117 and NC 132 at exit 420. Eastbound I-40 runs concurrently with US 117 and NC 132 for 0.2 miles (0.32 km) beyond

10664-516: The name Preddy Boulevard. The nickname "Death Valley" has been given to the area of I-40 where I-40 and I-85 Business (I-85 Bus.) splits. The locals have given that area that name because of the high number of deaths due to car crashes in that area. One major problem with the highway is that the US 29/US 70/US 220 southbound lanes merge from the right and exit to the left. Thus, through traffic on I-40 west and US 29 south (a major route from Virginia to Charlotte ) must all merge to

10788-406: The new bypass. By the end of 1992, the 20.89-mile (33.62 km) new stretch was completed and opened and I-40 was officially rerouted onto the new stretch. The new stretch spanned from the then existing US 421 split in southwestern Winston-Salem, to Colfax west of Greensboro. This new stretch was at more recent Interstate standards, and was four-to-six lanes wide. The East–West Expressway was given

10912-456: The new designation as Interstate 40 Business . In 1989, work began on a renovating the 35-mile (56 km) stretch between Alamance and Orange counties, included in this work was widening it from four to eight lanes. The work was carried out in phases. This was a part of a previous renovation in the 1960s, that transformed the original Super-2 , which was also originally constructed for US 70 , to Interstate standards, though experiencing

11036-638: The next 32 years, I-40 was constructed and extended twice to its current routing from the Pigeon River Gorge to Wilmington. The first major overland transportation corridors in North Carolina were the Indian trading paths. One of these routes, the Rutherford's Trace, followed the path of modern I-40. In 1921, the North Carolina Highway System was established, with NC 10 , nicknamed

11160-534: The official redesignation; this would continue to persist till the mid-1990s. In 1986, US 74 was extended west from Asheville to Chattanooga, Tennessee , which overlapped nearly all of the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway, via US 19 and US 19 Bypass; the following year, US 19 Bypass was decommissioned in favor of US 74. In late 1997, US 74 was rerouted onto the I-40 Connector, in Clyde , clinching all of Great Smoky Mountains Expressway. Over

11284-580: The other side of the freeway. A study conducted by state traffic engineers from May 1, 2006, to April 30, 2008, (the period between the I-85 relocation and I-40's relocation) concluded that "the Death Valley area" had an accident rate "higher than average for urban interstates [...] but the [route] was safe anyway". There were no fatalities during the study period, but a large number of rear-end collisions. I-40 merges with I-85 east of Greensboro. I-40 and I-85 have

11408-407: The population. There were 588 households, out of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 41.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and

11532-558: The project is currently in the right-of-way acquisition phase, and construction was scheduled to begin around 2022; NCDOT, however, has suspended engineering activities for the project. Another widening project along I-40 is also in the development stage between the I-440 /US 1/ US 64 interchange (exit 293) and the Lake Wheeler Road interchange (exit 297). The project, which will add one or two lanes to this portion of

11656-564: The project, and the road became known to locals as "The Road to Nowhere". In 2007, the National Park Service deemed the road's construction to be in violation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's general management plan, and began working with Swain County to find an alternative. The increasing usage of the automobile led to a decline in railroad transportation, and Southern Railway (which had replaced

11780-595: The relocation to the Greensboro Urban Loop was constructed by Archer Western Contractors of Atlanta and took four years to complete. NCDOT Secretary Lyndo Tippett said that "the opening of the Greensboro Western Urban Loop is a major step in improving the mobility of the Triad region" and that "the highway will provide better access for motorists in and around Greensboro, as well as those traveling between

11904-419: The rest of the state, going as far east as to Beaufort . In 1927, US 19 was established along NC 10, west of Asheville ; by 1934, NC 10 was eliminated from the route. In 1948, US 19 was rerouted between Ela and Lake Junaluska , via Soco Gap ; its old alignment became US 19A . In 1965, Congress authorized the construction of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) in

12028-492: The resulting increased traffic and noise. On September 12, 2008, seven months after the initial switch and in agreement with Greensboro DOT and the FHWA, I-40 was rerouted to its original route through the city, I-40 Bus. was decommissioned, and I-73 and I-85 were left as the only Interstates signed along the loop. Exit numbers on the western segment of the loop were to be replaced with I-73 exit numbers; while exit numbers along I-40 Bus. would be changed over to I-40 exit numbers. At

12152-488: The river, I-40 goes through twin tunnels. When the tunnels opened in 1968, they were the first Interstate tunnels east of the Mississippi River . I-40 then proceeds through the Pigeon River Gorge for the next 16 miles (26 km). Just south of exit 7, I-40 uses another tunnel, for eastbound traffic only, through Hurricane Mountain. The westbound lanes use a rock cut through Hurricane Mountain. A short distance after

