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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Short description|State highway in North Carolina, US}}
{{good article}}
{{infobox road
{{infobox road
|state=NC
|state=NC
|type=NC
|type=NC
|route=403
|route=403
|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=240|frame-lat=35.11339|frame-long=-78.1513|zoom=10|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/North Carolina Highway 403}}}}
|map=NC 403 map.svg
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=NC 403 highlighted in red
|length_mi=25.7
|length_mi=25.7
|length_round=1
|length_round=1
|length_ref=<ref name=google>{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps?saddr=35.0061115,-78.3125422&daddr=35.149972,-78.0502841+to:35.1860779,-77.9738087&ll=35.09744,-78.119316&spn=0.244662,0.445976&t=p&geocode=FaAmFgIdogtV-w%3BFZRYGAIdFAxZ-ykVyzbXMvuriTHVKq-mB0Kskg%3BFZ7lGAIdzzZa-w&via=1&dirflg=d&z=12|title=North Carolina Highway 403|accessdate=February 27, 2014}}</ref>
|length_ref=<ref name=google>{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps?saddr=35.0061115,-78.3125422&daddr=35.149972,-78.0502841+to:35.1860779,-77.9738087&ll=35.09744,-78.119316&spn=0.244662,0.445976&t=p&geocode=FaAmFgIdogtV-w%3BFZRYGAIdFAxZ-ykVyzbXMvuriTHVKq-mB0Kskg%3BFZ7lGAIdzzZa-w&via=1&dirflg=d&z=12|title=North Carolina Highway 403|access-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref>
|established=1932
|established=1933<ref name="1933 map"/>
|direction_a=South
|direction_a=South
|direction_b=North
|terminus_b={{jct|state=NC|NC|55}} in [[Williams, North Carolina|Williams]]
|terminus_a={{jct|state=NC|US-Bus|701|dab1=Clinton}} in [[Clinton, North Carolina|Clinton]]
|terminus_a={{jct|state=NC|US-Bus|701|dab1=Clinton}} in [[Clinton, North Carolina|Clinton]]
|terminus_b={{jct|state=NC|NC|55}} in [[Williams, North Carolina|Williams]]
|terminus_b={{jct|state=NC|NC|55}} in [[Williams, North Carolina|Williams]]
|junction={{plainlist|
|junction={{plainlist|
*{{jct|state=NC|I|40|US-Conn|117|dab2=Calypso}}
*{{jct|state=NC|I|40|US-Conn|117|dab2=Calypso}} near [[Faison, North Carolina|Faison]]
*{{jct|state=NC|US|117|NC|50}} near Faison
*{{jct|state=NC|US|117|NC|50}} in Faison
}}
}}
|counties=[[Sampson County, North Carolina|Sampson]], [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin]], [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne]]
|counties=[[Sampson County, North Carolina|Sampson]], [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin]], [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne]]
Line 22: Line 27:
|next_route=410
|next_route=410
}}
}}
'''North Carolina Highway&nbsp;403''' ('''NC&nbsp;403''') is a primary [[state highway]] in the U.S. state of [[North Carolina]]. The highway serves to connect the town of [[Faison, North Carolina|Faison]] with [[Clinton, North Carolina|Clinton]] and [[Kinston, North Carolina|Kinston]] (via [[North Carolina Highway 55|NC&nbsp;55]]).
'''North Carolina Highway&nbsp;403''' ('''NC&nbsp;403''') is a primary [[North Carolina State Highway System|state highway]] located in U.S. State of [[North Carolina]]. The highway travels through [[Sampson County, North Carolina|Sampson]], [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin]], and [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne Counties]] between its southern terminus at [[U.S. Route 701 Business (Clinton, North Carolina)|U.S. Route 701 Business]] (US&nbsp;701 Business) in [[Clinton, North Carolina|Clinton]] and [[North Carolina Highway 55|NC&nbsp;55]] in Williams. Between its termini, NC&nbsp;403 connects to [[Interstate 40 in North Carolina|Interstate 40]] (I-40) and [[Faison, North Carolina|Faison]]. The highway is primarily rural and predominantly travels through rural forests and farmlands. While signed in a north-south direction, NC&nbsp;403 physically travels in a northeast-southwest direction along the duration of its route.

