Times are tight for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, but several Wayne County road projects are still being planned for the very near future.  The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce held its Transportation Luncheon via Zoom on Tuesday.

Addressing the virtual audience, NCDOT Secretary Eric Boyette says the department was already having to delay and suspend programs before the COVID-19 pandemic began.  Boyette says state transportation revenue has been down, but traffic is picking up across the state leading to better transportation dollars coming in.

New Division 4 Engineer Kevin Bowen highlighted numerous upcoming projects that improve travel to and through Wayne County.  Bowen says there are three interstate improvement projects in the works in Division 4, including the I-42 work that will upgrade Highway 70 to interstate standards.  Interchange construction at O’berry Road and Country Club Road will prepare U.S. 117 for its eventual transformation into the future extension of I-795.

Other upcoming Wayne County projects include the Central Heights Road and Royall Avenue realignment at Berkeley Boulevard, widening Wayne Memorial Drive north of New Hope Road, and replacing the bridge next to the Franklin Baking Company in Goldsboro.  The NCDOT will also be letting $3.3 million in resurfacing work for Wayne County this November.

From the NCDOT’s presentation during Tuesday’s Transportation Luncheon hosted by the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce