I am making this a new topic as I am not 100% certain on this.
While driving portions of US 421 yesterday (partly being done to clinch the current NC 74), it looks like the I-40BL signs have been removed for the most part. I did not see any on US 421 itself.
However, this assembly on US 158 is still there. My position is still to move forward with the deletion of I-40BL.
EDIT (11-20-2020): US 158 should have a point added at Old Greensboro Rd (OldGreRd) though the addition of NC 74 makes this less necessary.