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Interstate 42 (E)

Started by LM117, May 27, 2016, 11:39:37 AM

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jcil4ever

Looks like "mid-February" has been set to for the Clayton Bypass to fully change over to 42

Several Johnston County highways will get new names this winter. Here's why.

Johnston County residents will need to adapt to some new highway names in the coming months.

It all starts with the renaming of a 10-mile stretch of U.S. 70, the Clayton Bypass. It's scheduled to become Interstate 42 in mid-February, part of a new interstate highway that will run from I-40 east to Morehead City as U.S. 70 is upgraded.

I-42 will branch off from I-40 a few miles from where both highways cross what is now N.C. 42. To avoid confusion, the N.C. Department of Transportation has decided to change N.C. 42 to N.C. 36 in western Johnston County, including the interchange many refer to as simply 40/42.

N.C. 36 will be less than 9 miles long, from N.C. 50 to the east side of Clayton. It will take a slightly different route around Clayton, following I-42 to the Ranch Road exit before becoming N.C. 42 again where it crosses U.S. 70 Business.

The highway will remain N.C. 42 west of Johnston County to Asheboro and east of Clayton to Ahoskie.

Speaking of U.S. 70 Business, that is going away. It will revert to simply U.S. 70, its name before the Clayton Bypass opened in 2008. Homes and businesses along the road through town kept the same address numbers back then and will keep them again.

Along with the introduction of N.C. 36, the section of what is now N.C. 42 between N.C. 50 and downtown Clayton will become Veterans Parkway, a name chosen by Johnston County commissioners. Drivers approaching the exit from I-42 will see signs that say both Veterans Parkway and N.C. 36, according to NCDOT spokesman Andrew Barksdale.

That exit is currently No. 320, indicating that it's 320 miles from where U.S. 70 enters North Carolina from Tennessee. The exit and mile markers along the Clayton Bypass will change to indicate the distance from the start of I-42. The Veterans Parkway exit, for example, will be No. 4.

Similar exit and mile marker changes have already taken place along the 20-mile Goldsboro bypass in Wayne and Lenoir counties, which became I-42 last month.

The bridges, exit and entrance ramps and shoulders of both bypasses were built to federal interstate standards, allowing them to become the first sections of I-42. The N.C. Department of Transportation plans to eventually upgrade the rest of U.S. 70 between I-40 and Morehead City so the entire road can become I-42.


bob7374

Quote from: jcil4ever on December 31, 2024, 11:23:16 AMLooks like "mid-February" has been set to for the Clayton Bypass to fully change over to 42

Several Johnston County highways will get new names this winter. Here's why.

Johnston County residents will need to adapt to some new highway names in the coming months.

It all starts with the renaming of a 10-mile stretch of U.S. 70, the Clayton Bypass. It's scheduled to become Interstate 42 in mid-February, part of a new interstate highway that will run from I-40 east to Morehead City as U.S. 70 is upgraded.

I-42 will branch off from I-40 a few miles from where both highways cross what is now N.C. 42. To avoid confusion, the N.C. Department of Transportation has decided to change N.C. 42 to N.C. 36 in western Johnston County, including the interchange many refer to as simply 40/42.

N.C. 36 will be less than 9 miles long, from N.C. 50 to the east side of Clayton. It will take a slightly different route around Clayton, following I-42 to the Ranch Road exit before becoming N.C. 42 again where it crosses U.S. 70 Business.

The highway will remain N.C. 42 west of Johnston County to Asheboro and east of Clayton to Ahoskie.

Speaking of U.S. 70 Business, that is going away. It will revert to simply U.S. 70, its name before the Clayton Bypass opened in 2008. Homes and businesses along the road through town kept the same address numbers back then and will keep them again.

Along with the introduction of N.C. 36, the section of what is now N.C. 42 between N.C. 50 and downtown Clayton will become Veterans Parkway, a name chosen by Johnston County commissioners. Drivers approaching the exit from I-42 will see signs that say both Veterans Parkway and N.C. 36, according to NCDOT spokesman Andrew Barksdale.

