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Interstate 277 (abbreviated I-277) is a 4.41 mi (7 km) loop in central Charlotte, North Carolina. The southern terminus (Interstate 77/U.S. Route 21) 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. It is known by two names: the John Belk Freeway along the southern and eastern edges of downtown, and the Brookshire Freeway along the northern edge. The roadway continues past the northern terminus as North Carolina Highway 16, which connects to Interstate 85. North of I-85, the roadway continues as Brookshire Blvd as it goes through northern Charlotte.
The two freeway names were taken from former mayors of Charlotte, Stan Brookshire (1961-69) and John Belk (1969-77). The Brookshire was originally the Northwest Freeway (this name change took place in 1975), and the Belk is the newer stretch that was opened to traffic in 1982. In addition, the Belk was the first section to be signed as I-277; the designation did not extend onto the Brookshire until 1987. John Belk's family is also the same one who founded the Belk department store chain. The two mayors are also the subjects of Brookshire & Belk: Businessmen in City Hall, a book written by Alex Coffin that highlights their accomplishments for Charlotte over the years. Most local residents, as well as traffic reports airing on local radio and television stations, use the names "Belk" and "Brookshire" when referring to I-277 rather than the highway number.
I-277, as well as parts of I-77 and I-85, is notorious for being dark at night because its streetlights are not in working order.[citation needed] There have been plans to replace the streetlights on this freeway, most of which have been in place since the early 1970s. A proposal to replace the streetlights with solar power was denied in 2007 because these lights weren't deemed bright enough (however, two solar-powered streetlights were operating on I-77 at the LaSalle Street exit until November 2007), so new electric-powered streetlights would have to be installed instead.
I-277 is one of three ring roads serving the Charlotte area; Interstate 485 and Charlotte Route 4 are the others.
[edit] Exit list
| County |
Location |
Mile |
# |
Destinations |
Notes |
| Mecklenburg |
Charlotte |
|
|
 US 74 west (Wilkinson Boulevard) |
Southbound exit and northbound entrance |
|
1A |
  To US 29 / NC 27 / Freedom Drive |
Southbound exit and northbound entrance |
|
1B |
  I-77 / US 21 south - Rock Hill, Columbia |
|
|
1C |
 I-77 / US 21 north to I-85 – Statesville |
|
|
1D |
Carson Boulevard |
No southbound exit |
|
1E |
College Street, South Boulevard, Caldwell Street, Stonewall Street, Kenilworth Avenue |
|
|
2A |
 NC 16 south (Third Street) / Kenilworth Avenue, Fourth Street |
South end of NC 16 overlap |
|
2B |
US 74 east / NC 27 east (Independence Boulevard) |
North end of US 74 overlap |
|
3B |
 To NC 49 / Davidson Street, Brevard Street, Tryon Street, McDowell Street |
Exit number not signed southbound |
|
3C |
Church Street, Tryon Street - Downtown |
Exit number not signed southbound |
|
|
US 29 / NC 49 (Graham Street) |
Southbound exit and northbound entrance |
|
5 |
I-77 / US 21 to I-85 / Trade Street – Statesville, Rock Hill |
Signed as exits 5A (north) and 5B (south) |
|
|
NC 16 north (Brookshire Freeway west) |
Northbound exit and southbound entrance |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
I-77/US 21 (Bill Lee Frwy)
US 29/49 (N Graham St)
US 74/NC 27 (Independence Blvd)
NC 16 (3rd St/4th St)
I-77 / US 21 north to I-85 – Statesville
