In 1929, the state built a paved, two-lane road through the area. The road was originally signed as North Carolina Highway 74. In 1935, U.S. Route 74 was built through North Carolina, and the state highway was re-signed as North Carolina Highway 73, more commonly as " Davidson-Concord Highway". With the completion of this highway, the antiquated bridge on the Statesville Road over Coddle Creek was demolished, and the lower end of Statesville Road was re-routed to link to "Poplar Tent Road" and "Derita Road", crossing Highway 73 and forming what is now considered the center of the Odell School community. This road is currently known as Odell School Road.