Image of NC Interstate 74 shield (from Shields Up!) Segment 3

Part of NCDOT 2023-24 State Transportation Map showing I-74 Segment 3 area, July 2023

Where:  US 52, I-74 interchange, south of Mt. Airy, Surry County to NC 65 near Winston-Salem, Forsyth County

Length:  24 Miles

Needed:  Upgrade to Interstate Standards

Signed as: Image of US 52 shield (from Shields Up! Thumbnail of Future I-74 Corridor Sign

Work to Start: After 2033?

Go to Photos (*New as of 3/29/24*)

Go to Videos (*New as of 3/30/24*)

Segment Information

From the end of the I-74 freeway near Mt. Airy, I-74 is to use the current US 52 freeway to just north of Winston-Salem. This freeway was originally built in 1960s and is not up to current interstate standards1 (Interstates have higher specifications than normal freeways, some of specs include (at least) 12' wide lanes, 12 foot wide right shoulders, 10 foot wide left shoulders, 36 foot (in rural areas) or 10 foot medians (urban or mountainous areas), and design speeds of either 60 mph (urban) or 70 mph (rural). (For more about interstate standards, see this AASHTO page).

Early Attempt to Sign US 52 as Interstate 74

When the routes for I-73 and I-74 were finally agreed to in 1996, NCDOT asked that US 52 be signed as Interstate 74 south to NC 65 (where I-74 is to be routed off onto the eastern half of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, See the I-74 Segment 4 page) and the US 52 freeway through Winston-Salem to I-40 signed as 'Temporary I-74.' This last proposal was rejected by AASHTO, however, which suggested that this part of US 52 could simply be signed 'To I-74'.2 The FHWA then refused to allow NCDOT to sign the rest of US 52 as I-74 because the road was not to interstate standards, nor Future I-74 because projects to upgrade the road were unfunded. Instead, they allowed NCDOT to sign the route as a 'Future I-74 Corridor.' An example of one of these signs is below. In order for NCDOT to sign the route at least as Future I-74, projects to improve the freeway must be funded in the state's transportation program. A project to upgrade the highway had been listed in the yearly State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) documents starting in 1999, but as unfunded. That project, No. I-4404, to upgrade the roadway to interstate standards was estimated to cost $101 million for both right-of way and construction.3 Given the revised NCDOT STIP procedure enacted in 2012 that only funded highway projects with construction to start within the next ten years are listed, this project has not appeared since, up through the latest Final 2024-2033 STIP released in June 2023.

NCDOT Studying Other Alternatives

In the Draft STIP released in September 2012, a new listing appeared for this segment, a scheduled Feasibility Study (No. FS-1209A) to look further into the best ways of upgrading the 21.3 mile corridor to interstate standards.4 Looking through NCDOT's list of feasibility studies after 2012, there has been no listing for FS-1209A (or under I-4404), indicating that this study was never released. In reality, the highway's shoulders in Forsyth and Stokes Counties are actually quite close to interstate standard widths, after a recent upgrading of the road. In 2010 further construction work was done to upgrade the shoulders along with repaving the highway. The southern end of these projects were near the location of the planned Winston-Salem Northern Beltway (near NC 65). US 52 south of there is being upgraded to remove some of the problem interchanges, but this project to bring the road up to interstate standards is unrelated to I-74, go to my Interstate 285 page for more details. In 2011, a new interchange was opened up on US 52 in the town of King. The interchange and roadway 1/4 mile surrounding it were built to interstate standards (see photos below). Further projects to replace currently substandard bridges in both Forsyth and Stokes are underway or planned including the replacing of the bridge carrying NC 65 (Bethania-Rural Hall Road) over US 52. Work started in 2017 and will upgrade US 52 around the bridge from mile markers 114 to 116 as part of the project building the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway . Work was completed in late 2019.5

New Moneys Move Up Beltway Interchange Work, but not US 52 Upgrade

In the fall of 2015, NC Governor McCrory announced changes made to the state's budgeting process that allows for greater funding for NCDOT construction projects. Among the projects highlighted to be completely funded was the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway (see I-74 Segment 4) which would meet US 52 as part of a revised NC 65 interchange. With the approval of the newly funded projects by the Board of Transportation in January 2016, NCDOT scheduled a Design-Build project (R-2247ED) to reconstruct the NC 65 exit for the future US 52/Northern Beltway interchange to be let on September 20, 2016 and to start later in the fall of 2016.6 In 2018, NCDOT announced it had moved up the schedule for completing the Eastern Section of the Beltway and let contracts to build the remaining formerly unfunded sections from US 311 to US 52. Work is to be completed by 2023. An NCDOT official in discussing the awarding of the contract to build the I-74/US 52 interchange said that upgrading US 52 to interstate standards, though a subject of state highway planners, was still a long-term project. He mentioned the need to widen shoulders, upgrade certain bridges, and that the hilly terrain in some areas might have to be leveled. He gave no timetable for this work.7 In another newspaper article in July of 2019, NCDOT Pat Ivey, the division engineer for the N.C. Department of Transportation in Forsyth County also expressed that updating US 52 was a long-term project but that “At the very least, (we should have) enough ‘future’ signage to where everyone will know this is I-74 (see Sign Plans below).”8 There have been a few bridge upgrade projects which have included shoulder widening in the vicinity including an interchange upgrade to the King/Tobaccoville exit at the Forsyth/Stokes County line, a bridge in Stokes County and another bridge in Surry County (see photos below). As part of the contract building the Beltway, substandard shoulders along US 52 between the future interchange and the upgraded highway at the King/Tobaccoville exit in Forsyth County were widened in the early summer of 2021 (see April 2023 Street View photos below) as part of a project that also repaired some of the concrete roadway slabs. No other project is currently listed as funded for further improvements to US 52 in Stokes and Surry Counties however in the Draft 2024-2033 STIP released in June 2022, meaning, officially, no upgrade work is planned until after 2033. 

