Official Route of I-87

For now, the interstate highway will be signed as I-87 for only 12 miles from I-40/I-440 interchange south of Raleigh, for 2.9 miles over I-440, then for 10 miles to the end of the US 64/US 264 Knightdale Bypass at the US 64 Business exit. For the remainder of the route proceeding east along US 64 to its interchange with US 17 west of Williamston and then US 17 from there north to the Virginia border, NCDOT has placed Future I-87 signs along the roadway at the beginning of freeway segments and at county lines.³ Here's a closeup map of the route in the Raleigh area used as part of NCDOT's application to AASHTO to delete the I-495 designation:

History of Raleigh to Norfolk Interstate Proposal

Getting an interstate designation for the Raleigh-Norfolk corridor has been a continual effort over the past decade largely by Raleigh and Wake County business leaders and officials to boost economic development in the eastern Wake County area and encourage tourist travel from the I-95 corridor to North Carolina's capital city. In May 2005, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), passed a resolution supporting the redesignation of US 64 as a I-X95 three-digit route, for which they chose the number 495 as an example of a possible designation.⁴ Several other political organizations passed similar resolutions, including the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, especially after the US 64/264 Knightdale Bypass was completed and opened to traffic later in 2005. In 2010, an umbrella group made up of several pro-transportation business groups, including the Raleigh and Franklin County Chambers of Commerce, called the Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) also endorsed the concept of an I-495 route for US 64 on a page of their website. By 2012, however, RTA was promoting a larger plan of using US 64 as the western end of a Raleigh to Norfolk, VA interstate which they labeled I-44.⁵

Establishment of I-495

NCDOT did not seem to be too interested these interstate proposals, at least publicly, until March 2013 when they sent an application to AASHTO's Special Committee on US Route Numbering asking for the I-495 designation for US 64 and, at the same time, put a map of the proposed route on their Route Changes website.⁶ Within the application packet was a copy of a letter to the FHWA (more below) from NC Governor Pat McCrory seeking the same thing. AASHTO approved the I-495 designation in May 2013 conditionally pending final approval of the FHWA.⁷ FHWA approval was announced at RTA’s 12th Annual Meeting in Cary on December 12, 2013 by Governor McCrory and NCDOT Secretary Tony Tata.

NCDOT started the placement of I-495 signs during mid-April 2014. Standard interstate shields were placed along the Bypass freeway from I-440 to I-540, with North and South directional banners. Green signs with Future 495 were installed on wooden posts along the rest of the US 64 freeway to I-95, first eastbound, and then back westward.⁸

Photo courtesy of NCDOT.

Congressional Bill Results in New Designation

Despite the I-495 designation, NC officials and business groups like the RTA still pursued an interstate designation for the entire US 64/US 17 Raleigh to Norfolk corridor. On December 15 2015, language specifically calling for an interstate route for the corridor, and along US 70 from Raleigh to Morehead City (Future I-42), was included in the new transportation bill passed by Congress, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. RTA and NCDOT immediately started the process of getting an interstate number for the corridor. RTA's suggested number, I-89, was applied for during the May 25, 2016 meeting of AASHTO's Special Committee on US Route Numbering.⁹ AASHTO agreed to approve the route, but only if it was numbered as I-87. In November 2016, the FHWA and AASHTO approved NCDOT's request that US 264 from US 64 in Zebulon to Greenville be designated an I-87 spur route, I-587.¹⁰ In February 2017 the FHWA Interstate Route Log was updated to include I-87. In May 2017, the AASHTO Special Committee on US Route Numbering approved NCDOT's request to delete the I-495 routes in favor of I-87.¹¹

Future Construction

The US 64 freeway west of US 64 Business in Knightdale to Williamston, nor US 17 from there to the Virginia border are currently up to interstate standards. These parts of the I-87 route needs to be upgraded before full interstate designation can be applied. The route therefore, for the immediate future, will only be signed as I-87 section from I-40 along 2.9 miles of I-440 and along the Knightdale Bypass for 11 miles to the US 64 Business exit (Rolesville Road exit southbound). NCDOT did release a feasibility study (FS-1504A) about upgrading US 64 from the current end of I-87 to its intersection with US 17 in Williamston on August 16, 2017 breaking up the route into 8 segments.¹² NCDOT estimated the upgrade of the 86.4 miles of US 64 would cost between $267 and $369 million depending on what modifications were made.They also published a feasibility study about the US 17 portion in January 2018, 10 segments were evaluated with costs ranging from $850 to $945 million depending on alternatives chosen.¹³ Given that US 64 is already a freeway from Raleigh to Williamston, upgrades to those segments should be easier to make than those for US 17, which could take decades to build. Below, based on the feasibility studies segments, are the proposed construction plan, or plans, proposed to bring the route up to interstate standards, the costs, whether the projects are funded, and construction dates, if any. An unfunded project is unlikely to start before 2033. In the fall of 2020, due to NCDOT budget problems related both to extra costs due to hurricane related repairs, a court decision regarding the need to make millions of dollars in payments to property owners located at future highway sites, and budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic many future projects, including many involving Future I-87, were delayed, see list below:

Segment 1

I-440, I-40 to US 64/264 Knightdale Bypass

Route Type: Interstate        Length:    2.9 Miles    Status: Complete

This starting segment for I-87 was first signed in September 2017 and was 'completed' when overhead signage with I-87 shields were put up in May and June 2019 (see photos below). The exit numbers remained based on I-440 mileage presumably because having Exits 1 and 2 on both sides of the route would be confusing to motorists.

Drive north on this segment, and part of the next with this RoadwayWiz video from the Summer of 2021.

Drive south on part of this segment, from the previous one with this RoadwayWiz video also from the Summer of 2021.

Segment 2

US 64/264 Knightdale Bypass, I-440 to Rolesville Road

Route Type: Interstate    Length: 11 Miles    Status: Complete

This segment for I-87 was also first signed in September 2017 and was 'completed' when overhead signage with I-87 shields were put up in May and June 2019 (see photos below). Prior to the I-87 designation, the segment between I-440 and I-540 was signed as I-495 and that between I-540 and US 64 Business in Wendell was designated Future I-495. These signs remained up until the permanent overhead I-87 signs went up in June 2019.

Drive north on this segment from the I-540 interchange with this RoadwayWiz video also from the Summer of 2021.

Drive south on this segment from Wendell to the I-540 interchange with this RoadwayWiz video also from the Summer of 2021.

Segment 3 (Updated 6/12/23)

US 64/264 Freeway, Rolesville Road until US 64/US 264 Split in Zebulon

Route Type: 4-Lane Freeway    Length: 7.5 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: No*

The US 64/264 freeway east of the Knightdale Bypass has a 70 MPH speed limit but has shoulders not up to interstate standards. NCDOT originally planned to widen US 64/264 from the current end of I-87 at Business 64 to the split on US 64 and US 264 (Future I-587) (Project I-6005) starting in 2025, however that date has now been pushed back to 2029 in the 2020-2029 STIP then later to at least 2034 in the final 2024-2033 STIP released in June 2023.^{14, 15} It is assumed interstate standard shoulders will be built as part of the construction project. The feasibility Study (Study) also indicated the NC 96 and US 264 interchanges would be modified as part of the that project. Total estimated cost for the 6-lane project is $59.1 million. After the feasibility study came out, the NCDOT 2020-2029 Draft STIP included a project (I-6001) to upgrade Interstate 587, a planned spur route to Greenville is to start where US 264 splits off.

*In October 2020, the NCDOT Board revised the 2020-2029 STIP "To Assist in the Balancing of Funds" and moved Right-of-Way purchases from FY 2025 to 2028 and construction costing $53.7 million from 2029 to 'Post Years' meaning the project was no longer funded. Funding then was restored in the updated Draft 2024-2033 STIP released in August 2022, with the same start date, 2029, as before. The final STIP, however released in June 2023, again removed funding except for preliminary engineering work for the project meaning it now would not start until after 2033. No projects for this segment were listed in the proposed project list for the 2026-2035 STIP released in June 2024.¹⁶

Segment 4 (Updated 7/1/24)

US 64 Freeway, US 264 exit in Zebulon to US 64 Alt./NC 231 exit in Spring Hope

Route Type: 4-lane Freeway    Length: 9.8 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: No

US 64, after splitting off from US 264 is a 4-lane freeway with shoulders and bridges not up to interstate standards. Besides widening the shoulders to 12 feet, the Study recommends rebuilding 3 bridges, including at Alt. US 64/NC 231 at a total cost of $27.1 million. Currently not a funded project in the Final 2024-2033 STIP, thus not scheduled for construction until after 2033. The new list of potential projects for the 2026-2035 STIP also does not include any projects for this segment.

