The Town of Clayton, in conjunction with the N.C. Department of Transportation, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 1 to celebrate the launch of the Ranch Road extension project.
The extension of Ranch Road will create a direct route between U.S. 70 and the busy interchange of N.C. 42 East and U.S. 70 Business. (View the project map)
Under the project, Ranch Road will be extended to Rose Street, which is now a dead end at U.S. 70 Business, and portions of Little Creek Church Road will be realigned into new intersections with Ranch Road.
“It takes a lot to make these kinds of projects happen,” said Town Manger Rich Cappola. “We appreciate all of the efforts put in by the many people here today.”
N.C. Representative Donna McDowell White, one of the guest speakers for the event, shared with attendees the instrumental role she played in securing the initial funding for the project. Additional guest speakers at the event included N.C. Board of Transportation members Leo Daughtry (At-Large) and Melvin Mitchell (Division 4).
The Town of Clayton sought this project to ease congestion on U.S. 70 Business, help local industry with their delivery routes, improve fire response, and create an alternative route for a growing town.
In September, the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded a $9.7 million contract to Fred Smith Co. of Raleigh. Construction is planned to begin in December, and the project is expected to be completed by summer of 2025.
The funding for this project, which NCDOT will manage on behalf of the Town of Clayton, is a unique collaboration involving NCDOT; the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization; the Town of Clayton; and the Statewide Contingency Fund, which is a special fund for highway projects that receives approval from the transportation secretary and leadership in the N.C. General Assembly.