U.S. Route 17 in North Carolina

This article is about the section of U.S. Route 17 in North Carolina. For the entire route, see U.S. Route 17.

U.S. Route 17 marker

U.S. Route 17

Route of US 17 in red
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length: 286.0 mi[1] (460.3 km)
Existed: 1927 – present
Major junctions
South end: US 17 at the SC line
 

US 74 / US 76 in Leland
I‑140 / US 421 near Wilmington
I‑40 in Murraysville
US 70 near New Bern
US 13 / US 64 in Williamston

US 158 in Elizabeth City
North end: US 17 at the VA line
Highway system
← NC 16NC 18 →

In the U.S. state of North Carolina U.S. Route 17 (US 17) is a north–south highway that is known as the Coastal Highway in the southeastern half of the state and the Ocean Highway in other areas. The route enters the state from South Carolina near Calabash, and leaves in the vicinity of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. Between the US 64 freeway and the Virginia state line, US 17 is a four-lane divided highway with speed limits varying between 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) and 70 miles per hour (110 km/h).

Route description

US 17 enters Brunswick County, North Carolina in Carolina Shores amid a variety of golf course communities. Carolina Shores was part of Calabash until 1998.

In Wilmington, US 17 (here concurrent with Interstate 140) crosses the Northeast Cape Fear River between New Hanover County and Brunswick County over the Dan Cameron Bridge. North of Holly Ridge US 17 begins to move further away from the Atlantic Coast. Then, it bypasses Jacksonville along with NC 24. Between New Bern and James City, US 17 (concurrent with US 70 and NC 55) crosses the Trent River by way of the Freedom Memorial Bridge. Farther east, between James City and Bridgeton, US 17, still concurrent with NC 55, crosses the Neuse River over the Neuse River Bridge. Traffic going north on US-17 when using US-70's concurrency can bypass New Bern altogether via NC 43, ironically both the west end of US-17's concurrency on US-70 and NC 43's southern terminus both, respectively have a north and south protrusion of unused highway since full cloverleaf junctions were scrapped in the area.

In Washington, US 17 crosses the Pamlico River over the Pamlico-Tar River Bridge and intersects with NC 32 and US 264. Farther along in Bear Grass, US 17 joins a concurrency with a limited-access portion of US 13-64, although US 64 moves east before US 13-17 reaches Williamston, where the limited-access segment ends. US 13-17 uses the Roanoke River Bridge to cross the Roanoke River, then before US 13 moves onto the interchange with North King Street it crosses the Cashie River Bridge over the Cashie River at Windsor. At the Bertie County-Chowan County line, US 17 traverses the Chowan River from Edenhouse to Edenton. East of Edenton, US 17 shares a concurrency with NC 37 until they reach Hertford where it branches off to the northwest onto US BUS 17. US 17 crosses the Perquimans River via the Perquimans River Bridge. Between Perquimans County and Pasquotank County, US 17 crosses the Little River over the Little River Bridge. A bypass route splits off to the northwest as US 17 (Mainline) continues into Elizabeth City as Hughes Boulevard, picking up concurrency with US 158 until US 158 splits off to the west at Morgan's Corner. US 17 crosses the Pasquotank River between Morgan's Corner in Pasquotank County and South Mills in Camden County, before entering Virginia adjacent to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

History

Historical Marker along US 17

US 17 was established in 1927, traversing from South Carolina, near Fair Bluff, to Virginia, near South Mills. Its routing was placed along the following state highways: NC 202, from the South Carolina state line to Chadbourn; NC 20, from Chadbourn to Wilmington; NC 30, from Wilmington to Windsor; NC 342, from Windsor to Elizabeth City; NC 34, from Elizabeth City to Morgans Corner; and NC 341, from Morgans Corner to the Virginia state line.[2]

Interstate proposals

As a major north-south corridor through the coastal area, US 17 has been the target of various interstate proposals over the years. The earliest known proposal was in 1964, with a proposal supported by Governor Terry Sanford, was to build a new interstate from Fayetteville to Norfolk, Virginia, via US 13 and US 17. Named Interstate 13, it received support from various local officials; but was not supported by the North Carolina Highway Commission, which ended discussions.[3]

During the mid-1990s through mid-2000s, Interstate 99 was proposed between Charleston, South Carolina and Wilmington, Delaware, completely overlapping all of US 17 in North Carolina. In 2006, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) completed a study on the feasibility of the interstate and concluded with the high cost and disinterest of other states, notably South Carolina, that it was not feasible and recommend to not pursue further.[4]

In 2012, NCDOT backed and presented a letter to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requesting the establishment of a new high priority corridor between Raleigh and Norfolk, named Interstate 44 (or Interstate 50). This corridor follows US 64 and US 17, north of Williamston.[5] The following year, Interstate 495 was established east of Raleigh and was routed on part of this proposed route. In 2014, various supporters, including Governor Pat McCrory, Congressman G. K. Butterfield, NCDOT and the Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA), have made cases and written letters to federal officials in support of the new interstate corridor.[6][7][8] In 2016, AASHTO approved designation of I-87 along US 17 between Williamston and the Virginia state line.

