According to N.C. Department of Transportation’s Traffic Engineering Department, it’s up to a particular municipality to come up with a name change for a street.
“They would request it to us and we would approve it or disapprove it,” N.C. DOT spokeswoman Jennifer Garifo says.
“As far as why that particular street name (in Wilmington) is changed, that would be up to the city of Wilmington.” Jennifer Garifo says.
Date posted: April 22, 2010
User-contributed question by:
Nathan
You didn’t really answer the question.
I think it has to do with the times they were built. When a new development comes in, they want to name the street their way. Also, a different name lets people know it isn’t a through street and part of another neighborhood. I also I think it sometimes has to do with lining up an interesection of roads that didn’t previously meet in order to put up a light. In some cases, like Wrightsville avenue near the beach, it’s because the street wanders in a busy place where traffic lights had to be put up for safety, and just kindof folded the street to conform. I know what the person who asked this question is saying, though, it offends my sense of order to have streets split names at intersections. If I built a development or something I would use existing street names to avoid confusion, especially when someone is trying to find your house or place of business.