North Carolina State Highway 16
Encyclopedia
North Carolina Highway 16 is a primary state highway
in the U.S. state
of North Carolina
. It runs from NC 75, in Waxhaw
, to the Virginia
state line, near the community of Grassy Creek
.
, NC 16 goes north through Weddington
and into Charlotte
as Providence Road. In Uptown Charlotte, NC 16 briefly overlaps 3rd Street, then merges with I-277
, goes north around Uptown and then exits the city in a northwest direction as Brookshire Boulevard (Note - Southbound travelers exiting I-277 (exit 2A) must make a u-turn at the end of the exit ramp to the left, then take another left onto 3rd Street, to stay on NC 16).
After passing the Catawba River
, NC 16 becomes a rural freeway through Gaston
, Lincoln
, and most of Catawba counties (currently an 8.5 miles (13.7 km) gap between freeway's end and Newton
). After passing Conover
, NC 16 become a two-lane rural road through Alexander
and Wilkes
counties (with exception in Wilkesboro
).
Entering Ashe County
, it connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway
and then travels, on a somewhat curvy-road, to Jefferson
. From Jefferson, it goes north, as a relatively straight mountain road, into the Commonwealth of Virginia
near Grassy Creek
. Though changed as Virginia State Route 16
, it continues through the state then entering West Virginia
as West Virginia Route 16, ending in St. Marys, West Virginia
(a three-state grand total of 474.3 miles (763.3 km)).
|-
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=3|Union
|Waxhaw
|0
|, Lancaster
|NC 16 begins
|-
|rowspan=2|Weddington
|6.5
|Rea Road
|
|-
|7
|
|
|-
|rowspan=8|Mecklenburg
|rowspan=8|Charlotte
|10
|
|
|-
|13
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|22
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|End of I-277 south and US 74 west overlaps; southbound NC 16 must take a u-turn at end of ramp then turn left onto 3rd Street
|-
!colspan=3|NC 16 overlaps with Interstate 277 (exits 2A to 5)
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|24.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|, Columbia
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of I-277 overlap
|-
|25
|Beatties Ford Road – Johnson C. Smith University
|
|-
|26.5
|, Spartanburg
|
|-
|32
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Gaston
|rowspan=2|Lucia
|35
|
|
|-
|37.5
|
|
|-
|Lincoln
|Lowesville
|42
|
|
|-
|rowspan=7|Catawba
|rowspan=2|
|51
|
|
|-
|53
|
|
|-
||61.5
|
|
|-
|62.5
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Conover
|65.5
|
|
|-
|67
|
|
|-
|67.2
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Alexander
|rowspan=2|Taylorsville
|81
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|82.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|Brief 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) concurrency
|-
|rowspan=4|Wilkes
|Moravian Falls
| style="background:#dfd;"|96
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of NC 18 overlap
|-
|rowspan=3|Wilkesboro
| style="background:#dfd;"|99.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of US 421 and north end of NC 18 overlaps
|-
!colspan=3|NC 16 overlaps with US 421 (mile markers 283-287)
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|104
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of US 421 overlap
|-
|rowspan=6|Ashe
|rowspan=3|
|120
|Blue Ridge Parkway
|
|-
|120.5
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|127
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of NC 88 overlap
|-
|rowspan=2|Jefferson
| style="background:#dfd;"|130
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of US 221 and west end of NC 88 overlaps
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|132
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of US 221 overlap
|-
|
|136
|Old Highway 16 – Crumpler
|
|-
On Thursday, July 30, 2009 The four-lane divided NC16 opened to traffic to Optimist Club Rd. in the Triangle community, south of Denver in eastern Lincoln County, with the next section to open in October, 2009 which will extend to St. James Church Rd. just west of Denver, NC in eastern Lincoln County, NC. Northbound drivers on NC16 will need to exit at St. James Church Rd. and travel east app. 1 mile to intersect with present-day NC16 and then turn left to continue north on NC16 toward Conover
, NC.
