Interstate 42

[LM117]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

[sprjus4]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

I see the real possibility to have I-42 fully completed and signed from I-40 to Havelock completed in 10 years. Every section has a planned project, and has advanced further from just a concept.

[bob7374]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

I see the real possibility to have I-42 fully completed and signed from I-40 to Havelock completed in 10 years. Every section has a planned project, and has advanced further from just a concept.

Perhaps east of Goldsboro. Not all the projects to bring US 70 in Wayne and Johnston Counties to interstate standards will be completed by 2029 according to the Draft 2020-2029 STIP. While the project that will upgrade US 70 to a freeway in Johnston from Business 70 to the Neuse River bridge with interchanges with Swift Creek and Wilson's Mills Roads is to start this year, the project that will upgrade the route from Pondfield Road in Johnson County to the Goldsboro Bypass is to be built in 2 stages, with the second not starting construction until 2028. Neither of these addresses the section through Smithfield including if, and where, there will be an interchange with I-95. Improvements are to be made to the US 70/I-95 interchange in 2020, but this is unrelated to I-42.

[sprjus4]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

I see the real possibility to have I-42 fully completed and signed from I-40 to Havelock completed in 10 years. Every section has a planned project, and has advanced further from just a concept.

Perhaps east of Goldsboro. Not all the projects to bring US 70 in Wayne and Johnston Counties to interstate standards will be completed by 2029 according to the Draft 2020-2029 STIP. While the project that will upgrade US 70 to a freeway in Johnston from Business 70 to the Neuse River bridge with interchanges with Swift Creek and Wilson's Mills Roads is to start this year, the project that will upgrade the route from Pondfield Road in Johnson County to the Goldsboro Bypass is to be built in 2 stages, with the second not starting construction until 2028. Neither of these addresses the section through Smithfield including if, and where, there will be an interchange with I-95. Improvements are to be made to the US 70/I-95 interchange in 2020, but this is unrelated to I-42.

Couldn't the section from Princeton (once upgraded) to Havelock be still signed officially as I-42 because it connects to an existing interstate highway (I-795 in Goldsboro)? Or does it have to connect to a mainline?

[Roadsguy]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

I see the real possibility to have I-42 fully completed and signed from I-40 to Havelock completed in 10 years. Every section has a planned project, and has advanced further from just a concept.

Perhaps east of Goldsboro. Not all the projects to bring US 70 in Wayne and Johnston Counties to interstate standards will be completed by 2029 according to the Draft 2020-2029 STIP. While the project that will upgrade US 70 to a freeway in Johnston from Business 70 to the Neuse River bridge with interchanges with Swift Creek and Wilson's Mills Roads is to start this year, the project that will upgrade the route from Pondfield Road in Johnson County to the Goldsboro Bypass is to be built in 2 stages, with the second not starting construction until 2028. Neither of these addresses the section through Smithfield including if, and where, there will be an interchange with I-95. Improvements are to be made to the US 70/I-95 interchange in 2020, but this is unrelated to I-42.

Couldn't the section from Princeton (once upgraded) to Havelock be still signed officially as I-42 because it connects to an existing interstate highway (I-795 in Goldsboro)? Or does it have to connect to a mainline?

I-97 connects two 3di's (one unsigned) without intersecting any other 2di, so I don't see why not.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

I see the real possibility to have I-42 fully completed and signed from I-40 to Havelock completed in 10 years. Every section has a planned project, and has advanced further from just a concept.

Perhaps east of Goldsboro. Not all the projects to bring US 70 in Wayne and Johnston Counties to interstate standards will be completed by 2029 according to the Draft 2020-2029 STIP. While the project that will upgrade US 70 to a freeway in Johnston from Business 70 to the Neuse River bridge with interchanges with Swift Creek and Wilson's Mills Roads is to start this year, the project that will upgrade the route from Pondfield Road in Johnson County to the Goldsboro Bypass is to be built in 2 stages, with the second not starting construction until 2028. Neither of these addresses the section through Smithfield including if, and where, there will be an interchange with I-95. Improvements are to be made to the US 70/I-95 interchange in 2020, but this is unrelated to I-42.

Couldn't the section from Princeton (once upgraded) to Havelock be still signed officially as I-42 because it connects to an existing interstate highway (I-795 in Goldsboro)? Or does it have to connect to a mainline?

I-97 connects two 3di's (one unsigned) without intersecting any other 2di, so I don't see why not.

Well looking at Google maps (which can be deceiving) the Goldsboro bypass from US 70 on the East side to NC 903 is both Interstate quality and connected to an Interstate, so If NC wanted, they could sign it as I-42 now. (Unless I am missing something.)

