Interstate 42

[tolbs17]

Raleigh to Durham - US 264 extension or new NC number

Once I-587 is signed concurrent with US-264 between I-87 / US-64 and Greenville, US-264 would likely end up truncated on its west end at Greenville.

This part made it sound like you want to cut US-264 short. Unless you are saying that US-264 would only run from Greenville to Washington. And not from Zebulon.

[sprjus4]

Raleigh to Durham - US 264 extension or new NC number

Once I-587 is signed concurrent with US-264 between I-87 / US-64 and Greenville, US-264 would likely end up truncated on its west end at Greenville.

This part made it sound like you want to cut US-264 short. Unless you are saying that US-264 would only run from Greenville to Washington. And not from Zebulon.

It's western end would be truncated to Greenville. This would mean US-264 would run between US-64 at Manns Harbor to NC-11 at Greenville, as opposed to I-440 at Raleigh.

[abqtraveler]

I'm new to this forum. What's with this fixation on decommissioning US Routes in general?

When an interstate highway replaces / parallels a good chunk of it - especially if it's on one end of it.

For instance, I-42 will replace / parallel US-70 from Raleigh to near its eastern end. It would be redundant at that point.

I-87 and I-587 would be completely concurrent with US-264 between its western end at I-440 and Greenville, which makes US-264 redundant.

That's not always the case. One example of where a US route was retained after an interstate route was constructed along its alignment is I-91 and US-5. Despite the fact that I-91 closely follows US-5 for its entire length, US-5 remains almost completely intact, save for a couple of miles at the southern end in New Haven, CT where it merges into I-91, just north of the interchange with I-95 ( US-5 originally ended at US-1 in New Haven).

[sprjus4]

I'm new to this forum. What's with this fixation on decommissioning US Routes in general?

When an interstate highway replaces / parallels a good chunk of it - especially if it's on one end of it.

For instance, I-42 will replace / parallel US-70 from Raleigh to near its eastern end. It would be redundant at that point.

I-87 and I-587 would be completely concurrent with US-264 between its western end at I-440 and Greenville, which makes US-264 redundant.

That's not always the case. One example of where a US route was retained after an interstate route was constructed along its alignment is I-91 and US-5. Despite the fact that I-91 closely follows US-5 for its entire length, US-5 remains almost completely intact, save for a couple of miles at the southern end in New Haven, CT where it merges into I-91, just north of the interchange with I-95 ( US-5 originally ended at US-1 in New Haven).

Some do remain, but look at examples like US-66, US-60, US-311, and others.

US-5 is a route that could reasonably be removed from the system.

[tolbs17]

Raleigh to Durham - US 264 extension or new NC number

Once I-587 is signed concurrent with US-264 between I-87 / US-64 and Greenville, US-264 would likely end up truncated on its west end at Greenville.

This part made it sound like you want to cut US-264 short. Unless you are saying that US-264 would only run from Greenville to Washington. And not from Zebulon.

It's western end would be truncated to Greenville. This would mean US-264 would run between US-64 at Manns Harbor to NC-11 at Greenville, as opposed to I-440 at Raleigh.

http://prntscr.com/qjq9h2

Guessing like this. The Greenville Blvd part should be converted to a businesses until a new interstate can go on the freeway (north-south).

Or if you're saying to remove US 264 completely, what would be US264ALT be called from Farmville to Saratoga, Wilson, Sims, Bailey, Middlesex be called?

[sprjus4]

Guessing like this. The Greenville Blvd part should be converted to a businesses until a new interstate can go on the freeway (north-south).

US-264 would -not- extend west of Greenville. It would be truncated at the I-587 / NC-11 interchange.

There's currently no plans for a north-south interstate.

[tolbs17]

Guessing like this. The Greenville Blvd part should be converted to a businesses until a new interstate can go on the freeway (north-south).

US-264 would -not- extend west of Greenville. It would be truncated at the I-587 / NC-11 interchange.

There's currently no plans for a north-south interstate.

NC 11 bypass interchange? I'm a little confused, haha. It won't properly branch if you say it would end at that NC 11 bypass interchange

[sprjus4]

The segment of I-587 would replace US-264 between I-87 / US-64 and NC-11 Bypass.

Red represents a conceptual US-264 if it's truncated at I-587.

[tolbs17]

Nice, but what would all of US-264 ALT become that goes from Greenville all the way to Zebulon?

