OPERATION GRIDLOCK: Does ‘shortcut’ around Carolina Beach Rd. save time?

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — We are hitting the road in the next three parts of Operation Gridlock to test shortcuts around some of the most congested roads in Wilmington.

WWAY weekend Anchor Hannah Patrick and Adam Wagner from the StarNews set out to try to tackle Carolina Beach Road from Monkey Junction to downtown Wilmington.

They both started at Veterans Park off Carolina Beach Road. They both ended at PPD downtown, but they used two separate ways. This drive was done during the morning rush hour between 7:00 and 9:00.

Hannah will make a left onto Carolina Beach Road. Then, she will take another left to stay on Carolina Beach Road and follow it until it becomes 3rd Street.

Hannah’s route is about 11 and a half miles, but it includes the third most congested stretch in Wilmington. Almost 32,000 cars pass through here every day. Improvements to Carolina Beach Road and Shipyard Boulevard are scheduled for 2017.

Adam will take a right out of the parking lot, drive through Veterans Park and then, take a right onto River Road. He will take River to Burnett Boulevard until it becomes 3rd Street. His route is about 13.6 miles.

Adam’s route may be longer, but he barely has to stop. Meanwhile, Hannah’s route is full of stops. She did not hit much traffic, but she do hit just about every light.

Hannah got downtown in 25 minutes and 17 seconds. It took Adam 26 minutes and 48 seconds. Adam had to travel about 2 more miles, but Hannah only beat him by a minute and a half.

When choosing between these routes, it comes down to no traffic and few stops or congestion and several stops that may save you a minute and a half.

Click here to see the Oleander Driver and College Road shortcut. 

Tune in to WWAY NewsChannel Three Tuesday to see the next shortcut we tackle.