The N.C. Department of Transportation has selected Alternative 1SB as its preferred route for the U.S. 70 Kinston Bypass. The 22-mile route runs between the N-C 903/U-S 70 interchange in LaGrange and the existing U-S 70 east of Dover. Interchanges in Kinston would be at South Queen Street, N-C 58 and east of Lenoir Community College.
“Alternative 1SB had the most public support of all the alternative. We also received unanimous support from all Lenoir County Commissioners to select that alternative,” said Heather Lane, the Assistant Division Construction Engineer. “That alternative had the least amount of wetland impacts and it also received support from the Environmental Resource Agency.”
Lane said the next step is drafting a final environmental impact statement which is due in mid-to-late 2021. Right-of-way acquisition is scheduled for 2023 and construction beginning in 2027. Once the $379.1 million project is complete, the Kinston Bypass will improve regional mobility, connectivity and capacity and will be part of future Interstate 42, a proposed interstate that would run from I-40 in Raleigh to Morehead City.