Segment 5 (Updated 12/7/24)

US 64 Freeway, US 64 Alt/NC 231 exit in Spring Hope to NC 58 exit in Nashville

Route Type: 4-lane Freeway    Length: 11.9 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: Some

US 64 in this segment is a substandard freeway. There is one improvement project, part in this segment and part in Segment 6, funded in the 2024-2033 STIP. NCDOT posted a press release on August 9, 2023 indicating a ten mile pavement rehabilitation project (I-6045) from SR 1306 (Old Franklin Road) Exit 452 to Old Carriage Road at Exit 463 was awarded for $14.4 million to Wilson based contractor S.T. Wooten Corp. While shoulder rehabilitation is a part of this contract there was no mention of any interstate standard shoulder widening.¹⁶ Work began in January 2024. According to the NCDOT Construction Project Report, work is 32.7% complete as of the end of October 2024, it is not to be completed until October 2025.¹⁷ According to the Study, this segment, in addition to needing shoulders widened to 12 feet, requires the widening of the dual bridges over the Tar River and replacing the SR 1144 (Pine Street) bridge, along with the US 64 Alt Bridge in Nashville. Bridges with low vertical clearances at SR 1148 (Big Woods Road) will remain with pavement milling to achieve increased height. Estimated cost is $46 million. These are currently not funded projects, therefore construction cannot start until after 2033.

Segment 6 (Updated 6/10/24)

US 64 Freeway, NC 58 Exit in Nashville to I-95 in Rocky Mount

Route Type:  4-lane Freeway     Length: 5.2 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard     Upgrade Projects Funded: Some

A project listed in the 2020-2029 STIP was to upgrade US 64 to Interstate Standards (U-6149) from NC 58 in Nash County to beyond I-95 to the Thomas Road overpass east of Rocky Mount, a total of 15.1 miles, but, was not planned to start until after 2029, meaning the project is unfunded, though right of way purchases were to start in 2029.¹⁸ This disappeared in the 2024-2033 STIP. However, In the list of potential projects for the upcoming 2026 to 2035 STIP, released in May 2024 U-6149 reappeared at a projected cost of $204.1 million. It's State Mobility score however was listed as 70.89/100, indicating it may not get funded when the draft list of projects is released in early 2025.¹⁹ As discussed in Segment 5, there is a pavement rehabilitation project (I-6045) from SR 1306 (Old Franklin Road) in Nash County to I-95. This project was to be let on January 21, 2020 but was never advertised and later was deleted from the Letting List in February 2020. It reappeared in the 2024-2033 Final STIP document published in June 2023, only this time between Old Franklin Road and Old Carriage Road (1 mile short of I-95) with a 2023 construction date.²⁰ NCDOT's August 9, 2023 press release said work could start in the fall and the contractor would have 2 years to complete the project.¹⁶ As mentioned in Segment 5, work finally started in January 2024. Shoulder rehabilitation is a part of the contract, though there was no mention of shoulder widening. The rest of the segment is covered by the other pavement rehabilitation, project (I-6046) from Old Carriage Road (SR 1603) to beyond I-95 at Kingsboro Road (SR 1225), to be discussed in Segment 7. 

It is unclear whether widening the rest is to only take place here or throughout the entire project corridor. Shoulders are interstate standard the last mile of this segment from Red Oak Road to I-95. The Study also discusses three different alternatives for the current median, keep it at current width (36 feet), widen it to 42 feet, or, with the use of a median barrier, reduce it to 26 feet. It also recommended that the remaining bridges could simply be widened. The cost estimate range from $32.9 to $45.3 million depending on which median option is chosen.This project was not funded in the latest STIP

Segment 7 (Updated 11/4/24)

I-95 in Rocky Mount to US 64 Alt./US 64 Bus./NC 43 South exit at eastern city limits of Rocky Mount

Route Type: 4-6 lane Freeway    Length: 7.5 Miles    Status: Partially Interstate Standard    Upgrade Projects Funded: Some

