North Carolina Highway 159

North Carolina Highway 159 (NC 159) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It serves as access to the North Carolina Zoological Park.

North Carolina Highway 159 marker
North Carolina Highway 159
Zoo Parkway
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length7.3 mi[1] (11.7 km)
Existed1975–present
Major junctions
South end
US 220 Alt. near Ulah
North end
US 64 Bus. / NC 49 in Asheboro
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountiesRandolph
Highway system
US 158 NC 160

Route description

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NC 159 is a two-lane highway that connects nearby highways to the North Carolina Zoological Park.

History

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Established in 1975 as a new primary route, it went from the North Carolina Zoological Park to US 64/NC 49 in Asheboro. In 1977, its southern terminus was moved to connect to US 220, creating an NC 159 Spur to the park.[2]

Future

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NC 159 Spur is planned to be extended west of its current terminus on mainline NC 159 to the US 64 By-Pass. Construction on the new US 64 By-Pass began in 2016 and was completed in 2020, with the spur extension to begin at a later date. The new connector will alleviate traffic for those going to-and-from the North Carolina Zoological Park.[3][4]

Junction list

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The entire route is in Randolph County.

Locationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
0.00.0 
 
 
 
 
 
US 220 Alt. to I-73 / I-74 – Seagrove, Rockingham, Charlotte, Greensboro
2.94.7 
 
NC 159 Spur – North Carolina Zoological Park
Asheboro7.311.7 
 
  US 64 Bus. / NC 49 – Lexington, Charlotte, Ramseur, Siler City
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Special routes

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North Carolina Zoological Park spur route

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North Carolina Highway 159 Spur
LocationNorth Carolina Zoological Park
Length0.7 mi[5] (1,100 m)
Existed1977–present

Established in 1979 when NC 159 was redirected south to US 220. Its purpose is to connect the North Carolina Zoological Park with mainline NC 159. Though not signed along its route, it is listed on state and county maps and is the only known spur route in North Carolina.[6]

Junction list

The entire route is in Asheboro, Randolph County.

mi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
0.00.0  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NC 159 to I-73 / I-74 / US 64 / US 220 / NC 49 – Greensboro, Rockingham, Raleigh, Charlotte
0.71.1North Carolina Zoological Park
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

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  1. ^ a b c "North Carolina Highway 159" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  2. ^ "NCRoads.com: N.C. 159". Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  3. ^ Staff. "NCDOT: US 64 Asheboro Bypass". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  4. ^ Corridor Map - US 64 Improvement Project in Asheboro (PDF) (Map). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  5. ^ "North Carolina Highway 159 Spur" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  6. ^ "NCRoads.com: N.C. 159 SPUR". Retrieved August 25, 2012.
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