WILSON'S MILLS – Drivers going east on a stretch of U.S. 70 in Johnston County should expect delays starting Sept. 12 until a traffic shift is completed one week later.
An N.C. Department of Transportation contractor is upgrading 4.7 miles of U.S. 70 through Wilson's Mills to interstate standards. The work includes converting the highway's intersections with Swift Creek and Wilson's Mills roads into interchanges with bridges, ramps and loops.
The contractor is ready to shift the two eastbound lanes into a new pattern around the bridge under construction at Wilson's Mills Road. Crews will need to keep one of the two eastbound lanes closed beginning around 5 a.m. Sept. 12, so they can safely do the necessary tie-in work.
The lane closure will affect this stretch of U.S. 70 East indicated as the blue line in this Google map. People should observe the reduced speed limit (55 mph) and be cautious going through the work zone, and expect delays, especially during the afternoon commute.
The process will require the eastbound lanes to alternately close until the traffic shift is completed by Sept. 19, when both eastbound lanes will be open again in a new location that is a little farther to the south.
A temporary traffic signal at the relocated U.S. 70 East at Wilson's Mills Road will begin operating on Sept. 19.
The weeklong traffic shift will not affect the westbound lanes of U.S. 70. In addition, the current traffic signal at U.S. 70 West at Wilson's Mills Road will remain in operation after the traffic shift is completed.
The NCDOT awarded a $58.8 million contract last year for this construction, which is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2024. People may learn more about the project at this NCDOT website.