Front Street open to traffic Friday

WILMINGTON, NC – Crews are putting the finishing touches on the Front Street improvement project today and will
open the street to traffic on Friday afternoon, three weeks ahead of schedule.

The project is designed to make downtown more accessible and pedestrian friendly so more visitors will
come downtown and frequent downtown businesses.

A joint effort between the city and the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, the project began in
January and was originally scheduled to be completed July 31. Some minor work remains, but it
will not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

The $1.83 million project replaced aging water and sewer lines and completely renovated the
streetscape over a two‐block area of Front Street. Improvements include street paving, wider
sidewalks, more lighting, more parking options, new benches, crosswalks and landscaping.

A ribbon‐cutting ceremony will be held Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at the intersection of
Princess and Front streets. City and CFPUA officials, as well as downtown stakeholders, will be
in attendance.

INFORMATION FROM A NEWS RELEASE SENT TO THE WWAY NEWSCHANNEL 3 NEWSROOM…