U-5726: US-301- Booker Dairy Rd to Ricks Rd
U-5726: US-301- Booker Dairy Rd to Ricks Rd
Access Management Improvements on U.S. 301 from Booker Dairy Road to Ricks Road in Smithfield and Selma, Johnston County.
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, or 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 less 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.
Click here to view a short video on Reduced Conflict Intersections.
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.
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