SIGN PLANS

In August 2022, NCDOT released plans for the letting of the last segment of the I-74 section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. Among those plans were new exit numbers to be assigned to US 52 based on I-74 mileage. They were not, however, signing the route as I-74. Instead they are to place Future I-74 signs along the route in both directions. It is not known whether the exit renumbering is to occur after the Beltway exit to US 52 is completed in late 2023, or when the Beltway is signed as I-74. Here are sign plans for that sign and the new exit number tabs, heading east:

Image of plan for Future I-74 sign along US 52 in Surry, Stokes and Forsyth Counties, NCDOT August 2022        Plan for Future I-74 sign to go up along both sides of US 52.

Image of plan for new exit number tab with I-74 milepost number to be placed on 2 miles advance sign for I-74 exit on US 52 in Surry County, NCDOT August 2022The plans show that I-74 will get the new number, exiting itself, similar to what happens with I-73 in Greensboro. Perhaps this will change when I-74 is routed along US 52.

Image of plan for new exit number tab with I-74 milepost number to be placed on sign for Cook School Road exit on US 52 South in Surry County, NCDOT August 2022The plans for the 1 1/4 Miles advance sign for Cook School Road, to be Exit 20.

Image of plan for new Left exit number tab with I-74 milepost number to be placed on sign for Pilot Mountain on US 52 South in Surry County, NCDOT August 2022The plans for the 1/4 Mile advance sign for the Pilot Mountain Left Exit on US 52 South, to be Exit 21.

Image of plan for new exit number tab with I-74 milepost number to be placed on sign for NC 268 exit on US 52 in Surry County, NCDOT August 2022The plans for the exit and gore signs for the NC 268 Exit on US 52 North, to be Exit 23.

Image of plan for new Left exit number tab with I-74 milepost number to be placed on sign for Pilot Mountain State Park on US 52 South in Surry County, NCDOT August 2022The plans for the 1/4 Mile advance sign for the Pilot Mountain State Park Left Exit on US 52 South, to be Exit 26. Why can't the gore signs be brown as well?

Image of plan for new exit number tab with I-74 milepost number to be placed on sign for the Pinnacle exit on US 52 in Stokes County, NCDOT August 2022The plans for the 1 Mile advance sign for the Pinnacle exit on US 52, to be Exit 28.

Image of plan for new exit number tab with I-74 milepost number to be placed on exit and gore sign for King Tobaccoville exit on US 52 in Forsyth County, NCDOT August 2022The plans for the exit and gore sign for the King/Tobaccoville exit on US 52 South, to be Exit 33.

Image of plan for new exit number tab with I-74 milepost number to be placed on sign for the 1 mile advance for the Moore-RJR Drive exit on US 52 in Forsyth County, NCDOT August 2022The plans for the 1 Mile advance sign for the Moore-RJR Drive exit on US 52, to be Exit 34.

The exit sign for Westinghouse Road (current Exit 120) and NC 65 (current Exit 118) are part of the design-build contract for the Beltway interchange with US 52 and have no published sign plans. I assume the first will become Exit 36 and the latter Exit 38 (the Beltway exit is to be 41).

Comment: NCDOT should change US 52's exit numbers to those reflecting I-74's mileage once the Beltway connects with US 52 in 2023 and not wait, as the plans discussed above suggest, until the entire eastern Beltway section is completed. They should also, instead of the planned Future I-74 signs, put up 'To East I-74' or 'To West I-74' signs to connect the route to surrounding completed segments. AASHTO approved them to do just this in 1997.This would provide a continuous freeway route with I-74 signs from the Virginia border south and east to Winston-Salem (and eventually, Rockingham). [Currently, as part of the signage upgrade to the then US 311 freeway when it officially became I-74 in 2014, signs were added to both US 52 South prior to I-40 and to I-40 West prior to the US 52 exit which listed 'To I-74 Use (the I-40 East or US 52 North) Exit, see Segment 5 page for photo.]

