Open houses, hearing to discuss Kinston bypass

The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold three open house meetings and a public hearing on the Kinston Bypass this month. 

The proposed bypass is 22 miles long. It will be a four-lane, median-divided freeway, accessible via ramps at interchanges. It will help reduce traffic congestion and delays that currently exist along U.S. 70 between La Grange and Dover.

Maps of the different alternative routes for the bypass can be found at the NCDOT Public Meeting website. Paper maps of the alternative routes can be reviewed at the following locations:

• NCDOT Division 2 office, 2815 Rouse Road Extension, Kinston, NC 28504

• NCDOT Kinston District Office, 1629 U.S. 258 South, Kinston, NC 28504

The public is invited to the open house meetings and hearing at the following times and locations:

• Saturday, Aug. 17
  Kinston-Lenoir Public Library
  510 Queen Street
  Kinston, NC 28504
  Open house: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Due to limited space, maps will only be shown electronically.

• Monday, Aug. 19
  Lenoir Community College Student Center
  231 N.C. 58 South
  Kinston, NC 28504
  Open house: 2–7 p.m.

• Tuesday, Aug. 20
  Lenoir Community College Student Center
  231 N.C. 58 South
  Kinston, NC 28504
  Open house: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; Pre-hearing open house: 3–6:30 p.m.; Hearing: 7 p.m.

The formal presentation will consist of an explanation of the project’s purpose and need. It will also cover the project’s alternatives and major design features, as well as social, economic, environmental and other impacts of the project.

The relocation assistance program and right-of-way acquisition process will be explained. The hearing will be open to those present for statements and comments. It will be recorded, and a transcript will be prepared.  There are currently several alternatives under consideration.  Public input will be used in selecting a preferred alternative.

A copy of the environmental document, Draft Environmental Impact Statement, is available for public review at the following locations:

• Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, 510 Queen Street, Kinston, NC 28504

• Cove City-Craven Library, 102 N. Main Street, Cove City, NC 28523

• La Grange Public Library, 119 E. Washington Street, La Grange, NC 28551

Anyone desiring additional information on the project may contact Ms. Heather Lane, PO Box 1587, Greenville, NC 27835, 252-439-2847 or call the project hotline 1-800-233-6315.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this hearing. Anyone requiring special services should contact Ms. Diane Wilson, 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598, 919-707-6073 orpdwilson1@ncdot.gov as early as possible so arrangements can be made.

There will be at least one Spanish-speaking interpreter at all open houses and the public hearing. Additional requests for those who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.

For more information on the project, funding and timeline visit its NCDOT project page.