The Wonders of Interstate 40

If someone offered me a free trip on any US Interstate, I would choose Interstate 40. Ever since my roadgeek gene was activated in 1998, I have admired Interstate 40. It might be because it takes me to my favorite beach in the Carolinas. Or it might be the history behind it. In this blog, I will explain some of the important I-40 features.

A North Carolina Interstate is Born:
In 1958, the East-West Expressway opened in Downtown Winston-Salem. Side Note: This same year, Jan and Arnie released one of my favorite songs called "Jennie Lee". Back to I-40. Several years after this, the East-West Expressway became North Carolina's very first Interstate. Interstate 40 was born!

Interstate 40 in the 60's:
In the 60's, President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed, Leave it to Beaver ended, and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. The 60's were also the wake up years for Interstate 40. Interstate 40's cousin Interstate 85 was also being born at this time. Around 1960, the current Interstate 40/85 Corridor was built from Greensboro to Durham. However, Interstate 40 would not be routed on this highway for another 30 years.

The Present:
In 1990, Interstate 40 was extended from Interstate 95 to Wilmington. Also around this time period, Interstate 40 was finally routed onto Interstate 85 from Greensboro to Durham. In 1992, the Winston-Salem Bypass opened. This meant that the East-West Expressway was once again a non-Interstate. Well maybe not that drastic. It became Business 40. In 1998, a major widening project started in Greensboro. It was expected to be completed in 2002. In 2004, the project was completed.

The Future:
In 2004, the Interstate 85 Bypass (A part of Painter Blvd.) opened in Greensboro. But soon, Interstate 40 will be joining it's cousin. As of right now, a portion of Painter Blvd. is under construction. In 2007, Interstate 40 will be routed onto this bypass.

The Route:
Interstate 40 enters North Carolina from Tennessee. Interstate 40 then enters Asheville and spawns a beltway. Interstate 240 is a half-beltway around Asheville. Also in Asheville, Interstate 40's father US-70 joins up with Interstate 40 and paralles Interstate 40 til Statesville. Interstate 40 then enters Winston-Salem and follows the 1992 Winston-Salem Bypass. Winston-Salem has Interstate 40 written all over it. As stated above, this is the city Interstate 40 was born in. In Greensboro, US-70 rejoins Interstate 40 and Interstate 40 begins the famous Interstate 40/85 Corridor. As stated above, a new Interstate 40 Bypass is being built south of Greensboro and is expected to be completed in 2007. In Durham, Interstate 40 leaves Interstate 85 and begins my favorite part of Interstate 40. This stretch of Interstate 40 includes about 15 Durham Welcome Signs!:) In Raleigh, Interstate 40 has another half-beltway. Interstate 440 (AKA the Beltline), is a major highway in Raleigh. Interstate 40 multiplexes Interstate 440 for about 7 miles. Raleigh also ends the US-70 parallel and Interstate 40 and US-70 go there seperate ways. Finally after about 100 miles of rural landscape, Interstate 40 ends at milemarker 420 at NC-312 in Wilmington. Also in Wilmington, another beltway is being built called Interstate 140.

Interstate 40 has always been my all time favorite Interstate someday I hope to go all the way to it's western end in Barstow, California. For a more detailed description of Interstate 40, read my book North Carolina Highways. Request your free copy today.