"Drive" This Segment in the Fall of 2021 Using Google Map's Street View (Updated)

I-74 East at US 52: Prior to US 52 North Exit (October 2021)

Future I-74 East at King/Tobaccoville Exit: Prior to US 52 South Off-Ramp (September 2021)

Future I-74 West at NC 65: From new US 52 North Off-Ramp to NC 65 (September 2021)

Videos from this Segment

New dashcam video from TJElevatorfan of US 52 and NC 74 East showing US 52 Beltway interchange construction, posted March 16, 2024

RoadwayWiz Videos of this Segment

Taken during the summer of 2021. Judge for yourself how close the segment is to Interstate standards.

     US 52 North:         Exits 111 to 120            Exits 120 to 129            Exits 129 to 141 (Includes part of Andy Griffith Pkwy)Image of RoadwayWiz logo

     US 52 South:        Exits 141 to 129            Exits 129 to 120            Exits 120 to 111 (Includes part of Future I-285)


Photos from this Segment

**LATEST PHOTOS**

Photos of construction around the newly opened US 52 interchange with the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway with screen grab images from a video by TJElevatorfan from March 2024:

Dashcam video image of US 52 North 1 mile from the Westinghouse Road exit, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024US 52 North still restricted to 2 lanes as southbound traffic still is using part of the northbound lanes. Notice also no change to the exit number.

Dashcam video image of US 52 North 1/2 mile from the Westinghouse Road exit, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024Closer to Westinghouse Road southbound traffic is no longer using part of US 52 North and the construction of a permanent median barrier has begun.

Dashcam video image of US 52 North at the Westinghouse Road exit, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024US 52 North (Future I-74 West) lanes are largely completed at the Westinghouse Road exit.

Turning around...

Dashcam video image entering US 52 South (Future I-74 East) from the Westinghouse Road exit, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024View from the Westinghouse Road exit ramp to US 52 South, they still have not made enough progress to pave the future third lane and appear to still be grading part of it.

Dashcam video image of US 52 South beyond the Westinghouse Road exit, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024A closer look of the continuing work along the US 52 South lanes, the current lanes still heading over to use part of the northbound ones.

Dashcam video image of construction along US 52 South (Future I-74 East after the Westinghouse Road exit, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024More grading work being done beyond the 1 Mile advance sign for the NC 65 exit on US 52 South.

Dashcam video image of US 52 South showing the portable VMS still being used as an exit sign prior to the NC 65 exit, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024A portable VMS still being used as one of the advance signs for one of the upcoming exits.

Dashcam video image of US 52 South (Future I-74 East) approaching the NC 65 exit, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024Arrows for the NC 74 East/Beltway exit appearing in the left lane prior to the NC 65 exit.

Dashcam video image approaching Beltway exit on US 52 South at the NC 65 exit, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024A closer look at the lane configuration of US 52 South at NC 65, two lanes for US 52 and one for traffic heading for the Beltway.

Dashcam video image of US 52 South at the ramp for NC 74 East/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, video by TJElevatorfan, posted March 16, 2024View now heading off of US 52 South to the Beltway, a yellow line restricting the exit to one lane, traffic still using the future US 52 North lanes.

Earlier Photos

Photos of construction north of the newly opened US 52 interchange with the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway with screen grab images from a video by Tar Heel Dashcam from December 2023 and by Mark David Moore taken on December 15, 2023:

Image of driving completed lanes for US 52 North (Future I-74 West) after NC 65 exit, left lane currently closed due to being used for US 52 South traffic in the distance, Tar Heel Dashcam, December 2023While the roadway is completed approaching the ramp from NC 65 on US 52 North, the roadway is still restricted to 2 lanes in this direction due to the partial use of the lane for southbound traffic between here and the Westinghouse Road exit.

Image of newly placed 1 mile advance sign for the Westinghouse Road exit along the widened portion of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) beyond the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange, by Mark David Moore, December 2023 A newly placed 1 Mile advance sign for the Westinghouse Road exit moved to beyond the shoulder of the widened roadway.

Image of driving completed lanes for US 52 North (Future I-74 West) approaching Westinghouse Road exit, left lane being used for US 52 South traffic, Tar Heel Dashcam, December 2023The US 52 North roadway approaching the Westinghouse Road exit. Part of the future right shoulder currently being used as a travel lane.

Image of driving completed lanes for US 52 North (Future I-74 West) approaching Westinghouse Road exit, left lane being used for US 52 South traffic, Tar Heel Dashcam, December 2023A lack of vegetation along the new shoulder of US 52 North approaching the Westinghouse Road exit.

Image of newly placed 1 mile advance sign for the Westinghouse Road exit along the widened portion of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) beyond the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange, by Mark David Moore, December 2023 The Westinghouse Road exit sign, with a center mounted (and temporary?) Exit 120 tab along US 52 North. Turning around at the exit...

Image of road widening after the Westinghouse Road exit on US 52 South (Future I-74 East) heading towards the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange, by Mark David Moore, December 2023 Taken from the end of the Westinghouse Road exit ramp, the future US 52 South/I-74 East lanes are still being graded, meaning any paving will probably now not take place until the spring.

