North Carolina Highway 44

North Carolina Highway 44 (NC 44) is a primary state highway in the state of North Carolina. The highway is a temporary designation for the Goldsboro Bypass, which when completed will be rebranded as U.S. Route 70 Bypass (US 70 By-pass).

Route description

NC 44 is a four-lane freeway that traverses 9.8 miles (15.8 km), starting from US 70, west of Goldsboro, to Wayne Memorial Drive, north of Goldsboro. It currently serves as faster alternative route (70mph/110kmh) to I-795. Mile markers along the route are based off US 70.

History

Construction started on the 3.9 miles (6.3 km) central section of the Goldsboro Bypass on October 9, 2008; its contract awarded to Barnhill Contracting Co. of Tarboro. At a cost of $65.5 million, it features three interchanges connecting I-795, US 117 and Wayne Memorial Drive (SR 1556). On December 16, 2011, the central section became the first segment of the Goldsboro Bypass to open; signed as NC 44.

In 2012, both eastern and western sections of the bypass began construction. The 12.5 miles (20.1 km) eastern section's contract was awarded to Barnhill Contracting Co. in February, at a cost of $104.4 million. The 5.9 miles (9.5 km) western section's contract was awarded to S.T. Wooten in July, at a cost of $62.4 million. On September 25, 2015, AASHTO approved the establishment of US 70 Bypass, dependent on the completion of the Goldsboro Bypass. On October 17, 2015, the western section became the second segment to open; connecting between US 70 and I-795, with an interchange at NC 581.