This proposed project by the N.C. Department of Transportation has been in development for over a decade to address long-standing congestion and safety concerns at the intersection of U.S. 17 (Military Cutoff Road) at U.S. 74 (Eastwood Road) in Wilmington.
Recognizing the growing traffic demands in this area, NCDOT initiated planning efforts as early as spring of 2015, engaging the public and local stakeholders throughout the process. The department has hosted multiple public and stakeholder meetings, including:
- Aug. 15, 2015 – Stakeholder meeting
- Sept. 29, 2015 – Public meeting
- Aug. 21, 2017 – Public meeting
- June 25, 2018 – Public meeting
The project’s current design is a result of public input wanting a grade-separated option without the land impacts associated with a Single Point Urban Interchange (a type of interchange that consolidates all traffic movements under one large signalized overpass) as presented in the Aug. 21, 2017 public meeting.
The project started right of way acquisition in the summer of 2023 and began the utility relocation process in the fall of 2024. Construction is expected to begin in the fall/winter of 2027.