Image of temporary VMS advance sign for completed Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange after the NC 65 exit, by Mark David Moore, December 2023 A temporary 2 Mile advance sign for the recently opened NC 74 East/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway exit, the permanent signage awaiting the completion of the eastbound lanes.

Image of temporarily placed 1/2 mile advance sign for the upcoming NC 65 exit, by Mark David Moore, December 2023 A temporarily placed 1/2 Mile advance sign for the the NC 65 exit, the permanent signage also awaiting the completion of the eastbound lanes.

Image of temporary 1 mile VMS advance sign for completed Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange after the NC 65 exit, by Mark David Moore, December 2023 Another temporary VMS advance sign for the NC 74 exit, the eastbound lanes seem to still need grading on the other side of the guardrail.

Image of ground mounted ramp sign for NC 65 exit on temporary eastbound lanes approaching the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange in Rural Hall, by Mark David Moore, December 2023 The future I-74 Easy/US 52 South lanes can be seen behind the temporary exit sign for NC 65, the current ramp crossing between concrete barriers.

Image of gore sign for current NC 65 exit prior to completed Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange, showing crossing of future eastbound lanes, by Mark David Moore, December 2023 A closer look at the NC 65 exit ramp crossing the future lanes of I-74 East prior to the split with US 52 South.

Image of temporary split between US 52 South lanes and NC 74 East Winston-Salem Northern Beltway lanes prior to the NC 65 exit, by Mark David Moore, December 2023 South/East traffic using future I-74 West lanes approaching the temporary split between the lanes for the NC 74 East/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway and US 52 South, the permanent split will be after the NC 65 bridge.

EARLIER PHOTOS

Images from Google Maps Street View along US 52 from NC 65 to Westinghouse Road, from June 2023 (*Latest 12/4/23):

Image of traffic on US 52 South approaching NC 65 exit under construction as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023*View looking from the NC 65 bridge at construction taking place currently in the US 52 median just north/west of the future Beltway interchange.

Image of traffic on US 52 South approaching NC 65 exit under construction as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023Grading for the additional lanes along US 52 South continues approaching the exit ramp to NC 65.

Image of traffic on US 52 South approaching NC 65 exit under construction as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023More grading underway even closer to NC 65.

Image of traffic using ramp to NC 65 on US 52 North under construction as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023Now heading north. Both a temporary and permanent gore sign are seen on the ramp to NC 65, future I-74 West lanes still under construction to the left.

Image of US 52 North lanes under construction after NC 65 interchange as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023Future I-74 West/US 52 North lanes being graded after the NC 65 exit ramp.

Image of US 52 North lanes under construction approaching on-ramp from NC 65 as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023Less grading of the future I-74 West/US 52 North lanes can be seen on the left approaching the on-ramp from NC 65.

Image of US 52 North lanes under construction after NC 65 exit as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023US 52 North using the future on-ramp from NC 65 awaiting the completion of the future I-74 West lanes heading towards Westinghouse Road.

Image of US 52 North lanes under construction between NC 65 and Westinghouse Road as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023Current US 52 North approaching the merge with the future I-74 West lanes.

Image of US 52 North lanes under construction between NC 65 and Westinghouse Road as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023Grading underway on interstate standard roadway with future third lane between NC 65 and Westinghouse Road.

Image of US 52 North lanes under construction between NC 65 and Westinghouse Road as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023Graded future third lane of I-74 West/US 52 North continues towards Westinghouse Road.

Image of US 52 North lanes under construction between NC 65 and Westinghouse Road as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023Landscaping work continues along as well on US 52 North approaching Westinghouse Road.

Image of paved US 52 North lanes approaching Westinghouse Road as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023The future third lane of I-74 West/US 52 North has been paved near Westinghouse Road.

Image of US 52 North lanes under construction at Westinghouse Road exit as part of Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, Google Maps Street View, June 2023Paved lane becomes a future exit only lane on US 52 North at Westinghouse Road.

Images from Google Maps Street View showing progress in modernizing bridges in this segment, from April 2023:

Image of completed modern standard bridge over US 52 in Stokes County, Google Maps Street View images, April 2023View of completed new bridge over US 52 in Stokes County looking north (west on I-74). Notice the interstate standard shoulders in vicinity of the bridge.

Image of completed modern standard bridge over US 52 in Stokes County, Google Maps Street View images, April 2023View of same bridge looking south (east on Future I-74).

Image of completed modern standard bridge over US 52 in Surry County, Google Maps Street View images, April 2023View of another newish bridge over US 52 in Surry county looking south (east on Future I-74). Shoulders also widened in the vicinity.

EARLIER PHOTOS

Image taken from Google Maps Street View from April 2023 driving south between Westinghouse Road and the NC 65 exit:

Image of start of construction zone for future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway just beyond Westinghouse Road on US 52 South (Future I-74 East), Google Maps Street View, April 2023Widening of US 52 after the Westinghouse Road exit as part of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project.

Image of widening work construction zone for future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway beyond Westinghouse Road on US 52 South (Future I-74 East), Google Maps Street View, April 2023While some landscaping has been completed work to widen the roadway ahead of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange continues.

