NCDOT Holds Open House On NC 242 Widening Project

BENSON – The N.C. Department of Transportation wants the public’s feedback on long-term plans to widen more than a half-mile of N.C. 242 near Interstate 40.

The department has developed a proposal to convert the existing two-lane highway into four lanes with a raised median between Tarheel Road and I-40 at Exit 325. The project would include the construction of concrete curbs and gutters, as well as roundabouts at the highway’s intersections at Federal Road Extension and at Tarheel Road.

People may attend an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Benson Conference Center at Town Hall at 303 E. Church St., where they can see design maps and ask the project team questions. There will be no formal presentation during the meeting.

The department will consider comments received by Dec. 5 toward the final design. For those unable to attend the open house, they may email the project team comments or questions to 242_Widening@publicinput.com; or call 984-205-6615 and enter project code 12144 to leave a message.

Alternatively, people may go to this NCDOT public input site to submit comments or learn more about the proposed project.

The project is estimated to cost a total of $23 million; it is funded only for preliminary engineering in the current State Transportation Improvement Program.