Two projects are located in close proximity to each other.  Both projects are shown on the interactive map below.  

This page presents information on State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Project No. U-5726

Information on the second project, STIP Project No. R-5795 can be found here: https://publicinput.com/us70-selma


Interactive Project Study Area Map   

This map shows study areas for both projects

Open House Public Meeting

February 6, 2025

5-7 p.m.

Johnston Community College

Auditorium Lobby

269 College Road

Smithfield


Information on both projects will be presented at this meeting. 

At the open house, you may view information, ask questions, and leave your comments about both projects.

Project Overview

The project proposes to implement mobility and safety improvements along U.S. 301 in Johnston County from Booker Dairy Road (S.R. 1623) to Ricks Road (S.R. 2302).

The proposed improvements would include:

  • Reduced conflict intersection (RCI) corridor design (median, U-turns, and left-overs)

  • Consideration of Bicycle lanes and sidewalks

  • Proposed design speed is 40-50 mph 

The Johnston County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) identified the project corridor as expected to exceed NCDOT’s preferred Level of Service (LOS D) by 2035.   

Level of service is a comparison of the number of vehicles using a roadway to the capacity of the roadway.  There are 6 levels of sevice with A being the best and F the worst.

 

In addition, the study also identified congestion and safety issues and a high number of conflict points. The CTP proposed a 4-lane divided highway with an RCI design for better access control, higher mobility, and fewer conflict points throughout the corridor and also recommended the addition of sidewalks along U.S. 301. The project was submitted into the Strategic Prioritization process and approved for the STIP as U-5726.

The Express Design Traffic Analysis (EDTA) for two alternatives was completed March 7, 2023.

  • Alternative 1 proposed constructing an RCI design along the corridor for access management
  • Alternative 2 proposed a combination of traditional improvements and RCI

Overall, Alternative 1 outperformed Alternative 2 in the EDTA. The RCI design was carried forward for the preliminary design process.

What Is a Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI)? 

A reduced conflict intersection ​is a general term used to describe several types of designs that can be used to improve safety and traffic flow on a highway.  There are variations to the designs, but they all function the same by reducing by almost half the number of potential locations, o​​r conflict points, where drivers can collide. Raised medians direct traffic from the side road into turning right. When there is a safe opening in traffic, drivers enter the flow of traffic on the main route. To go the other direction, or cross the highway, they pull into a dedicated lane – typically les​s than 1,000 feet away – ​and make a U-turn.

Traffic wishing to make a left or cross U.S. 301 will turn right and then make a "u-turn" at the designated location a short distance away.  This movement is shown in purple below.  

Click here to view a short video on Reduced Conflict Intersections.

Project Maps:

Clicking on the maps will enlarge them for easier viewing.

 

Sheet 1

 

Sheet 2

 

Sheet 3

 

Sheet 4

 

 

 

 

 

Roadway Typical Sections:

Clicking on the picture will enlarge it for easier viewing.

Curb and Gutter

       Curb and Gutter

Center Turn Lane 

       Raised center median

Consideration of Sidewalks

       Left turns at designated locations only

 

       Consideration of Sidewalks  

 

Roadway Typical Sections for Turn Areas

Clicking on the picture will enlarge it for easier viewing.

Alternative 2A

Alternative 2B

  

 

Typical Section Locations

Project Visualizations

Clicking on the pictures will enlarge them for easier viewing.

 

U.S. 301 North of Booker Dairy Road View East - Existing

 

U.S. 301 North of Booker Dairy Road View East - Proposed

 

U.S. 301 at Ava Gardner Avenue View East - Existing

 

U.S. 301 at Ava Gardner Avenue View East - Proposed

 

U.S. 301 at U.S. 70 View West - Existing

 

U.S. 301 at U.S. 70 View West - Proposed

 

U.S. 301 at Ricks Road View West - Existing

 

U.S. 301 at Ricks Road View West - Proposed

 

Project Funding:

Activity

Cost*

 Right of Way Acquisition

$ 13.9 Million  

 Utility Relocation

$   4.3 Million  

 Construction Cost

$ 29.1 Million  

 Total Cost

$ 47.3 Million 

*Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on currently adopted NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program.

Project Timeline:

Milestone

    Date*

Environmental Document Complete

 2025 

Right-Of-Way Acquisition Begins

2026 

Construction Begins

2029 

* Future dates subject to change. 

Question title

Would you like to be added to the project email list for updates?

Project Comments

 

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.

To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,

please submit before March 6, 2025.  The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

 

Email: us301-bookerdairy-ricks@publicinput.com

Phone Number:  984-205-6615    enter project code 5906 to leave a message.

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Chad Coggins

Project Manager 

NCDOT Highway Division 4

P.O. Box 3165

Wilson, NC  27895

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Alison Nichols

Senior Transportation Planner

RS&H

1520 South Blvd.  Suite 200

Charlotte, NC  28203

Title VI Feedback

To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?

If so, please click here https://publicinput.com/NCDOT-Title-VI-Form

 

RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 


Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.  

     
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout      Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

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