Interactive Study Area Map

Project Overview

The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to replace two bridges on N.C. 33 over the Tar River and the Tar River Overflow in Tarboro, Edgecombe County. The new bridges will include two 12-foot lanes and 4-foot shoulders and will be constructed immediately east of the existing bridges. The existing bridges will be kept in place and serve as on-site detours to maintain traffic during construction and will be removed once the new bridges are constructed.

The project will also realign the existing access road for the Bell’s Bridge Boating Access Area (BAA). A temporary detour of the access road will be constructed to maintain access to the Bell’s Bridge BAA during construction of the new bridges and the new BAA access road. Additional right of way and construction easements will be required to construct the new bridges and new BAA access road. Construction will start in January 2031 and will take approximately 3 years to complete.

The existing bridges are over 70 years old. This does not imply that the 70-year-old bridges are unsafe. It means the bridges are reaching the end of their lifecycle and must be replaced.

Project History & Update

Planning to replace the bridges over the Tar River and Tar River overflow on N.C. 33 began in 2018. A project newsletter was distributed in March 2019. The project was placed on hold in September 2019 and was restarted in 2024.

Earlier designs proposed replacing the bridge over the Tar River directly west of the existing bridge and replacing the bridge over the Tar River Overflow directly east of the existing bridge. To minimize impacts to wetlands, the preferred alternative was revised to replace the bridge over the Tar River immediately east of the existing bridge.

Shifting the new bridge to the east will require approximately 0.4 acres of right-of-way and 0.6 acres of temporary construction easements from the Bell’s Bridge Boating Access Area (BAA) property and will necessitate realignment of the existing access road to the BAA. However, no impacts to the boat ramp or parking areas are anticipated and no current or future recreational activities at this site will be impacted.

Access to the BAA will need to be temporarily closed for approximately two weeks at the beginning of construction and again near the end of construction. The initial closure is required to construct a temporary access road, which will provide continued access to the BAA while the new bridge over the Tar River is under construction. Near the end of the project, the temporary access road will be closed and removed to allow construction of the permanent access road.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, which has jurisdiction over the Bell’s Bridge Boating Access Area, agrees that the proposed project will result in minimal impacts to this public recreational area and therefore qualifies as a de minimis impact under applicable federal statute.

A de minimis impact is an impact that would not adversely affect the activities, features, or attributes qualifying a park, recreation area, or refuge for protection under Section 4(f). In order for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to consider finalizing a de minimis impact determination, an opportunity for public review and comment must be provided.

Project Map and Typical Sections

To view or download project map click here or on the map below

Typical Section of N.C. 33  

Project Funding:

*Estimated costs are subject to change. 

Project Timeline:

*Future dates subject to change

Project Comments

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.

To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,

please submit before March 20, 2026

The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

Email:  nc33-tar-river@publicinput.com

Phone Number: 984-205-6615  enter project code 2360

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Dimitri Gambrell

Project Manager

NCDOT Project Management Unit

1582 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1582

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Karen Taylor, PE

Senior Project Development Engineer

Three Oaks Engineering

1730 Varsity Drive, Suite 140

Raleigh, NC 27606

Title VI Feedback

To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?

If so, please click here https://publicinput.com/NCDOT-Title-VI-Form

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 Para entender el proceso de derecho de vía
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

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