Alternative 1SB was chosen by the N.C. Department of Transportation as the applicant's preferred alternative for the future U.S. 70 Kinston Bypass.
The route begins near the N.C. 903/ U.S. 70 interchange in La Grange and would follow existing U.S. 70 for approximately 7 miles to just east of N.C. 148 (C.F. Harvey Parkway).
Interchanges would be located at Willie Measley/Jim Sutton roads, Albert Sugg/Barwick Station roads and N.C. 148 (C.F. Harvey Parkway).
A new interchange east of N.C. 148 would provide access to the new location segment of the alternative, which would parallel existing U.S. 70 to the south of the new location for approximately 6.5 miles.
Interchanges along the new location segment of the alternative would be located at N.C. 11/N.C. 55, U.S. 258 (South Queen Street), and N.C. 58 (Trenton Highway).
A new interchange east of Lenoir Community College would connect the new location segment of the alternative back to existing U.S. 70.
The preferred alternative would then follow existing U.S. 70 from this interchange east to where the project ends east of Dover. In this section of the alternative, the project would improve existing U.S. 70 to a fully controlled-access highway with interchanges at Wyse Fork /Caswell Station roads and Old U.S. 70 (West Kornegay Street) in Dover.
How the Applicant's Preferred Alternative Was Chosen
After several public meetings, Alternative 1SB was selected as the applicant's preferred alternative because it has the most public support, shortest project length, least amount of projected wetland impacts, highest projected net economic benefit, and also preserves the rural character of southern Lenoir County.
The next steps for the project include the development of more detailed designs. The public can expect a Final Environmental Impact Statement in 2026 and a Record of Decision in 2027.
Design Revisions Since 2022
Since the roadway designs were
published in June 2022, NCDOT has continued to make improvements and revisions based on public input and the goal of minimizing impacts to the environment and cultural resources, such as the Wyse Fork Battlefield. As a result, NCDOT announced in May 2024 the following design revisions to these three proposed interchanges below:
CF Harvey Parkway: The existing interchange with N.C. 148/CF Harvey Parkway and U.S. 70 would remain in place. The previously proposed connection via a new bridge to U.S. 70 Business (Vernon Avenue) would not be provided. Instead, drivers who wished to make this connection would need to use the U.S. 70 Business and U.S. 70 interchange located to the east of N.C. 148. This design revision, which would reduce property impacts, was made after reviewing traffic data.
Caswell Station/Wyse Fork Roads: The previously proposed interchange would be moved farther east by 0.3 miles and be a compressed-diamond interchange design. NCDOT made this revision to provide a reasonable balance between competing interests, the needs of the project, and the requests made by stakeholders who make up the Section 106 Consulting Parties. (See
FAQ for additional information).
Dover: The previously proposed interchange involved a bridge over the railroad. The revised design brings Burkett Road over U.S. 70 at an angle and terminates the project before the railroad crossing, eliminating the need to build an overpass. This change was made based on the future travel demand for this interchange, and it reduces property impacts.
The Kinston Bypass would be approximately 21 miles of a four-lane, median divided freeway accessible via ramps at interchanges. When complete, the bypass would improve regional mobility, connectivity, and capacity for U.S. 70, reducing traffic congestion and delays that exist along U.S. 70 between La Grange and Dover.
The applicant's preferred alternative can be viewed the following ways:
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The project team is currently working on the Final Environmental Impact Statement, which will evaluate the potential impacts of the preferred alternative. The public can expect a Final Environmental Impact Statement in 2026, followed by a public hearing. A Record of Decision is scheduled to be completed in 2027.