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{{Short description|State highway in North Carolina, US}}
{{Short description|State highway in North Carolina, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox road
{{Infobox road
|state=NC
|state=NC
|type=NC
|type=NC
|route=147
|route=147
|alternate_name=Durham Freeway
|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=250|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/North Carolina Highway 147}}}}
|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=290|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/North Carolina Highway 147}}}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=NC 147 highlighted in red
|map_notes=NC 147 highlighted in red
|length_mi=7.9
|length_mi=8.1
|length_round=1
|length_round=1
|length_ref=<ref name=google>{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/35.9637398,-78.8652332/36.03457,-78.966685/@35.984467,-78.9357167,11.75z/data=!4m5!4m4!1m0!1m1!4e1!3e0?hl=en|title=North Carolina Highway 147|accessdate=July 1, 2022}}</ref>
|length_ref=<ref name="google">{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/35.9628123,-78.8650379/36.0352368,-78.9683811/@35.9990889,-78.9270161,13z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!4m1!3e0|title=North Carolina Highway 147|accessdate=July 1, 2022}}</ref>
|direction_a=South
|direction_a=South
|direction_b=North
|direction_b=North
|terminus_a={{Jct|state=NC|I|885}} in [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]]
|terminus_a={{jct|state=NC|I|885}} in [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]]
|junction={{plainlist|
|junction=
*{{Jct|state=NC|US|15|US|501}} in Durham
*{{jct|state=NC|NC|55}} in Durham
*{{jct|state=NC|US|15|US|501}} in Durham
}}
|terminus_b={{Jct|state=NC|I|85}} in Durham
|terminus_b={{jct|state=NC|I|85|US|70}} in Durham
|counties=[[Durham County, North Carolina|Durham]]
|counties=[[Durham County, North Carolina|Durham]]
|established=1987
|established=1986
|previous_type=NC
|previous_type=NC
|previous_route=146
|previous_route=146
Line 25: Line 26:
|next_route=148
|next_route=148
}}
}}

'''North Carolina Highway&nbsp;147''' ('''NC&nbsp;147''') is a [[North Carolina]] [[state highway]]. The route is a {{convert|7.9|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[freeway]] that connects the [[Research Triangle Park]] (RTP) to both [[Wake County, North Carolina|Western Wake County]] and the city of [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]]. The whole section of NC&nbsp;147 is known as the '''Durham Freeway'''. Before 2022, NC 147 extended down to [[Interstate 540 and North Carolina Highway 540|NC 540]]. The portion of NC 147 between I-40 and the East End Connector became a part of [[Interstate 885]] on June 30, 2022, when the East End Connector was completed, and the portion between NC 540 and I-40 was redesignated as NC 885.
'''North Carolina Highway&nbsp;147''' ('''NC&nbsp;147''') is a primary [[List of state highways in North Carolina|state highway]] in the U.S. state of [[North Carolina]]. The highway is an {{convert|8.1|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[Controlled-access highway|freeway]] through [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]] running roughly southeast to northwest; the entire route lies within the city limits. To the southeast, it connects the city to the [[Research Triangle Park]]. NC&nbsp;147 is the northern half of the [[Durham Freeway]], which continues south onto [[Interstate 885]] (I-885). The route is the main arterial through Durham, running alongside its downtown. It begins at a [[semi-directional T interchange]] with I-885 southeast of downtown Durham and runs northwest–southeast before merging into [[Interstate 85 in North Carolina|I-85]] northwest of downtown Durham.

Prior to June 30, 2022, both the southern half of the Durham Freeway, along with the northernmost segment of the [[Triangle Expressway]], were part of NC&nbsp;147. When the East End Connector and related road improvement projects were completed, the former became part of I-885, and the latter became NC&nbsp;885.


==Route description==
==Route description==
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}}
}}


The route's entire length is a limited access [[freeway]], linking [[Interstate 885|I-885]] with [[Durham, North Carolina|Downtown Durham]], U.S. Routes [[U.S. Route 15 in North Carolina|15]] and [[U.S. Route 501 in North Carolina|501]], [[Interstate 85 in North Carolina|Interstate 85]]. It is a fairly urbanized commuter-route and suffers from peak-traffic during conventional [[rush hour]]s. Speed limits on the freeway range from {{convert|55|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} to {{convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.
The route's entire length is a limited access [[freeway]], linking [[Interstate 885|I-885]] with [[Durham, North Carolina|Downtown Durham]], U.S. Routes [[U.S. Route 15 in North Carolina|15]] and [[U.S. Route 501 in North Carolina|501]], and [[Interstate 85 in North Carolina|Interstate 85]]. It is a fairly urbanized commuter-route and suffers from peak-traffic during conventional [[rush hour]]s. The speed limit on the freeway is {{convert|55|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.


