Interstate 277 (North Carolina)

Interstate 277 (I-277), also known as the Brookshire Freeway and the John Belk Freeway, is an Interstate Highway loop encircling the uptown (downtown) area of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is approximately 4.4 miles (7.1 km) long. The freeway is named in honor of John M. Belk, former mayor of Charlotte and a prominent businessman.

I-277's primary function is to facilitate traffic flow around the city center and provide access to uptown Charlotte. It connects with several major highways, including I-77, US 74 (Independence Boulevard), and NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard).

The freeway consists of two distinct sections: the northern portion, known as the Brookshire Freeway, and the southern portion, known as the John Belk Freeway. The Brookshire Freeway section generally carries more local traffic and features more frequent exits. The John Belk Freeway section, known for its tight curves and limited sight distance, is generally considered more challenging to navigate.

History: The planning for I-277 began in the 1960s, with construction commencing in the late 1960s. The final section was completed in the late 1980s. Since its completion, I-277 has been a crucial part of Charlotte's transportation infrastructure, facilitating economic growth and regional connectivity.

Exit numbers on I-277 are numbered counter-clockwise, beginning at its interchange with I-77 on the west side of uptown.

Future projects include proposed improvements and modifications to address increasing traffic volume and improve safety.