(GDN) — Wayne County is hoping the N.C. Department of Transportation will speed up plans to continue the Highway 70 bypasses in nearby communities. 

Tuesday, the Wayne County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution requesting the acceleration of the U.S. 70 bypass projects around Kinston and Princeton. 

Commissioner Chris Gurley, who is also a member of the U.S. 70 Corridor Commission, explained the need.

Gurley says the major roadway through Eastern North Carolina is continually threatened when waters on the Neuse River rise.

Both the Kinston and Princeton bypasses are part of the plan to update U.S. 70 to I-42 as the highway is upgraded to interstate standards.

The resolution asks NCDOT “to accelerate the construction of planned Interstate 42 in Princeton and Kinston in order to minimize flooding of major travel routes to assure safe travel, promote commerce and encourage economic development in Eastern North Carolina.”

Read the full resolution below.