Improvements to Old Swamp Road/South Mills Road
(S.R. 1223/1224 & S.R. 1218/1227), Camden and Currituck Counties
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Project R-5717
Project Update
Over the past year, the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has been developing plans to construct improvements to Old Swamp Road/South Mills Road from N.C. 343 to Caratoke Highway (N.C. 168). Additionally, NCDOT will expedite construction of the improvements in the vicinity of Lilly Road by breaking out a separate project, identified as STIP Project R-5717A
The Need for Improvements
Traffic accidents occur on Old Swamp Road/South Mills Road at a rate higher than the state average for similar roadways. As a result, one of main purposes of the project is to upgrade the road to current standards.
In addition, by 2040 the average number of vehicles per day on Old Swamp Road/South Mills Road is expected to increase by approximately 33 percent, from 3000 to 4000 vehicles per day. The improved design is also intended to better accommodate these future traffic volumes.
Proposed Improvements
The project will widen the travel lanes along the entire project from their current 10-foot width to 12 feet. The project will also add 2-foot wide paved shoulders along the entire project length.
A public meeting was held for the project on June 21, 2018 at the Moyock Baptist Church. After review of all comments received from the public and local officials, NCDOT decided to alter the project's initial design such that Nosay Road remains fully open to traffic and retains its current intersection configuration at Old Swamp Road and N.C. 343.
Project Impacts
The project's potential effect on businesses, residences, and environmental features was taken into consideration as the plans were developed. No homes or businesses will need to be relocated to construct the improvements. Environmental resources such as streams, drainage channels, and wetlands will be avoided to the greatest practical extent as NCDOT completes the construction plans for the project.
The R-5717A Project
Construction to begin in mid 2019
The R-5717A project will improve Old Swamp Road in the vicinity of Lilly Road. In addition to constructing wider lanes and shoulders, the cross-slope of Old Swamp Road will be improved to increase safety on the curve that currently exists at the Lilly Road intersection. Small amounts of property will be need for new right-of-way in this area, and NCDOT us currently in the process of acquiring these parcels.
Project Schedule
The 2018-2027 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) includes funding for these projects for land acquisition, utility relocations, and construction. As noted previously, right-of-way acquisition is now underway for R-5717A project, with acquisition expected to begin for the R-5717 project early next year. Construction for the R-5717 project is expected to begin in late 2020. Please not that these dates could change as the project is further developed.
Comments? Questions?
Although no additional public meetings are planned for this project, comments and questions are welcome at any time. You may contact NCDOT's key staff for this project as shown below.
NCDOT Project Manager
Barry Hobbs, P.E.
113 Airport Dr.
Edenton, NC 27932
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(252) 482-1862
H.W. Lochner, Inc. (NCDOT Consultant)
Brian Eason, P.E.
2840 Plaza Place Suite 202
Raleigh, NC 27612
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(919) 571-7111