WILMINGTON — After becoming heavily damaged by Hurricane Florence to the point it was impassable, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has announced its plans to fix U.S. 421.
The part of the road was washed out at the Pender-New Hanover County line and the first step in the plan is to open a limited traffic pattern within 30-days.
“This section of highway experienced the worst degree of washout in the state. More than 500-feet of roadway was completely washed away by flood waters that crested almost a week after the rains had stopped in this area. NCDOT began work this week to open a two-lane, two-way temporary traffic pattern that will open within 30 days. During that time, NCDOT will pursue a permanent solution to repair the damaged roadway,” NCDOT spokesman Steve Abbot said in an email.
There are still other roads in the region that will also remain closed and need repairs including:
- N.C. 133 in Brunswick County is impassable near Fifty Lakes Drive due to washout.
- N.C. 210 in Pender County is washed out between Blueberry Road and the Bladen County line.
- N.C. 53 in Pender County is closed near Maple Hill between Whitestocking Road and N.C. 50 because of high water and washout.
- Secondary roads are closed in 28 spots across the division.
“Repairs on several of these roads are already under way. Local NCDOT crews, as well as department workers from four other DOT divisions based in other parts of the state, are handling road washout and sign repairs. For bigger repairs, such as U.S. 421, outside contractor companies are being used,” Abbott said.