That exit is currently No. 320, indicating that it's 320 miles from where U.S. 70 enters North Carolina from Tennessee. The exit and mile markers along the Clayton Bypass will change to indicate the distance from the start of I-42. The Veterans Parkway exit, for example, will be No. 4.

Similar exit and mile marker changes have already taken place along the 20-mile Goldsboro bypass in Wayne and Lenoir counties, which became I-42 last month.

The bridges, exit and entrance ramps and shoulders of both bypasses were built to federal interstate standards, allowing them to become the first sections of I-42. The N.C. Department of Transportation plans to eventually upgrade the rest of U.S. 70 between I-40 and Morehead City so the entire road can become I-42.

Good news, but I think there is an error with the discussed future exit number. The I-40 exit was 318, now signed as Exit 1. If the current NC 42 exit is 320, then shouldn't it be 2? The Ranch Road exit is currently 323, perhaps that will be Exit 4, though based on the distance, perhaps 5 would make more sense. I'll wait to revise my I-42 exit list until the changes are made in February.

Thing 342

Quote from: jcil4ever on October 29, 2024, 10:33:15 PM
Quote from: Henry on October 29, 2024, 10:25:12 PMThere is, in fact, the plan to rebuild I-95 on a new alignment that will include an interchange with I-42. The current location is impractical to squeeze one in, so they'll relocate it to where a direct connection would be possible.

Here's a description of what that could look like:
DOT Could Relocate I-95 Between Smithfield And Selma

Given that the area to the north east of the current I-95 / US-70 interchanges is now actively being developed, this plan has little chance of coming to fruition.

jdunlop

Quote from: Thing 342 on January 07, 2025, 08:40:12 PM
Quote from: jcil4ever on October 29, 2024, 10:33:15 PM
Quote from: Henry on October 29, 2024, 10:25:12 PMThere is, in fact, the plan to rebuild I-95 on a new alignment that will include an interchange with I-42. The current location is impractical to squeeze one in, so they'll relocate it to where a direct connection would be possible.

Here's a description of what that could look like:
DOT Could Relocate I-95 Between Smithfield And Selma

Given that the area to the north east of the current I-95 / US-70 interchanges is now actively being developed, this plan has little chance of coming to fruition.

We worked with the largest development in the area to try and allow the space for the relocation plan.  Don't think anything's gone in that would prevent it.

That said, the relocation plan was only a concept, done to get an estimate for cost.  I think there's a way to fit in ramps without needing to relocate 95.

PColumbus73

I feel like as-is would be fine, maybe a partial interchange. All the other long-haul movements would already be covered by I-40, 87 & 795, with the exception of the southeast quadrant.

A complete interchange would probably require a new alignment of I-42 north of Selma, meeting I-95 near Exit 101.

The Ghostbuster

Why would US 70/future Interstate 42 need to be relocated that far north? Only a slight realignment of future Interstate 42 will be necessary to construct a full freeway-to-freeway interchange at the realigned Interstate 95: https://jocoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Conceptual-design-of-95-and-70-interchnage.pdf.

sprjus4

If nothing else, why not a quadrant interchange in the southeast quadrant of the US-70 Bypass / I-95 crossing. Two trumpet interchanges and a connecting roadway?

PColumbus73

An interchange near Exit 101 assumes I-95 isn't being relocated. If NCDOT doesn't have the right-of-way before the proposed development is built out, they might have to consider a new location.

sprjus4

Quote from: PColumbus73 on January 08, 2025, 12:41:58 PMAn interchange near Exit 101 assumes I-95 isn't being relocated. If NCDOT doesn't have the right-of-way before the proposed development is built out, they might have to consider a new location.
Exit 101? That's a few miles north of this relocation area?