[sprjus4]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

I see the real possibility to have I-42 fully completed and signed from I-40 to Havelock completed in 10 years. Every section has a planned project, and has advanced further from just a concept.

Perhaps east of Goldsboro. Not all the projects to bring US 70 in Wayne and Johnston Counties to interstate standards will be completed by 2029 according to the Draft 2020-2029 STIP. While the project that will upgrade US 70 to a freeway in Johnston from Business 70 to the Neuse River bridge with interchanges with Swift Creek and Wilson's Mills Roads is to start this year, the project that will upgrade the route from Pondfield Road in Johnson County to the Goldsboro Bypass is to be built in 2 stages, with the second not starting construction until 2028. Neither of these addresses the section through Smithfield including if, and where, there will be an interchange with I-95. Improvements are to be made to the US 70/I-95 interchange in 2020, but this is unrelated to I-42.

Couldn't the section from Princeton (once upgraded) to Havelock be still signed officially as I-42 because it connects to an existing interstate highway (I-795 in Goldsboro)? Or does it have to connect to a mainline?

I-97 connects two 3di's (one unsigned) without intersecting any other 2di, so I don't see why not.

Well looking at Google maps (which can be deceiving) the Goldsboro bypass from US 70 on the East side to NC 903 is both Interstate quality and connected to an Interstate, so If NC wanted, they could sign it as I-42 now. (Unless I am missing something.)

No, you're correct. The US 70 Goldsboro Bypass opened in 2016, and was built to full interstate standards. I wonder why they didn't sign it upon its completion.

[bob7374]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

I see the real possibility to have I-42 fully completed and signed from I-40 to Havelock completed in 10 years. Every section has a planned project, and has advanced further from just a concept.

Perhaps east of Goldsboro. Not all the projects to bring US 70 in Wayne and Johnston Counties to interstate standards will be completed by 2029 according to the Draft 2020-2029 STIP. While the project that will upgrade US 70 to a freeway in Johnston from Business 70 to the Neuse River bridge with interchanges with Swift Creek and Wilson's Mills Roads is to start this year, the project that will upgrade the route from Pondfield Road in Johnson County to the Goldsboro Bypass is to be built in 2 stages, with the second not starting construction until 2028. Neither of these addresses the section through Smithfield including if, and where, there will be an interchange with I-95. Improvements are to be made to the US 70/I-95 interchange in 2020, but this is unrelated to I-42.

Couldn't the section from Princeton (once upgraded) to Havelock be still signed officially as I-42 because it connects to an existing interstate highway (I-795 in Goldsboro)? Or does it have to connect to a mainline?

I-97 connects two 3di's (one unsigned) without intersecting any other 2di, so I don't see why not.

Well looking at Google maps (which can be deceiving) the Goldsboro bypass from US 70 on the East side to NC 903 is both Interstate quality and connected to an Interstate, so If NC wanted, they could sign it as I-42 now. (Unless I am missing something.)

No, you're correct. The US 70 Goldsboro Bypass opened in 2016, and was built to full interstate standards. I wonder why they didn't sign it upon its completion.

Good question. It seems to go against NCDOT's recent practice of putting up new interstate signs as soon as they can on interstate standard routes (I-87 for just I-440 and the Knightdale Bypass, previously I-495 for just a few miles from I-440 to I-540). Perhaps they want to wait until it connects to I-95. If they preferred to sign it only where it connects to a 2di, they could have signed it along the Clayton Bypass.

[sprjus4]

Good question. It seems to go against NCDOT's recent practice of putting up new interstate signs as soon as they can on interstate standard routes (I-87 for just I-440 and the Knightdale Bypass, previously I-495 for just a few miles from I-440 to I-540). Perhaps they want to wait until it connects to I-95. If they preferred to sign it only where it connects to a 2di, they could have signed it along the Clayton Bypass.

I assumed when they signed I-87 on the Knightdale Bypass, I-42 would go on the Clayton Bypass.

Another thought - 20 miles of U.S. 264 freeway (2 miles west of I-95 to 18 miles east of I-95) meet Interstate Standards. Connecting to both I-795 and I-95, why don't they sign that as I-587? Or at that point does it have to connect to its parent (I-87)?

[rickmastfan67]

Another thought - 20 miles of U.S. 264 freeway (2 miles west of I-95 to 18 miles east of I-95) meet Interstate Standards. Connecting to both I-795 and I-95, why don't they sign that as I-587? Or at that point does it have to connect to its parent (I-87)?

Didn't stop TX signing I-369, even though it didn't connect to I-69 yet.

[sprjus4]

Another thought - 20 miles of U.S. 264 freeway (2 miles west of I-95 to 18 miles east of I-95) meet Interstate Standards. Connecting to both I-795 and I-95, why don't they sign that as I-587? Or at that point does it have to connect to its parent (I-87)?

