Final segment of Hampstead Bypass moves forward with $182 million contract

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a construction contract for the final segment of the Hampstead Bypass, a long-anticipated project aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity in New Hanover and Pender counties.

The $182 million contract was awarded to S.T. Wooten Corporation to build roughly 7 miles of roadway between N.C. 140 (formerly U.S. 17 Wilmington Bypass) and N.C. 210. This final portion will complete the nearly 13-mile bypass along the U.S. 17 corridor. Work includes grading, drainage, paving, and bridge construction, with crews expected to break ground as early as late August. The project is slated for completion in 2030.

“The Hampstead Bypass project remains a top priority for the Department and is crucial for the continued growth of the region,” said Trevor Carroll, NCDOT Division 3 Engineer. “This is a huge milestone as we work toward the completion of the bypass.”

The other portion of the bypass — extending from N.C. 210 to north of Hampstead — is already under construction and expected to wrap up by late 2027.

Once complete, the full bypass is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion through Hampstead and provide a more efficient route for driver between Wilmington and Jacksonville. The project has been in development for more than a decade and is seen as a critical piece of infrastructure to support population growth and economic development in southeastern North Carolina.

For additional updates and maps, visit the NCDOT Hampstead Bypass project webpage.