POLLOCKSVILLE – A new section of a Jones County highway bypass will open this week and traffic will be detoured as the final portion of the bypass is completed.
On Thursday, crews with the N.C. Department of Transportation will open a new, 2.5-mile section of the U.S. 17 Bypass. This new section of the bypass is about 90 percent complete.
NCDOT expects traffic will be able to drive the full length of the U.S. 17 Bypass by late this year, with the project being completed in 2020. The bypass will include a four-lane divided road that will connect U.S. 17 north of Spring Hill Road in Onslow County, and then reconnect to the U.S. 17 Bypass southwest of New Bern.
When the new section opens this week, traffic will be detoured. Northbound traffic will go onto the interchange at N.C. 58. At the bottom of the ramp, drivers will turn left onto the highway and proceed to the stop sign and flashing red light at U.S. 17. Drivers will turn left onto U.S. 17.
Drivers on U.S. 17 south will turn right onto N.C. 58 and enter back onto the U.S. 17 Bypass using the ramp designated for U.S. 17 south.
Drivers should anticipate needing extra time to learn the new traffic pattern, and slow down and use caution while near the work zone.