Image of construction zone for future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway beyond Westinghouse Road on US 52 South (Future I-74 East), Google Maps Street View, April 2023Widening of US 52 South continues, still much work to do before new lane can be paved.

Image of construction zone for future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway beyond Westinghouse Road on US 52 South (Future I-74 East), Google Maps Street View, April 2023Work can also be seen along US 52 North when not hidden by concrete barriers.

Image of 1/2 mile advance sign for NC 65 exit in construction zone for future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway on US 52 South (Future I-74 East), Google Maps Street View, April 2023The 1/2 Mile advance sign for the NC 65 sign awaits a more permanent replacement after the widening  project is complete.

Image of widening work prior to the NC 65 exit in construction zone for future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway on US 52 South (Future I-74 East), Google Maps Street View, April 2023Looks like an additional new lane is being added to the Future I-74 roadway for the NC 65 exit.

Image lane widening work prior to NC 65 exit in construction zone for future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway on US 52 South (Future I-74 East), Google Maps Street View, April 2023As seen earlier, much work needs to be done on completing the grading of the future lanes prior to the NC 65 exit before paving can start.

Image of ramp sign for NC 65 exit in construction zone for future I-74/Winston-Salem Beltway on US 52 South (Future I-74 East), Google Maps Street View, April 2023Not much new to be seen from the NC 65 to the future Beltway exit than when I drove through last October, except for the start of some clearing and grading prior to the NC 65 ramp.

EARLIER PHOTOS

Taken during road trip around Winston-Salem on October 14, 2022:

Image of US 52 North lanes at the NC 65 exit after the future merge with traffic from I-74 West/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange in Rural Hall, October 2022US 52 North lanes after the NC 65 bridge with NC 65 on-ramp traffic to the right, road being widened as part of the Winston-Salem Beltway interchange project.

Image of US 52 North roadway approaching merge with NC 65 exit in I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction zone in Rural Hall, October 2022Truck trailers line ramp from NC 65 below completed landscaping and noise walls along US 52 North (Future I-74 West).

Image of signage on US 52 South for the NC 65 exit approaching the future I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange in Rural Hall, October 2022A closer look at the completed noise walls approaching the merge with the NC 65 on-ramp.

Image of US 52 North lanes being widened at merge with the NC 65 exit aa part of the project building the future I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange in Rural Hall, October 2022Merging with the NC 65 exit ramp on US 52 North (Future I-74 West).

Image of widening of US 52 North lanes in anticipation of completion of I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project in Rural Hall, October 2022Widening of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) lanes continues on after the NC 65 exit.

Image of widening of US 52 North lanes in anticipation of completion of I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project in Rural Hall, October 2022Widening of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) lanes between the NC 65 and Westinghouse Road exits.

Image of widening of US 52 North lanes approaching the Westinghouse Road exit in anticipation of completion of I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project in Rural Hall, October 2022Nearing the end of future widening of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) lanes at the Westinghouse Road exit.

Image of entering US 52 South lanes from Westinghouse Road exit at start of widening project in anticipation of completion of I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project in Rural Hall, October 2022About to enter US 52 South (Future I-74 East) from the Westinghouse Road exit, construction barrels line the ramp.

Image of US 52 South lanes being widened south of Westinghouse Road exit in anticipation of completion of I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project in Rural Hall, October 2022Widening of US 52 South beyond the Westinghouse Road exit, new lane partially graded, but not paved yet.

Image of US 52 South lanes being widened in anticipation of completion of I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project in Rural Hall, October 2022Widening continues towards the NC 65 exit, 1 mile advance sign seen in the distance. Landscaping looks mostly complete.

Image of US 52 South lanes being widened approaching NC 65 exit in anticipation of completion of I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project in Rural Hall, October 2022US 52 South (Future I-74 East) approaching the NC 65 exit.

Image of end of widening along US 52 South at NC 65 exit in anticipation of completion of I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project in Rural Hall, October 2022Widening of US 52 South (Future I-74 East) about to end at the NC 65 exit ramp.

Image of signage on US 52 South for the NC 65 exit approaching the future I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange in Rural Hall, October 2022Temporary signage at the NC 65 exit ramp for the future Exit 38.

Image of new US 52 South lanes approaching new NC 65 bridge prior to the future I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange in Rural Hall, October 2022Now on the new US 52 South lanes approaching the NC 65 bridge.

Image of NC 65 bridge with new US 52 North lanes under construction approaching the future I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange in Rural Hall, October 2022New US 52 South and North (Future I-74 West) lanes still under construction under the NC 65 bridge.

Image of new US 52 South lanes after the NC 65 bridge approaching the future I-74 East/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange in Rural Hall, October 2022NC 65 exit on-ramp traffic merges with US 52 South ahead of future Beltway interchange.

Image of signage on US 52 South at the future I-74 East/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange in Rural Hall, October 2022This US 52 pull through marks the future site of the off-ramp for I-74 East heading for the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway.

