Interstate 42 (E)

[Strider]

Perhaps they think drivers will be less confused seeing I-42 before NC 42 than NC 42 before I-42? Or maybe NCDOT is doing an experiment to see if drivers are really confused by the two 42 routes before they commit to putting up NC 36 signs?

If NCDOT didn't want confusion, they would've either requested a different number for I-42 or renumbered NC 42.

Also, who the hell gets confused between state highways and Interstates? Granted, there's I-/NC 540, but come on.

People that aren't road geeks.

Per a 2023 news article, the reasons:

The change is necessary, NCDOT officials say, to avoid confusion with Interstate 42, the new name of the highway now known as both U.S. 70 and the Clayton Bypass. I-42 will cross what is now N.C. 42, and both roads will intersect I-40, potentially befuddling visitors and others unfamiliar with the local nomenclature. That confusion could have serious consequences if someone calling 911 doesn't know the difference between I-42 and N.C. 42, says Kevin Lacy, NCDOT's director of strategic planning.

What they should do is remove NC-42 interchange with I-42 and keep the one on I-40. The next interchange for both I-40 and I-42 after they meet with NC-540 Toll is... NC-42. Both within 2 miles away. For the one on I-42, build a new interchange with Cornwallis Rd, which meets NC-42 to the south anyway. And boom. No renumber needed.

Spending tens of millions of dollars to build a new interchange to avoid a renumbering is wasteful, unless there's genuinely a need for a new interchange - which it doesn't appear there is.

Not to mention, on I-42, now you have two interchanges (NC-540 / I-40, and this new one) within 1 mile which isn't typically preferred, especially on a 70 mph rural freeway.

The current exit provides around 2.5 miles of spacing between NC-42 and I-40, and also has a medical park / fast food / gas and a hospital right off it - likely built to be right next to the interchange.

Closing that would now put them miles away from highway access.

The current renumbering plan seems like the best option, IMO, to cut down on confusion and minimize any physical changes and costs asides from signs.

Nah. current renumbering plans don't make sense and you know it.

[Strider]

Perhaps they think drivers will be less confused seeing I-42 before NC 42 than NC 42 before I-42? Or maybe NCDOT is doing an experiment to see if drivers are really confused by the two 42 routes before they commit to putting up NC 36 signs?

If NCDOT didn't want confusion, they would've either requested a different number for I-42 or renumbered NC 42.

Also, who the hell gets confused between state highways and Interstates? Granted, there's I-/NC 540, but come on.

Evidently some people, as the well-known sign from Maryland demonstrates. I don't think most people distinguish between route types when giving directions: "Take 70 west to 68, then take 68 west to 219." (The sign shown below is sort of stupid for not referring to I-68 to Cumberland and maybe Morgantown. "National Freeway" isn't going to help anyone who gets confused by MD-68/I-68.)

This sign should be up at that I-40/I-42/NC-540/NC-42 interchange area as well. It's easier than renumbering just a few miles of NC-42 as NC-36. NC-42 is too important to have two separate and disconnected sections.

[bugo]

The North Carolina DOT's numbering committee has been huffing Lysol. Are they trying to confuse out of towners?

[english si]

The North Carolina DOT's numbering committee has been huffing Lysol. Are they trying to confuse out of towners?

What with all the 70s in the Smithfield/Selma area (Bus, Byp, Alt, vanilla)? That's far worse (while, sure, they all are parallel) because the shields are the same shape and colour and thankfully at least two of them will be eliminated before too long (would need the 42/95 interchange built).

[74/171FAN]

http://www.vahighways.com/ncannex/route-log/nc039.html

Well US 70 ALT was supposed to become an extension of NC 39 years ago...

[sprjus4]

Nah. current renumbering plans don't make sense and you know it.

And your alternative proposal, that doesn't involve spending tens of millions of dollars and reconfiguring the local road network for no reason, is?

[jcil4ever]

Interstate 42 markers have returned to Google Maps: from Interstate 40/NC 540-to-Business 70 (Exit 318-to-Exit 326AB) and the entire Goldsboro Bypass (Exit 350-Exit 370).

