Interstate 42 (E)

[jcil4ever]

For those curious, 70 through Wilson's Mills is still a construction zone with a variable speed limit seemingly capped at 60 mph. 😢

There wasn't much evidence of continued construction, primarily some work along the shoulder (visible around 0:59). I'm also pretty sure one or both of these signs are recent additions, though I would have thought the DOT would have done a better job spacing out their own sign...


Outside of Wilson's Mills, I also noticed that the sign at the beginning of the 60 mph zone on 70 W just past 70 Business heading toward Smithfield had been missing for at least a few months. I submitted a request through the contact form on DOT's site and it was fixed within a few weeks. Nice to see the quick response!

[architect77]

For those curious, 70 through Wilson's Mills is still a construction zone with a variable speed limit seemingly capped at 60 mph. 😢

There wasn't much evidence of continued construction, primarily some work along the shoulder (visible around 0:59). I'm also pretty sure one or both of these signs are recent additions, though I would have thought the DOT would have done a better job spacing out their own sign...


Outside of Wilson's Mills, I also noticed that the sign at the beginning of the 60 mph zone on 70 W just past 70 Business heading toward Smithfield had been missing for at least a few months. I submitted a request through the contact form on DOT's site and it was fixed within a few weeks. Nice to see the quick response!

I hope my request to replace the 2 years missing I-85 "Kings Mountain National Military Park" sign entering the state from SC is replaced quickly too.

These many divisions of NCDOT should be patrolling their counties and identifying damaged signs. I hate to see fallen signs in the Triangle lie in the ditch for years unrepaired.

[fillup420]

These many divisions of NCDOT should be patrolling their counties and identifying damaged signs. I hate to see fallen signs in the Triangle lie in the ditch for years unrepaired.

just like the big sign on I-40 east before exit 283 with 540. the sign has been laying face down on the embankment for at least 2 years now, so there is very little warning that a big and busy interchange is coming up.

[sprjus4]

For those curious, 70 through Wilson's Mills is still a construction zone with a variable speed limit seemingly capped at 60 mph. 😢

Is I-95 south of I-40 still 60 mph too? They love to keep these "construction" limits for several months post construction for no good reason.

[architect77]

These many divisions of NCDOT should be patrolling their counties and identifying damaged signs. I hate to see fallen signs in the Triangle lie in the ditch for years unrepaired.

just like the big sign on I-40 east before exit 283 with 540. the sign has been laying face down on the embankment for at least 2 years now, so there is very little warning that a big and busy interchange is coming up.

I just submitted that sign to NCDOT for repair.

[jcil4ever]

WITN: Havelock bypass set to finish next year, brings mixed feelings

Not much there, but still saying it will open next summer. I did notice the roadway approaching the railroad bridge on the south/east side of the project had been paved last time I drove through. Construction continues on the approaches/intersections on either end as well.

[The Ghostbuster]

I think future Interstate 42 should end at the eastern end of the Havelock Bypass. There's no guarantee that any extension beyond Havelock will ever be built. They sure as hell won't plow down the homes and businesses on existing US 70 between Havelock and Morehead City.

[PColumbus73]

I think future Interstate 42 should end at the eastern end of the Havelock Bypass. There's no guarantee that any extension beyond Havelock will ever be built. They sure as hell won't plow down the homes and businesses on existing US 70 between Havelock and Morehead City.

If they really want to extend it, it might be easier for I-42 to parallel NC 101 and end near Beaufort. If the goal is to access the port in Morehead City, that would allow the trucks to bypass the local traffic.

[jcil4ever]

I think future Interstate 42 should end at the eastern end of the Havelock Bypass. There's no guarantee that any extension beyond Havelock will ever be built. They sure as hell won't plow down the homes and businesses on existing US 70 between Havelock and Morehead City.

If they really want to extend it, it might be easier for I-42 to parallel NC 101 and end near Beaufort. If the goal is to access the port in Morehead City, that would allow the trucks to bypass the local traffic.

There's some good discussion of the options through Carteret County in Section 8 here on @bob7374  's page, including the option to roughly parallel 101.

[nerdom]

Recent Google satellite images show construction on interchanges at Fisher Ave and Stately Pines Rd between New Bern and Havelock. Last section to be finished in Craven Co. Once complete, 42 will be complete east of Dover. Unless extended into Carteret.

[jcil4ever]

Drove through Wilson's Mills again. In addition to the orange signs, there were indeed signs of construction today. It looks like it centered around drainage and slopes, with work among the ramps for the Swift Creek Rd. interchange and the median drainage. Timestamps in the video description:

[bob7374]

The only construction activities for US 70 listed for that area on the NCDOT Real-Time Traffic page are shoulder closures for logo sign maintenance. This also is going on along the Goldsboro Bypass and US 264 and I-95 in the Wilson area. The US 70 upgrade contract is officially completed. Wonder if they have had some drainage issues after the recent heavy rain events.