EARLIER PHOTOS

Images taken from Google Maps Street View approaching the future I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange, May 2022:

Image of existing NC 65 exit sign in graded area after future Beltway interchange, Google Maps Street View, May 2022The NC 65 exit sign sits prior to its original ramp, now 1/2 mile further down US 52 due to interchange reconstruction. New NC 65 bridge in the distance.

Image of enter US 52 from new NC 65 on-ramp prior to bridge heading toward future Beltway interchange, Google Maps Street View, May 2022View of new NC 65 exit sign after entering US 52 South from new interchange ramp.

Image of new US 52 South lanes after new interchange with NC 65, Google Maps Street View, May 2022Heading toward the future I-74/Beltway exit after going under new NC 65 bridge.

Image of view toward future I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange from new NC 65 bridge over US 52 in Rural Hall, Google Maps Street View, May 2022View looking south from new NC 65 bridge toward location of future I-74/ Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange.

Image looking north along future lanes of US 52 North/I-74 West at exit ramp for NC 65 in Rural Hall, Google Maps Street View, May 2022Looking north at current exit ramp for NC 65 with future lanes for I-74 West/US 52 North beyond.

Photo from NCDOT Traffic Camera, taken on October 8, 2021:

Google Maps Street View image showing completion of shoulder widening north of the future I-74/Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange, October 2021 Traffic camera showing completion of shoulder widening work on US 52 just north of the Future Beltway interchange.

Photos taken by Val Melvin on July 12 and 13, 2021:

Image of newly widened shoulders on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Forsyth County constructed as part of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, by Val Melvin, July 2021Newly widened right shoulder along US 52 North (Future I-74 West) after the Westinghouse Road exit in Forsyth County.

Image of newly widened shoulders on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Forsyth County near the Westinghouse Road exit, by Val Melvin, July 2021Another view of widened shoulders further north.

Image of newly widened shoulders on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) ending at location of new bridge completion in Forsyth County, by Val Melvin, July 2021Newly widened shoulders along US 52 North ending at location of rebuilt bridge where shoulders were brought up to interstate standards a couple years ago (traffic backed up on US 52 South due to upcoming bridge demolition, see photos below).

Image of newly widened shoulders on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Forsyth County approaching the Moore-RJR Drive exit, by Val Melvin, July 2021New wider shoulders resume along US 52 North (Future I-74 West) just prior to the Moore-RJR Drive exit.

Image of newly widened shoulders on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Forsyth County after the Moore-RJR Drive exit, by Val Melvin, July 2021New wider shoulders continue along US 52 North (Future I-74 West) after the Moore-RJR Drive exit to the previously reconstructed King-Tobaccoville exit that is up to Interstate standards.

Image of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) bridge in Forsyth County at the Interstate standard King-Tobaccoville exit, by Val Melvin, July 2021The previously completed bridge over US 52 North (Future I-74 West) at the King-Tobaccoville exit just prior to entering Stokes County.

Image of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Stokes County after the King-Tobaccoville exit, by Val Melvin, July 2021Shoulders along US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Stokes County appear Interstate standard.

Image of Pilot Mountain as seen from US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Stokes County, by Val Melvin, July 2021View along US 52 North (Future I-74 West) of Pilot Mountain.

Image of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Stokes County approaching the Pinnacle exit, by Val Melvin, July 2021Another image of Pilot Mountain approaching the Pinnacle exit in Stokes County, the roadway appears Interstate standard.

Image of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Stokes County after the King-Tobaccoville exit, by Val Melvin, July 2021US 52 North (Future I-74 West) after the Pinnacle Exit and about to enter Surry County.

Image of 1/2 Mile advance sign for Pilot Mountain State Park exit on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Surry County, by Val Melvin, July 2021The brown 1/2 Mile advance sign for Pilot Mountain State Park.

Image of ramp sign for Pilot Mountain State Park exit on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) in Surry County, by Val Melvin, July 2021The brown exit sign for Pilot Mountain State Park is followed by a green gore sign. The exit number will change when this becomes I-74 (which may require bringing this exit up to Interstate standards).

Image of 1/2 Mile advance sign for NC 268 exit on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) without an exit tab in Surry County, by Val Melvin, July 2021The 1 Mile advance sign for the NC 268 exit in Pilot Mountain, note the lack of an exit tab, will make this exit easier to renumber.

Image of ramp sign for NC 268 exit on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) without an exit tab in Surry County, by Val Melvin, July 2021The NC 268 exit sign on US 52 North (Future I-74 West) also lacks an exit tab.

Image of traffic on US 52 South (Future I-74 East) in Surry County, by Val Melvin, July 2021Turning around and heading back on South US 52 (Future I-74 East) toward Winston Salem.

Image of traffic on US 52 South (Future I-74 East) about to enter Stokes County, by Val Melvin, July 2021 South US 52 (Future I-74 East) about to enter Stokes County.

Image of bridge over US 52 (Future I-74) about to be demolished north of Moore-RJR Drive exit in Forsyth County, by Val Melvin, July 2021 Bridge over US 52 in process of being demolished north of the Moore-RJR Drive exit in Forsyth County (bridge was demolished over the week of July 26-30).