Apple Maps often seems to be a little slower with updates and so I was surprised 42 has shown up on it, along with new exit numbers on the Goldsboro Bypass:



Noticed continued progress resigning, nothing drastic.

[jcil4ever]

Here's one of the guide signs on 795 South. As mentioned, overheads are still 70 BYP


Here is one of the new mile markers on eastbound 42:

[The Ghostbuster]

It's about time Interstate 42 was signed and brought into existence. I think the estimated completion date of 2032 for the whole corridor might be optimistic.

[bob7374]

NCDOT announcing new reduced conflict intersection to be built on US 70 near Kinston as an interim safety measure, since it will be awhile before the I-42 Kinston Bypass is constructed:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-10-15-jones-county-us-70-project.aspx

[RoadPelican]

It's about time Interstate 42 was signed and brought into existence. I think the estimated completion date of 2032 for the whole corridor might be optimistic.

The Kinston Bypass is not the current STIP which goes to 2033, so good call on that one.

The next STIP (2026-2035) is out early next year.

Probably 50/50 if it's the next STIP.

NCDOT just spent alot of money on extending the CF. Harvey Parkway and finishing the SW Greenville Bypass in the area.

Lenoir County hasn't gained population since the 1980's.

[Walnut2]

Resigning of the Clayton Bypass has begun, as this East I-42 reassurance sign just appeared at the west beginning, replacing the dual-post U.S. 70 sign that had been erected here not very long ago. There have been lane closures along the Bypass lately as they've, among whatever else, erected steel posts for new westbound I-40 East/N.C. 540 guide signage.



What was here previously (photos taken August 29):



The U.S. 70 sign blocked oncoming traffic's view of the N.C. 42 guide sign, and it's interesting they have now completely removed said guide sign instead of just installing the new reassurance sign further down the road and out of the way. I'm not yet aware of any other new signage besides what others have already reported, but I will be stepping up snapping photos of old signage before it's gone and will be on the lookout for more changes.

As of when I was through late last week, "NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL / COMING SOON" electronic signs are in place along Boling St/Little Creek Church Rd and the new superelevated pavement curving toward the new Boling St intersection (which already has covered-up lights in place) is more-or-less ready, so rerouting of traffic onto the new alignment connecting with U.S. 70 (Business) appears imminent. (I may have missed something, but it's not yet clear to me whether they actually will be rerouting N.C. 42/36 onto Ranch Rd and this new roadway as was proposed.)

[The Ghostbuster]

Does this mean the US 70 designation will not be duplexed with Interstate 42 as more of the corridor is upgraded to Interstate Standards? Or will US 70 be relocated back onto its previous alignment as more segments are designated as Interstate 42?

[Strider]

US-70 will be back to its original alignment through Clayton, and maybe around Goldsboro too, but there will be I-42/US-70 multiplex in some areas along the route.

[PColumbus73]

I think there would most likely be a concurrency between Princeton and Goldsboro, LaGrange and Kinston, and New Bern and Morehead City.

Most interesting will be how they handle the Smithfield/Selma area.

[jcil4ever]

I think there would most likely be a concurrency between Princeton and Goldsboro, LaGrange and Kinston, and New Bern and Morehead City.

Most interesting will be how they handle the Smithfield/Selma area.

I think it's interesting that BUS 17 and 70 were removed from their old alignments in New Bern several years ago. I wonder, but doubt, if adding 42 will prompt 70's reinstatement through town and along "Old US Hwy 70" through Cove Center and to Dover.


iPhone

[snowc]

@bob7374 is this photo acceptable for I-42 at NC 540? Took this one when driving out to lunch last week.

[jcil4ever]

Caught these driving home last night. Realized the car's camera gets better pictures than I can at night...

The overhead signage has been updated on 795 South (location):


And on the ramp from 795 South (location):


And on the ground at US-117 North (location):


Looks like the renumbering/resigning project is almost done. Only unupdated signs I noticed were a few of the exit number signs for 70 West at the eastern end of the bypass on 70 East.