12276-514: The route of the historic Murphy Branch of the Western North Carolina Railroad , established in the late 19th century, now owned by the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad . In 1921, wagon roads that roughly paralleled the tracks were integrated as part of the new highway system in North Carolina; designated as NC 10 , its routing through the southwestern North Carolina mountains connected it with

12400-511: The section of I-40 between the I-40/I-440 split (exit 301) and NC 42 (exit 312) is being widened. As part of the widening project, many of the overpasses along the route are being reconstructed, both to accommodate the wider road underneath and to expand capacity of the roads passing overhead. An onramp was removed at exit 306 ( US 70 ) in November 2019 in order to accommodate

12524-465: The south toward High Point . From here I-40 continues northeast bypassing most of Kernersville to the south shortly before meeting with US 421 shortly after passing the Guilford County line. US 421 runs a concurrency with I-40 into Greensboro. I-40 heads into the Greensboro city limits before reaching the large I-73/US 421/I-840 interchange. This interchange is the east end of

12648-439: The south, going through more general areas of the city. In 2020, I-40 Bus. was decommissioned after the downtown stretch had gotten renovated, and The Salem Parkway was picked as the new name for the route. In 2008, I-40 Bus. was briefly designated going through southern Greensboro when I-40 was rerouted onto the southern part of the Greensboro Urban Loop , which was then recently completed, and diverted traffic away from almost

12772-553: The southwestern part of the city. The interchange is the current western terminus of I-240 and the original western terminus of I-26. I-40 then goes along the south side of Asheville, north of the Biltmore Estate toward Hickory . I-40 then has another interchange with I-240 before the Interstate leaves the Asheville area. Shortly after it leaves Asheville, I-40 encounters a steep grade, Old Fort Mountain, with winding roads that pose

12896-525: The town. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,411 people (1,353 in 2009), 588 households, and 323 families residing in the town. The population density was 663.5 inhabitants per square mile (256.2/km ). There were 713 housing units at an average density of 335.3 per square mile (129.5/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 90.93% White , 1.98% African American , 4.96% Native American , 0.35% Asian , 0.64% from other races , and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of

13020-658: The tunnel is the North Carolina Welcome Center. Immediately afterward is Waterville Lake, where there are a few at-grade intersections in this location, used as service access for Walters Dam and the Harmon Den Wildlife Management Area . I-40 continues toward Asheville. The Interstate then merges with US 74 ( Great Smoky Mountains Expressway ). I-40 and US 74 encounter the I-26 / I-240 interchange, sometimes called Malfunction Junction, in

13144-458: The two gap sections were widened and improved to expressway grade, completing a four-lane highway from Bryson City to I-40. To make the highway more consistent, in 1982, NCDOT submitted a request to AASHTO to swap US 19 and US 19A between Bryson City and Lake Junaluska; but was later withdrawn before the vote, in thanks to opposition by businesses in the resort town of Maggie Valley , who opposed losing US 19. In 1984, NCDOT made

13268-576: The vicinity of Newton Grove, but there is not a dedicated interchange. I-40 continues southeast of Newton Grove through rural Sampson County. It meets US 117 Connector and NC 403 at exit 355 southwest of Faison , and I-40 begins to parallel US 117 near the exit. I-40 departs Sampson County and enters Duplin County approximately four miles (6.4 km) southeast of exit 355. It continues through Duplin County for approximately five miles (8.0 km) before meeting NC 24 and NC 24 Bus. (exit 364) west of Warsaw . At

13392-539: The western and eastern freeway segments; featuring a short cement median to separate the lanes of the traffic, it crosses the Jackson - Haywood county line at Balsam Gap , where it also connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway . The eastern freeway segment begins at the US 23 Business (Balsam Road) interchange, southwest of Waynesville , and ends at the I-40 interchange, north of Clyde . This 9-mile (14 km) segment serves as

13516-497: The western side of US 117. I-40 remains on the western side of US 117 for 5.6 miles (9.0 km) until it crosses over I-40 north of Burgaw . The highway bypasses Burgaw to the east, meeting NC 53 (exit 398) east of the town. Continuing south, I-40 once again meets NC 210 at exit 408 near Rocky Point and then crosses the Northeast Cape Fear River into New Hanover County where it picks up

13640-404: The wider roadway. Traffic that normally used a free-flowing loop ramp is now routed through a left-turn traffic light to access the other onramp. Exit 312 (NC 42) is being rebuilt entirely as a diverging diamond interchange , and an additional ramp is being built at that exit to provide access to Cleveland Road. Additionally, the interchange at exit 309 for US 70 (Clayton Bypass)

13764-446: The years, expressway sections of the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway have been improved by adding Superstreet designs, designating u-turns and eliminating traffic signal along the route. [REDACTED] Media related to Great Smoky Mountains Expressway at Wikimedia Commons Bryson City, North Carolina Bryson City is a town in and the county seat of Swain County , North Carolina , United States. The population