From I-885 to its northern terminus, the route is known as the '''Durham Freeway''', and serves as the primary artery through Downtown Durham. The Durham Freeway portion was originally envisioned as an alignment of I-40, though the interstate was built to the south of the city center instead. The Durham Freeway received the NC&nbsp;147 designation in 1986. From I-885 to the Briggs Avenue exit the freeway goes primarily north-south, with wide medians and shoulders and interstate-grade entrance and exit ramps. Entering [[Downtown Durham Historic District|Downtown Durham]] past Briggs Avenue, the road turns towards a more southeast-northwest alignment, and narrows considerably, with narrow medians and shoulders, and short entrance and exit ramps, following a depressed [[road cut]] to the south of Downtown Durham, passing several major landmarks including the [[Durham Bulls Athletic Park]] (visible to the north of the roadway), the [[Durham Performing Arts Center]], and the [[American Tobacco Historic District]]. Past Downtown Durham, the freeway passes through [[Duke University]], forming the boundary between East Campus and Central Campus.
The route forms the northern half of the [[Durham Freeway]], and serves as the primary artery through [[Downtown Durham Historic District|Downtown Durham]]. The Durham Freeway portion was originally envisioned as an alignment of I-40, though the interstate was built to the south of the city center instead. The Durham Freeway received the NC&nbsp;147 designation in 1986. The road follows a southeast–northwest alignment, following a depressed [[road cut]] to the south of Downtown Durham, with interchanges to several important Durham streets and arterial roads. It passes close by several major landmarks including the [[Durham Bulls Athletic Park]] (visible to the north of the roadway), the [[Durham Performing Arts Center]], and the [[American Tobacco Historic District]]. Past Downtown Durham, the freeway passes through [[Duke University]], forming the boundary between East Campus and Central Campus.


Past Duke University, the road reaches its northern terminus in a complex interchange with the [[15-501|U.S. 15-501 Freeway]] and I-85. Motorists must use U.S. 15-501 for access between I-85 south and NC 147 south, or between NC 147 north and I-85 north. At the actual northern terminus, traffic on NC 147 north merges with I-85 south, while I-85 north traffic can enter NC 147 south using exit 172.
Past Duke University, the road reaches its northern terminus in a complex interchange with the [[15-501|U.S. 15-501 Freeway]] and I-85. Motorists must use U.S. 15-501 for access between I-85 south and NC 147 south, or between NC 147 north and I-85 north. At the actual northern terminus, traffic on NC 147 north merges with I-85 south, while I-85 north traffic can enter NC 147 south using exit 172.
Line 44: Line 48:


==History==
==History==
The Durham Freeway began with a 1962 [[Bond (finance)|bond]] [[referendum]].<ref name=July/> The first section of the road, completed in 1970 around downtown Durham, extended from Chapel Hill Street to Alston Avenue and resulted in the destruction of a portion of the [[Hayti, Durham, North Carolina|Hayti]] neighborhood as part of [[urban renewal]],<ref name=August/> though a DOT engineer said the neighborhood likely would have been torn down anyway. The road was later extended west to Erwin Road and southward to where it meets I-40. In 1986, The freeway was designated as North Carolina Highway 147. The road's other names have included East-West Expressway and the I.L. "Buck" Dean Freeway.<ref name=July>{{cite news |first= Jonathan |last= Bloom |title= 30-Year, 12-Mile Project Completed |work= [[The Herald-Sun]] |location= Durham, NC |date= July 26, 1998 |page=A1 }}</ref>
The Durham Freeway began with a 1962 [[Bond (finance)|bond]] [[referendum]].<ref name=July/> The first section of the road, completed in 1970 around downtown Durham, extended from Chapel Hill Street to Alston Avenue and resulted in the destruction of a portion of the [[Hayti, Durham, North Carolina|Hayti]] neighborhood as part of [[urban renewal]],<ref name=August/> though a DOT engineer said the neighborhood likely would have been torn down anyway. The road was later extended west to Erwin Road and southward to where it meets I-40. In 1986, The freeway was designated as North Carolina Highway 147.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} The road's other names have included East-West Expressway and the I.L. "Buck" Dean Freeway.<ref name=July>{{cite news |first= Jonathan |last= Bloom |title= 30-Year, 12-Mile Project Completed |work= [[The Herald-Sun]] |location= Durham, North Carolina |date= July 26, 1998 |page=A1 }}</ref>