Prior to the establishment of NC&nbsp;403, multiple secondary roads linked Clinton and Faison. NC&nbsp;403 was established in 1933, running along secondary roads from [[U.S. Route 701|US&nbsp;701]]/[[North Carolina Highway 23|NC&nbsp;23]] north of Clinton to [[U.S. Route 117|US&nbsp;117]]/[[U.S. Route 117#Predecessor Highways|NC&nbsp;40]] in Faison. By 1935, the southern terminus was shifted to [[North Carolina Highway 24|NC&nbsp;24]] at Warsaw Road in Clinton. NC&nbsp;403 was extended northeast from Faison to NC&nbsp;55 in Williams in 1957. The southern terminus of NC&nbsp;403 was once again moved from Warsaw Road to US&nbsp;701 (modern-day US&nbsp;701 Business) in 1966. In 2009, [[U.S. Route 117 Connector (Calypso, North Carolina)|US&nbsp;117 Connector]] was routed from I-40 to US&nbsp;117, creating a {{convert|0.2|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Concurrency (road)|concurrency]] near the I-40 interchange.


==Route description==
==Route description==
NC&nbsp;403 is a predominantly two-lane rural highway that traverses {{convert|25.7|mi|km}} from [[Clinton, North Carolina|Clinton]] to [[Williams, North Carolina|Williams]]. The southern terminus of NC&nbsp;403 is located at an at-grade intersection with [[U.S. Route 701 Business (Clinton, North Carolina)|US&nbsp;701 Business]] (Northeast Boulevard) northeast of downtown Clinton. From the intersection, NC&nbsp;403 runs northeastward along the two-lane Faison Highway, exiting Clinton to the northeast. Outside of Clinton, the majority of the surrounding area is farmland and forested areas. However, some residential neighborhoods are located adjacent to NC&nbsp;403 on the outskirts of the city. The highway crosses Beaverdam Swamp and makes a gradual turn northward. Beyond the initial curve, the highway makes several minor turns to return to a northeastern orientation. NC&nbsp;403 intersects Keener Road which runs westward to the [[census-designated place]] of [[Keener, North Carolina|Keener]]. The highway crosses several other river branches of the [[Cape Fear River]] as it approaches [[Interstate 40 in North Carolina|I-40]]. As NC&nbsp;403 approaches I-40, it widens to a four-lane divided highway. NC&nbsp;403 meets I-40 at a [[diamond interchange]] (I-40 exit 355) southwest of Faison. [[U.S. Route 117 Connector (Calypso, North Carolina)|US&nbsp;117 Connector]] begins at the interchange, marking the beginning of the NC&nbsp;403/US&nbsp;117 Connector concurrency. NC&nbsp;403 continues northeast for {{convert|0.2|mi|km}} until reaching an at-grade intersection northeast of I-40. At the intersection, NC&nbsp;403 turns southeastward toward [[Faison, North Carolina|Faison]] while US&nbsp;117 Connector continues northeast toward [[Calypso, North Carolina|Calypso]].<ref name=google/><ref name="2019-2020 map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 2019 |title = State Transportation Map |author1 = [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] |author2 = North Carolina State Tax Commission |edition = 2019–2020 |url = https://www.ncdot.gov/travel-maps/maps/Pages/state-transportation-map.aspx|location=Raleigh }}</ref>
NC&nbsp;403 is a predominantly two-lane rural highway that traverses {{convert|25.7|mi|km}} from Clinton to [[Williams, North Carolina|Williams]], connecting the town of Faison. Farmland dots along the route, with the occasional river branch from the [[Cape Fear River]].<ref name=google/> Though it serves as more direct route between Clinton and Kinston, travelers today are more likely to use [[U.S. Route 117|US&nbsp;117]] to [[Mount Olive, North Carolina|Mount Olive]], then east along NC&nbsp;55.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

