Take 42 to 42? NCDOT has plan to avoid confusion for drivers in Clayton
State highway officials think having Interstate 42 crossing N.C. Highway 42 might be a little confusing for drivers.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been upgrading U.S. 70 to interstate standards between Garner and Morehead City. Federal highway officials say the new interstate will be numbered I-42.
They gave state transportation officials permission to designate a section of U.S. 70, known locally as the Clayton Bypass, as I-42 and install the proper signs.
Before the NCDOT does that, it wants to get ahead of a potential mess for drivers.
In addition to causing confusion for commuters or travelers, NCDOT spokesman Andrew Barksdale said dueling 42s could slow first responders.
"If people are on the highway and need to call 911, we don't there to confusion about which highway they're on," he said. "Are you on Route 42, Interstate 42, N.C. 42?"
Currently, N.C. 42 runs through Clayton. Transportation officials want to avoid the confusion of two highways with a "42" designation in the same area. The interstate number cannot be changed, so the NCDOT has decided to rename a section of N.C. 42.
Officials want to change N.C. 42 to N.C. 36, beginning at N.C. 50, along the future I-42, then down Ranch Road to the U.S. 70 intersection in Clayton.
At the same time, NCDOT will remove the U.S. 70 designation from the current Clayton Bypass once it’s renamed I-42. NCDOT will rename U.S. 70 Business through Clayton to U.S. 70.
Barksdale said the department hopes the community will assign the new N.C. 36 its own name.
"We're getting ready to make these sign changes," he said. "If local officials want to come up with a new street name, we're happy to accept that and we can add that to our new exit signs."
NCDOT says it could take up to a year to change N.C. 42 to N.C. 36, depending on the discussion. At that point, crews would begin installing the I-42 signs.
Ask questions or share input
You can learn more about the proposal at a public meeting Tuesday, July 25, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Clayton Town Hall on E. Second Street. You also can leave comments on this website.
