The Highways of North Carolina
N.C. 6 
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N.C. 6  8 miles
The Road: Begins at I-40 / US 421 west of Greensboro and ends at I-40, Green 85 east of Greensboro all of which is in Randolph County.
Towns and Attractions: Greensboro.
History: NC 6 was born in 1957 or 1958, mostly as new primary routing. NC 6 hasn't changed any since then in terms of its alignment. This is the 4th NC 6. Uses Lee st. and Patterson St. A brief part of this route was also US 29A-70A at the time of NC 6's creation.

1958 Official
NC 6 in 1958, just like today

The original NC 6 was born about 1933 as a new primary cutoff between US 264/NC 91 and NC 94 southwest of Fairfield. In 1934 or 1935, NC 6 and NC 94 swapped positions.
The second NC 6 lasted until 1942. At that time NC 94 was sent across Lake Mattamuskeet, rendering the western swing of NC 94 unneeded. I suppose NC 6 could've been extended along the old 94 to the new 94, but that would've made too much sense.

1933 Official
NC 6's original routing
1935 Gousha
NC 6 and NC 94 switch

The third NC 6 appeared (per Steffora) in 1947 as a renumbering of NC 49A, cutting the corner from New London northeast to NC 49. About 1953 this NC 6 was renumbered as part of today's NC 8 which it remains today.

1941 Official
NC 49A making the cutoff
1948 Rand McNally
NC 6 becomes the route
1953 Official
NC 8 wins out

Comment: NC 6 is not shown on the Greensboro insets of 2005 or 2006...is NC 6 on the way out?
NC 6's purpose today is to provide a primary east-west route through Greensboro. NC 6 skirts downtown, so it is not a total slog to drive. There are a few grade-separated junctions along the route.
As you can see in the 1958 Greensboro scan, the west end of NC 6 was at an unknown numbered route that became I-40 a year or two later. This NC 6 exit with I-40 was a partial interchange for decades.
Last Update: 25 August 2006

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