In 1979, planners said many of the city's roads needed widening, and the decision was made to extend the freeway to I-85. The first section in 1982 disrupted the Crest Street neighborhood, but the [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] (NCDOT) moved 181 houses instead of tearing them down, an action that resulted in a 1987 third-place [[Federal Highway Administration]] (FHWA) award for "historic preservation and cultural enhancement".<ref name=July/> Eventually, the problems that caused the original I-40 extension to I-85 to be delayed were overcome, and NC 147 was extended through the city.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} Work began in 1993, and the eastbound lanes opened May 21, 1997.<ref>{{cite news |title= Durham Freeway's New Lanes to Ease Eastbound Travel |work= The Herald-Sun |location= Durham, NC |date= May 21, 1997 |page=C1 }}</ref> The section connecting the road to I-85 opened July 31, 1998.<ref name=August>{{cite news |first= Jonathan |last= Bloom |title= Durham Freeway's Last Leg Opens |work= The Herald-Sun |location= Durham, NC |date= August 1, 1998 |page=A8 }}</ref>
In 1979, planners said many of the city's roads needed widening, and the decision was made to extend the freeway to I-85. The first section in 1982 disrupted the Crest Street neighborhood, but the [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] (NCDOT) moved 181 houses instead of tearing them down, an action that resulted in a 1987 third-place [[Federal Highway Administration]] (FHWA) award for "historic preservation and cultural enhancement".<ref name=July/> Eventually, the problems that caused the original I-40 extension to I-85 to be delayed were overcome, and NC 147 was extended through the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History Beneath Our Feet |url=http://museumofdurhamhistory.org/beneathourfeet/streets/ILBuckDeanFreeway |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=museumofdurhamhistory.org}}</ref> Work began in 1993, and the eastbound lanes opened May 21, 1997.<ref>{{cite news |title= Durham Freeway's New Lanes to Ease Eastbound Travel |work= The Herald-Sun |location= Durham, North Carolina |date= May 21, 1997 |page=C1 }}</ref> The section connecting the road to I-85 opened July 31, 1998.<ref name=August>{{cite news |first= Jonathan |last= Bloom |title= Durham Freeway's Last Leg Opens |work= The Herald-Sun |location= Durham, North Carolina |date= August 1, 1998 |page=A8 }}</ref>

⚫
On September 6, 2011, the south terminus at T.W. Alexander Drive (exit 4) was permanently closed to make way for NC 147's extension to [[North Carolina Highway 540|NC 540]] in [[Morrisville, North Carolina|Morrisville]]; this made I-40 the temporary southern terminus for three months. On December 8, 2011, the southern extension was opened. Dubbed the Triangle Parkway, the {{convert|3.4|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of road is also part of the Triangle Expressway.<ref name="NCTA">{{cite web|url=http://www.ncturnpike.org/projects/Triangle_Expressway/|publisher= North Carolina Turnpike Authority |title= Triangle Expressway |access-date=December 8, 2011}}</ref><ref name="NO-Open">{{cite news | url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/08/1697098/states-first-modern-toll-road.html | title=State's First Modern Toll Road Opens Today | work=[[The News & Observer]] | location=Raleigh, NC | date=December 8, 2011 | access-date=December 8, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109062743/http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/08/1697098/states-first-modern-toll-road.html | archive-date=January 9, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="NCDOT-Close">{{cite press release |url= https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=5333 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121224095252/https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=5333 |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 24, 2012 |title= Section of N.C. 147 in Durham to Close Sept. 6 |publisher= North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date= August 19, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="NO-Close">{{cite news |url= http://blogs.newsobserver.com/crosstown/rtp-commuters-the-nc-147-southern-spur-is-closed-today-for-good |title= Crosstown Traffic—RTP Commuters: The NC 147 Southern Spur Is Closed Today, for Good |work= The News & Observer |location= Raleigh, NC |date= September 6, 2011 |access-date= September 6, 2011 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120327104609/http://blogs.newsobserver.com/crosstown/rtp-commuters-the-nc-147-southern-spur-is-closed-today-for-good |archive-date= March 27, 2012 |df= mdy-all }}</ref>

