Major STIP Projects
US 70/I-42 James City Improvements (U-5713, R-5777A, R-5777B)
Construction is underway to improve traffic on a 5.1-mile stretch of U.S. 70 from east of Thurman Road to the Neuse River Bridge in James City.
Work is expected to eliminate the existing signalized intersections on U.S. 70 at Williams Road, Airport Road, Grantham Road, Taberna Way and Thurman Road in James City by taking U.S. 70 over these side roads and providing access via ramps.
This is a design-build project, which means the contractor is teamed up with a design firm to assist in the design of the project. This method allows innovation and a reduced schedule since the designer and contractor are working hand-in-hand, and while construction is under way on some sections of the highway, design work is continuing for other sections.
The project is among several to improve the U.S. 70 Corridor – one of the primary east-west corridors across eastern North Carolina.
Project Cost
| Preliminary engineering | $10,597,965 |
| Property acquisition | $77,800,000 |
| Construction | $233,795,000 |
| Total cost | $322,192,965 |
Project Timeline
U.S. 70/I-42 Improvements – Havelock Bypass to James City (R-5777C)
- Improve regional mobility
- Assist economic development in primarily rural areas of eastern North Carolina
- Provide a closer interstate connection to the Port of Morehead City
- Benefit military interconnectivity
- Make the corridor safer by reducing intersections
Project Cost
| Preliminary engineering | $6,831,000 |
| Utilities | $13,400,000 |
| Property Acquisition | $29,130,000 |
| Construction | $225,800,000 |
| Total | $275,161,000 |
Project Timeline
| Preliminary designs approved | March 2018 |
| Environmental document complete | July 2018 |
| Advertise design-build request for proposal | July 2018 |
| Award design-build contract | September 2019 |
| Right-of-way acquisition begins | Spring 2020 |
| Utility relocation begins | Winter 2020 |
| Construction begins | Spring 2022 |
| Construction complete | Late 2024 |
NC 24 Corridor Study
In order to improve transportation connections between Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune and the Port of Morehead City, a scoping report was undertaken by NCDOT to study improvements to North Carolina Highway 24 between Swansboro and Morehead City. The preferred alternative is to upgrade the corridor to a superstreet configuration. The existing center dual left-turn lane would be converted into a median with dedicated left-turns and U-turn bulbouts. The intersection of NC 24 and NC 58 in Cedar Point/Cape Carteret would be upgraded to an interchange. These upgrades would significantly improve safety and traffic flow along the corridor.
NC 24 Corridor Study Scoping Report
NC 24 Corridor Study Environmental Maps
NC 24 Corridor Study Conceptual Designs
Other Project Information
NCDOT Current STIP
March Division 2 Construction Progress Report
Carbon Reduction Program
US 70/I-42 Havelock Bypass (R-1015)
Construction is underway to build a bypass on the southwest side of Havelock and U.S. 70 beginning north of the Havelock city limit and extending south approximately 10 miles to just south of the Craven-Carteret County line.
The Havelock Bypass will be a four-lane, median-divided highway that will provide a high-speed alternative to using U.S. 70 through Havelock, which is hampered by numerous traffic signals at intersecting side streets.
The roadway will help improve traffic and freight movement along the U.S. 70 Corridor – a major connection from the Morehead City Port to Raleigh – and assist economic development in eastern North Carolina’s rural areas. This corridor is the future Interstate 42.
Project Cost
| Project development and design | $27,585,034 |
| Right-of-way acquisition | $13,829,228 |
| Utility relocation | $12,595,114 |
| Construction | $167,243,716 |
| Total cost | $221,253,092 |
Project Timeline
Harkers Island Bridge Replacement (B-4863)
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to replace the Earl C. Davis Memorial Bridge (Bridge No. 73) and Bridge No. 96 – both of which connect the town of Straits on the mainland to Harkers Island. Both bridges touch down on a center island.
The bridges are each more than 50 years old and are due for replacement. Doing so would not only improve their structural capacity but also provide better access to and from the island in emergencies and during hurricane evacuations.
Project Cost
| Project Development & Design | $1,720,000 |
| Property Acquisition | $1,320,000 |
| Utility Relocation | $5,000,000 |
| Construction Costs | $60,000,000 |
| Total Cost | $68,040,000 |
Project Timeline
| Preferred Alternative selection | Summer 2017 |
| Environmental Document completed | Fall 2017 |
| Right of way acquisition begins | Summer 2018 |
| Construction begins | Fall 2021 |
| Construction ends | Fall 2025 |
Preferred Alternative: Harkers Island Bridge Alternative 5 Map
US 70/I-42 Kinston Bypass (R-2553)
The proposed Kinston Bypass would be a four-lane, median-divided freeway (accessible via ramps at interchanges) that extends approximately 21 miles from U.S. 70 near La Grange (in Lenoir County) to U.S. 70 near Dover (on the Jones-Craven County line).
The project has a design speed of 70 mph and, when complete, would help reduce traffic congestion and delays that currently exist along U.S. 70 in Lenoir, Jones, and Craven counties.
Project Cost
| Intelligent Transportation Systems | $2,600,000 |
| Utility cost | $17,090,000 |
| Right of way cost | $86,830,000 |
| Construction costs | $582,600,000 |
| Mitigation cost | $27,050,000 |
| Total cost | $716,170,000 |
Project Timeline
CONTACT
Becca Eversole
Director, Down East Rural Planning Organization
(252) 638-3185 ext. 3031 (office)
(252) 229-4332 (cell)