Morning traffic mess eases as all lanes on Causeway open
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The morning commute from Brunswick County into Wilmington was something of a traffic nightmare for many drivers today, but it ended with something of a dream come true.
Traffic backed up early this morning along US 17 and US 74/76 near Leland because the Eagle Island Causeway was down to one eastbound lane. NCDOT spokesman Brian Rick said crews were delayed cleaning up from overnight work and were not able to get lanes open as early as planned.
When they did finish, though, they opened all three lanes across the Brunswick River Bridge for the first time. That means traffic getting on the causeway from NC 133 at Leland does not have to merge before the road widens back to four lanes ahead of the split with US 421.
Around 8:45 a.m., traffic was still backed up on US 17 and US 74/76 before their merge, but behind the NC 133 exit, it was flowing well into Wilmington.
Tonight on WWAY NEWS at 5 and 6 p.m., WWAY Weekend Anchor Hannah Patrick finds out what impact the completed Causeway Project will have for the area. It’s part of Operation Gridlock driven by WWAY and the StarNews.
