Clayton Bypass
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 70 traverses approximately 485 miles (780.5 km) across North Carolina
; from the Tennessee
state line, near Hot Springs
, to the community of Atlantic
, along the Pamlico Sound
coastline.
. The duplex is signed along a divided highway from Marshall
to U.S. Route 19
north of Asheville
where it splits off from U.S. 25. From here, U.S. 70 parallels Interstate 40
. From the town of Ridgecrest at the top of the Blue Ridge, U.S. 70 merges with I-40 to descend the Saluda Grade. It splits from I-40 again at the bottom of the grade at Old Fort
, then passing through the towns of Marion
, Nebo
, Morganton
, Hickory
, Conover
, Statesville
and Salisbury
, where it changes course and heads northeast.
U.S. 70 parallels Interstate 85
to High Point
, sharing a divided highway with U.S. Route 29
. The two roads separate in Greensboro
, and U.S. Route 70 joins Wendover Avenue
out of the city and continues east along the Interstate 40 corridor. Halfway to the Research Triangle, US 70 passes through the major retail district for Burlington. It then becomes a two lane road until it reaches Durham
where U.S 70 turns southeast as a divided highway. The road passes straight through downtown Raleigh
, before heading back east and away from Interstate 40.
A divided highway from Raleigh to the Atlantic Coastal Plain
, U.S. 70 traverses Eastern North Carolina in an east by southeasterly direction. As of 2008, the Clayton Bypass carries US 70 around Clayton, North Carolina
. It is signed along as bypass roads around Smithfield
(through Selma
) and Goldsboro
and a freeway around New Bern
and is a divided highway again through the Croatan National Forest
and Havelock
, passing Atlantic Beach
in Carteret County, the eastern terminus of NC 24. From here, U.S. 70 maintains a two-lane road with a widened shoulder, to the town of Sealevel and the southern terminus of NC 12. The last few miles of U.S. 70 are signed along a road from Sealevel to its eastern terminus in the town of Atlantic
.
, North Carolina
, United States, that carries mainline U.S. Route 70
around the city of Clayton, North Carolina
. It connects Interstate 40
near the southeastern corner of Wake County
to US 70 just northwest of Smithfield
. It is intended to reduce congestion on US 70 in the vicinity of Clayton
, cutting an estimated 15 minutes of travel time for drivers traveling between Raleigh
and the eastern part of the state, but concerns have been expressed that it will increase congestion on a heavily traveled stretch of Interstate 40
in southeastern Wake County
.
in the area through most of 2007 and into the spring of 2008 allowed construction to proceed more rapidly than anticipated, and the highway was opened June 9, 2008.
approximately four miles southeast of the current I-40
-US 70
interchange
. The eastern end connects to the US 70 bypass and business routes northwest of Smithfield, North Carolina
. The combination results in an effectively continuous business route passing through Clayton and Smithfield and an effectively continuous bypass passing south of Clayton and north of Smithfield (and east of the community of Cleveland
). Drivers are thus able to bypass Clayton, Smithfield, or both.
The Clayton Bypass is a limited access freeway of two lanes in each direction, with interchanges at Interstate 40
, North Carolina Highway 42, Ranch Road, and US 70 between Clayton and Smithfield, North Carolina
. To complete the bypass and connect with U.S. 70 business, the US 70 bypass actually overlaps with I-40 for four miles (6 km) in southeastern Wake County
southeast of Garner
.
Electronic signs provide traffic information and estimates of travel time, a first in the area, and cameras and pavement sensors provide traffic engineers real-time information about the number of vehicles and their speeds.
, Johnston
, Wayne
, Lenoir
, Jones
, Craven
, and Carteret
. Goal is to make US 70 from Raleigh
to Morehead City
into a limited-access freeway. The project also organizes all various projects in an order that is agreed to the counties involved.
