Interstate 42 (E)

[bob7374]

I received an email from NCDOT Division 4 regarding the signing of I-42, they hope to make these sign changes in Wayne County by the end of this year, and in Johnston County in Feb. 2025.

Guess those in the area should keep an eye out. Meanwhile, I'll continue to monitor the traffic cameras along the Bypass to see if any new signs appear and let everyone know if I spot anything.

[nerdom]

I wonder when they're gonna sign I-42 in Goldsboro.

Interestingly, someone posted on the Tar Heel Roads FB group today that they thought they saw an I-42 shield heading west at the eastern end of the Goldsboro Bypass on Monday (8/26). They could not get a photo at the time though. Hopefully they will next time, if true. I saw no signs (sorry) of any I-42 shields looking at the traffic cameras along the Bypass earlier today.

Confirmed. I-42 signed on overhead gantry approaching start of bypass heading west. I was eastbound, so looking in the mirror I saw west 42 and TO 795. Didn't catch control cities. I'll be back that way Monday and grab a pic. The old sign has been missing for most of the summer. A mobile digital sign was placed in the median stating "Raleigh Left 2 Lanes." Anyway, exciting times!

[bob7374]

For those who want to drive the Goldsboro Bypass before it was signed as I-42, check out this video posted in early July:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blAMW2AGjIM

[WashuOtaku]

I bet the introduction of I-42 was supposed to happen with the opening of the new NC 540 interchange with I-40. But since that was pushed off, the signage change that was scheduled already started at Goldsboro, making for this awkward introduction.

I believe though the true start of I-42 is tied to the interchange.

[nerdom]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/geBxNvEUitrSnq6B9

[bob7374]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/geBxNvEUitrSnq6B9

Thanks. I take it there were no other I-42 signs. It appears this may be the contractor involved with replacing the sign jumping the gun a bit. The exit number is still the same and there's a West Bypass US 70 sign after the exit. NCDOT did say the I-42 signage would be up by the end of the year. Feel free to let us know if you see any more I-42 shields going up.

[jcil4ever]

Yep! Drove from New Bern to Durham and back today. As mentioned, the lone 42 sign on the Goldsboro bypass:


However, that was the only I-42 sign I saw anywhere on the Goldsboro Bypass. As bob7374 suggested, I imagine this was the contractor just jumping the gun a little and I guess saving the state some money when the rest of the signs go up! All other assurance shields, mile markers, and the signs approaching the Goldsboro Bypass from the west remain for US-70 Bypass. There are even still Future I-42 signs:




I also got a few shots of the future western end of I-42. Continued progress near Wilsons Mills. They've continued to pave the median on the eastern end of the project. This is what the bridge over Wilsons Mill Rd. looks like now:


Almost all of the Jersey Barriers have been removed west of Wilsons Mills Rd.; looks like "just" a final layer of asphalt is needed.🤞🏻


Finally, the overhead guide signs have been installed on the portion of the turbine that is currently the ramp from US-70W to I-40W. Notice "Exit 1," further confirming the apparent plan to resign the Clayton Bypass as I-42 before or in conjunction with the opening of NC-540 (and, you know, no more reference here to 70).

[Henry]

Any updates on the changing of NC 42 to NC 36? I've always thought it would be stupid to only change the midsection of a highway like that; it would invite even more confusion than would be worth it. I'd prefer that the whole thing get the new number instead.

[jcil4ever]

Any updates on the changing of NC 42 to NC 36? I've always thought it would be stupid to only change the midsection of a highway like that; it would invite even more confusion than would be worth it. I'd prefer that the whole thing get the new number instead.

Personally agree

no signs () of any updates, at least any visible from 70


iPhone

[brian440i]

Any updates on the changing of NC 42 to NC 36? I've always thought it would be stupid to only change the midsection of a highway like that; it would invite even more confusion than would be worth it. I'd prefer that the whole thing get the new number instead.

I do not believe The Ranch Road Extenstion (Section D on the New NC 36 Map) Project has been completed yet.  I think that section likely needs to be complete before switching the entire section to NC 36 and removing NC42 in Clayton.

The NC DOT April Press Release Stated:
"The project, which includes a realignment between Ranch and Little Creek Church roads, is ahead of schedule and expected to be completed by the end of this year"
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-04-02-clayton-route-closure.aspx

Buckeye Drones has a Video from January 2024

I don't normally take Ranch Road when going into Clayton but will try and detour to see what is left to finish up at the Business 70 Intersection this weekend.

[LM117]

NCDOT press release announcing the signing of I-42 on the Goldsboro Bypass. Completion is expected within weeks.

The Clayton Bypass will be fully signed as I-42 early next year.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-09-13-i-42-goldsboro-bypass.aspx

[sprjus4]

NCDOT press release announcing the signing of I-42 on the Goldsboro Bypass. Completion is expected within weeks.

The Clayton Bypass will be fully signed as I-42 early next year.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-09-13-i-42-goldsboro-bypass.aspx

Looks like sign installation will begin on Monday and take "several weeks." it will include changing overhead signs, mile markers, ground signs, and exit numbers (reflecting I-42 beginning at I-40 and increasing eastward.)

The press release also mentions that signing along the US-70 Clayton bypass will begin early next year.

