U. S. 264 has officially become Interstate 587.

Greenville, Pitt, and North Carolina Department of Transportation leaders unveiled the new interstate signs on Wednesday.

About 900 signs will be put up on the 37-mile stretch of interstate between Pitt, Greene, and Wilson counties.

While it may just seem like a change in signage, Mayor of Greenville P.J. Connelly said having an interstate in Eastern North Carolina will bolster the local economy by being attractive to businesses.

“It’s very important that we are able to check the boxes companies as are looking to locate to areas,” he said. “Somebody that might be overseas that might be looking at having a presence in the U.S., they may not know anything ENC, and the fact we did not have an interstate that ran through Pitt County -- we were automatically disqualified on that list. So, for us to be able to check off that box is extremely important and it’s going to help us out for years to come. “

Before the completion of the I-587, Greenville was the largest city in the country without an interstate.

District 9 North Carolina state House Representative Brian Farkas said, “Transportation is one of those issues that impacts us all. Businesses drive on our roads. Vacationers travel on our roads. Citizens use these roads and our bridges to move their goods and products to market. Whether you’re a big company or a small company. The interstate our highway our bridges they matter.”