Drivers across Johnston County have a reason to watch for road crews: a resurfacing contract covers 13 roads and roughly 30 miles of pavement.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced the award in September, with work potentially beginning this fall and the overall project expected to finish by spring 2028.

The contractor is Wilson-based S. T. Wooten, and the work is included in a combined contract covering Johnston and Nash counties.

Among the Johnston County routes identified are Old Beulah Road, Ranch Road, Short Creech Road and Tilghman Street.

For residents who use these roads to reach jobs, schools, stores and medical appointments, resurfacing can eventually mean smoother rides and fewer rough patches.

Before those benefits arrive, however, motorists should prepare for the temporary inconveniences that come with paving.

Road resurfacing generally involves preparing the existing surface, repairing damaged areas as necessary and placing fresh asphalt.

Specific techniques and the sequence of roads can vary with the condition of the pavement and the contractor's work plan.

Drivers may encounter flaggers, one-lane traffic, slow-moving equipment and short delays when crews are working.

Those are possible construction impacts, not an announcement that any particular road is closed today.

The contract's broad completion window does not mean every road will be under construction at once.

Work may be scheduled in phases, and weather can affect paving operations.

Rain, low temperatures and other conditions can change when asphalt crews can work safely and effectively.

Residents should therefore avoid assuming that a road will be paved on a particular day unless NCDOT posts a more specific schedule.

Fresh pavement is especially welcome on routes that carry regular neighborhood traffic, farm vehicles and delivery trucks.

Improving road surfaces can reduce bumps and wear, although resurfacing does not by itself solve every traffic or drainage problem.

Motorists can help protect road workers by slowing down when signs and cones appear and leaving extra room behind construction vehicles.

Watch for uneven pavement where crews have milled a surface but not yet placed the final asphalt layer.

Motorcycle riders and cyclists should be particularly alert to abrupt changes in pavement height and loose material.

Even drivers who know a road well should expect conditions to change during construction.

Local residents can also use the project as an opportunity to note pavement trouble spots and follow up through the state's transportation reporting channels.

Questions about the timing of a particular segment are best directed to NCDOT rather than guessed from the countywide contract announcement.

The combined Johnston–Nash contract is valued at approximately $7 million, but that figure should not be mistaken for spending solely on Johnston County roads.

The announcement identifies the overall scope and contractor; it is not a day-by-day paving calendar.

For people planning commutes, the practical approach is to check travel conditions before leaving, especially once equipment begins appearing along a familiar route.

School and business traffic can make a short construction delay more noticeable during the busiest hours.

Allowing a little extra travel time can make those days less stressful.

Roadwork can be frustrating while it is happening, but the goal is pavement that holds up better to everyday use.

The project's lengthy deadline also gives the contractor time to coordinate multiple stretches of roadway rather than treating the work as a single weekend job.

Residents should look for further notices as NCDOT releases more detailed work locations or traffic impacts.

For now, the key takeaway is straightforward: 13 Johnston County roads are included in a new resurfacing contract, and drivers should expect improvements over time rather than overnight.

JoCo Buzz will follow the project as more precise road-by-road construction information becomes available.