Most of this segment was also part of the unfunded project listed in the 2020-2029 STIP for Segment 6 to upgrade US 64 to Interstate Standards (U-6149) from NC 58 in Nash County to beyond I-95 to the Thomas Road overpass east of Rocky Mount (except for the portion between the Thomas Road overpass and the US 64 Alt./US 64 Bus./NC 43 exit) that may be funded in the 2026-2035 STIP. There are several funded pavement and bridge rehabilitation projects for US 64 in Nash and Edgecombe Counties planned for this segment, I-6046 from I-95 to SR 1225 (Kingsboro Road), underway and discussed under Segment 6, and I-6041 from SR 1225 to NC 33, that was to start in 2020, but were delayed 3 years and finally advertised in May 2023.²¹ (This project was later due to start in FY 2022, but then delayed temporarily to 2025 by STIP modifications in October 2020, along with Projects 6041A that will rehabilitate the bridges over US 64 in the area.²²) Shoulder widening may be part of these contracts, though the shoulder is interstate standard from I-95 to Business 64 at Mile 467. The listing for I-6046 was removed from NCDOT's Construction Progress Report in October 2024, implying work is complete, it was 85.9% complete at the end of July.²³ It appears at least some shoulder widening is a part of this project, as seen in this traffic camera image from Kingsboro Road on August 26, 2023: 

It appears though that this was due to some supplemental funds added to the contract, that only cover the segment around Kingsboro Road eastward to Thomas Road (the rest towards Rocky Mount to be upgraded to an interstate under Project U-6149). Regardless, further upgrade work besides shoulders would be needed.

The Study recommends two alternatives, one that would keep the current 65 MPH speed limit, the other with projects that would allow this segment to match the speed limit, 70 MPH, in the surrounding segments. Other projects in upgrading US 64 would involve creating auxiliary lanes between I-95 and the Winstead Avenue exit, replacing the eastbound bridge over Stony Creek and widening the westbound bridge and bridges for SR 1616 (Country Club Road) and SR 1243 (Leggett Road) to accommodate the auxiliary lanes. Loop ramps for Exits 467 (Bus. 64), 468A (US 301 Bypass), 468B (NC 43/48), 469 (US 301 Business) and 470 (NC 97) would also have to be rebuilt as part of the upgrade project. The 65 MPH alternative is estimated to cost $27.3 Million, while the 70 MPH version would be $32.9. These projects are likely not to start until after 2033.

Segment 8 (Updated 12/7/24)

US 64 from eastern Rocky Mount City Limits to western Tarboro City Limits

Route Type: 4-lane Freeway    Length: 11.1 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Projects Funded: Some

US 64 in this segment is a 4-lane freeway whose shoulders and bridges are not up to interstate standards. The two funded pavement rehabilitation projects for US 64 cited in Segment 7 continue in this segment too and I-6046 underway from I-95 to SR 1225 (Kingsboro Road), and I-6041 from SR 1225 to NC 33. Work on this project started in September 2023 and more than a year later, as of the end of October 2024, was nearly 2/3 done, at 64.8% complete. Work is to be completed in July 2025.²⁴ Shoulder widening at least from Mile 470 to Kinsgsboro Road was completed in June 2023, see photos below for this segment, and may be part of the rest of the contracts. A traffic camera image from December 5, 2024 shows shoulder widening was complete in the vicinity of the McNair Road (NC 122) exit but work was continuing to the US 258 exit 4 miles further east:

The view 6 months earlier when the shoulder widening was completed heading west:

By August work has reached further east to the US 258 exit and project notices indicated lane closures all the way to the eastern project limits at NC 33:

Work was completed in the fall, here's a December traffic camera image showing the completed highway:

The Study recommends, besides widening the shoulders, that the US 64 East bridge over the CSX railroad tracks and both bridge over SR 1208 (Howard Avenue) be widened. Total cost is estimated at $27.2 million. This project is unfunded, thus not do to start until at least after 2033.