⚫
Despite the spur to T.W. Alexander Drive being permanently closed, the pavement was never removed, and the abandoned section still sits just south of NC 147's interchange with I-40. ({{coord|35.894653|-78.878140|region:US-NC_type:landmark}}) The road markings are also visible.

===Interstate 885 ===
{{split|Interstate 885|date=June 2022|section=section}}
{{infobox road small
|state=NC
|type=I
|route=885
|location=[[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]]
|length_mi=8.57
|formed=June 30, 2022
}}


⚫
On September 6, 2011, the south terminus at T.W. Alexander Drive (exit 4) was permanently closed to make way for NC 147's extension to [[North Carolina Highway 540|NC 540]] in [[Morrisville, North Carolina|Morrisville]]; this made I-40 the temporary southern terminus for three months. On December 8, 2011, the southern extension was opened. Dubbed the Triangle Parkway, the {{convert|3.4|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of road is also part of the Triangle Expressway.<ref name="NCTA">{{cite web|url=http://www.ncturnpike.org/projects/Triangle_Expressway/|publisher= North Carolina Turnpike Authority |title= Triangle Expressway |access-date=December 8, 2011}}</ref><ref name="NO-Open">{{cite news | url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/08/1697098/states-first-modern-toll-road.html | title=State's First Modern Toll Road Opens Today | work=[[The News & Observer]] | location=Raleigh, North Carolina | date=December 8, 2011 | access-date=December 8, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109062743/http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/08/1697098/states-first-modern-toll-road.html | archive-date=January 9, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="NCDOT-Close">{{cite press release |url= https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=5333 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121224095252/https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=5333 |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 24, 2012 |title= Section of N.C. 147 in Durham to Close Sept. 6 |publisher= North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date= August 19, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="NO-Close">{{cite news |url= http://blogs.newsobserver.com/crosstown/rtp-commuters-the-nc-147-southern-spur-is-closed-today-for-good |title= Crosstown Traffic—RTP Commuters: The NC 147 Southern Spur Is Closed Today, for Good |work= The News & Observer |location= Raleigh, North Carolina |date= September 6, 2011 |access-date= September 6, 2011 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120327104609/http://blogs.newsobserver.com/crosstown/rtp-commuters-the-nc-147-southern-spur-is-closed-today-for-good |archive-date= March 27, 2012 |df= mdy-all }}</ref>
'''Interstate 885''' ('''I-885''') is a freeway linking [[Interstate 40 in North Carolina|I-40]] in [[Research Triangle Park]] and [[Interstate 85 in North Carolina|I-85]]/[[U.S. Route 15 in North Carolina|US&nbsp;15]] in [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]]. Its first appearance was on August 19, 2014, when the October project letting was released, which included I-885 in the sign plans.


⚫
Despite the spur to T.W. Alexander Drive being permanently closed, the pavement was never removed, and the abandoned section still sits just south of NC 147's interchange with I-40. The road markings are also visible.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Google Maps |url=https://www.google.com/maps/@35.9020959,-78.8794496,21z/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=Google Maps |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
The Interstate begins at I-40 exit&nbsp;279, then goes north along the former route of NC&nbsp;147 to the East End Connector, a newly built roadway to bridge the short gap between NC&nbsp;147 and [[U.S. Route 70 in North Carolina|US&nbsp;70]]. Continuing north concurrently with US&nbsp;70, it ends at the I-85/US&nbsp;15/US&nbsp;70 interchange (exit&nbsp;178). The NC&nbsp;147 designation was removed from the existing route south of the interchange with the new connector, and the exits of the rump NC&nbsp;147 (leading northwest into downtown Durham) have been renumbered to reflect its truncation. The route between I-40 and I-885, encompassing the segment no longer designated as NC&nbsp;147, the new connector itself, and the segment of existing US&nbsp;70 that leads to I-85, are designated I-885 and its exits renumbered accordingly. The East End Connector began construction in March 2015,<ref name="Connector">{{cite web |url= http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/eastendconnector/ |title= East End Connector |publisher= North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date= May 30, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150623181105/http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/eastendconnector/ |archive-date= June 23, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref> and opened to traffic on June 30, 2022.<ref>[https://www.wral.com/durhams-east-end-connector-to-open-to-drivers-this-afternoon/20354564/ "Durham's East End Connector to open to drivers this afternoon"] by Monica Casey and Nia Harden, June 30, 2022 (WRAL.com)</ref>