[sprjus4]

Nice, but what would all of US-264 ALT become that goes from Greenville all the way to Zebulon?

It would either become a state route, or no route number at all.

[Mapmikey]

Nice, but what would all of US-264 ALT become that goes from Greenville all the way to Zebulon?

It would either become a state route, or no route number at all.

Note that US 264 Alt west of Wilson was briefly NC 144 so making it a state route is entirely reasonable.

[wdcrft63]

I'm new to this forum. What's with this fixation on decommissioning US Routes in general?

When an interstate highway replaces / parallels a good chunk of it - especially if it's on one end of it.

For instance, I-42 will replace / parallel US-70 from Raleigh to near its eastern end. It would be redundant at that point.

I-87 and I-587 would be completely concurrent with US-264 between its western end at I-440 and Greenville, which makes US-264 redundant.

That's not always the case. One example of where a US route was retained after an interstate route was constructed along its alignment is I-91 and US-5. Despite the fact that I-91 closely follows US-5 for its entire length, US-5 remains almost completely intact, save for a couple of miles at the southern end in New Haven, CT where it merges into I-91, just north of the interchange with I-95 ( US-5 originally ended at US-1 in New Haven).

In the West US routes parallel to interstates are often decommissioned; US 66 is a famous example. However, in the east the US route designations are generally retained even when they are paralleled by interstates for long distances. US 1 and US 11 are familiar examples in addition to US 5. Of course you find counterexamples: I-83 wiped out US 111 between Baltimore and Harrisburg, for example. But in general, eastern DOTs haven't been too keen on decommissioning US highways, and I expect this will apply to NCDOT in particular.

[Mileage Mike]

If anything I'd expect NCDOT to reroute US 264 back onto what is now US 264 Alt between Greenville and the interchange with US 64 near Zebulon.  After all, most parts of that roadway used to be signed US 264 anyway before the freeway was built.  They may truncate it west of Zebulon though, I don't see any need for it to multiplex with I-87 and US 64 heading into Raleigh. Same thing they will probably do with US 70 and I-42.

[sprjus4]

Work underway for I-42 from Morehead City to Raleigh

ATLANTIC BEACH, NC (WITN) Atlantic Beach town leaders say Interstate 42 is on the way and will provide a 2-and-a-half hour nonstop trip from Raleigh to Morehead City.

It's going to take quite a bit of time to come to fruition, but Atlantic Beach officials say scheduling and work on major segments of highway improvement along the current U.S.70 east are underway.

Over the next decade officials say the projects will transform the 150 mile traffic artery from Raleigh to Morehead City into a virtual nonstop, no stoplight corridor.

I-42 is scheduled to be completed in 2032.

If all goes according to plan, about 70 miles of new freeway will be completed by 2032, assuming the interstate ends south of Havelock, finishing the 120 mile I-42 corridor.

I imagine as for completing the three future interstates in Eastern NC - I-42, I-87, and I-795, work will mainly be focused on I-42 throughout the 2020s, I-795 near the end of the 2020s into the 2030s, and the I-87 corridor throughout the 2030s finishing in the early 2040s. By 2045, all three highways will likely be fully completed.

[sparker]

Work underway for I-42 from Morehead City to Raleigh

ATLANTIC BEACH, NC (WITN) Atlantic Beach town leaders say Interstate 42 is on the way and will provide a 2-and-a-half hour nonstop trip from Raleigh to Morehead City.

It's going to take quite a bit of time to come to fruition, but Atlantic Beach officials say scheduling and work on major segments of highway improvement along the current U.S.70 east are underway.

Over the next decade officials say the projects will transform the 150 mile traffic artery from Raleigh to Morehead City into a virtual nonstop, no stoplight corridor.

I-42 is scheduled to be completed in 2032.

If all goes according to plan, about 70 miles of new freeway will be completed by 2032, assuming the interstate ends south of Havelock, finishing the 120 mile I-42 corridor.

I imagine as for completing the three future interstates in Eastern NC - I-42, I-87, and I-795, work will mainly be focused on I-42 throughout the 2020s, I-795 near the end of the 2020s into the 2030s, and the I-87 corridor throughout the 2030s finishing in the early 2040s. By 2045, all three highways will likely be fully completed.