Segment 9 (Updated 12/7/24)

US 64 from western Tarboro City Limits to Edgecombe/Martin County Line

Route Type: 4-lane Freeway    Length: 13.4 Miles    Status: Interstate Standard*    Upgrade Project Funded: Yes

While most of the shoulders in this segment are already interstate standard (east of US 64 Alt, Exit 486), this segment will still need some upgrades to be able to be signed as I-87. The funded pavement rehabilitation project I-6041, cited in Segment 8, covers the first 2.4 miles of this segment. Project I-6042 covers the final 11 miles from NC 33 to the Martin County line. Both projects were to start in 2022, but later were delayed in the the October 2020 STIP modifications to 2025.²⁵ In April 2022, however they were added back to the 13-month tentative letting list for May 2023.²⁶ Project I-6042 started on January 29, 2024 and work was apparently completed by the end of November since its listing was removed from NCDOT's Construction Progress Report site.²⁷ While up, the listing for I-6042 already indicated the route was I-87. Based on the plans issued for Project I-6041 shoulder widening is part of it:

Further upgrade work is needed however. The Study recommends, besides shoulder widening of the eastbound bridge over the CSX railroad, replacing the US 64 Alt./US 258 South bridge over US 64 as well as both bridges over the Tar River. In addition to the US 64 bridge replacement, the study recommends revamping the interchange (Exit 485) as well as widening the interchanges at Exits 486 (US 64 Alt East/US 258 North), 487 (Kingsboro Road), 488 (Shiloh Farm Road), 491 (SR 1524/Chinquapin Road), 494 (NC 42) and 496 (US 13/NC 11). Total cost is estimated at $45.4 million. These projects are unfunded in the June 2023 Final 2024-2033 STIP and therefore will not be constructed at present until after 2033.

*Shoulders are interstate standard, except those to the west of the Tar River bridges which will have to be widened.

Segment 10 (Updated 7/1/24)

US 13/64 from Edgecombe/Martin County Line to US 17 in Williamston

Route Type: Interstate Standard Freeway    Length: 18.4 Miles    Status: Complete (signage could be updated)

The US 13/64 freeway from the Edgecombe/Martin County Line was built to interstate standards. The feasibility study only recommends possible signage updates and the addition of an ITS system costing $2.2 million. They also suggest the possible reconstruction of the NC 125 (Prison Camp Road) interchange which would add another $2.5 million to the total. A divisional contract (DA00512, TIP No. I-6028C) was let on January 19, 2022 to resurface 7.3 miles in Martin County from NC 125 to the US 17 intersection, work was completed by the end of December 2023. Work was also completed on another pavement rehabilitation contract (I-6028B) that did similar work from US 64 Alternate to NC 125.

Segment 11 (Updated 7/1/24)

US 13/17 from US 64 Exit in Williamston to Roanoke River Bridge

Route Type: 4-Lane Highway    Length: 1.4 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard     Upgrade Project Funded: No

I-87 is to continue along US 17 which runs concurrently with US 13 after the US 64 exit after which the highway becomes a 4-lane arterial roadway with businesses and side streets through Williamston. There are no projects to upgrade this segment to an interstate in the 2024-2033 STIP. The list of potential 2026-2035 STIP projects from May 2024 does list two projects to upgrade US 17. The first would upgrade the route to Interstate Standards from US 64 to the Roanoke River bridge at a cost of $90.3 million. The State Mobility Score though is only 56.98/100, so it doesn't appear likely to appear in the Draft STIP due out in early 2025. The second from US 64 to US 13 in Windsor (also covering Segments 12 and 13) that would only upgrade US 17 to Freeway Standards. It has a higher estimated cost of $240.3 million and the State Mobility Score is lower, 53.46.¹⁹

The US 17 Feasibility Study (Study) suggests 3 alternatives. The first is an upgrade of the existing highway, the US 13/17 interchange with US 64 would be upgraded to a partial cloverleaf. Extensive ROW purchases would be required to create service roads parallel to US 13/17. The existing Roanoke River bridge would be used and a design exemption sought from the FHWA due to its narrow shoulders. The second suggested alternative would be a new freeway built to the east of US 13/17. The freeway would tie back into the existing route just south of the Roanoke River Bridge which would be retained, again with a design exemption sought for the insufficient shoulders. The third would include the new freeway from the second alternative but continue it across the Roanoke River on a new bridge meeting the existing US 13/17 just north of the bridge. The costs range from $75.3 million for the first alternative to $76 million for the third (the cost of a new bridge is offset by the reduced the cost for much fewer ROW purchases).

