Press Release from NCDOT: 

"The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to widen a 1.5 mile section of Covered Bridge Road in Johnston County. The improvements will extend from west of Helena Lane to east of Buffalo Road. 

The project will widen the existing two-lane roadway to three lanes, including an open center turn lane. Converting the corridor to a three-lane cross-section with dedicated left turn space will help reduce rear-end crashes, lessen congestion at busy intersections, and improve overall traffic flow for local and regional drivers. 

As part of this project, South Murphrey Road and Archer Lodge Road will be realigned to form a new intersection with Covered Bridge Road. This new intersection will include a traffic signal to enhance safety and manage traffic more efficiently. 

Additionally, a new traffic signal will be installed at Castleberry Road and Covered Bridge Road, and turn lanes will be added with an upgraded signal at Buffalo Road and Covered Bridge Road. 

Carolina Sunrock LLC of Raleigh won the construction contract with a bid of $12.3 million, with was 13% below NCDOT's engineering estimate. The company was the lowest responsive bidder among seven competing firms. 

Construction may begin as early as this fall, and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2028."