Right-of-Way Acquisition
Right-of-way acquisition for the Military Cutoff Road Extension began in spring 2015 and was completed in time for project construction to begin in late 2017.
Alternative Selected
In June 2012, the N.C. Department of Transportation selected a detailed design option – referred to as the preferred alternative – for the project. The alternative was identified by NCDOT, as well as state and federal regulatory and environmental resource agencies, as having the least impact to human and natural environments.
Alternative M1, which extends Military Cutoff Road, begins at an interchange at Military Cutoff Road and Market Street. The road then extends to the north and northwest, ending near Plantation Road and Crooked Pine Road at a proposed interchange with N.C. 140 – approximately midway between I-40 and Market Street.
When the development of this project began, the route where N.C. 140 was built was referred to as the U.S. 17 Wilmington Bypass. In 2019, this route was signed as N.C. 140.
This alternative generally follows the alignment shown on the August 2005 official transportation corridor map adopted by the city of Wilmington.