R-5829A/B: U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass to Princeton
R-5829A/B: U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass to Princeton
Preliminary Engineering Activities for this project
have resumed.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to upgrade U.S. 70 to interstate standards from the U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass in Wayne County to west of Pondfield Road (S.R. 2314) in Johnston County. The project will upgrade approximately 6.7 miles of U.S. 70 to an interstate facility with interchanges at designated locations. Driveway and intersection connections to existing U.S. 70 and median crossovers along U.S. 70 will be removed. Service roads will be added along portions of the project to provide access and to ensure mobility for local traffic.
The project will not be providing additional through lanes along U.S. 70, but will include widening the median and outside paved shoulders. This is one of several projects that the N.C. Department of Transportation is working on to improve the U.S. 70 Corridor. It is intended to improve regional mobility and provide better connectivity between Raleigh and Morehead City.
Study Area Map:
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
For funding purposes, the project was initially divided into two segments to be planned and designed together, then constructed in stages. The current project schedule for Segment A anticipates right of way acquisition to begin in 2024 followed by construction in 2026. In Segment B, right of way acquisition is anticipated to begin in 2025 followed by construction in 2028. However, NCDOT continues to evaluate the possibility of accelerating the project through use of a Design-Build contracting method, which combines preconstruction and construction services into one contract. If Design-Build funding is secured and the proposed project schedule changes, this website will be updated with the latest information.
Segment A extends from the Goldsboro Bypass to west of N. Pearl Street/Edwards Road (S.R. 2372).
Two interchanges are proposed in Segment A:
One interchange is proposed in the vicinity of Capps Bridge Road (S.R. 1234) and Ebenezer Church Road (S.R. 1234) in Wayne County; and
One interchange is proposed on the east side of the Town of Princeton in Johnston County.
Segment B extends from west of N. Pearl Street/Edwards Road to west of Pondfield Road (S.R. 2314).
One interchange is proposed in Segment B.
The interchange is proposed on the western side of the Town of Princeton, in Johnston County.
PROJECT STATUS
Selection of Preferred Alternatives and Associated Maps
Based on review of comments from the open house public meeting held in December 2017, and after further coordination and review regarding impacts to residences, businesses, and environmental features, the NCDOT has identified preferred interchange designs at or near the following locations:
Capps Bridge Road/Ebenezer Church Road (map)
N. Pearl Street/Edwards Road (map)
U.S. 70A/New Ballpark Road Extension (map)
To provide continued local access across U.S. 70 to the Town of Princeton, NCDOT also proposes that U.S. 70 cross over Rains Mill Road/N. Pine Street on bridges.
Traffic Noise Analysis
Preliminary analysis of traffic noise was completed in April 2019, and the maps show potential noise abatement areas. The labeled areas on the maps indicate noise-sensitive locations for which potential noise barriers have been identified. More detailed analyses will occur during final project design to determine whether these potential barrier locations meet the feasible and reasonable criteria within the NCDOT Traffic Noise Policy. If these criteria are met, barrier construction will occur pending public approval. An important concept in Federal regulation and in the NCDOT Traffic Noise Policy is the Date of Public Knowledge, which stipulates when NCDOT is and is not responsible for providing noise abatement. The Date of Public Knowledge of the location and potential noise impacts for this project will be the approval date of the Categorical Exclusion (CE), which was approved in August 2019. NCDOT is not responsible for evaluating or implementing any noise barriers to protect developed lands that did not have building permits issued before the Date of Public Knowledge. NCDOT advocates use of local government authority to regulate land development, planning, design, and construction in such a way that noise impacts are minimized.
NEXT STEPS
A Categorical Exclusion (CE) documented the impacts of the project and addressed the concerns that were expressed by the public and others during the planning process. The project planning study concluded in the Summer of 2019 with the publication of the CE. More detailed traffic noise analysis for potential noise abatement areas will occur during final design.
PROJECT COST AND TIMELINE
| Milestone | Estimated Amount* |
| Spent in Prior Years | $ 2,000,000 |
| Property Acquisition | $ 53,200,000 |
| Utilities | $ 14,600,000 |
| Construction Costs | $ 194,800,000 |
| Total Cost | $ 264,600,000 |
* Estimated Costs are subject to change.
Milestone | Date* |
Feasibility Study completed for Segment A (from Edwards Road to the Goldsboro Bypass) | November 2015 |
Feasibility Study for Segment B | August 2018 |
1st Public Meeting | December 7, 2017 |
Review public, agency, and other stakeholder input, complete field work and studies, prepare preliminary project designs, summarize alternative(s), associated costs, impacts, etc., and prepare a draft environmental document | January 2018 to December 2018 |
2nd Public Meeting | May 21, 2019 |
Categorical Exclusion Environmental Documentation completed | August 8, 2019 |
Final Design and Additional Noise Analysis Begins | 2021 |
Right of Way Acquisition Segment A | 2024 |
Right of Way Acquisition Segment B | 2025 |
Construction Segment A | 2026 |
Construction Segment B | 2028 |
* Future Dates are subject to change
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
The NCDOT project team will review all feedback – regardless of how it is submitted (online, phone, email, or letter) – and explore options to incorporate and address concerns where and when feasible. NCDOT will continue to develop the project and present progress throughout the planning stage.
PUBLIC MEETING
NCDOT held an open-house public meeting to present the Preferred Alternative on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 from 4 p.m. -7 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, located at 220 Barden Street in Princeton.
Maps that were presented:
- Capps Bridge Road/Ebenezer Church Road
- N. Pearl Street/Edwards Road
- U.S. 70A/New Ballpark Road Extension
NCDOT previously held an open house public meeting regarding the proposed improvements to U.S. 70 in Wayne and Johnston Counties. The meeting was held on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church, located at 220 Barden Street in Princeton from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
2017 - Public Meeting Handout
Please click on this link to view or download a copy of the December 7, 2017 Public Meeting Handout.
2017 - Public Meeting Maps
Please click on the links below to view or download a copy of the maps being presented at the public meeting
R-5829AB-East Princeton-Dr Donnie Jones East Map
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS
Comments may be submitted via phone, email or U.S. Mail to either of the individuals listed below or at any meeting.
RESPONSES TO COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM PUBLIC MEETING
NCDOT held an open-house public meeting on May 21, 2019, at Grace Baptist Church in Princeton, NC. Comments were submitted to the project team via comment forms, letters, emails, and phone calls. These comments have been summarized and responses prepared for those that required additional information or clarification. Please click here to view or download a copy of the responses.
NCDOT held a public meeting to share information about the project on December 7, 2017, at Grace Baptist Church in Princeton, NC. The meeting was attended by 269 members of the public. Comments were submitted to the project team via comment forms, letters, emails, and phone calls. These comments have been summarized and responses prepared for those that required additional information or clarification. Please click here to view or download a copy of the responses.
NCDOT Project Engineer | Consultant Project Manager |
| Rachel Evans, PE | Debbie Barbour, PE |
| NCDOT Highway Division 4 | Kisinger Campo & Associates |
| PO Box 3165 | 301 Fayetteville Street - suite 1500 |
| Wilson, NC 27895 | Raleigh, NC 27601 |
Projet Email: US70-GoldsboroPrinceton Project Phone: 984-205-6615 Code: 2120 | |