N.C. 42 Widening in Clayton

The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes widening N.C. 42 in Johnston County between N.C. 50 and U.S. 70 Business in Clayton into a four-lane road divided by a median to improve traffic flow, reduce delays during rush hour, and accommodate expected growth in traffic.

Traffic volume studies in 2016 found that many portions of N.C. 42 are operating at or above capacity, and that congestion is occurring at many of the intersections with traffic signals. Turning onto N.C. 42 without signals is becoming more difficult.

The corridor has a peak of 22,000 vehicles each day, with a forecast of an average of 35,000 vehicles by 2040 – a 63 percent increase – on either side of I-40.

Without improvements, congestion will continue to grow and lead to long delays.

Other Area Projects

This project is separate from plans underway to widen Interstate 40 from Exit 301 in southeast Raleigh to Exit 312 near Clayton as well as to upgrade the Interstate 40/N.C. 42 interchange. That project is in the construction phase, and NCDOT will closely coordinate both projects.

Project Funding

This project is listed as R-3410 in the N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program and is funded with these cost estimates.

*Estimated costs subject to change