Projects currently involved:
|-
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Exit
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=7|Madison
|Hot Springs
|6
|
|
|
|-
|Hurricane
|11
|
| – Greeneville
|
|-
|Walnut
| style="background:#dfd;"|16.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|West end of NC 213 overlap
|-
|Marshall
|20
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|
| style="background:#dfd;"|22.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of NC 213 overlap
|-
|23.5
|
|
|
|-
|25
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=11|Buncombe
|Weaverville
| style="background:#dfd;"|32
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|, Johnson City
| style="background:#dfd;"|West end of I-26 overlap, north end of US 19/23 overlap
|-
!colspan=5|US 70 overlaps with Interstate 26 (exits 19 to 26) and Interstate 240 (exits 4A to 5B).
|-
|rowspan=7|Asheville
| style="background:#dfd;"|41.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of I-240 overlap
|-
|42
|
|
|
|-
|43
|
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|43.4
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of US 74A overlap
|-
|43.5
|
|
|
|-
|45.5
|
|
|
|-
|46
|
|Blue Ridge Parkway
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Black Mountain
|56
|
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|56.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|West end of I-40 overlap, eastbound exit and westbound entrance
|-
!colspan=6|US 70 overlaps with Interstate 40 (exits 65 to 72).
|-
|rowspan=6|McDowell
|Old Fort
| style="background:#dfd;"|63.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of I-40 overlap, eastbound entrance and westbound exit
|-
|Pleasant Garden
|73
|
| – Mount Mitchell
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Marion
|74.8
|
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|75
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of US 221 Business overlap
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|77
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of US 221 Business overlap
|-
|Nebo
|82
|
| – Lake James
|
|-
|rowspan=5|Burke
|rowspan=4|Morganton
| style="background:#dfd;"|96
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of US 64 overlap
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|97
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|West end of US 64 overlap
|-
|98
|
|
|
|-
|100.5
|
|
|
|-
|Drexel
|104
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=6|Catawba
|rowspan=3|Hickory
| style="background:#dfd;"|118.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of US 321 Business overlap
|-
|119.5
|
| – Downtown Hickory
|
|-
|121.5
|
|Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Conover
| style="background:#dfd;"|126.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of US 321 Business overlap
|-
|128
|
|
|
|-
|Catawba
|134.5
|
|
|
|-
|-
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
; from the Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
state line, near Hot Springs
Hot Springs, North Carolina
Hot Springs is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 645 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Hot Springs is located at ....
, to the community of Atlantic
Atlantic, North Carolina
Atlantic is an unincorporated community in eastern Carteret County situated along the Core Sound, located in what was known to early settlers of the area as Hunting Quarters. It is the location of US 70's eastern terminus and the ferry terminal for journeys to North Core Banks in the Cape Lookout...
, along the Pamlico Sound
Pamlico Sound
Pamlico Sound in North Carolina, is the largest lagoon along the U.S. East Coast, being long and 24 to 48 km wide. It is a body of water separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks, a row of low, sandy barrier islands, including Cape Hatteras. The Neuse and Pamlico rivers flow in...
coastline.
Route description
U.S. 70 enters North Carolina on a two-lane road, also signed as U.S. Route 25U.S. Route 25
U.S. Route 25 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from Brunswick, Georgia to the Ohio state line in Covington, Kentucky.-Georgia:...
. The duplex is signed along a divided highway from Marshall
Marshall, North Carolina
Marshall is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 840 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County.Marshall is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Marshall is located at ....
to U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 is a north–south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie....
north of Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
where it splits off from U.S. 25. From here, U.S. 70 parallels Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
. From the town of Ridgecrest at the top of the Blue Ridge, U.S. 70 merges with I-40 to descend the Saluda Grade. It splits from I-40 again at the bottom of the grade at Old Fort
Old Fort, North Carolina
Old Fort is a town in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 959 at the 2008 estimated census. The town is well known for its weekly Mountain Music concerts, attracting large audiences and many musicians from the surrounding areas to Old Fort's downtown each Friday at...
, then passing through the towns of Marion
Marion, North Carolina
Marion is a city in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,943 at the 2008 estimated census. It is the county seat of McDowell County.-Geography:Marion is located at ....
, Nebo
Nebo, North Carolina
Nebo is an unincorporated community in the Nebo Township of eastern McDowell County, North Carolina. The zip code is 28761.- History :Nebo is named after a Methodist campground that existed before the Civil War...
