Pender County, NCDOT update public on status of Hampstead Bypass

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — Traffic headaches are no surprise to people who travel US 17 through Hampstead every day.

“Over the last 5 to 10 years, we’ve been needing the bypass because you just can’t get in and off the road very well,” said business owner Rachel Gaines.

That’s where the Hampstead Bypass comes in. Pender County and the NCDOT invited the public to review the current timelines, designs and funding for the project Monday night at a drop-in session.

The bypass is expected to alleviate traffic along Highway 17 in the Hampstead area.

“With the bypass and the anticipated future growth of our area, we are expecting a drastic reduction in actual volume of traffic on 17 when that bypass is constructed,” said Pender County Planning and Community Development Director Kyle Breuer.

Pender County has tried other solutions to the traffic problem in the past, but it has not been very successful.

“Highway 17 is really the main access, so what we’ve really been trying to do in our office is make sure, when new development comes, that those connections are being made to provide for secondary means. But as growth comes, it also is gonna take a little bit to make those connections,” said Breuer.

The most recent schedule from the NCDOT for the $230 million bypass project has right of way acquisition starting as early as spring of next year and construction beginning in winter of 2020.

Gaines says she’s happy the bypass will be arriving soon, even if it costs her a few customers driving by her salon.

“I can truly say, years ago, that I thought it would hurt us and I’m sure there will be some diversion of business in the area but we also have the problem now that people won’t stop in the afternoons because it’s so dangerous to get in and out of our driveway,” said Gaines.

A few dozen Pender County residents showed up to the drop-in session to hear what the representatives from Pender County and the NCDOT had to say and voice their concerns.