In May 1997, the first section of Interstate 73 was established, a section from south of Candor to Ulah. Signage of "Future Interstate 73" was also placed all along US 220, from Rockingham north to I-40 in Greensboro and south to Candor. On January 7, 2008, an extension south of Candor to Ellerbe was completed; however, because NCDOT had not applied to the FHWA to add the segment to the interstate system, signage along the new stretch of freeway was listed as Future Interstate 73, thus not an "official" addition to the interstate at that time. Federal approval was granted in 2010 to make this part of the interstate system at the conclusion of work to upgrade the highway in Asheboro. The route was given interstate signage in the summer of 2013.