, Morganton
Morganton, North Carolina
Morganton is a city in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. Reader's Digest included Morganton in its list of top ten places to raise a family. The town was recently profiled in The 50 Best Small Southern Towns. The population was 17,310 at the 2000 census...
, Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
, Conover
Conover, North Carolina
Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Statesville
Statesville, North Carolina
Statesville is a city located in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States and was named an All-America City in 1997 and 2009. The population was 24,633 at the 2010 census...
and Salisbury
Salisbury, North Carolina
Salisbury is a city in Rowan County in North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. The population was 33,663 in the 2010 Census . It is the county seat of Rowan County...
, where it changes course and heads northeast.
U.S. 70 parallels Interstate 85
Interstate 85
Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
to High Point
High Point, North Carolina
High Point is a city located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. As of 2010 the city had a total population of 104,371, according to the US Census Bureau. High Point is currently the eighth-largest municipality in North Carolina....
, sharing a divided highway with U.S. Route 29
U.S. Route 29
U.S. Route 29 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from the western suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, to Pensacola, Florida. This highway's northern terminus is at Maryland Route 99 in Ellicott City, Maryland...
. The two roads separate in Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, and U.S. Route 70 joins Wendover Avenue
Wendover Avenue (Greensboro)
Wendover Avenue is a major road in Guilford County, North Carolina. The road's central segment is a curvy freeway, but most of the road is a boulevard with frequent traffic signals. It serves as a partial loop around downtown Greensboro and a popular connector to major routes like I-40, I-73, US...
out of the city and continues east along the Interstate 40 corridor. Halfway to the Research Triangle, US 70 passes through the major retail district for Burlington. It then becomes a two lane road until it reaches Durham
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
where U.S 70 turns southeast as a divided highway. The road passes straight through downtown Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, before heading back east and away from Interstate 40.
A divided highway from Raleigh to the Atlantic Coastal Plain
Atlantic Coastal Plain
The Atlantic coastal plain has both low elevation and low relief, but it is also a relatively flat landform extending from the New York Bight southward to a Georgia/Florida section of the Eastern Continental Divide, which demarcates the plain from the ACF River Basin in the Gulf Coastal Plain to...
, U.S. 70 traverses Eastern North Carolina in an east by southeasterly direction. As of 2008, the Clayton Bypass carries US 70 around Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. A very small portion of the town extends into Wake County. As of 2010, Clayton's population was 9,676 people. Since 2000, it had a population growth of 38.80 percent. Much of that growth can be attributed to the town's close...
. It is signed along as bypass roads around Smithfield
Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2008, the estimated population was 12,965. It is the county seat of Johnston County...
(through Selma
Selma, North Carolina
Selma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2007, the estimated population was 7,008. Selma is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.-Geography:Selma is located at ....
) and Goldsboro
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 37,597 at the 2008 census estimate. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The nearby town of Waynesboro was founded in 1787 and Goldsboro was...
and a freeway around New Bern
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina with a population of 29,524 as of the 2010 census.. It is located at the confluence of the Trent and the Neuse rivers...
and is a divided highway again through the Croatan National Forest
Croatan National Forest
The Croatan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest, was established on July 29, 1936, and is located on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a part of the United States Department of Agriculture...
and Havelock
Havelock, North Carolina
Havelock is a city in Craven County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 22,442 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 21,906 in 2006...
, passing Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2008, there were 1,815 people, 971 households, and 498 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 4,728 housing units at an average density of 2,206.0 per square mile...
in Carteret County, the eastern terminus of NC 24. From here, U.S. 70 maintains a two-lane road with a widened shoulder, to the town of Sealevel and the southern terminus of NC 12. The last few miles of U.S. 70 are signed along a road from Sealevel to its eastern terminus in the town of Atlantic
Atlantic, North Carolina
Atlantic is an unincorporated community in eastern Carteret County situated along the Core Sound, located in what was known to early settlers of the area as Hunting Quarters. It is the location of US 70's eastern terminus and the ferry terminal for journeys to North Core Banks in the Cape Lookout...
.
