U.S. 74 loses a right lane 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20-22, Wrightsville Avenue work runs to Dec. 31 and a 5K slows U.S. 76 at Wrightsville Beach Saturday.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. We update this page every week. Lane closures come from NCDOT’s DriveNC work zone feed; city projects from the City of Wilmington’s Transportation Bond Projects page.

Wilmington’s roads are run by two agencies. NCDOT maintains the numbered routes, including U.S. 17, U.S. 74, U.S. 76, U.S. 117, U.S. 421, College Road and I-40. The city maintains the neighborhood and downtown streets. Before you drive, check DriveNC.gov or call 511 for state roads.

Who to call

State road work this week

These are the NCDOT work zones in New Hanover County inside or next to the city, from the DriveNC work zone feed on Oct. 18:

Road Where When What to expect
Wrightsville Avenue Independence Boulevard to French Road, both directions Through Dec. 31 Construction; all lanes affected at times
U.S. 74 westbound In New Hanover County Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Wednesday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Maintenance; right lane closed
U.S. 74 eastbound Intracoastal Waterway to Summer Rest Road Thursday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Maintenance; right lane closed
U.S. 117 Cape Fear River bridge to the St. Helena village limits Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rumble strip installation north of the city; all lanes affected at times. NCDOT’s record runs to August 2027

Saturday, Oct. 24: Seaside Shuffle 5K at Wrightsville Beach

The 44th Seaside Shuffle 5K runs Saturday morning in Wrightsville Beach, about eight miles east of downtown. NCDOT lists these effects in its DriveNC feed:

  • U.S. 76 near Dock Drive: right lane closed, 6 to 9 a.m.
  • Bob Sawyer Drive southbound, U.S. 76 to Causeway Drive: lane blocked, 7 to 8 a.m.
  • West Salisbury Street: closed 7:55 to 8:20 a.m.
  • Lumina Avenue southbound: parking lanes coned off 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

If you are heading to the beach early Saturday, allow extra time on the Causeway.

Times are converted from NCDOT’s feed and can change with the weather. DriveNC has the live list.

The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

NCDOT is planning to replace the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, the 0.66-mile, four-lane vertical-lift bridge built in 1969 that carries U.S. 17, U.S. 76 and U.S. 421 across the Cape Fear River. According to the city’s summary of the project, the new bridge would be built just south of the current one, and NCDOT is weighing two designs:

  • Alternative A: a new movable bridge with a 65-foot lower profile that opens to give ships 135 feet of clearance.
  • Alternative B: a 135-foot fixed bridge that never opens.

Both include a path for walking and biking. The city puts the estimated cost at about $1.1 billion and says NCDOT is studying tolls as one way to pay for it. City Council has said it opposes tolls.

The public comment period closed Thursday, Oct. 15. NCDOT says it will post a summary of the comments on its project portal, and expects to pick a design in late 2026. It has not set dates for buying land or starting construction.

City projects

The city is still building projects from the $44 million transportation bond voters approved in 2014.

  • Dawson and Wooster streets: sidewalk gaps filled on both sides, new signalized crossings, and both streets cut from four lanes to three to make room for parking and bus stops. Construction started in March 2026 and is expected to finish by March 2027; NCDOT is paying to resurface both streets from Third Street to 17th Street. Project page.
  • Eastwood Road: the center median is being extended from Rogersville Road to Cavalier Drive in 2026, with signals and U-turn areas between Cardinal Drive and Military Cutoff Road. Project page.
  • Resurfacing: the city’s street rehabilitation map shows the streets being repaved and repaired.

Questions about either bond project go to project manager Kyle Burden at 910-341-7808.

Coming up

NCDOT’s July 2026 Board of Transportation agenda added money for access management work on Market Street (U.S. 17 Business) from north of College Road to Station Road, and for intersection improvements at Piner Road and Grissom Road and at Masonboro Loop Road and Myrtle Grove Road. We will list the lane closures here when NCDOT schedules them.

Before you dig, or close a street

  • Call 811 before digging.
  • Closing a lane or street for an event or a job needs a city right-of-way permit on city streets and an NCDOT permit on state roads.
  • Street lights out: Duke Energy, 800-452-2777.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I check road closures in Wilmington, NC? State roads, including U.S. 17, U.S. 74, U.S. 421 and I-40, are on NCDOT’s DriveNC.gov map, or call 511. City street repairs and resurfacing are on the City of Wilmington’s street rehabilitation map.

When will the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge be replaced? NCDOT expects to choose a design in late 2026 and has not set a construction start. Public comments on the two options closed Oct. 15, 2026.

How long will the Dawson and Wooster street work last? The city says construction began in March 2026 and is expected to finish by March 2027. Call project manager Kyle Burden at 910-341-7808 with questions.

Who fixes potholes in Wilmington? On city streets, report them to the city at 910-341-7879 or with its online form. On state-maintained roads, call NCDOT at 910-341-2250.

What this means for you

  • Plan for a slower U.S. 74 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 20-22. One right lane is closed each day.
  • Expect flaggers on Wrightsville Avenue between Independence Boulevard and French Road through the end of the year. Work near College Road is at night.
  • Expect lane changes on Dawson and Wooster through the winter.
  • Going to Wrightsville Beach early Saturday, Oct. 24? Allow time for the 5K.

More: getting around Wilmington and who to call at City Hall.