Segment 12 (Updated 7/1/24)

US 13/17 from Roanoke River Bridge to Pleasant Oak Road

Route Type: 4-Lane Highway    Length: 8.5 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: No

US 13/17 in this segment is a 4-lane divided roadway with several intersections. No project was funded in the Final 2024-2033 STIP published in June 2023. There would be an upgrade under the proposal from the preliminary 2026-2035 STIP project list previously discussed in Segment 11 only bringing US 17 to Freeway Standards from US 64 to US 13 in Windsor. It has a cost of $240.3 million and a low State Mobility Score of 53.46.

The Study has only one suggested alternative for the upgrading the current US 13/17 highway. Exits would be constructed for Outlaw Farm Road and George Leggett Road. The intersection with Willoughby Lane would be grade separated. A series of service roads would be created to tie businesses into the surrounding road network. Total cost is projected at $87.8 million.

Segment 13 (Updated 7/1/24)

US 13/17 from Pleasant Oak Road to Beginning of Windsor Bypass   

Route Type: 4-Lane Highway    Length: 4.5 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard   Upgrade Project Funded: No

The needed upgrades are currently not funded in the 2024-2033 STIP for this part of US 13/17. Again, there would be an upgrade under the proposal from the preliminary 2026-2035 STIP project list previously discussed in Segment 11 only bringing US 17 to Freeway Standards from US 64 to US 13 in Windsor. It has a cost of $240.3 million and a low State Mobility Score of 53.46.

The Study has 2 alternatives for the segment: Upgrade the existing US 13/17 highway to interstate standards with the road being widened along the northbound side which would require taking properties. The existing southbound lanes would become a service road and a new service road would be built next to the northbound lanes. An interstate standard exit would be constructed for the split of US 13 from US 17 at the Windsor Bypass while grade separations would occur elsewhere. The second alternative is to build a new freeway to the west of existing US 13/17 with an interchange built north of Roquist Creek to provide access to current US 13/17. The freeway would tie back to the existing alignment at the Windsor Bypass. This alternative requires construction through wetlands as well as farmlands. The costs range from $60.7 million for the new freeway to $67.5 million for upgrading the existing road, the major expense being for right-of-way purchases estimated at $23.4 million.

Segment 14 (Updated 7/1/24)

US 17 Windsor Bypass

Route Type: 4-lane Freeway    Length: 6.8 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: No

The US 17 Windsor Bypass is a 4-lane freeway that only needs a few modifications to become an interstate. While no project is listed to do this in the 2024-2033 STIP, the list of potential 2026-2035 STIP projects does include a listing for an upgrade of US 17 to Interstate Standards starting at the US 13 intersection. The cost is estimated to be $75.1 million, it has a State Mobility Score of only 52.11 out of 100, however, probably keeping it off the final list to be released in early 2025.¹⁹

The Study recommends widening the shoulders to 12 feet and minor modifications to the existing King Street and Wakelon Road exits. Costs are projected at $43.6 million.

Segment 15 (Updated 7/1/24)

East End of Windsor Bypass to Chowan River

Route Type: 4-lane Highway    Length: 4.8 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: No

US 17 continues from the western end of the Windsor Bypass to the Chowan River bridge as a 4-lane expressway. No funding was listed in the Final 2024-2033 STIP for upgrading this segment. The preliminary list of possible 2026-2035 STIP projects does have an upgrade of US 17 to Interstate Standards from the end of the Windsor Bypass to the south end of the Chowan River Bridge "to upgrade an existing highway and provide a section of I-87 connecting Raleigh NC to Norfolk VA." The cost is estimated at $228.8 million while the State Mobility Score is 54.83, meaning this is likely not to be funded for construction prior to 2035.¹⁹

The Study suggests 2 alternatives. The first, upgrading the existing highway, would redo the interchange at the end of the Windsor Bypass to create a service road that would parallel US 17 until a proposed exit at Jamestown Road. Additional service roads would be built on either side of the highway ending just before the Chowan River bridge. Access to NC 45 would only be through the service roads. An additional exit would be built for Bal Gra Road. The second alternative would build a new freeway to the east/south of the existing US 17. Diamond interchanges would be built at NC 45 and Bal Gra Road, the Jamestown Road intersection would become a grade separation. Service roads would be built to the north of Bal Gra Road to the Chowan River. The cost of alternative 1 would be $132.9 million compared to $118.3 million for the second alternative. Again most of the differences in cost are due to additional ROW purchases required for the first alternative ($43.4 vs. $16.9 million).

