NC Department of Transportation
U.S. 70 Business and N.C. 42 renaming
Johnston County, North Carolina
NC Department of Transportation
U.S. 70 Business and N.C. 42 renaming
Johnston County, North Carolina
NCDOT has a long-term plan to upgrade U.S. 70 between Garner and Morehead City to interstate standards. The section of this highway between Garner and Wilson’s Mills in Johnston County has been authorized to be redesignated and signed as Interstate 42. This authorization comes from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); the designation to use I-42 was determined by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) As a result of the need to redesignate this portion of U.S. 70 to I-42, it is necessary to also redesignate U.S. 70 and N.C. 42 in this same vicinity of Johnston County to avoid confusion with the traveling public.
The U.S. 70 (future I-42) Corridor project between I-40 in southeastern Garner and Morehead City represents a significant undertaking involving multiple counties, particularly highway Divisions 4 and 2, which are overseeing various projects to upgrade segments of this corridor to interstate standards. By improving the movement of both people and goods along U.S. 70, this initiative seeks to enhance overall connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the region. The establishment of Interstate 42 will provide a more efficient and reliable transportation route, benefiting both local communities and the broader national transportation network, as well as improving safety and regional mobility and supporting economic development.
In the spring of 2022, the USDOT informed state highway officials it had authorized NCDOT to sign a 10-mile segment of U.S. 70 near Clayton as Interstate 42. Before this change can be implemented, NCDOT will need to redesignate N.C. 42 in the same vicinity to avoid confusion with the drivers, and also redesignate U.S. 70 Business in the Clayton area as U.S. 70.
(Colors correspond to colors on the map below.)
U.S. 70
Designation to be removed between I-40/U.S. 70/U.S. 70 Business in southeast Garner to U.S. 70/U.S. 70 Business in southeast Clayton
U.S. 70 Business
I-40/U.S. 70 in southeast Garner to U.S. 70/U.S. 70 Business in southeast Clayton will be signed as U.S. 70
U.S. 70
U.S. 70 ramp from I-40 to U.S. 70/U.S. 70 Business in southeast Clayton (Clayton Bypass) to be signed as I-42
N.C. 42
To avoid potential confusion for travelers, a portion of N.C. 42 will also be resigned.
Between N.C. 50 and current U.S. 70 Business the N.C. 42 designation will be removed
Between U.S. 70 (Clayton Bypass) and current U.S. 70 Business the N.C. 42 designation will be removed.
N.C. 36
N.C. 42 between N.C. 50 and U.S. 70 (Clayton Bypass) will be resigned as N.C. 36
U.S. 70 (Clayton Bypass) between N.C. 42 and Ranch Road (S.R. 1560) will be signed as I-42/N.C. 36
Ranch Road between U.S. 70 (Clayton Bypass) to U.S. 70 Business will be signed as N.C. 36
The map below shows a graphical depiction of the changes listed above
Maps Below show individual changes to be made
Sections shown are for submittal requirements only
The following maps show the areas being dedesignated or redesignated. Clicking on the maps will open them in a new window for viewing or downloading.
Click map to view full-size map.
Current U.S. 70 to be designated as I-42
Current U.S. 70 Business to be designated as U.S. 70
Current N.C. 42 to have designation removed
Sections to be designated as N.C. 36
Please use the Road Rename Project Feedback Form to provide comments.
Thank you for your interest in Johnston County.