PColumbus73

Quote from: sprjus4 on January 08, 2025, 12:58:35 PM
Quote from: PColumbus73 on January 08, 2025, 12:41:58 PMAn interchange near Exit 101 assumes I-95 isn't being relocated. If NCDOT doesn't have the right-of-way before the proposed development is built out, they might have to consider a new location.
Exit 101? That's a few miles north of this relocation area?

Just speculating an alternate location, but yes, I would guess an interchange would be north of Selma if the current area is unsuitable.

sprjus4

Quote from: PColumbus73 on January 08, 2025, 01:29:07 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on January 08, 2025, 12:58:35 PM
Quote from: PColumbus73 on January 08, 2025, 12:41:58 PMAn interchange near Exit 101 assumes I-95 isn't being relocated. If NCDOT doesn't have the right-of-way before the proposed development is built out, they might have to consider a new location.
Exit 101? That's a few miles north of this relocation area?

Just speculating an alternate location, but yes, I would guess an interchange would be north of Selma if the current area is unsuitable.
Oh, I see what you're saying - possibly building I-42 on new location altogether between the Neuse River (current end of upgrades) and the Goldsboro bypass / Princeton area.

I think the only downside to that would be that most of the existing US-70 in this area is already freeway or close to  freeway standards, with only about 5-6 miles needing extensive upgrades. Compare that to nearly 12 miles of new location freeway - more expensive.

It would probably be cheaper to retrofit an interchange within the existing alignments for both I-95 and US-70 somehow. 

The Ghostbuster

The portion of US 70/future Interstate 42 between existing Exits 326AB and 333 is close to also becoming part of Interstate 42. All they need to do is finish the upgrades to the existing roadway and cul-du-sac W. Oak St., and Interstate 42 signs can be erected. Maybe the businesses that will have to be demolished for a direct connection between future Interstate 42 and Interstate 95 can be relocated to the undeveloped land along M. Durwood Stephenson Parkway.

sprjus4

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 08, 2025, 04:16:27 PMThe portion of US 70/future Interstate 42 between existing Exits 326AB and 333 is close to also becoming part of Interstate 42. All they need to do is finish the upgrades to the existing roadway and cul-du-sac W. Oak St., and Interstate 42 signs can be erected.
The current upgrade project only extends to the Neuse River, I believe, not all the way to Exit 333.

The bridges (westbound only - eastbound is newer and looks up to standards) over the Neuse River and also another pair just to the east of those would likely need to be replaced in a separate project, along with roadway shoulder widening and cutting off W Oak St.

Once you address that little gap though, you have a full freeway with only shoulder widening required all the way to Exit 337 at US-70 Business.

I'm not sure between those two upgrades being needed and the current project ending at a river, when the next segment of I-42 will actually be signed. Probably not with this current project.

Thing 342

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 08, 2025, 12:21:32 PMWhy would US 70/future Interstate 42 need to be relocated that far north? Only a slight realignment of future Interstate 42 will be necessary to construct a full freeway-to-freeway interchange at the realigned Interstate 95: https://jocoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Conceptual-design-of-95-and-70-interchnage.pdf.
The proposed interchange between relocated I-95 and US-70 is drawn directly over the new Eastfield Shopping center.
Quote from: jdunlop on January 07, 2025, 10:13:19 PM
Quote from: Thing 342 on January 07, 2025, 08:40:12 PM
Quote from: jcil4ever on October 29, 2024, 10:33:15 PM
Quote from: Henry on October 29, 2024, 10:25:12 PMThere is, in fact, the plan to rebuild I-95 on a new alignment that will include an interchange with I-42. The current location is impractical to squeeze one in, so they'll relocate it to where a direct connection would be possible.

Here's a description of what that could look like:
DOT Could Relocate I-95 Between Smithfield And Selma

Given that the area to the north east of the current I-95 / US-70 interchanges is now actively being developed, this plan has little chance of coming to fruition.