Segment 16 (Updated 7/1/24)

Chowan River Bridge to northern end of Edenton Bypass

Route Type: 4-lane Highway/Freeway    Length: 11.6 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Projects Funded: Yes

US 17 in this segment is a mix of a 4-lane expressway and access controlled freeway, the Edenton Bypass. There is a pavement rehabilitation project funded along US 17 for Chowan County (I-6027) which was to start in 2022, but that was delayed to 2025 in the 2020-2029 STIP²⁹ and in the Final 2024-2033 STIP was delayed again to 2029, it is unclear whether this will involve shoulder widening.³⁰ The preliminary 2026-2035 STIP project list does not have any entries for this segment.

For the freeway portion, the Study simply recommends widening of the road's shoulders. The existing Chowan River Bridge would be retained. For the 4-lane portion the study recommends upgrading the route to include service roads which would include using the existing southbound lanes as a service road in the vicinity of Thick Neck Road. A diamond interchange is recommended for the current intersection with Davenport Lane. Total costs are estimated at $87.5 million.

Segment 17 (Updated 7/1/24)

North end of Edenton Bypass to southern end of Elizabeth City Bypass

Route Type: 4-lane Highway    Length: 19.0 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: Some (Only for Part of Hertford Bypass)*

US 17 between the Edenton Bypass and Elizabeth City Bypass is a 4-lane expressway with an existing Bypass around Hertford. The 2024-2033 STIP includes 3 projects (R-5869A-C) to upgrade intersections along the Hertford Bypass. The Bypass work includes the upgrade of the Harvey Point Road SR 11336 (R-5869A) and New Hope Road/SR 1300 intersections (R-5869B) to interchanges. The October 2020 STIP revisions delayed these projects for 1 year from 2028 to 2029, however the latest STIP accelerates them back to 2028. However the project to upgrade US 17 from Edenton Road to Wiggins Road (R-5869C) is now unfunded.³¹It was, however, cited among possible 2026-2035 STIP projects in the May 2024 list where it is described as an "Upgrade Arterial to a controlled access corridor to achieve Interstate Standards." The cost estimate is $349.2 million but its State Mobility Score is only a modest 58.08/100, meaning it may not make the final 2026-2035 STIP.¹⁹ There is also a pavement rehabilitation project planned along 5.8 miles of US 17 in Perquimans County (I-6030) which was to start in 2022, but was delayed in the 2024-2033 STIP to 2025, it is unclear whether this will involve any shoulder widening.³²

The Study recommends 2 possible alternatives for the remainder of the segment. The first upgrades the existing highway to interstate standards requiring grade separations and the building of service roads north of a Davenport Road interchange. The service road along the southbound side would stop at a proposed diamond interchange at Bear Swamp Road, picking up again after the exit. A partial interchange would be constructed at Edenton Road while a half cloverleaf exit would be built at Church Street. The existing bridge would be used to cross the Perquimans River followed by a partial cloverleaf exit at Creek Drive. A partial cloverleaf interchange is proposed for Woodland Church Road with service roads constructed on both sides of US 17 to the north of the exit. The existing Okisko Road exit would be modified with minor ramp improvements. The second alternative follows the first until Wiggins Road where a partial cloverleaf interchange would be built. A new freeway would then be built to the north of the existing highway with a diamond interchange proposed for Chapanoke Road. A service road would be built to the west of the new freeway with it meeting the existing US 17 south of Okisko Road where that exit would be modified as in the first alternative. Costs are project to be $193.5 million for the first and $217.7 for the second. The highest cost for any Future I-87 segment.The I-6030 project was put on NCDOT's Suspended list in September 2019.

Segment 18 (Updated 7/1/24)

US 17 Elizabeth City Bypass

Route Type: 4-lane Freeway    Length: 10.2 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: Yes

The US 17 Elizabeth City Bypass was built in 2002, but not to Interstate Standards. There was a funded pavement rehabilitation project in the 2020-2029 STIP (I-6029) to improve 9.9 miles of US 17 in Pasquotank County from the Perquimans County line to the northern end of the Bypass. The project cost $11.9 million, was let on October 15, 2019 and work started on March 31, 2020.³³ The project was completed by 2022, however shoulder widening to interstate standards was not a part of this project (see segment photos below). There is no project for upgrading US 17 to an interstate listed in the preliminary 2026-2035 STIP worksheet published in May 2024. Besides shoulder widening though, the Study proposes additional right-of-way purchases needed to upgrade the freeway to an interstate. Costs are estimated at $36.4 million.