Didn't stop TX signing I-369, even though it didn't connect to I-69 yet.

Good point. I'm shocked they haven't tried I-587 yet. Then again Texas is also the state that signed I-2, I-69E, and I-69C

[rickmastfan67]

Another thought - 20 miles of U.S. 264 freeway (2 miles west of I-95 to 18 miles east of I-95) meet Interstate Standards. Connecting to both I-795 and I-95, why don't they sign that as I-587? Or at that point does it have to connect to its parent (I-87)?

Didn't stop TX signing I-369, even though it didn't connect to I-69 yet.

Good point. I'm shocked they haven't tried I-587 yet. Then again Texas is also the state that signed I-2, I-69E, and I-69C

& I-69W.

[goobnav]

Another thought - 20 miles of U.S. 264 freeway (2 miles west of I-95 to 18 miles east of I-95) meet Interstate Standards. Connecting to both I-795 and I-95, why don't they sign that as I-587? Or at that point does it have to connect to its parent (I-87)?

Didn't stop TX signing I-369, even though it didn't connect to I-69 yet.

Good point. I'm shocked they haven't tried I-587 yet. Then again Texas is also the state that signed I-2, I-69E, and I-69C

There are future signs posted, the Goldsboro bypass has Future I-42 and 264 after the 64 split near Zebulon has Future I-587.

[orulz]

We have talked about this before. Several times. My take is that they are keeping it as US70 for the time being because jumping back and forth from US70 to I-42 would make mile markers and exit numbers jump around confusingly. If this were entirely a freeway built on a new route then this problem would be immaterial but since it jumps back and forth between new alignment, upgraded old alignment, and un-upgraded old alignment, keeping it as US70 and just signing future I-42 maintains consistency. I suspect that completion as far as Havelock is close enough at hand that they will just sign it all from Clayton (Raleigh?) to Havelock as I-42 in a big bang when the whole thing is finished.

[LM117]

We have talked about this before. Several times. My take is that they are keeping it as US70 for the time being because jumping back and forth from US70 to I-42 would make mile markers and exit numbers jump around confusingly.

That didn't stop NCDOT from signing I-73/I-74 piecemeal.

Personally, if I-42 were to get signed anywhere right now, the Clayton Bypass would be the only spot where it would make sense, given that it's the beginning/end, like I-87 in Raleigh & Knightdale.

[sprjus4]

& I-69W.

At least that connects to another interstate (I-35) 

[wdcrft63]

Public meeting set for February 26 on the upgrade of US 70 to Future I-42 in James City.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/public-meetings/Pages/R-5777AB-2019-02-26.aspx

[sprjus4]

Public meeting set for February 26 on the upgrade of US 70 to Future I-42 in James City.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/public-meetings/Pages/R-5777AB-2019-02-26.aspx

I thought that was already refined. Are they re-doing the designs again, or are they just telling the public - hey, here's our plans, if you don't like them, too bad, construction starts next year.?

There's some design changes I'd like to see, and I will write a comment in, but if nothing is going to change (designs are refined, construction starts soon), I won't bother for the obvious reason of it's not changing.

[slorydn1]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

They haven't done anything yet, but line the side of the road with cones and barrels...
I am not sure what they are waiting for, unless its all the rain we have had the last week or so.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Construction began a month ago to upgrade the US-70 freeway between Dover and New Bern to interstate standards.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-02-14-craven-county-work-interstate-standards.aspx

Bit of a tangent here... This project is $25.5 million for upgrading about 32 miles of 70 to interstate standards. Now, looking at the statewide projects that were submitted for prioritization, the estimated cost to upgrade US 74 to interstate standards between I-26 and the Shelby Bypass (approx. 30 miles) is $212.5 million.

Huh? I'm not great at math, but something seems off.

[sprjus4]

Bit of a tangent here... This project is $25.5 million for upgrading about 32 miles of 70 to interstate standards. Now, looking at the statewide projects that were submitted for prioritization, the estimated cost to upgrade US 74 to interstate standards between I-26 and the Shelby Bypass (approx. 30 miles) is $212.5 million.

Huh? I'm not great at math, but something seems off.

The US 70 stretch is about 26 miles. The highway was opened in 1979, and the bridges and overpasses conform to modern design standards. All that's involved with the upgrade are constructing 10 foot paved shoulders (about $1 million per mile). The bridges also carry 10 foot shoulders across them, so no bridge widening & replacements are needed.

