GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Officials in Greenville want to see U.S. Highways 17, 64 and 70 turned into freeways even through the roads don’t head through the city at all.

Federal and state lawmakers are asking for money to turn the roads from Raleigh to Norfolk, Virginia, and from Raleigh to Morehead City into interstate highways.

Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas told The Daily Reflector of Greenville (http://bit.ly/1iJbjJF ) that these days whatever helps out the eastern North Carolina region will help out Greenville. He says the new expressways would strengthen Greenville’s position as the hub of the region.

North Carolina Department of Transportation Engineer John Rouse says counties are starting to take the view that regional development can be beneficial too.

Both major highway projects are being studied.

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Information from: The Daily Reflector, http://www.reflector.com

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