[[File:Main east of Faison.jpg|thumb|alt=North Carolina Highway 403 traveling concurrently with North Carolina Highway 50 through the Historical District of Faison, North Carolina. |NC&nbsp;403 and NC&nbsp;50 travel concurrently through the [[Faison Historic District]] in [[Faison, North Carolina|Faison]].]]
NC&nbsp;403 travels {{convert|0.7|mi|km}} before crossing into [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin County]]. Approaching Faison, NC&nbsp;403 makes a [[reverse curve]] before intersecting [[North Carolina Highway 50|NC&nbsp;50]] west of the town. At the intersection, NC&nbsp;50 turns to run concurrently with NC&nbsp;403 to the east. Entering Faison from the west, NC&nbsp;403 and NC&nbsp;50 travel along Main Street to pass through the downtown area of Faison. Immediately east of the central business area, the highway crosses a [[CSX Transportation]] owned railroad line at an at-grade crossing<ref name="NC Railroad map">{{cite map |publisher = [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] |year = 2017 |title = North Carolina Rail Operators and Branches |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/Rail-Division-Resources/Documents/Operator_Map.pdf |location = Raleigh |access-date = December 31, 2020 |archive-date = October 20, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201020083756/https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/Rail-Division-Resources/Documents/Operator_Map.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> and meets [[U.S. Route 117|US&nbsp;117]]/NC&nbsp;50 at an intersection. The NC&nbsp;403/NC&nbsp;50 concurrency ends at the intersection as NC&nbsp;50 turns south to follow US&nbsp;117 toward [[Warsaw, North Carolina|Warsaw]]. NC&nbsp;403 exits Faison to the east and the surrounding area becomes predominately farmland. The highway makes a turn to the northeast and intersects several secondary roads that run northwest to Calypso. NC&nbsp;403 makes a turn to the southeast before intersecting Beautancus Road which runs north to [[Mount Olive, North Carolina|Mount Olive]]. At the intersection, the highway turns back to the northeast, an orientation it largely remains for the duration of its route. NC&nbsp;403 passes through a community southeast of Mount Olive, with several businesses and residential buildings located adjacent to the highway. From the community, NC&nbsp;403 continues northeastward for {{convert|2.1|mi|km}} and crosses the [[Northeast Cape Fear River]] and enters [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne County]]. It continues {{convert|0.7|mi|km}} to its northern terminus at [[North Carolina Highway 55|NC&nbsp;55]] in the [[unincorporated community]] of Williams.<ref name=google/><ref name="2019-2020 map"/>