, which consists of the southernmost part of the highway. The road will be widened from I-485
to Rea RD, south of Weddington
. Construction of a new 4-lane "Superstreet" design portion of NC 16 is underway starting in Conover
at the Wal-Mart
at I-40 and will end in Charlotte
.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. It runs from NC 75, in Waxhaw
Waxhaw, North Carolina
Waxhaw is a town located in Union County, North Carolina. The population was 2,627 at the 2000 Census.-Geography:Waxhaw is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land...
, to the Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
state line, near the community of Grassy Creek
Grassy Creek, Ashe County, North Carolina
Grassy Creek is an unincorporated community in the Grassy Creek Township of Ashe County, North Carolina near the border with the state of Virginia.-Demographics:...
.
Route description
Starting in the heart of WaxhawWaxhaw, North Carolina
Waxhaw is a town located in Union County, North Carolina. The population was 2,627 at the 2000 Census.-Geography:Waxhaw is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land...
, NC 16 goes north through Weddington
Weddington, North Carolina
Weddington is an influential town in Union County, North Carolina, United States. A small portion of the town extends into Mecklenburg County. The population was 6,696 at the 2000 census, and the 2005 estimate is 8,465.-Geography:...
and into Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
as Providence Road. In Uptown Charlotte, NC 16 briefly overlaps 3rd Street, then merges with I-277
Interstate 277 (North Carolina)
Interstate 277 is a loop in central Charlotte, North Carolina. The southern terminus is located on the southwest side of downtown. I-277 loops around the downtown area and reconnects with I-77/U.S. 21 north of uptown...
, goes north around Uptown and then exits the city in a northwest direction as Brookshire Boulevard (Note - Southbound travelers exiting I-277 (exit 2A) must make a u-turn at the end of the exit ramp to the left, then take another left onto 3rd Street, to stay on NC 16).
After passing the Catawba River
Catawba River
The Catawba River is a tributary of the Wateree River in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The river is approximately 220 miles long...
, NC 16 becomes a rural freeway through Gaston
Gaston County, North Carolina
Gaston County is a county located just west of Charlotte in the southern Piedmont in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third largest county, by population, in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, officially designated the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of...
, Lincoln
Lincoln County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile...
, and most of Catawba counties (currently an 8.5 miles (13.7 km) gap between freeway's end and Newton
Newton, North Carolina
Newton is a city located in Catawba County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,560. It is the county seat of Catawba County.Newton is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
). After passing Conover
Conover, North Carolina
Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, NC 16 become a two-lane rural road through Alexander
Alexander County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 33,603 people, 13,137 households, and 9,747 families residing in the county. The population density was 129 people per square mile . There were 14,098 housing units at an average density of 54 per square mile...
and Wilkes
Wilkes County, North Carolina
Wilkes County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The 2000 U.S. Census listed the county's population at 65,632; the 2010 U.S. Census listed the population at 69,340...
counties (with exception in Wilkesboro
Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Wilkesboro is a town in and the county seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,159 at the 2000 census, and it is the second largest municipality in the county. The 2010 Census listed the town's population at 3,044. The town is located along the south bank of the...
).
Entering Ashe County
Ashe County, North Carolina
- History :Historical evidence shows that Ashe county was inhabited by Native Americans, which included the Cherokee, Creek, and Shawnee tribes. Pieces of broken pottery, arrowheads, and other Native American artifacts have been found, indicating their presence...
, it connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
and then travels, on a somewhat curvy-road, to Jefferson
Jefferson, North Carolina
Jefferson is a town in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,422 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Ashe County.-History:...
. From Jefferson, it goes north, as a relatively straight mountain road, into the Commonwealth of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
near Grassy Creek
Grassy Creek, Ashe County, North Carolina
Grassy Creek is an unincorporated community in the Grassy Creek Township of Ashe County, North Carolina near the border with the state of Virginia.-Demographics:...
