R-5829A/B: U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass to Princeton
R-5829A/B: U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass to Princeton
This project is one of several included in the U.S. 70 corridor improvements between Raleigh and the Port of Morehead City. For information on other projects along the corridor, please visit: https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-70-corridor
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 construct approximately 6.7 miles of freeway, three interchanges, and a bridge crossing over Rains Mill Road/N. Pine Street in the Town of Princeton. Driveways, intersecting streets, and median crossovers will be removed, and service roads will be added along portions of the project to provide access for property owners and to ensure mobility for local traffic. The project will not add additional through lanes to the existing four-lane divided highway but will provide wider paved outside and median shoulders.
This project is one of several projects that the N.C. Department of Transportation is working on to improve the U.S. 70 Corridor, with the intent to improve regional mobility and provide better connectivity between Raleigh and Morehead City. In May 2016, the U.S. 70 Corridor was designated the Future I-42 between I-40 and Morehead City.
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.
Segment A extends from the Goldsboro Bypass to west of N. Pearl Street/Edwards Road.
Two interchanges are in Segment A:
One interchange is proposed in the vicinity of Capps Bridge Road and Ebenezer Church Road in Wayne County; and
One interchange is proposed on the east side of the Town of Princeton at N. Pearl Street/Edwards Road in Johnston County.
Segment B extends from west of N. Pearl Street/Edwards Road to west of Pondfield Road.
One interchange is proposed in Segment B on the western side of the Town of Princeton in Johnston County, near the intersection with US 70A.
In addition, a new roadway, New Ballpark Road Extension, is proposed to be constructed from south of the US 70A interchange to Holts Pond Road and will align opposite New Ballpark Road.
PROJECT STATUS
Selection of Preferred Alternatives and Associated Maps
2019 Update
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
The project design will continue to be finalized, and the right of way plans will be completed. In addition, the more detailed traffic noise analysis will be completed. The completion of this work is targeted to meet the current STIP dates.
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 |
Postcard Update | February 2023 |
Categorical Exclusion Environmental Documentation completed | August 8, 2019 |
Final Design Begins | 2021 |
| Additional Noise Analysis Begins | 2022 |
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.
2019 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:
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 PREVIOUS 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 |
Project Email: US70-GoldsboroPrinceton Project Phone: 984-205-6615 Code: 2120 | |
RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions
Right of way Acquisition Process Videos