Project Overview:

The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to build a new road in Wilmington. The proposed 1.7-mile long  new-location roadway would extend existing Independence Boulevard from its intersection with Randall Parkway and Mercer Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway (U.S. 74).

The purpose of the project is to improve traffic movement in the City by creating a new north‐south roadway. The proposed project is listed in the 2024-2033 NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as Project Number U-4434.

Project Options:

Two design alternatives are being considered.  They both share the same alignment but have a different interchange option at Market Street. The two interchange options are a single point urban interchange (SPUI) and a tight urban diamond interchange (TUDI). Both interchange options would require less land area than a traditional interchange.

Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) Alternative

The SPUI alternative provides better traffic operation. Both left turn lanes at the Market Street intersection can move at the same time. Pedestrian crossings at Market Street provided by the SPUI alternative require pedestrians to cross the right turns to and from the ramps without a separate pedestrian signal. These pedestrian crossings are located under a bridge and may require the addition of lighting for safety. The SPUI alternative would require the relocation of  58 homes and 29 businesses, which is less residential and business relocations than the TUDI alternative. 

Tight Urban Diamond Interchange (TUDI) Alternative

The TUDI alternative would provide pedestrians a crosswalk that is timed with traffic signals. Pedestrian crossings would occur away from the bridge structure and would not require extra lighting. The TUDI alternative would require the relocation of 69 homes and 37 businesses, which is more than the SPUI alternative.

Project Schedule

Project Funding                             

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 

Comments/Questions

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  
The public is encouraged to leave comments using the project email or phone number.

Email: IndependenceBlvd@PublicInput.com

Phone number: 601-300-5186 enter project code 4173

All comments received carry equal weight, regardless of submission method. 

All comments will be reviewed and suggestions/recommendations incorporated into designs where feasible. 

RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 

Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.  

     
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout      Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

English                                                                     Spanish

English

Relocation Assistance Brochure

Right-of-Way Acquisition Process Brochure

Español

Asistencia para Reubicación

Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces

Project Contacts

Krista Kimmel, P.E.

NCDOT

Project Manager

5501 Barbados Boulevard

Castle Hayne, N.C. 28429

Susan Westberry, AICP

AECOM

Consultant Project Manager

North Carolina 201 North Front Street, Suite 509

Wilmington, N.C. 28401