Interstate 587

Interstate 587 overlays U.S. 264 east from the exchange joining I-95 with I-795 at Wilson to NC 11 and the Greenville Bypass at Stantonsburg Road (old U.S. 264) in Greenville. Presently 37.07 miles in length, I-587 follows a bypass south of Wilson east toward the town of Saratoga. I-587 passes north of Walsonburg in Greene County before entering Pitt County ahead of Farmville. The route concludes at a cloverleaf interchange with the Geenville Bypass west of the Medical District in the city.

Interstate 587 North Carolina Guides

• Zebulon to Wilson
• Wilson to Greenville

Future I-587 was approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on November 14, 2016 with the condition that it is also approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The proposed route overlaid U.S. 264 east for 56 miles to the interchange with SR 1467 (Stantonsburg Road) along the Greenville Bypass. This included the northern portion of Interstate 795 around Wilson. Bringing the freeway along U.S. 264 up to Interstate standards was expected to improve economic development.¹

Two separate projects along Future I-587 in Greene and Pitt Counties upgraded portions of U.S. 264 to Interstate standards. Expanding the outside shoulders from four to ten feet, $22.5 million in construction coincided with pavement resurfacing. Finished a half year ahead of schedule, work ran from May 2020 to March 2021.¹ Subsequent construction required through Pitt and Greene Counties addressed vertical bridge clearance and the length of exit ramps. Estimates to fully bring U.S. 264 up to Interstate standards is around $100 million.²

With upgrades completed, AASHTO conditionally approved the designation of Interstate 587 from I-95/795 to U.S. 264/NC 11 in May 2021. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) concurred, granting approval in November 2021. The initial markers for I-587 were posted along U.S. 264 following an event held on June 22, 2022.

U.S. 264 west from I-95/795 to U.S. 64/Future I-87 at Zebulon remains Future I-587 pending upgrades to Interstate standards.