Press Release, County of Franklin

LOUISBURG – Representatives from the N.C. Department of Transportation, Franklin County, and the 401 Citizens Action Committee held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for a section of the U.S. 401 improvements project between N.C. 96 and Flat Rock Church Road/Clifton Pond Road.

Developed through extensive collaboration between state, local and federal institutions, the improvements along the greater U.S. 401 corridor in Wake and Franklin Counties are designed to widen the corridor to a four-lane median divided highway between north of Ligon Mill Road and N.C. 39 in Louisburg.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Tobacco Receiving Station in Louisburg, NCDOT Division Engineer Joey Hopkins thanked a host of local partners and emphasized the importance of the coming improvements: “This is an exciting time for transportation in Franklin County and our entire state. Together, with you, we have realized a vision to give folks a safer and more efficient route to travel. We are improving mobility, reducing congestion, and enhancing the region’s economic competitiveness.”

Emceed by the N.C. Board of Transportation’s Valerie Jordan, the ceremony also included remarks from Sidney Dunston, Franklin County Board of Commissioners; Cedric Jones, Franklin County Board of Commissioners; Gary Cunard, 401 Citizens Action Committee; and The Honorable Lucy Allen, Former Representative, N.C. House of Representatives.

Once started, this latest section of improvements is expected to open by Summer 2022.

***NCDOT***