U.S. Route 52 in North Carolina

This article is about the section of U.S. Route 52 in North Carolina. For the entire route, see U.S. Route 52.

U.S. Route 52 marker

U.S. Route 52

Route of US 52 in North Carolina highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length: 150.3 mi[1][2] (241.9 km)
Existed: 1934 – present
Major junctions
South end: US 52 at the SC line near McFarlan
 

US 74 in Wadesboro
I‑85 in Salisbury
I‑85 Bus. / US 29 / US 70 in Lexington
US 64 in Lexington
I‑40 / US 311 in Winston-Salem
I‑40 Bus. / US 158 / US 421 / NC 150 in Winston-Salem
I‑74 near Mount Airy

US 601 in Mount Airy
North end: US 52 at the VA line near Mount Airy
Location
Counties: Anson, Stanly, Cabarrus, Rowan, Davidson, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry
Highway system
← NC 51NC 53 →

U.S. Route 52 is a north–south United States highway that runs for 150 miles (240 km) from the South Carolina state line, near McFarlan, to the Virginia state line, near Mount Airy. It serves as a strategic highway through the central North Carolina Piedmont.[3] Though an even numbered U.S. Route, it is signed north-south in North Carolina (standard convention being to label even numbered U.S. Routes with east-west designations). In some other states along its route, it is signed east-west. The North Carolina segment is signed such that U.S. 52 north corresponds to the general westward direction of the highway, and visa-versa.

Route description

US 52 enters North Carolina at Mount Airy. A bypass around Mount Airy, which carries US 52 is designated as the Andy Griffith Parkway. It goes by Pilot Mountain one of the most distinctive natural features in North Carolina. Through the Piedmont Triad region, US 52 is mostly a limited-access freeway. The route joins Interstate 85 Business into Lexington, North Carolina and shares Interstate 85 around Salisbury, North Carolina. The segment of US 52 from Interstate 40 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to Lexington is currently being upgraded to Interstate highway standards for the future Interstate 285 corridor. The segment from northern Winston-Salem to just south of Mount Airy is expected to form part of the Interstate 74 corridor through North Carolina.

South of the Triad area after splitting from Interstate 85 in Salisbury, US 52 is typically a two-lane route linking some of the state's smaller cities and towns. Albemarle is the largest municipality along this segment of US 52 to the South Carolina state line.

Between Salisbury and Albemarle in Northern Stanly county, US 52 bisects the campus of Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer. Misenheimer may be the only municipality in America whose only traffic light is not at an intersection of two or more streets, but at a crosswalk to accommodate pedestrian traffic (the crosswalk being across US 52 connecting the two parts of Pfeiffer's campus on opposite sides of the highway).

Andy Griffith Parkway

The Andy Griffith Parkway is an 11 mile (18 km) section of U.S. Route 52 in northern Surry County, North Carolina dedicated in honor of actor Andy Griffith. U.S. Route 52 through this stretch is a limited- controlled-access four-lane divided highway. Approximately 5.5 miles (8.9 km) of the 11 mile (18 km) section passes through the corporate limits of Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina.[4]

Background

Due to its close proximity to Pilot Mountain State Park, in 1977 U.S. Route 52 through Surry County and Stokes County was dedicated as the Pilot Mountain Parkway by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. However, in March 2002, the North Carolina Department of Transportation was approached by a grassroots group of residents of Mount Airy that felt that a highway dedication for Griffith was long overdue.

The group proposed to rename an 11 mile (18 km) section of the Pilot Mountain Parkway running from the Interstate 74 interchange north to the Virginia state line to the Andy Griffith Parkway.The Pilot Mountain Parkway designation would remain from the Interstate 74 intersection south through Stokes County.

The group had the support of the dedication from several North Carolina state agency officials that included: Governor Mike Easley, State Treasurer Richard H. Moore and NCDOT Division 11 Board Member Sam Erby. Each of these officials played an integral role in expediting the renaming through the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Road and Bridge Naming Committee. The dedication also had the full support of Andy Griffith. The NCDOT Road and Bridge Naming Committee voted unanimously for the dedication at their July, 2002 meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dedication ceremony

A dedication ceremony was held on October 16, 2002 in the parking lot behind City Hall in Mount Airy. Andy Griffith accepted the invitation to attend the ceremony. It was Griffith’s first public appearance in his hometown in over 40 years. Also in attendance were: Griffith’s wife Cindi Griffith, Governor Mike Easley, former University of North Carolina President William C. Friday, Grandfather Mountain developer Hugh Morton, as well as many more State and local officials. More than 3000 Andy Griffith fans also attended to welcome Andy Griffith back to Mount Airy.