The sequence described above is likely valid -- NC interests would like enhanced access to as many ports as possible accomplished by the time Panamax traffic really starts kicking in later this decade; I-42 to Morehead does the most to accomplish that, followed by I-795's provision of a "shortcut" from the port of Wilmington to the Northeast Corridor, followed by I-87, which in reality provides a southern/southwestern efficient corridor for an out of state port complex -- although an upgrade of US 58 from Hampton Roads west to I-95 and I-85 would have accomplished that a bit more efficiently -- but I won't wade into VA transportation politics; leave that to the local warriors!   Suffice it to say, NC will proceed with I-87 (still hate that number!) in a more leisurely fashion; the development of 87 may provide more benefits for businesses in NE NC as well as posing the potential for tax revenues to accrue from additional/expanded roadside businesses along its length.  But that's about it; it doesn't serve a NC port and it is highly doubtful that anything along its length could or would be developed as such.   

[LM117]

Work underway for I-42 from Morehead City to Raleigh

ATLANTIC BEACH, NC (WITN) Atlantic Beach town leaders say Interstate 42 is on the way and will provide a 2-and-a-half hour nonstop trip from Raleigh to Morehead City.

It's going to take quite a bit of time to come to fruition, but Atlantic Beach officials say scheduling and work on major segments of highway improvement along the current U.S.70 east are underway.

Over the next decade officials say the projects will transform the 150 mile traffic artery from Raleigh to Morehead City into a virtual nonstop, no stoplight corridor.

I-42 is scheduled to be completed in 2032.

If all goes according to plan, about 70 miles of new freeway will be completed by 2032, assuming the interstate ends south of Havelock, finishing the 120 mile I-42 corridor.

I'm a little skeptical. Most of it might be done by 2032, but all of it? Doubtful.

I'd love to be wrong, though.

[LM117]

The US-70 Corridor Commission will have their next meeting on April 16 in Smithfield.

http://www.super70corridor.com

And as you can probably guess by now, there still hasn't been any updates to their minutes & reports archive...

[bob7374]

I've updated information on the progress of the I-42 projects in Craven County under construction on my Future I-42 page:
http://www.malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut42.html

[sprjus4]

I've updated information on the progress of the I-42 projects in Craven County under construction on my Future I-42 page:
http://www.malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut42.html

Regarding the US-70 freeway segment from Dover to New Bern, as of my drive through there in December 2019, the shoulders were fully paved heading westbound, with the exception of the western most 1/2 mile or so. No rumble strips were down yet, though the shoulder was open and usable.

The speed limit on US-70 near New Bern has also been silently increased from 55 mph to 60 mph sometime between December 2019 and my most recent trip through there a couple weeks ago.

[LM117]

Article from the Goldsboro News-Argus the other day giving an update on the upgrades.

(Behind paywall)

https://newsargus.com/news/3785/commissioners-updated-on-us-70-projects/

Most the work to upgrade U.S. 70 through Wayne County to interstate standards is completed.

The remaining work in Wayne County, about 3.45 miles, is expected to cost $62.9 million.

It stretches from just east of Earl Drive (Secondary Road 1408) at the western end of the U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass to just west of Luby Smith Road (Secondary Road 1229).

Right-of-way acquisition and construction could start in fiscal year 2023.

Work is continuing in Johnston County and in counties to the east of Wayne County to complete the upgrade of U.S. 70 between Interstate 40 and Morehead City to freeway status.

In June 2018, North Carolina was awarded $147 million in federal funding to help complete that upgrade and to widen 25 miles of Interstate 95.

Along with the road work, the grant will help the state to install 300 miles of trunk fiber optic cable along both highways to expand access to broadband and telecommunication.

The U.S. 70 upgrade will clear the way for the highway eventually to become Interstate 42, and bringing it up to freeway status will be the culmination of a decades-long effort to develop the highway, which serves as an evacuation route during severe storms.

On Tuesday, Wayne County Commissioner Wayne Aycock updated the board on U.S. 70 projects.

Aycock represents the county on the U.S. 70 Highway Corridor Commission.

The commission is made up of local, regional and state government agencies that support initiatives enhancing safety, mobility and economic vitality along the U.S. 70 corridor through land-use planning, transportation improvement and economic development strategies.

Most of the preliminary work is done on the section of U.S. 70 in Johnston County from Wilson's Mills up to where the highway already is up to interstate status at the Clayton Bypass, Aycock said.

"The plans are for bids to go out for that part of the project in September 2020,"  Aycock said. "The next section is basically going to be the Princeton Bypass.

