Alternative 1SB was chosen by the N.C. Department of Transportation as the 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 a section of the selected bypass, which would parallel existing U.S. 70 to the south of the new location for approximately 6.5 miles.
Interchanges along the new location portion of the selected route 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 shallow bypass back to existing U.S. 70.
Alternative 1SB would then follow existing U.S. 70 from this interchange east to the project terminus east of Dover and would upgrade U.S. 70 to a full control of access highway with interchanges at Wyse Fork /Caswell Station roads and Old U.S. 70 (West Kornegay Street) in Dover.
How Alternative 1SB was Chosen
After several public meetings, Alternative 1SB was selected based on having the most public support, shortest project length, least amount of projected wetland impacts, highest projected net economic benefit, while also preserving 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 and a Record of Decision in 2023. The funding for the project has been divided into five sections (A-E) in the 2024-2033 STIP, where the scheduled right of way acquisition and construction dates are shown in the table below.
Wyse Fork Junction Under Review
Update: Wyse Fork Access
NCDOT is looking to balance the needs of maintaining critical highway access in the Wyse Fork area while minimizing any impacts to the battlefield. To learn how, and why this access is so critical,
watch this short video.
This conventional intersection must be upgraded to interstate standards as part of the overall project. The three options are summarized below. All three options would impact the Wyse Fork Battlefield and also necessitate the construction of new service roads.
Option 1: Build a full-access interchange with a bridge and ramps and loop, requiring 55 acres of new right of way. This option is currently shown in the Virtual Room maps as a preliminary design option.
Option 2: Build a compressed interchange, which would allow drivers to exit from and onto the highway from the two side roads and require 30.5 acres of new right of way.
Option 3: Build an overpass without any highway access to the two side roads. This option requires 12.3 acres and would eliminate direct access to U.S. 70.
NCDOT also evaluated a fourth option that would have involved relocating the future Wyse Fork interchange between 1.1 and 1.5 miles to the east out of the battlefield’s historic boundary. After a thorough review, it was determined that relocating the future interchange would not be reasonable for several reasons. One reason is there is no existing road network south of U.S. 70 to provide connectivity to the Jones County community. Moving the interchange eastward would also significantly raise costs and increase project timelines, as well as reduce highway access and increase environmental and property impacts.
Right of Way Acquisition & Construction Dates for Project Sections
A
| From approximately 3,750 feet west to approximately 5,500 southeast of the intersection with Willie Measely Road and Jim Sutton Road (R-5813)
| Not Funded
| Not Funded
|
A
| From approximately 1.5 miles northwest of Albert Sugg Road to Albert Sugg Road
| Not Funded
| Not Funded
|
B
| Albert Sugg Road to N.C. 148/Harvey Parkway
| Not Funded
| Not Funded
|
C
| N.C. 148/Harvey Parkway to East of N.C. 58
| Not Funded
| Not Funded
|
D
| East of N.C. 58 to Wyse Fork Road
| Not Funded
| Not Funded
|
E
| Wyse Fork Road to near Dover
| Not Funded
| Not Funded
|
*The above table is based on the 2024-2033 STIP.
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 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 1SB. The public can expect a Final Environmental Impact Statement and a Record of Decision in 2025.
Other Nearby Projects
NCDOT completed the planning and environmental study to upgrade a 2.8-mile segment of U.S. 70 that would encompass the western end of the Kinston Bypass project, just south of La Grange. Please visit the
Little Baltimore project website for more information.