US 52/NC 8. History Approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in September 2005, after receiving an earlier approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in July 2005, intending to provide an Interstate-quality freeway to connect Winston-Salem to Charlotte (via a portion of I-85). The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) installed "Future Interstate 285 Corridor" signs along the route in February 2006. The initial $2.5-million (equivalent to $ in ) project to improve the roadway to Interstate standards was approved in October 2011. With property acquisition already started in December 2012, cost estimates rose to $8.57 million (equivalent to $ in ). The contract was awarded to J.T. Russell and Sons Inc. of Albemarle for $7.6 million (equivalent to $ in ). Construction began in March 2014 and included reconstructing shoulders, improving drainage systems, resurfacing travel lanes, and realigning Marco Boulevard to accommodate a new southbound exit ramp alignment at Green Needles Road. In addition, crews resurfaced and preserved the bridges over Swearing Creek. The project was completed in late 2017. On February 15, 2018, based on the completed improvements, the FHWA approved the I-285 signing between I-85 and I-40. In November 2018, NCDOT placed I-285 ground-mounted route shields along the route from I-85 to I-40. Future On May 20, 2019, AASHTO approved a request by NCDOT to establish Future I-285 north from its current northern terminus to a future I-74/I-274 interchange Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. The justification for the extension was that Winston-Salem was a major transfer point for motor freight services and that numerous freight operators were already utilizing US 52 to access other major highways in and around the city; and that it would also serve the Innovation Quarter, which will house research, business, and several college education facilities. The transition from future designation is dependent upon completion of the I-74/I-274 interchange and upgrades to interstate standards along the route. Other plans include possible widening to six total lanes (three in each direction). Exit list Current exit numbers are based on US 52 mileage. References External links NCRoads.com: I-285 NC Future Interstates: I-285 Winston-Salem Connector 85-2 2 North Carolina Transportation in Davidson County, North Carolina Transportation in Forsyth County, North Carolina Transportation in Winston-Salem, North Carolina