⚫
On August 19, 2014, [[Interstate 885]] first appeared in the October project letting for the East End Connector, which included new sign plans. The new designation was originally going to overlap with NC&nbsp;147 between I-40 and the East End Connector, but it was later decided to decommission NC&nbsp;147 from NC&nbsp;540 to the East End Connector instead. On June 30, 2022, NC&nbsp;147 was replaced by NC&nbsp;885 along the [[Triangle Expressway]] portion and by I-885 between I-40 and the East End Connector.<ref name="Connector">{{cite web |url= http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/eastendconnector/ |title= East End Connector |publisher= North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date= May 30, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150623181105/http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/eastendconnector/ |archive-date= June 23, 2015 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.wral.com/durhams-east-end-connector-to-open-to-drivers-this-afternoon/20354564/ |title = Durham's East End Connector to open to drivers this afternoon |first1 = Monica |last1 = Casey |first2 = Nia |last2 = Harden |date = June 30, 2022 |location = Raleigh, North Carolina |publisher = WRAL-TV }}</ref>
The NCDOT 2020-2029 Final STIP released in September 2019 indicates a project that will widen 3.9 miles of NC 147/I-885 to 6 lanes from the East End Connector Project south to I-40 at a cost of $1.8 million is scheduled to start in 2024.<ref name="STIP20">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/Documents/2020-2029-final-stip.pdf |title=2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) |publisher=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=September 5, 2019 |access-date=September 7, 2019}}</ref>
{{-}}


==Junction list==
==Junction list==
{{jcttop|old|state=NC|county=Durham|location=Durham|length_ref=<ref name=google />}}
{{jcttop|old|state=NC|county=Durham|location=Durham|length_ref=<ref name="google"/>|exit_ref=<ref name="newexitnumbers">{{cite news |last1=Stradling |first1=Richard |title=Before Durham East End Connector opens, exit numbers and highway names are changing |url=https://amp.newsobserver.com/article261080697.html |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=[[The News & Observer]] |date=May 7, 2022}}</ref>}}
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|mile=0.0
|mile=0.0
Line 85: Line 73:
|notes=}}
|notes=}}
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|mile=1.1
|mile=0.9
|old=10
|old=10
|exit=1B-C
|exit=1B-C
Line 91: Line 79:
|notes=Signed exit 1 northbound}}
|notes=Signed exit 1 northbound}}
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|mile=2.0
|mile=1.9
|old=11
|old=11
|exit=2
|exit=2
|road={{Jct|state=NC|NC|55|name1=Alston Avenue}}}}
|road={{Jct|state=NC|NC|55|name1=Alston Avenue}}}}
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|mile=2.5
|mile=2.4
|old=12A
|old=12A
|exit=3A
|exit=3A
|road=Fayetteville Street &nbsp;– [[North Carolina Central University]]}}
|road=Fayetteville Street &nbsp;– [[North Carolina Central University]]}}
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|mile=2.9
|mile=2.6
|old=12B
|old=12B
|exit=3B
|exit=3B
Line 108: Line 96:
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|type=incomplete
|type=incomplete
|mile=3.3
|mile=3.2
|old=12C
|old=12C
|exit=3C
|exit=3C
Line 119: Line 107:
|road=Chapel Hill Street}}
|road=Chapel Hill Street}}
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|mile=4.4
|mile=4.2
|old=14
|old=14
|exit=4B
|exit=4B
Line 126: Line 114:
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|type=incomplete
|type=incomplete
|mile=5.1
|mile=4.9
|old=15A
|old=15A
|exit=5
|exit=5
Line 132: Line 120:
|notes=Northbound exit, southbound entrance; to [[Duke University Hospital|Duke Medical Center]]}}
|notes=Northbound exit, southbound entrance; to [[Duke University Hospital|Duke Medical Center]]}}
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|mile=5.5
|mile=5.3
|old=15B
|old=15B
|exit=6
|exit=6
Line 138: Line 126:
|notes=To [[Veterans Health Administration|Veterans Affairs Medical Center]]}}
|notes=To [[Veterans Health Administration|Veterans Affairs Medical Center]]}}
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|mile=6.4
|mile=6.2
|old=16
|old=16
|exit=7
|exit=7
Line 144: Line 132:
|notes=Signed as exits 7A (north) and 7B (south)}}
|notes=Signed as exits 7A (north) and 7B (south)}}
{{NCint|old
{{NCint|old
|mile=7.9
|mile=8.1
|old=—
|old=—
|exit=—
|exit=—