Dedicated and memorial names

US 52 features four additional dedicated stretches of highway.

History

US 52/US 74, in Wadesboro

US 52 was established in 1934 as a replacement of US 121/NC 66 from the Virginia state line, near Mount Airy, to Lexington and replacement of US 601/NC 80 from Lexington to the South Carolina state line, near McFarlan.

In the mid-1930s, US 52 was placed on current routing between Rocky River-Norwood and Misenheimer-Gold Hill. In Wadesboro, US 52 was routed along Morgan-Washington-Martin Streets; while in Stokes County, US 52 was placed on new road between Pilot Mountain and King.

In 1941, US 52 was removed from Salisbury Road and placed on its current routing, with US 29/70, south of Lexington. Between 1945-1949, US 52 was split in downtown Winston-Salem: northbound using the original Main Street route, southbound using Liberty Street and First Street. In 1949, US 52 was placed on a new bypass east of Pilot Mountain, leaving US 52A along the main street route.

In 1952, US 52 was placed onto new northern bypass of Lexington, its old route through became part of US 29A/70A and NC 8. In 1953, US 52 was placed onto new western bypass of Mount Airy, its old route through became US 52A (today US 52 Business). In either 1956 or 1957, US 52 was placed on its current route through Wadesboro, via US 74; also around same time period, US 52 was removed from Old Fancy Gap Road near the Virginia state line.

From 1960-1972, the next series of changes were in the Winston-Salem area; starting in 1960 with US 52 was removed from Main Street and onto Old Salem Road. In 1962, US 52 northbound was changed to Main Street, Fifth Street, and Liberty Street. By 1964, US 52 was placed onto new freeway from Winston-Salem, just south of East-West Expressway, to Pilot Mountain; this replaced the old route from Stanleyville to Pilot Mountain, becoming simply Old US 52. By 1973, US 52 was completed moved onto the completed North-South Expressway in Forsyth County, completely removing US 52 from all regular roads through the county.

In 1971, US 52 was joined with I-85, from the Yadkin River to Salisbury, leaving the downtown area. In 1980, the freeway from Forsyth County extended into Davidson County at Midway. By 1982, New London was placed on a short bypass west of town. Between 1985-1987, US 52 was given its current Albemarle bypass routing; in October, 2010, the routing was rebuilt along its southern portion. Between 1991-1993, US 52 was extended further south onto new freeway from Midway to Welcome in north Davidson County; by 1995, the freeway connected with the Lexington bypass, completing US 52's move from rural road to freeway from Lexington to Mount Airy.

U.S. Route 121

U.S. Route 121
Location: Lexington, NC-VA state line
Length: 64.0 mi[5] (103.0 km)
Existed: 1926–1934

U.S. Route 121 (US 121) was an original US highway, established in 1926, and was completely overlapped with NC 66. Beginning north from Main Street (US 70/NC 10), in Lexington, it went through Welcome and Midway to Winston-Salem. Traversing through Winston-Salem on Waughtown Road and Main Street, it exits north along Patterson Avenue to Stanleyville. Continuing north through Rural Hall, King, and Pilot Mountain, it reached downtown Mount Airy, before continuing on north into Virginia, via Old Fancy Gap Road. By 1929, US 121 was rerouted south of Winston-Salem along Spur Street; its old alignment remained part of NC 77. In late 1934, both US 121 and NC 66 was replaced by US 52.

Future

Currently there are plans to widen US 52 between Wadesboro to NC 24/NC 27, in Albemarle, to four-lanes by around 2015 (STIP: R-2320).[6]

In the more distant future, US 52 between NC 65, in Winston-Salem, to I-74, near Mount Airy, is planned to be reconstructed to interstate-grade standards (STIP: I-4404).

