Description

The US 17 Corridor Study includes North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) projects U-4751 and R-3300. Project U-4751 is an extension of Military Cutoff Road on new location from Market Street (US 17 Business) to the US 17 Wilmington Bypass (John Jay Burney Jr. Freeway). Project R-3300 is the US 17 bypass of Hampstead. Both projects are part of North Carolina’s Strategic Highway Corridor Initiative, which is an effort to preserve and maximize the long-term interconnectivity of core transportation corridors in North Carolina.

Thirteen detailed study alternatives were initially developed for the proposed project, as shown in the September 2008 project newsletter. Seven of the alternatives were dropped from further consideration because of anticipated impacts to the human and natural environments. At this time, six of the original alternatives for the US 17 Corridor Study are still being considered, and are shown on the Alternatives Map.

Current Detailed Study Alternatives – refer to Alternatives Map for details.
The six detailed study alternatives being considered at this time include four alternatives for the Hampstead Bypass (R-3300) and two alternatives for Military Cutoff Road Extension (U-4751). The proposed Hampstead Bypass is generally a four-to-six lane freeway primarily on new location. Access to the proposed freeway would be provided at interchanges. Alternatives for Hampstead Bypass include E-H, O, R, and U .

Military Cutoff Road Extension is a proposed six-lane roadway on new location. Access to the roadway will be provided at an interchange with US 17 Business (Market Street) and signalized intersections with Putnam Drive, Lendire Road and Torchwood Boulevard. Only right turns will be allowed onto Military Cutoff Road Extension from the signalized intersections. Signalized U-turn lanes will be provided. Alternatives for Military Cutoff Road Extension include M1 and M2.

News and Updates

Open House and Corridor Public Hearings

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will hold two (2) Pre-Hearing Open Houses and Corridor Public Hearings at the following times and locations:

• Monday, October 17, 2011
  Noble Middle School, 6520 Market Street, Wilmington
  Pre-Hearing Open House: 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  Formal Presentation: 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 18, 2011
  Topsail High School, 245 N. St. Johns Church Road, Hampstead
  Pre-Hearing Open House: 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  Formal Presentation: 7 p.m.

For more information click the links below:

• Open House and Corridor Public Hearings Notice
• Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 28 MB
• Projects Maps

Project Overview and Purpose

The purpose of the project is to improve the traffic carrying capacity and safety of the US 17 and Market Street corridors in the project area.

Project Highlights

Six alternatives for the US 17 Corridor Study are being considered and require additional analysis. To select the six alternatives, the US 17 Corridor Study Team, consisting of federal, state and local agency representatives, reviewed the results of analyses for the alternative corridors. Potential environmental, social and economic effects were evaluated to identify alternatives that best meet the purpose and need of the project while minimizing negative impacts. The Study Team also considered input provided by the public. This included comments from the April 2007 Citizens Informational Workshops, the public and agencies involved with the project. The six alternatives will be presented to the public for comments at a hearing to be held in early 2011. Refer to the Description section above for the Alternatives Map and more details.

The US 17 Corridor Study Team follows the Merger ’01 Process to reach concurrence at critical milestones related to project development and permitting. The Study Team reached agreement on the purpose and need for the project in September 2006 and alternatives for detailed study were selected in August 2007. The Study Team met again in April 2010 after preliminary design plans were prepared and environmental field data was collected for the alternatives selected for detailed study. The Study Team reviewed the information and agreed to carry six alternatives forward for additional analysis. In May 2010, the Study Team reached agreement on bridge locations and lengths.

Public Involvement

Public involvement is an important part of the planning process. NCDOT encourages citizen involvement with transportation projects and considers your suggestions and will address your concerns.

Citizens informational workshops for the US 17 Corridor Study were held for the US 17 Corridor Study on April 23, 2007 in Hampstead and on April 24, 2007 in Wilmington. A total of 174 participants signed in at the workshops.

A newsletter (September 2010) describing the six alternatives was prepared and mailed to all those on the project mailing list. A notice of the public hearing in 2011, as well as any future public meetings, will run in local papers and will also be sent by mail to area residents and property owners.

To have your name added to the project mailing list, please get in touch with one of the project contacts or submit your information on the project Contact Us form below. A toll free project information line is also available in the Contact Information section below.

Next Steps

Preliminary design and environmental analysis of the alternatives are being finalized and preparation of the State Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) is underway. The SDEIS will document the environmental analysis of the project, which is required under the State Environmental Policy Act. Once approved, the SDEIS and a map of the proposed alternatives will be made available for public review at several local locations and be presented to the public for comment at a public hearing. An announcement of the public hearing will be sent to individuals on the project mailing list and advertised in the local paper. The North Carolina Department of Transportation expects to conduct the public hearing in early 2011.

Written comments will also be accepted for 30 days following the public hearing. After the public comment period closes, comments will be reviewed and the preferred alternative will be selected. Please note that team members will continue collecting data within each alternative study corridor during the project development process (see below).

Project Development Process

Any state agency proposing a project that uses public funds and may have a potential detrimental environmental effect must comply with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

For more information please see the Project Development Process.

Contact Information

Toll Free Project Information Line: 1-866-841-4420

Resources for Local Property Owners

In many cases, it is inevitable that a certain amount of private property must be acquired. The displacement of homes and businesses is minimized to the extent practicable. The following brochures will answer questions about this process.