NC DOT to widen section of Highway 211

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Department of Transportation plans to begin construction in the next few years to improve a section of Highway 211 in Brunswick County.

Business owners like Kathy Smith are wary of the DOT’s plans to widen Highway 211 near Oak Island.

“I know we need to plan for the future, but I think that maybe we need to take a better look at it, do a little bit more homework before they start tearing into roads and widening thing,” Smith said.

Those like Daniel Aguilar feel less congestion will bring more customers.

“We’re really eager for them to finish because that way, traffic is going to come out through the front, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to have a lot more customers,” Aguilar said.

The seven mile project between Midway Road and NC 87 will mean a new look for the roadside. Some of the business owners are worried what that means for their parking spaces and lawns.
“All these little factors, especially in small businesses, it keeps people coming back,” Smith said.

Eminent domain attorney Jason Campbell said the DOT is not responsible for lost business, but it’s important for businesses and land owners to understand their rights.

“So that when they’re talking, they’re talking to the negotiator for the DOT and they’re explaining how they have been damaged in ways that the DOT is responsible for paying,” Campbell said.

The NC Eminent Domain Law Firm plans to hold a meeting Thursday May 12 at 7 p.m. to help citizens understand their rights.