Segment 19 (Updated 7/1/24)

US 17 from North End of Elizabeth City Bypass to Dismal Swamp State Park

Route Type: 4-lane Highway    Length: 8.1 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: No

A planned upgrade along US 17 from the end of the Elizabeth City Bypass to the Virginia border was dropped from the 2020-2029 STIP and not restored since. There is a funded pavement rehabilitation project for this segment in the 2024-2033 STIP, I-6026, which would cover this segment from the Pasquotank County border northward to Virginia at a cost of $8.4 million, now to start in 2025, but more work would be needed to bring this segment up to interstate standards.³¹ The list of potential 2026-2035 STIP projects has two proposals to upgrade US 17 to an interstate, the first from the northern end of the Bypass to Okisko Road at a cost of $62.8 million, it only received a State Mobility Score of 28.02/100 though, and the other from Okisko Road to the Perquimans River Bridge costing $114.5 million with a much higher Mobility Score of 63.76/100 meaning its the one most likely to make the Draft STIP in early 2025.¹⁹

The Study breaks this section into 2 segments. For this segment, from the end of the Elizabeth City Bypass to Dismal State Park, it recommends 1 alternative along the existing US 17 highway with a half cloverleaf interchange at US 158 and another at Northside Road to allow local traffic to enter the interstate. Total costs are estimated at $70.8 million. Elizabeth City officials are working with NCDOT to determine the final alignment of the interstate and have discussed projects including adding bike lanes along the route as part of a proposed Main to Florida bike trail called the East Coast Greenway. The Elizabeth City Council endorsed the bike route plan in December 2018 in hopes it might help speed the securing of a final alignment of I-87 through the area.³⁴

Segment 20 (Updated 7/1/24)

US 17 from Dismal Swamp State Park to Virginia Border

Route Type: 4-lane Highway    Length: 4.6 Miles    Status: Not Interstate Standard    Upgrade Project Funded: Yes

As with the previous segment, the remaining length of US 17 north to the Virginia Border had funds for an upgrade project removed from the 2020-2029 STIP and not restored since. The pavement rehabilitation project, I-6026, from Segment 18 would cover this segment as well, but more work would be needed to bring this segment up to interstate standards. The list of potential 2026-2035 STIP projects released in May 2024 has one project, contract No. R-5856, to upgrade US 17 from the US 158 intersection to the Virginia border to Interstate Standards at a cost of $269.3 million. The project got a Statewide Mobility Score of only 58.56 out of 100, which is not very high therefore not likely to be funded when the Draft STIP is released in early 2025.¹⁹

The Study recommends 2 alternatives. The first alternative is to upgrade US 17 to interstate standards using the existing bridge over the Dismal Swamp. A service road would be provided to the east of US 17 for local business access. At the current intersection with McPherson Road the US 17 alignment would shift east and a partial cloverleaf interchange would be built to allow access to the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, the current US 17 would become a connector to the Welcome Center. The service road would continue north to the Virginia border. The second alternative is more complicated. It would involve the same alignment with a new interchange at McPherson Road as the first alternative but the service road would be built further east to intersect local residential streets. It would also involve building, at the McPherson Road interchange, a 7-mile connector road traveling east between US 17 and NC 168 that would be routed through farm, forest and swamp lands. The estimated cost for the first alternative is $75.8 million while it is $125 million for the second. While the NC 168 connector is not part of the approved route for I-87, some have suggested the interstate use it so it can access the VA 168 toll freeway to Chesapeake. Both the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission and Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners adopted resolutions against the second alternative.²⁶

NCDOT has 30 years from the future interstate designation to make the necessary upgrades. Therefore, it could be a long time before the entire route can be signed a full interstate. Also how receptive Virginia is to building its section might determine the length of construction for US 17. Both studies have no timetable for construction but uses forecasts of 2040 traffic counts in the Level of Service estimates for each alternative.³²