WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — Efforts are underway in the Triad to secure a future interstate designation for a portion of U.S. Highway 421.
Spearheaded by the Carolina Core, the initiative aims to upgrade the road from Wilkesboro to Interstate 40 in Winston-Salem, potentially naming it Interstate 777.
Carolina Core officials are actively seeking Congressional support to move forward with the project.
“We fully expect this corridor, the future I-777 corridor, to experience growth, and the interstate would be a catalyst for that,” Regional Economic Development Director for Carolina Core Loren Hill said.
According to Hill, the move could significantly enhance connectivity and economic prospects for the area.
“The more interstates you can list that’s going through your town, the more attention you get,” Hill said.
The interstate designation would subject the road to federally-set standards, which include, improved traffic flow, travel time dependability and enhanced safety measures.
“When it meets interstate standards, the road will be safer,” Hill said.
The initiative has garnered widespread support from several counties and towns in the region, including Forsyth, Yadkin and Wilkes Counties. However, further backing from North Carolina’s representatives and Congress is still needed to advance the project.
“Our Congressional delegation was supportive, and as the appropriate legislation comes around, we expect that this resolution will be adopted,” Hill said. “It may not be this year. It may not be next year, but we are very, very hopeful.”
Carolina Core has a track record of success in such endeavors, having secured the future interstate designation for another segment of U.S. 421, spanning from I-85 in Greensboro to Sanford as Future I-685.
“We need the state’s backing … probably all of them supporting this effort as this goes forward,” Hill said. “That’s extraordinarily important, and that’s why we will continue to talk to them over the next several months to see what we need to do to keep this ball rolling, to keep their interests and make sure they understand all the implications.”