2 minute read
Clayton celebrates announcement of N.C. 42 extension
from March 2020
by Johnston Now
Submitted by Town of Clayton
The N.C. Department of Transportation officially gave the green light to a major, multi-million dollar roadway project that will extend N.C. 42 East across U.S. 70, bringing significant relief to local industry and helping alleviate growing traffic congestion in the Clayton area.
Town officials credit North Carolina House Representative Donna White for helping get the project approved.
“We were in the 11th hour, about to lose more than $8 million in federal funding and still needing to go through at least three NCDOT approval meetings,” said Clayton Mayor Jody McLeod. “We went to Donna, she believed in the benefits this road extension would bring to residents and businesses, and she made it happen. The project and funding would have been lost if not for her.”
For decades, Clayton has suffered from what’s called an incomplete interchange. N.C. 42, a primary state highway, gets cut in half in Clayton — with both N.C. 42 East and West essentially dead-ending at U.S. 70 Business until it picks up again almost 2 miles and four local traffic lights later on U.S. 70 Business. This newly-approved extension will connect N.C. 42 East to Ranch Road, allowing drivers to reach the U.S. 70 Bypass in just one mile. The bypass is part of Future Interstate 42, which is a vital corridor for freight transport running from I-40 in Garner and connecting Clayton, Smithfield, Selma, Goldsboro, Kinston, New Bern and Havelock to the Port of Morehead City.
“Traffic congestion remains one of the top concerns of our residents, and this project is one of those rare projects that you can say will truly benefit everyone,” said Clayton Town Manager Adam Lindsay. “The Clayton Chamber of Commerce was already lining up support, local industry was behind this, and local residents will see the benefits because it is going to relieve some of their traffic concerns.”
“This is an incredible victory for Clayton, and I worked hard on this, not only because I knew it would help those who live and work in Johnston County, but it would help our major industry in the area, like Caterpillar, Novo Nordisk, Grifols and Guy C. Lee Building Supplies,” said White. “One of my priorities is to ensure the success of our local economy and this extension will improve the delivery demands and truck routing for these large manufacturers — giving them more direct, faster routes. And for families, I hope it means getting where they need to go is a little easier as the western part of Johnston County continues to grow.”
NCDOT’s Division 4 will be managing the project and will be working on a schedule for the project. Right-of-way acquisition may begin later this year.