Revision as of 10:12, 3 June 2024

North Carolina Highway 147 marker

North Carolina Highway 147

Durham Freeway
Map
NC 147 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length8.1 mi[1] (13.0 km)
Existed1986–present
Major junctions
South end I-885 in Durham
Major intersections
North end I-85 / US 70 in Durham
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountiesDurham
Highway system
← NC 146→ NC 148

North Carolina Highway 147 (NC 147) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The highway is an 8.1-mile-long (13.0 km) freeway through Durham running roughly southeast to northwest; the entire route lies within the city limits. To the southeast, it connects the city to the Research Triangle Park. NC 147 is the northern half of the Durham Freeway, which continues south onto Interstate 885 (I-885). The route is the main arterial through Durham, running alongside its downtown. It begins at a semi-directional T interchange with I-885 southeast of downtown Durham and runs northwest–southeast before merging into I-85 northwest of downtown Durham.

Prior to June 30, 2022, both the southern half of the Durham Freeway, along with the northernmost segment of the Triangle Expressway, were part of NC 147. When the East End Connector and related road improvement projects were completed, the former became part of I-885, and the latter became NC 885.

Route description

NC 147 winding around downtown Durham in 2008 (top) and 2022 (bottom)

The route's entire length is a limited access freeway, linking I-885 with Downtown Durham, U.S. Routes 15 and 501, and Interstate 85. It is a fairly urbanized commuter-route and suffers from peak-traffic during conventional rush hours. The speed limit on the freeway is 55 mph (89 km/h).

The route forms the northern half of the Durham Freeway, and serves as the primary artery through Downtown Durham. The Durham Freeway portion was originally envisioned as an alignment of I-40, though the interstate was built to the south of the city center instead. The Durham Freeway received the NC 147 designation in 1986. The road follows a southeast–northwest alignment, following a depressed road cut to the south of Downtown Durham, with interchanges to several important Durham streets and arterial roads. It passes close by several major landmarks including the Durham Bulls Athletic Park (visible to the north of the roadway), the Durham Performing Arts Center, and the American Tobacco Historic District. Past Downtown Durham, the freeway passes through Duke University, forming the boundary between East Campus and Central Campus.

Past Duke University, the road reaches its northern terminus in a complex interchange with the U.S. 15-501 Freeway and I-85. Motorists must use U.S. 15-501 for access between I-85 south and NC 147 south, or between NC 147 north and I-85 north. At the actual northern terminus, traffic on NC 147 north merges with I-85 south, while I-85 north traffic can enter NC 147 south using exit 172.

Dedicated and memorial names

NC 147 features one dedicated stretch of freeway. The Buck Dean Expressway is the official name of NC 147 within the city limits of Durham that was approved on December 14, 1984.[2]

History

The Durham Freeway began with a 1962 bond referendum.[3] The first section of the road, completed in 1970 around downtown Durham, extended from Chapel Hill Street to Alston Avenue and resulted in the destruction of a portion of the Hayti neighborhood as part of urban renewal,[4] though a DOT engineer said the neighborhood likely would have been torn down anyway. The road was later extended west to Erwin Road and southward to where it meets I-40. In 1986, The freeway was designated as North Carolina Highway 147.[citation needed] The road's other names have included East-West Expressway and the I.L. "Buck" Dean Freeway.[3]