In Winston-Salem, a bridge replacement (built in 1964) is currently under construction that crosses over Liberty Street and the Norfolk Southern Railroad Switching Yard. The project includes widening of Liberty Street, ramp improvements along US 52, and install new traffic signals in area. It is estimated at $19 million and to be completed on November 1, 2012.[7][8]

Upgrades of US 52 to interstate grade, between Interstate 85 and Interstate 40/US 311 are estimated to cost $8.725 million. Property acquisition will start in June, 2012, with construction scheduled for May, 2013. Once completed, US 52 will be in concurrency with Interstate 285.[9]

Junction list

CountyLocationmi[2]kmExitDestinationsNotes
AnsonState line0.00.0 US 52 south – CherawSouth Carolina state line
Morven4.47.1 NC 145 (Main Street) – Rockingham, Chesterfield
Wadesboro12.219.6 US 74 east – RockinghamEast end of US 74 overlap
13.521.7 NC 109 / NC 742 south (Greene Street)South end of NC 742 overlap
14.623.5 US 74 west – Monroe, CharlotteWest end of US 74 overlap
14.924.0 NC 742 north – OakboroNorth end of NC 742 overlap
Stanly​30.549.1 NC 731 west – Mount Gilead
​41.566.8 NC 138 south – Oakboro
Albemarle42.468.2
US 52 Bus. north / NC 24 / NC 27 / NC 73 east – Troy, Mount Gilead, Charlotte		East end of NC 73 overlap
43.369.7 NC 73 west (Main Street) – ConcordWest end of NC 73 overlap
44.771.9
US 52 Bus. south (First Street)
New London50.481.1 NC 8 north / NC 740 south (Gold Street) – Badin
Richfield53.686.3 NC 49 – Concord, Charlotte, Asheboro
RowanRockwell63.6102.4 NC 152 west (Market Street) – China Grove
Salisbury72.0115.976 I‑85 south / Innes Street – Charlotte, Salisbury DowntownSouth end of I-85 overlap
Spencer74.9120.579Andrews Street – Spencer, East Spencer
76.3122.881Long Ferry Road – Spencer
Yadkin River78.2125.9Yadkin River Veterans Memorial Bridge
Davidson​78.7126.782 US 29 south / US 70 west / NC 150 east – SpencerPermanently closed as of April, 2010[10][11][12][13]
​79.0127.183 NC 150Permanently closed as of May, 2013[10][12][13]
​79.3127.684 US 29 south / US 70 west to NC 150 – SpencerSouth end of US 29 and west end of US 70 overlap
​80.3129.285Clark RoadPermanently closed as of November, 2012[14]
​81.4131.086Belmont Road
Lexington83.3134.187 I‑85 north – High Point, GreensboroNorth end of I-85 and south end of I-85 Bus overlap; northbound exit and southbound entrance
84.0135.284 NC 47 east to I‑85 north – LinwoodTo Davidson County Airport
84.9136.685Green Needles Road
86.0138.486Salisbury Road – Downtown Lexington
87.0140.087 I‑85 Bus. / US 29 north / US 70 east – Thomasville, High PointNorth end of I-85 Bus/US 29 and east end of US 70 overlap; northbound exit and southbound entrance
88.6142.689 US 64 – Lexington, Mocksville
Welcome92.2148.492 NC 8 south (Old U.S. Hwy 52) – Lexington, WelcomeSouth end of NC 8 overlap
97.3156.697Old U.S. Hwy 52 – Midway
​99.5160.1100Hickory Tree Road
ForsythWinston-Salem102.8165.4103South Main Street
105.1169.1105Clemmonsville Road
106.2170.9107
A-B		A: I‑40 east / US 311 south – Greensboro, High Point
B: I‑40 west – Statesville		South end of US 311 overlap
Signed as exits 107A (east) and 107B (west)
107.0172.2108ASprague Street / Waughtown StreetTo University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Salem Creek ConnectorUnder Construction (projected in June, 2016)[15]
107.8173.5108BVargrave StreetPermanently closed as of January 6, 2014[15]
108.2174.1108CStadium Drive – Old SalemTo Winston-Salem State University
108.5174.6109
A-B		A: I‑40 Bus. east / US 158 east / US 421 south / NC 150 east – Kernersville
B: I‑40 Bus. west / US 158 west / US 421 north / NC 150 west – Downtown		Signed as exits 109A (east) and 109B (west)
108.9175.3110A3rd 4th 5th Streets – DowntownPermanently closed as of February 18, 2013[16][17]
109.3175.9110B US 311 north (ML King Jr Drive)North end of US 311 overlap
109.6176.4110CLiberty Street
109.9176.9110DNorthwest BoulevardSouthbound exit only
110.6178.0111A25th Street / 28th Street
110.9178.5111BLiberty Street – Smith Reynolds AirportWas northbound exit only; permanently closed
111.8179.9112Akron Drive – Smith Reynolds AirportTo Coliseum and BB&T Field
112.6181.2113Patterson Avenue
114.2183.8114 NC 8 north (Germanton Road) – GermantonNorth end of NC 8 overlap
115.5185.9115University ParkwaySigned northbound as exits 115A (north) and 115B (south)
116.1186.8116Hanes Mill Road
Bethania117.5189.1117 To NC 66 – GermantonNorthbound entrance and southbound exit
I‑74 east (Winston-Salem Northern Beltway)Future interchange (unfunded)[18]
Rural Hall118.1190.1118 NC 65 – Rural Hall, Bethania
119.8192.8120Westinghouse Road
King121.9196.2122Moore-RJR Drive
123.0197.9123Main Street – King, Tobaccoville
Stokes​128.7207.1129Perch Road – Pinnacle
Surry​130.8210.5131Pilot Knob Park Road – Pilot Mountain State Park
Pilot Mountain133.7215.2134 NC 268 – Pilot Mountain, ElkinDouble roundabout interchange
​135.5218.1135West 52 Bypass – Pilot MountainNorthbound entrance and left southbound exit only
​136.1219.0136Cook School Road
​139.7224.8140 I‑74 west to I‑77 – Wytheville
​141.0226.9141Holly Springs Church RoadTo Mount Airy/Surry County Airport
​142.0228.5
US 52 Bus. north (Main Street)
Mount Airy144.4232.4 US 601 south (Rockford Street) – Dobson
145.6234.3 NC 89 (Pine Street) to I‑74 west / I‑77 – Downtown
147.7237.7
US 52 Bus. south (Main Street)
State line150.3241.9 US 52 north – HillsvilleVirginia state line
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References

