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Interstate 277 (abbreviated I-277) is a 4.41 mile loop in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina; in fact, the entire route is within Charlotte's city limits. The southern terminus (Interstate 77/U.S. Highway 21) is located on the southwest side of downtown. I-277 loops around the downtown area and reconnects with I-77/US 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 Interstate 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 and John Belk. The Brookshire was originally the Northwest Freeway, and the Belk is the newer stretch that was opened to traffic in 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. However, most people, including out-of-town visitors, are familiar with the names Brookshire and Belk as only parts of I-277. 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 (along with a two-mile stretch of I-77) is one of three beltways/ring roads serving the Charlotte area; Interstate 485 and Charlotte Route 4 are the others.
[edit] Exit list
| # |
Destinations |
Notes |
 Wilkinson Boulevard continues eastward as  John Belk Freeway |
| 1A |
 
  To NC 27/To U.S. 29 - Freedom Drive |
Westbound exit and eastbound entrance only.
|
| 1B |
 
  Interstate 77 South/U.S. 21 South - Rock Hill; Columbia |
Westbound exit and eastbound entrance. |
| 1C |
 
Interstate 77 North/U.S. 21 North - Statesville |
Westbound exit and eastbound entrance. |
| 1D |
Carson Boulevard |
Northbound exit; southbound entrance from Tryon Street. |
| 1E |
College Street; South Boulevard; Caldwell Street |
| 2A |
 NC 16 South - Kenilworth Avenue; 3rd Street; 4th Street |
NC 16 exits southbound and enters northbound. |
| 2B |
U.S. 74 East - Independence Boulevard |
U.S. 74 exits eastbound and enters westbound. |
| continues westward as Brookshire Freeway |
| 3B |
Caldwell Street; Brevard Street; Tryon Street |
Westbound exit; eastbound entrance. |
| 3C |
 U.S. 29/NC 49 - Church Street; Graham Street |
Westbound exit and eastbound entrance. |
| 3C |
11th Street; Church Street;Tryon Street |
Eastbound exit and westbound exit. |
| 4 |
US 29/NC 49 - Graham Street |
Eastbound exit and westbound entrance. |
| 5 |
 
 Interstate 77/U.S. 21/To Interstate 85 - Statesville; Columbia |
End I-277 loop. |
| continues west as Brookshire Freeway, then Brookshire Boulevard |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Route Log - Auxiliary Routes of the Eisenhower National System Of Interstate and Defense Highways - Table 2
[edit] External links
