U.S. Highway 17 Business North, U.S. Highway 776 East, U.S. Highway 421 South
After the U.S. 421-17-74/North Carolina 133 interchange, this mileage sign provides the distance to Carolina Beach and Kure Beach via U.S. 421 south. Wrightsville Beach, which is served by U.S. 74-76, is not mentioned on this sign, nor are any other beaches served by U.S. 17 and its auxiliaries, such as Topsail Beach in Pender County. Photo taken 06/01/05.
This is the only quadplex reassurance shield assembly along northbound U.S. 17 (now U.S. 17 Business), eastbound U.S. 74-76 (now just U.S. 76), and southbound U.S. 421. This is the approximate location of the proposed new eastern terminus of Interstate 20, should the freeway be constructed this far east. It is also possible that Interstate 20 may travel north on U.S. 421, then cross into Wilmington via the Parsley Street bridge. This has not yet been decided, and such a designation may be a long time away, especially since South Carolina has not agreed to extend an Interstate that currently ends in its state. Photo taken 06/01/05.
The highway leaves Brunswick County and enters New Hanover County, and the Cape Fear River Bridge (a lift bridge) comes into view. Photo taken 06/01/05.
The lift bridge that carries U.S. 17 Business-76-421 over the Cape Fear River was constructed in the 1950s or 1960s, but no precise opening date is known. The central section lifts between the two towers, allowing for more vertical clearance for larger ships to pass under the bridge. Photo taken 06/01/05.
This traffic signal regulates traffic crossing the lift bridge. Whenever the lights turn red, the lift raises the central portion of the bridge over the river and any river traffic. Photo taken 06/01/05.
The deck of the bridge is metal grating, and it can be slippery during rainstorms or any kind of moist weather. The grating also seems to create an undulating ride over the central part of the bridge. Photo taken 06/01/05.
After the truss portion of the bridge, U.S. 17 Business-76-421 reaches its first Wilmington exit: the link to the State Port, one of two in North Carolina (the other state port is in Morehead City near the eastern end of U.S. 70). Use this exit to follow Front Street and Burnett Boulevard south to River Road and Shipyard Boulevard (U.S. 117). Photo taken 06/01/05.
Northbound U.S. 17 Business and Eastbound U.S. 76 reaches the exit for Front Street south to the State Port. The next exit is the connection to Business U.S. 17 north to downtown Wilmington and U.S. 421 south to Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher. Photo taken 06/01/05.
U.S. 17 Business-76-421 shifts onto Dawson Street, which carries the eastbound/northbound lanes (Wooster Street carries the opposite direction). This sign assembly shows a left turn on 3rd Street follows Business U.S. 17 north into downtown, with a connection via 3rd Street to the Parsley Street Bridge, North Carolina 133, and MLK Parkway (U.S. 74). The sign also shows "To U.S. 117," which is a reference to its former routing. To U.S. 117 north, stay on U.S. 17 Business northeast to College Road (Jct North Carolina 132/U.S. 117). Photo taken 06/01/05.
U.S. Highway 421 South
South of downtown Wilmington, U.S. 421 approaches its junction with U.S. 117/Shipyard Boulevard. This is the last U.S. highway junction along southbound U.S. 421. Photo taken 06/01/05.
U.S. 117 travels east (north) toward North Carolina 132/College Road, then north to Interstate 40. Photo taken 06/01/05.
To the west, U.S. 117 south follows Shipyard Boulevard west for about a half-mile before entering the state port of Wilmington and the north end of River Road, which parallels the Cape Fear River south to Snows Cut Bridge. Photo taken 06/01/05.
U.S. 117 was realigned to Shipyard Boulevard in 2003 to allow for a consistent designation between Interstate 40's southern terminus and the state port of Wilmington. Photo taken 06/01/05.
To cross the Intracoastal Waterway, which separates the mainland from Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher, U.S. 421 uses the Snows Cut Bridge. U.S. 421 leaves the mainland and enters Pleasure Island. Visit the link for information on attractions on the island, which includes Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher. Photos taken 06/01/05.
Southbound U.S. 421 crosses the Snows Cut Bridge after the River Road intersection. Photo taken 06/01/05.
From the Snows Cut Bridge south to the end of U.S. 421, there are no reassurance shields posted (not in Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, or Fort Fisher State Recreation Area). However, if you keep going straight and follow the signs to the beaches, you will remain on U.S. 421. Photo taken 06/01/05.
Southbound U.S. 421 passes through the town of Carolina Beach, which is a popular vacation and weekend destination for beachgoers. It can also feel the brunt of hurricanes given its proximity to the ocean. Photos taken 06/01/05.
Immediately south of Carolina Beach, U.S. 421 enters the town of Kure Beach. This suite of photos follows the main route through town, with an interesting "High Water" caution sign posted along U.S. 421. It is not clear if that sign referred to existing conditions or conditions from a prior weather event. Most of the houses are very colorful, reflecting their proximity to the beach. Photos taken 06/01/05.
Upon leaving Kure Beach, U.S. 421 becomes much more rural and enters the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. This state park is home to beaches, the Fort Fisher Civil War site, and a preserve. Photo taken 06/01/05.
Fort Fisher was a Civil War-era military installation. The Confederate States of America used this location to guard the entrance to Wilmington's port via the Cape Fear River starting in 1861. Union armies took over the fort in 1865, only three months before the end of the Civil War. Photo taken 06/01/05.
The beach comes into view after U.S. 421 passes the Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Parking for the beach is available near the highway. Photos taken 06/01/05.
Southbound U.S. 421 reaches the left turn into the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For more information, visit ncaquariums.com. Photo taken 06/01/05.
After the aquarium, the next intersection is the connection between U.S. 421 and the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry. The ferry offers service between Southport in Brunswick County and Fort Fisher several times a day, especially during the summer tourist season. Photo taken 06/01/05.
The bicycle routes that have followed U.S. 421 south through Pleasure Island turns right, merging onto the ferry route to Southport. For more on the ferry schedule, visit the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce. Photo taken 06/01/05.
This solemn yellow warning sign indicates that the end of the road for U.S. 421 is only 500 feet away. The road ends abruptly, and there is not much room to make a U-turn back onto northbound U.S. 421. Photo taken 06/01/05.
For the first time since leaving the mainland, a U.S. 421 shield appears on southbound -- this time to indicate the southern terminus of the federal highway. Photo taken 06/01/05.
This is a close-up of the END U.S. 421 shield on southbound. Photo taken 06/01/05.
The pavement ends immediately after the END U.S. 421 shield. There is room for parking and a turnaround, but the pavement is pockmarked with large potholes. Photo taken 06/01/05.
U.S. 421 ends amid the North Carolina National Estuarine Reserve Sanctuary (Zeke's Island Unit), which encompasses coastal areas near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Photo taken 06/01/05.