[jcil4ever]

It looks like the resigning of US-70 BYP to I-42 is complete on the Goldsboro Bypass. Drove both directions last night, and didn't see any old shields or mileage...except the Future I-42 Signs at the Wayne/Lenoir County Line remain both directions. Also, it looks NCDOT has decided to keep the US-70 mileage-based exit numbers for the exits for US-70 through Goldsboro from I-42. Approaching the bypass from the West, US-70 remains exit 350 and, from the East, Exit 370.  However, this same exit to 70 West from 42 East near La Grange has been renumbered. I guess the thinking is that these exits on the ends of the bypass are technically before 42 begins. 🤷🏻 I was going to say I would think they would prioritize this exit having the same number going either direction, but just checked and it was different before the renumbering: 370 westbound and 369 eastbound.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday last night:


While the sign that @LM117  noted as being in the wrong order with the TO 795 sign on the left if still there, they do get the order right sometimes too!


All mile markers are up. Here's I-42 mile 42.


Overhead guide signs have been updated with new exit numbers.



The overhead sign approaching the bypass from the west has also been updated. Note the US-70 mileage-based exit number remains.


Supports for new guide signs approaching I-40/NC-540 are up. No new signage yet.

[PColumbus73]

The first I-42 shield in history...and the number is off-center. Sigh.

You clearly have a better eye than me.

My boss is a stickler about proper centering of numbers in shields (far more than most actual DOTs are). I've had them get sent back if they're off by a mm or two. So I've had to learn. Fortunately for me, I get to use the 1957 shields, which have a lot more let than whatever standard NCDOT is using here—they are really not doing themselves a favor using digits that large.

I will grant them that numbers starting with 4 are usually the hardest to make look right.

Speaking as a graphic designer who is also a stickler for typography and typesetting: there can be a big difference between "technically centered" and "visually centered," and sometimes making something look right  requires finding the happy medium between both.

The I-42 shield might be off-center in terms of strict measurements off the ruler, but it doesn't look off-balance visually because there's a fairly balanced amount of blue space in the top corners. If it were strictly centered, there'd be an imbalance of blue space left of the 4.

Stumbled upon this, a side-by-side of number scaling on an I-95 shield in Georgia.

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.0735554,-81.2370985,3a,15y,294.26h,89.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syiDi5V02AUN6G4jQdg_GiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[The Ghostbuster]

Wikipedia already shows Interstate 42 (E) with its future exit numbers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_42#Exit_list. I doubt the exit numbers will change until the Clayton Bypass and Goldsboro Bypass segments are at least connected with one another via an Interstate Standard Freeway. Maybe when the Havelock Bypass segment is completed, it will be the first portion to receive Interstate 42 mileage-based exit numbers.

[jcil4ever]

Wikipedia already shows Interstate 42 (E) with its future exit numbers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_42#Exit_list. I doubt the exit numbers will change until the Clayton Bypass and Goldsboro Bypass segments are at least connected with one another via an Interstate Standard Freeway. Maybe when the Havelock Bypass segment is completed, it will be the first portion to receive Interstate 42 mileage-based exit numbers.

All of the other exit numbers have been updated to 42 mileage-based numbers on the Goldsboro Bypass, just not exits 350 and 370 for US-70. Sorry for being unclear!


iPhone

[The Ghostbuster]

Thanks for the update! I've never been to North Carolina, and the last Google Maps Street View update to the Interstate 42/US 70 corridor occurred in April 2024, which was before Interstate 42 was signposted and the exits renumbered.

[jcil4ever]

Thanks for the update! I've never been to North Carolina, and the last Google Maps Street View update to the Interstate 42/US 70 corridor occurred in April 2024, which was before Interstate 42 was signposted and the exits renumbered.

Well, it's not quite Street View, but here's a view of the newly-signed Interstate 42!

Also, I drove down to Havelock today and it looks like traffic is scheduled tomorrow to shift onto the more permanent routing to exit the future bypass and go into town on the western end of the bypass construction:

[74/171FAN]

Another photo tour is now posted for my 10-12-2024 eastbound drive along US 70/I-42 from I-40 (Exit 309) in Garner to NC 148 west of Kinston.  (https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBPPrP)