WILMINGTON—Friday morning marked a major milestone for the City of Wilmington and surrounding areas as local legislators and state transportation officials gathered to cut a ceremonial ribbon for the Interstate-140/Wilmington Bypass.
The project is in its final phase of construction, with the N.C. Department of Transportation hoping to open the last section of the highway by the end of the month. The nearly eight-mile stretch of highway connects to the section that is already open in Brunswick and New Hanover counties, capping off a $411-million project.
“One of the things we’re working on at the Department is getting projects completed faster,” said Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Tim Little. “The opening of this stretch of highway will mark the completion of the entire 20-mile bypass and the culmination of years of hard work by hundreds of people.”
In addition to the chief engineer, also taking part in the ceremony were N.C. State Senator Bill Rabon, N.C. State Representative Frank Iler and NCDOT Division Engineer Karen Collette.
The bypass includes 19 new bridges, two of which are more than a mile long.
“For the first time, you’ll be able to go around Wilmington instead of having to go straight through downtown,” Little said. “Traffic congestion on the causeway will also be improved.”
Although the bypass will soon be open to traffic, drivers will still see lane closures through the spring of 2018 as final touches on the highway are made. Once completed, residents, visitors and area businesses are all expected to benefit from the greater mobility provided by the bypass.