The [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] (NCDOT) measures average daily traffic volumes along many of the roadways it maintains. In 2016, average daily traffic volumes along NC&nbsp;403 varied from 1,200 vehicles per day at the Northeast Cape Fear River to 12,000 vehicles per day along the section to roadway concurrent with US&nbsp;117 Connector east of I-40.<ref name="Sampson County 2016 AADT map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 2016 |location=Raleigh|title = Sampson County, North Carolina |author = [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] Management Systems and Assessments Unit |edition = 2016 |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTTSUMaps/AADT_COUNTIES_2016/Sampson/Sampson_County_AADT_2016.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Duplin County 2016 AADT map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 2016 |location=Raleigh|title = Duplin County, North Carolina |author = [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] Management Systems and Assessments Unit |edition = 2016 |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTTSUMaps/AADT_COUNTIES_2016/Duplin/Duplin_County_AADT_2016.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Wayne County 2016 AADT map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 2016 |location=Raleigh|title = Wayne County, North Carolina |author = [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] Management Systems and Assessments Unit |edition = 2016 |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTTSUMaps/AADT_COUNTIES_2016/Wayne/Wayne_County_AADT_2016.pdf}}</ref> NC&nbsp;403 is part of the National Highway System for {{convert|0.2|mi|km}}, entirely concurrent with US&nbsp;117 Connector near Faison. Additionally, NC&nbsp;403 connects with the National Highway system at I-40.<ref name="North Carolina National Highway System map">{{cite map |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |date = September 20, 2020|location=Washington, DC|title = National Highway System: North Carolina |author = [[Federal Highway Administration]] Management Systems and Assessments Unit|url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/north_carolina/nc_northcarolina.pdf}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
In 1930, several [[Grading (earthworks)|graded]] secondary roads linked Clinton and Faison along the future routing of NC&nbsp;403.<ref name="1930 Sampson County map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1930 |title = Sampson County|location=Raleigh|author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTCountyMaps/historic/1930_county_maps.pdf }}</ref><ref name="1930 Duplin County map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1930 |title = Duplin County |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTCountyMaps/historic/1930_county_maps.pdf |location = Raleigh }}</ref> NC&nbsp;403 first appeared on North Carolina state highway maps in 1933. The highway began at US&nbsp;701/NC&nbsp;23 {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=on}} north of Clinton and ran northeast to US&nbsp;117/[[North Carolina Highway 40|NC&nbsp;40]] in Faison. From its establishment NC&nbsp;403 was classified as a [[gravel road|gravel]] or topsoil road.<ref name="1932 map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1932 |title = State Highway System of North Carolina |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = https://www.carolana.com/NC/Transportation/roads/nc_road_map_1932.html |edition = 1932|location = Raleigh }}</ref><ref name="1933 map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1933 |title = State Highway System of North Carolina |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ncmaps/id/757 |edition = 1933 |scale=1:887,040 |cartography=C.M. Sawyer |location = Raleigh }}</ref> By 1935, the southern terminus of NC&nbsp;403 was adjusted to the south ending at NC&nbsp;24 (modern-day Warsaw Road) in Clinton.<ref name="1935 map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1935 |title = State highway system of North Carolina |first = C.M. |last = Sawyer |url = https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ncmaps/id/747/rec/10 |location = Raleigh }}</ref><ref name="1936 Sampson County map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1936 |title = Sampson County |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTCountyMaps/historic/1936_county_maps.pdf |location = Raleigh }}</ref> The highway was [[Paved road|paved]] by 1940.<ref name="1940 map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |year = 1940 |title = North Carolina Primary Highway System |author = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |url = https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ncmaps/id/835 |edition = 1940 |scale = 1:823,680 |location = Raleigh }}</ref> In 1957, the northern terminus of NC&nbsp;403 was extended northeast from US&nbsp;117 in Faison to NC&nbsp;55 in Williams.<ref name="1956 map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |year = 1956 |first = C.M. |last = Sawyer |title = North Carolina |url = https://www.carolana.com/NC/Transportation/roads/nc_road_map_1956.html|location = Winston-Salem}}</ref><ref name="1957 map">{{cite map |publisher = Winston Printing Company |year = 1957|title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |first = C.M. |last = Sawyer |url = https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ncmaps/id/1441|location = Winston-Salem}}</ref> The majority of the new NC&nbsp;403 routing was along pre-existing secondary roads between Faison and Williams. However, a new highway was created between modern-day Bill Clifton Road and Friendship Church Road, east of Faison.<ref name="1953 Duplin County map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |year = 1953 |title = Duplin County |author = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTCountyMaps/historic/1953_county_maps.pdf|location = Raleigh }}</ref><ref name="1957 Duplin County map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |year = 1957 |title = Duplin County |author = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTCountyMaps/historic/1957_county_maps.pdf|location = Raleigh }}</ref> In 1966, NC&nbsp;403 was shortened by {{convert|0.4|mi|km}} on its southern end. The southern terminus was moved from Warsaw Road to US&nbsp;701 (modern-day US&nbsp;701 Business), removing NC&nbsp;403 from College Street.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] |url= https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/1966_01_07.pdf |page=2 |title= NC Route Changes (1966-01-07)|date= January 7, 1966 |access-date= February 27, 2014|location=Raleigh}}</ref> The routing of NC&nbsp;403 near I-40 was adjusted upon the construction of a secondary road (Sampson County SR 1723) running from NC&nbsp;403 to US&nbsp;117. Completed by 1995, a curve along NC&nbsp;403 east of I-40 was eliminated in favor of the modern-day intersection.<ref name="1993 map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1993 |title = North Carolina Official Transportation Map |url = https://www.carolana.com/NC/Transportation/roads/nc_road_map_1993.html |scale= 1:823,680|location=Raleigh}}</ref><ref name="1995 map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1995 |title = North Carolina Official Transportation Map |url = https://www.carolana.com/NC/Transportation/roads/nc_road_map_1995.html |scale=1:823,680|location=Raleigh}}</ref><ref name="1999-2000 Sampson County map">{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1999–2000 |title = Duplin County |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTCountyMaps/historic/1999_2000_county_maps.pdf|location=Raleigh}}</ref> In 2009, US&nbsp;117 Connector was established from I-40 to US&nbsp;117 near Calypso. The new connector route replaced Sampson County SR 1723 and was routed to overlap NC&nbsp;403 for {{convert|0.2|mi|km}} northeast of I-40.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] |url= https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2009_03_09a.pdf |page=2 |title= US 117 Connector (2009-03-09)|date= March 9, 2009 |access-date= December 31, 2020|location=Raleigh}}</ref>
Established in 1932 as a new primary routing, it traveled from [[U.S. Route 701|US&nbsp;701]]/[[North Carolina Highway 23|NC&nbsp;23]] in Clinton to US&nbsp;117/[[North Carolina Highway 40|NC&nbsp;40]] in Faison. Between 1956-1958, NC&nbsp;403 was extended north over existing secondary roads to its current northern terminus with NC&nbsp;55. In 1966, NC&nbsp;403 was removed from downtown Clinton, to its current southern terminus at [[U.S. Route 701 Business (Clinton, North Carolina)|US&nbsp;701 Business]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher= [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] |url= https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/1966_01_07.pdf |format= PDF |page=2 |title= NC Route Changes (1966-01-07)|date= January 7, 1966 |accessdate= February 27, 2014}}</ref> In 2009, [[U.S. Route 117 Connector (Calypso, North Carolina)|US&nbsp;117 Connector]] was established overlapping part of NC&nbsp;403 at its [[Interstate 40 in North Carolina|I-40]] interchange.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] |url= https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2009_03_09a.pdf |format= PDF |page=2 |title= US 117 Connector (2009-03-09)|date= March 9, 2009 |accessdate= February 27, 2014}}</ref>