North Carolina Highway 341

NC Highway 341
Location: Morgans Corner, NC–VA state line
Length: 10.4 mi[9] (16.7 km)
Existed: 1921–1934

North Carolina Highway 341 (NC 341) was an original state highway that traversed from NC 34, in Morgans Corner, to South Mills. In 1923, it was extended north to the Virginia state line, meeting up with SR 40. In 1927, it was completely overlapped with US 17, which subsequently replaced it outright in 1934.[2]

Future

In Chowan County, the existing freeway section of US 17, which bypasses Edenton, will be fully upgraded to modern interstate standards. At a cost of $13 million, it will mainly focus on widening travel lanes and building shoulders; construction is planned to start in 2025.[10]

Junction list

CountyLocationmi[1]kmExitDestinationsNotes
BrunswickCarolina Shores0.00.0 US 17 south – Myrtle BeachSouth Carolina state line
​ I‑74 (Carolina Bays Parkway)Proposed interchange (unfunded)[11][12]
Grissettown6.911.1 NC 904 – Ocean Isle Beach, Tabor City
Shallotte11.919.2
US 17 Bus. north – Shallotte
13.221.2 NC 130 – Shallotte, Whiteville
16.025.7
US 17 Bus. south – Shallotte
Supply21.634.8 NC 211 – Bolton, St. James, Southport
​23.638.0
US 17 Bus. north (Old Ocean Highway) – Bolivia		Superstreet intersection
​28.646.0 NC 906 south (Galloway Road) – Oak Island
Bolivia30.549.1
US 17 Bus. south (Old Ocean Highway) – Bolivia
Winnabow35.056.3 NC 87 south – Boiling Spring Lakes, SouthportSouth end of NC 87 overlap
​38.361.6 NC 87 north – ElizabethtownNorth end of NC 87 overlap, superstreet intersection
​39.263.139 NC 140 east to US 74 / US 76
Leland44.070.8 US 74 / US 76 west – WhitevilleWest end of US 74/US 76 overlap
45.072.4 NC 133 south – Belville, SouthportWest end of NC 133 overlap
47.075.6
US 76 east / US 421 south / US 17 Bus. north – Wilmington, Carolina Beach		East end of US 76 and south end of US 421 overlap
New Hanover​48.578.1 US 74 east / NC 133 north – Wrightsville Beach, HightsvilleEast end of US 74 and north end of NC 133 overlap
​51.382.614 I‑140 / US 421 north / NC 140 – ClintonWest end of I–140/NC 140 and north end of US 421 overlap
NE Cape Fear River52.284.0Dan Cameron Bridge
​55.088.517 NC 133 – Castle Hayne, WrightsboroI-140 exit 17
Murraysville58.093.320
A-B		A: I‑40 west – Benson, Raleigh
B: I‑40 east – Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach		Signed as exits 20A (west) and 20B (east)
East end of I-140 overlap
Kirkland63.2101.7
US 17 Bus. south – Wilmington		East end of NC 140 overlap
PenderHampstead69.1111.2 NC 210 west – Rocky PointWest end of NC 210 overlap
​77.7125.0 NC 210 east – Surf City, Topsail BeachEast end of NC 210 overlap
OnslowHolly Ridge81.9131.8 NC 50 (Ocean Road) – Surf City, Maple Hill
Folkstone86.3138.9 NC 172 north (Sneads Ferry Road) – Sneads Ferry
Dixon89.9144.7 NC 210 west (Rifle Range Road) – Topsail Beach, Sneads Ferry
Jacksonville101.2162.9
US 17 Bus. north – Jacksonville
101.6163.5 NC 24 west to US 258 – Richlands, KinstonWes end of NC 24 overlap; Southbound access to US 17 Bus northbound
104.6168.3Montford Point RoadNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
105.0169.0
NC 24 east / NC 24 Bus. west – Camp Lejeune, Morehead City		East end of NC 24 overlap
106.4171.2Huff Drive
107.2172.5
US 17 Bus. south (Marine Boulevard) – Jacksonville		Northern terminus of US-Bus 17
JonesMaysville120.5193.9 NC 58 south – Cape Cateret, Emerald IsleSouth end of NC 58 overlap
Pollocksville127.5205.2 NC 58 north – TrentonNorth end of NC 58 overlap
​132.7213.6
US 17 Bus. north – New Bern
Craven​132.8213.7147 US 70 west – KinstonSigned as exits 147A (east) and 147B (west); US 17 exits 147A
​139.1223.9412 NC 43 north – Greenville, Vanceboro
New Bern141.3227.4Glenburnie RoadTo Craven Community College
142.3229.0
US 17 Bus. – New Bern, Jacksonville
143.9231.6416 NC 55 west (Pembroke Road) – Trent WoodsWest end of NC 55 overlap
145.1233.5417
US 70 east / US 17 Bus. south (East Front Street) – New Bern, Havelock, Morehead City		Signed as exits 417A (Front) and 417B (west); east end of US 70 overlap
Bridgeton147.8237.9 NC 55 east – BayboroEast end of NC 55 overlap
Emul158.2254.6 NC 43 south (Weyerhaeuser Road) – New BernSouth end of NC 43 overlap
Vanceboro161.7260.2
US 17 Bus. / NC 43 north – Vanceboro, Greenville		North end of NC 43 overlap
165.1265.7
US 17 Bus. south – Vanceboro
Beaufort​172.0276.8 NC 102 west – CalicoEastern terminus of NC 102
​177.1285.0
US 17 Bus. north – Chocowinity		Superstreet intersection
Chocowinity177.9286.3176 NC 33 – Chocowinity, Greenville
Washington181.9292.7180 US 264 – Washington, Greenville
182.7294.0
US 17 Bus. south (Carolina Avenue) – Washington		Superstreet intersection
Old Ford187.2301.3 NC 171 north – Jamesville
MartinWilliamston200.5322.7514
US 13 south / US 64 west / US 17 Bus. north – Williamston, Tarboro		South end of US 13 and west end of US 64 overlap
202.0325.1515 US 64 east – Plymouth, ManteoEast end of US 64 overlap
202.2325.4
US 64 Alt. (Jamesville Road)
203.4327.3
US 17 Bus. south (Main Street)
BertieWindsor214.6345.4
US 13 north / US 17 Byp. north – Ahoskie, Edenton		North end of US 13 and south end of US 13 Bus overlap
214.7345.5
US 13 Bus. north (Granville Street)		North end of US 13 Bus overlap
215.6347.0 NC 308 west (King Street)West end of NC 308 overlap
216.8348.9 NC 308 east (Cooper Hill Road)East end of NC 308 overlap
​222.5358.1
US 17 Byp. south – Williamston
Midway225.9363.6 NC 45 – Plymouth, Colerain
Chowan​232.9374.8224
US 17 Bus. north (Queen Street) – Edenton
Edenton235.0378.2226Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
236.1380.0227 NC 32 (Virginia Road) – Edenton
237.2381.7228Paradise Road
​238.7384.2230
US 17 Bus. south (Broad Street) – Edenton
Perquimans​240.9387.7 NC 37 south – Plymouth, ColumbiaSouth end of NC 37 overlap
Hertford246.8397.2
US 17 Bus. north – Hertford
Winfall250.0402.3
US 17 Bus. south / NC 37 north – Hertford		North end of NC 37 overlap
PasquotankRabbit Corner257.9415.0254Okisko Road
​258.5416.0255
US 17 Byp. north – Chesapeake
Elizabeth City263.2423.6
US 17 Bus. north (Ehringhaus Street) – Elizabeth City
263.6424.2 NC 344 (Halstead Boulevard) – Weeksville
264.7426.0 US 158 east (Elizabeth Street) – Camden, Outer BanksEast end of US 158 overlap
265.6427.4
US 17 Bus. south (Road Street)
​272.9439.2264
US 17 Byp. south – Hertford, Edenton
Morgans Corner276.0444.2 US 158 west – SunburyWest end of US 158 overlap
CamdenSouth Mills277.4446.4
US 17 Bus. north – South Mills, Nags Head
​279.8450.3
US 17 Bus. south / NC 343 – South Mills, Camden
​286.0460.3 US 17 north – ChesapeakeVirginia state line
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Bannered routes