. Though changed as Virginia State Route 16
Virginia State Route 16
State Route 16 is a primary state highway in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Virginia. It runs from the North Carolina border at North Carolina Highway 16 north to the West Virginia border at West Virginia Route 16, passing through the towns of Troutdale, Marion, and Tazewell.-Grayson...
, it continues through the state then entering West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
as West Virginia Route 16, ending in St. Marys, West Virginia
St. Marys, West Virginia
St. Marys is a city in Pleasants County, West Virginia, in the United States. The population was 2,017 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pleasants County. St. Marys was established in 1849 by Alexander Creel, who is said to have had a vision of Mary while passing the townsite by boat...
(a three-state grand total of 474.3 miles (763.3 km)).
Junction list
{| class="wikitable"|-
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=3|Union
Union County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 123,677 people, 43,390 households, and 34,278 families residing in the county. The population density was 194 people per square mile . There were 45,695 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile...
|Waxhaw
Waxhaw, North Carolina
Waxhaw is a town located in Union County, North Carolina. The population was 2,627 at the 2000 Census.-Geography:Waxhaw is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land...
|0
|, Lancaster
Lancaster, South Carolina
Lancaster is a city in Lancaster County, South Carolina which is in the United States and is located 35 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina and 20 miles east of Rock Hill, South Carolina. As of the United States Census of 2010, the city population was 10,160. It is the county seat of...
|NC 16 begins
|-
|rowspan=2|Weddington
Weddington, North Carolina
Weddington is an influential town in Union County, North Carolina, United States. A small portion of the town extends into Mecklenburg County. The population was 6,696 at the 2000 census, and the 2005 estimate is 8,465.-Geography:...
|6.5
|Rea Road
|
|-
|7
|
|
|-
|rowspan=8|Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
|rowspan=8|Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
|10
|
|
|-
|13
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|22
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|End of I-277 south and US 74 west overlaps; southbound NC 16 must take a u-turn at end of ramp then turn left onto 3rd Street
|-
!colspan=3|NC 16 overlaps with Interstate 277 (exits 2A to 5)
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|24.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|, Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of I-277 overlap
|-
|25
|Beatties Ford Road – Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University is a private, co-ed, four-year liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. JCSU is also a historically black college...
|
|-
|26.5
|, Spartanburg
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
|
|-
|32
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Gaston
Gaston County, North Carolina
Gaston County is a county located just west of Charlotte in the southern Piedmont in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third largest county, by population, in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, officially designated the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of...
|rowspan=2|Lucia
Lucia, North Carolina
Lucia is an unincorporated community in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is located approximately east of the town of Stanley....
|35
|
|
|-
|37.5
|
|
|-
|Lincoln
Lincoln County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile...
|Lowesville
Lowesville, North Carolina
Lowesville is a census-designated place in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,440 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lowesville is located at ....
|42
|
|
|-
|rowspan=7|Catawba
Catawba County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 160,000 people, 55,533 households, and 39,095 families residing in the county. The population density was 354 people per square mile . There were 59,919 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
|rowspan=2|
|51
|
|
|-
|53
|
|
|-
||61.5
|
|
|-
|62.5
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Conover
Conover, North Carolina
Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
|65.5
|
|
|-
|67
|
|
|-
|67.2
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Alexander
Alexander County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 33,603 people, 13,137 households, and 9,747 families residing in the county. The population density was 129 people per square mile . There were 14,098 housing units at an average density of 54 per square mile...
|rowspan=2|Taylorsville
Taylorsville, North Carolina
Taylorsville is a town in Alexander County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,799 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alexander County.Taylorsville is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
|81
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|82.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|Brief 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) concurrency
|-
|rowspan=4|Wilkes
Wilkes County, North Carolina
Wilkes County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The 2000 U.S. Census listed the county's population at 65,632; the 2010 U.S. Census listed the population at 69,340...
|Moravian Falls
Moravian Falls, North Carolina
Moravian Falls is a census-designated place in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,440 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:...
