N.C. 59 being redesignated as a secondary route

N.C. 59 is being eliminated in Cumberland County and will be redesignated as a secondary route, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said in a release.

The state route consists of about 8 miles that runs through portions of Hope Mills and Fayetteville. 

At the request of both municipalities, the N.C. Department of Transportation is redesignating the route from N.C. 59 to Secondary Route 1596, the department said in the release.

“However, the route’s street names will be retained – Main Street within Hope Mills, and Hope Mills Road within Fayetteville,’’ the state DOT said.

The department’s traffic services unit began removing about 40 “N.C. 59” signs this week, the release said. 

Locally, elected officials asked for the change in an effort to redirect commercial truck traffic, which prefers using state or U.S. highways, the release said. 

“The goal of the two cities is to make this route less congested and safer for pedestrians,’’ the release said.

“We are happy to work with our local partners, who suggested this change to help make this route more neighborhood friendly,” said Drew Cox, the Division 6 engineer. “We evaluated their recommendation and agreed this highway designation is no longer necessary.”

Commercial trucks will continue to use N.C. 162 and Interstate 295 to better navigate this area of the county.