Clayton Bypass change to become permanent

A lane shift designed to ease congestion on Interstate 40 in Johnston County is working so well the North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to make it permanent.

Posted 10:00 p.m. Jan 19, 2012 — Updated 10:21 p.m. Jan 19, 2012

CLAYTON, N.C. — A lane shift designed to ease congestion on Interstate 40 in Johnston County is working so well that the North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to make it permanent. On Sunday, workers will re-stripe the lanes on I-40 westbound at U.S. Highway 70 (the Clayton Bypass) to eliminate a lane.

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Since September, cones and barrels have marked the temporary fix, a move DOT says has resulted in drivers merging more quickly from the bypass onto I-40. Initial reports on the trial were positive.

"(We) love it. It has made our commute much faster each day," Robert and Amanda Willis told WRAL News in December.

Traffic is a little slower approaching the Clayton Bypass on westbound I-40, DOT spokesman Steve Abbott said, but in the merge area itself, the change has improved traffic flow.

"Overall, the trip is shorter and faster," he said.

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