Image of US 52 South (Future I-74 East) approaching he Moore-RJR Drive exit in Forsyth County, by Val Melvin, July 2021 US 52 South (Future I-74 East) approaching the Moore-RJR Drive exit.

Image of widened shoulder along US 52 South (Future I-74 East) in Forsyth County approaching the Westinghouse Road exit, by Val Melvin, July 2021 Widened shoulder along US 52 South (Future I-74 East) approaching the Westinghouse Road exit.

Image of shoulder construction work along US 52 South (Future I-74 East) at the Westinghouse Road exit, by Val Melvin, July 2021 Shoulder work continuing on US 52 South (Future I-74 East) approaching the Westinghouse Road exit.

Image of US 52 South (Future I-74 East) entering future Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction zone, by Val Melvin, July 2021 Entering the Winston-Salem Beltway interchange work zone along US 52 South (Future I-74 East).


Earlier Photos

Taken by Val Melvin from Pilot Mountain, April 25, 2021:

View from Pilot Mountain of US 52 (Future I-74) freeway heading southeast toward Winston-Salem, by Val Melvin, April 2021Looking down at US 52 freeway as seen from top of Pilot Mountain.

US 52 / Winston-Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, 2019-2020

Projects are under way at the southern end of this segment to construct future interchange with the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway

Photos taken along US 52 by David Johnson, September 11, 2020:

Image of construction along US 52 North approaching future I-74/Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange, by David Johnson September 2020Construction barrels at start of work zone along US 52 North for Winston-Salem Beltway interchange construction.

Image of construction along US 52 North related to construction of future I-74 Winston Salem Beltway interchange, by David Johnson September 2020More construction barrels on both sides of the highway approaching the NC 65 exit.

Image of new NC 65 bridge over US 52 North built as part of Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange project, by David Johnson September 2020New NC 65 bridge over US 52 and relocated NC 65 exit ramp built as part of the Beltway interchange project.

Image of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction from US 52 North, by David Johnson September 2020View of noise walls being constructed along US 52 North north of the future Beltway interchange along new exit ramp to NC 65.

Image of future I-74 West ramp from Winston Salem Northern Beltway merging onto US 52 North, by David Johnson September 2020To the right is the future ramp that will carry I-74 West from the Beltway to US 52 North with more noise walls.

Image of widening construction along US 52 North beyond future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange, by David Johnson September 2020Construction continues along US 52 North to widen the highway after the interchange.

Image of widening work along US 52 as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Work continues along US 52 North after post-interchange distance sign showing 26 miles to Mount Airy.

Image of widening work along US 52 as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Widening work continues along US 52 North until the Westinghouse Road exit.

Image of widening work along US 52 South after Westinghouse Road exit as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Turning around at Westinghouse Road, showing widening work along US 52 North.

Image of widening work along US 52 South after Westinghouse Road exit as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Widening work along US 52 South at end of ramp from Westinghouse Road.

Image of widening work along US 52 South 1 mile before NC 65 exit as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Widening work along US 52 South around 1-Mile advance sign for the NC 65 exit.

Image of widening work along US 52 Nouth as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Looking across at widening work along US 52 North.

Image of widening along US 52 in advance of new ramp to NC 65 as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Approaching the new US 52 South exit ramp to NC 65 and the Beltway interchange work zone.

Image of widening along US 52 in advance of new ramp to NC 65 as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Passing the new US 52 South exit ramp to NC 65.

Image of new NC 65 bridge over US 52 as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Approaching the new NC 65 bridge over US 52. Notice the old exit ramp to the right beyond the jersey barrier.

Image of driving under new NC 65 bridge over US 52, part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Driving under the new NC 65 bridge over US 52. Work on the future Beltway interchange can be seen to the right.

Image of bridge supports as seen from US 52 South as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Supports for future I-74/Beltway interchange over US 52 and grading of future ramp area to the right of the southbound lanes.

Image of site clearing and grading from US 52 South as part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020A closer look at the grading and clearing of the ground for the new interchange from US 52 South.

Image of future US 52 South bridge over railroad tracks being constructed, part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020New southbound US 52 bridge over railroad tracks being constructed to right of current lanes.

Image of future US 52 South bridge over railroad tracks being constructed, part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Closer look at future southbound US 52 bridge over railroad tracks being constructed to right of current lanes.

Image of future US 52 South bridge over railroad tracks being constructed, part of future I-74 Winston Salem Northern Beltway interchange construction, by David Johnson September 2020Southbound US 52 (and Future I-285) lanes beyond the Future Beltway construction zone.

Google Maps Street View Images

Heading North on US 52, taken in June 2019:

Google Maps Street View image of ramp sign for Westinghouse Road exit on US 52 North/Future I-74 West, taken in June 2019The exit sign for the Westinghouse Road, the first exit after the future Beltway interchange. The shoulders here appear close to interstate standard.

