Portion Of Jones' 'Eastern NC Gateway Act' Approved by Federal Highway Administration | Eastern NC Now

News Release:

    WASHINGTON, DC     Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced its final approval of the state's application to designate U.S. Highway 264 between Zebulon and Greenville, North Carolina as Future Interstate 587. Congressmen Walter B. Jones (NC-03) and G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) applauded the approval of the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) application to transform the highway into an interstate.

    "I introduced The Eastern North Carolina Gateway Act to underline the need for high-quality infrastructure in our region," said Congressman Jones. "I am pleased that the NC Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration agree that Future Interstate 587 is a crucial investment in the future of Eastern North Carolina regional economy. This milestone would not have been possible without the support of transportation advocates throughout our state, including my colleagues Congressman G.K. Butterfield and Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis."

    "I am thrilled that the transformation of Highway 264 into a Future Interstate will officially become a reality," said Congressman Butterfield. "This approval will make the Future Interstate Greenville's first connection to a major interstate highway. I thank Congressman Jones for his strong support in this effort to better connect eastern North Carolina with neighboring regions along Interstate 95 and the Eastern Seaboard."

    This announcement follows Jones and Butterfield's letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx calling for the FHWA to approve NCDOT's request to designate portions of U.S. Highway 264 as a Future Interstate.

    The request made by the state closely follows the Eastern North Carolina Gateway Act of 2016, which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Jones and Butterfield as H.R. 6105, and in the Senate by Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis as S. 3378. The bill would help better connect Eastern North Carolina with Interstate 95 and the entire Eastern Seaboard.

    Greenville is the 10th largest city in North Carolina, and the largest city in North Carolina without an interstate highway. The approval of NCDOT's application would designate the U.S. Highway 264/64 split from Zebulon to Greenville as a High Priority Corridor and Future Interstate. Many portions of U.S. Highway 264 are already built to interstate standards. NCDOT has committed to completing the Future Interstate within 25 years.

    Click for the letter of approval from the DOT and original request letter to Secretary Foxx.

    For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Jones' office at (202) 225-3415 or Allison.Tucker@mail.house.gov.