US 70 By-pass Eases Traffic Through Town

The new US 70 Bypass of Clayton, which begins at Interstate 40 mile marker 310 in Wake County and runs 11 miles to the US 70 / US 70 Business split in Johnston County, is open, a full year ahead of schedule.

Officials here expect an easing of the near constant flow of big trucks and travelers through town-and the snarls the heavy traffic sometimes produces.

“We're happy to see it,” said Mayor Jody McLeod. “Getting around town should be a lot easier, now.”

Officials at S.T. Wooten Corporation, the $123 million project's contractor, credit the recent drought for the speedy construction. They said a lack of rain meant more and longer work days for the construction crews and fewer problems. Crews would have finished the road even sooner had it not been for the 22 bridges they had to build along the way.

The new road has access points at NC 42 and Ranch Road.