In 1979, planners said many of the city's roads needed widening, and the decision was made to extend the freeway to I-85. The first section in 1982 disrupted the Crest Street neighborhood, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) moved 181 houses instead of tearing them down, an action that resulted in a 1987 third-place Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) award for "historic preservation and cultural enhancement".[3] Eventually, the problems that caused the original I-40 extension to I-85 to be delayed were overcome, and NC 147 was extended through the city.[5] Work began in 1993, and the eastbound lanes opened May 21, 1997.[6] The section connecting the road to I-85 opened July 31, 1998.[4]

On September 6, 2011, the south terminus at T.W. Alexander Drive (exit 4) was permanently closed to make way for NC 147's extension to NC 540 in Morrisville; this made I-40 the temporary southern terminus for three months. On December 8, 2011, the southern extension was opened. Dubbed the Triangle Parkway, the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) stretch of road is also part of the Triangle Expressway.[7][8][9][10]

Despite the spur to T.W. Alexander Drive being permanently closed, the pavement was never removed, and the abandoned section still sits just south of NC 147's interchange with I-40. The road markings are also visible.[11]

On August 19, 2014, Interstate 885 first appeared in the October project letting for the East End Connector, which included new sign plans. The new designation was originally going to overlap with NC 147 between I-40 and the East End Connector, but it was later decided to decommission NC 147 from NC 540 to the East End Connector instead. On June 30, 2022, NC 147 was replaced by NC 885 along the Triangle Expressway portion and by I-885 between I-40 and the East End Connector.[12][13]

Junction list

The entire route is in Durham, Durham County.

mi[1]kmOld exitNew exit[14]DestinationsNotes
0.00.0——
 I-885 south – RDU Airport		Continuation as I-885
0.40.64—1A


 I-885 north to I-85 / US 70 – Henderson, Greensboro, Petersburg
0.91.4101B-CBriggs Avenue  – Durham Technical Community CollegeSigned exit 1 northbound
1.93.1112 NC 55 (Alston Avenue)
2.43.912A3AFayetteville Street  – North Carolina Central University
2.64.212B3B

 US 15 Bus. / US 501 Bus. (Mangum Street/Roxboro Street) – Downtown		To Durham Bulls Athletic Park
3.25.112C3CDuke StreetNo southbound exit;to North Carolina Museum of Life and Science
3.76.0134AChapel Hill Street
4.26.8144B

 To US 70 Bus. / Swift Avenue – Duke University East Campus		To North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and Northgate Mall
4.97.915A5Elba Street / Trent DriveNorthbound exit, southbound entrance; to Duke Medical Center
5.38.515B6Hillandale Road / Fulton StreetTo Veterans Affairs Medical Center
6.210.0167

 US 15 / US 501 to I-85 north – Chapel Hill, Duke University West Campus		Signed as exits 7A (north) and 7B (south)
8.113.0——
 I-85 south – Greensboro		Continuation as I-85
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. ^ a b Google (July 1, 2022). "North Carolina Highway 147" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  2. ^ "North Carolina Memorial Highways and other Named Facilities" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Bloom, Jonathan (July 26, 1998). "30-Year, 12-Mile Project Completed". The Herald-Sun. Durham, North Carolina. p. A1.
  4. ^ a b Bloom, Jonathan (August 1, 1998). "Durham Freeway's Last Leg Opens". The Herald-Sun. Durham, North Carolina. p. A8.
  5. ^ "History Beneath Our Feet". museumofdurhamhistory.org. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  6. ^ "Durham Freeway's New Lanes to Ease Eastbound Travel". The Herald-Sun. Durham, North Carolina. May 21, 1997. p. C1.
  7. ^ "Triangle Expressway". North Carolina Turnpike Authority. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  8. ^ "State's First Modern Toll Road Opens Today". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. December 8, 2011. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  9. ^ "Section of N.C. 147 in Durham to Close Sept. 6" (Press release). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  10. ^ "Crosstown Traffic—RTP Commuters: The NC 147 Southern Spur Is Closed Today, for Good". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. September 6, 2011. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  11. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  12. ^ "East End Connector". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  13. ^ Casey, Monica; Harden, Nia (June 30, 2022). "Durham's East End Connector to open to drivers this afternoon". Raleigh, North Carolina: WRAL-TV.
  14. ^ Stradling, Richard (May 7, 2022). "Before Durham East End Connector opens, exit numbers and highway names are changing". The News & Observer. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
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