13888-415: Was $ 23,232, and the median income for a family was $ 31,875. Males had a median income of $ 26,528 versus $ 19,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 14,446. About 14.8% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 21.0% of those age 65 or over. There is a federal building and federal courthouse in Bryson City. The courthouse

14012-445: Was 1,558 as of the 2020 census . Located in what was historically the land of the Cherokee , Bryson City was founded as Charleston to serve as the county seat of Swain County when it was formed from parts of surrounding counties. It grew into an important local rail hub. Today the city serves as a popular tourist destination, lying just to the west of the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park , for outdoor activities in

14136-490: Was a total of 21,288 vehicles per day in a rural stretch of Pender County. All of I-40 is listed in the National Highway System , a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility. I-40 is also designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway throughout the state. I-40 enters North Carolina along the north banks of the Pigeon River at the foot of Snowbird Mountain. Winding in parallel with

14260-563: Was completed between Harrison Avenue (exit 287) and Gorman Street (exit 295). At a cost of $ 49 million (equivalent to $ 65.5 million in 2023 ), the project expanded lanes from four to six lanes. Begun in 2013, an extensive project known as "Fortify" (a play on the route number "40") overhauled I-40 along the southern edge of Raleigh, from the I-40/US ;1/US 64 interchange (exit 293) near Crossroads Plaza in Cary through

14384-471: Was completed from US 15/US 501 (exit 270) in Durham to NC 147 (now I-885/NC 885; exit 279) in RTP. The project expanded lanes from four to six lanes. In March 2005, construction crews returned for eight weeks to replace asphalt used in the widening project, which began to deteriorate not long after the lanes opened to the public. The paving mistakes, however, were more severe, and NCDOT contracted Lane Construction Corp to replace all

14508-462: Was completed in 1908, replacing the former one. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park , which was established in 1933 during the Great Depression , generates considerable revenue to for Swain County. Horace Kephart , an author and outdoors enthusiast who was based in Bryson City for several years, was a key early proponent for creation of the park. The Deep Creek section of the park, which

14632-526: Was completed. In 1964, I-40 opened a 12-mile (19 km) segment from east of Clyde (using the freeway connector from US 19/US 23) to Wiggins Road (SR 1200). In 1967, I-40 opened a 3.8-mile (6.1 km) segment through the Biltmore Estate from NC 191 to US 25. In 1968 and after 10 years of construction, I-40 opened a 20-mile (32 km) segment from the Tennessee state line to US 276 in Cove Creek. In November of same year,

14756-570: Was extended west from NC 41 (exit 385) in Tin City to US 117 (exit 369) near Warsaw. On June 29, 1990, with a ribbon-cutting by Governor Martin, I-40 was connected between Raleigh and Wilmington, providing improved access with the Port of Wilmington with the rest of the state. At around this time, a standard distance sign near the start of the westbound section of I-40 in Wilmington indicates

14880-497: Was extended west to US 15/US 501 (exit 270) in Chapel Hill and east to US 70 (exit 306) in Garner. In October, then-Governor James G. Martin announced federal approval of $ 114.1 million (equivalent to $ 254 million in 2023 ) for I-40 to be relocated around Winston-Salem. In 1989, I-40 was extended west to I-85 (exit 259) west of Hillsborough and east to I-95 (exit 328) in Benson. By 1990, I-40

15004-621: Was placed on new 19-mile (31 km) section between US 117 (exit 390) near Willard and NC 210 (exit 408) near Rocky Point. In 1986, I-40 was extended west from the Durham Freeway (exit 279) to NC 55 (exit 278) in the RTP; I-40 was also extended east to its current eastern terminus at US 117/NC 132 (exit 420) in Wilmington. In 1987, I-40 was extended west from US 117 (exit 390) near Willard to NC 41 (exit 385) near Tin City. In 1988, I-40

15128-451: Was rescheduled to late 2023. The $ 260-million project, including widening of a total of 7.5 miles (12.1 km) of both highways to eight lanes, was essentially completed December 22, 2023, with all lanes opened, but cold weather delayed further resurfacing and pavement markings to spring 2024. Begun in late 2018 after the completion of the Fortify project to widen I-40 through South Raleigh,

15252-407: Was signed "To I-40". In 1972, I-40 extended east from US 25 in Asheville to Porters Cove Road (SR 2838) in Oteen; the extension bypassed both US 25A and US 74, where interchanges were built in 1999 and 1973, respectively. In 1973, I-40 and the Durham Freeway (future NC 147; now I-885) were connected in RTP. In 1974, a gap was completed between US 276 in Cove Creek to

15376-469: Was to run from the Tennessee state line to Greensboro where the freeway would end at I-85. In 1958, the first section of completed Interstate Highway in the state was I-40 along the East–West Expressway in Winston-Salem. I-40 received two extension approvals; the first in 1969 to I-95 to be routed in or near Smithfield and the second in 1984 to Wilmington. After 34 years since it first opened,

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