Drivers using Front St during rush hour may get traffic tickets

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With a section of 3rd Street/Burnett Boulevard closed until the end of the year for a culvert replacement project, traffic tends to back up along Front Street and Carolina Beach Road.

There’s a detour in place to divert drivers around the construction site, but many still use Front Street to get to and from downtown.

Traffic is restricted to “Trucks Only” on Front Street between Willard Street and Carolina Beach Road, weekdays between 7 and 10 a.m. for southbound traffic, and between 3 and 6 p.m. for northbound traffic. D.O.T. Engineers say this will accommodate commercial truck traffic heading to and from the Port of Wilmington.

Even with a sign warning drivers about the restrictions, that hasn’t been the case.

Now, if you’re caught using that route during rush hour, you might end up with a ticket.

The North Carolina Port Authority is working with the Wilmington Police Department to give drivers verbal warnings. NC Ports Authority Spokesman Cliff Pyron says no tickets have been given out, but that could change.

We reached out to Wilmington Police to find out what type of citation drivers could receive but we have not heard back yet. We will keep you updated.