Clayton Bypass
The Clayton Bypass is a four-lane highway opened on June 9, 2008, in Johnston CountyJohnston County, North Carolina
-Major highways:* Interstate 40* Interstate 95* U.S. Highway 70* U.S. Highway 301* U.S. Highway 701-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 121,965 people, 46,595 households, and 33,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 154 people per square mile . There were...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States, that carries mainline U.S. Route 70
U.S. Route 70
U.S. Route 70 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,385 miles from eastern North Carolina to east-central Arizona. As can be derived from its number, it is a major east–west highway of the Southern and Southwestern United States...
around the city of Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. A very small portion of the town extends into Wake County. As of 2010, Clayton's population was 9,676 people. Since 2000, it had a population growth of 38.80 percent. Much of that growth can be attributed to the town's close...
. It connects Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
near the southeastern corner of Wake County
Wake County, North Carolina
Wake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 900,993 making it North Carolina's second most populated county...
to US 70 just northwest of Smithfield
Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2008, the estimated population was 12,965. It is the county seat of Johnston County...
. It is intended to reduce congestion on US 70 in the vicinity of Clayton
Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. A very small portion of the town extends into Wake County. As of 2010, Clayton's population was 9,676 people. Since 2000, it had a population growth of 38.80 percent. Much of that growth can be attributed to the town's close...
, cutting an estimated 15 minutes of travel time for drivers traveling between Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
and the eastern part of the state, but concerns have been expressed that it will increase congestion on a heavily traveled stretch of Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
in southeastern Wake County
Wake County, North Carolina
Wake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 900,993 making it North Carolina's second most populated county...
.
Construction
The bypass was first planned in 1991, but several setbacks, including controversy over building a bridge through territory of an endangered mussel, held up beginning the project until 2005. Originally scheduled for completion in June 2009, a severe droughtDrought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
in the area through most of 2007 and into the spring of 2008 allowed construction to proceed more rapidly than anticipated, and the highway was opened June 9, 2008.
Specifications
The western end of the bypass connects to Interstate 40Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
approximately four miles southeast of the current I-40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
-US 70
U.S. Route 70
U.S. Route 70 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,385 miles from eastern North Carolina to east-central Arizona. As can be derived from its number, it is a major east–west highway of the Southern and Southwestern United States...
interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
. The eastern end connects to the US 70 bypass and business routes northwest of Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2008, the estimated population was 12,965. It is the county seat of Johnston County...
. The combination results in an effectively continuous business route passing through Clayton and Smithfield and an effectively continuous bypass passing south of Clayton and north of Smithfield (and east of the community of Cleveland
Cleveland, Johnston County, North Carolina
Cleveland is a township and an unincorporated community in suburban northwestern Johnston County, North Carolina. It lies at an elevation of . The settlement is also known as Cleveland Crossings, Cleveland Community, Cleveland School or 40/42, so named for the intersection of I-40 and NC 42 that...
). Drivers are thus able to bypass Clayton, Smithfield, or both.
The Clayton Bypass is a limited access freeway of two lanes in each direction, with interchanges at Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
, North Carolina Highway 42, Ranch Road, and US 70 between Clayton and Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2008, the estimated population was 12,965. It is the county seat of Johnston County...
. To complete the bypass and connect with U.S. 70 business, the US 70 bypass actually overlaps with I-40 for four miles (6 km) in southeastern Wake County
Wake County, North Carolina
Wake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 900,993 making it North Carolina's second most populated county...
southeast of Garner
Garner, North Carolina
Garner is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States and a suburb of Raleigh. The population was 17,757 at the 2000 census and was 27,533 in 2009.-Geography:Garner is located at ....
.
Electronic signs provide traffic information and estimates of travel time, a first in the area, and cameras and pavement sensors provide traffic engineers real-time information about the number of vehicles and their speeds.
Future
A multi-county project called the "Super 70 Corridor" is currently in various stages of construction and planning in the following counties: WakeWake County, North Carolina
Wake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 900,993 making it North Carolina's second most populated county...
