Category - 2 Rural Highways I-26 : (A-10) Honorable Mention Award Winner North Carolina's newest portion of I-26 in Buncombe and Madison counties begins near the town of Mars Hill and extends to the Tennessee State line. This highway provides another valuable connection between I-40 in Asheville and I-81 in Kingsport Tennessee. I-26 also travels through the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Despite the varied terrain surrounding the highway, the department was committed to maintaining the environmental stability of the area throughout all phases of the project. This commitment included relocating trout streams, constructing wildlife crossings, and relocating a portion of the Appalachian Trail near the state line. In order to control erosion and sedimentation, engineers incorporated temporary seeding, reforestation and stream crossings. The highway utilizes 4- lane and 6-lane sections which both contain concrete median barriers. The project also contains 4 interchanges, 3 emergency truck escape ramps, a North Carolina Welcome Center, a scenic overlook, a truck information and assistance area and the Laurel Creek Bridge. This 994-foot long bridge rises 215 feet above the creek, and it stands as the second highest bridge in the state. I-26 in Buncombe and Madison counties is also the first interstate in North Carolina to be designated a scenic highway. The finished highway provides safe transportation and access to a beautiful area. (click to enlarge)

Category - 2 Rural Highways Pittsboro ByPass: (R-2219 AB) From the mountains to the sea, US 64 serves as a main transportation artery in North Carolina. Pittsboro, with its traffic circle, is a historic town located on US 64 in the rolling hills of Chatham County. The Pittsboro Bypass provides an alternate route by which heavy trucks and through traffic can avoid the central business district and historic center of Pittsboro. The Pittsboro Bypass was designed to reduce travel time to the job centers in RTP and Raleigh and was also designed to reflect the rural characteristics of Chatham County. The eastbound lanes provide a scenic view of the Haw River and surrounding countryside. Overall, the Pittsboro bypass services as a major transportation link while maintaining the natural beauty of the state. (click to enlarge)       Back to Biennial Awards Homepage