Gribblenation

It's been nearly 20 years since we've seen this number on a North Carolina highway. The first leg of the 20 mile Goldsboro Bypass opened to traffic Friday Morning - with no fanfare at all .  The 3.9 miles of freeway carries the designation of NC 44.  This is the second incarnation of NC 44 - the first lasted from the 1930 until 1994 in the northeastern part of the state.  In 1994, NC 44 was replaced by extensions to NC 33 and 111. This version of NC 44 won't last more than a decade either.  When the entire bypass is complete - most likely in 2016 - US 70 will move onto the new bypass.  This might me a first, as I don't know of any other new highway in North Carolina receiving a temporary number - only to be redesignated another route number when the highway is completed. For the entire photo set on flickr - head here . NC 44 begins at Interstate 795. I-795 North and South will have flyover ramps connecting to the bypass - while NC 44 will have con...

NCDOT confirmed to me on twitter today that the first leg of the Goldsboro Bypass will be open to traffic by week's end. The first leg of the new freeway runs from I-795 east to Wayne Memorial Drive. The new highway will be designated NC 44. This is the re-commissioning of an Eastern North Carolina route that was removed in 1994 . The designation, however, will not last long as when the bypass is completed, US 70 will be moved onto the freeway bypass. I will have a photo tour posted on the blog once the highway opens.