There are numerous existing and former bannered routes of US 17 within the state of North Carolina.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Google (May 22, 2014). "U.S. Route 17 in North Carolina" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  2. 1 2 State Highway System of North Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by NCDOT. North Carolina Department of Transportation. 1930. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Sanford Backs New Road Plan". Star-News. Wilmington, NC. April 17, 1964. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  4. ↑ Homer, Pierce R. (November 2006). "Construction of I-99: Appropriation Act Item 427 H. (Special Session I, 2006)" (PDF). Virginia Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  5. ↑ Gibson, Terry R. (November 27, 2012). "Designation of I-44" (PDF) (Letter). Letter to John F. Sullivan III. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  6. ↑ Tata, Anthony J. (June 11, 2014). "Route to Opportunity and Development Act (ROAD Act_" (PDF) (Letter). Letter to G.K. Butterfield. North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Future Interstate Designation: Raleigh, NC to Norfolk, VA" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. June 11, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014 – via Regional Transportation Alliance.
  8. ↑ "Interstate 495 to Rocky Mount—Future I-44 to Hampton Roads". Raleigh, NC: Regional Transportation Alliance. December 14, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  9. ↑ Google (March 28, 2015). "North Carolina Highway 341" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  10. ↑ "SPOT ID: H141869" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. September 22, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  11. ↑ Staff. "I-74 Feasibility Study". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ I-74 Feasibility Map (PDF) (Map). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
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U.S. Route 17
Previous state:
South Carolina		 North Carolina Next state:
Virginia
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