  1. ↑ American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, United States Numbered Highways, 1989 Edition
  2. 1 2 Google (April 5, 2011). "U.S. Route 52 in North Carolina" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  3. ↑ "NCDOT: Strategic Highway Corridors". Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "North Carolina Memorial Highways and other Named Facilities" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. July 15, 2004. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ Google (July 14, 2013). "U.S. Route 121" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  6. ↑ "NCDOT - STIP: R-2320". Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  7. ↑ "NCDOT: US 52 Bridge Replacement Project". Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  8. ↑ "NCDOT: US 52 Bridge Replacement Project Map" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  9. ↑ "NCDOT: Project R-4750". Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  10. 1 2 "NCDOT: I-85 Corridor Improvement Project". Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  11. ↑ "SalisburyPost.com: Safety concerns lead to closing of Wil-Cox Bridge; no timeframe on reopening". Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  12. 1 2 "NC 150 Route Change (2012-03-01)" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. March 1, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  13. 1 2 NC 150 Route Change (2012-01-04) (PDF) (Map). North Carolina Department of Transportation. January 4, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  14. ↑ Staff (July 27, 2011). "NCDOT to close Clark Road entrance and exits ramps on I-85 north, section of Snider Kines Road in Davidson County starting Monday". Project Details. North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "NCDOT News Release: Construction of Salem Creek Connector Ramps up in Winston-Salem". NCDOT. December 27, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  16. ↑ "NCDOT News Release: NCDOT to Close U.S. 52; Third, Fourth, Fifth Street Ramps in Winston-Salem Starting Sunday Night". NCDOT. June 7, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Ramp from Fifth Street to US 52 north closes Monday". WXII-TV. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  18. ↑ "NCDOT: Winston-Salem Northern Beltway". Retrieved March 5, 2011.
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U.S. Route 52
Previous state:
Virginia		 North Carolina Next state:
South Carolina
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