Thanksgiving travelers can expect similar gas prices and traffic statistics to this time last year, but several area road projects could affect commutes.
Work on the drawbridge in Wrightsville Beach and the Snow’s Cut Bridge in Carolina Beach will reduce the typically four-lane U.S. 74-76 and U.S. 421, respectively, to one lane in each direction. Motorists should be mindful of the lane closures when traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Carolina Beach Police Chief Kurt Bartley said the town has requested a traffic sign from the N.C. Department of Transportation and additional help from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office to assist with outbound holiday traffic.
“I don’t see a problem with the traffic coming in. It’s more about the traffic leaving (town),” Bartley told town council Tuesday night while discussing the Snow’s Cut Bridge work’s impact on traffic over the holidays.
Bartley said officers and deputies would work to get traffic moving north as quickly as possible.
AAA Carolinas reports that most other roadwork is being suspended this week and on through the weekend, to avoid construction delays along highways and interstates. Contractors in South Carolina are required to keep all available lanes open during heavy travel holidays, AAA Carolinas stated in a release.
AAA reports that Thanksgiving holiday travel volume in North Carolina is expected to increase 1 percent this year, due in part to a recent decrease in gas prices. A total of 1.26 million North Carolinians are expected to travel 50 miles or more from their homes, with about 90 percent of those driving—an increase of about 11,000 travelers over last year.
While gas prices have dropped about 50 cents per gallon in recent months, today’s statewide average— $3.31 per gallon—is four cents less than this time last year, AAA notes.
The highest average price in North Carolina is in Boone at $3.45 per gallon of unleaded gas. The least expensive average price is in High Point at $3.23. AAA says motorists can expect to see lower gas prices in the bordering states of South Carolina ($3.13), Virginia ($3.24), Tennessee ($3.16) and Georgia ($3.26).
More information and travel tips are available on AAA Carolinas’ website. Updates are also offered via Facebook and Twitter.
Jonathan Spiers can be reached at (910) 772-6313 or [email protected].
