The unnamed storm that hit Brunswick and New Hanover counties on September 16 washed out roads, including some major arteries.
In the days after the storm, county officials asked residents to limit travel while crews inspected and began repairs to roads. Within days, many of those roads were repaired and travel could resume normally.
But travel to and from Southport continues to be affected by several washouts near the town, leaving only one way in and out. As a result, strike teams including officers from the Southport Police Department, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Monroe Police Department from Monroe, NC, responded to the scene to direct traffic.
Since the storm, repairs and improvements have been made to the damaged highways. Here’s what you need to know about the NC Department of Transportation’s progress in repairing three major storm-damaged roads.
US 17
According to NCDOT Communications Officer Lauren Haviland, crews were repairing two areas along US 17: one in New Hanover and one in Brunswick County. Haviland said damage occurred near College Road.
“The shoulder was washed away, requiring the lane closure,” she said in an email.
Crews repaired the shoulder and completed the project, and the roadway reopened to traffic on September 19.
In Brunswick County, US 17 washed out north of NC 87 at Bell Swamp. Haviland said that “the necessary fill was installed, the base and base were re-constructed and repaved.” The project was completed and the road opened to traffic on September 23, 2024.
More: Would you like to know which roads are still closed in the Wilmington area? Here’s how to find out.
More about PTC 8: Following major flooding from an unnamed storm, Governor Cooper tours Brunswick, New Hanover counties
NC 133
Two areas of NC 133 were damaged during the storm: one south of Fifty Lakes Drive in Boiling Spring Lakes and an area near Bridge No. 50, south of Fifty Lakes Drive.
Haviland said in the area south of Fifty Lakes Drive, the triple lines have been washed out and a new line will be installed.
“Our current projected schedule is for this to be completed and reopened by the end of October,” she said.
Nearby, at Bridge No. 50, the approach to the bridge was lost. Haviland said the necessary fill had been installed and the approaches restored by September 29.
“This will remain closed due to its proximity to the pipe closure and will be paved in conjunction with that,” she said.
NC211
There were three areas damaged along NC 211: Beaverdam Creek Bridge near St. James, Dutchman Creek Bridge in Southport and the CP&L Canal Bridge in Southport.
At Beaverdam Creek the outwash approaching the eastern end was filled and paved. The bridge reopened to traffic on September 20.
Haviland said that at Dutchman Creek, the existing bridge has been compromised because the washouts have been completely removed.
“Work is underway to install a pipe culvert,” she said. “Thanks to the pipe culvert, a temporary roadway can be constructed until a connection to the new bridge is possible. Our current expectation is that this will be completed and reopened by the end of October.”
The CP&L Bridge was also compromised due to washouts. Haviland said work is underway to connect NC 211 to the new bridge structure already built under the ongoing road widening project. NCDOT officials expect this to be completed and reopened by the end of October.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NCDOT working to repair roads in Brunswick, Wilmington after storm damage
