There are two alignments of U.S. 74A posted within the Tar Heel State. The western branch of U.S. 74A was established in 1994, when U.S. 74 was realigned onto an overlap with I-40, I-26 and a new freeway linking Columbus with Forest City. The 60.15 mile long route follows a winding course southeast from Asheville through Fairview, Bat Cave, Lake Lure and Rutherfordton.
U.S. 74A North Carolina Guides
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) application to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for U.S. 74A between Asheville and Forest City read:
The establishment of U.S. 74 Alternate over the present U.S. 74 route is requested in order that the highway through scenic mountain terrain, with its numerous tourist attractions, will continue to be served by a U.S. route. This area of the state relies heavily on tourism for economic security and the establishment of this alternate U.S. route will greatly benefit both tourists seeking access to those tourist centers, and commercial traffic providing goods for the businesses along this corridor.
The establishment of this alternate route will have a positive effect on the economic security of the region.
AASHTO approved the request on November 12, 1994. U.S. 74A replaced all of U.S. 74 from U.S. 19/23 at Enka east to Asheville and the freeway spur linking Spindale with U.S. 74 south of Forest City. Truckers are not advised to use U.S. 74A through Fairview, Bat Cave and Lake Lure due to the numerous switchbacks and sharp curves along the highway across the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Designated when U.S. 74 shifted onto a newly constructed freeway (Interstate 74), the eastern branch of U.S. 74 Alternate runs from the town of Maxon to the city of Lumberton. Approved by AASHTO on September 29, 2007, the 15.67 mile long alternate route was established to improve awareness of service orientated businesses along the former U.S. 74.
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| A parclo interchange joins the Blue Ridge Parkway with U.S. 74A (Charlotte Highway) west of Owenby Cove and Little Cedar Mountain. U.S. 74A links the parkway with adjacent Interstate 40. 12/31/13 |
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| U.S. 74A (Charlotte Highway) combines with Interstate 240 just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I-240 leads motorists to Downtown while U.S. 74A parallels along a partially commercialized surface route. 12/31/13 |
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| The Rocky River covered bridge, a 63 foot long span built in 2007, spans the Broad River between U.S. 64-74A/NC 9 for a private road. 12/31/13 |
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| Looking downstream on the Broad River beside the Rocky River covered bridge alongside U.S. 64-74A/NC 9 at Chimney Rock. 12/31/13 |
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| U.S. 74A combines with U.S. 64/NC 9 through the community of Chimney Rock in Rutherford County. The village is named after Chimney Rock, an iconic outcrop overlooking the Broad River valley from Chimney Rock State Park to the south. 12/31/13 |
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| A single lane truss bridge spans the Broad River just south of U.S. 64-74A/NC 9 along Southside Drive. 12/31/13 |
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| Views of the Broad River from the Southside Drive truss bridge in Chimney Rock. 12/31/13 |
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| Looking back toward U.S. 64-74A/NC 9 and Round Top Mountain along Southside Drive. The local road spurs to a number of homes overlooking the Broad River. 12/31/13 |
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| U.S. 64-74A/NC 10 cross Broad River at the west end of Lake Lure on this bridge completed in 2010. 12/31/13, 10/24/15 |
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| The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge parallels U.S. 64-74A/NC 10 just to the east across the Broad River outside Chimney Rock. The span was built in 1925 and carried vehicular traffic until 2010. The concrete arch bridge was converted into a garden and pedestrian walkway in 2013. 12/31/13 |
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| Looking eastward at the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, with Round Top Mountain rising in the background. 12/31/13 |
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| Holiday decorations adorn the three-arch Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. during a cold early evening. 12/31/13 |
Photo Credits:12/31/13 by AARoads and Carter Buchanan. 10/24/15 by AARoads.
Connect with:
Interstate 40
U.S. 64
U.S. 74
U.S. 221
Route 9
Page Updated 05-17-2021.
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