Click a topic for more information: Transportation Utilities Highway/ Interstate Network Watauga County is served by several US highways and is in close proximity to three Interstate highways. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has recently completed the widening (to four lanes) of US 421 from Boone to Winston-Salem. The Watauga County portion leading to Wilkes County opened in October, 2003. The widening of US 321 from Lenoir to Blowing Rock is also under way. US 421 extends southeast to North Wilkesboro/Winston-Salem and connects to both Interstate 77 (55 miles) and Interstate 40 (85 miles). It also extends northwest to Bristol, Tennessee, and connects to Interstate 81 (50 miles). US 321 extends south to Hickory and connects with Interstate 40 (50 miles). It also extends northwest to Johnson City, Tennessee, and connects with Interstate 26 (55 miles). The Blue Ridge Parkway extends from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in North Carolina to Front Royal, Virginia. Commercial vehicles are not permitted on this scenic road. The Parkway passes through Watauga County and intersects both US 321 (between Boone and Blowing Rock) and US 421 (in the vicinity of Deep Gap in the eastern portion of the county). Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway   Air Transportation The Boone Airport, Inc., is a privately owned airstrip available to general aviation traffic. The airport features a paved strip 40 feet wide and 2,650 feet long. The elevation is 3,120’. Advance notice is not required for use of the airport. Landing fees are modest $5.00 for single engine aircraft, $12.00 for twin-engine aircraft and overnight parking fees on the grass are $5.00. Call (828) 265-3598 for information. The closest commercial airport to Watauga County is the Hickory Regional Airport, a short 35-mile drive away. Tri-City Regional Airport and Asheville Regional Airport are 45 and 73 miles away, respectively. Two international airports serve northwestern North Carolina; Charlotte/Douglas International Airport is an 80-mile drive from Boone, and the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro is approximately 102 miles from Boone. (HKY) Hickory Regional Airport, Hickory, NC (TRI) Tri-City Regional Airport, Johnson City, TN (AVL) Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville, NC (CLT) Charlotte/Douglas Int’l Airport, Charlotte, NC (GSO) Piedmont Triad Int’l Airport, Greensboro, NC Morganton/Lenoir Municipal Airport Airlines Available by Servicing Airport American (CLT, GSO) American Eagle Commuter (TRI) ASA/Delta Connection (AVL, CLT, GSO, TRI) Comair/Delta Connection (AVL, CLT) Continental Express (AVL, CLT) Northwest (CLT, GSO, TRI) US Airways (AVL, CLT, GSO) US Airways Express-CCAIR (AVL, CLT, TRI) United (CLT) United Express (GSO, TRI) Package Express and Wire Service All areas within the county are served by several of the package express companies, including Federal Express, United Parcel Service (UPS), Roadway Package Service and the United States Postal Service. Numerous locations throughout the county provide both full-service and drop-box service. Western Union service is available in several locations. Intermodal Facilities Intermodal facilities make the movement of import and export containerized cargo easy and reduce expenses for North Carolina shippers. Charlotte Intermodal Terminal (704) 398-2076 200 miles west of the Port of Wilmington Rail and Truck operations, weekly shipments on Spring Train Triad Intermodal Terminal 200 miles northwest of the Port of Wilmington Facility limited to truck operations only Industrial Access Roads Program The State operates an Industrial Access Roads Program through which roads can be built to industrial locations. The key factor is the number of jobs created versus cost of the road. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has responded to industrial needs for several years and continues to operate this program successfully. Railway Service Western North Carolina has linkages to more than 3,600 miles of in-state tracks. Railway connections are available to the entire Eastern Seaboard. Norfolk/Southern serves the majority of western North Carolina, however there is no direct railway service in Watauga County. Amtrak Passenger Service, Charlotte (800) 872-7245 Norfolk/Southern Freight Service, Hickory (704) 322-3335 Ports and Waterways Excellent deepwater ports at Wilmington and Morehead City allow North Carolina industries to combine the low terminal cost of trucking with low costs of rail and shipping. These ports, among the deepest on the East Coast, handle cargo from more than 200 ports. Both are designated Foreign Trade Zones. Major Interstates and U.S. Highways connect the coast with Watauga County and the region. Public Transportation AppalCART (828.264.CART) is the public transportation authority serving all of Watauga County, and also provides transportation by contract to human service agencies. Private taxi (828) 265-3373, (828) 295-7032, (828) 295-7779, (828) 268-4470, or (828) 963-2422 and Airhaven Limousine service (828) 265-2504 - operates within the county, and airport service is available to all area airports. Bus transportation connecting Boone and Blowing Rock to cities between Johnson City, Tennessee and Charlotte, North Carolina is now available. Greyhound, Inc., provides the intercity service with a route from Johnson City to Boone, Blowing Rock, Lenoir, Hickory, Lincolnton, Gastonia and Charlotte. Check www.greyhound.com for schedules and pricing information. Service from Boone to Wilkesboro, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro is also available via the Mountaineer Express. Check www.PARTnc.org (336.662.0002) for schedules and pricing information.