, Johnston
Johnston County, North Carolina
-Major highways:* Interstate 40* Interstate 95* U.S. Highway 70* U.S. Highway 301* U.S. Highway 701-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 121,965 people, 46,595 households, and 33,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 154 people per square mile . There were...
, Wayne
Wayne County, North Carolina
- Cities and towns :*Brogden*Dudley*Elroy*Eureka*Fremont*Goldsboro*Mar-Mac*Mount Olive*Pikeville*Rosewood*Seven Springs*Walnut Creek*Grantham-Geography:According to the U.S...
, Lenoir
Lenoir County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of 2005, there were 57,961 people, 23,862 households, and 16,178 families residing in the county. The population density was 149.2 people per square mile . There were 27,940 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
, Jones
Jones County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,381 people, 4,061 households, and 2,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 4,679 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
, Craven
Craven County, North Carolina
Craven County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The estimated population in 2006 was 94,875. Its county seat is New Bern.Craven County is part of the New Bern, North Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, and Carteret
Carteret County, North Carolina
Carteret County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 66,469. Its county seat is Beaufort. Most of the county is part of the Crystal Coast....
. Goal is to make US 70 from Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
to Morehead City
Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City is a port city in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census. Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007...
into a limited-access freeway. The project also organizes all various projects in an order that is agreed to the counties involved.
Projects currently involved:
- Clayton Bypass - 9.5 miles (15.3 km) bypass from I-40Interstate 40 in North CarolinaInterstate 40 runs through the state of North Carolina from the Tennessee state line in the west to its eastern terminus in Wilmington.-Pigeon River Gorge:...
to US 70/US 70 Business. Estimated cost $179 million; currently under construction. - Goldsboro Bypass - 20.6 miles (33.2 km) bypass from west of NC 581North Carolina Highway 581North Carolina Highway 581 is a highway running from NC 111 near Goldsboro to US 401 in Louisburg....
to east of SR 1323. Estimated cost $234 million; currently under construction. - Kinston Bypass - 12.4 miles (20 km) bypass south of KinstonKinston, North CarolinaKinston is a city in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 23,688 at the 2000 census. The population was estimated at 22,360 in 2008. It has been the county seat of Lenoir County since its formation in 1791 . Kinston is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks...
. Estimated cost $181 million; currently in planning and environmental study. - Havelock Bypass - 9 miles (14.5 km) bypass west of HavelockHavelock, North CarolinaHavelock is a city in Craven County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 22,442 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 21,906 in 2006...
. Estimated cost $140.4 million; acquisition purchases begin August, 2013, with construction planned for August, 2015. - Beaufort Bypass - 2.2 miles (3.5 km) bypass north of BeaufortBeaufort, North CarolinaBeaufort is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1709, it is the third-oldest town in North Carolina.The population was 4,189 at the 2008 census and it is the county seat of Carteret County...
. Estimated cost $73.4 million; construction scheduled to begin July, 2012.
Junction list
{| class="wikitable"|-
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Exit
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=7|Madison
Madison County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 19,635 people, 8,000 households, and 5,592 families residing in the county. The population density was 44 people per square mile . There were 9,722 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
|Hot Springs
Hot Springs, North Carolina
Hot Springs is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 645 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Hot Springs is located at ....
|6
|
|
|
|-
|Hurricane
|11
|
| – Greeneville
Greeneville, Tennessee
Greeneville is a town in Greene County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 15,198 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Greene County. The town was named in honor of Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene. It is the only town with this spelling in the United States, although there...
|
|-
|Walnut
Walnut, North Carolina
Walnut is an unincorporated community in Madison County, North Carolina, located on U.S. Route 25/70, northwest of Marshall. It lies at an elevation of 1942 feet . The community is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area....
| style="background:#dfd;"|16.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|West end of NC 213 overlap
|-
|Marshall
Marshall, North Carolina
Marshall is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 840 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County.Marshall is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Marshall is located at ....
|20
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|
| style="background:#dfd;"|22.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of NC 213 overlap
|-
|23.5
|
|
|
|-
|25
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=11|Buncombe
Buncombe County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 206,330 people, 85,776 households, and 55,668 families residing in the county. The population density was 314 people per square mile . There were 93,973 housing units at an average density of 143 per square mile...