| style="background:#dfd;"|96
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of NC 18 overlap
|-
|rowspan=3|Wilkesboro
Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Wilkesboro is a town in and the county seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,159 at the 2000 census, and it is the second largest municipality in the county. The 2010 Census listed the town's population at 3,044. The town is located along the south bank of the...
| style="background:#dfd;"|99.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of US 421 and north end of NC 18 overlaps
|-
!colspan=3|NC 16 overlaps with US 421 (mile markers 283-287)
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|104
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of US 421 overlap
|-
|rowspan=6|Ashe
Ashe County, North Carolina
- History :Historical evidence shows that Ashe county was inhabited by Native Americans, which included the Cherokee, Creek, and Shawnee tribes. Pieces of broken pottery, arrowheads, and other Native American artifacts have been found, indicating their presence...
|rowspan=3|
|120
|Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
|
|-
|120.5
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|127
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of NC 88 overlap
|-
|rowspan=2|Jefferson
Jefferson, North Carolina
Jefferson is a town in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,422 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Ashe County.-History:...
| style="background:#dfd;"|130
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of US 221 and west end of NC 88 overlaps
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|132
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of US 221 overlap
|-
|
|136
|Old Highway 16 – Crumpler
Crumpler, North Carolina
Crumpler is an unincorporated community on North Carolina Highway 16 in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States. It lies east of Warrensville, northeast of Jefferson, and north of Chestnut Hill, at an elevation of 2559 feet ....
|
|-
Business Loops
Since 1990, NC 16 spawn two business loops:- LowesvilleLowesville, North CarolinaLowesville is a census-designated place in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,440 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lowesville is located at ....
– The 16.2 miles (26.1 km) route follows the original NC 16 route through the cities of LuciaLucia, North CarolinaLucia is an unincorporated community in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is located approximately east of the town of Stanley....
, Lowesville, and DenverDenver, North CarolinaDenver, formerly known as "Dry Pond," is an unincorporated community located in Lincoln County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is situated on North Carolina State Highway 16 on the west side of Lake Norman on the Catawba River...
.
- NewtonNewton, North CarolinaNewton is a city located in Catawba County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,560. It is the county seat of Catawba County.Newton is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
-ConoverConover, North CarolinaConover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
– The 6.7 miles (10.8 km) route follows the original NC 16 route through the cities of Newton and Conover.
History
- Before 1928: NC 16 was one of the original North Carolina state highways. It ran due south from NC 10 in NewtonNewton, North CarolinaNewton is a city located in Catawba County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,560. It is the county seat of Catawba County.Newton is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
to the South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
border, following mostly what is today US 321 Business. - 1928: The route was extended north all the way to the TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
border; from to Newton to Wilkesboro it was cosigned with NC 18. - 1933: NC 16 south of ConoverConover, North CarolinaConover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
was truncated in favor of US 321. - 1937: NC 16 dropped its former routing along SR 1562 in the foothillsFoothillsFoothills are geographically defined as gradual increases in elevation at the base of a mountain range. They are a transition zone between plains and low relief hills to the adjacent topographically high mountains.-Examples:...
of North Carolina for a more direct route. - 1939: The route's northern terminus was moved to the VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
border and its southern terminus was extended southward through Charlotte. - 1954: NC 16 was rerouted away from North WilkesboroNorth Wilkesboro, North CarolinaNorth Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was approximately 4,116 at the 2000 census and is now 4,245 as of the 2010 census. North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of Lowe's Home Improvement, which continues to have a major presence in...
. - 1958: NC 16 was slightly diverted for an interchange with the newly constructed Interstate 85Interstate 85Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
. - 1959: NC 16 gained its own unshared route from US 221 to the Virginia border.
- Late 1950s and early 1960s: NC 16's routing through Charlotte changed numerous times.
- 1963: A zigzag routing in southern Charlotte was removed for NC 16.
- 1988: NC 16 follows the newly built Brookshire Boulevard in northern Charlotte; it used to follow parts of Bellhaven Boulevard and Rozzelles Ferry Road, which still exist.