About 20 miles of the US 74 stretch opened in 1992 & 1994, but about 10 miles opened in 1970, and 2 miles between I-26 and Exit 163 (NC 108) opened in 1975. The 1970 stretch has some way substandard bridges, do not provide full 16 foot clearance, and do not carry shoulder across them. These would all have to be replaced, and that can be pretty expensive because you also have to raise them. Some interchanges would be likely need to modified as well. Also, not to mention the non-freeway mile between the end of the 1970 freeway and the recent 2016 freeway upgrade. Crosses a small creek with substandard + no shoulder bridges that would need to be replaced, a railroad overpass that would likely need to be replaced as well, along with likely a partial or full interchange constructed with US 74 / US 74 Business (Ellenboro Rd). The 10 homes, 6 trailers, 1 business, and 1 church would have to either have a frontage road constructed or fully bought out.

To break down the costs...
- $25 or 30 million for the 1 mile gap in the freeway
- $32 or 35 million for shoulder widening & reconstruction
- About $150 million for bridge replacements, raising, and possibly a couple interchange modifications (about 13 bridges, $11 million or so per bridge)

It seems to be a reasonable estimate for those reasons.

[LM117]

^ If the I-85 upgrade project between Henderson and the Virginia state line is any indication, then NCDOT will probably lower the highway in order to increase bridge clearances rather than replace the bridges themselves.

[sprjus4]

^ If the I-85 upgrade project between Henderson and the Virginia state line is any indication, then NCDOT will probably lower the highway in order to increase bridge clearances rather than replace the bridges themselves.

That would still involve a very expensive project (I-85 cost $137 million). You would have to fully reconstruct that area of highway, including everything below the pavement. Another thing in regards to the I-85 upgrade - that was designed to interstate standards at the time when it opened in 1960. The reconstruction of the highway did not replace substandard bridges. A true interstate upgrade to US 74 would involve  replacing the substandard bridges as well, especially if it's looking to have a blue and red shield. It would have to meet today's interstate standards, including modern bridges. Pre-existing long bridges (long river crossings with narrow shoulders, etc.) are exempt from this requirement, though none exist on this stretch.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Bit of a tangent here... This project is $25.5 million for upgrading about 32 miles of 70 to interstate standards. Now, looking at the statewide projects that were submitted for prioritization, the estimated cost to upgrade US 74 to interstate standards between I-26 and the Shelby Bypass (approx. 30 miles) is $212.5 million.

Huh? I'm not great at math, but something seems off.

The US 70 stretch is about 26 miles. The highway was opened in 1979, and the bridges and overpasses conform to modern design standards. All that's involved with the upgrade are constructing 10 foot paved shoulders (about $1 million per mile). The bridges also carry 10 foot shoulders across them, so no bridge widening & replacements are needed.

About 20 miles of the US 74 stretch opened in 1992 & 1994, but about 10 miles opened in 1970, and 2 miles between I-26 and Exit 163 (NC 108) opened in 1975. The 1970 stretch has some way substandard bridges, do not provide full 16 foot clearance, and do not carry shoulder across them. These would all have to be replaced, and that can be pretty expensive because you also have to raise them. Some interchanges would be likely need to modified as well. Also, not to mention the non-freeway mile between the end of the 1970 freeway and the recent 2016 freeway upgrade. Crosses a small creek with substandard + no shoulder bridges that would need to be replaced, a railroad overpass that would likely need to be replaced as well, along with likely a partial or full interchange constructed with US 74 / US 74 Business (Ellenboro Rd). The 10 homes, 6 trailers, 1 business, and 1 church would have to either have a frontage road constructed or fully bought out.

To break down the costs...
- $25 or 30 million for the 1 mile gap in the freeway
- $32 or 35 million for shoulder widening & reconstruction
- About $150 million for bridge replacements, raising, and possibly a couple interchange modifications (about 13 bridges, $11 million or so per bridge)

It seems to be a reasonable estimate for those reasons.

Except there are already separate projects for some of those:

• Last interchange conversion in Mooresboro (R-4045, $15.7 million, unfunded) 2009 Public Hearing Map


• Bridges over the Broad River (B-5876, $8.8 million, funded 2020). These are the only bridges on the freeway portion that don't have a full right shoulder, but it looks like the others east of US 74A may be sub-standard for the left shoulder? If so, that's six.


• Bridges over Sandy Run east of the intersection (BR-0012, $5.3 million, funded 2021)

Can't say for sure about the vertical clearances on the overpasses, but horizontal seems fine. I don't recall any of them being posted for having a low clearance. The interchanges east of 74A seem to have reasonably long on-ramps, so I don't know why they would need to be modified.

[LM117]

Does anybody know what the hold up is with the Havelock Bypass? The project page still lists construction as starting in February 2019, but so far the contract still hasn't been awarded. There's been no mention of it in the news and the US-70 Corridor Commission still hasn't posted the minutes of their November meeting, so no luck there either.

As for the Kinston Bypass, the project page lists the preferred alternative being selected in February 2019, but there's been nothing on that.