Interstate 42 (North Carolina)

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This article is about the Interstate Highway in North Carolina. For the future Interstate Highway in Oklahoma and Arkansas, see Interstate 42 (Oklahoma).

Interstate 42

Goldsboro Bypass
Route of Interstate 42 in red
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length21.7 mi[1] (34.9 km)
Existed2024[2]–present
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
West end US 70 in Goldsboro
Major intersections
East end US 70 in La Grange
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountiesWayne, Lenoir
Highway system
← NC 41→ NC 42

Interstate 42 (I-42) in North Carolina is an under-construction Interstate Highway, upgrading part of US 70 in North Carolina from I-40 at Clayton eastwards to the coast at Morehead City. The planned length is to be about 137 miles (220 km) long. While several sections are up to interstate standards, I-42 signs have, so far, only been deployed on the Goldsboro bypass. This happened in Fall 2024.

Route description

Interstate 42 currently consists of a four-lane freeway that is 21.7 miles (34.9 km) in length north of Goldsboro, connecting with US 70 at both ends. Starting west of Goldsboro, it splits as the through traffic from US 70, which continues on towards Goldsboro. In a northeasterly direction, it connects with NC 581, I-795 and US 117, where it turns southeasterly. After connecting with Wayne Memorial Drive, US 13, and Parkstown Road, it merges back as the through traffic with US 70 near La Grange.

History

A multi-county project, also known as the "US 70 Corridor" or "Super 70", is a collection of several projects along US 70 to improve passenger and freight movement eventually leading to the establishment of Interstate 42,[3] which is the US Department of Transportation's High Priority Corridor #82.[4] The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), signed by then President Barack Obama on December 14, 2015, added the US 70 corridor between Garner and Morehead City to the Interstate system as a future Interstate. Justification for the designation included better connections with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, the North Carolina Global Transpark, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and the Port of Morehead City with the rest of state and the eastern seaboard.[5][6][7] With no specified number codified in the act, the Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) expected this corridor to be called I-46 or another suitable designation, and the US Highway 70 Corridor Commission recommended I-50.[8][9] On March 30, 2016, Governor Pat McCrory and various officials unveiled "Future Interstate" signage along the corridor.[10]

For the Spring 2016 AASHTO Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering, NCDOT proposed I-36 for this route. On May 24, 2016, AASHTO assigned Interstate 42 for the route.[11] The entire project has a budgeted cost (as of late 2018) of about $1.3 billion, and about 29 miles still without a budget. Some projects like the Clayton and Goldsboro bypasses are completed, while others have yet to be scheduled. The project involves the counties of Wake, Johnston, Wayne, Lenoir, Jones, Craven, and Carteret.[12][13]

In October 2021, AASHTO approved two segments of I-42, the 10-mile (16 km) Clayton Bypass and the 21.7-mile (34.9 km) Goldsboro Bypass; this was followed by the Federal Highway Administration subsequent approval in March 2022.[14][15] In May 2022, AASHTO also approved the elimination of US 70 Bypass, clearing the way for NCDOT to fully redesignate the route.[16] Signage for the route was expected to be put up later in 2022. However, NCDOT did not announce signing of I-42 along the Goldsboro Bypass until September 13, 2024. I-42 was also announced in the same news release to be signed along the Clayton Bypass by early 2025.[17] Once I-42 is signed onto the Clayton Bypass, US 70 will be rerouted onto its old routing through Clayton, which is currently designated as U.S. Route 70 Business. US 70 has also been upgraded to interstate highway standards between Dover and New Bern, but this has also not been signed as I-42 due to the Kinston Bypass not being completed yet. I-42 is expected to be completed in its entirety by 2032.[18]

Goldsboro bypass

Westbound NC 44, now US 70 Byp., approaching US 117 in December 2011

Construction started on the 3.9-mile (6.3 km) central section of the Goldsboro Bypass on October 9, 2008; its contract awarded to Barnhill Contracting Co. of Tarboro.[19] At a cost of $65.5 million (equivalent to $87.6 million in 2023[20]), it features three interchanges connecting I-795, US 117 and Wayne Memorial Drive (SR 1556).[21] On December 16, 2011, the central section became the first segment of the Goldsboro Bypass to open; signed as NC 44.[22]

