On Saturday, the N.C. Department of Transportation opened the western section of the U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass to traffic.
The 5.9-mile-long western section of the bypass runs from U.S. 70 just west of N.C. 581, east to Interstate 795. It then connects with the first section of the bypass that opened in 2011, currently signed as N.C. 44.
A $62.4 million contract was awarded to S.T. Wooten in July 2012 for the construction of this four-lane divided highway. Crews will begin uncovering signs and removing traffic control on Saturday. Once these items are done, the road will open to traffic.
The U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass is a three-part project estimated to cost a total of $246 million. Once complete, the 20-mile bypass will span from U.S. 70 just west of N.C. 581 in Wayne County to U.S. 70 just east of Promise Land Road in Lenoir County.
The eastern section of the bypass, which will run from Wayne Memorial Drive to U.S. 70 in Lenoir County, is currently scheduled for completion in summer 2016. Until this section opens, U.S. 70 will remain the primary route for through traffic heading east through Goldsboro. All eastbound traffic using the new section of the bypass and N.C. 44 will have to exit at Wayne Memorial Drive.
