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I-785 first "signed" nine years ago Friday.

This is where Google news alerts really come in handy. It appears that nine years ago tomorrow, there was a ceremony 'dedicating' US 29 from Greensboro to Danville as Interstate 785.

From the opening of a 1998 Greensboro News & Record Article:
"Say goodbye to U.S. 29. Say hello to Interstate 785.

In a name change billed as an enhancement of "economic development," Reps. Virgil Goode of Virginia and Richard Burr of North Carolina will speak today at a ceremony marking the designation of U.S. 29 as part of the interstate highway system.

It begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Piedmont Triad Visitors..."
A few things have changed in the nine years. I'd love to say US 29 has now become fully integrated as Interstate 785, but that's not the item that is different today than nine years ago. Here's the change....North Carolina U.S. Representative Richard Burr is now North Carolina U.S. Senator Richard Burr.

Other than that, there are a few "Future Interstate 785 Corridor" signs and nothing else. And it'll be that way for at least oh 10, 20, maybe 30 more years. I'd love to see the economic impact and development that has resulted from this designation.

Can "Future" Interstates be canceled?

Source: Excerpt from Ceremony will mark US 29's designation as Interstate 785 ---Greensboro News & Record

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