We worked with the largest development in the area to try and allow the space for the relocation plan.  Don't think anything's gone in that would prevent it.

That said, the relocation plan was only a concept, done to get an estimate for cost.  I think there's a way to fit in ramps without needing to relocate 95.
I'm not sure how things would fit, seeing as the proposed location for the new I-95/US-70 interchange is directly over the site of the new Eastfield shopping center. I think you'd have to move it up to a half a mile of the current alignment to get it to bend around the mall.

A possible radical solution could be converting the existing US-70 interchange into a trumpet, adding ramps to the interchange at the eastern end of the bypass to make it a full T, and adding some bridges to connect US-70 to the western end of US-70 ALT.

jdunlop

Quote from: Thing 342 on January 12, 2025, 12:55:57 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 08, 2025, 12:21:32 PMWhy would US 70/future Interstate 42 need to be relocated that far north? Only a slight realignment of future Interstate 42 will be necessary to construct a full freeway-to-freeway interchange at the realigned Interstate 95: https://jocoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Conceptual-design-of-95-and-70-interchnage.pdf.
The proposed interchange between relocated I-95 and US-70 is drawn directly over the new Eastfield Shopping center.
Quote from: jdunlop on January 07, 2025, 10:13:19 PM
Quote from: Thing 342 on January 07, 2025, 08:40:12 PM
Quote from: jcil4ever on October 29, 2024, 10:33:15 PM
Quote from: Henry on October 29, 2024, 10:25:12 PMThere is, in fact, the plan to rebuild I-95 on a new alignment that will include an interchange with I-42. The current location is impractical to squeeze one in, so they'll relocate it to where a direct connection would be possible.

Here's a description of what that could look like:
DOT Could Relocate I-95 Between Smithfield And Selma

Given that the area to the north east of the current I-95 / US-70 interchanges is now actively being developed, this plan has little chance of coming to fruition.

We worked with the largest development in the area to try and allow the space for the relocation plan.  Don't think anything's gone in that would prevent it.

That said, the relocation plan was only a concept, done to get an estimate for cost.  I think there's a way to fit in ramps without needing to relocate 95.
I'm not sure how things would fit, seeing as the proposed location for the new I-95/US-70 interchange is directly over the site of the new Eastfield shopping center. I think you'd have to move it up to a half a mile of the current alignment to get it to bend around the mall.

A possible radical solution could be converting the existing US-70 interchange into a trumpet, adding ramps to the interchange at the eastern end of the bypass to make it a full T, and adding some bridges to connect US-70 to the western end of US-70 ALT.

The meetings I was involved in were pre-pandemic, as they were in person; I was commenting from memory.  Looking at Google Earth, I see new roads (not in the aerial yet) that are different than what was proposed earlier.  Specifically, their main road (Alt-70) was supposed to be realigned further away from the I-95 interchange (roughly at their second entrance) and not across from the JR's roadway.

I'm not sure how the original development plan was going to avoid the proposed 95 realignment at this point; looking at an aerial now I don't remember those details.

jcil4ever

Continued progress around the Havelock Bypass:

Looking down from the bridge at the Eastern/Southern end down the bypass, it looked like the bypass still wasn't paved approaching the train bridge.

jcil4ever

Finally ONE sign for the new Wilson('?)s Mills Rd. exit, with an apostrophe to boot. While grammatically correct, it seems like most maps avoid the punctuation. This was westbound; no advance sign yet and nothing eastbound:

(Sorry, phone struggles at night )

Perhaps more exciting, I saw some 70 MPH signs up and bagged!


iPhone

bob7374

NCDOT has posted a press release regarding the upcoming signing of I-42 on the Clayton Bypass and the renumbering of NC 42 to NC 36 in Johnston County. The good news is that the project starts Monday (2/10), the bad news is that they say it will take 3 months to complete. At least they're not insisting the Bypass is to be designated Future I-42.  :D
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-02-07-johnston-county-sign-highway-changes.aspx



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