Regional transportation, economic development, business and elected leaders gathered Monday, May 20, in the Carolina Core to celebrate the designation of U.S. 421 as Future Interstate 685 with a sign unveiling event.

“Today’s unveiling of the Future Interstate 685 sign is a true testament to the collaboration and teamwork that is fueling our economic momentum here in the Carolina Core,” said Carolina Core Regional Economic Development Director Loren Hill in a press release. “Thanks to the collective efforts of our partners at the state, local and federal levels, this future interstate designation will help further increase our region’s economic competitiveness, while improving connectivity and commerce throughout the state.”

The Carolina Core is a region in central North Carolina, from west of Interstate 77 to I-95, centered along U.S. Highway 421. The Carolina Core includes Randolph County – where the meeting took place – as well as Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Siler City, Sanford, Lillington, Fayetteville and more.

In November 2021, congressional legislation passed designating U.S. 421 from I-85 to I-95 as Future I-685. 

This progress marks a significant achievement for the Piedmont Triad Partnership, which named the Future Interstate designation as a key strategic initiative when unveiling the Carolina Core in 2018. Since that time, leaders have announced $20 billion in capital investment and more than 50,000 new jobs across the Carolina Core.

Adding another interstate to this booming economic corridor will help further facilitate the safety and mobility of commuter and freight traffic through the state.

According to Hill, the future interstate designation will:

• further enhance the region’s robust transportation network;

• provide the vital connection of I-95 with I-85;

• provide direct connections between large population centers;

• improve access to Fort Liberty and aid movement for national defense;

• and provide a high-design evacuation route in the event of natural disasters.

Hill also shared that future I-685 signage will be going up on the segment of existing U.S. 421 from Greensboro to Sanford. Along that route, three alternate routes are under review for the segment to be built from Sanford to I-95. All three of those alternate routes will go through Harnett County and two will also go to Fayetteville.