- 1990: NC 16 is rerouted along a newly built 4-lane bypass through Catawba, Lincoln, and Gaston counties. The old route was designated as NC 16 Business.
- Late 1990s and early 2000s: Numerous road widenings are made along NC 16 in the Charlotte area.
- 2008: A new 4 lane divided portion of NC 16 is opened. This new four lane section of NC 16 had dead ended and exited on NC 73 near Denver, NCDenver, North CarolinaDenver, formerly known as "Dry Pond," is an unincorporated community located in Lincoln County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is situated on North Carolina State Highway 16 on the west side of Lake Norman on the Catawba River...
in Southeastern Lincoln CountyLincoln County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile...
. It is expected the 4 lane portion will be extended to NC 150 by 2012.
On Thursday, July 30, 2009 The four-lane divided NC16 opened to traffic to Optimist Club Rd. in the Triangle community, south of Denver in eastern Lincoln County, with the next section to open in October, 2009 which will extend to St. James Church Rd. just west of Denver, NC in eastern Lincoln County, NC. Northbound drivers on NC16 will need to exit at St. James Church Rd. and travel east app. 1 mile to intersect with present-day NC16 and then turn left to continue north on NC16 toward Conover
Conover, North Carolina
Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, NC.
Future plans
NC 16 is expected to be rerouted onto a new bypass route in northwestern Mecklenburg, eastern Gaston, eastern Lincoln, and southeastern Catawba counties. When completed, this will become the second limited-access stretch of NC 16 (as such, I-277 shares part of the one existing portion). The new bypass is expected to be completed by 2010. In 2008, widening began on the fast-growing part of the road in Union CountyUnion County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 123,677 people, 43,390 households, and 34,278 families residing in the county. The population density was 194 people per square mile . There were 45,695 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile...
, which consists of the southernmost part of the highway. The road will be widened from I-485
Interstate 485
Interstate 485 is an Interstate Highway and a nearly completed beltway around Charlotte, North Carolina.-Route description:The western, southern and eastern segments of the beltway are complete and open to traffic...
to Rea RD, south of Weddington
Weddington, North Carolina
Weddington is an influential town in Union County, North Carolina, United States. A small portion of the town extends into Mecklenburg County. The population was 6,696 at the 2000 census, and the 2005 estimate is 8,465.-Geography:...
. Construction of a new 4-lane "Superstreet" design portion of NC 16 is underway starting in Conover
Conover, North Carolina
Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
at the Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
at I-40 and will end in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
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See also
- Blue Ridge ParkwayBlue Ridge ParkwayThe Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
- Catawba RiverCatawba RiverThe Catawba River is a tributary of the Wateree River in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The river is approximately 220 miles long...
- Lake NormanLake NormanLake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest manmade body of fresh water located in North Carolina.-General Information:...
- Mount Jefferson State Natural AreaMount Jefferson State Natural AreaMount Jefferson State Natural Area is a North Carolina state park in Ashe County, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Jefferson, North Carolina, it includes the peak of Mount Jefferson, named for Thomas Jefferson, who owned land nearby.-History:...
- Mountain Island LakeMountain Island LakeMountain Island Lake was created in 1924 to coincide with the building of Mountain Island Hydroelectric Station. It is named after the mountain which appears as an island in the lake. Full pond elevation is approximately...
- New River
- New River State ParkNew River State ParkNew River State Park is a North Carolina state park in Ashe County, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Jefferson, North Carolina, it covers over 2,200 acres in the protected New River watershed. The New River is, ironically, one of the oldest rivers in the United States...
- Rendezvous Mountain Educational State ForestRendezvous Mountain Educational State ForestRendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest is a North Carolina State Forest in Purlear, North Carolina.- References :...
- U.S. National Whitewater CenterU.S. National Whitewater CenterThe U.S. National Whitewater Center is a non-profit outdoor recreation and athletic training facility for whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking which opened to the public on November 4th, 2006....
- Uptown Charlotte
- W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
- Yadkin RiverYadkin RiverThe Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...