Description

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is initiating environmental and engineering studies for the proposed Kinston Bypass Project. The Kinston Bypass Project is programmed in the 2009-2015 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as project number R-2553 (TIP Map) and described as a proposed four-lane, median divided freeway with full control of access on new location in Lenoir County and in the western portions of Craven and Jones Counties. The project is approximately 12 miles in length from US 70 near LaGrange to US 70 near Dover. Click here to see a map of the Project Vicinity and Study Area.

News and Updates

NCDOT welcomes participation in the public involvement process beginning with two Citizens Informational Workshops in February 2010.

• First Workshop - Tuesday, February 23, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  Kinston High School located at 2601 N. Queen Street in Kinston
• Second Workshop - Thursday, February 25, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  Kinston Public Service Complex at 2360 US Highway 258 South in Kinston

The purpose of these workshops will be to acquaint property owners and others interested with the proposed project, to introduce the NCDOT and Consultant Team, to obtain input from citizens on the general need for the project, and to answer questions.

Public Involvement Information:

• Citizens Informational Workshop Announcement Post Card No. 1 February 2010
• Tarjeta de Anuncios Número 1 de la Reunión Pública Informativa Febrero del 2010
• Citizens Informational Workshop Displays February 2010
• Citizens Informational Workshop Display Presentation - Station 2 PowerPoint 15MB
• Citizens Informational Workshop Handout/Comment Sheet February 2010
• Panfleto de la Reunión Pública Informativa / Formulario para Comentarios Febrero del 2010
• Transportation Related Terms

Project Overview and Purpose

In addition to being programmed in the STIP, the Kinston Bypass Project is also included in the City of Kinston Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP Map). While both the STIP and CTP show the Kinston Bypass project to the south of Kinston, corridors to the north and south of Kinston, as well as upgrading the existing US 70 and US 70 Bypass will be considered as potential alternatives as the project moves forward.

Why is this action needed?

Traffic capacity deficiencies exist along US 70 and US 70 Bypass in Lenoir County. Within Lenoir County and western portions of Craven and Jones Counties, access to and from US 70 and US 70 Bypass mostly consists of driveways for homes and businesses, as well as intersections controlled with stop signs and traffic signals. High traffic volumes combined with no control of access and closely-spaced intersections often result in stop and go conditions during daily rush hours.

Additionally, US 70 from Raleigh to Morehead City, which is designated as a Strategic Highway Corridor, plays a critical role in regional and statewide mobility. As a Strategic Highway Corridor, this portion of US 70 would be classified as a freeway. For more information on the NCDOT Strategic Highway Corridors Initiative, please click here.

Study Process

The Kinston Bypass Project is a state-funded project and will be developed in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). In order to fulfill the SEPA requirements, a State Environmental Impact Statement (State DEIS) will be prepared to evaluate impacts to the natural and human environments. The project will also follow the Interagency Merger Process in an effort to streamline the project development and permitting processes by providing a forum for agency representatives (known as the Merger Process Team) to discuss and reach concurrence on milestones throughout various stages of the project. The purpose of the Interagency Merger Process is to allow for a collaborative decision-making process to avoid, minimize, or mitigate for impacts to the human and natural environment while meeting the safety and mobility of the traveling public and the purpose of and need for the project.

For more information on SEPA, the Project Schedule, the Study Process and the Interagency Merger Process, please see the links below:

• SEPA Information
• Project Schedule
• Study Process
• NCDOT PDEA Merger Process

Contact Information

Resources for Local Property Owners

In many cases, it is inevitable that a certain amount of private property must be acquired. The displacement of homes and businesses is minimized to the extent practicable. The following brochures will answer questions about this process.