In 2012, both eastern and western sections of the bypass began construction. The 12.5-mile (20.1 km) eastern section's contract was awarded to Barnhill Contracting Co. in February, at a cost of $104.4 million (equivalent to $137 million in 2023[20]). The 5.9-mile (9.5 km) western section's contract was awarded to S.T. Wooten in July, at a cost of $62.4 million (equivalent to $81.9 million in 2023[20]).[1] On September 25, 2015, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved the establishment of US 70 Byp., dependent on the completion of the Goldsboro Bypass.[23][24] On October 17, 2015, the western section became the second segment to open; connecting US 70 and I-795, with an interchange at NC 581.[25][26][27]

The eastern or last section of the Goldsboro Bypass was opened on May 27, 2016; from Wayne Memorial Drive (SR 1556) to US 70, with interchanges at US 13 and Parkstown Road (SR 1714).[1] The section opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony and all signage that formally delineate NC 44 would be changed to US 70 Byp. after the event.[28]

On June 5, 2021 a 5 mi (8.0 km) section was dedicated to former Goldsboro Mayor Chuck Allen.[29]

Future

Wilson's Mills improvements

Overpass construction at Wilson's Mills Road in May 2022

A 5-mile (8.0 km) section of US 70 at Wilson's Mills, connecting to the Clayton Bypass in the west will be upgraded to a freeway for an estimated $31 million.[30] The plan calls for US 70 to be carried on a bridge over Wilson Mills Road while a bridge will carry Swift Creek Road over US 70.[31] Interchanges will be made at both roads and a connector road paralleling US 70 between the two roads will also be built. Construction was planned to begin in 2020 and finish around 2022.[30] However, COVID-19 funding issues postponed the awarding of the construction contract from September 2020 to March 2021. Construction officially began on May 12, 2021, and expected to be completed by the middle of Fall 2024.[32]

Smithfield/Selma improvements

Improvements are in the planning stages for the 13.8-mile (22.2 km) segment of US 70 between Wilson's Mills and Princeton. Some of this section is already a freeway but will require improvements to bring it up to interstate standards and add an interchange with I-95. Adding the interchange will require shifting I-95 2,000 feet (610 m) east to incorporate the new changes. This proposed project is still in the study phase and not currently budgeted nor does it have a timeline for completion.[33]

Princeton bypass to Goldsboro Bypass

The existing Princeton bypass eastward to the Goldsboro Bypass will be improved to interstate standards, which is estimated to cost $170 million.[34][35][36] The 6.7-mile (10.8 km) project for the upgrade of US 70 will be done in two parts: the first will be in the Princeton area between US 70A to North Pearl Street/Edwards Roads (construction is scheduled to start in 2025) with second part starting there and ending at the Goldsboro Bypass (construction is scheduled to start in 2028). Currently, project funding has been suspended by NCDOT due to agency's budget issues. The agency is currently working with state legislators to find alternative sources of revenue.[37]

Kinston bypass

The Kinston Bypass is a project that has been in the planning stages since the 1990s. The project was put on hold until 2007 when NCDOT revitalized the project. While several northern bypasses were planned, in January 2014 the northern bypasses were removed in favor of a southern alternative. The project was defunded in 2014 with the release of the 2015–2024 State Transportation Improvement Plan, and studies were suspended.[38] The Kinston Bypass would be approximately 21 miles (34 km) of a four-lane, median divided freeway accessible via ramps at interchanges. When complete, the bypass would improve regional mobility, connectivity, and capacity for US 70, reducing traffic congestion and delays that exist along US 70 between La Grange and Dover. It would be built in phases, and as of 2022, only one phase—just east of LaGrange—is funded for construction, starting in 2028.[39] A proposed interchange between US 70/I-42 and Caswell Station Road/Wyse Fork Road east of Kinston currently faces local opposition due to it impacting part of the land where the Battle of Wyse Fork was fought on.[40]