Google Maps Street View image of ground mounted ramp sign for the Moore-RJR Drive exit on US 52 North/Future I-74 West in Rural Hall taken in June 2019The exit sign for Moore-RJR Drive, the last exit in Forsyth County.

Google Maps Street View image of blue services sign for Moore-RJR Drive exit on US 52 North/Future I-74 West in Rural Hall, taken in June 2019The blue services sign for the Moore-RJR Drive exit showing that there is a Sheetz along Future I-74.

Google Maps Street View image of ground mounted ramp sign for King, Tobaccoville exit on US 52 North/Future I-74 West in King, taken in June 2019The exit sign for the King/Tobaccoville exit, at the start of the Interstate Standard section surrounding the revised 2011 interchange/bridge (see additional photos below).

Google Maps Street View image of 1-mile advance sign for Pinnacle exit on US 52 North/ Future I-74 West, taken in June 2019The 1-Mile advance sign for the Pinnacle exit, with the pinnacle of Pilot Mountain seen in the distance.

Google Maps Street View image of new bridges over the Little Yadkin River built to Interstate Standards on US 52/Future I-74 in Pinnacle, from June 2019New bridges for crossing the Little Yadkin River in Pinnacle, built to interstate standards along with surrounding roadway.

Google Maps Street View image of gore sign for Pinnacle exit on US 52 North/Future I-74 West, taken in June 2019The gore sign for the Pinnacle exit with the Pilot Mountain pinnacle in the distance. The shoulders back to less than interstate standard width.

Google Maps Street View image of 1/2 mile advance sign for Pilot Mountain State Park on US 52 North/Future I-74 West in Pilot Mountain, taken in June 2019Brown 1/2 mile advance sign for Pilot Mountain State Park, the earlier signage did not feature an exit number tab.

Google Maps Street View image of 1-mile advance sign for NC 268 exit without exit number tab on NC 52 North/Future I-74 West in Pilot Mountain, taken in June 2019The 1-Mile advance sign for NC 268, all the advance signs do not have exit tabs.

Google Maps Street View image of gore sign for NC 268 exit on US 52 North/Future I-74 West in Pilot Mountain, taken in June 2019The only place you'll find out the exit number for NC 268 is at the gore sign heading north.

Google Maps Street View image of 1-mile advance sign for Cook School Road on US 52 North/Future I-74 West in Pilot Mountain, taken in June 2019The 1-Mile advance sign for the Cook School Road exit with different length support posts.

Google Maps Street View image of 2-miles advance sign for I-74 West exit on US 52 North/Future I-74 West in Mount Airy, taken in June 2019The ground mounted 2-miles advance sign for I-74 West. The remaining signs are overhead, see photos below.

Turning around and heading south, a Google Maps Street View image from May 2018:

Google Maps Street View image of 1/4 mile advance sign for left side Pilot Mountain exit on US 52 South/Future I-74 East, taken in May 2018The 1/4 mile advance for the left side Mount Airy exit, this will probably have to be reconstructed before this section can become I-74.

"Classic Photos", from 2010:

Photo of view of Pilot Mountain from Scenic Overlook on US 52 in Stokes County, Oct. 2010View of Pilot Mountain from Northbound US 52 Scenic Overlook, Stokes County. View taken on 10/24/10, when freeway was undergoing rehabilitation including extending the width of shoulders (using gravel) that may make the signing of the route as I-74 easier to do in the future.

Photo of new overhead signage placed at I-74 West Exit from US 52New signage at the northern end of the segment at the US 52 Exit. This signage was placed in the Summer of 2010 and corrects the previous sign which had the duplicative words To I-77, To Wytheville. (10/24/10)

Photo of new signage at the I-74 Exit of of US 52 North in Oct. 2010The signs at the US 52 ramp. The I-74 Exit sign was corrected too. The exit tab design makes it easy to transfer the tab to the other sign (and revised to Exit 17) when the segment is declared an interstate. (10/24/10)

Some More Photos along US 52 taken on July 15, 2012:

Photo of typical US 52 exit signage, for US 52 South in Pinnacle in July 2012Typical US 52 interchange signage, this for US 52 South (Future I-74 East) in Pinnacle, current Exit 129.

Photo of new bridge over US 52 at King, July 2012The then new 2011 bridge over US 52 at King. The freeway surrounding the new interchange was rebuilt to interstate standards.

Photo of newly reconstructed US 52 at the King/Tobaccoville Exit looking north, July 2012View of US 52 North (Future I-74 West) after the King interchange bridge showing modern interstate design of highway.

Photo of new exit signage placed in 2011 for rebuilt King/Tobaccoville Exit in July 2012New exit signage for modified King/Tobaccoville exit. The signs are up to standards, they await new exit numbers when the freeway becomes I-74 East.

Photo of the Future I-74 Corridor sign near Mount Airy on US 52 south, photo courtesy of H.B. ElkinsThis is the first 'Future I-74 Corridor' sign along US 52 South near Mt. Airy. Photo courtesy of H.B. Elkins. (2004) (Still standing as of May 2018).