Highways getting new names due to I-42

CLAYTON, N.C. (WITN) - A new interstate in Eastern Carolina is causing some name changes for long-standing highways.

I-42 was first designated along sections of what was U.S. 70 in Johnston and Wayne counties last year.

Because there already was an N.C. 42 in Johnston County, the Department of Transportation says that roadway will get a new name. In addition, portions of U.S. 70 and U.S. 70 Business will get new names, as well.

• Ten miles of U.S. 70 between I-40 (Exit 309) and the U.S. 70 Business interchange will become Interstate 42.
• Almost 11 miles of N.C. 42 in this vicinity will be renumbered as N.C. 36 to avoid any potential confusion because drivers in an emergency might use generic terms like “Highway 42″ or “Route 42″ when calling 911.
• Twelve miles of U.S. 70 Business between I-40 and I-42 will revert to U.S. 70, which was the original route number before the U.S. 70 “Clayton Bypass” opened over 15 years ago.

Contractors for this change are set to begin updating signs next Monday and the work is expected to take three months.

Johnston County and Clayton officials are renaming two roadways after two years of preparing for the I-42 change.

• The section of Highway 42 between U.S. 70 Business in Clayton and the Wake-Johnson county line, west of Highway 50, will be called Veterans Parkway.
• The section of what is now U.S. 70 Business between the Wake-Johnson county line and its interchange with U.S. 70 named Clayton Boulevard.

According to the release, these roadways will continue to be maintained by the DOT.