Volunteer State Roads - The Highways of Tennessee

U.S. 19W

U.S. 19W is by far one of the most unique of all the U.S. routes. First is that it is one of the very few directional suffixed U.S. routes remaining. Another reason is that U.S. 19W hardly has a reason to exist, but the fact it does creates a very unique situation. The situation is that U.S. 19W results in bordering N.C. having its only remaining pair of directional suffixed routes including U.S. 19E, which is mostly in the Tarheel State.

In addition, over 2/3 of U.S. 19W is overlapped with other U.S. highways, leaving only a small winding mountain road that hardly justifies a U.S. designation as its sole independent alignment. This alignment is known in Tennessee as Spivey Mountain Road and is also designated as secret TN 36 (secondary). The remainder of the route follows U.S. 23 (now I-26 as well) and U.S. 11E, the latter which makes for a very unique but rather confusing overlap.

The photos on this page mostly cover the southern part of U.S. 19W, which is a remote and very scenic route extending from west of Burnsville to near Erwin. Most of this is Spivey Mountain Road, but part of this follows Old U.S. 23 from TN 352 (also along part of Old U.S. 23) to the nearest entrance to U.S. 23/I-26, where it joins the route. The North Carolina side other than the state line is not photographed in this collection and will be featured on the forthcoming Western North Carolina photo gallery planned in the future. All photos below taken January 14, 2007 unless otherwise noted.


	A huge Tennessee State Line sign greets you as you enter TN on U.S. 19W. This treatment is generally reserved only for primary routes or U.S. routes. The Appalachian Trail crosses near here, but does not follow the state line precisely in this area.
	Further back on the left side is the much more subtle TN 36 milemarker that serves as the only indicator that you are on TN 36. This is also the beginning of Spivey Mountain Road.
	Only 10 years ago, this picture would have been far different. The TN side would be smooth as glass while the North Carolina side would be rough. NC roads have gotten much better in recent years, but TN still ranks as one of the top road systems in the country.
	Here is the first reassurance shield westbound. I have my doubts about the realisticness of those other county-made additions below it.
	Looking back into North Carolina and into one of their few townships (not active) known as Ramseytown. Note how much less elaborate the state line sign is. North Carolina saves their fancy treatment for major highways and tourist routes. U.S. 19W apparently does not rank as such.
	Fairly quickly upon entering the state, U.S. 19W erupts into a series of very sharp hairpin turns. On the left just before this curve is Spivey Falls, which drops into a gorge behind the arrow sign.
	Spivey Falls looks serene enough, but the highway literally wraps around them. Note the guardrail in the background where U.S. 19W climbs to Spivey Gap and the Appalachian Trail crossing.
	This sign might mean steer clear to truckers, but to bikers it says come hither. Indeed several bikers were enjoying themselves on the treacherous curves during my visit.
	Here, this is looking back eastbound with U.S. 19W turning onto Spivey Mountain Road. TN 352 continuing straight is actually Old U.S. 23, and the bridge in the background is for I-26. The bridge in the foreground was also replaced around the same time the new road opened. Note the Modified Kansas Fence Rails used on the bridge.
	Looking back at the end of TN 352 on Old U.S. 23 approaching where U.S. 19W joins the route.
	Old U.S. 23 continues straight with Spivey Mountain Road to the left.
	Here is an angle from the end of Spivey Mountain Road where historically U.S. 23 signs would be.
	Looking north on U.S. 19W missing the U.S. 23 shield that was likely there only a decade ago. This post is unusually tall suggesting that was so.
	Here is where U.S. 19W joins the current U.S. 23, which became I-26 in 2003. Note the sleek modern overpass in the background.
	Looking north on I-26, yes north. I-26 is actually a north-south route with a long explanation into its number scheme and cardinal direction. Here is where U.S. 19W joins U.S. 23 where it will remain overlapped with other U.S. routes up to its terminus near Bluff City.
	On U.S. 321 southbound in Johnson City, I-181 and I-26 appear to be overlapped on this yet-to-be-replaced sign that also shows U.S. 19W and U.S. 23.
	TN 36 surfaces and splits from U.S. 19W north of Johnson City. Photo by Daryl Stephens taken July 7, 2005.
	Here is a photo from 1992 of the northern split of U.S. 19E and 19W. Photo by Michael Summa.