CLAYTON – The newly constructed extension of Ranch Road to Clayton Boulevard (formerly U.S. 70 Business) opened for the first time Monday afternoon.
The $9.7 million construction project is expected to alleviate congestion in this fast-growing area of Johnston County by creating a new commuter route to Interstate 42.
Under the project, Ranch Road was extended to Rose Street, which was a dead end at the busy intersection of Clayton Boulevard and N.C. 42 East in Clayton. In addition, Little Creek Church Road was realigned with Ranch Road where a traffic signal was installed and activated Monday.
The N.C. Department of Transportation contractor has some minor punch-list work still to do that may require occasional lane closures, and the permanent lane markings on the new roadway will be placed by this summer.
The funding for this project was a partnership involving NCDOT, the town of Clayton, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Statewide Contingency Fund, which is a special fund for highway projects that receives approval from the transportation secretary and leadership in the N.C. General Assembly.