WILMINGTON - A national transportation organization is honoring North Carolina officials for a highway project aimed at improved safety and mobility and spurring economic growth in Wilmington.
The N.C. Department of Transportation was one of six southeastern transportation agencies earning awards last month as part of the 11th annual America’s Transportation Awards competition.
The Wilmington Bypass was selected as one of the best transportation projects in the Southeast by a panel of judges with the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Also honored was the Piedmont Improvement Program, which was North Carolina’s largest series of improvements to the state’s rail infrastructure and was completed in 2017.
The Wilmington Bypass project tied for first in the “Quality of Life/Community Development, Large Project” category. As a regional winner, it will be considered for the nation’s top transportation prizes, which will be announced this month.
“We’re pleased to be recognized among our transportation peers in the Southeast for these two projects,” said NCDOT Secretary Jim Trogdon. “The Wilmington Bypass reflects our commitment to improve safety, capacity and reliability.”
The Bypass connects New Hanover and Brunswick counties. Its completion creates the 20-mile I-140 corridor around Wilmington. The combined $210 million project included an eight-mile highway and the construction of 19 bridges. It is already easing congestion, creating quicker and safer travel for commuters, and bolstering economic development by creating a controlled access corridor for freight traffic and other motorists in southeastern North Carolina.
The competition is sponsored by AASHTO, Socrata, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.