Just when the Quad East project started rolling, it may have encountered a problem.
The plan is to build an Interstate loop linking the cities of Kinston, Goldsboro, Greenville and Wilson. Part of that would be on U.S. 70, providing easy access in and out of the Global TransPark. It would create an Interstate link between the GTP to the Port of Morehead City, while another project connects the GTP to the Port of Norfolk, in Virginia, by rail.
At the U.S. Highway 70 Corridor Commission meeting Tuesday, Lenoir County Commissioner J. Mac Daughety outlined the support the project received so far.
“Several of us have spoken to the Greenville City Council regarding this issue, and they have passed a resolution supporting (U.S.) 264 and (U.S.) 70 as their preferred internet routes, asking that DOT consider designating those two routes as the preferred routes and doing whatever is necessary,” Daughety said.
He continued, “Subsequent to that, we had a meeting with the Pitt County Commissioners, and they voted unanimously to support a resolution saying the same thing. And last night we were in Ayden, and they also unanimously passed a resolution supporting (U.S.) 264 and (U.S.) 70.”
Daughety added that the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners would take up a resolution Monday on Quad East, and the Kinston City Council will vote on the matter, as well.
Neil Lassiter of the state Department of Transportation said it wouldn’t take a lot of work to upgrade U.S. 70 and the C.F. Harvey Parkway to meet Interstate specifications.
However, Craven County is at the eastern end of U.S. 70 and not part of the Interstate loop plan. U.S. 17, which also runs through Craven, is a possible alternative Interstate route to U.S. 70 and U.S. 264. The county government is active in the Highway 17 Association, also.
“This is going to be problematic for our county’s stated transportation goals,” Craven County Manager Jack Veit said. “We probably need some more time to take it back with us before we could do something about it. We have a pretty strong commitment to that organization, as well.”
And then there’s the aspect of regional economic cooperation. Quad East’s purpose is to stimulate the economies and bring business to Lenoir, Greene, Nash, Pitt, Wayne and Wilson counties. Wayne County Commissioner Steve Keen said there’s a bill in the state Senate that could have an impact on that arrangement.
Sen. Harry Brown, R-Onslow, filed SB 127, which would set uniform regional districts in state agencies. In the bill, Nash, Wayne and Wilson counties are included with Wake and Durham counties in District V, while Lenoir, Greene and Pitt counties are in District VII with other eastern counties.
The commission agreed to table consideration of an amendment supporting Quad East until there’s further study on the matter.
“We’ve got a lot of opportunity,” N.C. Board of Transportation member Hugh Overholt said. “With the port in Morehead, there’s a chance right now to get a large piece of business. We have to manage that very carefully, and make sure we touch all the bases. Sometimes we have not done that as a board or as a state.”
Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 or wes.wolfe@kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.
Breakout Box
Proposed Quad East Interstate Loop
- Links: Kinston, Goldsboro, Greenville and Wilson
- Uses: I-795, N.C. 11, U.S. 70 and U.S. 264
- Covers: Lenoir, Greene, Nash, Pitt, Wayne and Wilson counties