Improvements to U.S. 117 between Goldsboro and Mount Olive will soon be getting underway, as the NC Department of Transportation has awarded a $20.6 million contract for the project to S T Wooten Corporation of Wilson.
Two intersections along U.S. 117 in Wayne County are set to be upgraded to interchanges – one at O’Berry Road, and the other at Country Club Road. Eventually, O’Berry Road will go over U.S. 117, and U.S. 117 will pass over Country Club Road.
Both interchanges are being built to enhance safety and in preparation for U.S. 117 eventually being designated as an interstate in this area. These improvements are necessary because both intersections already carry an average of 15,000 vehicles per day, and that number is expected to increase to over 27,000 per day by 2037.
The project can begin as early as July 31 and is scheduled to be finished by October 2019. Additional work with vegetation and reforestation may continue through March 2020.
Detours will eventually be necessary with this project. O’Berry Road will be completely closed at U.S. 117, with a signed detour. Construction here is limited to 12 months.
U.S. 117 at Country Club Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and eventually detoured on to the new ramps as the bridges on U.S. 117 are built. Construction on this section of the project is limited to 18 months.
