In an effort to ease traffic woes and enhance safety, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is making improvements to the U.S. 17 corridor in Pender and New Hanover counties. The $490 million project involves building a bypass around the town of Hampstead in Pender County.
"U.S.17 business struggles to handle the increased volume of traffic that has been added over the last several years due to the growth in the area," Brad Haste, NCDOT resident engineer, told Construction Equipment Guide. "Hampstead has become an extension of Wilmington and Scotts Hill, with major development along the U.S. 17 corridor. The department works to manage the increased traffic movements from residential and commercial development, but there are limits to engineering solutions once traffic volumes hit certain levels."
S.T. Wooten Corporation photo
According to Haste, changes to the U.S. 17 corridor in Pender and New Hanover counties will have a major impact.
"With steady growth in this area, the U.S. 17 Hampstead Bypass project will provide an alternate route for motorists to access Military Cutoff Road, N.C. 140 and N.C. 210, which will result in less traffic traveling through the U.S. 17 business corridor in Hampstead. This should result in improved traffic flow and reduced conflicts."
The Hampstead Bypass is being built in two segments. R-3300A extends from N.C. 140 (formerly known as the U.S. 17 Wilmington Bypass) to N.C. 210. Work on this portion began in September 2025. So far, several reinforced concrete box culverts have been completed, along with some of the drainage ditches and drainage pipes.
"Clearing and grubbing is 50 percent complete," said Haste. "The contractor has placed about 500,000 cubic yards of borrow and has begun working on a couple of bridges. At this early stage of the project, there are many tasks remaining that are vital to completing this project on time."
Haste said completion of clearing and grubbing on the mainline and finishing the bridges around the N.C. 140 interchange will be among the project milestones.
The other segment, R-3300B, extends from N.C. 210 to north of Hampstead. The contractor is currently placing borrow, constructing bridges and working on grading and paving in the area of the U.S. 17 interchange. Construction on this segment is expected to be completed in late 2027.
S.T. Wooten Corporation photo
Haste noted that constructing a bypass around the town of Hampstead in Pender County requires significant planning.
"Building a bypass in urban areas presents challenges with traffic management. This includes making sure that motorists stay informed regarding changes to the traffic pattern as the project progresses through the construction phases.
S.T. Wooten, headquartered in Wilson, N.C., serves as general contractor for R-3300A. Conti Civil LLC, with offices in Edison, N.J., and Raleigh, N.C., is overseeing work on R-3300B.
Heavy equipment being used during construction includes lattice cranes, excavators, bulldozers, off-road dump trucks, rollers, backhoes, skid steers and concrete pump trucks. Concrete, steel, asphalt, stone and dirt are among the chief materials required to complete the work.
Not surprisingly, crews are constantly keeping an eye on the forecast.
"Dry weather means it may be difficult to get soil compaction, which means the contractor has to manage optimal moisture and dust control with more water trucks," said Haste. "Establishing vegetation to prevent erosion becomes challenging when rain is limited, or when you get one inch of rain in 30 minutes on bare soil.
S.T. Wooten Corporation photo
"Being near the coast, we get volatile weather like afternoon thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes. It makes erosion control management difficult for contractors. I think all states have different challenges with weather when it comes to construction, but most contractors have adapted to get the work done."
The full project is slated for completion in 2030. Although much work remains, Haste said drivers will benefit in the long run from the ongoing closures and delays.
"This project will provide motorists the ability to bypass Hampstead and Wilmington via I-140, which means those traveling in Hampstead and Wilmington should see less congestion. It's good to be part of something that will have a long-lasting positive impact on so many people."
