US 70 Selma Upgrades Planned For 2025 

The NC Department of Transportation has tentatively scheduled to make a major update to US 70 in Selma in the year 2025.

The DOT identified 13 projects in Highway Division 4 in the forthcoming 2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that covers Edgecombe, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Wayne and Wilson Counties.

Three key projects in the local area are included in the DOT’s future plans.

The NC DOT plans to convert the existing five-lane US 70 in Selma with an open center turn lane into a four-lane divided highway between US 301 and I-95 in 2025. The cost is projected at $11.4 million. Photo by John Payne

In Selma, the DOT plans to convert the existing five-lane US 70 with an open center turn lane into a four-lane, divided highway between US 301 and Interstate 95.  The project is expected to cost $11.4 million. Right-of-way acquisition is expected to begin in 2023 with actual construction in 2025.

US 70 Business Between Clayton And Garner
Another project includes upgrading US 70 Business from Highway 42 in Clayton to the Greenfield Parkway in Garner to a ‘superstreet.’ The superstreet designation would have the greatest impact to business driveways and side streets. In most cases drivers on side streets would have to make a right turn to enter Highway 70 and not be allowed to cross the median unless at a traffic signal.  The $38.5 million project is scheduled for right-of-way acquisition in 2026 with construction in 2028.

US 70 Princeton Project Slated For 2027
The STIP Plan includes $62.9 million to improve US 70 to freeway standards from the west end of the current US 70 Goldsboro Bypass to the Wayne-Johnston County line in 2023.   An additional $62 million project in 2027 would improve US 70 to freeway standards from the Wayne-Johnston County line to Pondfield Road on the west side of Princeton.