Skip to main content

Local Sign Find - The last remnant of Business Interstate 95 between Kenly and Rocky Mount , NC

As you head north on Interstate 95 at Exit 107 for Kenly and US 301, you'll notice something odd about the overhead sign for the exit.  Peeling off the sign for all that can see is the word 'NORTH' off-center from the US 301.  This old sign (probably close to original from when this section of I-95 opened - more on that in a little bit) gives a hint to a short-lived Business Interstate Route that ran from here to Rocky Mount.

The last hint of the Kenly-Wilson-Rocky Mount Business I-95 (Shaun White - August 2020)

Interstate 95 in North Carolina has a unique history.  But one of the overlooked and forgotten pieces of Interstate 95 in North Carolina is the 38 mile section between Kenly and Rocky Mount.  When opened to traffic in late 1978, it was the next to last piece of Interstate 95 in North Carolina to open replacing a four lane US 301 from Battleboro through Rocky Mount and Wilson to eventually tying back into the Interstate in Kenly.

Though it was not delayed in legal battles like the freeway gap in Fayetteville, it did take a good bit of time to complete - mainly because the existing US 301 was sufficient enough at the time.  US 301 was four lanes the entire way from Kenly north to Battleboro.  

In the mid-1950s, North Carolina began constructing a four lane US 301 that generally followed the 1947 National System of Interstate Highways Plan.(1)  Rural areas of US 301 were twinned, two lane bypasses of Rocky Mount and Wilson were built (later expanded), and a new US 301 route was being constructed in Johnston and Harnett Counties.  From 1955 to 1960, this four lane freeway extended northwards from Benson to Kenly and southwards from Dunn to just outside of Fayetteville.  By 1960, this would be come Interstate 95 between exits 56 and 107.

US 301 / Interstate 95 under construction at Kenly - 1957. (NCDOT Historical Aerial Imagery Index)

Interstate 95 had ended at Kenly since 1960.  Currently, the Kenly exit is a partial cloverleaf interchange.  However, for nearly 20 years there was a different configuration.  The four lane interstate 95 bent slightly to the northeast and transitioned to continue north on a four lane US 301.  There was an at grade intersection for traffic that wanted to go south of US 301.  

Interstate 95 ends at Kenly and transitions into US 301 in 1970.  The at-grade intersection with US 301 south is shown.  (NCDOT Historical Aerial Imagery Index)

Fortunately, the state had plans for a continuation of the highway northwards with a small amount of grading completed for Interstate 95 to the immediate north of the transition to US 301. (Shown at best in the 1957 photo.)

Interstate 95 at Gold Rock in 1975.  A number of motels and gas stations have popped up in the short seven years I-95 had been open.  More, including a Howard Johnson's, would open by the end of the decade.  (NCDOT Historical Aerial Imagery Index)

When Interstate 95 was extended southwards from US 158 in Roanoke Rapids to the tiny community of Gold Rock (Exit 145) in 1968, traffic would be routed onto the still existing trumpet interchange onto a newly built four lane connector from Interstate 95 to US 301 in Battleboro.  When constructing the Gold Rock Interchange, NCDOT continued construction of Interstate 95 for about a mile southward.

The unused dead end of Interstate 95 about a mile south of Exit 145 - 1975.  It wasn't until late 1978 that traffic would finally use this empty stretch of highway.  (NCDOT Historical Aerial Imagery Index)

The area around Exit 145 immediately boomed overnight with a number of motor lodges and gas stations built.  This was in addition to the numerous motor courts, motels, service stations, and other businesses that were along US 301 from Rocky Mount to Kenly.

As traffic volumes increased throughout the 1970s, it was time to complete the 38 mile gap.  Construction appears to have gone smoothly even with taking approximately one-third of Governor Jim Hunt's farmland in Wilson County. (2)  The 38 mile gap between exits 107 and 145 would finally open to traffic on November 21, 1978. (3)

Business Interstate 95
(1984 NCDOT)

When the highway opened, the state christened Business Interstate Loop 95 from Gold Rock to Kenly.  It followed the exact same route motorists used to bridge the gap between the two locations.  Though no official reason is given, it is most likely due to the number of businesses and lodging used by travelers along that stretch of US 301.  

The designation was short-lived as NCDOT removed the designation in 1986.   Into the 2000's, there was still some evidence of Business Interstate 95 remaining.  On the US 64 freeway in Rocky Mount, the guide signs at the US 301 By-Pass/Wesleyan Blvd interchange still had an empty spot which once posted Business Interstate 95 shields.  These were removed when a sign upgrade occurred around 2010.

The Kenly sign is the only known remnant of this short-lived Business Interstate route.  It's not long for this world either as improvements to Interstate 95 will certainly replace this sign in the near future.

Sources & Links:

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The rogue G28-2 California State Highway Spades

In this short blog we look at the somewhat rare but not unheard-of rogue G28-2 California State Highway Spades affixed to guide signs. Part 1; what is the G28-2 California State Highway Spade?  The  Caltrans Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Sign Chart from 2014  ("Caltrans MUTCD") dictates the types of signs and highway shields permitted for traffic control use in California.  California is known for it's more ornate cut-out shields which are used for, US Routes, Interstate Highways, and State Routes.  These shields are intended to be applied as standalone reassurance signs but aren't explicitly limited to said function and occasionally appear in error on guide signs.  The common shields which are typically found through California are: US Route:  G26-2 Interstate:  G27-2 State Highway:  G28-2 The Caltrans MUTCD provides alternative shields for, US Routes, Interstate Highways, and State Routes.  These alternative shields are intended for guide sign usage.  Th

Former Greater Pittsburgh International Airport Terminal

For just over four decades, the former main terminal of Greater Pittsburgh International Airport was the city's gateway to the world.  Located nearly 20 miles west of Downtown Pittsburgh, the Joseph Hoover-designed terminal would see millions of travelers pass through its doors.  Known best for the terrazzo compass in the main lobby, the terminal had many other distinguishing features.  The well-landscaped entrance led up to the curved stepped design of the terminal. Each level of the terminal would extend out further than the other allowing for numerous observation decks.  The most popular observation deck, the "Horizon Room", was located on the fourth floor. The former Greater Pittsburgh Airport Terminal - October 1998 From when it opened in the Summer of 1952 until its closing on September 30, 1992, the terminal would grow from a small regional airport to the main hub for USAir.  The terminal would see numerous expansions and renovations over its 40 years of

Highways in and around Old Sacramento; US 40, US 99W, CA 16, CA 24, CA 70, CA 99, CA 275, and more

This past weekend I was visiting the City of Sacramento for a wedding.  That being the case I decided to head out on a morning run through Old Sacramento, Jibboom Street Bridge, I Street Bridge, Tower Bridge, and path of US Route 40/US Route 99W towards the California State Capitol.  My goal was to retrace the paths of the various highways that once traversed the Old Sacramento area. This blog is part of the larger Gribblenation US Route 99 Page.  For more information pertaining to the other various segments of US Route 99 and it's three-digit child routes check out the link the below. Gribblenation US Route 99 Page The old highway alignments of Sacramento The City of Sacramento lies at the confluence of the Sacramento River and American River in Sacramento Valley.  Sacramento Valley was discovered by Spanish Explorer Gabriel Moraga in 1808.  Moraga referred to the fertile Sacramento Valley akin to a "Blessed Sacrament."  By 1839 John Sutter Sr. settled in Mexican held