Wrightsville Avenue Improvements

• Project typeSidewalks and Roundabout
• Project valueContract not yet awarded
• Project scheduleConstruction 2025

Overview

This project will consist of filling all of the sidewalk gaps over the 2.6-mile stretch of Wrightsville Avenue from Independence Boulevard to Hawthorne Drive; completing ADA crosswalks along the route at cross streets; adding a signalized pedestrian crossing at College Road; and building a roundabout at the intersection of Wrightsville Avenue and Wallace Avenue. The roundabout will include new street lighting and a crosswalk.  

A complete tree survey has been conducted to save healthy trees and minimize tree removals to the extent possible. The following priorities have guided the planning and design:

• Provide safe pedestrian connections.
• Minimize right-of-way acquisition.
• Minimize impacts to existing utilities.
• Avoid and preserve existing trees to the extent possible.

View a presentation to City Council from May 2020 about tree preservation efforts on this project here.

(PDF, 2MB)

Timeline

Design on this project is complete. More than 70 property easements have been obtained and City Council has authorized staff to proceed with condemnation procedures for another 20-plus properties.

Once the city has obtained the necessary easements and/or property from these landowners, staff will be able to bid the job (advertise for a qualified construction contractor). Council will then vote to authorize award of the construction contract.

Prior to city contractor mobilization, the various utility companies will come on-site to relocate water, sewer, power and telecommunications lines along the 2.6-mile route. 

Project Benefits

• The roundabout will improve traffic flow along Wrightsville where it backs up just east of College Road.
• The sidewalks will provide safe pedestrian connections between multiple neighborhoods, shopping areas, UNCW, the Cross-City Trail, and the River-to-Sea bike route.
• Overall, the project will help provide safe pedestrian/bike connections between multiple neighborhoods, Cape Fear Hospital, shopping areas, UNCW, the Cross-City Trail, and the River-to-Sea bike route