[WashuOtaku]

NCDOT press release announcing the signing of I-42 on the Goldsboro Bypass. Completion is expected within weeks.

The Clayton Bypass will be fully signed as I-42 early next year.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-09-13-i-42-goldsboro-bypass.aspx

Looks like sign installation will begin on Monday and take "several weeks." it will include changing overhead signs, mile markers, ground signs, and exit numbers (reflecting I-42 beginning at I-40 and increasing eastward.)

The press release also mentions that signing along the US-70 Clayton bypass will begin early next year.

So... do we say on Wikipedia that I-42 officially starts in September 2024? I know people have been waiting for this moment.

[74/171FAN]

NCDOT press release announcing the signing of I-42 on the Goldsboro Bypass. Completion is expected within weeks.

The Clayton Bypass will be fully signed as I-42 early next year.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-09-13-i-42-goldsboro-bypass.aspx

Looks like sign installation will begin on Monday and take "several weeks." it will include changing overhead signs, mile markers, ground signs, and exit numbers (reflecting I-42 beginning at I-40 and increasing eastward.)

The press release also mentions that signing along the US-70 Clayton bypass will begin early next year.

So... do we say on Wikipedia that I-42 officially starts in September 2024? I know people have been waiting for this moment.

It is all about the AARoads Wiki now.      

[PColumbus73]

Is there a plan to revert US 70 to an older alignment after I-42 is signed or completed to Morehead City? Or would it just be the Clayton Bypass? I'm interested to see how US 70 is handled in Selma/Smithfield.

A quick thought I had was to sign Business 42 on the portion of US 70 at the I-95 interchange, but since North Carolina has already removed Business 40 and 85, a Business 42 might confuse things.

[Molandfreak]

Is there a plan to revert US 70 to an older alignment after I-42 is signed or completed to Morehead City? Or would it just be the Clayton Bypass? I'm interested to see how US 70 is handled in Selma/Smithfield.

A quick thought I had was to sign Business 42 on the portion of US 70 at the I-95 interchange, but since North Carolina has already removed Business 40 and 85, a Business 42 might confuse things.

How would adding business loop 42 be any more confusing than the current setup with mainline US 70, US 70 BYP, US 70A, and US 70 Business in the same area?

[PColumbus73]

Is there a plan to revert US 70 to an older alignment after I-42 is signed or completed to Morehead City? Or would it just be the Clayton Bypass? I'm interested to see how US 70 is handled in Selma/Smithfield.

A quick thought I had was to sign Business 42 on the portion of US 70 at the I-95 interchange, but since North Carolina has already removed Business 40 and 85, a Business 42 might confuse things.

How would adding business loop 42 be any more confusing than the current setup with mainline US 70, US 70 BYP, US 70A, and US 70 Business in the same area?

Assuming none of the US 70s are deleted, it'll be a 5th shield in the mix. I can also see a potential for confusion if the signage on I-95 read as Business 42 / US 70 TO I-42. It's also about 2 miles long, so signing a Business 42 might not be worth it to begin with.

It might work better to:

Realign US 70 onto Business 70 through Smithfield

70A and the current US 70 to I-95 becomes NC 342, or NC 270

[froggie]

Slightly amusing that, according to NCDOT's main US 70 corridor page, they received approval from FHWA to sign I-42 on the Clayton and Goldsboro bypasses over two years ago.

They're sure taking their sweet a** time...

[bob7374]

Slightly amusing that, according to NCDOT's main US 70 corridor page, they received approval from FHWA to sign I-42 on the Clayton and Goldsboro bypasses over two years ago.

They're sure taking their sweet a** time...

I think the page also still indicates that they were planning to sign I-42 at the end of the year (2022).

The signing of the Clayton Bypass coincides with the planned completion of the US 70 upgrades to the east in Johnston County. Hopefully, they at least change the 2 exit numbers to those based on I-42 mileage, if they don't sign that as an interstate for now.

[LM117]

Slightly amusing that, according to NCDOT's main US 70 corridor page, they received approval from FHWA to sign I-42 on the Clayton and Goldsboro bypasses over two years ago.

They're sure taking their sweet a** time...

Hell, they started signing I-587 between I-95 & Greenville in 2022, and as far as I know, they still haven't finished!

[bob7374]

Based on the press release information that the new exit number for NC 581 (Exit 351) will be 35, the other numbers, (assuming subtraction of the same 316 from each) would be Exit 34-US 70 Business, 39 A/B for I-795, 40 for US 117, 42 for Wayne Memorial Drive, 45 for US 13, 48 for Parkstown Rd, and US 70 West will be 53 EB and 54 WB [and if they renumber the LaGrange exit that would be 56].I've updated my I-42 exit list with this information:
https://malmeroads.net/ncfutints/i42exits.html

[Scott5114]

Yep! Drove from New Bern to Durham and back today. As mentioned, the lone 42 sign on the Goldsboro bypass:

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

[sprjus4]

Yep! Drove from New Bern to Durham and back today. As mentioned, the lone 42 sign on the Goldsboro bypass:

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

Oklahoma will one-up them soon enough, don't worry.

[nerdom]

Technically, it's the second.
First one appeared at NC 540 and I-40 near Clayton.

[epzik8]

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

You clearly have a better eye than me.