[architect77]

The only construction activities for US 70 listed for that area on the NCDOT Real-Time Traffic page are shoulder closures for logo sign maintenance. This also is going on along the Goldsboro Bypass and US 264 and I-95 in the Wilson area. The US 70 upgrade contract is officially completed. Wonder if they have had some drainage issues after the recent heavy rain events.

North Carolina's highways need a crew to go out and only repair or replace crooked, bent, and damaged small shoulder signs. I can't stand to see a leaning shoulder sign for years that no one goes and shores up properly. They need to innovate and figure out how to mount signs with more resilient posts or locate them out of the way of being hit and damaged. Half of the small signs over culverts and yellow reduced speed signs around curves etc. in Wake Co. are damaged or covered in vines and overlooked. In such a fast growing state we should be out there making things look fantastic and having the mantra of if you're going to install all of these tiny signs then maintain them over the years.

[jcil4ever]

The only construction activities for US 70 listed for that area on the NCDOT Real-Time Traffic page are shoulder closures for logo sign maintenance. This also is going on along the Goldsboro Bypass and US 264 and I-95 in the Wilson area. The US 70 upgrade contract is officially completed. Wonder if they have had some drainage issues after the recent heavy rain events.

Not sure, but construction signage (including the variable speed limit signs) is still in place throughout the project, and, as far as I know, was never removed.

[jcil4ever]

More signs 🥁 of progress at the Havelock Bypass interchanges. The eastern interchange looks practically done besides signage and paint westbound. Work is picking up in the area between Havelock and James City.

The video description has time stamps of "highlights" if you're interested:

[bob7374]

NCDOT has now posted a traffic advisory saying the left lane is closed in the vicinity of the Wilson's Mills, but they don't state a reason and list this as being on I-42 between Exits 13 and 14. 

[bob7374]

NCDOT announcement that the work is about to start on the second interchange bridge, for Taberna Way, along US 70 (Future I-42) in James City:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-11-19-taberna-way-bridge-construction-james-city.aspx

[jcil4ever]

Local media is reporting the Havelock Bypass will open next Friday, December 19!

Article

Facebook post

[The Ghostbuster]

The bypass looks mostly complete on Google Maps Satellite View.

[architect77]

So is the Kinston section all that remains? It's not even funded yet is it? Anyway if the trip time from Raleigh to Morehead can be reduced to 2.5 hours or less, it will be a good thing.

I doubt the average speed will ever be as fast as I-40 to Wilmington where people seem to haul *ss.

[sprjus4]

So is the Kinston section all that remains? It's not even funded yet is it? Anyway if the trip time from Raleigh to Morehead can be reduced to 2.5 hours or less, it will be a good thing.

I doubt the average speed will ever be as fast as I-40 to Wilmington where people seem to haul *ss.

Kinston section, plus New Bern to Morehead City, and then Smithfield to Goldsboro. So still a lot be done.

[bob7374]

The bypass looks mostly complete on Google Maps Satellite View.

Google Maps has updated some of their Street View coverage to November along US 70 East at the soon to be opened east end of the Bypass. You can see the sign structures waiting to be placed for the ramp to the westbound bypass at: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nEgjFG62mZ3FLTms5

Coverage has also been updated to November on US 70 East through James City. Noise walls are being constructed at the start of the project work zone: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z4Mez8w1GNwd2wv97

[bob7374]

Google Maps Street View has also updated its coverage along Lake Road at its future interchange with the Havelock Bypass, here's a partially covered ramp trailblazer:


The rest of the images, including ones I took of the Havelock Bypass construction along US 70, are at:
https://malmeroads.net/ncfutints/fut42.html#seg7photos

[bob7374]

For those who can't wait to drive the Havelock Bypass, WCTI TV took a tour of it 8 days ago headed east:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm5JzpaOf-U

Unfortunately, most of the video is into the sun, so details like exit numbers on the new overhead signs or numbers on mile markers were not easily seen. The speed limit signs could be read, 70 mph, and reassurance markers for East US 70 were up. The Bypass is still scheduled to be opened tomorrow (12/19) after a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 AM.

[bob7374]

While perusing the media for news about the opening of the Havelock Bypass, I came across this article from October indicating NCDOT is lobbying the FHWA to have the upgraded section of US 70 in Johnston County signed as I-42 (they also said they hoped to get the 70 MPH signs up by November...):
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article312431989.html

As for the Bypass, it appears it won't open until later this afternoon, but here's a video about the ribbon cutting, showing a couple exit signs. Lake Road is Exit 434, while at the south end the Business 70 West exit is 437:
https://www.witn.com/video/2025/12/19/havelock-bypass-open-after-years-construction.

Glad they fixed the number errors in the original plans.