|Weaverville
Weaverville, North Carolina
Weaverville is a town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,646 in 2007. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Weaverville is located at ....
| style="background:#dfd;"|32
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|, Johnson City
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
| style="background:#dfd;"|West end of I-26 overlap, north end of US 19/23 overlap
|-
!colspan=5|US 70 overlaps with Interstate 26 (exits 19 to 26) and Interstate 240 (exits 4A to 5B).
|-
|rowspan=7|Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
| style="background:#dfd;"|41.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of I-240 overlap
|-
|42
|
|
|
|-
|43
|
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|43.4
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of US 74A overlap
|-
|43.5
|
|
|
|-
|45.5
|
|
|
|-
|46
|
|Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Black Mountain
Black Mountain, North Carolina
Black Mountain is a town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,511 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is named for the Black Mountain range of the Blue Ridge range in the Southern Appalachians.-History:Black...
|56
|
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|56.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|West end of I-40 overlap, eastbound exit and westbound entrance
|-
!colspan=6|US 70 overlaps with Interstate 40 (exits 65 to 72).
|-
|rowspan=6|McDowell
McDowell County, North Carolina
-Cities and towns:*Marion *Old Fort-Unincorporated places:*West Marion*Little Switzerland*Nebo*Glenwood*Pleasant Gardens*North Cove-Education:The following is a list of schools located in McDowell County:*Marion Elementary School...
|Old Fort
Old Fort, North Carolina
Old Fort is a town in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 959 at the 2008 estimated census. The town is well known for its weekly Mountain Music concerts, attracting large audiences and many musicians from the surrounding areas to Old Fort's downtown each Friday at...
| style="background:#dfd;"|63.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of I-40 overlap, eastbound entrance and westbound exit
|-
|Pleasant Garden
Pleasant Garden, North Carolina
Pleasant Garden is a town in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,714 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pleasant Garden is located at ....
|73
|
| – Mount Mitchell
Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park is a North Carolina state park in Yancey County, North Carolina in the United States. Established in 1915 by the state legislature, it became the first state park of North Carolina...
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Marion
Marion, North Carolina
Marion is a city in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,943 at the 2008 estimated census. It is the county seat of McDowell County.-Geography:Marion is located at ....
|74.8
|
|
|
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|75
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of US 221 Business overlap
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|77
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of US 221 Business overlap
|-
|Nebo
Nebo, North Carolina
Nebo is an unincorporated community in the Nebo Township of eastern McDowell County, North Carolina. The zip code is 28761.- History :Nebo is named after a Methodist campground that existed before the Civil War...
|82
|
| – Lake James
Lake James State Park
Lake James State Park is a North Carolina state park in Burke and McDowell Counties, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Nebo, North Carolina, it covers 565 acres and borders the southern end of the Lake James with a shoreline....
|
|-
|rowspan=5|Burke
Burke County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 89,148 people, 34,528 households, and 24,342 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile . There were 37,427 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile...
|rowspan=4|Morganton
Morganton, North Carolina
Morganton is a city in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. Reader's Digest included Morganton in its list of top ten places to raise a family. The town was recently profiled in The 50 Best Small Southern Towns. The population was 17,310 at the 2000 census...
| style="background:#dfd;"|96
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|East end of US 64 overlap
|-
| style="background:#dfd;"|97
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|West end of US 64 overlap
|-
|98
|
|
|
|-
|100.5
|
|
|
|-
|Drexel
Drexel, North Carolina
Drexel is a town in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,938 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Drexel is located at ....
|104
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=6|Catawba
Catawba County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 160,000 people, 55,533 households, and 39,095 families residing in the county. The population density was 354 people per square mile . There were 59,919 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
|rowspan=3|Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
| style="background:#dfd;"|118.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|North end of US 321 Business overlap
|-
|119.5
|
| – Downtown Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
|
|-
|121.5
|
|Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Conover
Conover, North Carolina
Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
| style="background:#dfd;"|126.5
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|
| style="background:#dfd;"|South end of US 321 Business overlap
|-
|128
|
|
|
|-
|Catawba
Catawba, North Carolina
Catawba is a town in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 604 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
|134.5
|
|
|
|-
|-
See also
- Bannered routes of U.S. Route 70Bannered routes of U.S. Route 70Several bannered routes of U.S. Route 70 exist. In order from south to north they are as follows.-Tennessee north branch route:U.S. Route 70N begins in Lebanon, Tennessee, just east of Nashville, and ends in Crossville, Tennessee....
