}}
(abbreviated '''I-77''') is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States . Its southern terminus is in Columbia, South Carolina at an intersection with Interstate 26 ; its northern terminus is in Cleveland, Ohio at an intersection with Interstate 90 .
It largely supplants the old U.S. Highway 21 between Cleveland and Columbia as one of the best north-south corridors through the middle Appalachians .
Bolded cities are officially-designated Control Cities for signs.
- Interstate 26 in Columbia, South Carolina
- Interstate 20 in Columbia, South Carolina
- Interstate 485 in Charlotte, which is the city's outerbelt
- Interstate 277 in Charlotte, which is the outerbelt of the city's downtown area
- Interstate 85 in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Interstate 40 in Statesville, North Carolina
- Interstate 74 for 4 miles (6.4 km) near Mount Airy, North Carolina
- Interstate 81 for 9 miles (14.5 km) around Wytheville, Virginia
- Interstate 64 in Beckley, West Virginia . They stay joined until Charleston, West Virginia .
- Interstate 79 in Charleston, West Virginia
- Interstate 70 in Cambridge, Ohio
- Interstate 277 in Akron, Ohio (a connector route to Interstate 76 on the south side of Akron)
- Interstate 76 in Akron, Ohio (I-76 runs concurrently with I-77 for a few miles in downtown Akron)
- Interstate 271 in Richfield, Ohio
- Interstate 80 in Richfield / Brecksville , Ohio
- Interstate 480 in Independence, Ohio
- Interstate 490 in Cleveland, Ohio
- Interstate 90 in Cleveland, Ohio
- In South Carolina , the southern terminus of I-77 in Columbia, South Carolina was originally the interchange with SC 12 with mile markers signed accordingly. The portion between SC 760 and I-26 was planned to be an interstate spur named I-326 . The decision to build the section between SC 12 and SC 760 was made before I-326 was opened, so the southern portion was never signed as such and the mile markers for I-77 were adjusted accordingly.
- I-77 in Charlotte, North Carolina is also known as the "Bill Lee Freeway". A small portion south of the city is called the "General Younts Expressway". The junction between I-77 and I-85 in Charlotte is a rather odd configuration. When I-77 crosses over I-85 (which runs in an east-west fashion through the interchange), the northbound lanes are to the west of the southbound lanes. Likewise, southbound I-77 is to the east of northbound I-77. The lanes return to their proper positions north and south of this interchange.
- As I-77 crosses over Lake Norman in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina , spectacular views of the largest man-made lake in North Carolina can be seen. This stretch of the interstate has a history of major accidents as motorists slow to look at the lake, boaters (who are sometimes nude), and lake homes. Once a speed boat landed on the interstate at this section after hitting the Causeway the interstate crosses over.
- I-77 passes through "Virginia's Technology Corridor", which could strike some as Ironic , since I-77 passes through one of the most rural sections of Virginia.
- The section of I-77 between Wytheville, Virginia, and Bluefield, West Virginia, contains two mountain tunnels, the East River Mountain Tunnel and the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel . Both tunnels permit lane changes while inside, which is very unusual for vehicular tunnels.
- The West Virginia Turnpike is also signed as I-77 for its entire length. This 88 mile (142 km) section, between Charleston and Princeton is a Toll Road . Much of it, especially between South Charleston and Beckley, is signed with a speed limit of 60 MPH due to the many sharp turns, steep mountainous climbs, and heavy truck use in this area.
- During the 9 mile (14.4 km) stretch where I-77 and I-81 merge in Virginia, the driver is heading "both north and south" on a Wrong-way Concurrency .
- I-77 is also the "Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway", although it is never referred to as this and signage is sparse (possibly only in Ohio does the freeway carry this designation).
- There were originally plans to extend I-77 as far north as Detroit , along the Ohio Turnpike , I-75 and I-94 . Had this extension taken place, the spur into Cleveland would have been renamed I-177.
- The steep grade on the side of a plateau near Fancy Gap, Virginia affords a breathtaking view of the region just north of Winston-Salem, featuring Pilot Mountain , although it is advisable for the driver to keep at least one eye on the road. (See photo)
Interstate Highways In West Virginia
|
