Done soon? Wilmington's biggest road projects see new construction schedule
The timing of several road construction projects in and around Wilmington has changed.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation released an initial draft of projects set to get funding between 2024 and 2030. A draft of the State Transportation Improvement Plan, which could change with input from local transportation leaders and the public, adjusts the schedule and funding for several New Hanover County road projects.
The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization discussed the revised plan during its June meeting, and, on Wednesday, the organization's coordinating committee talked about projects to swap into the plan.
Local transportation leaders can ask to swap projects into the plan as long as the project's cost is within 10% of the cost of the current project.
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Here are key changes included in the revised schedule:
Projects not funded
Several projects at Wilmington International Airport, including widening all taxiways, expanding the general aviation area and other taxiway improvements
Widening South Front Street into multiple lanes from the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to Burnett Boulevard
Upgrades to Shipyard Boulevard and Carolina Beach Road to improve access management and travel times
Upgrades to the intersection of Greenville Loop Road and Oleander Drive
Adding another ferry to link Fort Fisher with Southport
Adding a roundabout at the intersection of Castle Hayne Road and N. 23rd Street
Funded but just for engineering
Improvements to Carolina Beach Road between Burnett Boulevard and Shipyard Boulevard
Constructing a flyover and free flow ramp at the intersection of the Isabel Holmes Bridge and U.S. 421
Intersection improvements to Carolina Beach Road and Shipyard Boulevard
Upgrades to Carolina Beach Road in southern New Hanover County
Improvements to College Road and Market Street
Taxiway improvements at Wilmington International Airport
Widening South College Road and constructing flyovers at U.S. 421 and N.C. 132
Upgrades to the roadway between Burnett Avenue and Shipyard Boulevard
Schedule change
Accelerated: Improvements to the interchange at Kerr Avenue and MLK Boulevard was moved up two years to 2027
Rescheduled: The Kerr Avenue Extension between Peachtree and Oleander Drive to happen in 2030
Rescheduled: Independence Boulevard extension from Randall Parkway to MLK Parkway rescheduled for construction in 2029
Accelerated: Traffic signal system construction moved up to 2030
Delayed: Interchange at Eastwood and Military Cutoff roads delayed one year until 2026
Delayed: Runway extension at Wilmington International Airport delayed six years to 2028
The N.C. State Port has asked the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider swapping in the widening of South Front Street for project funding. Wilmington International Airport is also asking to swap in proposed improvements to the airport's taxiway.
Any project swaps need to be submitted to the N.C. Department of Transportation by Sept. 30. A revised draft will be released in December.
The department will then hold a period for public input and a final document is set to be considered for adoption in 2023.
Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington road construction schedules see changes
