[Ed. note: A week after press, the NCDOT announced there would be a delay in the bypass’ lanes opening. Due to inclement weather this week, the traffic shift planned for May 28 has been rescheduled to begin May 29, weather permitting.]
HAMPSTEAD — Next week, a traffic pattern shift will take place on a $420 million new bypass under construction in Pender County.
A portion of U.S. 17 traffic will permanently shift onto newly constructed lanes next week as part of Hampstead Bypass. It begins on Thursday evening, May 28, with southbound lanes near Leeward Lane connecting to the new bypass. The traffic patter will then connect back to 17 near Vista Lane for motorists to continue driving through Hampstead.
Northbound traffic on U.S. 17 will remain in the current traffic pattern. Local traffic on U.S. 17 South needing to access Transfer Station Road should use alternate routes, according to the NCDOT.
All drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution.
Totaling 12.6 miles once complete, the Hampstead Bypass has been in the works for more than a decade and is on schedule with the first segment, from N.C. 210 to Sloop Point Loop Road, opening in late 2027. The project will fully open in 2030.
It will include an interchange with U.S. 17 Wilmington Bypass and extends northwest to Pender County, past Sidbury Road. From there, the road will turn northeast and continue to a proposed interchange with N.C. 210 to extend northeast and behind the Topsail High campus.
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