"That project is also funded in the current 2020-29 STIP (State Transportation Improvement Plan). It is going to be a little further out. Right-of-way acquisition is going to start handling that in 2023 to 2025, and the bids should go out sometime in 2027 and 2029."

The plan includes maintenance on the existing highway, he said.

To the east of Wayne County, U.S. 70 will be resurfaced from Bear Creek to Secondary Road 1690 – the section from where the completed part of the Goldsboro U.S. 70 Bypass ends just inside the edge of Lenoir County and close to Little Baltimore, Aycock said.

The project will be bid sometime in the fall, Aycock said.

The intersection at Little Baltimore, where the Bojangles' and Sandpiper restaurants are, is funded in the 2020-29 STIP, he said.

"To change that intersection to interstate status, they anticipate letting those bids out in September 2024,"  Aycock said.

"The Kinston Bypass, they haven't even decided yet where it is going to be, but when they do decide, the right-of-way acquisition is anticipated in fiscal year 2025."

Resurfacing of the existing highway in Lenoir and Craven counties is more than 50% complete, Aycock said.

Right of way for upgrading Glenn Bernie Road near New Bern is scheduled for 2027, he said.

"So we are still a long ways out on some of this stuff,"  Aycock said. "The upgrading to interstate status from U.S. 70 from the Neuse River bridge to the new bridges to Thurman Road, construction should start in the spring of 2021."

Bids are expected to let later this year for the next section of road, which is just west of Havelock.

In that same area, work is about 87% complete on the Slocum Gate exit at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. It should be completed by spring, Aycock said.

Work is under way on the Havelock Bypass from Piney Grove to north of the Carteret County line. It is expected to be completed in May of 2024, he said.

Bids to change the Newport River bridge from two lanes to four lanes are expected in 2023, he said.

The bridge is between Morehead City and Beaufort, partially crossing Radio Island, Aycock said.

The revamped bridge will tie into a new bridge that already has been completed, he said.

[Finrod]

Wow, that signage where US 70 bypass starts west of Goldsboro is awkward as all get out:

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4386825,-78.0840416,3a,75y,121.91h,92.79t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfeiV02ushkKmVlF2VfGZ7g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Granted once East Bypass 70 is replaced with East I-42 it'll look better, but until then, awkward city.

[wdcrft63]

Wow, that signage where US 70 bypass starts west of Goldsboro is awkward as all get out:

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4386825,-78.0840416,3a,75y,121.91h,92.79t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfeiV02ushkKmVlF2VfGZ7g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Granted once East Bypass 70 is replaced with East I-42 it'll look better, but until then, awkward city.

Yes, it would be better to have the I-42 signage. But failing that I don't see how else NCDOT could have done the signage.

[Roadsguy]

Wow, that signage where US 70 bypass starts west of Goldsboro is awkward as all get out:

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4386825,-78.0840416,3a,75y,121.91h,92.79t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfeiV02ushkKmVlF2VfGZ7g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Granted once East Bypass 70 is replaced with East I-42 it'll look better, but until then, awkward city.

Yes, it would be better to have the I-42 signage. But failing that I don't see how else NCDOT could have done the signage.

The sign concept is fine but it was designed very weird. The US 70 Bypass shield is centered on the left despite having the EAST direction to the side, and the "US 70 East / Goldsboro / 1/2 Mile" is too far to the left in its section rather than centered. The APL arrows themselves look rather weird too. The sign is just uncharacteristically ugly for (new, at least) NC signage.

It would look better with I-42 if they relocate EAST to the top of the shield, which they may not even do.

[LM117]

That said, I do agree with those that think the Kinston Bypass should've been given higher priority. NCDOT is supposed to announce their preferred alternative this winter. It will interesting to see if they go along with Alternative 1SB, which is what Lenoir County wants.

NCDOT has granted their wish.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-02-20-kinston-bypass-route-selected.aspx

Here's a map for anyone that needs a refresher:

https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/kinston-bypass/Documents/alternative-1ue-1sb-key.aspx

[sprjus4]

That said, I do agree with those that think the Kinston Bypass should've been given higher priority. NCDOT is supposed to announce their preferred alternative this winter. It will interesting to see if they go along with Alternative 1SB, which is what Lenoir County wants.

NCDOT has granted their wish.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-02-20-kinston-bypass-route-selected.aspx

I'm surprised. Will cost more, and be more of a complex build in some areas, but I suppose will be better in the long run. I think the biggest thing is maintaining access to the C.F Harvey Pkwy.