Smithfield Outlines Downtown Parking Plan Ahead Of NCDOT Changes
SMITHFIELD – One day after the N.C. Department of Transportation announced it will soon remove on-street parking from a section of East Market Street (U.S. 70 Business) to address long-standing safety concerns, the Town of Smithfield issued a statement outlining the extensive parking options that will remain available downtown and reaffirming its support for local businesses.
CLICK HERE FOR A DOWNTOWN PARKING MAP
The NCDOT project—expected to begin in early December—will eliminate roughly 70 parking spaces between Second and North Seventh streets. State transportation officials said the change is necessary after more than 500 crashes were recorded in the area over a five-year period, many of them involving parked cars being struck or sideswiped.
In its response Wednesday, the Town emphasized that downtown Smithfield still offers over 500 total parking spaces, including more than 300 public-lot spaces and over 200 on-street spaces on neighboring streets.
“We understand the frustration and inconvenience that this may cause,” town officials said, noting that the goal is to help residents, visitors, and customers continue to easily access downtown businesses during the transition.
Public Lots Available
The Town highlighted several public parking locations that will remain open, including:
- County Lot at South 3rd Street & Johnston Street
- Courthouse parking areas on South 2nd Street
- Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield lot (between North 3rd and 4th streets)
- Lot on the east side of Wells Fargo Bank
- Additional smaller lots within a short walk of Market Street
On-Street Parking Nearby
On-street spaces will continue to be available on:
- South Front Street
- North & South Second Street
- North & South Third Street
- North & South Fourth Street
- Bridge Street
- Johnston Street
- Church Street
These locations, the Town noted, provide convenient access to shops, restaurants, services, and holiday events without relying on Market Street parking.
Town officials also reiterated their commitment to collaborate with both the business community and NCDOT as the state prepares a broader improvement plan for East Market Street, including resurfacing, wider travel lanes, and upgraded pedestrian features such as marked crosswalks and pedestrian signals.
“The Town of Smithfield remains committed to working closely with downtown businesses and NCDOT to ensure a smooth transition during these safety enhancements,” the statement said. “We encourage residents and visitors to continue supporting our downtown shops, restaurants, and attractions during this improvement period.”
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Doesn’t look like any additional parking. Currently difficult to park in Smithfield. More parking needs to be added, or remaining businesses will not survive.
court days eat up a lot of spaces in and around the court house. It’s a tough spot for the town which has seen a decline in businesses filling brick and mortar spots. The Amazon traffic and other large trucks already hurt but this hurts as well. I never understood the thought process allowing Amazon to setup on the west edge of town when they have to drive straight through downtown to access I-95.
It’s called padding pockets and money hungry sharks. Sad to say but Smithfiled will soon be a ghost town.
Amazon doesn’t care, and the pols didn’t have on their thinking caps or didn’t care when they allowed Amazon. Semis rolling through town are killing it. Now they will go faster, and it will be more difficult to cross the street. Smithfieldians should reject the DOT plans and push our pols to act.
It certainly is interesting that there was not any public discussion period that I am aware of regarding these changes. Seems like the change was imposed by fiat rather than any meaningful discussion.
Some people are not able to walk blocks to get to all these shops. Guess Carolina pottery has the right idea to get streets out of the way. I hope The Diner is not hurt too bad by this inconsiderate stupidity.
Where is our political leadership? Why weren’t there any periods for public comment?
This is the best thing to happen to Market Street. That street desperately needs a center turn lane. Just to know I’ll never be stuck behind somebody trying to turn left, is so refreshing. I can’t understand why anybody would oppose this, it is absolutely terrific news.
I am opposed because it will lower the walkability of downtown making it even more dangerous for pedestrians trying to cross Market St. If you have such difficulty making a left turn, perhaps you need a refresher course in driver’s ed. Increased and faster moving traffic is not an inducement to visit Smithfield, rather it is a detractant for those who would like to visit what used to be a charming downtown.
Please learn how to read “Cornbread”. I said I hated being stuck behind somebody who is turning left. Actually, it would probably entice more people to go downtown because it’ll be safer to drive on Market Street. Maybe it’s pedestrians who need lessons in how to cross a street.
How about “no trucks” we have many routes to bypass downtown. To 95 north and south.
Selma’s downtown is happy to take any small businesses! They have a growing community of businesses and a couple groups for supporting small businesses down town!