Gribblenation

Headed out this afternoon for my first roadtrip of some length since I moved back to NC last month. Route: I-540, I-40, NC/VA 87, US 220, US 220 Business ( Martinsville ), US 58 Business ( Martinsville ), US 58, VA/NC 62, NC 57, NC 157, I-85, US 70, I-540. Notes: NC 87 in Graham is routed around the Alamance county Courthouse. This is one of a few traffic circles around a county courthouse within the state. Others include NC 27 in Lincolnton , NC 22/24/27 in Carthage, Business US 64 at US 15/501/NC 87 in Pittsboro , and US 701 Business in Whiteville . There are also some older (installed in the early 1980s) NC shields in and around Graham. The combo shown below dates back to November 1982. In Ossipee , I found a decently old Sprite logo sign. There is an Old NC 87 through Ossipee . Judging from what current NC 87 looks like Ossipee was bypassed in the 1940s. I was expecting to see US 311 signed along NC 770 and NC 87 into Eden. But none can be found. US 311 was extended from

I got an e-mail tip earlier this month informing me that PA 65 will be extended a little further North in New Castle. The following was found in the Ellwood City Ledger . The state will redesignate a section of East Washington Street from the city line to Croton Street as Route 65, which now ends at the city limits. Signs to that effect will be installed this year. Croton Street carries PA 108 and PA 168. Now, the article states that PA 65 ends at that city limits, which is just North of the US 422 Bypass. However, in state official maps as late as 2006 (see below), PA 65 ends at Taylor St./Butler Ave. which carries Business US 422. Either way, it's a small extension of the route that follows the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Rochester and then turns north to New Castle. Other Links: PA 65 Ends

U.S Marine Corps officials plan to close a state highway that runs through Camp Lejeune . The road, NC Highway 172, would only be open to vehicles with Department of Defense decals. The highway is a commonly used short cut for motorist traveling between the Wilmington and Morehead City/Beaufort areas. The highway totally avoids Jacksonville, and parts of the highway runs through the heart of the Military Base. The restricted access is for security reasons, although no specific threat was named. "It's in response to an ongoing evaluation we've had of our security," said Col. Brant Bailey, director of training and operations at Camp Lejeune . Besides commuters looking to bypass Jacksonville, NC 172 is also shared by NC Bike 3, the Ports of Call Route. Story via the Durham Herald-Sun . NC 172, US 17, and NC 24 around Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville. (Source: 2007 NCDOT Highway Map) Commentary: If this plan does happen, --- and from the story it looks like local l