NCDOT to put in temporary road on flooded Edgewater Club Road

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The NCDOT began work Wednesday on a temporary rock road on the severely flooded Edgewater Club Road in the Porters Neck area.

About 9 a.m., crews from five area NCDOT county offices in the southeastern part of the state began placing rock down on the flooded roadway. While that work is under way, the road will be shut down to all traffic, even vehicles that had been able to get through the flooded roadway.

This is good news for hundreds residents who live beyond the flooded section of road who have had difficulties getting in and out of their neighborhoods. The road has taken on so much water only tall vehicles are permitted to pass at owners’ risk.

Elizabeth Williams said she drives a compact car and couldn’t get her son to school and she hasn’t been able to get to work. She like other residents in the area is comparing the flooded area to a lake.

“I have an issue like how do I get my kid across the lake and how does he get home if I am able to get him across the lake on Edgewater Club Road,’” said Williams.

Lauren Zwack said she has a tall vehicle so she can drive through it but it still a scary journey.

“I had to put my kids and myself in an uncomfortable situation, driving in this water that at times was up to my door handle,” said Zwack.

NCDOT officials said the initial loads of rocks will be put in a pattern to create a one-lane stretch of about 400 to 500 feet along the flooded road. Crews will then re-load their trucks with slightly smaller rocks to place on the base layer. While they are doing that, it is hoped the roadway can briefly be opened in that one lane pattern. Once the next load of rocks arrives on the scene, the road will be shut down again. The process will be repeated one more time with loads of even smaller rocks put in place, and the road closed again. The intent is to build a temporary path that will allow vehicles to go through the flooded area, but riding on the rocks above the water.

Drivers are asked to proceed slowly and very cautiously on the temporary road and stay in a straight pattern to make sure they don’t slide to the side and possibly into water. It is hoped the temporary roadway will be completed later on Wednesday.