==Major intersections==
==Junction list==
{{Jcttop|state=NC|length_ref=<ref name=google/>}}
{{Jcttop|state=NC|length_ref=<ref name=google/>}}
{{NCint
{{NCint
Line 38: Line 50:
|mile=0.0
|mile=0.0
|road={{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|dab1=Clinton|701|city1=Newton Grove|city2=Elizabethtown}}
|road={{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|dab1=Clinton|701|city1=Newton Grove|city2=Elizabethtown}}
|notes=}}
|notes=Southern terminus}}
{{NCint
{{NCint
|location=none
|location=none
|type=concur
|type=concur
|mile=11.2
|mile=11.2
|road={{Jct|state=NC|I|40|US-Conn|117|city1=Wilmington|city2=Newton Grove}}
|road={{Jct|state=NC|I|40|US-Conn|117|dab2=Calypso|city1=Wilmington|city2=Newton Grove}}
|notes=South end of US&nbsp;117 Conn overlap}}
|notes=South end of US&nbsp;117 Conn. overlap; exit 355 (I-40); [[diamond interchange]]}}
{{NCint
{{NCint
|location=none
|location=none
Line 50: Line 62:
|mile=11.5
|mile=11.5
|road={{Jct|state=NC|US-Conn|117|dab1=Calypso|dir1=North|city1=Mount Olive|city2=Goldsboro}}
|road={{Jct|state=NC|US-Conn|117|dab1=Calypso|dir1=North|city1=Mount Olive|city2=Goldsboro}}
|notes=North end of US&nbsp;117 Conn overlap}}
|notes=North end of US&nbsp;117 Conn. overlap}}
{{NCint
{{NCint
|county=Duplin
|county=Duplin
Line 70: Line 82:
|mile=25.7
|mile=25.7
|road={{Jct|state=NC|NC|55|city1=Kinston|city2=Mount Olive}}
|road={{Jct|state=NC|NC|55|city1=Kinston|city2=Mount Olive}}
|notes=}}
|notes=Northern terminus}}
{{jctbtm|keys=concur}}
{{jctbtm|keys=concur}}


Latest revision as of 03:41, 31 August 2024

North Carolina Highway 403 marker
North Carolina Highway 403
Map
NC 403 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length25.7 mi[1] (41.4 km)
Existed1933[2]–present
Major junctions
South end
 US 701 Bus. in Clinton
Major intersections
North end NC 55 in Williams
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountiesSampson, Duplin, Wayne
Highway system
← US 401→ NC 410

North Carolina Highway 403 (NC 403) is a primary state highway located in U.S. State of North Carolina. The highway travels through Sampson, Duplin, and Wayne Counties between its southern terminus at U.S. Route 701 Business (US 701 Business) in Clinton and NC 55 in Williams. Between its termini, NC 403 connects to Interstate 40 (I-40) and Faison. The highway is primarily rural and predominantly travels through rural forests and farmlands. While signed in a north-south direction, NC 403 physically travels in a northeast-southwest direction along the duration of its route.

Prior to the establishment of NC 403, multiple secondary roads linked Clinton and Faison. NC 403 was established in 1933, running along secondary roads from US 701/NC 23 north of Clinton to US 117/NC 40 in Faison. By 1935, the southern terminus was shifted to NC 24 at Warsaw Road in Clinton. NC 403 was extended northeast from Faison to NC 55 in Williams in 1957. The southern terminus of NC 403 was once again moved from Warsaw Road to US 701 (modern-day US 701 Business) in 1966. In 2009, US 117 Connector was routed from I-40 to US 117, creating a 0.2-mile (0.32 km) concurrency near the I-40 interchange.

