User:Vchimpanzee/NC 36

North Carolina Highway 36 (NC 36) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina and a semi-urban traffic artery connecting Cleveland and Clayton in Eastern North Carolina. The highway is primarily rural, avoiding larger cities such as Raleigh. NC 42 begins at North Carolina Highway 50 near Cleveland. From there the highway runs east toward Clayton. The highway intersects I-40 reaching U.S. 70 in Clayton where the highway ends.

Route description
The western terminus of NC 36 is located at NC 50 in a rural area near Cleveland. Through Cleveland, the route serves as the main commercial district through the rapidly growing suburban area of northern Johnston County. The highway turns to the northeast, before entering a commercial area near the I-40 interchange. East of that interchange, NC 36 crosses Swift Creek and meets up with US 70 at exit 320.

In July 2023, NCDOT proposed creating a gap-in-route by renumbering a 10-mile section of NC 42 into NC 36, in Johnston County. The rationale is that it will eliminate confusion by those in the area between it and Interstate 42.

North Carolina Highway 36 (1952–1975)
North Carolina Highway 36 (NC 36) was a primary highway that existed twice, both serving Mars Hill. The first NC 36 was established in 1934, traveling between US 19/US 23, near Forks of Ivy, to the Tennessee state line at Sam's Gap and continuing on as SR 81. Between 1937 and 1944, NC 36 was placed on new bypass south of Faust, its old alignment becoming Laurel Valley Road (SR 1503). In 1938, NC 36 was placed on new bypass east of Mars Hill, its old alignment becoming NC 36A. Around 1947, US 19/US 23 was also placed along the Mars Hill Bypass. In 1952, the first NC 36 was decommissioned when US 23 was rerouted along its route into Tennessee.

In 1952, the second NC 36 was established, replacing the southern half of NC 36A, between US 19/US 23 and NC 213. It remained as a short 1.9 mi highway till October, 1975, when it was assigned the former northern half of NC 36A, thanks to a realignment of NC 213. However, the route change only lasted a month; in November, the decision was made to decommission the entire route instead, becoming Main Street/Forks of Ivy Road (SR 1609).

North Carolina Highway 36A
North Carolina Highway 36A (NC 36A) was an alternate route established in 1938 as a renumbering of NC 36 through Mars Hill, via Main Street. In 1952, NC 36A was replaced by the second NC 36 and NC 213, split at Cascade Street.