KINSTON – A crossroads with U.S. 70 east of Kinston will be upgraded next year to reduce the risk of serious crashes.
The N.C. Department of Transportation will reconstruct the highway's crossing with Wyse Fork/Caswell Station roads into a reduced conflict intersection.
The design will redirect drivers, when there is a safe gap in traffic, into turning right onto U.S. 70. If they wish to go in a different direction, they will use a dedicated U-turn lane a short distance away with extra pavement for safely turning around.
As the name implies, a reduced conflict intersection decreases where vehicles could collide in an intersection by more than half the potential places. The design improves safety and helps drivers reach their destinations more quickly. People can learn more information about the design, and watch a video on how to navigate it, by visiting this NCDOT website.
There have been several crashes at this intersection. The reduced conflict intersection is being implemented to improve traffic safety.
The department recently awarded a $811,000 contract to Rocky Mount-based Barnhill Contracting Co. to construct the reduced conflict intersection. Some utility relocation work needs to take place before construction can begin next spring.
Kinston Bypass
The project is an interim safety improvement until the future Kinston Bypass can be built. The bypass will include an interchange, with a bridge and on/off ramps, in the vicinity of Wyse Fork Road.
This future interchange will replace the reduced conflict intersection. The Kinston Bypass is not funded for construction in NCDOT's currently adopted 10-year capital building plan, known as the State Transportation Improvement Program.