Route description

[edit]

NC 403 is a predominantly two-lane rural highway that traverses 25.7 miles (41.4 km) from Clinton to Williams. The southern terminus of NC 403 is located at an at-grade intersection with US 701 Business (Northeast Boulevard) northeast of downtown Clinton. From the intersection, NC 403 runs northeastward along the two-lane Faison Highway, exiting Clinton to the northeast. Outside of Clinton, the majority of the surrounding area is farmland and forested areas. However, some residential neighborhoods are located adjacent to NC 403 on the outskirts of the city. The highway crosses Beaverdam Swamp and makes a gradual turn northward. Beyond the initial curve, the highway makes several minor turns to return to a northeastern orientation. NC 403 intersects Keener Road which runs westward to the census-designated place of Keener. The highway crosses several other river branches of the Cape Fear River as it approaches I-40. As NC 403 approaches I-40, it widens to a four-lane divided highway. NC 403 meets I-40 at a diamond interchange (I-40 exit 355) southwest of Faison. US 117 Connector begins at the interchange, marking the beginning of the NC 403/US 117 Connector concurrency. NC 403 continues northeast for 0.2 miles (0.32 km) until reaching an at-grade intersection northeast of I-40. At the intersection, NC 403 turns southeastward toward Faison while US 117 Connector continues northeast toward Calypso.[1][3]

North Carolina Highway 403 traveling concurrently with North Carolina Highway 50 through the Historical District of Faison, North Carolina.
NC 403 and NC 50 travel concurrently through the Faison Historic District in Faison.

NC 403 travels 0.7 miles (1.1 km) before crossing into Duplin County. Approaching Faison, NC 403 makes a reverse curve before intersecting NC 50 west of the town. At the intersection, NC 50 turns to run concurrently with NC 403 to the east. Entering Faison from the west, NC 403 and NC 50 travel along Main Street to pass through the downtown area of Faison. Immediately east of the central business area, the highway crosses a CSX Transportation owned railroad line at an at-grade crossing[4] and meets US 117/NC 50 at an intersection. The NC 403/NC 50 concurrency ends at the intersection as NC 50 turns south to follow US 117 toward Warsaw. NC 403 exits Faison to the east and the surrounding area becomes predominately farmland. The highway makes a turn to the northeast and intersects several secondary roads that run northwest to Calypso. NC 403 makes a turn to the southeast before intersecting Beautancus Road which runs north to Mount Olive. At the intersection, the highway turns back to the northeast, an orientation it largely remains for the duration of its route. NC 403 passes through a community southeast of Mount Olive, with several businesses and residential buildings located adjacent to the highway. From the community, NC 403 continues northeastward for 2.1 miles (3.4 km) and crosses the Northeast Cape Fear River and enters Wayne County. It continues 0.7 miles (1.1 km) to its northern terminus at NC 55 in the unincorporated community of Williams.[1][3]

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) measures average daily traffic volumes along many of the roadways it maintains. In 2016, average daily traffic volumes along NC 403 varied from 1,200 vehicles per day at the Northeast Cape Fear River to 12,000 vehicles per day along the section to roadway concurrent with US 117 Connector east of I-40.[5][6][7] NC 403 is part of the National Highway System for 0.2 miles (0.32 km), entirely concurrent with US 117 Connector near Faison. Additionally, NC 403 connects with the National Highway system at I-40.[8]

History

[edit]

In 1930, several graded secondary roads linked Clinton and Faison along the future routing of NC 403.[9][10] NC 403 first appeared on North Carolina state highway maps in 1933. The highway began at US 701/NC 23 two miles (three point two kilometres) north of Clinton and ran northeast to US 117/NC 40 in Faison. From its establishment NC 403 was classified as a gravel or topsoil road.[11][2] By 1935, the southern terminus of NC 403 was adjusted to the south ending at NC 24 (modern-day Warsaw Road) in Clinton.[12][13] The highway was paved by 1940.[14] In 1957, the northern terminus of NC 403 was extended northeast from US 117 in Faison to NC 55 in Williams.[15][16] The majority of the new NC 403 routing was along pre-existing secondary roads between Faison and Williams. However, a new highway was created between modern-day Bill Clifton Road and Friendship Church Road, east of Faison.[17][18] In 1966, NC 403 was shortened by 0.4 miles (0.64 km) on its southern end. The southern terminus was moved from Warsaw Road to US 701 (modern-day US 701 Business), removing NC 403 from College Street.[19] The routing of NC 403 near I-40 was adjusted upon the construction of a secondary road (Sampson County SR 1723) running from NC 403 to US 117. Completed by 1995, a curve along NC 403 east of I-40 was eliminated in favor of the modern-day intersection.[20][21][22] In 2009, US 117 Connector was established from I-40 to US 117 near Calypso. The new connector route replaced Sampson County SR 1723 and was routed to overlap NC 403 for 0.2 miles (0.32 km) northeast of I-40.[23]

