Hi everyone, I have a question about a roadway in the New Bern area. This is the general area I am discussing:
(https://i.ibb.co/DKM0zP4/Screen-Shot-2024-11-10-at-7-58-04-PM.png)
The specific roadway in question is this one, which looks like a future extension of NC 43, but just meanders off the exit for US 70/future I-42 for about 1/2 mile before abruptly ending:
(https://i.ibb.co/0pNV1X5/Screen-Shot-2024-11-10-at-7-58-19-PM.png)
My question is: what is the intended function of this roadway? It has been there for years. It's open; I drive down it occasionally to take my car up to speed quickly, and more recently I have been taking my wife there to help with teaching her how to drive.
It looks like part of an extension plan for US 17 at one point, which was just abandoned. That's only my guess, though. Does anyone else have any idea?
The construction on NC-43 extension will start in 2025, in which will extend it south to meet US-17 Business. Trent Creek Rd (the local road) will be a part of it. NC-43 used to go through New Bern, but was rerouted on the bypass with an extension in mind.
Summary from New Bern Sun Journal
https://www.newbernsj.com/news/preparation-begins-for-the-n-c-43-connector-project-construction-expected-to-begin-again-this/article_44ea980a-e1f6-5043-b6a5-965acd4bedd4.html (https://www.newbernsj.com/news/preparation-begins-for-the-n-c-43-connector-project-construction-expected-to-begin-again-this/article_44ea980a-e1f6-5043-b6a5-965acd4bedd4.html)
The NC 43 connector is designed to be a new road extension from U.S. 17 that will connect from Trent Creek Road in New Bern to the south of U.S. 70 Highway, Additionally, the project calls to widen Trent Creek Road to a four-lane road.
NCDOT SITE
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/nc-43-connector/Pages/default.aspx
wow. 5 years to build this tiny extension. impressive.