New stretch of N.C. 43 to open June 22

The official opening for the N.C. 43 connector is scheduled for 11 a.m. June 22.

N.C. Secretary of Transportation Gene Conti is expected to cut the ribbon for the 2.35-mile limited access connector which begins at N.C. 55, northwest of New Bern, and hooks an important industrial bypass to U.S. 70.

The full list of officials participating is not complete but area state leaders, including Sen. Jean Preston, Rep. William Wainwright and Rep. Alice Underhill, and international leaders for BSH Home Appliances Inc. are expected to attend.

The exact location of the event has not been announced.

The $35.4 million highway was sought by New Bern and Craven County officials and promised by the N.C. Department of Commerce in 2001as an incentive for BSH Home Appliances Inc. to expand operations in New Bern. Funding was approved by the Department of Transportation.

Roadway construction was delayed to raise the originally planned height of a railroad trestle along its path. That was another Commerce Department incentive to help lure Spirit AeroSystems to the Global TransPark by an added way to transport its giant airplane fuselages to the Morehead City Port.

The overpass will allow a five-track railroad switching station on the railroad's 200-foot right-of-way, which will probably eliminate one in downtown New Bern. The total cost of the trestle change is not part of the $35.4 million. 

It will have an added benefit, said Johnny Metcalfe, district engineer for construction. The new roadway "will reduce traffic off Glenburnie Road and Neuse Boulevard, two of the most heavily traveled roads in New Bern."

Sue Book can be reached at (252) 635-5666 or sbook@freedomenc.com.