Major intersections

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CountyLocationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
SampsonClinton0.00.0
 US 701 Bus. – Newton Grove, Elizabethtown		Southern terminus
​11.218.0
 I-40 / US 117 Conn. – Wilmington, Newton Grove		South end of US 117 Conn. overlap; exit 355 (I-40); diamond interchange
​11.518.5

 US 117 Conn. north – Mount Olive, Goldsboro		North end of US 117 Conn. overlap
DuplinFaison13.621.9
 NC 50 north – Newton Grove		North end of NC 50 overlap
14.323.0
 US 117 / NC 50 south – Goldsboro, Wilmington		South end of NC 50 overlap
WayneWilliams25.741.4 NC 55 – Kinston, Mount OliveNorthern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "North Carolina Highway 403" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  2. ^ a b North Carolina State Highway Commission (1933). State Highway System of North Carolina (Map) (1933 ed.). 1:887,040. Cartography by C.M. Sawyer. Raleigh: North Carolina State Highway Commission.
  3. ^ a b North Carolina Department of Transportation; North Carolina State Tax Commission (2019). State Transportation Map (Map) (2019–2020 ed.). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation.
  4. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation (2017). North Carolina Rail Operators and Branches (PDF) (Map). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  5. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation Management Systems and Assessments Unit (2016). Sampson County, North Carolina (PDF) (Map) (2016 ed.). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation.
  6. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation Management Systems and Assessments Unit (2016). Duplin County, North Carolina (PDF) (Map) (2016 ed.). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation.
  7. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation Management Systems and Assessments Unit (2016). Wayne County, North Carolina (PDF) (Map) (2016 ed.). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation.
  8. ^ Federal Highway Administration Management Systems and Assessments Unit (September 20, 2020). National Highway System: North Carolina (PDF) (Map). Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration.
  9. ^ North Carolina State Highway Commission (1930). Sampson County (PDF) (Map). Raleigh: North Carolina State Highway Commission.
  10. ^ North Carolina State Highway Commission (1930). Duplin County (PDF) (Map). Raleigh: North Carolina State Highway Commission.
  11. ^ North Carolina State Highway Commission (1932). State Highway System of North Carolina (Map) (1932 ed.). Raleigh: North Carolina State Highway Commission.
  12. ^ Sawyer, C.M. (1935). State highway system of North Carolina (Map). Raleigh: North Carolina State Highway Commission.
  13. ^ North Carolina State Highway Commission (1936). Sampson County (PDF) (Map). Raleigh: North Carolina State Highway Commission.
  14. ^ North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission (1940). North Carolina Primary Highway System (Map) (1940 ed.). 1:823,680. Raleigh: North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission.
  15. ^ Sawyer, C.M. (1956). North Carolina (Map). Winston-Salem: North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission.
  16. ^ Sawyer, C.M. (1957). North Carolina Official Highway Map (Map). Winston-Salem: Winston Printing Company.
  17. ^ North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission (1953). Duplin County (PDF) (Map). Raleigh: North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission.
  18. ^ North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission (1957). Duplin County (PDF) (Map). Raleigh: North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission.
  19. ^ "NC Route Changes (1966-01-07)" (PDF). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation. January 7, 1966. p. 2. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  20. ^ North Carolina Official Transportation Map (Map). 1:823,680. Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation. 1993.
  21. ^ North Carolina Official Transportation Map (Map). 1:823,680. Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation. 1995.
  22. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation (1999–2000). Duplin County (PDF) (Map). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation.
  23. ^ "US 117 Connector (2009-03-09)" (PDF). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation. March 9, 2009. p. 2. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
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