- Blue Ridge ParkwayBlue Ridge ParkwayThe Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
- Cedar Island National Wildlife RefugeCedar Island National Wildlife RefugeCedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, located in Carteret County, North Carolina, is on the end of a peninsula marking the southern end of Pamlico Sound. The refuge lies five miles east of the Atlantic Ocean and about northeast of Beaufort, North Carolina...
- Catawba RiverCatawba RiverThe Catawba River is a tributary of the Wateree River in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The river is approximately 220 miles long...
- Croatan National ForestCroatan National ForestThe Croatan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest, was established on July 29, 1936, and is located on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a part of the United States Department of Agriculture...
- Death Valley (North Carolina)
- Eno RiverEno RiverThe Eno River, named for the Eno Indians who once lived along its banks, is the initial tributary of the Neuse River in North Carolina, USA.The Eno rises in Orange County. The river's watershed occupies most of Orange and Durham counties...
- Eno River State ParkEno River State ParkEno River State Park is a 3,900 acre North Carolina state park in Durham and Orange Counties, North Carolina in the United States. It is near Durham, North Carolina along the banks of the Eno River...
- French Broad RiverFrench Broad RiverThe French Broad River flows from near the village of Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina, into the state of Tennessee. Its confluence with the Holston River at Knoxville is the beginning of the Tennessee River....
- Greensboro Urban LoopGreensboro Urban LoopThe Greensboro Urban Loop is a planned 41-mile beltway around Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. The loop carries Interstate 85 and U.S. Route 421 on its southern section, and Interstate 73 from U.S. 220 to Bryan Boulevard along the west side of Greensboro...
- Haw RiverHaw RiverThe Haw River is a tributary of the Cape Fear River, approximately 110 mi long, that is entirely contained in north central North Carolina in the United States...
- I-85 CorridorI-85 CorridorThe I-85 Corridor is a multi-state region that follows Interstate 85 across the Southeastern United States. It stretches from Montgomery, Alabama to Petersburg, Virginia...
- Lake James State ParkLake James State ParkLake James State Park is a North Carolina state park in Burke and McDowell Counties, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Nebo, North Carolina, it covers 565 acres and borders the southern end of the Lake James with a shoreline....
- Pamlico SoundPamlico SoundPamlico Sound in North Carolina, is the largest lagoon along the U.S. East Coast, being long and 24 to 48 km wide. It is a body of water separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks, a row of low, sandy barrier islands, including Cape Hatteras. The Neuse and Pamlico rivers flow in...
- Pisgah National ForestPisgah National ForestPisgah National Forest is a National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. The Pisgah National Forest is completely contained within the state of North Carolina...
- Swannanoa RiverSwannanoa RiverThe Swannanoa River flows through the Swannanoa Valley of western North Carolina, and is a major tributary to the French Broad River. It begins at its headwaters in Black Mountain, NC, however, it also has a major tributary near its headwaters: Flat Creek, which begins on the slopes of Mount...
- Wendover Avenue (Greensboro)Wendover Avenue (Greensboro)Wendover Avenue is a major road in Guilford County, North Carolina. The road's central segment is a curvy freeway, but most of the road is a boulevard with frequent traffic signals. It serves as a partial loop around downtown Greensboro and a popular connector to major routes like I-40, I-73, US...
- William B. Umstead State ParkWilliam B. Umstead State ParkWilliam B. Umstead State Park is a North Carolina state park in Wake County, North Carolina in the United States. It covers nestled between the expanding cities of Raleigh, Cary, and Durham, North Carolina. It offers hiking, bridle, and bike trails, boat rentals, camping, picnic areas, and...
- Yadkin RiverYadkin RiverThe Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...