James City freeway

In James City, a 5.1-mile (8.2 km) segment of the US 70 improvement project will upgrade the existing highway to freeway standards by elevating it over existing surface streets, improving the frontage roads, removing several businesses, building interchanges, and eliminating a railroad crossing just south of exit 417. It will connect to the existing US 70 freeway in New Bern. This project is estimated to cost $66 million. Construction was scheduled to begin in early 2020 and be complete in early 2024.[41] However, construction started earlier than that in October 2019; its completion is now expected in December 2024.

James City to Havelock

Between James City and Havelock, a 6.4-mile (10.3 km) section of US 70 will be converted to interstate standards for $132 million.[42] The money will come primarily from a $147 million federal grant the state received in 2018.[43] A separate project to create the Slocum Gate interchange at Cherry Point MCAS was completed in March 2020, although this will not be a part of I-42, which will be routed on the Havelock Bypass. With the release of the 2020 draft STIP, it was revealed that NCDOT was attempting to start construction in 2020, but this was delayed several times due to design and funding issues before a $242.35 million design-build contract for construction was finally awarded to Balfour Beatty in early 2023. Construction is set to begin in late 2023 and with a completion date of Summer 2028.[44][45]

Havelock bypass

The Havelock Bypass is a planned 10.1-mile (16.3 km) four-lane freeway intended to improve existing sections of US 70 and a bypass west of Havelock, through the Croatan National Forest. Draft and environmental studies began in September 2011 and were completed in January 2016. Property acquisition started in 2016, with construction expected to begin in February 2019 and be completed in 2022 at an estimated cost of $173 million.[46] However, construction did not officially begin until August 2019 and it is now expected to be completed in May 2024.[47]

Havelock Bypass to Morehead City

I-42 is currently set to terminate just beyond the Newport River Bridge at Radio Island Road on Radio Island. The bridge will be reconfigured from two-lanes to four-lanes, but there are currently no funded projects to upgrade US 70 to Interstate highway standards between the Havelock Bypass and the bridge.[48]

Exit list

CountyLocationmi[49]kmOld exitNew exitDestinationsNotes
WayneGoldsboro345535034
 US 70 west		Continuation as US 70 west
355635135 NC 581
3963355A39A


 I-795 south to US 117 south – Goldsboro, Wilmington		Signed as exit 39A (south) and 39B (north)
355B39B
 I-795 north – Wilson
406435640 US 117 – Goldsboro
​426835842Wayne Memorial Drive
​457236145 US 13 – Goldsboro, Greenville
​487736448Parkstown Road
LenoirLa Grange538536953
 US 70 west – La Grange
548737054
 US 70 east – Kinston, New Bern		Continuation as US 70 east
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. ^ a b c North Carolina Department of Transportation. "NCDOT: US 70 Goldsboro Bypass". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  2. ^ "Interstate 42 Coming to the U.S. 70 'Goldsboro' Bypass". North Carolina Department of Transportation. September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  3. ^ ""Super 70" project will speed trips to and from the coast". WRAL-TV. March 30, 2016. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  4. ^ "Statutory Listing of Corridor Descriptions". Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  5. ^ "H. R. 22—111" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  6. ^ Fitzgerald, Eddie (April 17, 2015). "Bill would upgrade US 70 to interstate status". Sun-Journal. Archived from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  7. ^ Foster, Randy (December 26, 2015). "US 70 'Future Interstate' years from completion". Star-News Online. Halifax Media Services. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  8. ^ "A victory ten years in the making". RTA. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  9. ^ "Highway 70 Commission March 17, 2016 Meeting Minutes" (PDF). March 17, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 23, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  10. ^ "Governor Pat McCrory unveiled a future U.S. Interstate 70 sign today during a ceremony in Goldsboro" (Press release). March 30, 2016. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  11. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (May 24, 2016). "Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  12. ^ "NCDOT: US 70 Corridor". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  13. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation (January 2016). US 70 Corridor - NCDOT Project Locations (PDF) (Map). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  14. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (November 2021). "2021 Annual Meeting Report to the Council on Highways and Streets" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 13, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  15. ^ Stradling, Richard (March 19, 2022). "Two sections of U.S. 70 in Eastern North Carolina join the interstate highway system". News & Observer.
  16. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (May 2022). "2022 Spring Meeting Report to the Council on Highways and Streets" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  17. ^ "Interstate 42 Coming to the U.S. 70 'Goldsboro' Bypass". North Carolina Department of Transportation. September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  18. ^ "Work underway for I-42 from Morehead City to Raleigh". WITN-TV. January 25, 2020. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  19. ^ "Construction Begins on Goldsboro Bypass". Raleigh, NC: WRAL-TV. October 9, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  20. ^ a b c Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  21. ^ "First Section of Goldsboro Bypass Opens". Raleigh, NC: WRAL-TV. December 16, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  22. ^ "NCDOT Opens First Section of Goldsboro Bypass to Traffic" (Press release). North Carolina Department of Transportation. December 16, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  23. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation (August 24, 2015). "US 70 Bypass Application" (PDF). Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 5, 2015 – via American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
  24. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (September 25, 2015). "Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering Report to the Standing Committee on Highways" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 20, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  25. ^ Staff Reports (October 16, 2015). "Second Leg of Goldsboro Bypass to Open Saturday". The News & Observer. Raleigh, NC. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  26. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation (October 16, 2015). "Western Section of US 70 Goldsboro Bypass to Open Saturday" (Press release). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  27. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation (January 12, 2016). "Route Changes" (PDF). Highway Traffic Ordinance. Raleigh: North Carolina Department of Transportation. p. 5. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  28. ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation (May 27, 2016). "Governor McCrory Celebrates Opening of Completed Goldsboro Bypass" (Press release). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  29. ^ Conners, Ken (June 5, 2021). "Portion of U.S. 70 Bypass Dedicated to Mayor Chuck Allen". Goldsboro Daily News. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Change coming to U.S. 70 in Wilson's Mills | News & Observer". Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  31. ^ "NCDOT: U.S. 70 Upgrade in Wilson's Mills - Project Maps". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  32. ^ "NCDOT: U.S. 70 Upgrade in Wilson's Mills". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  33. ^ "DOT Could Relocate I-95 Between Smithfield and Selma". The Johnston County Repor. September 15, 2017. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  34. ^ "R-5829A/B: U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass to Princeton". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
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  38. ^ "NCDOT: Kinston Bypass Project". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  39. ^ "NCDOT: Kinston Bypass Project - Project Page". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  40. ^ Bunting, Courtney (March 11, 2023). "Proposed I-42 interchange could impact historic battlefield in Jones & Lenoir Counties". WITN-TV. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  41. ^ "NCDOT: U.S. 70 Improvements in James City". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  42. ^ "State Transportation Improvement Program". Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  43. ^ "Federal grant to help widen I-95, turn U.S. 70 into interstate | News & Observer". Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  44. ^ "Balfour Beatty Awarded $242.35 Million Design-Build Contract by North Carolina Department of Transportation". Yahoo Finance. February 1, 2023. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  45. ^ "More of U.S. 70 in Craven County Will Be Upgraded". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  46. ^ "NCDOT: U.S. 70 Havelock Bypass". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  47. ^ "U.S. 70 in Craven County Requires Temporary Lane Closures". North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  48. ^ "Signing Plan, Craven and Carteret Counties, Location: US 70 Havelock Bypass from South of Carteret/Craven County Line to South of SR 1176 (Carolina Pines Blvd.)" (PDF). US Highway 70 Corridor. US 70 Corridor Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  49. ^ "I-42 North Carolina Exit List". Retrieved September 17, 2024.

External links

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